New Britain herald., 1926-12-28

mother and father and the twins, fairly shricllod for expression.
 Had not their last letter from Jim informed them that he would not be discharged from the hospital for at least another month? And wasn't the war over now? That meant that Jim was still in the hospital and soon would be on his way home.
 So they left the house and went down town where Camdonville was shrielling itself mad and an i'm promptu parade was marching through the streets, led by the Cam denville brass band that had blared so dolefully on the occasion of Jim's farewell.
 That night tho Elwells served a special dinner, and q place was re- served for Jim, all decorated up with flags and flowers.
 But something had happened back in France in between their last let ter and the armistice that they knew nothing about. If it hadn't happened, very likely this story would never have been written.
 While they were alternately laugh ing and crying with thanksgiving, while they were eating their cele- hration dinner, a soldier back in Francc-hut let us go back to Oc- tober 2S.
 On this date two American di1i- sions. the 27th and 3oth. with twcn- ty-four British, against thirty-onc German divisions, won thc Battle of the Sellc, which began October IT.
 In this battle which, incidentally, was the battle that broke the Him donburg Line. 2O,0O0 Germans were taken prisoners along with 475 guns.
 A few days later Jim Elwell was visited in tho hospital by medical officer who looked him over critical ly and asked how he was feeling.
 ''Fme thanks
 "Fecling strong again?'
 "Yes. sir. Feelin' well enough to go back again."
 That's fine. I'm going to dis charge you.'
 Jim had made speedy recovery. The blood was back in his cheeks once more and his legs were strong. His weight was almost back to where it was when he had come in the hos pital on a strctcher, and altogether he was fairly happy at leaving the hospital even though it did entail go- ing back to the front once more.
 The prospect was not one that he faced with unalloyed joy. He had had one taste of war and knew what 10 expect. What lay in store for him now hc did not know. but after his experience in battle and in the hospital il was fairly easy to picture.
 Nevertheless, Jim. although he was not story book hero, was d man.
 Three days later hc went back to the front. He found pershing's First Army beginning it's rush to Sedan and Nontmcdy. He found, also, that cnc of his now company mates John Powell of Newark, New Jersey, looked enough like him to cause the mon 10 call them twins.
 Jim himself acknowledged that inc likeness was almost perfect. Powell looked enough like him to be his own brother.
 "m which event" Powell said, for he was a new man and a little nervous and looking for someone 10 quiet his nerves and his supprg Sed fears. you and I might as well start out by being friends"
 Sold" said Jim.
 Powell went on 10 say that, al- 1 though he was no cry baby, he didn't mind confcsSing that he was a little shakY.
 "You've been through it. What was it likc?"
 Jim shrugged. "Not so bad as would imagine. Don't let anything worry you. You'll never sec the bull let that tags you" II was on November ' that the devils of war and circumstance took seats in inc game along with Jim Elwell and began 10 shuffIe theil cards