The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1919-03-13

over Inc nanwlpiccc shattered, books
rabici on, n their shelves, torn.
tramplcd. and ssslrtl; chairs with the
upholstery oug u them in long strips,
furniture With exc marks en- Il and
brokca legs: litter everywhere. shut
The door hastily and looked back with
en inoxprt sihlc feeling st satisfaction
nj tbs American boys sitting N the
clean. barr. cheerful Reading Room
The rough aud ready salesman be
hind the counter now called oai to Us
over he heads Of his customers; ~
shell hit just two houses beyond us
last night was STEPPING IN bed,
a real bed, first time IN weeks, and
you'd better believe a little thing like
a shell didn't bother me. But If II
had come a little bit closer, the church
would have had 10 look for a new
pastor"
AT this raised my eyebrows in in
quiry, and the chief socf,try explain
ed; Hes Il minister Of wcll-known
Boston church"
"Mhy don't you put up a y sign
on your doorg" said. 'How do you
expect the boys TO know where to find
you?"
Ny question was greeted with a
shout OF laughter, not only from the
unclcrica clergyman, but from all the
soldiers within earshot. The clergy
man stopped his craftsmanship long
enough to say with whimsical earn
cstness, II there was anyway ! could
hide where | am, I'd do IL. The only
trouble is that the boys know where
You are too soon. Let just ono OF them
10 out from new Y canteen with a
piece Of chocolate in his hand, and an
American newspaper under his arm,
and before you can catch your breath
they land on top Of you by the hun
bred Same old story-if only we had
more men and more supplies"
As we went back to get into the car
ventured once more the observation:
"But it really begins to seem to me
the only trouble with the y work is
that there isn't enough of it. II looks
as though it ought TO be enlarged"
The chief secretary climbed into the
car beside me, saying succinctly:
about hundred per cent it ought to
be enlarged, that's all"
We stopped presently by the side Of
long line Of munition carions drawn
up in the shade beside the road for
the noon hour, and Immediately Y
man sprang up out Of the earth, with
salute for our guide.
hello, Paterson" said the latetr.
"What are YOU doing here?"
Going forward with my battalion,
sir. The men will be in action tomor-
row. I'm glad to have the chance TO
see you, ! want to know how much
stuff | can give away to the boys
The chief secretary pondered.
well, | wish | could say you can
give all you please he said, and
paused.
The other urged: "A lot Of the boys
haven't had their pay for months, and
haven't any money TO pay with, and
you know, when a boy is going
straigh; into the front line and you
know very well it may be the last
thing he'll ever ask for in this life, it's
awfully hard TO refuse to give him a
cake Of chocolate"
"Well, Paterson, use your own
judgment. You are the man on the
spot and know better than anybody
else how necessary it is. Somehow
we'll try TO manage to get the sup
plies"
Paterson answered. IF only the
folks at home knew ." and left his
sentence unfinished.
The chief secretary acquisccd in the
same formula: Eyes, II only the folks
at home knew"
had been looking at the specialized,
youngish man with the clear eyes,
what there was about his
slightly precise speech which sounded
familiar to me. As he turned away
asked: who was he before he became
a Y worker"
Professor of Biology in Western
said his chief, declared
unfit for military service, but just one
Of the best men have. Goes with his
men everywhere"
We went TO another improviscd
where the chief was deep
In calculations and figures and COM
pairing lists of supplies; ] wandered
about the house, which had been
handsome one, now much damaged BY
shells and German occupation. In
what had been the salon, found a y
nan in shirt-sleeves sweeping out rub
Dish, and in the corner, already in
order, group Of soldiers before a
rra no onhone Laughing over a comic