The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1919-01-10

days time would receive, through tn
mail little oblong package, and we,
know we were In for some more ''flv
round rapids" We didn't blame tn
Germans.
Still, that harmonica had It's uses
Often we would get downhearted an,
fed up" with the war. and grouse
at everything in general. Then Ike,
would reach In his pocket and GU
would come that instrument of tor
ture. We would then realize there
were worse things than war, and cheer
up accordingly.
On this particular rainy afternoon
In June we were in a laxative mood
Perhaps 1t was due to the fact that
Curly Wallace had made his '4Tom.
mics cooker" do what 1t was supposed
to do-make water boil in an hour
and half. A "Tommie's cooker" is a
spirit stove which Is very widely ad-
vertised as suitable gift to the men
In the trenches. Many were sent out,
and many were thrown away.
Anyway, the cooker" lived up to it's
| reputation for once, though little be-
hind Its advertised schedule in MAX
ing water boil. Curly passed around
the result Of his efforts, in the form
Of an ammunition tin half full of fair
ly good tea. We each took a good
swig, lighted a cigarette-they had
"conne up" with the rations the night
beforehand settled back against the
damp earthen walls of the dugout, to
see who could tell the biggest lie. For
few minutes silence reigned-no one
seemed to care to be the first to break
IN.
Then Dick Turpin. turning to me,
asked:
Remember Burton Of A company
Think he was in the Third platoon
the fellow that was recommended for
the V. @. and refused it. Got the rec
concentration for rescuing his platoon
commander under fire."
I answered in the affirmative and
Dick carried on" with: II never could
see into that affair. because they
seemed to be the worst of enemies.
The officer was always picking on him;
used to have him 'on the crime sheet !
for the least offense. Got him sever
al days of extra pack drill. and once |
he clicked twenty-one days cruciflxion' |
-(feld punishment No. /, tied to a |
timber wheel two hours per day for
twenty-one days).
mo matter what dirty fatigue or
working party came along, Burton's
name was sure to head the list.
"This Burton appeared to be a surly
sort of chap, kept to himself whole
lot, always broodng, didn't have many
friends In the company, either There
seemed to be something on his mind.
''Most of the company men said his
'weetheart back in Blighty had thrown
lin down for some other bloke"
Happy Houghton butted in: That's
he way with this world, always ham,
nering at fellow. Well, I know this
Burton, and there's not better mate
n the world, so let that sink into your
Don't get sore, Happy" said Hon.
ley. eff you don't mind, let's have the
tory. I meant no offense. Just nat
lrally curious, that's all. You can't
eny that the whole affair has been
ute mystery to the brigade. Spit
out and get it off your chest"
Lets have it, Happy" we all
himed In chorus.
Happy, somewhat Modified, lighted
cigarette, took two or three puffS
nd started:
swell, it was this way, but don't ask 1
ny questions until l am through.
"You know Burton isn't what you'd /
all prize beauty when 1t comes to
'oks. He's about five, six in height, t