The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-03-05
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ing to their work. Crossing the
, street, accosted Bobbie with:
"Can you direct me to the place Of
damage"
He asked me, "What damage?"
In surprise, answered, "Why, the
damage caused by the Zeps."
With wink he replied:
"There was no damage; we missed
them again."
After several fruitless inquiries Of
the passersby, I decided to 60 on my
own in search of ruined buildings and
scenes Of destruction. boarded bus
which carried me through Tottenham
Court road. Recruiting posters were
everywhere. The one that impressed
me most was a life-size picture Of
Lord Kitchener with his finger point
ing directly at me, under the caption
Of 'Your King and Country Need You"
No matter which way turned, the
accusing finger followed me. I was
IN American, in mufti, and had little
American flag in the lapel Of my coat.
I had no king, and my country had
seen fit not to need me, but still that
pointing finger made me feel small and
i'll at ease. I got off the bus to try
to dissipate this feeling by mixing
with the throng of the sidewalks.
Presently I came to a recruiting Of
flee. Inside, sitting at desk was
lonely Tommy Atkins. I decided to In
terview him in regard to joining the
British army. opened the door. He
looked up and greeted me with II s'y,
myte, want to tyke on?"
Hooked at him and answered, "Well,
whatever that is, I'll take "a chance
at it."
Without the aid Of an Interpreter, I
found out that Tommy wanted to know
If cared to join the British army. He
asked me: 'Did you ever hear Of the
Royal Fusiliers?" Well, in London,
you know, Yanks are supposed to know
everything, so was not going to ap-
pear ignorant and answered, "Sure."
After listening for one half-hour to
Tommy's tale Of their exploits on the
firing line, decided to join. Tommy
took me to the recruiting headquarters,
where met typical English captain.
he asked my nationality. I immedi-
ately pulled out my American passport
and showed it to him. 1t was signed
by Lansing. After looking at the
passport, he informed me that he was
sorry but could not enlist me, as 1t
would be breach Of neutrality. 1
insisted that I was not neutral, be-
cause to me it seemed that a real
American could not be neutral when
big things were in progress, but the
captain would not enlist me.
With disgust in my heart went out
in the street. I had gone about a
block when a recruiting sergeant who
had followed me out Of the Office
tapped me on the shoulder with his
swagger stick and said: "S'y, 1 can
get you in the army. We have 1ef-
tenant down at the other office who
can do anything. He has just come
out Of the o. T. G. (Oficers' Training
corps) and does not know what neu-
trality is" I decided to take chance,
and accepted his invitation for an in
PRODUCTION to the lieutenant. I entered
the Office and went up to him. opened
up my passport and said:
"Before going further wish to state
that am an American, not too proud
to fight, and want to Join your army"
he looked at me in nonchalant
manner, and answered, "That's all
right; we take anything over here"
looked at him kind of hard and re-
piled, $50 notice." but 1t went over
his head.
He got out an enlistment blank, and
placing his finger on a blank line said,
"Sign here"
answered, "Not on your tintype."
"I beg your pardonT'
Then explained to him that would
not sign it without first reading it. I
read it over and signed for duration Of
war. Some Of the recruits were lucky.
They signed for seven years only!
Then he asked me my birthplace. I
answered, "Ogden, Utah."
He said, "Oh, yes, just outside Of
New York;"
With smile, I'replied, swell, it's up
the state little"
Then was taken before the doctor
and passed as physically fit, and was
issued q uniform. When I reported
back to the lieutenant, he suggested
that, being an American, I 60 on re-
cruiting service and try to shame some
Of the slackers into joining the army"
Gall you have to do," he said, 'fs to
60 out on the street, and when you see
young fellow in mufti who looks
physically fit. just stop him and give
him this kind Of talk: aren't you
ashamed of YOURSELF a Britisher, phys
ically fit, and in mufti when your king