yelets. The cartridge belt has ten pockets; I found a clip of
blanks in mine, and am keeping it to celebrate with. The proper way to
draw your bayonet is not to cut your ear off. They tell me it's been
done. The outfitter lied to me. He sold me a tight blouse because we wore
our sweaters over them, and here it's against the rule and my sweater
will never go under the blouse and I'll freeze to death. Never believe
anybody that says he knows.

When the horn blows pay no attention. It's the top sergeant's whistle
you've got to jump for. If you want to know what to wear don't ask him;
the lieutenant will change the order and the captain will change it
again. Ask the major, unless the general happens by. Always salute unless
you happen to be smoking; if you have a pipe in your mouth, don't see
him. Fall River!

SAM.

PRIVATE RICHARD GODWIN TO HIS MOTHER

Sunday evening, Sep. 10th, 1916.

DEAR MOTHER:---

I had no sooner closed this morning's addenda than I had to prepare for
the bugaboo of tent inspection. A good bugaboo, of course, as at home it
always pays to have visitors, we redd up the house so carefully. Our job
this morning was not only to have the tent perfectly neat, but also to
have our kits laid out on our beds according to regulations. One blanket
was spread over the cot, the others were folded at the head, and on them
the sweater and pillow. At the foot were folded the poncho and shelter
half; then all the equipment was spread out. Under the head of the bed
was the blue barrack-bag and the suit-case; under the foot the shoes.
Then we stood in line in front of the tent, and watched while the
lieutenant, coming from tent to tent, left each squad in a state of
despair behind him. To cheer us, someone at the sergeants' tent started a
victrola, but a snap from the lieutenant ended that diversion. Result of
it all: we were told to inspect a certain bed in Tent One, fold our
blankets and ponchos _right_, and lay out our equipment according to a
sacredly prescribed order. A meek procession filed in and out of the tent
for the next half hour.

It appears that blankets must be folded in a certain manner and laid in a
certain way, so that the inspector can see at a glance whether the proper
number of them is present--that none are in hock, I suppose. The manner
of folding ingeniously insures that on ma