The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1922-06-01

American soil, q soil wherein Law those
who had defended 1t aforetime II soil
that bred those who would defend II
again, for 1t was theirs and the mean
ing of it-Life, Liberty, and the pur-
suit Of Happiness-was theirs. and
theirs to defend. And they knew they
would defend it, and that more than
the glory of a Nation was ut stake.
The Freedom of Man was at stake. So
gradually, the sacred thunder reached
the ears of the young men and gave
them those deep moments that came to
them whether they sat in the class
room or the counting-room, or walked
with the pillow, or stood to the machine
or behind the ribbon counter. Thus
the thunder shook them and tried them
and slowly came into their lives and
changed everything for them.
Hate of the Germans was not bred ::
but q contempt for what Germany had
shown in lieu of national heart:
contempt as mighty and as profound
as the resolve that the German way
and the German VIII should not pre-.
vail in America, nor In any country of
the world that would be free. And
when the German kaiser laid his COM
mand upon America, that no American
should take his ship upon the free
seas, death being the penalty for any
who disobeyed, then the German kaiser
got his answer, rot only to this new
law he had made for us, but to many
other thoughts of his. Yet the an
swer was for some time delayed.
There was bitter Sunday, and lts
bitterness went everywhere, to every
place in the whole world that held
high and generous hearts. Its bitter
ness came to the special meeting In
the frat hail." where there were
hearts, indeed, of that right sort, and
one of them became vocal in its bitter
ness. This was the heart of Fred
Mitchell, who was now an authority,
being president of the Junior class,
chairman of the Prom committee, and
other things pleasant to be and to live
for at his nge.
For me, brothers," he said, II think
I'd great deal rather have been shot
through the head than heard the news
from Washington today. l tell you,
I've spent the meanest afternoon ]
ever did in my life. and | guess It's
been pretty much the same with all OF
us. The worst of II is, it looks as
though there isn't thing In the world
we can do. The country's been be-
trayed by a few blatherskites and
boneheads that had the power to do it,
and all we can do-we've just got to
stand it. But there's some Americans
that aren't just standing 1t, and /
want to tell you lot of 'em are men
from the universities, just like us.
They're over there right now; they
haven't said much-they just packed
UP and went. They're flying for France
and for England and for Canada;
they're fighting under every flag on
the right side Of the western front
and they're driving ambulances at
Verdun and ammunition trucks ut the
Somme. Well, there's going to be lot
more American boys on all these jobs
mighty soon, on account of what those
men did in congress today. If they
won't give US chance to do some
thing under our own flag, then We'll
have to go and do 1t under some other
flag; and | want to tell you Pm one
that's going to goi I'll stick 1t out in
college up to Easter, and then II
there's still no chance to go under the
Stars and Stripes I'll maybe Dave to
go under the flag my great-great-
grandfather fought against in 177G,
but, anyhow I'll go!"
1t was in speaking to Ramsey of this
declaration that Dora said Fred was
dangerous firebrand' They were
taking another February walk, but the
February was February, 1917; and the
day was dry and sunny. ITS just
about year ago" she said.
"What isT' Ramsey asked.
THAT first time we went walking.
Don't you remember"
"Oh, that day? Yes, remember 1t
was showing"
"And so cold and blowy!p she added.
IL SttulS loIE liilt dEOs ibt Walk
ing with you, Ramsey. You're so quiet
and solid-I've always felt could talk
to you just anyhow pleased, and you
wouldn't mind I'll miss these walks
with you when we're out of college,"
He chuckled. That's funny!'
'Why%
Because we've only taken four be-
sides this: two last year, and another
week before last, and another last
week This Is only the fifth"
Good gracious! Is that all. 1t
seemed to me we'd gone ever so
often" She laughed. I'm afraid you
won't think that seems much as II I'd
liked going. but l really have. And,
by the way, you've never called on me
at all. Perhaps It's because I've for
gotten to ask you"
ooh, no." Ramsey said, and scuffed
his shoes on the path presently ex-
planning rather huskily that he never
was much of caller; and he added,
cor anything"
well, you must come II you ever
,t4l.