Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1919-01-10


Stumbling down the muddy steps we
entered the dugout. About eight boys
of our section, sitting on their packs,
had formed q circle around wooden
box. In an old ammunition tin six
candles were burning. ] inwardly shud-
dered at this extravaganza, but suds
denly remembered that it was Christ
mas eve. "Sailor Bill was making
cocoa over the flames Of a "Tommy's
cooker" while "Ikey" Honey was
toasting bread in front of trench fire
bucket, the fumes from which nearly
choked US.
As soon as we made our appearance
in the dugout the circle stood up, and,
as is usual with the English, made
room for us to get around the fire
bucket to thaw out our stiffened joints.
In about twenty minutes or SO the
cold of the trench was forgotten and
we joined in the merriment. The mu-
stefan put his harmOnica away, and,
bursting with Importance, Sailor Bill
addressed us:
Gentlemen, it is now time for this
ships company to report progress as
to what they have done for the Christ
mas feed which is to be held tomor-
row at eight bells. Yank, let's hear
yours"
I reported one dozen eggs, two bot
ties of white wine, one bottle Of red
wine, eight packets of Gold Flake
flags" (cigarettes), and one quart
me five francs at French estaminet.
This report was received with
cheer. "Ikey" Honey was next in
order. He proudly stated that he had
saved his rum issue for the last
eleven days, and consequently was
able to donate to the feast his water
bottle three-fourths full of rum. This
would help out in making brandy sauce
for the plum pudding. Sailor Bill in
formed that he had fruit cake, a
bottle of picked walnuts, and two
tins of deviled ham which had been
sent out to him from London. Each
man had something to report. care
fully made q list Of the articles OPP
ing them, and turned the list over to
Bill, who was to act as cook on the
following day.
Just then Lance Corporal Hall came
into the dugout, and warming his
hands over the fire bucket, said:
eff you blokes want to hear sOme-
thing that will take you home to
Blighty, come up into the fire trench
a minute"
None of us moved. That fire buck
ct was too comfortable. After much
coaxing Sailor Bill, key Honey and
myself followed Hall out Of the dug
out and up into the fire trench. A
dead silence reigned, and we started
to return. Hall Blocked our way, and
whispered:
"Just minute, b VS., and listen."
Pretty soon, from the darkness out
in front, we heard the strains of q
German cornet playing 'Its Long,
Long Trail We're Winding" We
stood entraneed till the last note died
out. After about four or five-min-
ute wait the strains OF 1.-THE SuWanee
River" were waited across No Mans
Land toward us. l felt lonely and
homesick.
Out of the darkness from the fire
bay on our left Welsh voice started
singing cts Long. Long Trail" 1t
was beautiful. The German cornet
player must have heard it, because he
picked UP the tune and. accompanied
the singer on his cornet. I had never
heard anything SO beautiful in my life
before. The music from the German
trench suddenly ceased, and in the air
overhead came the sharp crack
crack! of machine gun bullets, as
some Boche gunner butted in on the
concert. We ducled and returned to
our dugout.
The men were all tired out, and
soon rasping shores could be heard
from under the cover Of blankets and
oyercOats.
The next day was Christmas, and
we eagerly awaited the mail, which
was to be brought up by the ration
party at noon.
Not a shot or shell had been fired
all morning The sun had come out
and, although the trenches We're slip
perry with mud, still it was warm, and
we felt the Christmas spirit running
through our veins. We all turned in
and cleaned Up the dugout Making
reflectors out of ammunition tins,
sticking them into the walls of the
dugout, we placed lighted candle
on each, the rays from which turned
night into day.
Bill was hustiing about preparing
the Christmas spread. He placed a
waterproof sheet on the floor, and add
ing three blankets he spread another
waterproof sheet over the top for.
table cloth, and arranged the mems
sacks around the edges for chairs.
Presently the welcome voice Of our
sergeant came from the entrance Of
the dugout:
"Come on, me lads, lend hand
with the mail"