Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-07
THE DAILY NOVELETTE,
BLOWN IN BY THE DRAFT
BY CARRIE L. +. CURTIS
DR1vATE VANCE DoNNETTE was

DRIvATE VANCE DONNETTB was
i n southern lad by birth AS are
many of our gallant young lads he was
called into the service by the draft.
He entered a southern encampment In
the latter part of March and In early
May, with many others, was transferred
to a camp farther north. 1t was the
18th of May that Vance was assigned
the duty of a switchboard operator AZ
the camp. His hours at the switchboard
were 6 a. IN. to IL m, and y. m. TO
| a. m.
one bright Tuesday morning while on
his duty at the switchboard, wondering
how to spend his four-hour relief that
afternoon, he at last decided to take a
stroll through the village of Riverside.
The village church. the store and the
central office were the important build.
ings one o'clock Tuesday found
town. Several of the village lads were
in the service, so a lad in khaki was not
an uncommon occurrence. II don't see
many lassies in this vicinity. | guess
they are few and far between SAID
Vance. 1t seemed odd to him not to
sec any girls on the streets, as the ma
jority of the younger set in his home
town were girls.
Arriving at the store. he entered and
bought a cigar. then gayly passed on
his way. He had, not gone far when
he approached the central office;
GlanciIg into the open windows, and
Stacking his pace as he did so. he saw
the little operator at her post: Nun.
get them?" Riverside; he heard the
sweet little voice saying. Who is the
proud owner of that sweet voice
How beautiful she was with that
her" said Vance.
As he continued his stroll the operator
was still in his mind. He walked on
nearly a mile. then began his journey
l.. rnF
his pocket. he wrote: Vance Donnette
operator at local camp. Ring up
ON his return by the central office he
walked more slowly than before. just
at the entrance to tho Office he let the
slip of paper drop out of his hand
Hope that she is lucky enough to find
it," said he. He reported at camp at
4 o'clock and at o'clock he was again
at the switchboard. II wonder if she
At 3 O'Clock t.mita Dell, the Hirerside
operator, was preparing to leave the
Office. Just as she opened the door tc
depart slip of paper was blown ir
by the draft and dropped at her feet
went to the Central Office. As he
neared the office, instead of slackening
he hastened his pace he was SO anX'
| ious TO meet Emita. Entering the OF
shake, as though they had known eaCf
other for years That afternoon as HI
sat there talking to her, the only
| thought in his mind was: she is the
! most 'beautiful Of all girls
Early in October. Vance expected tt
| 10 over there" one morning he called
| Emita on the phone. Say. lassie
! leave tomorrow for ten day fur
! ough before going over there. In
! going home to sec mother; are yol
ready TO go as my BRIDE Yes. VI
/ be ready" came the reply The mex
! morning Vance and Emita left to fin
! ish the work commenced by Dan cupid
| 4 happy couple were Private and Mrs
Vance Donnette as they took tn" TRAN
/ for the South. As the train passed ou
of the station. Nan"e whispered to t.mta
Aren't YOU glad that it was blown II
| by the draft'?'
TomOrroW'S conn plCfc NOrCiCttc-
"FOR THE FUND"