Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-12

smell OF ether pcrvadcd the ward. We
knew it was a case from the Pictures
Operating ROOM. The strctchcr bear
ers placed him on the right OF the
Irishman.
Jones now left ne. and. getting n
little white basin, went over TO the
new arrival. The Tommies turned in
curing looks III his direction. An
swering these chances. he read from
the tag pinned to the tunic of the
patient:
Shell wound. left foot-amputation."
Then and there l knew that l had
lost my prestige.
TOMMY ON STRETCHER
SURE COULD SING
In a short while the form on the
stretcher began TO humble. This
mumblinG soon turned to singing: that
Tommy sure could sing. He must
have been q comedian in civilian life,
because the Tommes were soon roar
ing with laughter: so was l. as much
my wounds would permit. Harry
Tate, the famous English comedian. in
his palmiest days never had 4 more
| apprcciative audience. After while
the singing ceased. and the Tommies
began conversinG among themselves.
The main topic waS-"BiiGhty-wha
hopes Each one was hoping his
wound was serious enough for him to
he sent TO England. The stretcher
bearers were being pestcrcd with Qucs-
tons as to what chance the Tonmies
had OF reaching their coveted goal. l
believe they all envied the man under
ether, because. with a left foot missing,
he was sure TO be sent to BliGhty.
\ sergeant major OF the Royal Army
Medical Corps entered the ward. The
medical men promptly stood at attcn-
ton, except one or two. who we're
taking care of serious cases. The SER
gcant major ordered:
Get this ward in shape. The NJ Q.
is coming through In five minutes to
inspect cases and clear out"
The medical mon went from cot to
cot. carefully smoothing out blankets.
tuckinS in loose ends. and picking up
flag ends" Ccigarcttchutts).
The sergeant major left.
In about ten minutes the door opened
again. and. with a smart "shun" from
the sergeant major. dead silence
u.
all came to attention, then tho doctor
entered. followed by clerk and
n. a. NJ. =. sergeant lie stopped at
each cot. carefully read the tag on the
wounded man occupying it. passed a
few remarks. which the clerk jotted
down on pad of paper. and. as he left
each wounded soldier, nc made a cheer
ing remark to him.
When he came TO me he asked:
We'll, how are you feeling. my lad?"
at the same time STOPPING over my tag
"!iumm--thrcc rife bullets: we'll
my lucky fellow, it means England for
YOU
| could have kissed that doctor.
Then he passed to the Irishman on
asked:
How are you, my ladH'
Tho lrishman answered:
I'm damned sick, and ! want TO get
out OF here; want to set out of here.
out of this draft. Every tin minutes
they're openin' and a'shuttin' that
door"
The doctor, with wink. turned TO
the X. y. NJ c. sergeant and said
"Shrapnel. left foot. knee and right
won't be ready for duty in a couple
OF days
The Irishman, with n yell, answered.:
"Dooty. how in the hell can ] do
dooty when ] can't walk
Tho doctor answered.:
THAT will DO all right. my lad. Well
fix you up with cuehy job at brigade
headquarters. pounding a typewriter"
The Irishman. with Groan OF dis
gust. addressing nobody in particular,
sighed:
out since Mons. and end UP
workin' bloody typewriter at head
quarters Stick me in skirts and I'll
go as manicurist."
The doctor. paying no attention to
this remark. went to the next case,
and soon left tho ward.
AS soon as tn: door closed a string
OF oaths came from the Irishman:
'Poundin' Il typewritcr Mt
headquarters; just like the bloody Brit
ish army; what in hell do know
about ono Of those writin' machines?
Just my luck. Why couldn't that shell
have hit me in the hands? But. I
apose. IL Id lost my bloody hands
they'd made tight rope walker out