Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-12-27

dayS time would receive. through the
mail little oblong package, and we'd
know we we're In for some more Ave
round rapids" We didn't blame the
Germang.
Still. that harmonica had its uses.
Often we would get downhearted and
fed up" with the war. and grouse"
at everything In general. Then key
would reach In his pocket and out
would come that instrument of tor
fure. We would then realize there
were worse things than war, and cheer
up accordingly.
On this particular rainy afternoon
In June we were In a laxative mood.
Perhaps II was due to the fact that
Curly Wallace had made his "Tom-
niles cooker" DO wnat Il wns supposed
10 do--make water boil 10 an hour
and half. A "Tommic's cooker is a
spirit stove which Is very widely adj
vertIsed as a sultnb,e gift 10 the men
In the trenches. Many were sent out.
and many were thrown away.
Anyway. the cooker lived up to It's
reputation for once. though little be-
hind its advertised schedule in max
ing water bell. Curly passed around
the result Of his efforts. In the form
Of 40 ammunition tin half full OF fair
ly good tea. We each took a good |
swIg. lighted n cigarette-they had |
"come up" with the rations the night |
beforehand settled back against the
damp earihen walls of the dugout, 10
see who could tell the biggest lie. For
n few minutes silence reigned-no one
seemed 10 care TO be the FIRST to break
In.
Then Dick TurpIn, turning to me,
nsked:
Remember Burton OF A company?
Think he was In the Third platoon;
he fellow that was recommended for
he " G. and refused IT, Got the rec
for resculng his platoon
commander under fire"
| answered in the Affirmative x1d
Dick carried on" with II never could
see into that affair. because they
eemed TO be the worst OF enemies.
The officer was always picking on him;
lscd to have him 'on the crime sheet
or the least offense. Got him sever
] days Of extra pack drlll, and once
Ie clicked twenty-one days cruciiixion'
-(feld punishment No. /, tied to a |
Imber wheel two hours per day for
days).
mo matter what dirty fatigue or
Working party came along, Burton's
anne was sure 10 head the list.
''rhis Burton appeared 10 be a surly
ort OF chap. kept to himself whole |
n. always broodlng. didn't have many
riends In the company. either. There I
cemed 10 be something on his mind.
Most of the company men said bis '
weetheart back in Blighty had thrown {
i'm down for some other bloke."
Happy Houghton butted In. "That's
ne way with this world. always ham
lering at fellow. Well, know this !
urton. and there's not better mate
! the world, so let that sink into your I
appers."
Don't get sore, Happy" said Hon '
~. IF you don't mind. let's have the |
DRY. meant no offense. Just nat
rally curious. that's all. You can't I
my that the whole affair has been b
lite n mystery to the brigade. Spit I
out aud get II OF your chest"
Lets have 1t. Happy" we all
lined In chorus.
Happy. somewhat Modified. lighted L
cigarette. took. two or three puffs, Il
I'd started:
swell. 1t was this way, but don't ask 4
" questions until am through. g
you know Burton isn't what you'd p
N prize beauty when II comes to
oks. He's about five. six In height. I.