American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-11-19

BY JACK LAYTON.


Private Vance Donnette was a
Southern lad by birth. AS are many
Of our gallant young lads he was
called into the service by the draft.
lie entered a Southern encampment
In the latter part Of March and In
early May, with many others. was
transferred 10 a camp farther North.
II was the 18th Of May that Vance
was assigned the duty Of d switch
board operator az the camp. His
hours az the switchboard were o "A. IN.
10 II M, and 8 D. M. to ! a. m.
One bright Tuesday morning. while
on his duty at the switchboard, won
dering how 10 spend the four-hour re-
lief that afternoon. he at last decided
10 take a stroll through the village
OF Riverside. The village church, the
store and the central office were the
important buildings. One o'clock that
Tuesday found Vance strolling the
streets VI a strange town. Several OF
the village lads were In the service.
40 a lad In khaki was not an uncom-
mon occurrence. II don't see many
lassies In this vicinity. I guess they
are few and far between" said Vance.
Arriving at the store he entered and
bought a cigar, then gayly passed on
his way. He had not gone far when
he approached the central Office.
Glnnclng into the open windows, and
Stacking his pace as he did so, he saw
NHa HffIa AnArafAr NJ hnN nAnf nNuUa-
Der. please" Lime busyi" did you
get himf' Riverside" he heard the
sweet little voice saying. "who is the
proud owner Of that sweet voice2"
"How beautiful she was with that
dark hair. Wish that l might meet
her" said Vance.
As he continued his stroll the op-
orator was stiil In his mind. lie
walked on nearly a mile. then began
his journey ~hOmeward. Taking a slip
Of paper from his pocket he wrote
"Nunce Donnette, operator at local
camp. Ring up" On his return by
the central Office he walked more
slowly than before. Just at the en-
trance 10 the office he let the slip
Of paper drop out OF his hand. Hope
that she Is lucky enough to find It,"
said he.
Az i've o'clock Emita Dell. the Riv-
erside operator, was preparing TO
leave the office. Just as she opened
the door to depart a slip OF paper was
blown In by the draft" %(draught) and
dropped at her feet. Picking 1t up
she placed II In her ticket book and
started on her way home.
Wednesday morning as Emita was
recording her tickets she found the
paper which she picked up the pre-
vlous night. Unfolding It she read {:
"yance Dounette. Operator at local
camp. Ring up" "where did IL
come FRONT Who Is Vance Donnette1
Guess I'll ring him up shortly" At
eleven o'clock Emita rang up the
local camp. is this Vance Don
netteY' YES" was the reply. This
IL Emltn Dell. the Riverside operator.
| found your paper In the Office. II
was blown la by the draft (~draught).
30 | rang you up" Blown In by the
draft ~tiraught). and you found II.
/. too. was blown In by the draft
Thank heaven that you found IT," on
Emita's Inquiry In regard TO the
origin OF the paper Vance related the
tale OF his stroll through Riverside.
During their conversation Emita In
vited him TO call at the office on the
day OF his next relief.
The next Tuesday afternoon Vance
went to the Central office. As he
neared the Office. instead OF slacken-
Ing. he hastened his pace he was so
anxious 60 meet Emita. Entering the
once. Emita greeted him with a hand
shake. as though they had known
each other for years. That afternoon
as be sat there talking to her. the
only thought In his mind was "She
Is the most beautiful OF all girls" He
was obliged to leave the ONCE at
three o'clock. that he might not be
late IN reporting at the camp.
As usual at ave O'Clock. Vance was
going on duty and Emita was coming
on. "She's a wonderl" Dark hair.
steel gray eyes. cheeks as pink as
roses. and just about rs tall Al L
OF all the beauties. she Is III" said he.
"He certainly Is a nice looking
youth. So gentlemanly In his ways.
And SO refined In his language" she
was saying.
The friendship between Emlta and
Vance grew more intimate as the
days passed by. Each visit helped TO
make their friendship o sincere.
until finally Dan Cupid accompanied
Vance on his visits. Apparently Dan
Cupid knows how TO do "his bit,'
exceptionally well. One Tuesday
afternoon instead OF Vance taking his
trip 70 Emita's. she went to the city
with him. The next morning when
Emita came to work she wore a
sparkling ring on her finger. Conse-
quently Dan Cupid had not failed 70