The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-01-18
A Story With
a Moral
Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union
b. ALAN IilNSDALE

Tor move against the nerinunS III
T. which they proposed to use the TAM
N the general of the tank brigade fount
k himself short of engineers who were
n competent TO run the big caterpillars
a lie called on the commander of tn,
:, United States troops for detail o!
American soldiers who We're skilled
y engineers, as we'll as brave, 10 put sucl
tanks as were deficient I'm men to run
a them. Ike Rogers was one OF the
$ Americans who were selected to con
. duct tank in the attack that was tc
be made on the enemy.
i Ike's tank was some distance be
? hind the others, and he was instructed
| to move IL forward, generally In the
night but Ike In order to catch up and
being on the edge of wood, drove II
on In the day time.
Beside the road a young peasant
girl stood gaping at the big machine.
This girl-Clochette was her name
was very pretty. Ike fell In love with
her at first sight. He asked her for a
drink OF water. The French people
drink wine in place of water, SO Cloch-
4 cite gave him glass of wine. She
i spoke few words of English and Ike
while In training camp before 60
ing over the big pond had studied
French, so they managed to understand
each other after fashion. Something
| In the tank needed fixing and Ike was
detained where he had stopped long
| time. When he was about to move
on he sale to Clochette half in French.
the other half in English, II love you,"
and Clochette almost swooned with joy
to be told that she was loved by the
guiding spirit of the big war monster.
Clochette having been caught
by the power of the tank rather than
anything attractive about Ike's person
atty. soon after his departure was
caught In a different way. A cavalry
man rode by who carried flag, its
staff resting on the toe Of his boot.
His steed danced and curvetted so
beautifully that Clochette was much
moved, and since the rider was hand
some young fellow she transferred her
heart TO this man who, compared with
the greasy tank runner, was marvel
of beauty.
The cavalryman spoke French flu
emily and not having seen pretty |
girl since he left England, there was |
another case of love at first sight. |
Clochette responded favorably.
Well, the fight came on, the tanks
made big hit, and Ike's tank went
walloping over the field like an ele-
plant that had escaped from its keep
er. But likes guiding hand was in the
throat turning 1t here and
there to trample under its hundred
feet scores of Germans and cutting
Its way through barb wires as now
ing machine will fell field of wheat.
When the armies settled down
again to ordinary work the commander
Of the tank brigade ordered long
rest for all who had manned the gigan-
tic centipedes. He complimented Ike
as having done extraordinary service
and asked him what sort of reward
ne would like. Should it be decora-
ion or promotion? Ike. said he would
hink 1t over.
But likes thinking powers were upon
pretty French girl who
lad fallen In love with either him or
lis tank--it is not certain which-and
10 asked for leave to go back and
zee her. He found the cavalryman in
possession. He too had received a
cave, and had returned to his love.
Ike finding himself supplanted was
ouch cast down. He looked at his
reasy clothes, and his begrimed
ands, then turned his gaze upon the
andsome, well-dressed cayalryman
nd having mind capable Of perceiv-
lg cause and effect resolved upon
curse that he hoped would give him
n advantage. He returned to his gen.
raj and said:
General, ! would like transfer"
ITO what corps2'
81 wish to be made drum major of
band"
Great Scott man, what do you,
ne soldier, desire to sink to such
diculous position|
Ike told his story and the general
mt him back to the commander of
e American forces with request
al his petition be granted, and Ike
'tained his coveted position. In the
anges that occurred the fighting !
terward fell on the American army. I
ochette determined to go as a nurse
the American camp and appeared
ere just before battle. The Ameri-
n general ordered that the bands I
ny martial music to inspire the men. !
e at the head of the band marched !
hospital where Clochette stood !
ldy TO help take care of the wound :
Amid the bursting of shot and !
ell, the thunder of guns, the cheers I
the charging troops, Ike fiourished I
staff, tossed II in the air, caught Z
as Ii came down, and his very APP Z
lrance. to say nothing of the music I
his band. was enough to make any
dier plunge into the jaws of death. !
Clochette had no eyes for anyone or
ything else. Ike, the engineer OF the -
TX. the mechanic covered with =,
.ase. was converted TO be the fin 10
specimen of a man. Apollo was
so much to a Roman girl as was
drum major TO Clochette. RI