media- copyright-jne tiedot ym:
http://www.archive.org/details/acrossamerica00sheprich
linkki "nettilukijaan" (alkaa varsinaisesti sivulta 8 )
http://www.archive.org/stream/acrossame ... 0/mode/2up
pdf-file (20 MB):
http://www.archive.org/download/acrossa ... eprich.pdf
A few months after the Armistice of 1918 was signed,
when the talk of everyone concerned was either WHEN
they would be demobilized or what they would do when
they WERE demobilized, two young men were exchanging
views on this same subject in the heavy atmosphere
of a very ordinary hotel somewhere in London.
One was wondering how near, or how far, were the
days when he would see the old home-folks once again
" way back in Dixieland."
The other was wondering what form of dissipation
would be best suited to remove that haunting feeling
of unrest, which as a result of three or four years of
active service was so common amongst the youth of
England at that time.
" How about getting married ?"
suggested the one.
Then followed a long pause, wherein the other was
evidently considering the pros and cons of such a unique
proposition.
"Nothing doing"; he replied eventually
" not exciting enough, old man." Another pause
" And when I
come to think, I don t know of any girl who d want to
marry me even if I wanted to marry her." And as if
to give a final decision to any proposal of that nature,
he added
"Besides, I couldn t afford it !"
"But I tell you what I will do, Steve," said he,
" I ll
go back with you across yon herring-pond and have a
trot round America."
