The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1918-06-06
A Modem
David
Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union
BY WARREN MILLER

DOCTOR GaStOn Larrabpr had inst
completed his medical education when
the Worlds war broke out. and of
course he Joined the surgeons of the
French army. Doctor I.arrabee was
better fitted to give medicines to WON.
en- and children than to attend the
wounded on the battle field. He was
small of stature and delicatoly Or
ganiZed.
The young doctor was, moreover
IN love with Louise Rappelier. He was
not successful In his suit, for Louise
admlrcd strength. She looked for
ward to marrying some hero of the
war some imposing man with fierce
mOuSta chioS
Go, she said, land do your duty
IN the field in which you are placed.
A surgeon may win Il decoration rs
we'll as one in the trenches. I hone
you will return safely, and having
shown yourself brave man. I care
not how"
CASTOR went forth without any hone
OF proving that he possessed what he
had no taste for. He would mn IN
rather have remained and fed pellets
to children; hut the government did
not propose that he should do so.
Gast"n'S small stature. his soft
voice, his gentlemanliness, soon
brought down on him the sarcasm Of
his associates. That is, some Of his as-
sociatcs. Most Of them liked him. II
was only the rough-hewn men who
were indclicate enough to twit him
for his delicacy. There was no oc-
casion for taunting him, for he did his
work conscientiously, and If war was
not to his taste that was no fault of
his. He could not force his likes or
dislkes.
Captain Bomharicr was Doctor Lar
rabee's opposite. He came Of rough
stock, and had received very little etlu-
cation. He hated refinement, and edu-
cation was dctcstful to him. The lit
tie doctor was to him like a red rag
to mad bull. The two men were of
the same corps. and were consequent
ly thrown together. Bombarier never
lost an opportunity to cast a slur on
the doctors small hand or foot. or his
sort voice. which latter was as unlike
the captains as the COO Of u dove to
lions roar.
Bombarier's taunts finally reached
insults. Guston's friends suggested to
him to ask for q transfer to q CORDS
where he would not be subject to the
captain's remarks. but the doctor said
that would not avail. The reputation
Tor having failed to resent an insult
would follow him. Besides. he would
ind others disposed to pounce upon
him. No. he preferred death rather
than live an object of contempt He
would challenge Captain Bombarier.
II he were killed his SufferingS would
be ended. However. the matter might
end. it might In future render him
less liable to insult.
TIL" next time Bomharier cast a slur
on tn" doctor. Castor challenged him
To fight. Tn" captain laughed at IN"
idea of fighting such delicate little
fellow. and ignored the challenge This
would hay" been well enough had he
ceased his >iu:s. For Il time he was ,
not quite :" "unt"mp,unuS. hut soon
. was rs irrliatiu. - ever. Then TIA"
other officers t"Uh ihc matter up an,.
insisted that J.. ii"'t t." DOCTOR
E"mbar"r r,'Ii,laully consented
stating that h" was placed in Il false
position ~ the orp"u"nt of such Il
stripping, an! n m""i;nS WIS ar.
ranged. Tho Scc"nlS in order THAI
nothing serious might conc If il. or 20
save III" little d""1nr's iifr S"p:r:Ifin,
the c"IhatautS 800 yards. ua:min.
rifles for weapons. I'll" IUrli~;S were
placed HS far from lilr trenches aS ia"
circumstances would admit. hut tn.
diStuucr WIS not great When an
WIS r,nIy th,. word "tiin'' wa. .,iy,-,