Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-07
The Daily
Short Story
A STORY WITH A MORAL,
By Alan Hinsdale.

he general OF the tank brigade found
himself short OF engineers who were
to run the big caterpillars.
He called on the commander Of the
United States troops for a detail of.
American soldiers who were skilled
engineers, as well as brave, to put
such tanks as were deficient in men
to run them. Ike Rogers was one OF
the Americans who were selected to
conduct a tank in the attack that was
to be made Oh the enemy.
likes tank was some distance be-
hind the others, and he was instructed
to move 1t forward, generally in the
nights but Ike In order to catch up
and being on the edge of WOOD.
drove 1t on in the day time
Beside the road a young peasant
girl stood gaping at the big machine
This girl-Clochette was her name
was very pretty. Ike fell in love with
her at first sight. He asked her for a
drink Of water. The French people
DRINK wine in place of water, SO
Clochette gave him a glass Of wine.
She spoke a few words of English and
Ike while in training camp before
going over the big pond had studied
French, so they managed to under
stand each other after a fashion.
Something in the tank needed fixing
and Ike was detained where he had
stopped long time. When he was
about to move on he said to Clochette
half in French, the other half In Eng
fish, Il love ycu," and Clochette al.
most swooned with Joy to be told that
she was loved by the guiding spirit OF
the big war monster.
Clochette having been caught by
the power of the tank rather than
anything attractive about Ike's per-
sonality, soon after his departure was
caught In different way. A cavalry
man rode by who carried a flag, its
staff resting on the toe Of his boot.
His steed danced and curvetted so
beautifully that Clochette was much
moved and since the rider was a
handsome young fellow she trans
ferred her heart to this man who, COM
pared with the greasy tank runner,
was a marvel Of beauty.
The cavalryman spoke French flu
emily and not having seen a pretty
girl since he left England, there was
another case Of love at first sight
Clochette responded favorably.
Well, the fight came on, the tanks
made a big hit. and Ike's tank went
walloping over the field like an ele-
plant that had escaped from its keep
er. But likes guiding hand was in
the monsters throat turning II here
and there to trample under its hun
dred feet scores Of Germans and cut
ting its way through barb wires as
a moving machine will fell field of
wheat.
When the armies settled down
again to ordinary work the command
er Of the tank brigade ordered long
rest for all who had manned the gi-
gantic centipedes. He complimented
Ike as having done extraordinary SER
vice and asked him what sort Of re-
ward he would like. Should it be a
decoration or promotion! Ike said be
would think it over.
But likes thinking powers were
upon Clochette-the pretty French girl
who had fallen in love with either
him or his tank-it is not certain
which-and he asked for a leave to
go back and see her. He found the
cavalryman in possession. He, too,
had received leave, and had returned
to his love. Ike finding himself sup
planted was much cast down. He
looked at his greasy clothes, and his
begrimed hands, then turned his gaze
upon the handsome. well-dressed cav
alryman and having a mind capable
of perceiving cause and effect resolved
upon course that he hoped would
give him an advantage. He returned
to his general and said:
General, would like q transfer"
ITO what corps?"
Il wish to be made drum major OF
a band"
Great Scott man, what do you, a
fine soldier, desire to sink to such a
ridiculous position?
Ike told his story and the general
sent him back to the commander OF
the American forces with a request
that his petition be granted, and Ike
obtained his coveted position. In the
changes that occurred the fighting aft
erward fell on the American army.
Clochette determined to go rs a nurse
to the American camp and appeared
there just before battle. The Amerl-
can general ordered that the bands
play martial music to inspire the men
Ike at the head of the band marched
by a hospital where Clochette stood
ready to help take care OF the wound
ed. Amid the bursting OF shot anu
shell, the thunder Of guns. the cheers
of the charging troops, Ike fourisheo
his staff, tossed it in the air, caught
it as it came down, and his very ap-
pearance, to say nothing Of the music
| of his sband, was enough to make any
soldier plunge into the Jaws Of death
Clochette had no eyes for anyone OF
anything else. Ike, the engineer OF
| the tank. the mechanic covered Win
grease, was converted to be the finest
specimen OF q man. Apollo was not
so much to a Roman girl as was tne
drum major to Clochette.
The story of Ike and Clochette Illus
trates that there are different ways OF
winning the feminine heart. Power
impresses woman but it Is hardy
equal to beauty, but the beauty must
be adorned.
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