Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1918-05-03


road was awf6I. overturned lImbers
and guns, wagons smashed up, troops
| fleeing IN ell directions. The road and
roadside were spotted all over with
little field gray dots, the toll Of our
guns.
''The captain, in his excitement, had
slipped Oh the sandbag, and was on
his knees In the mud. the glass stili al
his eye. He was muttering to himself
and slapping his thigh with his olsen
gagged hand. At every slap big
round juicy cuss word would escape
from his lips followed by:
"'ooodl Finel Marvelousi Pretty
Work. Direct hits ALL
"Then he turned to me and shouted:
Wilson. what do you think OF III
Did you ever see the like Of II In your
lifef D---n fine work. call IT,
"Pre1ty soon look Of wonder stole
over his face and he exclaimed:
i'But who in h--l gave them the
order TO fire. Range and everything
correct, too. know ] didn't. Wilson.
did give you any order for the bat
terry to open upf OF course didn't.
did IT
II answered very enphatically, No,
sir. you gave no command. Nothing
went through this post. am abso.
lutely certain on that point, SIR
"'of course nothing went through
he replied. Then his face fell. and he
muttered out loud:
"'But by Jove. wait TIL Old Pep
per gets wind Of this. There1l be fur
flying
Just then Bombardier Cassell cut In
on the wire:
"'General'e compliments to Captain
A.. he directs that officer and sig
naier report at the double to brigade
headquarters as soon as relieved. Re
lief now on the way
"In an undertone to me, Keep O
brass front, Wilson, and for Gods
sake. stick ! answered with, Rely on
me, mate but was trembling all over.
II gave the generals message to the
captain, and started packing up.
'sThe relief arrived, and as we left
the post the captain said:
SNOW for the fireworks, and know
they'll be good and plenty They were.
"When we arrived at the gun pits
the battery commander. the sergeant
major ana Casseil were waiting for us.
We fell in line and the funeral march
to brigade headquarters started.
ARRIVING at headquarters the bat
terry commander was the first TO be
interviewed. This was behind closed
doors. From the roaring and explo-
|, slons of Old Pepper 1t sounded as If
raw meat was being thrown to the
lions. Cassell. later, described 1t as
sounding like bombing raid. In about
two minutes the officer reappeared.
The sweat was pouring from his fore
head. and his face was the color Of q
beet. He was speechless. As he
passed the captain he jerked his thumb
. in the direction Of the lions den and
went out. Then the captain went In.
i, and the lions were once again fed.
The captain stayed about twenty min.
utes and came out. couldn't see his
face, but the droop In his shoulders
was enough. He looked like a wet hen
''The door Of the generals room
, opened and Old Pepper stood in the
! doorway. With roar he shouted:
(which one Of you Is Casselli
D-n me, get your heels together
, when speak Come In herer
"Cassen started to say, Yes SIR
/, "But Old Pepper roared, Shut up |
a "Cassell came out in five minutes
He said nothing, but as he passed me
/, he put his tongue into his cheek and
winked, then, turning to the closed
/, door, he stuck his thumb to his nose
, and left.
/ ''Then the sergeant majors turr
came. he didn't come out our way
|. Judging by the roaring, Old Pepper
I? must have eaten him.
= aWhen the door opened and the gen
eral beckoned to me, my knees startet
1 to play Home, Sweet Home agains
q each other.
l. "My interview was very short.
"Old Pepper glared at me when
I entered, and then let loose.
"'Of course you don't know anything
/. about 1t. You're Just like the rest
!. Ought to have nursing bottle aroun'
t your neck and nipple In your teeth
j. Soldiers--by CAD, you turn my stom
ach to look at you. Win this war
|, when England sends out such samples
as have in my brigade! Not likely
n Now, sir, tell me what you don't know
e about this affair. Speak up, out witt
d 1t. Don't be gaping at me like fish
a Spit 1t OUT
d ''T stammered, Sir, I know absolute
II ly nothing
-e ""That's easy to see,' he roared
I. that stupid face tells me that. Shu
Is up. Get out; but ] think you are
d-d liar just the same. Back {
t. your battery
.e II saluted and made my exit.
h sThat night the captain sent for III