The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-04-17

what this war means"
That's more than some people do
isn't it?" he went on. Some men
don't seem to know how to feel. When
I landed. and they told me that Fall
town had failed in all four Of the Lib
erty Loan campaigns, l tell you it
made me feel. There we're times when
I was on the point OF denying that !
came from Falltown. And when
heard Mr.. Miller say that he had
bought fifty thousand dollars worth
of the Victory Loan l was so tickled
that ! had to say something. IL
seemed to me that Molly had brought
me here purposely-where she knew
would hear some good news"
Molly did not look at Corwin; but
he thought he knew why she had
brought her brother to his Office.
Roberts knew. also. His face was Grim
son with embarrassment and guilt
Corwin looked at Molly and wondered
If she would tell Ben that he had been
recreant-that his patriotism was OF
a negligible quality-that he measured
Il by the standard Of money. He
cringed from the direct look in her
eyes when she gazed at him; and the
look made him wonder what Ben
would say to him II he knew the truth
that he vas talking to slack
ers, thinking them patriots who had
upheld his arms in the great fight for
world freedom. Ben's eyes were sight
less. and yet Corwin dreaded to have
them turned upon him with the ques-
ton: Why didn't you buy?
OF the three men, Miller was the
more composed. Almost at the last
minute he had saved himself from
any possibility OF accusation-and
his face showed his satisfaction. He
even glanced at the other two with
malicious amusement.
Some people" went on Ben. I'M
aware of the tension in the room,
don't seem to realize just what this
war means. l didn't know. myself.
until | landed in France. | used to
like to fight; but l always did my
fighting by myself - just because
liked to fight. II was different over
there. It's a queer feeling that grips
fellow when there's bunch OF
other fellows all around him - all
dressed alike and all fighting for the
same object. There's something about
II that gets under a mans skin and
fills him with something he can't ex'
press.
"A man loses something-its his
individuality, l think. But he gains
more than he loses. I've heard fell
lows call it discipline and training
and stuff like that. But | know it's
something else. For long time II
bothered me, and then | finally
thought II out It's country-nothing
less; it's pride of race; it's in know
ing that you are doing 1t for the folks
at home; that they are back OF you
watching you. cheering you on-doine
all they can to help you lick the
other fellow. It's in knowing thai
your folks back home are putting
their trust in you; that they are ex
pecting you TO bring home the bacon
that they know you are going to dc
II. A fellow Just has to fight like
blazes when he realizes that"
| How did you-how were you
wounded. Mr.. King?"
This was Miller; his voice was low
and solemn.
Ben flushed and his Jaws frightened;
, and he laughed shortly.
"A fragment OF shrapneL Hit me
glancing blow square between the
eyes. paralyzing the nerves. Put me
clean out spent three months II
blighty'."
|, "Where?" Again Miller spoke
Where did II happenY"
, while we were STRENGTHENING ou'
. the San Mihiel salient II was pretty
hot there-while II lasted"
He paused. but in response to Mil
ier's request that he describe the bat
tle-or rather that part OF 1t in which
, he was engaged-he went on. laugh
, ing lowly:
Il used to think that II ! ever go
into q battle I would keep my senses