The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-05-28

but 1t Is never pleasant to have the
other fellow do all the shooting. As
correspondent Harner was noncom-
Blatant. He was shot at as much as
any Of the soldiers and a great deal
more than some of them, and he SIM
ply had to stand 1t without the privi-
lege Of returning the compliment.
But he had become used to it all
now, and the battle Of the morrow
must be attended to. He knew the To-
cations of the commands; he believed
he had the plans of the fight, and he
wanted to get the field Of operations
so clear In his mind that his account
would be as accurate in its topography
as In its other important particulars.
He had permission to rove within the
lines and he was on his way to the
line.
AS he turned into a path which
would save him some of the distance
a young soldier overlook him. He was
handsome and young, with the rosy
health of perfect physical manhood.
Harner viewed him closely and into
his mind came pity that such hope.
should be used as food for gunpowderk
my name Is Monsoon, Company G,
Eighth volunteers" he said, "and l
want you to do me favor"
very glad to do anything l can."
replied Harner.
"Your paper goes to our town and
anything that is printed about US will
be read there" he went on. "What l
ask may seem little strange. but l
know that you can do it without much
trouble to yourself"
"Well, what is it7"
I'm your dispatch about tomorrow's
fight want you to report as dead
William II. Monson, private in Com
pany O. who enlisted from Spring
Falls"
Harner took a more careful look at
the young man, but there was nothing
In his countenance to indicate that he
was either insane Of insincere. But it
seemed to be q Jest and Harner
SMILED.
How would you like it putt" he
asked.
Il don't understand"
"Of course you want to die hero's
death. Shall have you leading your
company over the enemy's ramparts;
or dashing forth to grasp the flag from
hostile hands; or picking up burn
ing bomb; or throwing yourself in
front of your captain to save his pre-
cious uniform from ali approaching
bullet-or shall it be just a plain case
of dead in the line Of duty with eniy
an empty knapsack and a visiting card
to tell the story Of life cut down In
the bloom of YOUTH"
''You can fix it as you please said
the young man solemnly. Il suppose
you newspaper fellows have to put
things in to fill up and as l am going
to die it won't make much difference
how 1t happens. But I'll be satisfied
with just line-just say I'm dead.
That's all ask"
never taken time to consider why my
paper keeps me out here or why stay.
1t isn't for the fun of the thing, / as
sure you. They are not paying me
salary and expenses merely to spend
their surplus or to enable me to tele-
graph bogus news. If you had had
four years Of the work only to get
complaints from alleged editors, who
sit in easy chairs and think they rule
in the country with a headline or a
double-leaded screed and who know
more than all the generals and corre-
spondents in both armies you would
understand things better. It's hard
enough to persuade these omnipotents
to recognize real news when they see
it. much less to send them statements
[ which are not true"