News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1919-01-01

Still, that harmonica had its uses.
Often we would get downhearted and
fed up" with the war, and grouse"
at everything in general. Then Ilxey
would reach in his pocket and out
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 it was due to the fact that
| Curly Wallace had made his "Tom-
mics cooker" do what It 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 a suitable gift to the men
in the trenches. Many were sent out,
| and many were thrown away.
Anyway, the Cooker" lived I'D to it's
reputation for once, though a 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
"come 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. G. and refused it. Got the rec
ommendation for rescuing his platoon
commander under fire."
answered in the affirmative and
Dick carried on" with: 81 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 crucifixion'
field punishment No. l, 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 a chap, kept to himself a whole
lot, always brooding, didn't have many
friends In the company, either. There
seemed to be something on his mind.
'Most of the company men said his
sweetheart back in Blighty had thrown
him down for some other bloke."
Happy HoughtOn butted in: "That's
the way with this world, always ham,
mering at a fellow. Well, ! know this
Burton, and there's not a better mate
in the world, so let that sink into your
nappers."
"Don't get sore, Happy" said Hon
ney. "If you don't MUD, let's have the
story. / meant no offense. Just nat
urally curious, that's all. You can't
deny that the whole affair has been
quite a mystery to the brigade. Spit
it out and get it off your chest"
Lets have it, Happy" we all
chimed in chorus.
Happy, somewhat modified, lighted
cigarette, took two or three puffs,
and started:
"Well, it was this way, but don't ask
any questions until am through.
"You know Burton isn't what you'd
call a prize beauty when it comes to
looks. He's about five, six in height,
stocky, a trife bowlegged and pug
nosed. To top this he has crop of
red hair and his clock-(face)-is the
boarding house for every freckle in
the United Kingdom. But strong Say,
that fellow could make Samson look
like consumptive when he got
started.
''In Blighty, before the war, Burton
and this lieutenant-his name is Hus-
to the same college.
Illusion was nearly six feet high
and slender. Sort of a dandy, fair
haired, lots of dough, which he never
got by working; his papa wished 1t on
him when he went west-(died). he
was gOod-looking and had a way with
the girls which made them think he |
was the one and only. Didn't care |
much for athletics. Girls, dances and |
card parties were more in his line.
"Thev were in the same class. Bur |
-On was working his way through, and |
Huston looked down on |
him as bally bounder. Among the |
athletes Burton was popular, Huston |
wasn't.
Burton was engaged-or thought |
lie waste a pretty fine girl by the
lame of Betty. She thought Burton,
,r Ginger as she called him, was the |
inest thing out. One day Ginger took |
Ter to see a football game at the col |
ege; he was playing on the team, so
he had to sit it out alone. During this
sitting it out she met Huston and the
rOuble started. He was dead gone on
Ter and she liked him, so he made hay
While the sun was shining.
"She didn't exactly turn Ginger
lown, but he was no boob and saw
low things were, so he eaSed out of