The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1918-06-18

diately became apparent My nerves
We're In snch a state that IL was ahso-
lutely impossible for me TO cross the
street without being in deadly fear
Of being run over or trampled. stood
at the curb, like an old woman from
the country on her first visit 10 the
city, and | would not venture across
until some knowing policeman, recog-
mixing my condition. came 10 my as
sistance and conveyed me across.
Indeed. there was great number OF
English officers at home at ali times
getting back their nerves after a
long spell of active service at the
front, so that my condition was any
thing but novel TO the London bob
bies.
II was not many days. however, be-
fore | regained control OF myself and
felt In first-class shape.
Although the British authorities in
Holland had wired my mother from
Holland that I was safe and on my
way 10 England. the first thing l did
when we landed was to send her
cattle myself.
4. The cable read as follows:
Mrs. M j. OBrien, Momence. H.. U.
). A.
Just escaIed from Germany. Let
ter follows"
As ! delivered IL TO the cable dis
patcher | could Just imagine the ox-
ultaiion with which my mother would
receive il and the pride she wonld
feel as She exhibited il among her
ncighhors and friends.
| could hear the sollcy Of II told
you SOS" that greeted her good I'd
iBcs.
1T would take more than the kaiser
to Keep Pat in Germany" / could hear
one ~ them saying
'Knew he'd be back for Christmas.
anyway | could hear another re
mark
II had an idea that Pat and his
comrades might spend Christmas in
Berlin" | could hear another admit
ting. ~hut did not think any other
part OF Germany would appeal 10 him
very much"
Mrs. O'Brien, did Pat write you
how many German prisoners he I
brought hack with hlmf" could hear
sim another credulous ffend inquir-
ing.
1t was all very amusing and graft.
fyins % me and | must confess felt
quite cocky as walked into the war
department 10 report.
For the next FIVE days was kept
very busy answering questions put to
me by the military authorities regard.
.rE what | had observed as 20 condi-
tons in Germany and behind the lines.
What | reported was taken down
by n stenographer and made part Of
the official records. bur | did not give
them my story In narrative form. The
| wrs able TO give was
Of interest "a various
branches of the service. and experts
in every line OF government work took
Il In turns 10 question me. one morn
ug would be devoted. for instance,
10 answering questions Of a military
methods behind tho
front line trenches, tactics. morale ~
troops and similar matters. Then the
aviation experts would take a vhacs
II me and discuss with me all | had
observed Of German flying corps
and equipment. Then. again.
he food experts would lnteryogaie
me as 10 what | had learned 81 food
conditions in Germany. Luxembourg
Ind Belgium. and IS | had lived pretty
lose to the ground for the best part
4 seventy-two days | was able 70 g.ye
hem some fairly accurate reports az
% actual agricultural conditions
many Of the things told them prob
Ibly having more significance to them
han they had 10 me.
There were many things had oh.
ersei which have not referred 20 iu
hsse pages because their value 20 Us
night be diminished IL the Germans
new We were aware of them. but
hey were all reported 10 the authorl-
les and Il was very gratifying 10 me
D hear that the experts considered
ONE OF them os the greatest value.