“Who’s th’ officer commandin’ Over this detachment here?” An’ th’ looey he salutes him, While us rest wuz feelin’ queer. “I am, sir,” th’ looey tells him, Wonderin’ what th’ row’s about. “Pershing’s comin’ in five minits,” Says th’ kernel. “All troops out.” Gosh, how we did hurry, For we looked a doggone fright— Some had hats a-missin’, An’ they warn’t a coat in sight. First we cleaned up in th’ offus, Then we swept up in th’ street, An’ it wasn’t many seconds Till th’ place wuz hard t’ beat. Next we hunted up our clothin’, Borried some an’ swiped some more, Then th’ looey got us standin’ In a line afore th’ door. Mighty soon around th’ corner Come two scrumptious lookin’ cars, An’ they wasn’t any licence On th’ first one—’cept four stars. When the car had stopped right sudden, Then th’ gineral he stepped out, An’ without much parley-vooin’ He begin t’ look about. They wuz lots o’ darkey soldiers What wuz lined up in a row, An’ he shore looked at ’em careful, Walkin’ past ’em mighty slow. An’ th’ Frenchmen come a-flockin’, An’ they couldn’t understand Why he warn’t a-wearin’ medals, An’ gold braid t’ beat th’ band. Then he made a little lectur, Givin’ all them Frenchmen thanks, Since they’d acted mighty kind-like In a-dealin’ with his Yanks. All th’ peepul started clappin’ When his talk kum to a close, An’ a purty little lassie Offered him a dandy rose. Shore he tuk it, smilin’ pleasant, Like a gift he couldn’t miss— An’ th’ little maid wuz happy When he paid her with a kiss. Then he stepped into his auto, An’ he hurried on his way— While us guys went back t’ workin’, Feelin’ we had had SOME day. VANCE C. CRISS, Corp., Engrs. SEICHEPREY A handful came to Seicheprey When winter woods were bare, When ice was in the trenches And snow was in the air. The foe looked down on Seicheprey And laughed to see them there.