The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1918-12-06
Copyright, Isl7. By The Mcclure Newspapers
ByndicateJ

sunny and we were bubbling over with
good humor. There were two reasons
for this: First--our battalion was to
be relieved at nine that night and we
were going back for two weeks
rest. Second-it was spring. We could
smell it in the air. Even the wind
blowing from the German trenches in
our direction had sweet and
@springy" smell.
About thirty yards down a commune
cation trench to the left was an or
chard. The trees were SCARED from
bullets and fragments of shell; but
even these battered trunks could not
resist the feel of spring, because here
and there on the twigs and branches
could be seen bursting buds. Fitting
around were numerous birds, chirping,
and sometimes wrangling among them
selves.
To me it seemed odd that birds could
accustom themselves to war. Occa-
sionally a German shell, or perhaps
one of ours, would go screaming over
the orchard. The birds did not seem
to mind the noise-iust carried on
with their nest-building.
In our company was an American
named Alexander Stewart. Naturally
he and I were very chummy.
Stewart and I were the chief
amusement promoters in the com
pany, the Tommies constantly looking
to us for some new diversion.
In the English army Tommy seems
to have the idea that an Americans
chief vocation in the United States is
TO invent, and to keep on inyenting.
OF course, Stewart and did not in
any way try to dissipate this idea; in
fact. we encouraged it, and took great
pride in being looked up to In this
way: but, believe me, 1t kept us hust-
ling 60 keep the Tommfes amused
1t was getting too warm for soccer
football, and we knew as soon as we
got into rest billets that the issue
would be put right up to us: "How
are you going TO amuse us while be
hind the lines2n
We were Americans, and red-blood
ed; spring was in the air. and ow
thoughts turned to what every Ameri
can boy is thinking of upon the arrival
of spring-basebaII
I turned my eyes to the muddy para
dos (rear wall of the trenchl and fixed
my gaze on a fragment of German
shell embedded In the mud. Pretty
soon this fragment seemed to change
into a baseball player, with mask, pro
tector and catcher's mitt. He wal
crouching behind the home plate ant
signaling to the pitcher. Just ther
Stewart said: "Say, Emp, wondel
If we could teach the Tommies how Il
play baseball?"
I Immediately turned in his direction
He was also staring at that fragmen
of shell.
l answered: 'Did you ever try t
teach a Chinaman how to speal
French?'s
He got it right away and dejecte'
look spread over his countenance, AM
he let out a long-drawn sigh.
A Tommy sitting on my right butte'
in with: ibid you sye byseball. Yank
Why, saw a gyme In London, and
is absurdly easy TO plye. but I GAVIN
sye fawncy hit"
With look of disgust Stewar
turned to me and said: II guess your
right, Emp, 1t would be easier to teacl
the Chinaman French"
That night we were relieved an
went behind the lines.
The next afternoon, after parade
we were sitting in an orchard drinkin
tea. About a month before. Stewar
and 1 had taught the Tommies how I
pitch horseshoes. There was grea
rivalry among the different squads
each squad having team.
Just then Corporal Watkins cam
over to us and asked: ''Where are tn
'orse shoes? cawn't find 'em."
Another Tommy answered: "Straf
me pink, where are your h'eyes
Cawn't you bloomin' well see the h'oi
ficers usin' 'em behind that billet owe
there2 Blime me, they're AWAY
a'gurnmin' the gyme."
Sure enough. the officers were usin
our horseshoes.
Stewart. with q look of depressic
on his face, turned to me and said
swell, here goes, Emp. Steve Brodl
took chance. so might be able
get away with this"
Then. turning to the Tommies, :
said; ibid any of you blokes eva
hear of John McGrawla
Three of the Tommies answers
''Yes.n
A sunny smile and look OF hoT
fitted across Stewards face, and !
breathlessly asked, ''Who is herr III
three started to answer at once, b.
Stewart. ma1estically extending b
hand. palm forward. said Sect
l,ne, one at time, Now. Perkins, WI
IS John MeGraw?"
Perkins answered: "whE 'e's