The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-08-17
They Didn't Come Back Till
1t was Over, Over There

eighth Of series of articles by sergt.
Emmitt 4. Reid
Our stay at Allevile was in no wise
similar TO our first stop there, for the
marching doughboys We're arriving in
the area surrounding Barsur'Aube, and
our trucks Were kept busy hauling ra-
tons.
Not Boys job
It's hard to say who had the harder
time at that period. The doughboys
had hiked all the distance from the
front carrying their rifles and packs.
We rode, but the end of the days
march simply meant more work for us.
for our trucks were busy the greater
part of the night hauling supplies and
rations.
When other organizations were rest
ing, our men were out on the road,
trucks running in trains or singly; and
anyone who has held the steering wheel
of a heavy truck from early morning
until 10 or IL o'clock at night, perhaps
only stopping for one meal during the
day, will tell you that it's not sport by
any means.
Fed ON Rumors
We were constantly fed up" on ru-
mors. one wagoner would roll off his
truck and declare that he had talked
with courier from umptyumpth head.
quarters. who saw Il cook who saw
colonel's 'dog.robber' who saw a cap,
tain who said he saw orders for us to
join the army of occupation" Before
he could finish telling all the facts in
the case another would come in with
81 inf g,
similar source to the effect that we
would all be in the states by Decem-
Der 10, etc, etc, etc.
Give Away Music Box
The next Sunday after our arrival in
Aileville orders came for US to move.
Six trucks were in the village, the bal
ance were out on various details and
would probably return by four in the
evening, since the day was Sunday and
they were entitled to a slight vaca-
ton" But the six trucks on hand were
loaded with baggage ana orderly room
and supply room Junk" and took to
the road. our piano, which we had car
ried ever since we had rescued it from
the German dug out, was left with the
people of the village for remembrance.
\ Deceptive Drink
During the time we had been away,
at the front, the crop of grapes in
this locality had been gathered, and
was being converted into wine. Sew
eral distileries for the manufacture of
cognac and myrrh were in operation,
and we took Il great deal of interest in
the process of manufacture. The skins
and pulp of grapes, from which the
Juice had been extracted by crushing,
We're dumped into Il still and cooked.
From the worm of the still dripped
clear liquid which was again distilled,
and from this second distillation the re
sultng LIQUID was taken-it was called
myrrh, and compares with whisky as
nitro glycerin compares with black
powder. Many of us took night les
sons in the manufacture of this stuff,
while others conducted Laboratory ex-
periments," testing the effect certain
proportions of it would have on the
human system. And they found that
the effects were marvellous; by actual
test u poor man, properly applying
few ounces of this liquid. became
millionaire n buck private could be
come commanding general; or the
company's weakling could whip several
times his weight in wildcats.
our orders We're to travel southwest,
toward Essoyes, thence on to u small
town two or three kilometers from
Chatilion- Seine. This looked like
possibly we We're heading for seaport
and we all rejoiced, although we had
anticipated being ordered to turn In
our trucks and take the train for home
at Bar-sur-Aube. However, for the sake
OF going home we We're willing to roll
those trucks clear across France. We
expected to get to our new location be-
fore dark and, since the rolling Kitchens
were being towed to have hot supper
read for the balance Of the train which
would probably get in about 10 or IL
O'Clock in the night.
Back to Aillevile
We had made about 10 miles when
the lookout at the rear of the train,
the tail light" we called him, announc
cd that Dodge was in sight Il mile
or so down the road and that appar-
emily someone was signaling us to halt.
Soon the car came alongside and Cap
tain King told us to turn around and
go back to Aillevile and then he beat
if" without giving any explanation.
Back to Allevi we went, specializing
as to the probable cause for this sud
den change. We were made the butt
of . good deal of joking on the part of
the villagers, and they made merry over
our return after having told them ''au
revoir." We didn't mind, though, for