The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-06-14
LAST LONG MILE
IS WORST OF ALL
SAYS HARPER
In Letter Home Describes
Hike Taken Prior To
Embarkation
II MILES AT GAIT OF
13O STEPS A MINUTE
With Others Entertains For
eign Bandsmen; Have
Crack Chef

An experience of every wearer of
the khaki. preparatory to embarka-
ton for overseas, is described in a
letter which has been received from
Private | CT. Donald H. Harper OF the
Overseas Section, Gas Defense Ser
vice, who is stationed at an eastern
camp awaiting sailing orders. y The
letter follows:
The Last Long Mile
"Oh it's not the pack that you carry
on your back, or the Enfield on
your shoulder,
Nor the fve-inch crust of khaki.
cOlored dust that makes you feel
your limbs are growing older:
''And it's not the hike on the hard
turnpike that wipes away your
smile,
''Nor the socks of sisters that raise
he boomin' blisters-it's the
last long mile!"
Some mile! With your throat
parched your head throbbing, your
clothes saturated, yOllr feet swollen
and aching, that mile seems interim
nable.
We were on our last mile yester-
day when the lieutenant called halt.
Five of the boys crumpled by the
side of the rOad-toO exhausted to
move on. The balance scrambled for
such water as was available. You're
at attention, men!" cried the lieuten.
ant and instantly the confused line
was restored. Ii was n l2-mile hike
over the dustiest and hardest roads
of the state, six miles without stop
and then plunge into forest lake
A half hours running on the shore
and then "Sling packs" rang out. The
40pound burden was hOisted and the
return trip started.
Instead of the dust, there was en-
countered the marble-like pike which
leads to the camp. Actual count dis.
closed a marching cadence of 1870
steps n minute, 10 steps more than
the customary gait Luxurious auto
mobiles went past and their Occu-
pants, with MINCED curiosity and
pity, scanned the dogged line Of
marching men.
Camp in sight! "IIOw far?" mil
itary policeman was asked. "The last
long mile" he replied. But that mile!
Barracks reached, the majority
tumbled into bed for an half hour fol-
lowing q cold shower. Later, din
ner of cold ham, potatoes and ice
cream and finally the welcome notes
of taps. There was not q stir and the
tired frames of the mixers entered
that most glorious land of real re.
pose, which only opens to the Dhysi-
cally and mentally exhausted.
The boys in France would smile IN
diligently at this, but even the vel
Grams of this camp shuddered at the
idea of going through what we did
yesterday.
our detachment is giving banquet
To five of it's members at famous
inn. about six miles away. All OF
these bandsmen have been in battle
and one wears the crOix de guerre
for saving the life of his lieutenant.
The chef who will go overseas with
us. l,aptiste Allevi, was second cook
at the ST. Regis, McAlpine and Bilt'
more hotels, New York, and Is wei
coming the bandsmen as he would
long-lOst relatives. Four of them
spent last evening in our barracks
They were bitter towards Russia and
declare the war would have been Ov
er long ago save for the BOlshevik
trea achery.
Most of the men In our detachment
are college fellows, and a fine lot
They work hard and complain oi
nothing, only all are anxious to get
started on the long trip. II will be q
glorious thing when, from shipbOard
our voice can ring forth the gladstone
strains of THE Last Long Mile," the
goal of our dreams reached and the
most important work of our entire
lives started.
DONALD II. HARPER