The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1944-12-14


He wasn't aware that other men,
live men, were in the fox hole with
him.
thought, that was it. He twisted,
and the blade came free. 1t was
true what they said.
He felt sharp sting in his left
shoulder.
On top of his head there was a
binding clang.
His helmet was knocked off.
Something crashed on his bare
head and after that he was aware Of
nothing.
Mr.. Winkle opened his eyes eau
tiously. He had been conscious for
few minutes, but he couldn't place
where he was.
The first thing he saw was the
face of Jack Pettigrew. Jack had
only a head, which floated in the
air all by itself The mouth in the
head said, Hello, Pop"
$50 you made it, too," observed
Mr.. Wrinkle.
Made it? Jacks head in
CURED
"We're dead, aren't WEI" asked
Mr.. Wrinkle. "You were dead the
last time saw you, This is Heav-
en-, | suppose. Or is it-?" In some
panic he demanded, (Which one?"
The head laughed. Were in an
Army hospital just outside of Los
Angeles"
The rest of Jack came into focus
Clad in pajamas and a bathrobe, he
was sitting on the edge of a white
bed. There were lines of white
beds.
Mr.. Winkle looked down at him.
self. He seemed to be all there
He wriggled his toes to make sure.
His left shoulder felt little peculiar
and ne had Slight headache, but
otherwise he was intact.
81 don't understand, he said.
"We're supposed to be on Talizo.
You-and the Japs :" He looked
around, as if to see the Japs swarm.
ing up the beach.
"The Japs," Jack grinned, didn't
get anywhere. We've taken the
whole island since then. You saved
it. You're hero. You're going to
get medal. The Presidsnt told
about you in one of his speeches. F"
1.-THE President :" Mr. Winkle
faltered. This was the second time
the President had paid some atten-
ton to him.
"And look at these papers" Jack
rummaged in a locker between the
beds and then held the front pages
of newspapers so Mr.. Wrinkle could
read them. One of them was The
Evening Standard. Mr.. Winkle took
it and saw big black letters which
said:
WINKLE, HERO OF TALIZO
He dropped the paper. He was
dizzy. YOU'D better start at the
beginning" he begged Jack.
"Im supposed to call the nurse
if you wake up" Jack said. you've
been out for FIVE weeks. You're not
supposed to talk"
"You do the talking" Mr.. Winkie
ordered. "And lots of it,"
Jack himself had merely been
knocked out and wounded by the
explosion of the lucky shell in the
fox hole. Mr.. Wrinkle had been found
on the beach with a bullet hole
through his shoulder and bad con-
cussion. At first it was thought he
wouldn't live. The doctors did
job on his head in the infrmary at
Talizo. Another and more thorough
piece of work was done after they
were shipped back to the States on
a transport. Jack assured Mr.. Win
kle that he was all right now.
"You don't have to worry" Jack
said. Mrs. Wrinkle knows. | went
home to see my folks. I'm here
now only for a check-up before |
join my new company. We're head
ed for the Philippines this time"
"You left out something" Mr..
Wrinkle said. 1.-THE most important
part. The Alphabet, Freddie, and
the others :"
In a low voice, Jack said, II was
the only one
1t was a moment before he could
ask about Mr.. Tinker. Then he
spoke only his name.
No." Jack told him.
At least, thought Mr.. Winkle. Mr..
Tinker had cot his Jap himself.
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