The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1918-01-17

SAUK CENT
"Haltv' Ordinarily the captain would
have proceeded on his way, but this
time he retracted his steps with the
intention of rebuking the officious Of
ficer. "You passed me once" he said,
'what do you mean by hating me
again 2" "The ORDERS" said the
sentry, sliding back the breech lock
of his rifle, 'tthe orders is to halt three
times and then shoot" Most of the
sentries carry loaded pieces now, too.
There is an awful hullaboloo being
raised by newspapers about the short
age of soldiers clothing and equip
ment. Part of this is true, we know,
but one must realize the gigantic task
the government has is equipping it's
large new army. Anyway, on Christ
mas eve, the boys of Battery D. 142d
Field Artillery, were not surprised
when a request was made that they
turn in one pair Of their four pairs of
socks recently issued to them, and
took it for granted that they would be
given to some company more in need
of them. Imagine their surprise to
have them returned and on their cots
Christmas morning filled to overflow
ing with fruits, candies and nuts. The
treat was furnished by the mess fund
of the battery.
Tonight we are laughing at you
folks back in Minnesota. We under
stand that you are enjoying a lot of
40 below zero weather and that the
snow is deep. Down here, where it
is warm, in the land of cotton, measles
scarlet fever and malaria, there is a
continuous crash of thunder outside
and a regular torrent of warm rain is
falling. Tomorrow is Sunday, for
which we are grateful, so we will not
have to drill in the mud, however. For
the past two weeks or so, it has been
mild and we never wear our blouses
while outside.
The signal units in an army have
corps of telegraphers, telephone and
radio men, wig-wag and semaphore
experts. Men in the infantry all have
to learn the latter two and battle sig
nails as WELL All these little things
will give you an idea what man must
do to become regular soldier. They
are taught to the men mostly by the
sergeants, under the supervision of
higher officers at times. Some of
the higher-ups are bent on adding to
the already named methods of COM
munication. Carrier pigeon experts
are now wanted. Although the means
of communication have advanced an
Unreasonable distance beyond the
early methods when the Indians first
lighted their signal fires upon the
hills, the carrier pigeon, which comes
within the middle ages of rapid COM
munication, has proven a reliable
messenger. There has been a school
started here to have a three months
period of duration and men will be
given instruction in all the above and
then the students will be returned to
their commands as expert signalmen.
The fellows who are buying exper-
fence around card tables Saturday
evening, were rudely interrupted by
the regimental Chaplain at about
eight o'clock, but really, it was treat
to listen to his Commute sermon.
Naturally, his theme was mainly
about war and more especially about
the one we are now preparing for: He
led us in few songs first and gave
us al the privilege Of choosing a
hymn. Nobody spoke up, so I sug-
gested "Throw Out the Life Line"
every appropriate" said the Chaplain,
land it is one that is being asked for
constantly. Appropriate, for the
reason that life line thrown out
now, when there is so much need and
cause for same at the front, figuratively
and at sea when So many ships are
being sunk by submarines, there is the
real call for a lif cline, literally"
He then launched into his brief ser
mon. He told us that being under
quarantine, we should learn more
than ever to be brothers to each other
and make it more pleasant; to learn
to be eneery under anv circumstance,
because we were not the only ones
who had been called upon to sacrifice
everything and that practically the
whole nation was in the great fight for
the same great cause. Under any try
ng circumstance, try to meet the is
'ue like men, he said. He read a |
passage of scripture to the men and
hen led them in prayer. He prayed,
lmong the many good things for them
hat they should always remember the
folks at home" Write to them at
east once a week." he said, 'for you
ant realize how they watch the mails
ZACH day for letter from the bow I"