The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-03-18

Black Sheep Makes
Good When Confronted
With Supreme Test.

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With Supreme Test.
THE World war is long over, but
n memories linger, some Of them
as vivid as they we're twelve years
ago. What are your memories OF
this titanic conflict Thousands Of
Times readers will be interested. so
this newspaper is offering a prize
Of $40 for the best story Of the war
submitted each week, with 3 second
prize Of S.
Write yours now and rush it to
the World War Contest Editor Of
The Times. Every one will be
printed that space will permit. An
nouncement Of the winners will be
made each Wednesday following
week Of publication. The first ones
appeared yesterday. Make them as
short as you can. without spelling
your narrative. Also. give name of
your outfit, with your name and
address.
Here is today's offering. It's longer
than we want most Of them, but 1t
packs a thrill:
A Ii during the night cold
IArain had been falling, and 1t
soaked through our uniforms and
chilled us to the bone.
We we're lying in shell hole
on the slope Of Dead Mans Hill"
and farther up the slope we could
make out the location Of the
enemy by the flares that continu-
ally went up.
To the east We could see the
redeemed sky, where the enemy
was putting over a barrage. In
the rear we could hear the rumble
of the big guns, far back at Yer
dun. and the sharp crack OF the
rs" close up.
Our nerves we're kept on edge
by a machine gun directly IN
front of us, by its tat-a-tat-tat.
and the snap Of the bullets going
over our heads.
John and I lay close together,
peering into the night, listening
for strange sounds.
I had known John since I had
Joined I'D with the 101st, and, al
thouqh he was always friendly
and a good buddy, he never had
much to say about his family or
his past.
But 1 guess lying there in the
mud. with nothing to do but lis
ten to the rain and shells, made
him want TO talk.
YOU know. Bill, never told
i you much about my family
or myself before. but have been
thinking and trying to figure the
reason for all this, why men are
willing to give up homes and
family, ease and comfort, to come
over here to suffer and probably
die"
Il think it is because it gives
them a chance to find themselves,
TO lift themselves from what they
are, and be what they dream they
might be-real men, with cOur-
age and determination" John
continued.
Back in Boston I was a young
lawyer with bright future. My
mother thought the world of me
and encouraged me in every way.
but every time success was within
reach, I let go. Bright lights
booze and fast women. You IN
derstand
Finally my folks were discour-
aged with me. and I was slipping
hack little by little. Then the war
came. I joined up, thinking
maybe I could find myself over
here, go back and make good, and
make my mother happy"
I reached over and took his
hand.
7 understand Buddy. Per-
haps you will get your chance
when the war is over. and then
you'll see things different"
Yes, Bill, I see everything diff
ferent now. I sure would like to
60 back and show them I can
make good
THE Smelling increased with
i dawn. We were going over
at daybreak. We could hear our
guns opening up in back Of us.
the roar growing louder every
minute. To our right We could
see our men crawling out of their
shell holes, and moving forward.
John and I got up on our
cramped legs and climbed out Of
our shell hole.
Let's CO." he said, as We clasped
hands.
We moved in a broken line up
the hill Directly in front of us
came a steady stream of machine
gun bullets. Johns face was
white, but it had a determined
look.
TIN going to crawl ahead and
L try to stop that gun, Bill.
They are getting too many of our
boys"
7 knew there was no use saying
anything or trying to stop him.
John knew his big chance had
come He was thinking of his