South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-10-12
The Goose Girl
By Louis Oliver

Dick Lowell in his new uniform OF
khaki felt very queer and lonely as
the special" pulled out of the sta
ton Like the little old woman in
the rhyme, he felt like saying, LAX
a mercy on me. it be not T.
First, soldering was new business
TO him. The red, white and blue
silk cord on his hat testified to that
for that is the insignia of the Off
Ger student who has yet to work for
and earn his commission. The uni
form and all that went with il were
just two hours old, and Dick still
found himself reaching for the hip
pocket that was not there.
Second. every man on the train
had had anywhere from one TO TWEEN
" people see him off. except Dick
But II had all come so suddenly!
And with the family out in the Cana
dian Rockies. not "A person had been
there TO wish him God-speed Man
like. he hated demonstrations. and
had repeatedly told himself that he
thanked his lucky stars that it was
so, but just the same when he look
ed out at the sea OF waving hand
kerchiefs and realized that not one
was for him. he felt queer-as
though the bottom had fallen out OF
things, leaving him cropping wildly
for something 10 hold TO.
Things settled down in the train
after departure Men searched for
friends found them, talked a while
and then retired to their own sec
ton TO read. smoke. talk or play
cards, as the spirit moved them.
Dick knew some Of the men slightly.
but did not feel inclined TO talk. The
feeling OF isolation had gripped him
hard. For the first time in his life
he was homesick. HomesiCkl For
an empty big brick house and de-
serted grounds back of Garfield
boulevard? Homesick for the fam
lily In the mountains? Perhaps. Al
any rate, there was a big void i'm his
heart that he couldn't explain.
The train slid away, making very
few stops. save at functions and
large towns, where new recruits got
on
suddenly there was a lurch and a
stop at a place where no stop was
evidently intended - that is: where
no stop was marked on regular
schedules for either through or com
muting trains But ever after Dick
knew that i'm the signal tower OF
Destin's Dominions an order had
gone out for the train 20 stop right
there beside "a meadow. in which
sheep were placidly grazing, a row
Of gray geese were Clumsily and
hastily retreating-and beautiful
gray-eyed girl in blue gingham was
looking over fence.
She had a white handkerchief in
her hand that she had been waving
as they passed but when the train
slowed and stopped, that was a diff
ferent matter. No girl can stand
ten feet from q train that is per
fectly still and wave at approximate
~ 400 men, all of whom are looking
at her: for the ones 10 larboard had
hailed by those to port. a soldier,
ue he corporal or colonel past mas
ter or in embryo, can see a pretty
girl around "A corner. And this girl
distractingly pretty. was in plain
view OF the whole train.
Right then and there something
Topped into the void in Dicks heart
And when through the open window
his eyes finally held hers and she
smiled and nodded in a quite friend
~ manner. he ceased cropping in that
bottomless region of loneliness.
The engine whistled then and pre-
pared to depart Good luck" she
called 1t was meant for Dick.
Much obliged" he called back
appreciation showing in his eyes.
Where are you going >" asked
the girl. as the train didn't move.
Georgia" said Dick. Fort Ogle-
thorpe"
"Oh." said the girl. that's splen-
did. 1 know lots OF people there"
The train whistled again warn
iuEly and the procession Of geese
which had taken courage and re-
turned 20 the fence, sarted on their
second retreat.
suddenly the girl stopped and
picked up the big. fat leader in her
arms. squaking and protesting. Be
fore Dick knew what she was doing
she was over the fence. holding hei
Offering up 10 his window.
Here. take her for mascot she
said kissing the top OF the aston
ished and indignant fowls head.
Dick reached out eagerly. and II
the transfer his hand rested ever-sC
lightly for an instant on the sof
white one below. The girl flushed
the palest OF pinks, but laughed
gayly.
Take good care OF her. she's