Williams news., 1918-11-22

"When a fellow went into that trench it was an even gamble that he would come out on stretcher. At one
 time Scotch battalion held 1t, and when they heard the betting was even money that they'd come out on stretchers, they grabbed all the bets in sight. Like lot of bally idiots. sev- era1 of the battery men fell for their game, and put up real money. The Jocks suffered a lot of casualties, and the prospects looked bright for the battery men to collect some easy money. So when the battalion was re lieved the gamblers lined up. Several Jocks got their money for emerging safely, but the ones who clicked 1t weren't there to pay. The artillery men had never thought it out that way. Those Scotties were bound to be sure winners, no matter how the wind blew. So take a tip from me, never bet with a Scottie, cause you1l lose money.
 "At one part of our trench where a communication trench joined the front line a Tommy had stuck up a wooden signpost with three hands or arms on it. One of the hands, point ing to the German lines, read, "To Der linz the one pointing down the com. munication trench read, To Blighty, while the other said, Suicide Ditch, Change Here for Stretchers'
 Farther down from this guide post the trench ran through an old orchard. On the edge of this orchard our bat tery had constructed an advanced ob- servation post. The trees screened it from the enemy airmen and the roof was turfed. It wasn't cushy like ours, no timber or concrete re-enforcements just walls of sandbags. From it a splendid view of the German lines could be obtained. This post wasn't exactly safe. It was a hot corner, shells plunking all around, and the bullets cutting leaves off the trees. Many a time when relieving the sig naler at the phone, had to crawl on my belly like a worm to keep from being hit.
 'It was an observation post sure enough. That's all the use 1t was. Just observe all day, but never a message back for our battery to open up. You see, at this point of the line there were strict orders not to fire a shell, unless specially ordered to do so from brigade headquarters. Blime me, If anyone disobeyed that command. our general-yes, it was Old Pepper would have court-martialed the whole expeditionary force. Nobody went out of their way to disobey Old Pepper in those days, because he couldn't be called a parson he was more like a ~,i~ e61 feel lonely and sigh for a proper mate, Old Pepper would get the first call. Facing the Germans wasn't half bad compared with an interview with that old firebrand.
 eff a company or battalion should give way a few yards against a su- perior force of Boches, Old Pepper would send for the commanding off cer. In about half an hour the officer would come back with his face the color of a brick, and in a few hours what was left of his command would be holding their original position.
 "I have seen an officer who wouldn't say d-n for a thousand quid spend five minutes with the old boy. and when he returned the flow of language from his lips would make navvy blush for shame.
 "What am going to tell you is how two of US put it over on the old scamp, and got away with 1t. It was r1sKy thing, too, because Old Pepper wouldn't have been exactly mild with us IT he had got next to the game.
 'Me and my mate, lad named liar ry Cassell. bombardier in D 23S Dat- tery. OF lance corporal, as you call 1t in the infantry. used to relieve the telephonists. We would do two hours on and four oil. would be on duty in the advanced observation post, while he would be at the other end of the wire in the battery dugout signal Ing station. We were supposed to send through orders for the battery to fire when ordered to do so by the observa- ton officer in the advanced post. But very few messages were sent. It was only in case of an actual attack that we would get a chance to earn our two and six day. You see, Old Pep per had issued orders not to fire ex- cept when the orders came from him. And with Old Pepper orders Is orders, and made to obey.
 '"The Germans must have known about these orders, for even in the day their transports and troops used to expose themselves as If they were on parade. This sure got up our nose, sitting there day after day, with fine targets in front of US but unable to send over a shell. We heartily cussed Old Pepper, his orders, the govern ment, the people at home, and every thing in general. But the Boches didn't mind cussing, and got very care less. Blime me, they were bally in- sulting. Used to, when using certain road, throw their caps into the air as a taunt at our helplessness.
 "Casse1 had been a telegrapher in