Newspapers / The Courier (Asheboro, N.C.) / March 28, 1918, edition 1 / Page 2
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- 1 ... TI& ASIIEBORO COURIER Page Two Thursday, March 23, 1918. s Mill T i CHAPTER V. c Mud, Rats and Shells. I I must have slept for two or three hours, not the refreshing kind that re sults from clean sheets and soft pll- lows, but the sleep that comes from cold, wet and sheer exhaustion. . Suddenly, the earth seemed to shake a Twl o t. .1 1 i . . y - " f If r ' ' luuuuniiap uursi in my ears, l H i opened my eyes I was splashed all niui sucKy mua, ana men were Iplcklng themselves up from the bottom of the trench. The DftraDet on mv left If I (fp J had toppled Into the trench, completely IfT i blocking It with a "wall of tossed-up ilf?! :earth- The man on my left lay still. I I' rubbed the mud from my face, and an '"ill awful siRht met my gaze his head K was smashed to a pulp, and his steel t 1 1 f helmet was full cf brains and blood. ' f f iA German "Minnie" frrenrh mnrtnM iVfr kad exploded In the next traverse. Men i J 'l, ere digging into the soft mass of mud an a frenzy of haste. Stretcher-bearers came up the trench on the double. After a few minutes of digging, three still, muddy forms on stretchers were parried down the communication trench to the rear. Soon they would be resting "somewhere In France," with a little wooden cross" over their heads, tfhey had done their bit fqr king and wontry, had died without firing a shot, but their services were appreciated, (nevertheless. Later on, I found out their names. They belonged to our draft, i I was dazed and motionless. Sud denly a shovel was pushed into my (hands, and a rough but kindly voice ksald: "Here, mv lnd. lend a fene trench, but keep your head down, nd loos: out for snipers. One of the Frlte's Is a daisy, and he'll get you If (you're not careful" Lying on my belly on the bottom of "the trench, I filled sandbags with the sticky mud, they vjere dragged to my rear by the other men, and the work of (rebuilding the parapet was on. The (hartfer I worked, the better I felt Al jthough the weather was cold, I was tioaked with sweat i . i. .. . , uccasionairy a ouiiet would crack overheat, and a machine gun would kick up the mud on the bashed-ln pare nt. At each crack I would duck and ehield my face with my arm. One of (the older men noticed this action of mine, and whispered : ' "Don't duck at the crack of a bnl jlet Tank ; the danger has passed you (never hear the one that wings you. iAlways remember that if you are going - jto get It youH get it so never worry." This made a great Impression on me 1st the time, and from then on, I adopt ed his motto, "If you're going to get it jyouTI get it" t It helped me wonderfully. I used it )so often afterwards that some of my ( fmates dubbed me, "If you're going to yket it youll get it" ! After an hour's hard work, all my nervousness left me, and I was laugh : ', bag and Joking with the rest At one o'clock, dinner came up In the form of a dixie of hot stew. looked for my canteen. It had v- Jfalleo off the fire step, and was "half ' ' -, buried In the mud. The man on my left noticed this,, and told the corporal, g out the .rations, to put my In his mess fin. Then he vhls to me "Always take care of your tin, mate.".." : , 1 had learned another maxim of the trenches. ... , . . -. - , -i;, i That stew tasted fin. I was as hungry as a bear We bad Seconds," or another helping,, because three of the men had fgone West,"4 killed by - explosion of the German -trench lortar, and we ate their 'share, but 'I I was hungry, so I filled la with ully beef and biscuits. Then I dralncj .water Dome, juater on X learned f "MMUNICATION t n sr k 1 V 1 J ' r Muaun share trend fines 1 II 1 ANAMOION50LI)ini WHO WENT 6UYIT MACHINE GWflp, JERYING IN TRAWCE 17 BY another maxim or the" rront nne, "Go sparingly with your water." The bully beef made me thirsty, and by tea time I was dying for a drink, but my pride would not allow me to ask my mates for water. I was fast learning the ethics of the trenches. That night I was put on guard with an older man. We stood on the Are step with our hands over the top, peer ing out into No Man's Land. It was nervous work for me, btit the other fel low seemed to take it as part of the night's routine. Then something shot past my face. My heart stopped beating, and I ducked my head below the parapet. A soft chuckle from my mate brought me to my senses, and I feebly asked, "For heaven's sake, what was that?" He answered. "Only a rat taking a promenade along the sandbags." I felt very sheepish. About every twenty minutes the sen try In the next traverse would Are a star shell from his flare pistol. The "plop" would give me a start of fright. I never got used to this noise during my service in the trenches. I would wateh the arc described by the star shell, and then stare into No Man's Land waiting for It to burst In its lurid light the barbed wire and stakes would be silhouetted against its light like a latticed window. Then darkness. Once, out in front of our wire, I heard a noise and saw dark forms moving. My rifle was lying across the sandbagged parapet. I reached for It and was taking aim to fire, when my mate grasped my arm, and whispered. "Don't fire." He challenged in a low voice. The reply came back Instantlv from the dark forms: ; "Shut your blinkin' mouth, you bloomln' Idiot ; do you want us to click' it from the Bochesr i Later we learned that the word, "No' challenging or firing, wiring party out; In front" had been given to the sentry, on our right but he had failed to pass' It down the trench. An officer had over-! heard our challenge and the reply, and, immediately put the offending sentry,1 under arrest The sentry clicked) twenty-one days on the wheel, that Is, he received twenty-one days' field pun ishment No. L or "crucifixion," as Tommy terms It This consists of being spread-eagled on the wheel of a limber two hours a day for twenty-one days, regardless of the weather. During this period, your rations consist of bully beef, biscuits and water. A few months later I met this sentry and be confided to me that since being "crucified," he had never failed to pass the word down the trench, when so or dered. In view of the offense, the above punishment was very light, In that falling to pasatbe word down a trench may mean the loss of many lives, and the spoiling of some Impor tant enterprise In No Man's Land. CHAPTER VL ' . "Back of the Line." Our tour In the front-line trench lasted four days, and then we were relieved by the - brigade. , " Going down ' the communication trench we were In a merry mood, at though we, were cold and wet, and every bone In our bodies ached. It makes a lot of difference whether 70a are "going In" or "going out" 1 'At the end of the' communication trench, .Umbers were waiting on the road for us. I thought we were going to "ride back to rest billets, but soon found' out that the only time an In fantryman rides Is when be Is wounded and Is bound for the base or BUghty. These limbers , carried our reserve emmunltlon and rations Our inarch ta, rest billot, was thoroughly 1 1 ... , RAVERS Kg?23-1 CONSTIPATION And Soar Stomach Caused His Lady Mack Suffering. Elack Draugnt ReEered. ' Meadorsville, Ky. Mrs. Pearl Pat rick, of this place, writes: "I was; very constipated. I had sour atomach and was so uncomfortable. I vent to the doctor. He gave me some, pills. I They weakened me and seemed to ' tear up my "-digestion. They would gripe me and afterwards it seemed ! I was more constipated than before. I heard of Black-Draught and', da - cided to try It I found It Just what I needed. It was an easy laxative, and not bad to swallow. My digestion soon improved. I got well of the soar stom ach, my bowels soon seemed normal, no more griping, and I would take a Cloze now and then, and was In good shape. Vty I cannot say too much for Black Draught for it Is the finest laxative one can use." Thedford's Black-Draught has ; for many years been found of great value in the treatment of stomach, liver and bowel troubles. Easy to take,' gentle and reliable in Its action, leaving no bad after-effects, It has won the praise of thousands of people who hate used it NO-135 enjoyed by me. it seemed afl ir 1 were on furlough, and was leaving be hind everything that was disagree able and horrible. Every recruit feels this way after being relieved from the trenches. We marched eight kilos and' then halted In front of a French estamlnet. The captain gave the order to - turn out on each side of the road and wait his return. Pretty soon he came back and told B company to occupy billets 117. 118 and 119. billet il7 WAS an old stable which haprevlously been occupied by cows. About four feet in front of the entrance was a huge ma nure pile, and the odor from it 'was anything but pleasant Using my flashlight I stumbled through the door. Just before entering I observed a white sign reading : "Sitting 60, lying 20," but, at the time, its significance did not strike me. Next morning I asked the sergeant major what- it meant He nonchalantly answered: "That's some of the work of the R. A. M. C. (Royal Army Medical corps). It simply means that In case of an-attack, this billet will accommodate fifty wounded whoare able to sit up ana; take notice, or twenty stretcher cases." v.: -WhzSt It was not long after this that iVas one of the "20 lying." I soon hit the hay and was fast asleep, eveji my friends the "cooties" failed to disturb me. The next morning at about six o'clock I was awakened by the lance corporal of our section, informing me that I had been detailed as mess or derly, and to report to the cook and give him a hand. I helped him make the fire, carry water from an old well, and fry the bacon. Lids of dixies are used to cook the bacon in. After breakfast was cooked, I carried a dlxle of hot tea and the lid full of bacon to our section, and told the corporal that breakfast was ready. He looked at me in contempt and then shouted, "Break fast upf-come and get It 1" I Immedi ately got wise to the trench parlance, and never again Informed that "Break fast was served." It didn't take long for the Tommies to answer this call. Half dressed, they lined up with their canteens and I dished out the tea. Each Tommy carried in his hand-a thick slice' of bread which had been Issued wltb the rations the night before. Then I had the pleasure of seeing them dig Infer the bacon with their dirty fingers. The allowance was one slice per man. ' The late ones received very small slices, As each Tommy got bis share he Im mediately disappeared Into the billet Pretty soon about fifteen of them made a rush to the cookhouse, each carrying a 'huge slice of bread. These slices they dipped Into the bacon grease which was stewing over the fire. ' The last man Invariably lost out I was the last man. '.;-... M'C y After breakfast our section carried their equipment Into a fild adjoining the billet and got busy removing" the trench mud .therefrom, because at 8 :43 a. bl, they had to fall In for inspection and parade, and woe betide the man who was unshaven or bad mud oa his uniform. - Cleanliness la next to godli ness la the British army, and Old Pep per must hare been personally ae aualnted with 8t Peter. Our. dstu consisted of dose-order formation, whleh lasted until 'noon. During this time we had two ten min ute Dreata lor rest, and no sooner the word, Tan out for ten minutes," was given than each Tommy got out a fag and, lighted It , , Fags are Issued every Sunday morn ing, and you generally geV between twenty and forty. . The brand cen- erally issued is the "Woolne" f im- times we ' are ' lucky' and get ."Gold flakes," "Players" or "lied Hus-irs." Occasionally an Issue of "Life I ays" cotnes along. . Thon the older Tommies I Immediately got busy on the r ru!i and trade these for "Woodl.ln. or to 'Ooldflflkoa," A recruit onl I 1 be stuck on.ee In this nmnnrr, nr : be rensra to l jt recruit Tl U a rcnw.n. Tetui;:j is, a prr.vt sons, he does not care to have a light ed cigarette In hu moutk Stretcher bearers carry fags -for wounded Tommies. When a stretcher bearer arrives alongside of r Tommy who has been hit the 'following conver sation usually takes place: Stretcher bearer "Want a fag? Where are you hit?" Tommy looks up and answers, "Yes. In the leg.' Ater dismissal from parade, we re turned to our billets and I had to get busy immediately with the dinner is sue. Dinner consisted of stew made from fresh beef, a couple of Bpuds, bully beef, Maeonochle rations and wa ter plenty of water. There is great competition, among the men to spear. 1 with their forks the two lonely pota I toesT I After dinner I' tried to wash out tne dlile ld water and a rag, anu learned another maxim of the trenches "It can't be done," I slyly watched one of the older men from another, section, and was horrified to see him throw Into his dixie four or five double handf uls of mud. Then he poured In some water, and with his hands scoured the dixie Inside and out. I thought he was taking an awful risk. Supposing the cook should have seen him! After halt an hour of unsuc cessful efforts I retftVned my dixie to the cook shack, being careful to put on the cover, and returned to the billet Resting Back of the Lines. Pretty soon the cook poked his head in the door and( shouted : "Hey, Tank, come out here and clean your dlxle I" I protested that I had wasted ahalf. hour on it already, and had used up my only reniatfilng shirt' In the atr tempt With a look of disdain he ex claimed: "Blow me, your shirt I Why In didn't you use mud!" Without a word In reply I got busy with the mud, and soon my dlxle was bright and shining. Most of the afternoon was spent by the men writing letters home. I used my spare time to chop wood for the cook and, go with the quartermaster to draw coal. I got back just in time to Issue our third meal, which consisted of hot tea. I rinsed out my dlxle and returned it to the cookhouse, and went back to the billet with an exhilarated feeling that my day's labor was done. I had fallen asleep on the straw when once again the cook appeared in the door of the billet with : "Bllme me, you Tanks are lazy. Who In a-goln' to draw the water for the mornin' teat Do you think Tm a-goln' tot Well, Pm not" and he left I filled the dlxle with water from an old squeaking well, and once again lay down In the straw. - (To be continued next week.) GREENVILLE PREPARES FOR THE SUMMER Gseenville takes a long step forward and will be one of the cleanest, health iest towns in the State, according to a Bulletin Just issued by the State Board ot Health, if ahe enforces the sanitary ordinances just enacted.: Ac cording to this bulletin, , ordinances have been passed declaring Insanitary closets, onisances providing draDnage against mosquitoes' and screening of doors, windows, of all groceries, res taurant and food shops. The sanitary closet ordinance . not only declares insanitary closets to be nuisances and subject to a penalty of five dollarSiJrat also distinctly speci fies that the only kind of a sanitary closet permitted will be a aewer con nection, a tank privy or a pit prhry,f tne last two types to he such as y meet the approval of the State, Board of Health. ; , ; ' ..- A It its Slrcoslii Every enlisted man would Hand up ttronger during the first yeai service if he could have tho benefits cf V . , ...... U , f"1 1 3 Hit J Lccsura iL fortifies the Isij f-nd throat, creates tlrensih to cvoij.rnppa end pneumonia r- J rr.; Vrs ricli L!ocJ to evert '1 "m( r?OTTM 1 Steadies, nerves' 2 Allays thirst 3 Aids appetite 4 Helps digestion k I 5 Keeps teeth clean j m 6 Ifs economical : - ecp the iierek . "If. f and sailors soppfledl )M Chew if The Flavor BAKEE) B. IGwhite, mealy with butter melting on it Um-m-ml And you like it because it is baked. Same with Lucky Strike Cigarette IT'S TOASTED Cooking makes things deli cious toasting the tobacco lias made theLucky Strike Cigarette-fembus. i " v ' r. EARN BIG HONEY' It after every POTATO n "A TV
The Courier (Asheboro, N.C.)
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March 28, 1918, edition 1
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