•raw*. ir «5~ & ^*SS1S *& INTEI^ATIONAL FALLS. PRESS*' DECEMBER26, 1918 PAGE SEVEN «r v, "m I This -is a triangular piece of steel or In a tone of voice which from him I the lines. During, this stay we. rounded met, and artfully communicated this da T, soldiers of England.' s§ had never heard before, answered: fact to the rest of his team's rooters. I an elftpty shell case. Beside this gong out a passable team.^'% VY 7 ''Somewhere "Then she opened .the gate. There noticed the rooters .crowd around him hangs an iron striker. Upon the "Tank, I've been out since '14. I've A Canadian''battalion,''just sent out she stood on the gravel path with the sounding of the alarm, by striking on buried many a mate and I've seen from England, on their way to for three or~foUr minutes, and then'a lantern held shoulder high. I trembled in France" "Wipers," went Into billets about a great laugh went up and they stretched the gong with the striker, every man many a lucky bloke—on a stretcher all over—thought I saw a vision. out along the foul lines. is supposed to put on his gas helmet bound for Blighty, and never gave it mile from us. This was our chance. I tell you, Tank, she was beautiful. With Empey and repair immediately to his properstation. a thought, but right now I feel as if Stewart went over and challenged Suddenly, one fellow, getting out in One of the kind you would like totake my stay in the trenches will be short. them to a game for the following Sunday. These gongs are to warn soldiers front of the bunch, like a cheer leader, in your arms, but won't for fear that German poison gas is coming I've had something on my mind since The challenge was accepted. counted, "One, two, three." Then up of crushing. No use for me to try to over. September, 1914, and it's been worrying went a mighty chorus of, "Hey, Stewart, We ha'd a week's time in-which to describe her, Yank, it's out of my line me pink. I'm goin' to tell you the where's your gas helmet, where's strengthen some weaknesses and to While I was signaling to my rube but she captured me, heart and soul. ^V^OU cannot story, and I'll give you my oath that your old gas bag, where's your old gas teach the bunch a little "inside" baseball. pitcher and beseeching him to put one There I stood like a great, big boob, afford to you're the first one that's ever heard bag?" They kept this up and it gotStewart's Then the jinxpopped up again. over, the clanging of the gas gong rang shaking and stuttering. At last I miss one of it from my lips but I've got to have goat. I went out into the On the morning of-the game with out. I dropped my glove, got off my managed to blurt out a stammering the series of your promise that" you'll not judge me pitcher's box and warned him to put on the Canadians, our cleverest lnflelder, chest ^protector, and madly rushed for Thank you, miss.' too harshly. I've just got to get it stories that is to his gas helmet, but still pig-headed, the first baseman, picked up an old my helmet and soon had it on, the "She showed us the way to the stables out o' my system." appear soon in he refused to do so. He was in an awful German hand grenade and brought it rooters and players doing the same. and stood in the door holding the temper. Jusfr then a sighing moan could be this paper. The Then I got wise. I remembered Stewart's to the billet. This man was a great lantern so we could see to unsaddle. I A sergeant of the military iklicewas heard overhead. It was one of our souvenir collector always hammering instructions: "Watch out for gas. fact that they was fumbling around with the buckles, nine-point-two" shells aimed in the watching the game, and hearing the at -"*dud" shells, trying to remove the I'll make 'em hunt for their gas helme'.s." are written by but for the life of me couldn't get that direction of Berlin. We both instinctively cries of the rooters he walked out on The nerve and daring of his Sergt. Arthur nose-caps. saddle off. One of the men, with a wink the diamond and asked Stewart where turned our eyes toward the entrance scheme took my breath away. The Seeing him fooling around with the Guy Empey, and a broad grin, came over and helped his helmet was. By this time Stewart of the dugout and waited for to Canadians had a mile to go get to German bomb, I told him to throw it me. That grin got my goat, so on famous as the the burst. Nothing happened. had completely lost his temper and answered their stations, and believe me, it is no away that one could never trust those the sly, I kicked him on the shin. He author of "Over with a sneer: "Where do yon "Another bloomin' dud," ejaculated fun double-timing for a mile while a things, and that.I did not want to take let out an explosive 'damn.' After the Top," end think it is? I sent it home for a souvenir." Atwell. "A few more hundred pounds gas helmet is choking you with its any chances of losing a first baseman that 'damn' the silence was painful. The sergeant explained to hlin jfine to seed," and then again the that they recite his chemical fumes., but being of a naturally curious disposition, Tbe poor fellow felt like a fool. I was own experiences he refused to do so. Taking the that it was against army orders to be Well, those Canadians beat it, and gloomy look spread over his countenance. 80 on the battle front, bomb out behind the billet, he proceeded without a gas helmet and that he had I was getting nervous and uneasy. sorry for him, even though I could did wfe, but the game was saved and is sufficient proof to take liberties with its mechanism better put it on. Stewart would not have killed him for his thoughtlessness. that the stories will all bets were off. Trying to hide my fear, I said: result, right hand blown off and be of Interest to listen to him, and answered: "Well, if But our embarrassment was I nearly smothered with laughter in "For th' love o' Mike, Atwell, crack another vacancy to be filled at first every newspaper short-lived, because a silvery laugh my gas helmet. To the rest, not being a jgmlle. Give us that story of yours, reader. base. What we said about him would cape from behind the lantern, a laugh "in the know," it was a genuine alarm. not be fit for publication. Shortly after the stampede it was discovered that was not loud, but it echoed and reechoed The game was scheduled for two among the rafters overhead. I that the alarm was false, and Don't* Miss the First* o'clock, and exactly at one-thirty-five can hear it right now, Yank. a rigid investigation immediately took Installment* Mr. Fritz plunked a stray "five nine" "After the horses had been unsaddled place. But the Canadians had left and shelf into our infield between home our money was safe. It certainly would and fed, the men looked appealingly and first base, making a hole big have gone hard with the culprit had at me. I knew what they wanted—they enough for a limber to hide in. This were dog tired, and dying to he been caught. As it was, our battalion meant picks and shovels for all hands got two weeks as extra fatigue hit the hay. Just as I was about to uiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiu to fill in the hole. on working and digging parties. ask permission for them to turn in, the ["Somewhere By this time a large crowd of rooters angel butted in with: Afterward, I was let into the secret 1 for both sides had lined themselves Stewart had given Stein ten francs to 'Poor, tired soldiers, sleepy and along the foul lines. The compliments g&§ sound the alarm, which, with his hungry. Come right into the house. I in France" that were wafted back and forth made Jean has some supper and wine ready fifteen francs bet on the game, Stein the chaplain pack up and leave before for you.' did not have it in his heart to refuse. the game started. "We stammered our thanks and followed Many a time, Stewart, Stein and my her into the house like a string Then the betting commenced. It self had a quiet little laugh when we I with I of sheep. Yank, to me that meal was a waxed hot and furious. I don't believe pictured the Canadians stampeding for dream. She flitted around the table, there was a loose penny in the their billets. Arthur Guy Empey filling a glass here and there, laughing crowd after all bets had been placed. Then orders were received to take with us an} making us feel at home. Stewart and I tried to discourage this over a new sector of the line, and baseball The war was forgotten. By this time I betting because we knew that if we I «f "OVER THE TOP" jj was forgotten, The work in front AUm was madly in love with her, and she lost we would be ostracized from that of ns was to be of the grimmest nature. knew.it, because when she leaned over time on. We explained to the Tommies Not long after that, in my first going k| Watch for this gripping series my shoulder to replenish my glass with that the Canadians were base* "over the top," Stewart was killed and red wine, her hair would brush my ball players, and that we were in for Stein was wounded. I was also slightly of stories in this Newspaper He Was in an Awful Temper, cheek, and once she rested her hand on an awful trimming, but they wouldn't wounded. niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiR my shoulder and gave it just'the slightest listen, saying that anybody who could Thus ended the career of the Fusilier It's against orders, get them rescinded." "For the Love o* Mike, Atwell, Crack squeeze. I was in heaven. A make a ball curve in the air the way Giants on the western front was my intention to eaten ror nim. The sergeant immediately put a Smile." "It was getting late and the wine Stewart Could was enough to win for and fill in the other positions with the him under arrest and marched him off any team, and that all the Canadians was beginning to tell on the men. They most likely candidates. This scheme the diamond. or else I'll go bughouse. Ton had better were falling asleep in their chairs. 1. would strike out. We Insisted no further. Love Versus get it off or your chest because did not work in with the popular version Our hopes were dashed I could see had a hard job waking four of them I'm thinking that Fritz will soon be a little bit Out of the forty trying the game going west We had no other We came to bat first Our first man to go on guard. They got their rifles replying to our strafing, and if an for the team, twenty-eight Insisted good pitcher, to put in. Wine and were standing around me for Instructions, up got beaned, and instead of taking eight-inch shell ever hits this dugout on being catcher. They wanted to Upon seeing Stewart's arrest, the when our hostess came over first base he went out Into the pitcher's they'll need no wooden crosses for wear that mask. If there had been a Canadian rooters kept up their gleeful to my me and, resting her hand on box to lick the pitcher. After a us, because our names will appear under camera, each of the forty would have shouting. We were sure up against it. arm, with again the slightest of little argument we managed to get the caption 'Missing.'" had a photo taken of himself wearing Here was the situation, it was the squeezes and pleading eyes, interceded him onflrst. the "wire cage." Here was a great With another sigh escaping from last half of the fourth Inning, and two Sergeant Arthur Guy for them. The Canadian pitcher was wild. dilemma. At that time I was only a his lips, which sent a cold shiver up were out. If, by luck, we managed to "'Sergeant,' she said, 'let the poorboys The next bail vrent over the catcher's Empey private, and there were sergeants, corporals, and down my spinal column, he lighted get the third Canadian out, it would sleep. They are so tired. There: head and our runner took second. and even an officer, who wanted a fag and started in. This is what*he be an easy matter for them to retire Author of "Over the Top," is no danger. The Germans are mile* The next man up struck out to catch. Stewart again came to told me: ns in the next inning- because our "First Gall," Etc away. I know this to be true. Do this I batted third, hit to the outfield, the rescue. Calling me aside, he said: "It was back In September, 1914. weakest batting order was up. Then, for me.' And again that squeeze. the right fielder dropped the ball/ and Tou know I came out with the first "Leave it to me* Emp, I'll fix 'em. the Canadians would come to bat and O-O-O "I, like a fool, listened to her, and I reached second, the rtinner ahead Ill try out each one in turn. Let them hundred thousand, the time when all slaughter would commence. of me moving to third base. Then gave an unwilling assent. The men wear the mask, and I'll send in some the fighting was done in the open. I was In despair. Stewart must have Mr. Empey's Experiences Stewart got up. and placed a corking looked their gratitude. Jean, the manservant, curves, and when the ball cracks them The Germans were smashing everything realized that the game was hopeless double out into left field. Stewart During HisSeventeenMonthsin led them out to the barn, on the shins a couple of times you before them in their drive on unless it could be finished in thlsinning, where an abundance of hay had been was a fast runner. I started for theFirst couldn't pay 'em to put on the cage." Paris. Our regiment was one of the because as he passed me he whimpered, home, touched, third, the runner in spread for their beds. I was following* The Tommies were strange to curved few opposed to Yon Kluck. Bt was a "Watch out for gas I'll make line Trenches of the front of me plowing along for home when a whisper in my ear made my balls, and Stewart had speed. It did case of hold them, for a few hours and them hunt for their gas helmets. It'll British Army in France head swim: plate. He ran like an Ice wagon. I my heart good to see him dampen their then retreat—always retreat. We be a long time before that bunch of "'Don't go yet, my -sergeant, stay whs shouting to him to hurry up. I ardor and dent their anatomy at the didn't even have time to bury our "maple leafs' forget this game. Now, could hear Stewart pounding behind with me.' same time. The Tommies would see dead. The grub was rotten, and we I get wise. Delay the game as much as "I stayed, worse luck. me.,. The Tommy's cap blew off, and TpdicAU) o]) the ball coming to them and would were just about fagged out, dead tired possible while getting a dub to pltclf Instead of going home he stopped to "We sat on a settee, talking, and her reach up their hands to get it. Then with no prospect of a relief or rest in in my place. Then watch for happenings. The English Lion was roaring, and arm stole around my waist. I wasn't pick it up. Stewart was shouting, the ball would "break" and hit them .t^at of us. Get me? Are you wise?" his growls could be heard all along the slow, either, and as you know, Yank, I "Leg It, here comes the ball," as he on the shin or knee. After five or six "It was customary for small patrcls I didn't "get him," nor was I "wise," western front No doubt many a German have a pretty good reach. Once, she slid into third base. I could not precede had retired, rubbing sore spots and ten to twenty men in charge of a general was stirring uneasily in but I answered in the affirmative. I spoke to me in French, but I shook my the runner in, so we were trapped cussing Stewart out, no one else wanted sergei: nt, to reconnoitre on our flanks, followed his Instructions, while out of his large concrete shell-proof dugout, for a double play. Stewart's angora head in bewilderment. In a few minutes to catch, and the situation was one day I was sent out in charge of the corner of my eye I watched him on kilos behind the German front line, as was bristling and mine was tugging the servant returned, and Adrienne—she saved. one of these parties. Oh, yes, I was his way to the company billet the ever-increasing thundering roar told me her name—called at its chain. Tommy Is a natural born soccer a sergeant then, but I lost my stripe:? He. called a man named Stein, a reached his ears. him to her, and said: The" Canadian rooters were tickled player and clever with his feet, but —disobedience of orders they called member of our company, who thought We had a close-up view of his majesty, to death, their sarcastic remarks burning 'Jean, go down in the wine cellar stupid with his hands when it comes t. I suppose I ouglit to feel lucky 1 no more of losing a franc than he did the king of beasts, and to us he Into Stewart and me. Stewart was and get some of that old port and give to baseball. Several of them had a «*nsn'i sbot but I'll leave it to you •of having his right arm.shot off. Stein was a sorry-looking specimen. Patches fast losing his temper. it to the soldiers of England. Poor bad habit of stopping grounders with whether I did right cr not went-over to Stewart, whoi whispered of hide were worn away, while in his boys, it will warm them.' She added The first two Canadians struck out their feet, especially our shortstop. He "At that time. I was in for a commission, to him and passed him 'something. tail were two big knots. If these knots something in French Fcould not understand. The third man up got his base on a would see a hot grass-eater coming his but, of course, didn't get it. What struck me as strange was the had have been labeled it would have Then she added: passed third strike. My error. way, then, Instead of using his hands, I had received it, no doubt by this fact that Stein, who had fifteen francs been easy to read "Neuve Chapelle" "'Leave a bottle here for the sergeant Then our substitute first baseman he would put his foot in'front of it "ime I'd be pushing up the daisies on the game, instead of coming back to and "Gallipoli." The memory and and me.' pulled a stunt which turned the tables The ball would climb his leg and get ^nowhere in France. In those days watch the game, disappeared behind pain of these two disasters no doubt "I protested against more wine for on the Canadians and we were somewhat him on the chin or in the eye. After •fficers didn't'last long—made fine tarrets the billet, while Stewart was marched increased the intensity of his thunder. the boys. Her pleading overruled my appeased. receiving a puffed-up lip and a beautiful for the Bocb^s. off to "clink." The British bombardment of the good judgment, and I consented. The The Canadian runner was laying a black eye, he flatly refused to play "This patrol I was in charge of carled The rooters were getting Impatient, German lines was on, a bombardment servant left to do her mission, and I few feet off first base. Suddenly our unless I would let him wear the mask. rations for three days. We were so I put a big Welshman in to pitch. I proposed. Her answer was a kiss. I which lasted over eight days and first baseman shouted to him, "Look Americans, picture a shortstop wearing scout around just in front of the told the umpire that according to the nights. It was the forerunner of the was the happiest man in France. out, 'ere comes a shell duck low!" a catcher's mask, and then sympathize advancing enemy, but our orders were rules a pitcher being put in "cold" was Big Push, or "Battle of the SOmme." "Presently Jean returned and silently The Canadian dropped to the ground. with Stewart and me. The not to engage them—just get information. allowed four balls over the plate to Atwell and I were sitting in a dugout placing a bottle and two glasses on Stewart instantly sized up the situation shortstop was a sergeant, and through If the information obtained was .iflTnp warm up. The umpire agreecTto this. of the support trench. Atwell was the table withdrew. We were alone. and tossed the ball to the first diplomatic reasons, I gave the mask valuable enough, I was to send it in I whispered to the Welshman, "Get out a great, big, lovable fellow, and was She took the bottle and, pouring out a baseman, who touched the baserunner to him. At this every lnflelder wanted ry one of the men. There were fourteen in that box and take your time, delaying my mate. We both had been detailed glass of wine, touched it to her lips and three were out. We had-got opr to wear it. Stewart solved the problem of us, and we were mounted. 1 the game as much as possible between to the divisional intelligence department, and handed it to me with this toast: own back. Stewart and I could have, by putting in .another shortstop was in the Lancers then, and was considered each pitch. Now, you are allowed and were engaged upon "spy Drink, my sergeant. Drink to our both kissed that rube fir# baseman of and giving me the mask. a fair rider. four balls over the plate in work." betrothal. Drink to the honor of ours. Right then and there we1put In England they have a game called "The first day nothing happened. which to warm up. Slam 'em Into ipe, Atwell, although of a naturally France. Drink to the honor of England. him in a class with Hal Chase. "rounders," In which yon are supposed We just scouted around. By nightfall but if yon put one of them over, our cheery disposition, occasionally relapsed Drink to the confusion of our. Up to the fourth Inning neither side to hit the baserunner with the we were pretty tired, so when we goose is cooked." Into fits of despondency. enemies.' scored. Stewart was pitching In fine ball to put him out This is generally came to a village—wasn't a village The Welshman was mystified, but "I drank with my fool heart pound* In th| light from a stump of a candle form. The Canadians just couldn't a tennis ball and does not hurt very either just five or six houses clustered followed my instructions to the letter. I was making out my previous ing against my ribs. Then blackness. connect with his delivery. All they much. V?., around a church—I decided t( He_ threw four balls which nearly day's report to turn Into brigade "When I awoke, I was lying on the were doing was fanning the air. The Well, those Tommies had a haLlt of go into billets for the night. broke my back to get Then the umpire the headquarters. Occasionally en­ settee, my head bursting with pain. Canadian rooters commenced to get lamming the baseball with all their "Biding up to the largest house, held up his hand and called, "Play trance to the dugout would light up frightened because they saw their The gray dawn was filtering through might at the unfortunate runner. Many which had a\ four-foot stone wall run ball 1" I Immediately went over to him with a red flare as a shell burst in the the curtained windows, and there, In money, disappearing Into the Tommies' an early practice was broken up this ning around its garden, I dismountec and explained that these four balls near vicinity. Atwell was sitting on the middle of the room, with my Adrienne jpekets. They had the greatest contempt way, because the team would lose interest it the gate and knocked with the hili had not gone, over' the plate. He fell his pack, with his back leaning against In his arms, stood a captain of for the rest of the team, myself In twseball when they had a of my swor't Pret'y soon a light ap for this and agreed, with me. After the wet and muddy wall..of the,dugout Uhlans. I was a prisoner. I saw It all Included, bqt realized that If Stewart chance to tilw a light between a giver nee red at the front door—the housi that rube of a pitcher had thrown The rays from the candle lighted up in a flash. She had betrayed me. Now did not weaken It would he a case of and receiver. was on a sort ot a knoll, so this dooi about fifteen or sixteen balls, several I knew why she had wanted no guard their going back to billets broke After about ten days' practice we was in plain view. Then the sweet passing me, which I chased to the billet a posted. That wine we pledged our Finishing my report, I got oat had Then old Mr. Jlnx^feutted In again, picked two pretty fair teams and est voice I ever heard called out ir. to waste time, the umpire got Impatient troth In was drugged. What an ass I "fag," lighted It and with an uneasy Stewart's and it happened. rT arranged for a scrub game. trembling tones, in perfect English and {lie rooters were yelling feeling listened to the roar, of the hell had been! In the British army there isHm order side Won, due to his pitching. too, but with just the suspicion of ar like. jmad to, carry, on. I still insisted 'outside. A long-drawn sigh caused "I closed my eyes and pretended to Then, as. Is usual in baseball, things to the effect that, gas helmets .must iceent: that none?of tile baliis had gone "Over me to look In Atwell's direction. be asleep. They were talking in German. be carried at all times," even while began to happen. A jinx «eemed to "Who is there, please?' the plale, and the umpire was in ai Never In my life have I seen such.a Pretty soon the captain came sleeping. To disobey this order Is a rest on our candidates. Every time we "I art,6?*efed, 'Just a few Englisl quandary. Jtist then One of our men dejected and woe-begone countenance. over and roughly shook me. I only serious offense, and means Immediate had to go up the line on a working Lancers who desire a place to rest for passed in the rear of me and whlspeifed grunted. With an exclamation of disgust, This, in a way, angered me, because confinement. These gas helmets are party, one or two of the players would fhe night. The barn will do. W "Stewart says to go on with ~I, myself, right then, had-a feeling of he "called out in German. Two in a canvas bag and are slung around get wounded or killed in fact, being don't want anything to eat, as the game" "Wondering at this information. impending disaster, a sort of unknown troopers came in and, lifting me by the the left shoulder by means of a canvas a baseball player got to be a perfect have rations with us. So, if you wil I started shoulders and feet, carried me out into dread, perhaps intermingled with a strap. Jonah, and the Tommies commenced ecornmodate us, miss, I will be irnsci the air. I slightly opened my eyes and ... The pitching of that Welshman was 'far-away longing for the fields and In pitching, Stewart's gas helmet getting superstitious, if one of our oWisec:.' I was in love with that' g:r awful. He hit the "first two men up flowers at home. I wanted to be bothered him greatly, and after the second team happened to be\working among before I saw her—the voice hnd ("ton and walked the third. I was in despair, cheered, and Atwell's face looked like inning he took it off. I warned him ten or twelve other company men, he the trick. bases full and two out^Some of the a morgue. saw that I was being carried out to the to be careful, because I noticed several was sure to get hit, while the Other fellows 'JJShe acswefed,. Canadian rooters, witre ju^fh^ijp and gate, where two horses were standing .Forcing a smile I slapped Atwell,on military police in the crowd. But Stewart please, until 1 tell fa^er^1 came through without a scratch. down, throwii^ their-j|ats in^iie air, the knee and said with their reins thrown over a hitching would not listen He always was Stewart and I also began to ge$ frightened, the door shut and 'the lijrlu and one fellow^was wMstling "The post. By the equipment I knew one of pig-headed. »"Come out o' your trance. We've and decided to chuek' up the pea red." We didn't have to wait Ion Star-Spangled Bafiner.J^ TM8 £ot Jny the'horses belonged to the captain, Jbdth got a good chance for Blighty One of the Canadian rooters spotted before the door opened, and r-be cai'cc whole thing-before we got it ourselves. gpat completely. that Stewart had laid aside his hel-. with this bombardment on." ,^_TUrn- we. went £irther back behind to ^r... Fx ^.Near everx. billet hangs a fas jgong. Afesgell looked^iji njv direction,, and (To be continued next week)-