Over The Top

On the wall was a big war map decorated with variously colored little flags showing the position of the opposing

NK! AMERICAN

. Through the open windows came the strains of a hurdy-gurdy p

-- I DIDN'T RAISE MY BOY TO BE A SOLD

sk and took from it an American flag which he solemnly draped over

he muster roll of the Mounted Scouts, as I think

out emergency telegrams for the men to report when th

ldings of New York seemed to be burning brighter than usual, as if they, too, had read "Lusitania Sunk! American Live

sgust removed the flag from the war map and returned to his desk. I immediately followed this action by throwing the telegram

proposition, I seemed to be swayed by a peculiarly strong force within me, and answered, "I am sorry that I cannot accept your offer, but I am leaving for England next week," and hung up the receiv

extra" seemed to keep me warm. That night there was a Zeppelin raid, but I didn't see much of it, because the slit in the curtains was too small and I had no desire to make it larger. Next morning the telephone bell rang, and someone asked, "Are you there?" I was, hardly. Anywa

t me to the pl

me, "What

red, "Why, the damag

ink, he

damage, we mis

me most was a life-size picture of Lord Kitchener with his anger pointing directly at me, under the caption of "Your King and Country Need You." No matter which way I turned, the accusing finger followed me. I was an American, in mufti, and had a little A

ommy Atkins. I decided to interview him in regard to joining the British Army. I

d, "Well, whatever that is,

ritish Army. He asked me: "Did you ever hear of the Royal Fusiliers?" Well, in London you know. Y

mediately pulled out my American passport and showed it to him. It was signed by Lansing, -- Bryan had lost his job a little while previously. After looking at the passport, he informed me that he was sorry but could not

and said: "Say, I can get you in the Army. We have a 'Leftenant' down at the other office who can do anything. He has just come out of the O. T. C. (Officers' Training Corps) and does not kn

that I am an American, not too proud

anner, and answered, "That's all

d and replied, "So I notice

, and placing his finger on a

"Not on yo

your

reading it. I read it over and signed for duration of war. So

birthplace. I answ

es, just outsi

ied, "Well, it's up

form. When I reported back to the Lieutenant, he suggested that, being an American, I

hamed of yourself, a Britisher, physically fit, and in mufti when your King and Country need you? Don't you know that your country is at war and that the place for every young Briton is on

many recruits, Empey, so go

, with three little streamers hanging down. This was the recru

iotic rosette I went out into Tottenha

physically fit, I said to myself, "They don't want to Join the army; perhaps

sed girl walking beside him. I muttered, "You are my meat," and when he came abreast

mufti when men are needed in the trenches? Here I am, an American, came four thousand miles from Ogden, Utah, just outside of New York, to fig

y thousand miles, no one asked you to," and he walked

ree weeks and near

rmaid, who helped kill time -- I was not as serious in those days as I was a little later when I reached the front) -- well, it was the sixth day and my recruiting report was blank. I was getting low in the pocket -- barmaids haven't much use for anyone who cannot buy dr

n, showed me his left hand, two fingers were missing, but I said that did not matter as "we take anything over here." The left hand is the rifle hand

ical examinations. My recruit was passed as "fit" by the doctor and turned over to a Corporal to make note of his scars. I was mystified. Suddenly the Corporal bur

ed, "What do you mean by bringi

o had recruited me had Joined the group, and I could not help ans

Yankee impudence," anyho