Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-30
"Over the Top
By An American Soldier
Who Went
ARTHUR GUY EMPEY
Machine Gunner Seroing In France
lCop W yht, I9,7, by Arthur Guy Hmpsy)
CHAPTER XXI.
Machine Gunne, Se,oins In France


by the til brigade, and once again
returned to rest billets. Upon arriving
ut these billets we were given twenty
four hours in which to clean up. l had
just finished getting the mud from my
uniform when the orderly sergeant in
formed me that my name was in orders
to leave, and that I was to report to
the orderly room in the morning for or
ders, transportation and rations.
nearly had fit, hustled about
packing up, filling my pack with SOU
venirs such as shell heads, dud bombs,
nose caps, shrapnel balls, and Prus-
sian guardsman's helmet. In fact, be-
fore turned in that night, had every
thing ready TO report at the orderly
room at nine the next morning.
was the envy Of the whole section,
swanking around, telling Of the good
time was going to have, the places
would visit, and the real, old English
beer I intended to guzzle. Sort of
rubbed it into them, because they all
do it, and now that it was my turn, I
took pains to get my own back.
At nine reported to the captain, re-
ceiving my travel order and pass. He
asked me how much money I wanted
to draw. I glibly answered, "Three
hundred francs, sir" he just as glibly
handed me one hundred.
Reporting at brigade headquarters,
with my pack weighing ton, waited,
with forty others, for the adjutant to
inspect us. After an hours wait, he
came out must have been sore because
he wasn't going with us.
The quartermaster sergeant issued
us two days rations, in little white
canvas ration bag, which we tied to
our belts.
Then two motor lorries came along
and we piled in. laughing, joking, and
In the best of spirits. We even loved
the Germans, we were feeling so happy.
Our Journey to seven days bliss in
Blighty had commenced
The ride in the lorry lasted about
two hours; by this time we were COW
cred with fine, white dust froanthe
road, but didn't mind, even if we We're
nearly choking.
At the railroad station at F. we
reported to an officer, who had white
band around his arm, which read "R.
T. O." (Royal Transportation Officer).
To US this officer was Santa Claus.
The sergeant In charge showed him
our orders; he glanced through them
and said: make yourselves comfort
able on the platform and don't leave;
the train is liable to be along in five
minutes or five hours"
It came in five hours, string Of
eleven match boxes on big, high
wheels, drawn by dinky little engine
with the "con." These match boxes
were cattle cars, on the sides Of which
was painted the old familiar sign,
"Hommes 40, Chevau1 g."
The R. T. O. stuck US all into one
car. We didn't care; it was as good
as Pullman to US.
Two days we spent on that train,
humping, stopping, Jerking ahead, and
sometimes sliding back. At three sta
lions we stopped long enough to make
some tea, but were unable to wash, so
when we arrived at B, where we
were to embark for Blighty, we were
as black as Turcos and, with our un-
shaver faces, we looked like lot Of
tramps. Though tired out, we were
happy.
We had packed up, preparatory to
detraining, when r. T. o. held up his
hand for US to stop where we were
and came over. This Is what he said:
Boys, I'm sorry, but orders have just
been received cancelling all leave. If
you had been three hours earlier you
would have gotten away. Just stay in
that train, as it is going back. Ratlons
will be issued to you for your return
journey to your respective stations.
Beastly rotten, I know" Then he left.
A dead silence resulted. Then men
started to curse, threw their rifles on
the floor Of the car; others said moth
ing, seemed to be stupefed, while some
had the tears running down their
cheeks. It was bitter disappointment
to all.
How we blinded at the engineer Of
that train; it was all his fault ESQ we
reasoned) why hadn't he speeded up a
little or been ON time, then we would
have gotten Off before the order ar