The Hollis Post-Herald. (Hollis, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 17, 1919 Page: 3 of 8
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THE HOLLIS POST-HERALD
Jim—A Soldier of
the King
Sergeant Arthur Guy
Empey
Author of "Over the Top,"
"First Call," Etc
m
o-o-o
&
Mr. Empey's Experi-
ences During His Seven-
teen Months in the First
Line Trenches of the
British Army iii France
(Copyright, 1917, b^ThoMcO «*• MwiKpM
—11—
We were machine gunners of the
British army stationed "Somewhere in
Trance," and had Just arrived at our
rest billets, after a weary march from
the front-line sector.
The stable we had to sleep In was
an old, ramshackle affair, absolutely
overrun with rats, big, black fellows,
who used to chew up our leather equip-
ment; eat our rations, and run over
our bodies at night. German gas had
no effect on these rodents; in fact,
they seemed to thrive on it. The floor
space would comfortably accommodate
about twenty men lying down, but
when thirty-three, including equip-
ment, were crowded into it, it was
nearly unbearable.
The roof and walls were full of shell
, holes. When it rained a constant drip,
drip, drip was in order. We were so
crowded that if a fellow was unlucky
enough (and nearly all of us in this
Instance were unlucky) to sleep under
a hole, he had to grin and bear it.
It was like sleeping beneath a shower
bath.
At one end of the billet, with a lad-
der leading up to it, was a sort of
grain bin, with a door In It This
place w^s the headquarters of our
guests, the rats. Many a stormy cab-
inet meeting was held there by them.
Many a boot was thrown at it during
the night to let them know that Tom-
my Atkins objected to the matter un-
der discussion. Sometimes one of
these missiles would ricochet, and land
on the upturned countenance of a
snoring Tommy, and for about half
an hour even the rats would pause in
admiration of his flow of language.
On the night in question we flopped
down in our wet clothes, and were
aoon asleep. As was usual, No. 2 gun's
crew were together.
The last time we had rested In this
particular Tillage, It was Inhabited by
civilians, but now it was deserted. An
order had been issued, two days pre-
vious to our arrival, that all civilians
should move farther back of the line.
I had been asleep about two hours
when I was awakened by Sailor Bill
shaking me by the shoulder. He was
trembling like a leaf, and whispered
to me:
"Wake up, Yank, this ship's haunt-
ed. There's someone aloft who's beeD
moaning for the last hour. Sounds
like the wind in the rigging. I ain't
scared of humans or Germans, but
when it comes to messln' in with spir-
its it's time for me to go below. Lend
your ear and cast your deadlights on
that grain locker, and listen."
I listened sleepily for a minute or
so, but could hear nothing. Coming
to the conclusion that Sailor Bill was
dreaming things I was again soon
asleep.
Perhaps fifteen minutes had elapsed
when I was rudely awakened.
"Yank, for God's sake, come aboard
and listen!" I listened, and sure
enough, right out of that grain bin
overhead came a moaning and whim-
pering, and then a scratching against
the floor. My hair stood dh end.
Blended with the drip, drip of the
rain, and the occasional scurrying of
• rat overhead, that noise had a su-
pernatural sound. I was really fright-
ened ; perhaps my nerves were a trifle
unstrung from our recent tour in the
trenches.
I awakened Ikey Honney, while Sail-
or Bill roused Happy Houghton and
Hungry Foxcroft
Hungry's first words were, "What's
the matter, breakfast ready?"
In as few words as possible we told
them what had happened. By the
light of a candle I had lighted their
faces appeared as white as chalk. Just
then the whimpering started again, and
we were frozen with terror. The ten-
sion was relieved by Ikey's voice:
"I admit I'm afraid of ghosts, but
that sounds like a dog to me. Who's
going up the ladder to investigate?"
No one volunteered.
I had an old deck of cards in my
pocket. Taking them out, I suggested
cutting, the low man to go up the lad-
der. They agreed. I was the last to
cut. I got the ace of clubs. Sailor
Bill was stuck with the five of dia-
monds. Upon this, be insisted that It
should be the best two out of three
ruts, but we overruled him, and he was
unanimously elected for the job.
With a "So long, mates, I'm going
aloft," he started toward the ladder,
with the candle in his hand, stumbling
aver the sleeping forms of many. Sun-
dry grunts, moans, and curses follow-
ed in his wake.
As soon as he started to ascend the
ladder, a "tap-tap-tap" could be heard
from the grain bin. We wrlted 1a fear
and trembling the result of his mis-
sion. Hungry was encouraging him
with "Cheero. mate, the worst is yet
to come." |
After many pause* Bill reached the
top of the ladder and opened the door.
We listened with bated breath. Then
he shouted:
"Blast my deadlights, If It ain't a
poor dog! Come alongside mate,
you're on a lee shore, and in a sorry
plight"
Oh, what a relief those words were
to us 1
With the candle in one hand and a
dark object under his arm, Bill re-
turned and deposited In our midst the
sorriest-looking specimen of a cur dog
you ever 6et eyes on. It was so weak
It couldn't stand. But that look In Its
eyes—Just gratitude, plain grntitude.
Its stump of a tail was pounding
against my mess tin, and sounded just
like a message in the Morse code. Hap-
py swore that It was sending S. O. S.
We were like a lot of school chil-
dren, every one wanting to help and
making suggestions at the same time.
Hungry suggested giving it something
to eat, while Ikey wanted to play on
his infernal Jew's-harp, claiming It was
a musical dog. Hungry's suggestion
met our approval, and there was a
general scramble for haversacks. All
we could muster was some hard bread
and a big piece of cheese.
His nibs wouldn't eat bread, and also
refused the cheese, but not before snif-
fing at It for a couple of minutes. I
was going to throw the cheese away,
but Hungry said he would take It I
gave it to him.
We were In a quandary. It was evi-
dent that the dog was starving and in
a very weak condition. Its coat was
lacerated all over, probably from the
bites of rats. That stump of a tall
kept sending S. O. S. against my mess
tin. Every tap went straight to our
hearts. We would get something to
eat for that mutt if we were shot for
it
Sailor Bill volunteered to burglar-
ize the quartermaster's stores for a
can of unsweetened condensed milk,
and left on his perilous venture. He
was gone about twenty minutes. Dur-
ing his absence, with the help of a
bandage and a capsule of iodine, we
cleaned the wounds made by the rats.
I have bandaged many a wounded
Tommy, but never received the amount
of thanks that that dog gave with its
eyes.
Then the billet door opened and Sail-
or Bill appeared. He looked like the
wreck of the Hesperus, uniform torn,
covered with dirt and flour, and a
beautiful black eye, but he was smil-
ing, and in his hand he carried the
precious can of milk. We asked no
questions, but opened the can. Just as
we were going to pour it out Happy
butted in and said it should be mixed
with water; he ought to know, because
his sister back in Blighty had a baby,
and she always mixed water with its
milk. We co\ild not dispute this evi-
dence, so water was demanded. We
would not use the water In our water
bottles, as it was not fresh enough
for our new mate. Happy volunteered
to get some from the well, that Is, if
we would promise not to feed his royal
highness until he returned. We prom-
ised, because Happy had proved that
he was an authority on the feeding of
babies. By this time the rest of the
section were awake and were crowd-
ing around u£ asking numerous ques-
tions and admiring our newly found
friend. Sailor Bill took this opportun-
ity to tell of his adventures while in
quest of the milk.
"I had a fair wind, and the passage
was good until I came alongside the
quartermaster's shack, then the sea
got rough. When I got aboard I could
hear the wind blowing through the
rigging of the supercargo (quartermas-
ter sergeant snoring), so I was safe.
I set my course due north to the ra-
tion hold, and got my grappling irons
on a cask of milk, and came about on
my homeward-bound passage, but
something was amiss with my wheel,
because I ran nose on into him, caught
him on the rail, amidships. Then it
was repel boarders, and it started to
blow big guns. His Irst shot put out
my starboard light, and I keeled over.
I was In the trough of the sea, but
soon righted, and then it was a stern
chase, with me in the lead. Getting in-
to the open sea, I made a port tack
and hove to in this cove with the
milk safely in tow."
Most of us didn't know what he was
talking about, but surmised that he
had got into a mixup with the quarter-
master sergeant. This surmise proved
correct.
Just as Bill finished his narration a
loud splash was heard, and Happy's
voice came to us. It sounded very far
off:
"Help, I'm in the well! Hurry up,
I can't swim! Then a few unintelli-
gible words Intermixed with blub!
blub! and no more.
We ran to the well and away
down we could hear an awful splash-
ing. Sailor Bill yelled down "Look
out below; stand from under: bucket
coming!" With that he loosed the
windlass. In a few seconds a splut-
tering voice from the depths yelled to
us, "Haul away!"
It was hard work hauling him up.
We had raised him about ten feet from
the water, when the handle of the
windlass got loose from our grip, and
down went the bucket and Hnppy. A
loud splash came to us, and, grabbing
the handle again, we worked like
Trojans. A volley of curses came
from that well which would have
shocked Old Nick himself.
When we got Happy safely out he
was a sight worth seeing. He did not
even notice us. Never said a word.
Just filled his water bottle from the
water In the bucket and went back
to the billet We followed, my mess
tin was still sending S. O. S.
Happy, though dripping wet silent-
ly fixed up the milk for the dog. Id [
appetite the canine was a close sec-
ond to Hungry Foxcroft After Jap
ping all he could hold, our mascoi
closed his eyes and his tall ceased
wagging. Sailor Bill took a dry flan-
nel shirt from his pack, wrapped the
dog in it and Informed us:
"Me and my mate are going below,
so the rest of you lubbers batten down
and turn in."
We all wanted the honor of sleeping
with the dog, but did not dispute Sail-
or Bill's right to thfc privilege. By
this time the bunch were pretty sleepy
and tired, and turned In without much
couxing, as !t was pretty near day-
break.
Next day we figured out that per-
haps one of the French kiddies had
put the dog In the grain bin, and, in
the excitement of packing up and leav-
ing, had forgotten he was there.
Sailor BUI was given the right to
christen our new mate. He called him
Jim. In a couple of days Jim came
around all right, and got very frisky.
Every man in the section loved that
dog.
Sailor BUI was court-martialed foi
his mixup with the quartermaster-ser-
geant and got seven days field pun-
ishment No. 1. This meant that two
hours each day for a week he would
be tied to the wheel of a limber. Dur
ing these two-hour periods Jim would
be at Bill's feet, and, no matter how
much we coaxed him with choice mor-
sels of food, he would not leave until
Bill was untied. When Bill was loos*
Jim would have nothing to do with hire
—just walked away in contempt. Jim
respected the king's regulations, and
had no use for defaulters.
At a special meeting held by the
section Jim had the oath of allegiance
read to him. He barked his consent,
so we solemnly swore him in as a
soldier of the Imperial British army,
fighting for king and country. Jim
made a better soldier than any one
of us, and died for his king and coun-
try. Died without a whimper of com-
plaint.
From the village we made several
trips to the trenches; each time Jim
accompanied us. The first time under
fire he put the stump of his tail be-
tween his legs, but stuck to his post
When "carrying in" if we neglected to
give Jim something to carry, he would
make such a noise barking that we
soon fixed him up.
Each day Jim would pick out a dif-
ferent man of the section to follow.
He would sticky to this man. eating and
sleeping with him, until the next day,
and then It would be some one else's
turn. When a man had Jim with him,
it seemed as if his life were charmed.
No matter what he went through, he
would come out safely. We looked up-
on Jim as a good-luck sign, and be
lieve me, he was.
Whenever it came Ikey Honney'i
turn for Jim's company, he was over
joyed, because Jim would sit in digni-
fied silence, listening to the jew's-harp.
Honney claimed that Jim had a soul
for music, which was more than he
would say about the rest of us.
Once, at daybreak, we had to go
over the top in an attack. A man in
the section named Dalton was select-
ed by Jim as his mate In this affair.
The crew of gun No. 2 were to stay
in the trench for overhead fire pur
poses, and, if necessary, to help re-
pel a probable counter-attack by the
enemy. Dalton was very merry, and
hadn't the least fear or misgivings as
to his safety, because Jim would bt
with him through it all.
In the attack, Dalton, closely follow*
ed by Jim, had got about sixty yards
into No Man's land, when Jim was hit
in the stomach by a bullet Poor old
Jim toppled over, and lay still.. Dalton
turned around, and, just as he did so,
we saw him throw up bis bands and
fall face forward.
Ikey Honney, who was No. 3 on our
gun, seeing Jim fall, scrambled over
the parapet, and, through that rain of
shells and bullets, raced to where Jim
was, picked him up, and tucking him
under his arm, returned to our trench
in safety. If he had gone to rescue a
wounded man in this way he would
have no doubt been awarded the Vic-
toria Cross. But he only brought in
poor bleeding, dying Jim.
Ikey laid him on the firestep along-
side of our gun, but we could not at-
tend to him, because we had important
work to do. So he died like a soldier,
without a look of reproach for our
heartless treatment. Just watched our
every movement until bis lights burn-
ed out. After the attack, what was left
of our section gathered around Jim's
bloodstained body. There wasn't a dry
eye in the crowd.
Next day we wrapped him In a small
Union Jack belonging to Happy, and
laid him to rest, a Soldier of the King.
Wevput a little wooden cross over
his grave which read:
PRIVATE JIM,
MACHINE-GUN COMPANY;
KILLED IN ACTION
APRIL 10,1916.
A DOG WITH A MAN'S HEART.
Although the section has lost lots
of men, Jim is never forgotten.
Remove Mildew.
Take any common soap, size accord-
ing to area of material that Is affected.
Cut soap in small pieces, add a little
water to it and put on top of stove un-
til dissolved. When about the consist-
ency of cream take from the fire. Stir
in common salt and cover the mildewed
fabric with the mixture. If one appli-
cation does not suffice, two will be sure
to do the work. After applying the
mixture, expose to the sun for
hour* and then wash off.
SWAMP-ROOT FOR
KIDNEY AILMENTS
There ii only one medicine that really
It and* out pre-eminent n a medicine for
curable ailments of the kidney*, liver and
bladder.
Dr. Kilmer's Swamp-Root stand* the
highest for the reason that it ha* proven
to be ju*t the remedy needed in thousands
upon thouianda of diatreising ca*e*.
Swamp-Root make* friend* quickly be-
cause it* mild and immediate effect i* *oon
realized in most cases. It is a gentle,
healing vegetable compound.
Start treatment at once. Sold at all
drug store* in bottles of two size*, medi-
um and large.
However, if you wi*h to te«t thi* great
preparation send ten cent* to Dr. Kilmer
k Co., Binghamton, N. Y., for a sample
bottle. When writing be sure and men-
tion this paper.—Adv.
Strenuously Objects Then.
"Does your wife object to your play-
ing cards for money?"
"Only when I lose."
Just say to your grocer Red Cross
Ball Blue when buying bluing. You
will be more than repaid by the re-
sults. Once tried always used. 5c.
The son of his father is often a
poker chip off the old block.
Tonight! Take Dodson's Liver Tone!
Better Than Calomel For Liver
Calomel sickens! If bilious, constipated and head-
achy read my guarantee.
Listen to me! Take no more sicken-
ing, salivating calomel when billoun or
constipated. Don't lo8e a day's work I
Calomel is mercury or quicksilver,
which cnuses necrosis of the bones.
Calomel, when it comes Into contact
with sour bile, crashes Into it, break-
ing it up. This is when you feel that
awful nausea and cramping. If you
are sluggish and "all knocked out," if
your liver Is torpid and bowels consti-
pated or you have headache, dizziness,
coated tongue, if breath Is bad or
stomach sour, just take a spoonful of
harmless Dodsbn's Liver Tone.
Here's my guarantee—Go to any
drug store and get a bottle of Dodson's
Liver Tone for a few cents. Take a
spoonful tonight, and If it doesn't
straighten you right up and i
feel fine and vigorous by moralac, I
want you to go back to the store aat
get your money. Dodson's Liver 1
Is destroying the sale of caloa
cause It is real liver medicine; <
ly vegetable, therefore It can not taft-
vate or make you sick.
I guarantee that one spoonful sf
Dodson's Liver Tone will put |W
sluggish liver to work and clean year
bowels of that sour bile and eaastfr
pated waste which Is clogging ymm
system and making you feel miserable
I guarantee that a bottle of Dodnals
Liver Tone will keep your entire fjn
ily feeling fine for months. Give It to
your children. It 1b harmle
gripe and they like Its Dleasant I
—Adv.
Middle Aged
Womeiv,
Are Here Told the Best Remedy
for Their Troubles.
Freemont. 0—"I was passing through th« critical
Kiod of lira, being forty-aix years of age and had all
symptoms incident to that change — heat flaahea,
nervousness, and waa in a general run down oondition,
so it was hard for me to do my work. Lydla E. Pink-
ham's Vegetable Compound waa recommended to me as
the best remedy for my troubles,which it surely proved
to be. I feel better and stronger in every way since
taking it, and the annoying aymptoms nave disap-
peared."—Mrs. M. Ooddxh, 925 Napoleon St, Fremont,
Ohio.
IYDIA E. PINKHAM'S
VEGETABLE COMPOUND
has the greatest record for the greatest good!
IYDIA LPtNKHAM MtDICINC CO. LYNN
A False Charge.
"Prisoner, have you any collateral
about you?" "No, sir. Never touched
the damned thing."
I In * Healthy Child
troubled with worm hire aa «■-
... which Indicates poor blood aid as a
A*_S2NJM I'M Jtonjach dlitnrbance.
ehlfdrMM
l color, w
^WT&sragB«B9.S3&
for two or three weeks will enrich tbe blood. In-
sskmiw *ss ssnts
The less honor a man has the more
sensitive he is on the subject.
The price of liberty often depends A girl often discovers that the man
opon the judge. after her own heart doesn't want it
Au Revoir.
The private soldier maintains his
traditional good humor even during
the troubles of demobilization. At
King's Cross station, London, the
other night a traveler heard a pack-
laden warrior cheerily call out to his
chum, "Well, so long Bill. See you
at the next war!"
Criticism.
"Does your wife sing?"
"Er—that's a matter of opinion."—
Boston Transcript.
Canine Waggery.
Editor (as poet goes)—That Mm
hounds me to death.
Assistant—With his doggerel, eht
Important to Mother*
Examine carefully every bottle 0t
iona old rases*
CASTORIA, that famooa
for Infants and children, and see
Bears the
Signature of!
In Use for Over 80 Ti
Children Cry for Fletcher'*
The Class.
Nell—The man I marry ma
hero. Belle—The man who
you will be a martyr.
Dally Thought
Great men stand like solitary towers
In the city of God.—Longfellow.
How Much is 1
Suppose that for one cent you could in-
sure the quality of your cake, biscuits,
etc, wouldn't that be real economy? ,«•;
Well, one cent is about the difference in
the cost of a whole cake or a pan of bis-
cuits made with Dr. Price's Cream Bak-
ing Powder as compared with cheaper
baking powders made from alum or
phosphate — a trifle, indeed, to insure
the quality and wholesomeness of your
baking.
Dr. PRICE'S
CREAM
BAKING POWDER
"V
Made from Cream of Tartar derived from Grapes
Contains No Alum—Leaves No Bitter Taste
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The Hollis Post-Herald. (Hollis, Okla.), Vol. 16, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 17, 1919, newspaper, April 17, 1919; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc268192/m1/3/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.