The Mena weekly star., 1918-08-01

represented, and many arguments en- sued as to the respective fighting abil- ity of each regiment The rivalry was wonderful. A Jock arguing with an Irishrlan, then strong Cockney ac- cent would butt in in favor of a Lon don regiment. Before long Welsh man, followed by a member of a York shire regiment, and, perhaps, a Cana dian intrude themselves and the argu- ment waxes loud and furious. The patients in the beds start bowling for them to settle their dispute outside and the ward is in an uproar. The head sister comes along and with a wave of the hand completely routs the doughty warriors and again silence reigns supreme.
 "Wednesday and Sunday of each week were visiting days and were looked forward to by the men, because they meant parcels containing fruit, sweets or flags. When patient had a regular visitor, he was generally kept well supplied with these delicacies. Great jealousy Is shown among the men as to their visitors and many word wars ensue after the visitors leave.
 When a man is sent to a convales- cent home, he generally turns over his steady visitor to the man in the next bed.
 Most visitors have autograph albums and bore Tommy to death by asking him to write the particulars of his wounding in same. Several Tommies try to duck this unpleasant job by tell ing the visitors that they cannot write, but this never phases the owner of the album; he or she, generally she, offers to write 1t for them and Tommy Is stung into telling his experiences.
 The questions asked Tommy by visi- tors would make clever joke book to military man.
 Some kindly looking old lady will stop at your bed and in a sympathetic voice address you: You poor boy, wounded by those terrible Germans. You must be suffering frightful pain. A bullet, did you say2 Well, tell me, l have always wanted to know, did 1t hurt worse going in or coming out7"
 Tommy generally replies that he did not stop to figure 1t out when he was hit.
 One very nice-looking, overenthusi- astic young thing, stopped at my bed and asked. What wounded you in the face?"
 In a polite but bored tone I an- swered, "A rife bullet"
 With a look of disdain she passed to the next bed, first ejaculating, "Ohi Only q bullet? l thought it was a shell" Why she should think a shell wound was more of a distinction beats me. I don't see a whole lot of dlffer- ence myself.
 The American Nomen's War hospi- tai was heaven for wounded men. They were allowed every privilege pos sible conducive with the rules and mii- tary discipline. The only fault was that the mems passes were restricted. To get pass required an act of par liament. Tommy tried many tricks to get out, hut the commandant, an cl l Boer war officer, was wise to them ali. and it took a new and clever ruse to make him atiix his signature to the coveted slip of paper.
 As soon as it would get dark many q patient climbed over the wall and went lon his own." regardless of many signs staring him in the face, "Out of bounds for patients" Generally the nurses were looking the other way when ons of these night raids started. I hop, this information will get none of them into trouble. but I cannot resist the temptation to let the commandani Know that occasionally we put 1t over on him.
 One afternoon I received note through our underground channel, from my female visitor, asking me to attend party at her house that night. answered that she could expect me and to meet me at certain place on the road well known by all patients, ant some visitors, as lover the wall" told her would be on hand at seven thirty.
 About seven-fifteen I sneaked my overcoat and cup out of the ward ana hid 1t in the bushes. Then I told tho nurse, a particular friend of mine, that was going for walk in the rose gnr den. She winked and I knew that ev erything was all right on her end.
 Going out of the ward, slipped into the bushes and made for the wall. Il was dark as pitch and was groplnl through the underbrush. when sudden ly stepped Into space and felt myself rushing downward, a horrible bump and blackness. When came to my wounded shoulder was hurting horr biy. I was lying against circular wall of bricks, dripping with moisture and far away could hear the tricklini of water. had in the darkness faller into an old disused well. But wh, wasn't wetf According to all rule, I should have been drowned. Perhaps was and didn't know 1t. As the shock of my sudden stoT gradually wore of 1t came to me thaf was lying on 8 ledge and that ths least movement on my part would pre- cipitate me to the bottom of the well I struck @ match. In its faint glare I saw that I was lying in a circular hole about twelve feet deep--the wei had been filled ins The dripping had