Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-04-30
!.
Il JOY T]|'OBOYS.
A 1 /! EFF
Boys Happy as a Bunch Of
Kids Playing Ball on the
Corner Lot.
Kind Act Of Thoughtful Sol
der Brings Cheer to
Lonesome Boy.
(BY Is. ri. TOsTEyTN)

: LIE me describe this camp day be-
fore yesterday. for yesterday we got
some mail and today a big batch Of
1t,
After nearly ten days Of beautiful
spring weather. the French weather
Easter and handed out a package of
spring rains-a la Americaine-it
spoiled the Easter parade of the
French damsels in the village nearby.
and It dampened the spirits of the
boys. who are stuck on the detail Of
running one Of the big government
schools. at least doing the work which
the instructors don't do.
Mail had not been received for a
couple of weeks. Yesterday a small
percentage of the boys received let
Everyone received three or four let
ters and packages containing every
thing from eats to silk pajamas.
This morning the rain was pouring
down In a dismalsort of a way. and it
poured a little harder this afternoon.
Fellows were cussing because they
had to turn out for formal guard
mount and plough around in the; mud,
others just naturally had grouches.
Top" says the mail orderly of the
company busting into the office of the
first sergeant, gimme a detail Of five
men We've got a slew of mail and l
can't tote it alone"
1t reminded me of a time at one OF
the other camps we were stationed at
since coming to France. and when /
was in charge Of the regimental mails.
The p%ostof1ce at that camp was fully
a mile from the ,regimental postoffice.
There had been no mail for weeks,
when we got word Of some 80 sacks.
I walked into a couple of barracks and
shouted, Anyone wanting mai come
on and carry sacks"
1 had half the regiment volunteer
ing to do the disagreeable work.
Same today. Half of the company
offered to help.
it, !" walked through a couple Of par
racks, r.
Remember Jack Somebody of Lis
bon. Got a ten pound boy!". Il
Gosh! They've got .Townley on
the run Trying him for treason or
something or other Gin Minnesota"
was the remark of another who had
found a bit of news.
well for the love of Pete! Hey
guys take a look at this!" exclaimed
another. Wonder whether she thinks
this is. "A pink tea" and he held up a
suit of mercerized silk pajamas. In
stantly there vas an uproar INC the
soldier wished he had hid them under
his blankets or something.
"Put 'em on and let's see how you
look!"
What are they?" =.
"oh. JOY! Oh Boy! Isn't he the
lady killer"
These and a lot more from the
fellows who had read letters n were
trying to hide disa appointment on
Emissing out. -
Then "Shut up you poor boobs!
Hire a hall! Give us a chance to read
l~etters!" from the rest of the crowd.
| All but one.
Sitting over on his bunk head
bowed over a single envelope which
the mails had brought him; motion
less, giving no heed to anything
around him, sat a lad Of 10 years.. He
is one Of those shy sort of boys, a no
girls on the string sending him things;
only letters from home. and this en-
velope he had brought a belated
Christmas card.
bunk and shuffled his way outside Of
the barracks.
1 was not the only one watching
him, for one of the other boys looked
at me.
Hell! Amt that too bad. Poor
kid and turning to his own pile Of
mail he selected a package which
from its size and shape apparently
was a carton of cigarettes. ripped off
the original wrapper, pasted cancelled
stamps on it and addressed it to this
boy, adding a return cards from a girl
the good fellow" knew was a friend
in the little town back home. "" ~.
"C'mon," he said to me after COM
pleting the bundle.
We hurried outside and the Good
Fellow" began shouting.
Hey you-come here and get your
MALL"
The lad we sought was walking
slowly away from the camp and out
on the hills. At his name being cahed
he half turned, then continued on his
way until we ran after him, calling
his name the while. eaL
The sight of the bundle and our evil
dent effort to attract his attention
made him pause; and his back to-
from his pocket. He turned and we
knew it was a ha ~ndkerchief which he
was:trying to stow away. He walked
slowly towards us.
Say you poor fish. d'ya think I'm
goin' to follow you all over the coun-
try Just to get a cigarette. Here's a
package from YOU girl that just come
and I want a cigarette for bringing 1t
to" you," he said.
The, boy took the package, In
credulously read the return address
in the corner. then broke into smiles
that broadened into grins. III.
He didn't say anything, the lump: In
his throat was too big and. the traces
of tears In his eyes neare the real
thing tthanatraces. He tore open the
package opened q pack Of cigarettes
and, pressed us to, take some more,ls
Then we left him after we sawsh him
from;$the corner and carefully put It
away In his pocketbook..
"Dammit! Now I've got my foot In
1t. I've gottAsSwrfte that girl right
nowsand %tellShe what happened. But
that's alright. She's o. good scout and
IL understand" observed this im-
proniptu spreader of good cheer. 4 se
example Of the Observation-Disclosures
lowsalong" atttudest&ken by many 81
the ssinsnfi thesaEnay. Who m
army lie a bloodthirstyE aggregation.
Rah!s I'D like..t to tell Fhim5asfew more
stories like this. so i
Andsafter all this mail today ct $3.50
the top sergeant announced payday
latfs6:3O. II any OF you were eYef IA
an army carnpgswhen the bugle blew
Of tho sfernnenting thoughts and spirits
broke loose Ain an effervescsncsasof
icheGrs.fiM va go \. 4, 81 S Il Il aFHsssgys
Ana III lay = little bot o. 50 francs
that91As*sthird OF the meaE6f 5.stora cf
frames dilhed olt2x6fight by Tho ny.
maSter will within twenty four ah0nes
repose finssthe Golfers on TIL or ytr0Ag
tnI ssbeen exchangedsfor .a0Nvenirs VI
FIR the wefferi Of. th0aa i Ia.