Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-01-10
Copyright, lsi7. BY Tho Mcclure Newspaper
SIndicAtol

We were sitting on ii fircstcp in the
front line trench. 1t was bright and
sunny and we were bubbling over with
good humOr. There were two reasons
for this: First-Our battalion was to
he relieved ut nine that night and we
were going back for two weeks
rest Second-it was spring. We could
smell 1t In the air. Even the wind
blowing from the German trenches in
our direction had sweet and
"springy" smell.
About thirty yards down communi.
cation trench to the left was an or
rhard. The trees were SCARED from
bullets and fragments Of shell; but
even these battered trunks could not
resist the feel Of spring, because here
and there on the twigs and branches
could be seen bursting buds. Fitting
around were numerous birds, chirping.
and sometimes wrangling among them.
selves.
To me 1t seemed odd that birds could
accustom themselves to war. Occa.
Sionnlly German shell. or perhaps
one of ours, would go screaming over
The orchard. The birds did not seem
TO mind the noise-just carried Oh
with their nest-building.
In our company was an American
named Alexander Stewart. Naturally
nc and / were very chummy.
Stewart and were the chief
amusement. prOn!OtcrS' in the com.
pany, the TommieS constantly looking
10 us for soin" new diversion.
In the English army Tommy seems
to have the idea that an Americans
chief vocation in the United States is
TO invent, and to keep on invcnting
or course. Stewart and l did not in
any way try to dissipate this idea in
fact, we encouraged it, and took great
pride in being looked up 10 in this
way; but. believe me. it kept Us h,ist-
Hing to keep the TOmmics amused.
1t was getting too warm for soccer
football, and we knew rs soon as we
got into rest billctS that the issue
would be put right up to us: How
are YOU going to amuse us while be.
hind the lines"
We were Americans, and red-blood.
cd: spring was in the air, and our
sh"uShiH tul ~ "iitl every All1efl-
can boy is thinking of upon the arrival
of sprinS-baseball.
turned my eyes to the muddy para.
dos (rear wall of the trench) and fixed
my gaze on a fragment of German
shell embedded in the mud Pretty
soon this fragment seemed TO change
into baseball player with mask, pro.
fectOr and catcher's mitt. He was
rr"uching behind the home plate and
signaling to the pitcher. Gust then
Stewart said: "Sny. Emp, I wonder
If we could teach the Tommies how to
play basebnll?"
Immediately turned in his direction.
lie was also staring ut that fragment
of she'll
. answered: "Dld you ever try to
teach n Chinaman how TO speak
1Trench?"
- Lilo got 1t right away and detected
look spread over his countenance, and
lie let out long-drawn sigh.
Tommy sitting on my right butted
In with: "Did you sye byscbal1, Yank?
why, I saw II gyme I'm London, and IL
is absurdIy easy to piye, but cawn't
sye fawncy hit"
with look of disgust Stewart
turned to me and said: 81 guess you're
right. Emp, II would be easier to teach
the Chinaman French"
That night we were believed and
went behind the lines.
The next afternoon, after parade,
we were sitting in an orchard drinking
tea. About q month before. Stewart
pitch horseshocs. There was great
rivalry among the different squads,
each squad having team.
Just then Corporal Watkins came
over to us and asked: "Where are the
'0rsc shoes? ! cawn't find EN-"
Another Tommy answered: "Strafe
Ine pink, where are your h'eyes?
ficers usn' 'em belnd that billet over
there? Blime me. they're always
n'gummin' the gymc."
Sure enough, the officers were using
our horseShocS.
Stewart, with look OF depression
on his face, turned to me and said:
"Well. here goes, Emp. Steve Brodie
took chance, so ] might be able TO
get away with this"
Then, turning TO the Tommics. he
said: "Did any Of YOU blokes ever
hear OF John McGraw?"
Three Of the TOmnirs answered,
"YeS."
A sunny smile and n look of hone
lifted across Stewards face and he