Evening star., 1928-01-10
RY BENNETT j. DOTY.

Written exclusively for The Star and Nortl
American Newspaper Alliance.
After the revolt at Clairvaux prison
| settled into a sort of semi-conscious
ness. Day after day / did the same
things in the same way until lost al
count Of time.
I didn't know there was an Ameri
can Legion convention In Paris, mol
that my father and my attorney
Charles Campbell. were making head
way with the French officials.
thought I was lucky to have had my
sentence reduced from S to years
The morning Of September %. last, a:
I was going down to the dining room
the head guard stepped up to me.
"Numerc douze?" (No. 12). he asked
"Oui," said I. at attention,
whats your name-Clare?"
Yes" Il had enlisted as Gilbert
Clare'.
But you have another name?"
Yes, Doty."
"Ah. c'est ca" he said. with the air
of man who knows more than he
tells. Come with me-"
/ didn't know what to make Of it.
What had done? I couldn't think OF
anything. But at Clairvaux you
never hHcW uHtii YOU were puitSHeo
Locked In Cell.
He turned me over TO another
guard, with orders to take me to the
prison ONCE. This il in a building
apart where the punishment cells are,
was locked in a small cell. There
thing unusual. had ordered coffee in
4hA raO,.1or Atniny NJ fn1d he
guard this. He said 1t would be
brought over.
A few minutes later / was taken to
the prison barbershop and shaved
knew then something traordinary
had happened. We were shaved only
once a week at Clairvaux. II man
were merely being held up for punish
ment they wouldn't have gone to the
trouble of shaving him. was all
afire with curiosity and anticipation.
Back In my cell / paced anxiously
A moment later the guard came run
ming back. He had overheard the
news
you are going back to the Legion
he said. you have been pardoned.'
Go on" / said incredulously.
"Oui. oui," he insisted. 'C'est vrai'
f1t's true.) Sans plague" (No kid
ding).
Prison Court I'm Session.
was taken before the director
Prison court was in session. What
the guard told me was true. The di-
rector read an order remitting my
punishment and returning me TO the
Legion. II was as hard to realize
was leaving Clairvaux as IL had beer
in Damascus 10 realize that I had
been sentenced to eight years.
The director made a speech to the
assembled prisoners. using my case
AS an example OF the rewards of good
conduct.
received my belongings and my
transportation to Troyes and the
nearest military Office. I was taker
to the main gate of the prison and
sped on my way down the road. My
belongings had been given to me In
a big box. What do you think was
the FIRST thing / did? T knelt in Tho
road and searched for a package OF
Maryland tobacco which had been
among my things when I left Albert
vile Prison.
found II and feverishly rolled a
cigarette. / took a long drag and
blew the smoke luxuriously in the
direction Of the gray walls above me
thought of my fellow deserters
poor Harvey (iately reieased).
Weisser and Lass. and Of all the
chaps who would have given almost
anything for one drag on that ciga- .
rette.
Then ! walked to Aube. There
caught the train for Troyes and re-
ported The next day I was sent TO
Fort ST. Jean at Marseille. I was
welcomed back into the Legion with