Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-03-20
OVID TIT. TOD
~
AN AMERICAN SOLDIER
WHO WENT 3 3
ART11Ul GUY T,fIpEY
GUNNER ,jfUYINd N FRANcee
[ @Is7 eY
iARIhuR CuI EnHIl
Work. Direct hits an

wilson, what do you think OF III
Did You ever see the like of II in your
life? Oh fine work, l call It.
"Pretty soon look of wonder stole
over his face and he exclaimed:
"'But who in hi gave them the
order to fire. Range and everything
correct, too. know | didn't. Wilson,
did give you any order for the bat
terry to open up? or course | didn't
did II
81 answered very emphaticnlly, NO,
sir, you gave no command. Nothing
went through this post. l am nbso-
lut6ly certain on that point, sir
"'Of course nothing went through
he replied. Then his face fell, and he
muttered out loud:
"'But, by Jove, wait till Old Pep
per gets wind of this. There'll be fur
| flying
| Just then Bombardier Cassell cut In
on the wlre
Generals compliments to Captain
A.. He directs that officer and sig
naIer report ut the double to brigade
headquarters as soon as relieved. Re
| lief now on the way
! an an undertone to me, Keep
brass front, Wilson, and for Gods
sake, stick l answered with, Rely on
me. mate but was trembling all over.
81 gave the generals message to the
captain, and started packing up.
''rhe relief arrived and as we left
the post the captain said:
"'Now for the fireworks and know
they'll b~Ngood and plenty They were.
"When we arrived at the gun pits
the battery commander, the sergeant
major and Cassell were waiting for us.
We fell in line and the funeral march
to brigade headquarters started.
CARRYING at headquarters the bat
| terry commander was the first to be
interviewed. This was behind closed
doors. From the roaring and explo-
sions of Old Pepper 1t sounded as II
raw meat was being thrown to the
lions. Cassell, later. described 1t as
sounding like bombing raid. In about
| two minutes the officer reappeared.
The sweat was pouring from his fore
head, and his face was the color of a
beet He was speeches.. AS he
passed the captain he jerked his thumb
| In the direction of the lions den and
went out. Then the captain went In,
| and the lions were once again fed.
The captain stayed about twenty min
utes and came out. | couldn't see his
face, but the droop IN his shoulders
was enough. He looked like wet hen.
"The door Of the generals room
opened and Old Pepper stood in the
doorway. With roar he shouted:
"Which one of you Is Cassell
On me, get your heels together
| when speak Come In herep
+ "CasselI started to say, Yes SIR
"But Old Pepper roared, shut upp
"Cassell came out In five minutes.
He said nothing, but as he passed me
he put his tongue into his cheek and
wlnked, then, turning to the closed
door, he stuck his thumb to his nose
and left.
"Then the sergeant majors turn
came. He didn't come out our way.
Judging by the roaring, Old Pepper
must have eaten him.
"When the door opened and the gem
eral beckoned to me, my knees started
TO play Home, Sweet Home against
each other.
"My interview was very short.
"Old Pepper glared Mt me when ]
entered, and then let loose.
"'Of course you don't know anything
about II. You're just like the rest.
Ought to have nursing bottle around
your neck and nipple In your teeth.
Soldiers-by CAD, you turn my ston-
ach to look at you. Win this war,
when England sends out such samples
as have in my brigade Not likely
Now, sir, tell me what You don't know
about this affair. Speak up, out with
it. Don't be gaping at me like fish,
Spit 1t OUT
81 stammered, sir. know absolute
ly nothing
"That's easy to see,' he roared
that stupid face tells me that. Shut
up. Get out: but think you are
ID liar just the same. Back to
your battery
81 saluted and made my exit.
"That night the captain sent for US.
With fear and trembling we went to
his dugout. He was alone. After sa'
luting we stood at attention in front
of him and waited. His say was short
/ "Don't you two ever get 1t into your
heads that Morse is a dead language
I've known 1t for years. The two OF
you had better get rid Of that nervous
habit of tapping transmltters; It's dan
gerous. That's ALL
eve saluted, and were just going out
the door Of the dugout when the cap
tain called up back and said:
"'Smoke Goldfakes? Yes? Well
there are two tins Of them on my table
Go back to the battery, and keep your
tongues between your teeth. Under
standY
"We understood.
"For five weeks afterwards our bat
terry did nothing but extra faugues