Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-25

NttS S!ll!nS Ut IN! utSN ld!hlnS 70 81
lieutenant Of tho Jersey National
Guard. On the wall was L big war
map decorated with variously colored
littlc flags. showing the position OF the
opposing armies on the western front
in France. In front OF mo OH the desk
lay a New York paper with big fiaring
headlines:
LuSirANIA SUM: AMERICAN
LIVES LOST!
Tbs windows were open and a feel
ing Of spring pcrvadcd the ;tir. Through
the open windows cam. the strains Of
a hurdy-gurdy playing In the street:
Il D!dlt Raise Ny Boy TO BE Il Soldier"
"I.usttauia sunk, American lives
los, ~ Didn't Raise My Boy 10 BE
1; Soldier" TO us these did not seem
to jibe.
Tho lieutenant in silence opened one
of the lower drawers OF his desk and
took from it an American nag, which
he solemnly drapcd over tho war map
on the wall. Then, turning to me
with :; grim face, said:
How about it. sergeant? You had
better get out the muster roll OF the
Mounted Scouts. as think they will
DE needed in the course of Il few days"
We busted ourselves till late in the
evening writing out emergency tele-
Grams for the men 20 report when the
call should come from Washington.
Then we went home.
crossed over TO New York and as I
went up Fulton Street to take the sub
way to Brooklyn. the lights in the tall
~, =
burning brighter than usual, as IL they,
too, had read ''Lusitania Sunk! Ameri-
can Lives Lost - They seemed to be
dignct!on. ana their rays wigwAsgcd
the message. Repay
Months passed. the kilograms lying
handy. but covered with dust. Then.
one momemtous morning the lieutenant
with SSH Of disgust removed the
flag from tho war map and returned to
his desk. | Immediately followed this
action ny throwing the kilograms into
the way:ebastct Then we looked At
each other in silence. He was squirm
ing in his chair, and l felt depressed
and uneasy.
The telephone rang. and | answered
It. II was a business call for me. re-
questing my services for an out-of-
town assignment. Business was not
very good. so this was very welcome
After listening to the proposition, ]
seemed TO be swayed by peculiarly
strong .prce within me. and answered
Il am sorry that l cannot accept your
offer but am leaving for England
next week" and hung up the receiver
The lieutenant swung around in his
..b nI ;,, l.
constituent. y sinking sensation came
over me. but | dehantly answered his
look with Well it's SO. I'm going
And went.
The trip across was uneventful.
landed at Tiibury, England, then got
into a string o. MATCHBOX ears and pro.
Cccded TO London, arriving there abou
10 +. VI. took a room in u hotel near
ST Pancras Station for five and six
fire extra" The room was minus the
fire, but the extra" seemed TO keer
me warm. That night there was a
Zeppelin raid, but didn't see much OF
il. because the slit in the curtains was
too small. and | had no desire to make
i, larger. Next morning the telephone
bell rang. and some ono asked. Are
YOU there" was. hardly. Anyway
J learned thar the zeps had returned tc
heir Fa;hcrland, SO went out into TIL,
street expecting to see scenes Q:
awfu! devastation and n covering popu-
lace, but everything was normal. Peo-
pie were calmly proceeding to their
work Crossing he street. accosted
a bobby With
Can YOU direct me to the place OF
lamage?"
lie asked me: What DAMAGE"
In surprise, | answcred: why. the
. rv~~" caused by the zeps."
with a wink, he replied:
There was no damage: we missed
them again.
After several fruitlcss inquiries OF
the passers-by. ! decided 10 so OH my
own in search of ruined buildings and
scenes of destruction. | boarded bus
which carried me through Tottcnham
Court Road. Recruiting posters were
everywhere. The one that impressed
INC most was lifc-size picture of Lord
Kitchener with his finger pointinr di-
recily At me. under the caption OF
Your King and Country Need You"
No matter which way I turned. the
accusing finger followed me. was
an American. in muft. and had n little
American flag in the lapel Of my coat
] had no King. and my country had
seen lit not to need me. but still that
pointing finger made me feel small
and i'll at ease. got off the bus Il
try 10 dissipatc this feeling by mixing
with the throng of the sidewalks.
Go BE Continued To. Morrow)