Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 April 1950 — Page 19

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SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 950

Francis —

| Meet Francis

Ts ‘night was black. The Burma hills were regiol But there is no excuse for a second lieutenant’s losing

his platoon.

I reached out for the man-in front of me. My hand

There was no answer.

“2 closed around the trunk of a small tree. I whispered the name of my platoon sergeant. »

I crawled upward and to the right, pulling myself over boulders. I whispered again, then tried sliding down

5} 15 the last,

-When I realized I-was-alone, behind: the enemy lines; 1 was worried. Who wouldn't be? : I started to think what the CO would say when I told him I'd lost my platoon.

Then I Wag downright scared.

1 CREPT under the low branches of 2 Bahvas tree and tried to compose myself. I was exhausted. I suppose

I must have fallen asleep. Our dawn barrage waked .me. Shell bursts mingled swith patches of mist rising “from the mountainside. The nearest explosions were « A thousand yards below where the mountain slope leveled off into the valley. I knew I must cross that area to reach our lines. . = I noticed that the explosions were closer. I was determined not to allow our own shells to

. drive me up the mountain any

further. I rubbed my eyes, smoothed my hair, adjusted my helmet, and started toward. our lines. The shellfire was advancing up the mountainside yards at a burst. It was only a matter of minutes pefore I reached the

wield or fire)

Td half- risen. to make Aa.run

for it when I heard the whine of a shell. With the instinct one-learns quickly in battle, I dove, rolled over three times, and came to a stop sitting up. - » ” I WAS at the bottom of a slight ravine surrounded by low banyan trees. I looked around. Standing a few feet from me was a runt of an Army mule, ‘as sad a creature as ever hauled # load away. His head hung low and-his back hung lower, I scanned the ravine. Except for the mule, it was empty. I began feeling myself all over to discover if I was injured. When I came to my posterior I winced. Nothing serious, but tender. “Isn't this one hell of a mess?” I must have spoken aloud.

“You said a mouthful,” said a

voice. I leaped to my feet, Frantically I searched the ravine, following my gaze with the muzzle of my carbine.

- » ~ “I SUGGEST you pull your head down,” said the voice, “or you'll get it blown off.” “Who said that?” I demanded. “I did" The voice -was- close. “Where are you?” I swung completely around. “Right in front of you.” I could see nothing except the

mule. “I can’t’ see you" I said. *Come out or I'll shoot.” “1 am out,” said the voice.

“And you better put up that gun before you pure somebody.” n

THE MU LE iy looking at “me with mournful brown eyes. Its lips were moving.

“Who's speaking?’ I demanded + “I am, “Who is 1?” “Me . . . The mule.” “Don’t be Haiciions, "1 said. |

d.-lieu-

tenant that’s s almost ironic,” said the voice. I gripped my carbine more tightly and advanced a step. 1 kept my eyes on the animal. “Are you wired for sound?” I asked.

The mule cocked his head and .

rolled his eyes. “No. Are you?” “I don’t believe it,” I said. “I flatly refuse to believe it.” e “Believe what?” “That a mule can talk,” I said.

“I'M N NOT particularly inter- |

ested in whether you believe it or not,” said the mule. “Probably we'll both have our blocks knocked off before we get back. Bo. what's the. difference’

“But . , . but it's fantastic! stammered. “After all, you can talk,” said the animal. “I never heard anything like t, » 1 said.

The mule indignantly’ pawed . the earth with one hoof. “Undoubtedly there are a number of things about which you have never heard. That's why you're a junior officer.” I was annoyed. “Who are you?” I demanded. “Just an Army mule. . . . But my name happens to be Franeis.” “Francig?” I said. “That's right.” #And you can talk?” “I wish you wouldn't keep bringing it up,” said the mule. “You know, I have some feelmgs.” . =»

-. THE SHELLFIRE was growing more intense. There were bursts on all sides of the ravine. The sharp, piercing shriek of the projectiles mingled with the thumping broomph of the explosions.

Hay 1 tif ‘

_ear forward.

| osity toward them on Easter

A shell landed nearby. In- | stinctively I c 3 . “Getting - close,” “said the mule,

- id } Much too close.” I brushed | olis from Munster;

number on it, you're done for, In the meantime, no use worrying. Anyway, I've been hit once in this engagement. On the law of averages 1 shouldn't get it again.” “You're wolnded?™ 1 asked. Tt still seemed fantastic to be talking to a mule. But there wasn't anything else to do about it. “Just a scratch.” The animal shook his head. “I shouldn't have mentioned it.” i s = =» THE TEMPO of .the shell bursts was increasing. The earth was trembling, and wisps of smoke drifted into the ravine. “We are facing an extremely

serious. sitpation.”’. I..said. "We... must decide. upon a Course of

action? oo The mule Rsoped his right “Brilliant, ' lieutenant! Smack, dab, on the button, brilliant. Sounds just like Army Field Manual twen-ty-two-dash-something or other. I presume you have studied a great many field manuals, lieutenant?” I drew myself up. There was no excuse for rudeness. After all, I'was a commissioned officer in the Army of the United States. “I have,” 1 said. “How ducky.” said the mule. a what do you propose to 0?" > I felt my face begin to flush. A shell landed close. I fell to my knees, stumbled up again. Immediate action must be taken. As an officer, the responsibility was mine. » ~ ~ T LOOKED at the mule; “Francis,” I said, “you ¢an talk.” “Thank you,” said the mule. “If you can talk,” I continued, “perhaps you have some other unusual qualifications?” “What do you mean?” asked Francis. “I mean, do you do anything else that's different for a - mule?” - “Well,” said ‘Francis, fly.” “Fly! You mean. like a bird?" “Well, not exactly like a bird, lieutenant. After all, I am a mule.” “Are you trying to tell me you can take off and sail through the air?” “Most certainly not,” said the mule, “I don’t sail. I fly.” “Do you mean to say” I asked, “that you could just take off now, rise up in the air, and fly back to our lines?”

» Ed - “I COULD,” said the mule. “But I wouldn't.”

“I can

’

Students Describe Foreign Customs

THE EASTER BUNNY is highly popular with American youngsters because of his gener-

Sunday. } But in France he would receive ‘a cold welcome. French youngsters know that it is the church bells which bring them candy eggs and 10v8 on Easter Mademoiselle Francoise Paule Denis, one of several Butler University students from foreign countries, tells the story of the bells. “They are not rung in Catholic churches on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Holy Week,” says = Madamoiselle Denis, whose home is in RueilMalmaison, a suburb of Paris. “So parents tell their children the bells have gone to Rome to see the Pope, and when they come back on Sunday they will bring good things to eat and hide them in the Sapien or, in bad Weather, in fhe Bouse : . THE CUSTOMS ‘and tric tions of Easter vary, in the Christian countries bf the world. Sometimes, however, they are the same in different lands. The Easter Bunny, for instance, is quite at home in northern Germany, even to the difference in language. There he is called Osterhase, accordifig to Egon Steinkamp, another Butler stu‘dent. « “Osterhase literally means Easter Rabbit,” says Mr. Steinkamp, who came to: IndianapGermany, 30 miles from the border of

+ Holland.

some dirt from my arm. | *Thay you seem calm | enough about it.” “I'm a fatalist” said the

mule, “When a shell has your |

|

Theré. he reports, all hardboiled Easter eggs are colored

"Francis," talking mule who

sent the Army into a tailspin, is

the hero of David Stern's hilarious novel. Hollywood took over Francis, and the movie will be presented Saturday, Apr. 15, at the Indiana Theater during a efit program for Tyrone

(Tony) Diggin, Indianapolis boy oe

who is fighting leukemia. The Times, in co-operation with the Variety Club, sponsors of the show, will present excerpts from

Stern's novel in five chapters, iff

startin ing fodav.

of a hat.

“You could but you wouldn't,

what do you mean?” “Look at the size of my rear.” The mule waved his posterior delicately. “Wide as a barn door. I've reached the age when I'm beginning to spread, you know. Suppose I took off,

have you any idea what my flying speed is?” “No,” I said. “I haven't.”

“I'll tell you.” The Fight ear was wiggling. “It's less than 25 miles an hour. Now imagine me sailing around out there in the open. Why, the Japs would fill me so full of 50-caliber slugs I'd look like lattice work.” “The Japs wouldn't know what you were,” I suggested. “S80 what?” Francis said. “The Japs never know what they're shooting at.”

~ » » ANOTHER SHELL exploded close by, staggering me, “See here, I said, “we must clear out of here.” “How?” asked Francis. I thought for a moment. “Have you had much experience on mountain trails?’

“Considerable,” Francis” Tag ~fConsiderable: woe per

“Can you run orn them” " “I can..." Frances paused, a wise look coming into his large, brown eyes. “I can, but only under the most extreme provocation.” “Well, what do you eall this?" I asked. “I've been thinking the same thing,” said the mule. “Perhaps I had better make a run for it.” ” 2 = : “COULD YOU carry me?” 1 ventured. “On my back?" rose. “Yes,” I said. “Do you realize how much you would slow me up?” “After all,” I said, officer.” The mule. rolled his eyes in a circle, +A second lieutenant.” “I am a commissioned of ficer,” I repeated. “For the sake of argument,” said the mule, “we’ll admit that you're designated as an officer. Still, there's no reason for me to risk my life to try to save you. It wouldn't even be patriotic.” . “Are you implying that it wouldn't be right to save my life?” “The question,” said the mule, is not whether it would be right to save your life. The question is whether it would be right to risk mine to do it.”

Francis’ voice

“I am an

» » - “I DON'T understand,” . I said. “Logistics,” Francis pawed the ground. “Cold, unemotion-

al, military logistics.” “Explain yourself.” . “First point,” Francis flapped that ‘What did the government have to do to get you? Induction. A number pulled out Ten seconds. Poof. No fuss. No feathers. And you have a second lieutenant.”

varying hues, as they are here There the people build bonfires to celebrate the end of Lent and beginning of spring, and visit relatives and eat big dinners on Easter Sunday. = ~ ” - TO THE SOUTH, in Austria, it is -a custom to give many flowers at Eastertime as well as

right ear for emphasis. .

I felt a cold chill. “But not me,” said he mule, “I wasn’t so easy. The government had to buy me. Yes, sir. hod. hard cash on the barrel-

“Perhaps, ” “said Francis, “But consider it from another angle. Is there a shortage of second lieutenants? Certainly not. The War Department has an-

nounced they have a surplus, a .

But not mules, story © The use thou-

large surplus. that's a different government could

-sands more.”

=u ” ” I WAS searching frantically for an answer. I shook my head. “let's look at the mathematics of the thing.” Francis said. “I figure——carrying you

.on my back ‘would halve my

chances of cutting through to our lines. You follow that?” “So far” I said. “Next step,” said the mule, “I calculate I am worth exactly seven of you.” “What!” “You heard me, Neutenant. I'm worth to the Army exactly seven of you.” “And how do you arrive at that figure?” “I'll show -you,” Francis said. “Simplicity itself, Shipping space is at a premium: The Army allots as much boat space to one mule as to seven lieu: tenants.” “So what!” “So the ‘Army could have brought seven lieutenants over to Burma. But it didn't. It brought me." “That's completely lous,” 1 said.

” ” ” "SO IT comes mathematics,” garded nmhy would lessen

ridicu-

down to the mule disreexclamation. “I the chances of

_saying a mule by one-half to

save a lieutenant worth only one-seventh, A half for a seventh.” Francis shook his head. “I just couldn't do it. Not with my interest in furthering the war effort.”

candy. and eggs fo children,

-says Miss Sylvia Adelman, who

was born in Vienna. Now an Indianapolis resident

-and Butler student; Miss Adel~man also lived for:-a time in

Quito and Cuenca in Ecuador before coming to the United

States, &

2 ii Et * Nh hil Ip » ~k-gaids v

: fire. a.

I was nonplussed. I raced my mind through all the Army regulations I had learned so laboriously. None of them dealt with the relative values, handling, or discipline of mules.

Tthotight "oF “Circulars ‘Memo oranda; Directives:

No help. - Suddenly an Army maxim flashed through my mind. “Always make a personal reconnaissance.” I glanced at the lip of the ravine. “Wait here,” I said. “I'll take a look around.” - Francis mumbled something that sounded like “Pull in your

ears . .-." But I was already on my way. 2 I'd almost reached the top

when I felt something hit the back of my right leg. Pain flamed up my back. 1 pitched over and rolled to the bottom. n rd » THE MULE had cocked his head and was looking at me with an expression of thorough disgust. “Where'd it get you?” “Oh,” 1 moaned. “Oh! , . . In the leg. A piece of shrapnel. . My side feels as if it's on

“It isn’t” said the mule. “Don’t waste time telling me how much it hurts. Go to work. Put a tourniquet around your thigh.” “With what?”

“With what! With your belt. Didn’t they ever teach you any first aid? Or weren't you listening?” I unfastened my belt and drew it out. Fumbling badly, 1 worked it round my ‘leg. “Ouch,” I said, clenching my teeth,

“A little lower,” directed Francis. “Now pull it tight. Tighter. You've got to close the main artery . See, the

blood’s stopping.” I leaned back exhausted.

: o ” ~ FRANCIS snorted.

“This would have to happen. As though I weren't in enough..

trouble. Why don’t they keep second lieutenants - at. home

In the Latin American countries the end of Lent is a signal for dancing and fiesta, activities banned during the season of penitence. On Easter.Sunday the bells ring continuously and religious processions file through the streets, There, too, are flowers in pro-

i

where they won't be in the road?” . : “I didn't try to get hit,” Isaid

“By the tail of my great-aunt Regret who won the Derby!”

“I-ought-to-leave-you-here for.

Jap bait.” } “Go ahead,” 1 said. “Go ahead and save yourself. I'm done for.” “See here, lieutenant’--the

mule was wagging that right ear-—"you know perfectly well I can't leave you now. I'm an old-timer. I know the score. Esprit de corps. One for all and all for one. After a while it gets you. Like drink.” “What are you going to do?” “What is there to do?” said

-the mule with a shrug. “Hoist

you up on my back and take you to an aid station.” The mule moved over, “Lean against me and pull yourself up.” n » ” “YOU SAID a second lieutenant wasn’t worth saving.” “A whole one isn’t,” the mule: said. “Wounded, you become a matter of principle.” 1 swiveled around. Using my good leg and holding on to the

animal's side, I managed to - rise. Scrambling and clutching

I drew myself onto the mule. “Can you sling your good leg over my back?” asked Francis. “It .is over.” "Lean forward and put your urms around my neck.” I did as directed. We began to move, The ground was shaking beneath me. I closed my eves. I

was bouncing and slipping. The

earth seemed far away. “Are we flying?” 1 asked. “Don’t ask silly questions,” Francis commanded. I was growing weaker. The last thing I remember saying was, “Francis, I'll have you made a corporal for this.”

From a long way off the ani-

mal grunted; “We mules certainly go through a lot to earn a couple of stripes.” » ” ” WHEN I regained consciousness, I was in a bed. Clean

fusion, filling the ‘churches to

overflowing and with heavy scent. » y ”

IN ITALY it is tradition for the children. to receive their

candy and eggs from relatives on Easter. But the young ones

the air

+ MPLS wat SANIT

Frames’ was growing firfons™

and has " the time.

sheets were over me. My leg, swathed in bandages, throbbed. 1 was very tired. I. allowed my eyes to wander about. I was in the ward of a hospital After a few minutes a doctor came over.” Taking my pulse he looked down at me. “Well, lieu-

. tenant, so you're awake. How

are you feeling?” “I'm all right,” I said. “What nappened to me?” “Caught a piece of shrapnel in the thigh. Nothing serious. Have you out of here in no

time

I thought a minute. In_the back. of my head, like a dark cloud, something was bothering me. “How did I get here” 1 asked.’ The doctor released my wrist. “Ambulance, I suppose. You better not try to talk.” What had happened to me? It came back slowly. The patrol. The darkness. Lost. The Jap barrage moving up the mountainside. Jumping into the ravine. “My brain did a menfal back flip. The mule! Francis! » ~ ~

FRANCIS, the talking. flving

mule -- was it something I'd dreamed up in my fevered imagination? Or was there such a creature? I lay there on my hospital cot in an agony of uncertainty. The nurse came and gave me some pills. I went to sleep. During the next week I spent my days going over and over in my mind every incident -of my meeting with the mule. I tried to recall each word that had been spoken.

«+ Fhe-doctor said my leg was

coming. along beautifully. I had no pain. I was in the;midst of one of my self-examinations when a captain from Army Intelligence sat down beside my bed. He wanted to know how I had managed to make my way back from behind the Jap lines. I decided I'd better tell him the whole story. “I was carried by an Army -mule,” I said. “Remarkable thing, captain, the animal could talk.” ” » " “AH ...YES.. . A mule carried . . .” Suddenly the captain straightened with such force he almost went over backwards, “What did you say the mule could do?” - “Talk. “That’s what I thought you said,” The captain jumped up skittled around to the end of my bed, and examined my hospital records. we doesn’t indicate there's

the matter with your

rd lieutenant.” “There isn't,” I said. “But you just told me,” said the captain, “that a mule talked to you.” “He did.” “You sure of that?” “Yes, sir.” ; v r ~ HE CAPTAIN lowered his head and looked at me througn his eyebrows. Then, without another word, he walked out of the ward. Ten minutes later two doctors, a major and a captain, approached. The major sat on the foot of my bed. The captain pulled up a chair. “Well, how are you. today. young fellow?" said the major with that heartiness which is the stock in trade of psychologists.

a captain from G-2 that a a. talked to you. That right?” “Yes, sir.” “Ha, ha,” said the major, “my -their

A Talking Mule Helps Win The War... sou sr

patients like to have little jokes.” “x wasn't Joking. 8 sir.”

“YOU MEAN to Say, Heutens ant, a regular mule talked to you, I mean, the way I'm speak. ing to you now?” ii “That's right, sir.” The major closed his eyes, He shook his head at the captain.

An hour later I was moved to _

the neuropsychiatric ward. There was a nurse in charge, Her name was Valorie Humpert. She had buck teeth. And she enjoyed the conviction that the good Lord had created mental disturbances as a personal favor to her, She was extremely grater# “I hear, lieutenant,” she said the next morning, pausing beside my bed, “you know a mule who can talk.” = “That's right,” I said. Miss smile which revealed the under« side of each one of her pearly upper teeth, I .think that's cute,” she said. I groaned.

» ” » MISS HUMPERT came over and sat on the edge of my bed. “Could the animal do anything else unusual? she asked. “The mule could fly.” “Fly! Why, how wonderful, Did you see it fly, lieutenant?” “No,” 1 said. “Well, then, know?" “The mule told me.” “Of course,” said Miss Humpert: of me,

how do you

are fascinating. -Simply fascle iis

nating.’ y . © mn THEY PUT me on a milk diet. At the end of three weeks I had gained 11 pounds, felt like a pre-war butter-ball, hated cows, was dubious of my sanity, and had decided I'd better keep mum about Francis, My leg was healed. The major and the captain came to see me. Miss Humpert hovered in the background. - “How are you feeling now?" the major asked.

“Fine,” I said. “But I'd like

- to take some exercise.”

“Fine,” I said. “Just fine, sir.”

“Young man, I hear you told

Ceremony, Feasts Mark Observance

French tots, according to Marco Arturo Modaffari, Reggio, Calabria, Italy. The biggest chocolate eggs with the most delicious stuffing, Mr. Modaffari says, served for purchase by young men, who present them to

fe the young ladies of their choice on Easter Sunday.

Miss Katherine Pulos, young Butler student of Greek descent, was born in Indianapolis lived’ here most of She went Athens with her family, however, for a period of almost two years preceding World War II. There, she says, ,it is customary for relatives to visit each other on Easter Sunday and to give money as well as candy and hardboiled eggs, which are always colored dark red. ...8 8 . EACH VISITOR to the house ‘must receive an egg and cookie before he leaves. Everyone plays the egg-breaking game, tapping shell against the shell of someone else's egg to see which will break first. In the Greek Orthodox Church there are night services on Good Friday. Then on everyone goes to night service again and remains in church until midnight, when a Mass'is said. Then back to the.homes, where there is partying and feasting until dawn. -As a consequence, Miss Pulos

of |

{

“I can understand that, young man. Ypu've gained weight while you were with us.” “I've been on a milk diet,” I

said. . “And now, Heutenant” said the major with a sweeping gesture, “suppose you tell us about the mule who could fly and talk.” I was-thoroughly tired of the hospital. “I must have been shell-shocked,” I said. Miss Bampert's lower jaw fell. “No, no,” ~ said the major, “We call it ‘fatigued.” You're thinking of the last war, lieue tenant.” “I must have been ‘fatigued’,” I agreed. > That atiarnodh they released me from the hospital.

o ” ” I REPORTED back to my unit, The CO looked worried when 1-entered his office. He kept glancing at me out »f the corners of his eyes. He said he'd

‘arranged for me to take a 10-

day leave! I thanked him and went to my quarters, lay down on my

i bunk, and looked at the ceiling.

Easter Bunny Only A Rabbit To French Children’

Was I crazy? ~If there could talk, I wasn’t. If there was no such mule, I was. I must find Francis. I drove to the Administration building and talked a corporal | into showing me a list of the mule units in the area. There were nine detachments, all within half a dozen mnriles of Headquarters.

= ” . AT MY first stop I knew I'd

| be able to spot Francis withe

| were are. re- |

out any trouble. These mules ~~ husky, healthy-looking animals. Francis wasn't among

. them, -

sot UNeR : Fn I felt sure the ‘third outfit would: bring me luck.

back to |

The mules in the second unit T visited were fine- looking creas

It didn't, More hearty animals, My leg was beginning to ache. T would aever have stopped at the fourth unit if it hadn’t been on the route T must

| take back to camp.

Holy « Saturday |

says, no one bothers to get up | again until it is time to go |

back to’ church Sunday after- |

do not receive toys as do ¢ noon for services, ~

SL A RT

|

Over in a field by (itself, tethered to a banyan tree, was one lone mule. " ‘ I went all taut. :

The mule was a wreck, His '

head hung RPatietioally. His back sagged sad “Francis,” 2 said.

NOT A muscle of the animal quivered. The tail continued its listless swishing. “Francis, it's I, the leutenant.” The mule looked straight ahead, his brown eyes lanquid. “Don’t you remember me?"

T said. - I'm the second lieuten-

ant whose life you saved. The mule shivered slightly. “Francis. Francis, speak to "ign. My, voice rose.

“Who said that?" I swung -

round. " “Keep quiet,” came a whis per. : Thank Heaven! I was not crazy! I was not crazy at all! There really was a mule who could talk.

~ TOMORROW: Francis ana the Crooked Skirt.

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Humpert gave me a

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