davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1918-04-18

bursting shrapnel would light up the
sky and we could hear the fragments
slapping the ground above us on our
right and left. Then a Fritz would
traverse back and forth with his "type-
writer" or machine gun. The bullets.
made a sharp cracking noise overhead.
The boy in front of me named Prem
tice crumpled up without a word. A
piece of shell had gone through his
shrapnel-proof helmet. felt sick and
weak.
In about thirty minutes we reached
the front line. 1t was dark as pitch.
Every now and then a German star
shell would pierce the blackness out
in front with its silvery light. I was
trembling all over, and felt very lonely
and afraid. All orders were given in
whispers. The company we relieved
filed past us and disappeared into the
blackness of the communication trench
leading to the rear. AS they passed us,
they whispered, 1.-THE best o. luck
mates"
sat on the fire step of the trench
with the rest of the men. In each
traverse two of the older men had been
put on guard with their heads sticking
over the top, and with their eyes try
ing to pierce the blackness in mo
Mans Land" In this trench there
were only two dugouts, and these were
used by Lewis and Vickers machine
gunners, so it was the fire step for
ours. Pretty soon it started to rain.
We put on our 'macks," but they were
not much protection. The rain trickled
down our backs, and 1T was not long
before we were wet and cold. How /
passed that night I will never know,
but without any unusual occurrence,
dawn arrived.
The word "stand down" was passed
along the line, and the sentries got
down off the fire step. Pretty soon the
rum issue came along and it was a
Godsend. 1t warmed our chilled bodies
and put new life into us. Then from
the communication trenches came
diXies or iron pots, filed with steam
ing tea, which had two wooden stakes
through their handles, and were. car
ried by two men. / filled my canteen
and drank the hot tea without taking
1t from my lips. 1t was not long be-
fore / was asleep in the mud on the
fire step.
My ambition had been attained!
was in a front-1ne trench on the west
ern front, and oh, how wished were
back in Jersey City.
Connecticut western news., 1918-04-18

were constantly whistling over the vii
lage and bursting in our rear, search
ing for our artillery.
These cellars were cold, damp and
smelly, and overrun with large rats
big black fellows. Most Of the Tom
mics slept with their Overcoats over
their faces. did not. In the middle
Of the night woke up in terror. The
cold, clammy feet of rat had passed
over my face. I Immediately smoth-
cred myself in my overcoat, but could
not sleep for the rest Of that night.
Next evening, we took over our sec
tor of the line. In single file we wend-
ed our way through a zigzag COM
municatiOn trench, six inches deep
with mud. This. trench was called
~Whisky street" On our way up to
the front line an occasional flare of
Connecticut western news., 1918-04-18
ARIT1UR GUY ETIIj.jDIjI.>...'Y
MACHINE GUNNER SERVING IN FRANCE
| @IN7 BY
lARTHuS GUY EhpfYI

troopers ignored the call Dinner up"
game. They had a curious method of
procedure. They hung their shirts over
hedge and beat them with their en-
trenching tool handles.
asked one of them why they didn't
pick them off by hand, and he an
swered, eve haven't had a bath for
nine weeks or change of clabber. If
tried to pick the coolies off my shirt,
I would be here for duration of war"
After taking close look at his shirt, I
agreed with him; it was alive.
The greatest shock a recruit gets
: when he arrives at his battalion in
France is to see the men engaging In a
"cootie' hunt. With an air of con-
tempt and disgust he avoids the COM
pany of the older men, until couple
Of days later, in torment of itching,
he also has to resort to shirt hunt,
or spend many a sleepless night of
misery. During these hunts there are
lots of pertinent remarks banded back
and forth among the explorers, such
as, "Say, Bill, I'll swap you two little
ones for big one," or, 1--WE got a
black one here that looks like Kaiser
Bill"
One sunny day in the frOnt-line
trench, 1 saw three officers sitting out
side of their dugout ("cOoties" are no
respecters of rank; have even noticed
a suspicious uneasiness about certain
well-known generaD, one of them was
q major, two of them were exploring
their shirts, paying no attention to the
occasional shells which passed over
head. The major was writing q letter
every now and then he would lay aside
his writing-pad, search his shirt for a
few minutes, get an inspiration, and
then resume writing. At last he fin
ished his letter and gave it to his run
ner." / was curious to see whether he
was writing to an insect firm, so when
the runner passed me 1 engaged him
in cOnvccs=-s;s;;;; ton and got a glimpse at
the address on the envelope. It was
addressed to Miss Alice Somebody, IL.
London. The runner informed Isse
that Miss Somebody =as the majors
sweetheart and tha4 ?,e ==o4s 20 hes
every dag. J 81 : - = g =, =::E:ng
love letter during a ''c0UCio hunt but
such is the creed of the trenches.
Connecticut western news., 1918-04-18

That stew tasted fine. / was as
hungry as bear. We had seconds"
or another helping, because three OF
the men had "gone West" killed by
the explosion of the German trench
mortar, and we ate their share, but
still 1 was hungry, so / filed in with
bully beef and biscuits. Then drained
my water bottle. Later on / learned
another maxim of the front line, go
sparingly with your water" The bully
beef made me thirsty, and by tea time
l was dying for a drink, but my pride
would not allow me to ask my mates
for water. l was fast learning the
ethics of the trenches.
That night was put on guard with
an older man. We stood on the fire
step with our hands over the top peer
ing out into No Mans Land. 1t was
nervous work for me, but the other fell
low seemed to take IL as part of the
nights routine.
Then something shot past my face.
My heart stopped beating, and ducked
my head below the parapet. A soft
chuckle from my mate brought me to
heavens sake, what was thatT
He answered. "0nly rat taking a
promenade along the sandbags."
felt very sheepish.
About every twenty minutes the sem
try in the next traverse would fire a
star shell from his flare pistol. The
"plop" would give me start of fright.
/ never got used TO this noise during
my service in the trenches.
1 would watch the arc described by
the star shell, and then stare into No
Mans Land waiting for IL to burst. In
Its lurid light the barbed wire and
stakes would be silhouetted against Its
light like latticed window. Then
darkness.
Once, out in front of our wire,
| heard n noise and saw dark forms
moving. My rifle was lying across the
sandbagged parapet. I reached for II,
and was taking aim to fire, when my
mate grasped my arm, and whispered,
Don't fire." He challenged In low
voice. The reply came back instantly
from the dark forms:
"Shut your blinkin' mouth, you
bloomin' idiot; do you want us to click
1t from the BochesT
Later we learned that the word, "No
challenging or firing, wiring party out
In front" had been given to the sentry
on our right, but he had failed to pass
1t down the trench. An officer had over.
heard our challenge and the reply. and
Immediately put the offending SENT
under arrest. The sentry click"
twenty-one days on the wheel. that Is.
be received twenty-one days field pun
tshment No. 1, or "crucifXion," AZ
Tommy terms IL.
This consists of being spread-eagled
| ON the wheel Of timber two hours a
day for twenty-one days, regardless OF
the weather. During this period, your
rations consist of bully beef, biscuits
and water. -
Connecticut western news., 1918-04-18
CHAPTER Ill.
| Go to Church.

Upon enlistment we had identity
disks of red fiber worn around the neck
by means of a string. Most of the Tom
mics also used little metal disk which
they wore around the left wrist by
means of a chain. They had previous
ly figured it out that if their heads
were blown off, the disk on the left
wrist would identify them. If they lost
their left arm the disk around the neck
would serve the purpose, but if their
head and left arm were blown off, no
one would care who they were, so it
did not matter. On one side of the
disk was inscribed your rank, name,
number and battalion, while on the
other was stamped your religion.
G. of E., meaning Church of Eng
land; r. c., Roman Catholic; W., Wes-
leyan; P, Presbyterian but if you
happened to be an atheist they left it
blank, and just handed you pick and
shovel. On my disk was stamped G. of
e. This is how I got it: The lieuten
ant who enlisted me asked my religion.
I was not sure of the religion of the
British army, so I answered, ooh, any
old thing" and he promptly put down
G. of e.
Now, just imagine nay hard luck. Out
of five religions I was unlucky enough
to pick the only one where church
| parade was compulsory!
The next morning was Sunday. I
was sitting in the billet writing home
to my sister telling her of my wonder
full exploits while under fire-all re-
his head in the door Of the billet and
shouted: &c. of e. outside for church
parade!''
I kept on writing. Turning to me, In
loud voice, he asked, "Empey, aren't
you g. of E.?"
I answered, "Yep."
In an angry tone, he commanded,
'Don't you yep me. Say, Yes, SER
geant MAJOR"
81 did so. Somewhat Modified, he
ordered, "Outside for church parade"
I looked up and answered, ST am
not going to church this morning"
He said, "Oh, yes, you are!
I answered, ooh, no, I'm not I"-But
went.
We lined up outside with rifles and
bayonets, 120 rounds of ammunition
wearing our tin hats, and the march
to church began. After marching about
five kilos, we turned off the road into
an open field. At one end of this field
the chaplain was standing in timber
We formed a semicircle around him
Overhead there was a black speck cir.
cling round and round in the sky. This
was a German Fokker,
Connecticut western news., 1918-04-18

had tCppled into the trench, completely
+ blocking it with wall of tOSSed-up
earth. The man on my left lay still.
awful sight met my gaze-his head
was smashed to pulp, and his steel
helmet was full of brains and blood
A German Minnie" (trench mortar)
had exploded in the next traverse. Men
were digging into the soft mass of mud
in frenzy of haste. Stretcher-hear-
ers came up the trench on the double.
After few minutes of digging, three
still, muddy forms on stretchers were
carried down the communication
trench to the rear. Soon they would
be resting somewhere in France" with
a little wooden cross over their heads
They had done their bit for king and
country, had died without firing n shot.
but their services were appreciated,
nevertheless.
Later on, 1 found out their names.
They belonged to our draft.
/ was dazed and motionless. Sud
denly shovel was pushed into my
hands, and rough but kindly voice
said:
''Here. my lad. lend n hand clearing
the trench, but keep your head down.
and look out for snipers. One of the
Fritz's is a daisy. and he'll get you If
you're not careful"
Lying on my belly on the bottom Of
the trench, filled sandbags with the
sticky mud. they were dragged to my
! rear by the other men, and the work of
rebuilding the parapet was on. The
harder 1 worked, the better / felt. AL
! though the weather was cold, / was
soaked with sweat.
Occasionally a bullet would crack
overhead, and a machine gun would
kick up the mud on the bashed-in para
! pet. At each crack would duck and
shield my face with my arm. One of
the older men noticed this action of
mine, and whispered:
Don't duck at the crack of bull
! let, Yank the danger has passed-you
never hear the one that wings you.
Always remember that If you are going
to get 1t, you'll get it, so never worry.
This made a great impression on me
at the time, and from then on, adopt
ed his motto, eff you're going to get II,
you'll get it,"
1t helped me wonderfully. / used II
so often afterwards that some of my
mates dubbed me, "If you're going to
get 1t, you'll get it."
After an hours hard work, all my
nervousness left me, and 1 was laugh
ing and joking with the rest
At one o'clock, dinner came up In
the form of dixie of hot stew.
looked for my canteen. 1t had
fallen off the fire step, and was hall
buried I'm the mud. The man on my
left noticed this, and told the corporal
dishing out the rations, to put my
share in his mess tin. Then he whis
pered to me, always take care OF your
mess tin, mate"
had learned another maxim OF the
trenches.
Connecticut western news., 1918-04-18
CHAPTER v.
Mud, Rats and Shells.

must have slept for two or three
hours, not the refreshing kind that re-
suits from clean sheets and soft pill
lows, but the sleep that comes from
cold, wet and sheer exhaustion.
Suddenly, the earth seemed to shake
and thunderclap burst in my ears.
opened my eyes-I was splashed all
over with sticky mud, and men were
picking themselves up from the bottom
OF the trench. The parapet on my left
Connecticut western news., 1918-04-18

Continued next week
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-01
GERMANY'S ULTlMATUM
REGARDING SH0TGUNS
GETS A CURT REPLY

WASHINGTON. oct The
American government ian reply to
Germany's threat TO execute pris-
oners OF war found I'm possession of
shotguns. Monday gave notice that
IL Germany carries out any such
threat suitable reprisals viii be
taken. Sec'y Lansing's reply. made
public Monday, declares. that the
use of shOtguns is sanctioned by The
Hague conventions. and that i'm com
parison with other weapons now
used I'm modern warfare the shot
guns used by the American troops
cannot be the subject Of legitimate
or reasonable protest
If the German government
should carry out its threat i'm a
single instance says Sec'y Ians-
ing's reply. lit will be the right
and duty of the United States 20
make such reprisais as viii best pro-
tect the American forces. and no
tice is hereby given OF the intention
of the government OF the United
states 10 take such reprisals"
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-01
Dance Musie with "dasb
and go"

Oriental Is the tide OF a dance
number on a new Victor Record that
Just exactly describes what this foE-
trot is-full Of color wild and passion
ate IN feeling. suggesting the barbara
splendors Of the ORIENT But n Is good
dance music, for the melody stands cut
clearly, and the rhythm IS perfect.
"Dodola,' a fascinating waltz on the
reverse of the record, IS equally pas
sionste but more plaintive. Both are
played by Joseph {. Smiths famous or
chestra.
Two splendid szxsphone seKtcue
numbers are gwen by the Six Brovn
Brothers on a single Victor Record
When Aunt Dinahs Daughter Han
nah Bangs on that Piano" IS a onc-stcp.
while Chasing the Chickens" on the
reverse. Is a fox-trot.
Victor Herbert's Orchestra plays two
beautiful selections on a new Victor
Record. One Is Lists Dream o.
Love" Although originally a piano
piece it Is 50 orchestral in feeling that
Il gains greatly by transcription. The
melody Is exceptionally well suited 10
the vibrant song-tones of the cello.
On the reverse OF the record Is n
fantasia from Puctini's Madam But
terfy" The orchestration IS rich and
colorful, and 50 expressive that the
beautiful scenes from the opera fairly
unfold before ones Imagination as tho
music progresses.
To few III a lifetime is given the
magic art of song. and 10 none more
richly than Iohn Mc( orrnarl Ard
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-01
President Wilson and the Boston Eye
By N. P. Babcock

Announcement was made recent
~ in New York newspapers that the
president and Mrs. Wilson took an
automobile sightseeing trip through
Boston. urrecognized by the thou
sans of persons in the busiest
streets of the city
Truly an unusual spectacle this.
of the president of the United States
and the first lady of the land be-
coming mere incidents in a pano-
rama OF New England business ac-
tivity. instead of the whole show"
Almost within touching distance Of
multitudes on the sidewalks of the
narrow streets, and yet upper
ceivedi I doubt if il could have
happened to any other than the
Boston eye.
If you have never been in Boston
you will perhaps not know just
what is meant by that expression.
The Boston eye is different from
the New York. or he Chicago. or
the Oshkosh or the Punktown eve,
in that il is trained to recognize
only that which. it is officially sure
is the correct thing.
1t is and always has been, con-
sentative optic. 1t seldom winks,
and never. as the Chicago eye has
been known to do, at a stranger.
IL Will meet your eve without a
glimmer of recognition, pending a
judicial decision in the mind of its
owner whether you and its owner
were ever formally introduced.
Being fearful of making mistakes
it has cultivated the habit OF look
ing at things without seeing them
Many years, I am sure, would be
required before any American eye
outside of Boston, could attain this
degree of entire superciliousness.
Were the semblance Of anything
so interesting as presidential
likeness. presented TO the New York
or Chicago eye. each would kindle
with interest and seek 10 discover
whether perchance the vision might
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-01

not really be more than a semb-
lance But for the Boston eye.
caption is required, and so the
president and his lovely wife ride
along unnOticed.
1t is little difficult nevertheless
to understand why the Boston
street urchin-manifestly unframed
as yet in eve discrimination
not make and proclaim the joyous
discovery. Can you imagine MIR
Wilson riding a block on Broad
way or State st. without inspiring
the cry:
Hi. Jimmie look it. Dere's
de president"
And can YOU not see the result
ant connection?
Are Boston boys really born with
that exquisite sense of courtesy
which instantly recognizes and re-
spects a genaleman's right 10 in
cognito? And is that what makes
each of them ripen so easily, later,
into your true Bostonian2 Per-
haps
Who knows how many little
I -
repressed a natural desire to yell.
as the presidential auto made its
way through the tumble Of curves
and corners cluttered with trolley
cars that constitute the business
heart of the Hub?
Doubtless the chauffeur pilot Of
the DISTINGUISHED white house oc-
cupants was a native. and il must
ave cOmforted him-knowing well
the polite obtuseness of his fellow
townsmen-to realize that If the
president bestowed half as much
attention in fixing in mind the
strange topography of Boston's
busiest streets" as they deserved,
there would be no room left for
observation OF the public's lack of
enthusiasm.
II has long been said that even If
Boston went teetotally dry" a
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-01
Not Scared But Anxious
to Get at BOche. That's
Spirit Of the Yankees

had 10 be wary Of them. Our men
had been warned 10 look out for
traps We didn't have tirse for SOU
venirs as 10 was eveTybody's game to
capture ferries.
After "a tough tussle we captured
a machine gun nest OF three guns
and turned them ON the ferries We
lad an awful scrap to get them.
The only trouble with our fell
lows is that they are too speedy"
Sergt. Grover g. Billiard Of
that he experienced queer SEN
sation while gathering and assem-
bling tape under fire in the big bat
tie
4 Curious Sensation.
you have a sensation Of curiosity
mingled with doubt and an eager
ness to push on Sergt Billiard
said The fellows were glad when
the word came the night before that
we were going into action. We had
reen waiting for a chance 20 grap-
pie with the Heinies. The fellows
sat around and snapped stories
while waiting for the big push to
come They told their comrades II
they didn't come back TO send their
folks "a message. Most OF us wrote
home the night before The fellows
were calm and determined at zero
hour. You could see it in their eyes
and i'm the hrmness of their jaws.
We knew. it was no child's play and
they We're prepared for anything.
THE barrage swept forward and
right behind the curtain we dashed
forward with a wave of numbering
tanks. All of "a sudden We began to
sneeze. 7 couldn't smell any gas but
we donned our masks and our fell
lows hammered their way through.
1T made my blood Jingle There
was no trouble i'm getting them start
ed after the Huns. The biggest prob
lcm was to get them to stop
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-01
Wartime raztime thhPs
entertaining anytime

Can you picture Alexander Cooper,
the colored trooper as with his reQI-
ment he marched away and Dinah Lee
flnging her parting Good Bye Alex
ander, Good Bye, Honey Boy Well.
you'll have no difficulty If you listen 20
Marion Harris as she sings II on a
new Victor Record IN her own char
acteristic way.
And Collins and Harlan let 60 q
Tolhcling hit on the other side OF the
record, When Uncle Joe Steps into
France" 1t tells about has ragtims
band from Dixelsnd and how whcn.
they hear a chicken yell. those boysi
will march where | won't tell. f" and s11
on. till finally they'll rag their way
right 10 Berlin"
But this isn't the end Of new daryl
melodies. There's another Victor Rec-i
ord Just issued on which the SterliuRl
THO presents. When You Sang Hush~-
a-bye Baby TO Ne" The tender words
are set TO charming music arranged lori
male trio. and the soft ending IS u1<
usually effective.
On the reverse Of the record ?.
'Mammy's Chocolate Soldier" IN whic1l
Marion Harris combines humor andl
pathOs IN a wonderful way all her own,
The musical comedy ooh Look
furnishes a blue" song Of a new sind,
IN I'm Always Chasing Rainbows, ?.
which Charles Harrison sings on =.
new Victor Record. A pretty effect 81
obtained by the playing OF the refrain'
as a violin duet with bells.
Another catchy melody is on the otherl
side OF the record sung BY the Sterlingi
Trio, Il Miss that Mississippi Misaa
that Misses Ne" IN which some pleas
Ing harmonies are noted. as well -
genuine Tagtime effects IN the refrain.
But turning from this class OF popular,
music 20 the more serious selections "
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-01
WILL FORM UKRANIAN
ARMY OF Is DIVISIONS

AMSTERDAM. oct. 1. - Gen.
Rogoza the Ukrainian war minister,
according to "a dispatch from Kiev.
says that plans for the Ukrainian
army call for the formation of eight
army corps of two divisions each.
The minister declared that the pop
ulation regarded the plan sympa-
thetically. while Germany and Aus
tria are showing extreme good Will
toward the formation of a Ukrainian
army and are promoting il ''gener-
ouslv and energetically." Both
Germany and Austria he added,
denied they wished 20 use the Tx
rainian army for their own inter-
ests
South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-01

Ny Secret Then Betrayed" from
Nerdi's opera The Force of Destiny"
sung on a new Nictrola Record Just
issued. The narrative reaches ITS cul-
mination IN this number where Don
Carlo and Don Alvarez, though close
friends, discover they are sworn enc
mics. Such a situation provides the
singers with music worthy of their
best efforts and the result is a spleu-
did record classic example Of Italian
opera at its best. The voices are well
matched in volume and when heard
together a singularly well-balanced ef-
feet is produced.
Reinald Werrenrath's splendid bari
tone voice rings out IN two new soldier
songs on recent Victor Record a
Khaki Lad" IS q song with a deep. true
wonderful sympathy and beauty OF tone
The other that likewise pulls at the
heartstrings Is, Il Want 10 Go Back 20
TO have been brought over by the In
dian troops fighting for the English. IL
has now come into general usage 10
denote Home Sweet Home"
The refrain runs like this
>'Oh 1 want to go back TO Bhghty.
I want 10 go back tonight,
Give me the bliss Of my baby's kiss.
Then I'll come back and fight
But l want 10 go back 20 Ehghty-
] fear not the shraDnels rain.
Just one fond embrace. then back 70 my
place
To fight like a soldier again"
(Copy't 1913 by Chappell Co.. Ltd