Glacier County chief., 1939-06-30

of everything. AS he spoke, he held
up large placard, and fixed it
against the silver teapot in front
of Mrs. Wake.
TO THE PEOPLE OF
CASTERBRIDGE
A. r. P.
(Air Raid Precautions)
There is going to be a BLACKOUT
night, and a thousand bombing planes
will be flying over and circling around
the town from 10 p. m. to midnight
Every man and woman is enjoined
to stay indoors until the sirens give
the signal for them to proceed to their
will remain until the sirens blow the
ALL CLEAR.
Tomorrow CTuesday) morning, from
ten EDWARDS, there will be an evacua-
ton of all the children of school age
in Casterbridge. Accompanied by their
rail to their appointed destination. In
some cases the children will return
to their homes on the morrow, that is,
Wednesday. When this Is impossible,
owing to distance or some other cir
cumstance, they will return on Thurs
day.
I rely upon the patriotism of the
people of Casterbridge to cooperate
in every way possible S with The A; R: P.
A coy family party, consisting Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Wake and their tall good
looking son, Hereford, who had Just
come home from college, were seated
at beautifully spread breakfast table
On side table on a long hot steel
the first containing eggs and bacon
the second broiled kidneys, and the
third mushrooms on toast. There was
ham on the sideboard, too.
The mayor of Casterbridge believed
in taking care of the inner man. And
of the outer man. too. Thus there was
big. cheerful fire in the wasteful iron
basket CRATE.
A French window opened onto a
charming old-fashioned garden, now
filled with snow drops and crocuses,
for it was early spring.
AS she looked around her Mrs
Wakes sensitive mouth quivered. 1t
had seemed inconceivable that war
could ever come near her cherished
home, yet she felt now that war was
very near. PaSsionately did she love
her only child. and the somewhat ar
rogant young man now sitting opposite
served, delicate mother.
The father, from whom Hereford
had inherited his arrogant demeanor
was both proud and a little afraid of
his college-bred son. As for Hereford
he kept his views about his father to
himself.
After Mrs. Wake had read the procla-
nation. her husband saw, to his puz-
zled surprise, a shadow fall on her
face
She glanced across the table. What
do you think, boy?" and she slightly
stressed the you. She had always called
had been real boy, Hereford had 81
lently resented her doing so, but now
that he considered himself a man, he
rather liked to be called that.
I think it's tophole, mother! All the
same I would suggest that just one line
be added" he said frankly.
Mr.. Wake exclaimed, What sort
of line? I have toiled and toiled over
this proclamation, and I think it
couldn't be bettered."
Its very good. father, but all the
same would insert, after Thursday,
the line. Mothers will have been in
formed Of their children's destination"
Boy! That's what's wrong with it."
Il don't agree" snapped out her
husband. Il did consider the question.
But war is war. And the people of
Casterbridge have got to get used to
the idea. They don't think Of it half
enough"
He waited moment, and then add
ed, When war comes we shall all
have to make sacrifices"
Involuntarily Mrs. Wake again looked
across at the son who had been all
her life since the day Of mingled pain
and JOY on which he had been born,
10 years ago.
Ever since last September she had
been haunted by one fearful memory
This was that every lad from Caster
bridge who had gone out to France in
the early weeks of the last war, had
ended by being killed.
ba R hsd 'a seme asS mHnt paz hsi
even rather worried, by the sad ex-
preston which now and again settled
on her face. Sometimes, when Sleep
ing by his side, she would give long
piteous sigh, and once she had walked
up crying.
Yet the truth as to the dread which
now filled her heart had never crossed
the mind of the husband who truly
loved her. The only reason he could
think of for the change in the happy
placid woman she had always been
was that. as she was not strong, her
duties as Mayoress of Casterbridge, and
the arduous work she was now doing
for the A. r. P. was proving just q
little too much for her.
As his wife and son sat silent, Mr.
Wake went on. why should a mother
want to know where a child has been
sent for that child's good2 Every
school teacher In the town has been
given most careful instructions, and all
Of them know where they are to 60
and what they are to do after they
get there"
had heard what had Just been said
She was staring at Hereford as Il
hypnotized by him. said her husband