The Mena weekly star., 1918-05-09
lContinued from last week

slipped off the sandbag and was on his knees in the mud, the glass still at his eye. He was muttering to himself and skipping his thigh with his dlsen- gagged hand. At every slap a big round juicy cuss word would escape from his lips followed by:
 "Goodi Finel Marvellous Pretty Work Direct hits all'
 'Then he turned to me and shouted {:
 Wilson, what do you think of it7 Did you ever see the like of 1t in your lifef D--n fine work, I call it.
 Pretty soon look of wonder stole over his face and he exclaimed:
 "sBut who in h-l gave them the order to fire. Range and everything correct. too. I know I didn't. Wilson, did give you any order for the bat tery to open up7 Of course I didn't. did IF
 T answered very emphatically. No, sir, you gave no command. Nothing went through this post. I am abso- lutely certain on that point. sir
 "'Of course nothing went through, : he replied. Then his face fell, and he muttered out loud:
 "But, by love, walt till Old Pep per gets wind of thls. There'll be fur flying
 Just then Bombardier Cassell cut in on the wire:
 Generals compliments to Captain A. He directs that officer and sig naler report at the double to brigade headquarters as soon as relieved. Re- lief now on the way
 Tn an undertone to me, Keep a brass front, Wilson, and for Gods sake, stick answered with, Rely on me. mate but was trembling all over.
 T gave the generals message to the captain, and started packing up.
 "The relief arrived, and as we left the post the captain said:
 "'Now for the fireworks, and know they'll be good and plenty They were.
 When we arrived at the gun pits the battery commander, the sergeant major and Cassell were waiting for us. We fell in line and the funeral march to brigade headquarters started.
 Arriving at headquarters the bat tery commander was the first to be interviewed. This was behind closed doors. From the roaring and explo- sions of Old Pepper 1t sounded as If raw meat was being thrown to the Hons. Cassell, later, described 1t as sounding like bombing raid. In about two minutes the officer reappeared. The sweat was pouring from his fore head, and his face was the color of 6 beet. He was speechless As he passed the captain he jerked his thumb In the direction of the Hons den and went out. Then the captain went in, and the lions were once again fed. The captain stayed about twenty min utes and came out. I couldn't see his 1ace. but the droop In his shoulders was enough. He looked like wet hen.
 'The door of the generals room opened and Old Pepper stood in the doorway. With roar he shouted:
 (Which one of you Is Casselli ! D-n me. get your heels together when l speak Come in herer
 "Cassell started to say, Yes sir
 But Old Pepper roared, Shut upr
 "Casseil came out in five minutes. He said nothing. but as he passed me he put his tongue into his cheek and winked, then, turning to the closed door, he stuck his thumb to his nose and left
 Then the sergeant majors turn came. He didn't come out our way. Judging by the roaring, Old Pepper must have eaten him.
 When the door opened and the gen eral beckoned to me. my knees started to play Home, Sweet Home against each other.
 My interview was very short.
 "old Pepper glared at me when l entered. and then let loose.
 "'Of course you don't know anything sbost 1t. You're just like the rest Ought to have a nursing bottle around your neck and a nipple in your teeth. soldiers-by gad. you turn my stom- ach to look at you. Win this war. -~~% ~&8hou0 ocutAE JUL cutu phAnPAcr ss have in my brigadei Not likely Now. sir, tell me what you don't know about this affair. Speak up, out with 2. Don't be gaping at ne like fish. Spit it out e
 II stammersd. Sir. know absolute ay nothing.' fe fa si
 That's easy to sse,' he roared rnat stupid face tells me that. Shut up. Get out D but think you are . d--d liar just the same. Back to your battery.' 9s sn
 saluted and made my exit.
 That night the captain sent for us. With fear and trembling we went to nis dugout. He was alone, After sa- iuting we stood at attention in front Of him and waited. His say was short. Don't you two ever get it Into your heads that Morse is dead language. I've known it for years. The two of You had better get rid of that nervous habit of tapping transmitters; it's dan gerous. That's all'
 We saluted, and were just going out the door of the dugout when the cap tain called up back and said:
 Smoke Goldfiakesf Yesf Well, tnere are-two tins of them on my table. so back to the battery. and keep your ensues between your teeth. Undef- standr
 We understood
 Lfs..aA A.. A