The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1918-06-18

~ my return occurred when ! called
my bankers In London 10 get my pc
sunal effects.
The practice in the Royal Flyln
corps when n pilot is reported mi
sing is TO have two Of his comradt
assigned togo through his belonging
check them over, destroy anyihin
that II might not be to his interest [
preserve. and send the whole bus
ness to his banker or his home. as IA
, case may be- Every letter is rca
through, but their contents In neye
afterwards discussed or revealed Il
any way. II the pilot is finally r.
ported dead, his Effects are forwarsies
10 his nax ~ Hi. but while he is OF
ficially only missing" or IS known I,
be a prisoner OF war. they are KEEP
either AT the squadron headquart,r r.
or sent 10 his bankers.
In my case as soon as II was learned
that l had fallen from the sky IL was
assumed that | had been Killed and
my chum. Paul Raney. and another
officer detailed to check over my ef-
fects. The list they made and 10
which they affixed their signatures.
ms have previously mentioned. is
now IN my Possession and is one OF
the most treasured souvenirs Of my
adventure.
~ To- MAS 20. - u ~ L..
due course. and now that | was in
London thought ! would go and claim
II.
When ! arrived at the bank | ap-
piled TO the proper window for my
mail and trunk.
who are your was asked rather
sharply.
We'll, guess no one has any
greater right TO Pat o'Rrlen's effects
than | have | replied. "and | would
be obliged 10 you If you would look
them ~ for me-
THAT may be an right. my friend"
replied the clerk. ''hut according TO
our records Lieutenant oBrien is
prisoner Of war In Germany. and we
can't very we'll turn over his effects
to anyone else unless either you pre-
sent proof that he is dead and tha,
you are his lawful representative, or
else deliver 10 us q properly authenti-
tieated order from him TO give them
10 YOU"
He was very positive about Il all,
but quite polite, md | thought l
would Kid him 10 more.
Well sad. Il can't very well
present proofs 10 you that Pat o'Bron
Is dead. but viii 90 the best can TO
prove To you that he is alive. and II
you haven't quite forgotten his sig
nature guess ] csn write YOU out
an order that will answer an your re-
and enable you to give ne
Pat o'Brien's belongings without run
ming any risks" and l scribblcd my
signature on a scrap Of paper and
handed il TO him.
He looked az me carefully through
the laiticed window. then jumped
down from the high chair and came
outside 10 clasp me by the hand
Good heavens. leftenanti" he ex-
as he pumped my hand up
and down. "how did YOU ever get
awayT and ! had 10 sit right down
and tell him and half dozen other
people in the bank All about my e.
periences.
/ had been in England about FIVE
iays when | received a telegram
which. AZ first. occasioned me almost
rs much concern as the unexpected
sight 81 a German spiked helmet had
,aused me In Belgium. Ii read as
Lieut.. F. A. OBrien. Royal Flying
Corps, Regents Palace Hotel. Lon
don:
The king Is very glad 10 hear Of
four escape from Germany. II you
re 10 be in London on Friday next.
December 9TH. His majesty will re-
Give you az buckingham palace at
% 80 a. m. Please acknowledge.
"CRoMER."
VI ffNF~f, 'neFf Was only one
hing 10 do and that was 10 obey ord
'rs. was an officer in the army and
he king was my commander in chief.
had 10 go. and so sat down and
.ent Of the following answer:
Earl Cromer. buckingham Palace.
London:
Il will attend Rockingham palace
Is directed, Friday. December eth. al
u 30.
LIEUT.. PAT OBRIEN.~
IN the interval that elapsed. I must
'onfess. the ordeal of calling On the
ling 81 England loomed up more
ireadfully every day. and | really
I would rather have spent an
'ther day In the empty house In the
TX city In Belgium ar. say. two more
lays AZ Courtrai. than to 60 through
yhat ! believed to be IN store for ne.
Orders were orders. however. and
here was no way Of getting out OF H.
Is II turned out. IL wasn't half as bad
= l had feared-on the contrary. IL
vas one of the most agreeable expe-
iences of my life