The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-01-10

bearers were being pestered with ques-
tons as to what chance the Tommfes
had of reaching their coveted goal
believe they all envied the man under
ether, because, with left foot miss
ing, he was sure to be sent 20 Eighty.
A sergeant major of the Royal Army
Medical corps entered the ward. The
medical men promptly stood at atten-
ton, except one or two who were
taking care Of serious cases. The SER
geant major ordered:
"Get this ward in shape. The M. o.
is coming through in five minutes to
inspect cases and clear out
The medical men went from cot to
cot, carefully smoothing out blankets,
tucking in loose ends and picking up
stag ends" Cigarette butts).
The sergeant major left.
In about ten minutes the door
opened again and, with smart "shun'
from the sergeant major dead ST
lence reigned in the ward. The medi-
cal men all came to attention, then
the doctor entered, followed by
clerk and r. A. NJ. @. sergeant. He
stopped at each cot, carefully read
the tag on the wounded man occupy
| ing it, passed a few remarks which
the clerk jotted down on pad of
| paper, and as he left each wounded
soldier he made a cheering remark to
! him.
When he. came to me he asked:
swell, how are you feeling, my.
lad?'' at the same time STOPPING over
my tag.
esHum--three rifle bullets; well, my
lucky fellow, it means England for
you"
/ could have kissed that doctor.
Then he passed to the Irishman on
my right. STOPPING over him, he said:
SLOW are you, my lad?'
The Irishman answered:
4 "Pm ID sick and want to get
out of here; want to get out of here,
out of this draft. Every tin minutes
they're openin' and a-shuttin' that
door,"
The doctor, with a wink, turned to
the r. A. NJ. C. sergeant and said !:
"Shrapnel, left foot, knee and right
breast. 1 see no reat sG why this
man won't be ready for duty in a
couple of days"
The nishman, with a yell, an
swered:
'Dooty; how the hi can do dooty
when can't walk?"
The doctor answered:
'That will be all right, my lad
Well fix you up with cushy job al
brigade headquarters, pounding 8
typewriter"
The Irishman, with groan of dis
gust, addressing nobody in particu
lar, sighed:
"Out since Mons, and 1 end VI
workin' bloody typewriter at head
quarters. Stick me in skirts and II
go as a manicurist."
The doctor, paying no attention t,
this remark, went to the next cas-
and soon left the ward.
As soon as the door closed strinl
of oaths came from the Irishman:
"Poundin' a - typewrite
e at headquarters; just like the blood.
e British army; what in hi do know
about one of those writin' machines
; Just my luck. Why couldn't thai
shell have hit me in the hands. Blu
q 1 s'pose if I'd lost my bloody hand
q they'd made a tight-rope walker on
$ O. me. Win this war-what hopes?
/ The Tommies were eagerly ques
Y tioning each other:
'What did he sye to you?" "Ar
d you good for Blighty?" 'fHe marke
England on my tagl" "What doe
d base hospital mean? Does it mea
that Tn to stick it out in this blood
, mud while you blokes are a-goin' t
r Blighty?" etc.
Pretty soon a streteher bearer eI
e tered, carrying a little oblong gree
: box, which, we all knew, containe
7 cigarettes. He was greeted with
e chorus of:
n "Gimme fag, mate; I'm all on
a Come on, chum, don't forget m,
It That's good fellow. Let's hay
one"
e Pretty soon every Tommy who va
E able had lighted flag between hi
IS lips, and a sigh of content went u
IS as he inhaled deep drafts of th
le smoke. certainly enjoyed mine.
The sergeant major again entere,
% The medical men came TO attention
In crisp tones he ordered:
Z sect the convoy for England read
Look alive; the ambulances are e.
pected any minute"
1t The stretcher bearers entered, bu
le ting about, and the ward was in 8
= uproar. Then, outside, could be hear
the chugging engines of the waitir
70 ambuiances.
a AS each fortunate Tommy was ca
a ried out the more unfortunate one
e who were to be left behind at IL
IS base hospital, bravely wished him
r Good luck, mate; give my regard
he to Trafalgar square. Be careful an
don't lose your watch in Pettiee;
e lane. Give 'er my love-"