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Show Private "GlererAs Seem A R By Arthur GUy Empey i C JVTt Author of "Over the Top," etc, Througli -the Barbed W5re , ic"is' There were six of us. "Curly ' Wallace was called "Curly" because he had the cutest little Delia Kox, or spit curl, as the gum chewers call it, you ever saw. Wallace was proud of that curl, and gave it the besi of attention at-tention and care. He was Scotch. "Happy" Houghton earned his nickname nick-name by his constant smile and happy disposition. He was iinglisli, a Londoner. "Hungry" Foxcroft really earned his title, lie took special pains that our rations ra-tions would not become mildewed by lying ly-ing around too long in t lie dampness of our dugout. He was English; also trom Ltonuon. "Jkey" Honney, dubbed "Ikey" because in one of our theatrical attempts he took the part of "Ikey Cohenstein" and made quite a hit. English, "via Eondun. "Dick" Turpin, called "Dick" in memory mem-ory of the notorious highwayman. He used to help the quartermaster scigeant, so the name was very appropriate. He was Irish, from Dublin. I was the sixth. The boys put the prefix "Yank" to my name, because 1 was American and hailed from the "Big Town" behind the statue of. liberty. The six of us composed ' the crew of gun So. 2 of the th brigade machine company. We were machine gunners, and our gun was the Vickers, light, 303, watercooled. It was a rainy afternoon in June and we were sitting m our dugout in the front line trench, about three hundred yards from the German lines. If you should ask a Tommy Atkins "What is a dugout?" he would look : at you in astonishment, and, pitying you i for your apparent lack of education, would answer: "What's a dugout? Why a dugout is a well, a dugout's a dugout." Only being a Tommy pro tern. pro tem. in my case meaning "for duration of war" I will try to describe to the best of my ability this particular dugout. A dugout is a hole in the ground. Gets its name because it is dug out by the Royal engineers, or R. E.'s, as we call them. It is used to shelter the men in the trenches from shell fire. They also sleep in It, or try to. From our point of view its main use is to drain the trenches of muddy water and give us rheumatism. It also makes a good hotel for rats. These guests look upon us as intruders and complain that we overcrowd the place. Occasionally we give in to them, and take a turn in the trench to rest ourselves. Our dugout was about twenty feet deep, or, at least, there were twenty wooden steps leading down to it. The celling and walls were braced by heavy, square-cut timbers. Over the timbers in the ceiling sheets of corrugated iron were spread to keep the wet earth from falling in on us. The entrance was heavily sandbagged and very narrow; there was only room for one person to leave or enter at a time. The ceiling was six feet high and the floor space was ten feet by six feet. Through the ceiling a six-inch square air shaft was cut. We used to take turns sleeping under this in wet weather. The timbers bracing the walls were driven full of. nails to hang our equipment equip-ment on. After our ammunition, belt-filling belt-filling machine, equipment, rifles, et cet- 1 era, had been stowed y way, there was not much space fcr sK men to live, not I forgetting the rats. It was very dark in I the dngout. and. as we were only issued I a candle and a half every twenty-four hours, we had to economize on light. Woe betide the last man out who ieft the can- 1 die bu 1 niug! In this hotel of ours we would sit , around the lonely candle, and, through a ; thick haze of tobacco smoke, would re-f. count our different experiences at vari- j j ous points of the line where we had been or spin yarns about home. Sometimes we would write a letter, when we were , fortunate enough to be near the candle. At other times we'd sit for an hour without with-out saying a word, listening to a German over in the enemy's front trench playing a cornet. My. how that Boche could play! Just to make us hate the war he'd play "Suwanee River." ' "Home. Sweet Home" or "Over the Waves." The latter was my favorite. During his recital our trenches were strangely quiet. Never a shot from either side. Sometimes, when he had finished. Ikey Honney would go into the trench and play on his harmonica. As soon as we'd see that harmonica come out it was a case of "duck down low," for the Germans would be sure, when the first strains, reached them, to send over "five rounds rapid." We hated that harmonica. More than once we chucked one over the top, but he'd sit down, write a letter, and in about ten davs' time would receive, through the mail, a little oblong package, and we'd know we were in for some more "rive rounds rapid." We didn't blame the Germans. Still, that harmonica had its uses. Often we would get down-hearted and "fed up" with the war. and "grouse" at everything every-thing in general. Then Ikey would reach in his pocket and out would come that instrument of torture. We would then realize there were worse things than war, and cheer up accordingly. On this particular rainy afternoon in June we were in a talkative mood. Perhaps Per-haps it was due to the fact that Curly Wallace had made his "Tommy's cooker" do what it was supposed to do make water boil in an hour and a half. A "Tommy's cooker" is a spirit stove, which is very widely advertised as a suitable gift to the men in the trenches. Many are sent out and many are thrown away- Anyway, the "cooker" lived up to its reputation for once, though a little he-hind he-hind Its advertised schedule in making water boil. Curly passed around the result re-sult of his efforts in the form of an ammunition am-munition tin half full of fairly good tea. We each took a good swig, lighted a Woodbine cigarette they had "come up" with the rations the night before and settled back against the damp earthen walls of the dugout, to see who could tell the biggest He. For a few minutes silence si-lence reigned no one seemed to care to be the first to break It. Then Dick Turpin, turning to me, asked: , , "Remember Burton of A company? Think he was in the third platoon; the fellow that was recommended for the V C. and refused it. Got the recommendation recom-mendation for rescuing his platoon commander com-mander under fire." 1 I answered in the affirmative and Dick "carried on" wil h: "I never could see into that affair, because be-cause they Nv-med to be the worst of enemies. The ofticer was always picking on him used to have him 'on the crime sheet' for the least offense. Got him several days of extra pack drill, and once he clicked twenty -one days' 'crucifixion' (field punishment No. 1. tied to a limber wheel two hours per day for twenty-one days). "No matter what dirty fatigue working party came along. Burton's name was sure to head the list. "This Burton appeared to be a surly sort of a chap, kept to himself a whole lot, always brooding, didn't have many friends in the company, neither. There seemed to be something on his mind. "Most of the company men said his j sweetheart back m Blighty had thrown him down for some other bloke." Happy Houghton butted in: "That's, the wav with this world, always hammering hammer-ing at a fellow. Well, I know this Bur- ton, and there's not a better mate In the world, so let that sink into your nappers." "Don't get sore. Happy," said Honney. "If vou don't mind, let's have the story. I meant no offense. Just naturally curious, curi-ous, that's all. You can't deny that the whole affair has been quite a mystery to the brigade. Spit it out and get it off your chest.' "Let s have it, Happy," we all chimed in chorus. Happy, somewhat mollified, lighted a Woodbine, took two or three deep puffs, and started: "Well, it was this way, but don't ask any questions until I am through. "You know Burton isn't what you'd call a prize beauty when it comes to looks. He's about five six in height, stocky, a trifle bow-legged and pug-nosed. To top this he has a crop of red hir and his clock (face) is the boarding house for every freckle in the United Kingdom. But strong! Say. that fellow could make Sampson look like a consumptive when he got started. "In Blighty, before the war. Burton and this lieutenant his name ia Huston went to the same college. "Huston was nearly six feet high arl slender. Sort of a dandy, fair hairfed, lots of dough, which he never got by "working; his papa wished it on him when he went west (died). He was good looking and had a way with the girls which made them think he was the one and onry. Didn't care much for athletics. Girls, dances and card parties were more In his line. "They were in the same class. Burton was working his way through, and, consequently, con-sequently, Huston looked down on him as a bally bounder. Among the athletes Burton was popular, Huston wasn't. "Burton was engaged or thought he was to a ppetty fine girl by the name of Betty. She thought Burton, or 'Ginger,' as she called him, was the finest thing out. One day Ginger took her to see a football game at the college; he was playing play-ing on the team, so she had to sit It out alone. During this 'sitting it out,' she met Huston and the trouble started. He was dead gone on her and she liked him, so he made hay while the sun was shining. "She didn't exactly turn Ginger down, but he was no bnnb and saw how thinps were, so he eased out o;' the Winning, although It almost b rok e his h ea r t : h e certainly loved that girl. "This state of affairs widened the gar between Huston and Burton. They hated each other pretty fiercely, but Burton never went out of Ins way to show it. while Huston took every opportunity to vent his spleen. Ginger saw Hetty very seldom, and when he did, she was generally gen-erally accompanied by Huston. "Then the war came. (.linger immediately immedi-ately enlisted as a private. He could have had a commission, but did not want to take a chance of having to mix with Huston. "A few weeks after Ginger's enlistment. enlist-ment. Huston joined. too was losing prestige in Betty's eyes by staying In mufti. He went into the 6. T. C. (officers' (of-ficers' training corps'. In seven months he received his commission and was drafted to France. Ginger had been out three months. "Before leaving, Huston proposed to Betty and was accepted. By one of the many strange coincidences that happen in this world Huston was sent to Tte. battalion bat-talion and company that Ginger was in and was put In command of Ginger's platoon. Then things happened. 'Ginger could hardly believe his eyes when h first saw Huston and knew he. was to be hia platoon commander. Ho knew he was in for It good and plenty. "That night Huston sent for Ginger and had a talk with him. Tried to make him believe that he harbored no animosity, detailed him as mail orderly, the first act of a campaign of petty cruelty. By being mail orderly Ginger would have to handle Betty's letters to Huston and Huston's Hus-ton's letters to her. Ginger saw through it immediately and his hate burned stronger. From that night on it was one indignity after another, just a merciless mer-ciless persecution, but Ginger never complained, com-plained, just stored up each new act and swore vengeance. "It. came to euch a pass that Ginger could bear it no longer; ne decided to kifl Huston and only waited for a favorable opportunity to present itself. I think it was only his love for Betty which had held him back eo long; he couldn't bear the thought of her grieving for her dead lover. "One night. In the front line trench, orders were received that, after an hour's intense bombardment of the enemy's lines, the company would go over the top at 4:30 the next morning. Huston was to go over with the first wave, while Ginger was in the second. Herd was his chance. "All that night he crouched on the fir step, musing and brooding, nursing hia revenge. He prayed to Betty to forgive him for what he was going to do. "After the bombardment the next morning, morn-ing, over went the first wave, a line of bayonets and madly cheering men. Ginger Gin-ger only saw one in that crowd; his eyes never left Huston. His finger twitched and caressed the trigger of his rifle his long looked-for opportunity had come. "The first wave had gone about sixty yards. when Ginger let out a curse. Huston had been hit and was down, and he saw his revenge slipping through his fingers. But no, Huston was not dead; he was trying to rise to his feet: he was up hopping on one leg, with the blood pouring from the other. Then he fell again, but was soon sitting up bandaging his wounded leg, using a tourniquet from his first-aid packet. "A surge of unholy joy ran through Ginger. Gin-ger. Lifting the safety latch on his rifle, unheeding the rain of bullets which were ripping and tearing the sandbagged parapet par-apet about him, he took deliberate aim at Huston. Then he saw a vision of Betty, dressed in black, with tear stained eyes. With a muttered curse, Ginger threw the rifle from him, climbed over the parapet and raced across no man's land. No act of his should bring tears to Betty's brown eyes. He would save her worthless lover and then get killed himself It didn't matter. "Reaching Huston he hissed at him: Damn you, I was going to kill you. but T won't. I'll carry you "back to Betty. But always remember, It was the man you robbed who saved your worthless life, you despicable skunk!' "Huston murmured: 'Forgive me. Burton, Bur-ton, but for God's sake, get me out of this. I'll be killed for God's sake, man, hurrv. hurry1.' " 'That's it, Is it? Whine, damn you, whine! It's music to my ears, Lieutenant Lieuten-ant Huston begging a "bnlly bounder" for his life, and the bounder giving it to him. I would to God that Betty could see and hear you now." "With that, Ginger etooped, and, by main strength, lifted Huston onto his back and staggered toward our lines. The bullets bul-lets and pieces of shrapnel were cracking crack-ing and 'swishing' all around. He had gone about fifty yards when a piece of Hhell hit his left arm Juet below the shoulder. Down he went, Huston with 1 him, but was soon up, his left nrm I dangling and swinging at his side. Tur ning n-ing to Huston, who wna lying on his back, he said: 'I am hard hit it's your life or mine. We're only ten yards from our trench; try to make It on your own. You ought to be able lo crawl In.' "But Huston answered : Burton, don't leave mo here I am bleeding to deal h. For the love of God, get mo In ! You can have Betty money, anything I have, it is all yours Just save my life. Answer me, man, answer " 'You want my answer, do Vou? Well, take it, and damn you !' With t hat Ginger slapped the officer In t lie face ; then, grabbing him by the collar wit h his right arm, the blood soaking his tunic from the shell wound In his left, Ginger slowly dragged Hub ton to ttie trench ann fainted. A mighty cheer went up from' our lines. Stretcher bearers took them both to nn advanced first-aid popt, a nd their journey to Blighty and Betly was started. "On the trip over Ginger never regained re-gained conprtousnef n. They la tided In a hospital in England and wore put in beds next to each other. Ginger was taken up Into the 'pictures' (operating theater), where his arm was n mputated at the shoulder. Huston's wound was ' slijihl ; bullet through the cnlf of Ug. "While Ginger was coming out of I he ether he told all he knew. A Red Crosw nurse, with tear-dlmmed eyes, was holding hold-ing his hand. Occasionally she would look aerosn at H us ton In (ho next bed ; he would slowly nod his hoad at each questioning glance of hers, while the red blond of shame mounted to his temple. "Then Ginger came to. lie saw a beautiful beau-tiful v I Hi on. Thought be was drea ruing. Sitting by his bed, dressed In a Red Cros n urge's uniform. wan Ret t y, 1 1 us ton' n Hetty, holding his h:i nd. Hetly, with tears tn her eyr, but this lime tears of joy. The sweat cntno out on hi, lore-head lore-head it couldn't be true. He gasped out one word, 'Hetty!' j "Stooping over, the vision kissed him on the Huh and niurnmrd : 'My Gingrr, you have come back to Hetty.' "Then, be hU pt. Next morning the colonel of (ho hospital ca me to Cbrrrer s bed. shin and mni; rat u In t ed him, leinK hi in 1 bn t he had been teenrn mended for lh V. r. Girmer refused the V. from the government : fa id he bad no) rn rued it: would not give ihe renronp, but persisted per-sisted In bis rcfusnl, Thev can't for-e yo'i m Jake a A". "l-'l ve months la ter Cin;;.r n nd fVt 1 V .vere married. She cut his me;,t for him now; sa nil lib; fnultn we'-e contained con-tained in his left arm. He loi-t thai. So, you see. Ginger was somewliRt of a man! after all. wa sn't he, mates'.'' We agreed that be was. 1 asl'ed Hrppv how lie en nie to know t heso details. Je, a (lowered : "Well, Tank, Pled y happen to bo my !-1er. Gimme a fag. someone. T ;tn a bout tu i ked out , and, ;j ry wn v, wr.'vo only got a few in i nu it s before 'pt a nd to!' " So It war a ratie of turn od and mount our gun on the parapet, it whn junt getting get-ting dark. Wo would dh-unonnt at "Stan'? down" in the morning. Tomrnv if like an owl, Pleepw hi t be d;i v a nd wntchf-s at night. It was a mlferahl"i nicrht . rainy and chilly. The mud in the l r e n h e p In some p)a m was up to our krif e. We knew we were )n for it and wished we were back in Blibty, where on- can at k-Kft. chancre Ids clothes when : h'-v tret wet, instead of wailing for a unny clay o dry them. At t hne wr h.-'Vf. bee,, we I for n fortnight, j , |
