The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-12-19
By LARRY CHIsM

Strong gusts OF wintry wind
swirled the fresh falling snow about
the feet of the tall, handsome
brown soldier standing just inside
the front doorway OF the rooming
house near the corner OF Brush
and Madison streets.
Shifting first one foot then an
other. with an occasional stamping
OF one foot at time. the soldier
looked lonely. forsaken and bitter
as he glanced into this face and
that Of passers-by going about their
own business, with never a kind
thought for the soldier trying to
keep warm by standing just inside
the doorway to someone else's
home.
That glance which Pvr. Johnny
Nobody gave each passer-by was
like that OF a starved for COM
partnership and masterless dog one
often sees Sinking and shivering
down deserted alleys on wintry
days.
Sure wish ! was down home
where the people are friendly, in
stead Of up here. Folks are sure
hinety up north" Pvt, Johnny No.
body told himself as he continued
to stand in the doorway.
He had let three buses pass with
out boarding any OF them. whats
the use. amt got no place TO 60"
the lonely soldier voiced in an I'M
der tone.
Detroiters Are Hincty
Folks down home would make
you welcome even il they didn't
know you, But the folks UP here
are too busy going bout pheir own
business Sure am lonesome for ma
and the kids" Pvt. Johnny No.
body fastened the heavy army coat
little bit tighter around his neck
and continued TO stand in the door
way.
With nothing else 20 do. no place
10 go, no one even offering to let
him share little warmth from the
biting cold. Pvt. Nobody couldn't
stop bitter thoughts from flooding
his mind.
In spite of the cold. the haunting
loneliness eating his heart out, the
soldier smiled a bit as thoughts Of
last Christmas with folks at home
thawed some OF the chill from his
heatless body.
Sure had a ball last Christmas"
he thought. with Ma and the kids
getting up early on Christmas morn
just TO see what old Santa had left
them. Course Ma knew there wasn't
any Santa Claus, but we never let
on to the other kids.
Recalls A Happy Xmas
The lonely soldier was biz less
lonely now as thoughts Of a hap
pier Christmas filled the empty
corners of his heart.
Then late that evening the gang
came by and we went out to have
some fun" the soldiers thoughts
continued. ana and Dixie Mae, Bill
and Opal, Bob and Ruthie Lee all
wenc down to the Big Latern.
Il can just see US now. We had
a few drinks and then Dixie Mae
let her head rest on my shoulder,
kinda sweetlike. And | played with
her long black hair. She didn't
even mind when kissed her right
out there in public.
Instead. she told the gang that
me and her were going to get mar
ried soon as the mills opened up
and got that good paying job in
a couple of MONTHS the soldier
unused on recollections OF the past.
He was entirely unaware OF the
snow which continued 10 swirl
madly about his feet then TO be
lifted up in the arms of the cola
wind to fly away down the now
deserted street,
Gets Engaged To Girl
Then bout midnight we all
went home and Dixie Lee asked
me il | minded cause she told the
folks we were getting married?
"She even let me kiss her a long
time before she went into her