The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1918-07-04
EAT POTAIOES
RH1 SAVE 90
$' WHEAT COD

it,, l 1-2 in, get out and go home"
Now some may be glad to hear that
but it sure made me sick. l was CIV
en- a discharge, paid off and told to
hand in my suit. l have the best lit
tie outfit in the world and | hated to
give it up and | bawled and bawled
until about noon when one of our
sergeants talked to me and told me
not to feel bad, because l couldn't
help it If | was short on one end.
Then | remembered what the big guy
said and waited around to see the
first lieutenant whose name is Hays
He had already heard about me feel
ing SO bad because l had to 60, that
when / saluted him and asked If l
could have a re-examination, or ra-
ther re-measurement, he took me in
and measured me himself, and | was
5 IT. 3 in, which is the limit. We'll
at least" he says, don't 60 till see
you again and will see what can
do for you, because it is fellows like
you that we want, with lots of pep
and eager to learn. Besides have
been watching you in drill and you
are learning more rapidly than any
man we had here before"
Well, when we were called out for
drill in the afternoon l went along
and after about an hour of drill the
second lieutenant called halt and
rest. | was last man in the line and
he hollered out, "O'Rourke, get up
front and be a guide for the rest"
There are 256 men in the battalion.
For an hour or so was guide In all
that went on and he called another
rest and sent us all to the barrachs
but with word to report in five min
utes. Just as the five minutes were
up he said, II hear you were dis
charged and l guess you better hand
In your outfit" told him l had seen
the first lieutenant and that was to
stay until l heard from him. He said,
"all right" and told me to get back
where | was as guide, and until drill
was over ! kept my place.
This morning we had inspection.
Your uniform must be spotless, shoes
shined, and beds and all in ship
shape. 1t is weekly affair and when
one is lacking, days peeling spuds.
When we we're through Lieut.. Hays
sung out, "O'Rourke" and told me he
had taken the matter up with the big
guy and the doctors at the mastering
office, and though he couldn't prom
ise me anything definite, he thought
| might get by and be allowed to
stay.
Now if am allowed to stay | can t
60 to France but probably will be
here as non-com. officer, which
won't be half bad
Joe you can believe every word |
say. If a fellow makes up his mind
like | did, that he will like Camp
Lewis, he sure will, because If had a
choice in life again I'd be soldier.
It's tough I'll admit to have guy
ball you out in ranks in drill. So far
haven't been, but you sure learn
to obey orders. If l had done this,
however, I'd be home now as was
supposed to leave for Portland last
night. But If | have to leave can t
go back because I'd feel like HI
about it.
Camp life Is just what you make it
and our bunch from Morrow county
are certainly credit to the country,
from their actions when on duty.
Every one, especially Kentucky" is
rearing to go. Some how when you
get here you cant help it, because
they put the lazy and ornery ones on
the end of a pick and shovel and that
sure brings them to time. There Is
only one thing, your time is not your
own and Its the hardest thing in the
world to find time to write. so I'll
ask you to tell my friends that this
letter is for all of 'em and that l just
sent it to you. We had few hours
this morning, that's why l am writ
ing now, as | may not be able to any
more for a while. Don't answer till
let you know If l am to stay be-
cause l am really discharged, paid
off, allowed fare of $11.25 and days
at 81, total, $16.25 and told to 60.
But l remember hearing friend of
mine say, "you never get anything
without trying" and I'll be here If
they give me the least chance.
The food here Is good and when
meal time comes they holler come
and get It," and talk about stam-
pede; it's worse than tho stampede
the girls make towards you and me
at a leap year ball. We all line up
at the bench behind our plates and at