The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-03-18

though it had been hard day. We
were just unlucky ones-that was all.
We were only two-and OF what good
are just two prisoners? Only good to
be shot. what, Monsieur? We thought
so. But other prisoners arrived-that
saved us, no doubt, yes Monsieur? In
Germany we were not too unhappy,
but there was not enough food. We
were put to work in stone quarry
because we were strong. One day
great block fell on my leg. That is all.
When l could no longer be used for
work l was sent back with many 9TH
ers--all like me. And here am. Mon
sieur. l can still work. am still very
strong-all save my leg. My arm is
steady--see, Monsieur? ] can drive
well, ] think, Monsieur. viii ! get a
new leg II you find my papers and
everything all correct? hope SO,
Monsieur. have wife in Bordeaux
do not want that she should do all
the although she has done 1t all
since | have been away
Hero Wears Decoration.
One soldier came into the bureau
with great pride shining in his face
despite his missing left leg. for on his
tunic he wore the war cross with two
palms across the ribbon. and the mill
tary medal 1t could not be said that
he was very shy. One of his first acts
was to draw from his pocket and show
to the bureau chief his citation for
the Medaille Militaire. 1t read "Jeune
soldat brave ct courageux. S'est
montre energique ct plein d'entrain
rattauue de combat. A etc tres grieve-
ment blesse."
A cooper, l am, Monsieur, from
near Epernay. l was at the Marine and
came through without u scratch, My
Legal, Monsieur, that was later
the Chemin des Danes, Monsieur" he
said with all the pride in the world.
ut was a sudden blow--and ! knew no
more until awoke with "a pain in a
hospital station where | was dressed.
What can do? Anything, Monsieur,
that man with only one leg can do.
No, | don't want to be IL cobbler. |
want to be cooper again---G want to
be able to walk round and round
but comfortable. Monsieur. Can 1t be?
I have no wife.-only an old father
but he is happy. He is II carter in our
ono to work"
Must Work for Children.
Two farmers followed, one with a
military medal on his coat. lie had
been In the heavy artillery and had lost
n left leg when u shell fell upon his
battery. only two of us were left.
Monsieur" he said simply, "and / am
not much more than half man now.
But | have children, Monsieur--it Is
necessary TO work for them--other-
wise there Is nothing-my wife died
the first year of the war. 1t Is hard
or some of us, Monsieur, ! never knew
she was dead for three months. The
children ara with my mother--and
they look to me. is II not SO? l have
promise of work at Rouen, where my
uncle is a wine merchandise will give
me one of the big carts to drive II
can learn to get In and out easily. II
l had leg that could bend here when
l want it. all would be well for me.
used to have "A good one TIL Il hand
grenade shattered IT.
These are the narratives they relate,
not in the running way IN which they
must appear in words. but haltingly.
after much questioning with long
pauses for thought. They seem to seek
to keep the hopelessness out OF their
voices and all are SO willing to work
Those whose references and military
papers are found to be in good order
are furnished with an order Tor the
leg they desire. And as, with IA quick.
precise salute. and the signed order
carefully buttoned in an inner pocket
they stump their way out OF the bureau,
there is. perhaps, more hope and cheer
fulness in their hearts than they had
ever thought there would be. .-
To Cura a Cola in Qna QaY