Newport daily independent., 1918-07-30

men on what was to be their bap- tism of fire, so far as their own ar tillery is concerned. You know in this modern warfare there are two fires to be dreaded: that of the enc my from the front, and your own ar tillery from the rear. It was the lat ter that we were practicing with. Our big guns located about two miles back of us shott over our heads, dropping the shells just two hundred yards in front of us where they exploded to form curtain of smoke, behind which we might ad- vance. Of course, the shells were loaded, just like they are over there, and when they exploded, thy rained death on everything within ra- dius of four or five hundred feet. It was fun to watch them tear up the earth; it was a suggestion to us of what was going on lover there" They screamed like hysterical women in times of panic. Was l scared No, but I couldn't keep from duck ing all the time I find myself draw ing down, as if that would be suffi- cient protection against shell pow erful enough to shoot half way back to Arkansas. 1t was wonderful experience. In the midst of it came upon clump of bushes loded l with huckleberries, and l soon found that the excitement of battle hadn't ! affected my appetite. You can't imagine how good berries are when favored with smoke of artillery fire. May it always be so.
 I've had another great experience recently. We were wakened at peep < day on the Fourth of July by the band which was parading the streets of the reg mental area, playing all kinds of patriotic airs Immediately after mess the regiment was formed and we marched out onto that big parade ground to take our place there with the other units of the l camp in a celebration. At the ap- pointed time band made up of all the bands in the camp and number ing something like five hundred marched down the field playing a lively tune. Then came the various units, maintaining their identity but massing together in a great forma- tion half a mile wide and much over a mile long. It was one great sea of khaki moving like a tide. We halted about stand erected in the middle of the field. For twenty minutes we sang popular and pa triotic songs, ending with the Star Spangled Banner A prayer follow ed an dthen a short address. After the exercises we passed in review and double quicked back to barracks. l Twenty-four different nationalities took part in the exercises. There was something about it that made every man feel that it was great to be an American.
 Indeed, am happy in the pros pect of an early authorization for overseas service. must say that I am realizing more and more the se- riousness of this game we are play ing; it is beginning to look like war now. I stood on the shore a few i days ago and watched several thous- and of the lads steal out of harbor. and it isn't going to be long until I shall be doing the same thing. But am feeling peculiar joy in the consciousness that I am going to have part in the Calvary to which the nations best are going. By the suffering of one the world has been made what it is; if now, through the suffering of a few, all the gen erations to come may be made hap pier and better, I shall go gladly with the lads to the worlds Gethse- mane and find my joy in hethought that am following Him.
 Though love repine and reason 
 chafe,
 There comes a voice without reply, 'Twere mans perdition to be safe, When for the truth he ought to die
 You hear this every time you go to church, don't you? I shall spare you by preaching no more.
 Where did you get that stuff about me having been promoted? On one occasion the report came to Mark Twain through the daily papers that he was dead. Immediately, he wired the press. Report of my death is greatly exaggerated" It is so in this case.
 Appoint some member of the fam ily to write me all the news of Hell