The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-09-04
By Frazier Hunt.

BY Frazier Hunt.
Copyright, 1918, by the New York Times
the Chicago Tribune and the Oklahoms
CIty Tlmes)
AMERICAN NAVAL BASE IN
FRANCE, Sept l.-(Delayed To-day
a big American troop ship which once
had flown the German ensign slipped
out from its moorlngs near an ancient
quay and steamed down the great har-
Dor towards the seas and home. II
had brought almost 5000 new fighting
men the day before and was now tax
ing home few wrecks OF the wasting
war
For the most part these soldiers
lay in the cabin below where they were
carried with all the tenderness and care
that a great hearted old navy surgeon
staff could give. For, despite all they
had seen and given they were Just
boys-and he was sending them home
TO mothers who would try to nurse back
to them something OF spent youth and
high hopes.
Play Unusual Part.
L is an unusual part Of the great
DRAMA of war these troon. ships play
and B. D., strange setting this old har-
bor ar}cs to the scene. Warriors have
com. and gone from this port since
Caesar sailed away 90 conquer Eng
land and probably some OF the youth
and hope that came with him drltled
back half men just as is happening
twenty centuries later to these boys OF
America. An hour before one of them
stood on crutcheS looking wstfully
over the shia'S rail at the old city
stretching out behind. Then his eyes
shifted to the rotting wharf with the
ancient barracks and great store build
ings behind-then on up TO the gray
houses sitting higher on the hill.
Marine Cops Boys
BY his side stood a boy with The
empty left sleeve OF his blouse pinned
to the shoulder His face was thin
aud white and caught first glance He
was just ont OF a long tour OF hos
p.tll> Both wore olive drab uniforms
Of the army but pinned On the little
o'cr-cd, cap Of each was The beloved
emblem ui the marine corps. They
were marine, who had helped make his
tory at Bellcau wood and Chateau
Ihicrry those carly June days when the
world WAS swinging IN the balance.
They with the other thousand had paid
very dearly They had given life, body,
health and future, bpt they still olung
to the magic spirit that has swept the
American soldier to a great pinnacle.
Men Marching to Front.
Suddenly. from way down at the end
ol the quay came marching men. Down
there below there was a camp OF men
just of the ships; now they were march
ing hy TO cntrain for the front. Even
at that distance the ship anchored there
must have recognized them-they were
men She had brought twenty-iour hours
before
The boy on crulcheS and the boy who
had given his arm watched the column,
Of four swinging into view They were
getting closer and those two by the rail
almost heard the line sergeants chant
ing the marching cadence. Then both
recognized the swinging men who had
come to take their placeS-to carry ON
and finish the job, to win for America
France and the right.
Brothers in Arms.
Marine they whispered with mu.
glcd awe and pride Their, -,h... own
their pals and brothers in aun.. zoos.
TO 'Hr same spirit trained and filled .
with tlc same traditions and gloric, |,
10 va. q, d. suddenly at the end OF a /
long uarl they had found a friend !
awaiting them with food and drink.
Flashing lu the sun over the heart OF |
each of 'lcm like some cross Of glory |
was a ,hlrpSlootcr's expert marksman
medal They were the pick OF the world |
strong powerful and irresistible. like |
The Nation they represented And they
wore the grccuiSh brown marine corps
nat that now took ON new prcciou, |
shade since the day, when II had been
lived red with their blood an the |
Nsrnc There were thousands ot them
--cvery man trained to the second
Much Interested.
They were now swinging opposite the !
ship which was POO feet of the wharf /
marching m company formation, col !
mnn ol four, The uniforms were new
and their equipment was periect-thcy
were ready.
Neither the hoy on cruichss nor the
hoy with the empty sleeve spoke for