The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1918-05-17

weren't there to pay. The artillery
men had never thought II out that
way. Thoee Scotties were bound to
be sure winners, no matter how the
wind blew. So take a tip from me.
never bet with Scottie. cause you'll
lose money.
AT one part Of our trench where
a communication trench Joined the
front line Tommy had stuck up n
wooden slgnpost with three hands or
arms on it. One of the hands, point-
ing to the German lines. read, TO Ber-
linz the one pointing down the com.
municatlon trench read, TO Biighty.
while the other said, Suicide Ditch.
Change Here for Stretchers.'
Farther down from this guide posi-
the trench ran through an old orchard.
On the edge Of this orchard our bat
terry had constructed an advanced OBJ
seiyntlon post. The trees screened II
from the enemy aifmen and the roof
was turfed. It wasn't cushy like ours,
no timber or concrete re-enforcements.
just walls OF sandbags. From It a
splendid view of the German lines
could be obtained. This post wasn't
exactly safe. II was hot corner.
shells plunking all around. and the
bullets cutting leaves of the trees.
Many a time when relieving the sig
mailer at the phone, l had to crawl on
my belly like a worm to keep from
being hit.
ut was an observation post sure
enough. That's all the use it was. Just
observe all day, but never message
back for our battery to open up. You
see. at this point OF the line there
We're strict orders not to fire shell,
unless specially ordered TO do so from
brigade headquarters. Bllme me, II
anyone disobeyed that command, our
general-yes, it was Old Pepper
would have court-martialed the whole
expeditionary force. NOBODY went out
Of their way to disobey Old Pepper in
those days because he couldn't be
called parson; he was more like
pirate. II at any time the devil should
feel lonely and sigh for proper mate,
Old Pepper would get the first call.
Facing the Germans wasn't half bad
compared with an Interview with that
old firebrnnd.
IF company or battalion should
give way a few yards ags inst su-
perior force Of Boches, Cid Pepper
would send for the comm nding off,
Ger. In about half an hour the officer
would come back with his face the
color Of brick. ana in a few hours
what was left of his command would
be holding their original position.
u have seen an officer who wouldn't
say d"n for a thousand quid spend
i've minutes with the old hoy. and
when he returned the flow Of language
from his lips would make q navy
blush for shame.
what am going to tell you is how
two Of us put 1t over on the old scamp.
and got away with 1t. II was a risky
thing, too. because Old Pepper wouldn't
have been exactly mild with us II he
had got next to the game.
Me and my mate, lad named Har-
ry Cassell. bombardler In ID 23s bat
terry, or lance corporal. as you call II
In the infantry. used to relieve the
telephonists. We would do two hours
on and four of. would be on duty
in the advanced observation post,
while he would be at the other end of |
the wire in the battery dugout signal
ing station. We were supposed to send
through orders for the battery to fire
when ordered to do so by the observa-
ton officer in the advanced post. But
very few messages were sent. II was
only in case Of an actual attack that
we would get chance to earn our
two and six day. You see, Old Pep
per had issued orders not to fire ex-
cept when the orders came from him.
And with Old Pepper orders is orders,
and made TO obey.
"The Germans must have known
about ,hese orders. for even in the day
their transports and troops used to
expose themselves as II they were on
parade. This sure got up our nose.
sitting there day after day. with fine
targets In front Of us but unable to
'end over shell. We heartily cussed
Old Pepper. his orders. the govern
nent. the people at home. and every
hing In general. But the Boches .
iidn't mind cussing. and got very care
ess. Blime me. they were bally In
Iulting. Used to. when using a certain
Dad, throw their caps into the air as
! taunt at our helplessness.
"Casself had been telegrapher In .
ivil life and joined up when war was ,
declared. As for me, / knew Morse. ,
earned II AT the signslers' school back /.
q 1910. With an officer in the obser-
alton post. we could not carry on the
ind Of conversation that's usual be-
ween two mates. 4 50 we used the
forse code. To send, one OF US would
ap the transmitter with his finger
ails. and the one on the other end
'culd get II through the receiver.
fany an hour was whiled away in this :
lanner passing compliments back and !
1rth.
.In the observation post the ofieer :
sed to sit for hours with q powerful
air Of flal6 0laeaaa ~ NJ a-oo