Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 149, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 June 1919 — WHAT A SOLDIER THINKS OF ON NEARING U. S. HARBOR. [ARTICLE]

WHAT A SOLDIER THINKS OF ON NEARING U. S. HARBOR.

People everywhere read some time ago of the first outburst of enthusiasm of i elurn ing YaTiksrasTitey" were greeted in New York harbor by the “welcome” tugs as they steamed closely around the big transport laden with the victorious troops and the cry of “When do we eat?” left many doubts in the minds of the welcoming committee as to whether such an outburst really expressed what was innermost in the minds of Uncle Sam’s gallant warriors. It remained so until the Cunard liner Pannonia arrived in front of the much looked for statue of liberty on June sixth. The two giant welcome tugs greeted the arrival of the steamship from Marseilles. From one of the tugs floated a banner covering the entire starboard side, bearing the inscription, “Welcome home Col. Sidney Grant.” Colonel Grant had been decorated with the French Legion of Honor just before his departure for the states and the people of Rochester, N. Y., which is his home town, turned out in force to offer their kindest welcome. Directly beneath the banner was a small placard tacked to a broom stick and waved frantically by a pretty Yank maiden bearing the words, “Welcome home Corporal Hatton.” After exchanging the usual salute the tug bore in close to the side of the transport and oranges, candy and newspapers . were being thrown aboard the transport by the huge crowd draping the railings of the tug. A horny fisted gob stood close to the forward railing as the tug veered out dangerously close at times to the transport’s side and a lanky doughboy, taking advantage of the lull in the cheers and excitement of the greeting, leaned far oyer the side of the rail and yelled with all his lung power to the bluejacket: “Say, who in hell is ahead in the American league?” a •