The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-12-20

men went to town this morning to visit
the dentist, and mine placed under .
railroad track by the Germans OK
ploded and killed him, along with mess
sergeant of one Of our companies. Had
these men been in battle we would mot
have thought much Of it, but to BIO
killed through pure treaehery is past
our method Of fighting. It is favoritc
method of the Germans to evacuate a
city and leave numerous mines in all tho
important stations and highways. This
they do in face of all their peace pro-
posals. These mines are timed to ex'
plode from one to fifteen days after tho
evacuation, or to explode on contact.
went to town to identify the boys
body, but was unable to do SO. Hrs
brother made the identity by pass in
one of his pockets. The affair this after
noon was the first instance have seen
Of the pure treaehery of the Germans.
The peace proposals are causing lot
of talk over here, but we are all in tho
air and do not know what the real
| status is. .u.
At present am trying my best to
rid myself of the pest you have heard 20
much about. Once I had so many that
life seemed unbearable. AS one Of our
men stated, "There was something
under my clothes besides myself. The
government issued us new underwear
and breeches and we all got bath.
Now, whenever 1 have ticklish sensa-
ton on my breast, and decide to ig-
more it, and it persists and increases II
volume, and / stealthily slip my finger
after what think is a cootie, and then
when have grabbed it and brought It
forth and it proves to be not cootle,
but a ball of lint, ooh, me! what a
grand and glorious feeling!' So, Mr.,
Brown, if ever you see anyone complain
ing about petty Inconvenience OF lite,
refer him to any Of the Yanks who have
spent some time in q cootie ridden dug
out. Feed is always plentiful, consider
ing, and it is very seldom that our food
Is cut off. Our feed now even has an
abundance of vegetables. At present "A
have not a single complaint in life. !
am fully contented and await patiently
for the end to come, when we can SteE
on good old western soil once more.
1 was very sorry to learn Of Atty.
Rush g death, but feel that his life was
full and we'll seasoned, and his long rest
was well earned. I hope can mako
myself felt just fraction as much 40
he was in Des Moiaes. At the same time
one cannot help bat feel sad at tho
great and lasting changes that are tax
: ing place among the old friends whom
) knew in Dee Moines. 1t seems that each
, time I hear from home some dear one
! has passed away and it causes strange
: !lonesomeness to come over me that 10
hard to put away.
The people of Des Moines are certain
ly living up to the slogan, "Des Moines
Does Things.'' The spirit of old St
J Paul g A. M. F.. is ever one the increase.
| Even here in France, the colored OH
{ GERS talk about the fighting qualities Of
the A. M. f. These men are fighting
men, and they admire church that
will fight. One fellow said the reason
, he liked the church was because in the
beginning, when the M. Els threatened
to sue the A. M. Els if they attempted
to withdraw, Bishop Allen got up and
told them to "sue and be damnedp'
They would withdraw. I am sure tho
church which you have built is monu-
ment to the fighting spirit of the great
African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Well, Mr.. Brown, am the officer OF
the day and must make an inspection,
after which I shall return to my howell;
and, because Of certain sensations on
my body, I shall doff my shirt and un-
dershirt and read my titles clear.
will close, rejoicing in the fact that
you are spared such occupations, and
hoping to be like you in a short time.
Yours sincerely,
| Rufus b. Jackson