The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1918-12-27

good humor. There were two reasons
be relieved at nine that night and we
were going back for a two weeks
rest. S~econd-it was spring. We could
smell II I'm the air. Even the wind
blowing from the German trenches In
Our direction had a sweet and
"sprtngy" smell.
About thirty yards down a communi-
cation trench to the left was an or
chard. The trees were Scared from
bullets and fragments Of shell; but
even these battered trunks could not
resist the feel of spring, because here
and there on the twigs and branches
could be seen bursting buds. Fitting
around were numerous birds. chirping,
and sometimes wrangling among them
selves.
To me II seemed odd that birds could
accustom themselves to war. Occa-
sionally q German shell, or perhaps
N Of ours, would 60 screaming over
the orchard. The birds did not seem
TO mind the noise-just carried on
with their nest-bupdiny.
In u company was ar American
named Alexander Stewart. Naturally
he and I were very chummy.
Stewart and I were the chief
amusement promoters" In the COM
pany. the Tommies constantly looking
20 us for some new diversion.
In the English army q Tommy seems
TO have the idea that an Americans
chief vocation In the United States is
TO invent, and to keep on inventing.
OF course. Stewart and l did not In
any way try TO dissipate this idea In
fact we encouraged 1t, and took great
pride In being looked up to in this
way; but, believe me, 1t kept US hust-
ling to keep the Tommies amused.
1t was getting too warm for soccer
football, and we knew as soon as we
got into rest billets that the issue
would be put right up to us: "How
are you going to amuse us while be-
hind the lines?"
We were Americans, and red-blood-
cd; spring was in the air. and our
thoughts turned to what every Ameri-
a boy is thinking of upon the arrival
Of spring-baseball.
] turned my eyes to the muddy para
dos (rear wall of the trench) and fixed
my gaze on a fragment Of German
shell embedded In the mud. Pretty
o this fragment seemed to change
into a baseball player, with mask, pro-
tector and catcher's mitt. He was
crouching behind the home plate and
signaling to the pitcher. Just then
Stewart said: "Say. Emp, I wonder
IL we could teach the Tommies how to
play baseballr
Immediately turned In his direction.
He was also staring at that fragment
OF shell.
answered: 'Did YOU aver try to
teach q Chinaman how to speak
Frenchr'
He got It right away and a detected
look spread v e his countenance, and
he let out a long-drawn sigh.
A Tommy sitting on my right butted
In with: did you sye byseball. Yank7
Why, I saw a gyme in London. and It
r. absurdly easy to plye, but I cawn't
rye I fawncy hit"
With a look of disgust Stewart
turned to me and said: ~ guess you're
right, Emp, 1t would be easier to teach
che Chinaman French"
That night we relieved and
went behind the lines.
The next afternoon, after parade.
we were sitting In an orchard drinking
tea. About q month before. Stewart
and I had taught the Tommies how to
pitch horseshoes. There was great
rivalry among the different squads,
each squad having a team.
Just then Corporal Watkins came
over to us and asked: "Where are the
sorse shoes? Icawn't find EN-"
Another Tommy answered: "Strafe
me pink where are your h'eyes7
Cawn't YIN bloomin' well see the h'of-
dcers usin' 'em behind that billet over
there? Blime me. they're always
a'gummin' the gyme."
Sure enough. the officers were using
our horseshoes.
Stewart, with . look Of depression
on his face. turned to me and said
;WeIl. here goes. Emp. Steve Brodie
took . chance. so ! might be able to
get away with this"
Then. turning 70 the Tommies, he
said: ibid any Of you blokes ever
hear Of John McGrawre
Throo az tho Y0mmiea answered.
yes"
A sunny smile ana q look Of hope
fitted acfuM o1ewaFt's face, and he
breatDdesnly a1hed. WHO Is hep The
three started 70 answer at once. but
EteWaxk m~atoR1carly extending his
hand pam torwnrd, aaa4 Get n
Iinx. ane e q tiEae. Now, RNh1ns. WIN
= J6lrn uDsCraw5'
RsE'1M GRsSS!sEsd; VI - :