Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 235, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 October 1918 — BLOWN IN BY DRAFT [ARTICLE]

BLOWN IN BY DRAFT

By JACK LAWTON.

(Copyright, 1818, Western Newspaper Union.} 7 Private Vance Donnette was a Southern lad by birth. As are many of our gallant young lads he was called into the service by the draft. He entered a Southern encampment in the latter part of March and in early May, with many others, was transferred to a camp farther North. It was the 12|h of May that Vance was assigned the duty of a switchboard operator at the camp. His hours at the switchboard, wdre 6 a. m. to 12 m., and 5 p. m. .to 1 a. m. One bright Tuesday morning, while on his duty at the switchboard, wondering how to spend the four-hour relief that afternoon, he at last decided to take a stroll through the village of Riverside. The village church, the store and the central office were the Important buildings. One o’clock that Tuesday found Vance strolling the streets of a strange town. Several of the village lads were in the service, so a lad in khaki was not an uncommon occurrence. “I don’t see many lassies in this vicinity. I guess they are few and far between,” said Vance. Arriving at the store he entered and bought a cigar, then gayly passed on his way. He had not gone far when he approachedx the central z office. Glancing into the open windows, and slacking his pace as he did so, he saw the little operator, at hdr post. “Number, please.” “Line busy!” “Did you get him?” “Riverside,” he" heard the, sweet little voice saying. “Who is the proud owner of that sweet voice?” “How beautiful she was with that dark hair. Wish that I might meet her,” said Vance. As he continued Jiis stroll the operator was .still in his mind. He walked on nearly a began his journey homeward. Taking a slip of paper from his pocket he wrote: “Vance Donnette, operator at local camp. Ring up.” On'his return by the central office he walked more slowly than before. Just at the entrance to the office he let the slip of paper drop out of his hand. “Hope that she is lucky enough to find It,” said he. At five o’clock Erqita Dell, the' Riverside operator, was preparing to leave the office. Just as she opened the door to depart a slip of paper was “blown in by the drftft” (draught) and dropped at her feet. Picking it up she placed it in her ticket book and started on her way home. • ~ Wednesday morning as Emita was recording her tickets she found the paper which she picked up the previous night. Unfolding it she read: "Vance Donnette. Operator at local camp. Ring up.” “Where did it eome from? Who is Vance Donnette? Guess I’ll ring him up shortly.” At eleven o'clock Emita rang up the local camp. “Is this Vance Donnette?” “Yes,” was the reply. “This is Emita Dell, the Riverside operator. I found your paper in the office. It was ‘blown in by the draft’ (draught), so I rang you up.” “piown in by the draft (draught), and you found it. I, too, was ‘blown .in by the draft.’ Thank heaven that you found it.” On Emita’s inquiry In regard to the ■prigin of the paper Vance related the tale of his stroll through Riverside. During their conversation Emita invited him to call at the office on the day of his next relief. . The next Tuesday afternoon Vance went to the Central office. As he neared the office, Instead of slackening, he hastened his pace he was so anxious to meet Emita. Entering the office, Emita greeted him with a handshake. as though they had known each other for years. That afternoon as he sat there talking to her, the only thought in his mind was: “She is the most beautiful of all gi/ls.” He was obliged to leave the office at threte o’clock, that he might not belate in reporting at the camp. • As usual at five o’clock, Vance "was going on duty and Emita was coming off. “She’s a wonder I” Dark hair, steel gray eyes, cheeks as pink as roses,-and just about as tall as L Of all the beauties, she is it!” said he. “He certainly is a nice looking youth. So gentleman]# in his ways. And so refined in his language,” she was saying. The friendship between Emita and Vance grew more intimate as the days passed by. Each visit helped to make tfleir friendship more sincere, until finally Dan Cupid accompanied Vance on his visits. Apparently Dan Cupid knows how to do “his bit,” exceptionally well. One Tuesday aftertfbon instead of Vance taking his trip to Emita’s, she went to the city with him. The next morning when Emita came to work she wore a sparkling ring on* her finger. Consequently Dan Cupid had not failed to “do his bit.” Early in October Vance expected to go “over there.” One morning he called Emita on the phone. “Say,’lassie, I leave tomorrow for a ten-day furlough before going ‘over there? Fm going home to see mother. Are you ready to go as my bride?” “Yes, I’ll be ready,” came the reply. The next morning Vance and Emita left to finish the work commenced by Dan Cupid. A happy couple were Private and Mrs. Vance Donnette, as they took the train for the South. AS the train passed out of the station Vance whispered to Emita: “Aren’t you glad that it was ‘blown in by the draft?’ (draught).”