Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-22
Especial to The Argus


Camp Dodge, Iowa. Jan. els there
a kind of serum which can prevent the
humps?
Medical officers at Camp Dodge
would like to find it.
Mumps have invaded the canton
ment and are attacking not only new
national army men, but some of the
old veterans who have lived unscathed
through wars and rumors of wars.
What officer or soldier can look his
trim, efficient self when his cheeks are
all swollen and his head is bandaged.
Besides, when his comrades are
experienced the first thrills of the
rife and artillery ranges, just think
how chagrined he would feel to have to
confess that the reason he couldn't
go to practice was because he had the
mumps.
One might think that after the SOL
diers had drilled and studied the art
of warfare all day they wouldn't want
to learn anything more.
Statistics compiled by Young Mems
Christian association secretaries, how
ever, show that this is not the case.
The national army men are eager
to continue their education in every
way possible. Many of them are
taking advantage Of the extension
course offered by the State college at
Ames and Iowa university.
Two hundred and sixty-six men at
tended one Y meeting and signed up
for these classes. Fifty-one enrolled
in a French class, so for agriculture,
Al for class for discussion of the
bible, and "a for an English class
Fifty-fve signed for basketball and
soccer football. "a for boxing, q for
wrestling and 10 for music.
If walls had ears, little room In
the northwest corner of the main
Knights of Columbus building could
| tell lot of secrets.
| 1t is here that the Catholic soldiers
at Camp-Dodge come for confession:
There are several hundred Of them,
and if necessary two OF their chaplains
,are In attendance.
Probably in no other room in the
state have so many confessions been
made as in this tiny box-like affair
with its green baize curtains.
Here soldiers joys and troubles
which have never been told anyone
else have been contided.
Do men gossip?
Well, sometimes, especially when
they are soldiers, and on detail to
wash the windows of their barracks.
With their sleeves rC6ied up above
their elbows, three Or four men will
cling to the respective window stills
and between rubbing and polishing
they will carry Oh a conversation
sogething like this:
johnson went to town last night
| bet he was going to see that girl he
met at the party Saturday"
well, he's welcome to her. Thirty
bucks don't go very far when you
have to spend part Of 'em on a girl
Gee. wish | had a thousand month
inherited, like they say Algie Smith il
X company has. His dad used to run
a brewery or somethin"
Jaw, | don't believe that. They's
more rumors around here Been out or
the rifle range yet? There was a new
Frenchman out there yesterday, the
only one l ever saw without any
whiskers on his face. l think those
foreign officers are we'll"
'Say, boy, just wait till we ge
across, and they'll thing we're swell
too, you bet"
When the foreign mail comes in, the
British and French officers at CAM
Dodge wait anxiously at division head
quarters for their letters.
In the rare times when this mai
, does come there are many of thes'
square, neatly addressed envelopes
all stamped Opened by Censor"
| u simply live for those letters" sait
: one English officer.
, Which shows how soldiers in /;
/ strange country appreciate mail from
home.
Barracks of the Three Hundret
t Thirteenth field signal battalion wer,