The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-02-07
He Couldn't Shoot
His Friend

B, OSCAR cox

day this see-saw went on and toward
evening the field was covered with
dead and wounded Americans and Ger
mans. At intervals in the fighting the
American ambulance corps undertook
to bring In some Of the wounded, and
attempts had even been made to bury
the dead.
Just before dark Colonel B,
who was traversing the field, espied
one Of those receptacles in which the
American troops bury their dead.
What kind Of a receptacle Is used
depends upon circumstances. Some
times when there Is time for an i'm
presslve funeral IL is a coffin; some
times when the armies are active IL
Is rough box, and there are occa-
sions when the dead Ore shoveled into
trenches without any covering what
ever.
"What is that doing heref" asked
the colonel.
Nobody knew. The colonel was
about to make an examination when
shells began to burst about him and
he and others who were present sought
cover.
About ten o'clock that night Colo
mel B bethought himself Of the
burial box that he had seen and began
to wonder how 1t could have come to
be on the battlefield. 1t occurred to
him that there had been some stupid
ity on the part of one under his COM
mand and IL the general should run
across 1t. there would be some unpleas-
ant criticisms. The colonel, calling
his orderly, strapping son Of Erin,
told him about the burial box and Or
dered him to go out and bring II in.
"Mlke," he said in conclusion, "if you
find corpse In 1t you needn't bring
the corpse with you; dump 1t out and
bring the box"
aye, aye. sir" replied Mike, salut-
ing. and departed on his errand. He
had not far TO go nor had he anything
to fear, for the German lines were
several hundred yards distant and
there were the remains of scrub trees
between them and the Americans.
There was a moon but most of the
time IL was covered by clouds. Mike
was not long In making out an oblong
which being made Of newly planned
wood wassvery light in color.
He paused and looked at 1t. There
was no drawer soldier in the American
army than Mike O'Donohue when
real. live, flesh and blood enemy was
encountered, but Mike had no stomach
for a corpse that might face him with
wild ghostly eyes, and through whom
a bullet might be sent without eff
feet. Before approaching further he
determined to discover whether or not
there was a corpse in the box.
"Come out o. that, We Spalpeen,"
he said. 81 know ye're there. Come
out, 1 say, before put a bullet into
We with my revolver"
To Mikes horror the lid of the box
was raised and by the moon he saw a
pale face peer out and voice said:
"Don't shoot, my friend, l surrend-
err"
Mike stood trembling like leaf. He
was tempted to turn and run but he
shrank from facing his colonel II he
did. He stood his ground but was I'M
able to articulate a word. The man
In the box threw of the lid and sat up.
II go init you to der rear" said the
corpse.
The corpse got out of the box and
advanced toward Mike.
The Imagination is capable of work.
ing wonders. Mike saw plumb through
the figure.
II am not armed" said the ghost.
The statement put courage into
Mike. He pulled himself together and
was about to return to the colonel
with his prisoner when he remem-
bered that his orders were to bring
back the box and leave its contents.
go back" he said, "and get your
coffin. "Ye're no good yerself; the
cofiin'll serve for another corpse"
The prisoner shouldered the box and
the two returned TO the colonel.
Colonel" said Mike. saluting. "rve
brought ye the box; didn't think ye'd
want me TO leave the corpse, because
it's alive"
The colonel much astonished. called
on the prisoner to explain.
you see, colonel, ven der var broke
Duet vas In New Yarek," said the
prisoner, "and l cont to Shermany TO
fight for de Vaterland. Veil, ven you
cont Duet TO attack US today, ant l
saw de Stars and Stripes / could not
believe mine eyes, vas so astonlshed.
I didn't know vedder vas a Sherman
or an American. 'Mein Gott.' said,
dare is mine frlent, Herman Houck,
who lifed next door to me In America.
How can I shoot Hermann But II !
don't shoot my frients my captain viii
shoot me- Shust den a bullet grazed
my sleeve. l fell on de ground and
pretended to be dead. After a vile
4 wagon cont by loaded With collins.
ant dropped one of them goen ofer
4 shell hole. Ven de firsin' COM
nenced again I got into de coffen for
projection. Now you haf de story,
ant I am your prisoner"
Orderly" said the colonel. "call
he corporal of the guard"
The corporal was called and when
10 arrived the colonel ordered him
% take the prisoner TO where the 9TH
n prisoners were held. and TO direct
hat he be treated well. He was also