The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1918-10-31
Pat O'Brien

nature-0erman methods behind the |
front line trenches, tactics, morale Of
troops ana similar matters. Then the
aviation experts would take q whack
ct me- and discuss with me all I had
observed OF German flying corps
methods and equipment. Then. again,
the food experts would interrosAte
me a. to what l had learned of food
conditions In Germany. Luxembourg
and Belgium, and as I had lived pretty
close to the ground for the best part
of seventy-two days I was able to give
them some fairly accurate reports as
to actual agricultural conditions.
many Of the things I told them prob
ably having more significance to them
than they had to me.
There were many things I had OBJ
served which I have not referred to In
these pages because their value to M
might be diminished II the Germans
knew We were aware OF them. but
49, were IN reported to the authori-
ties and It vas very gratifying to me
to hear that the experts considered
some Of them Of the greatest value.
One Of the most amusing incidents
Of my return occurred when I called at
my bankers In London to get my per.
sonal effects.
The practice In the Royal Flying
corps when . pilot. 10 reported mis-
sing u to have two Of his comrades
assigned to 80 through his belongings.
check them over. destroy anything
that It might not be to his interest to
preserve. and send the whole busi-
ness to his banker a. his home. a. the
case may b. Every letter 10 read
through, but their contents 10 never
afterwards discussed Or revealed In
any way. II the pilot 10 finally re-
ported dead, his effects are forwarded
to his next Of kin. but while he is Of
acially only ''missing." or IL known to
be q prisoner Of war. they are kept
either at the squadron headquarters
or sent to his bankers.
In my Ease AZ soon as II was learned
that I had fallen from the sky. II was
assumed that I had been killed and
my chum. Paul Raney. and another
officer detailed to check w my eff
fects. The list they made and te
which they aflxed their signatures
as I have previously mentioned. Il
now In my possession and II ous Of
the most treasured souvenirs Of m,
adventure.
My trunk was sent to Cox 3 CO. II
due course. and now that i was II
London I thought I would 90 and CLAIM
It.
When I arrived at the bank I ap
piled to the proper window for m!
mail and trunk.
"who are your" I was asked rathe
sharply.
"well. I guess no one has an,
greater right to Pat O,Paen's effect
than I have" I replied. "and I woul'
be obliged to you II you would lool
them up for me-"
'That may BE- all right. my friend.
replied the clerk. but according {
our records Lieutenant O,Brien 10
prisoner Of wal In Germany, and "
can't very well turn over his effect
to anyone else unless either you pre-
sent proof that he II dead and tina
you r his lawful representative, Q
else deliver to rs Q properly authent
ticated order from him to give ther
to you"
He was very positive about It al
but quite polite. and ! thought
would kid him no more.
"Weli." / said. II can't very we
present proofs to you that Pat O'Brie
IL dead. but I will do the best I can I
prove to You that he Is alive. and
: you haven't quite forgotten his sii
nature I guess I can write you OF
. an order that will answer all your n
quirements and enable you to give m
Pat O'Brien's belongings without ruI
ming any risks" and I scrubbed m
signature on q scrap Of paper an
handed It to him.
He looked at me carefully throue
: the latticed window. then jumpe
down from the high chair and can
outside to clasp me by the hand.
{ Good heavens, leftenantI" he e
claimed. as he pumped my hand y
and down. how did you ever g
8 awayr and I had to ait right dow
. and tell him and half q dozen 9th
. people in the bank all about my 9
X periences.
had been In Ensiand about a.
days when ! received . telegra
y which. at first. occasioned me almo
ICE iEilEonlPHs. xs. 4 fsst.m-
asA TdsuMps.) Tor lnatare G1amneL