K 0 C T I E S
A GUN SAVED ODUM’S LI EE:
Supper had been ever for about an hour, the K.P. Ts had fin
ished their work in the kitchen, the "poker” game was going full
blast for matenes and cigarettes in one corner of the pool room,
while in the other corner the "rummy" fans were holding forth as
usual. Up stairs, in the big squad room, the gang had collected
around Corporal Odum’s bunk, but the usual badinage and- horse play
was lacking, probably due to the steady down pour of rain, so un
usual at this season of the year, which drummed in a dismal mono
tone on the tin roof above. Odum, reaching into his pocket for a
cigarette, found his package empty and went to his foot locker,
opened it, and started to take out a fresh package, when Corporal
Wiseman spoke from his seat on a near by foot‘locker, asked Odum
where he got the revolver reposing his locker tray. Odum took the
gun out of the locker and caressing it tenderly and gazing at it
affectionately said: "Fellows, this gun once saved my life and I
think a whole lot of it", and with these words he started to re
place it in the locker tray when Corporal Mosher,' who had been re
posing Sheba-like on Odum's bunk, rolled over, cocked an inquiring
eye at Odum and asked him to tell them the story of the gun and
how it came to save his life. ;
weix , said Odum, ”1*11 tell you the story,: hut wait till I
lock my foot locker, I know you ’’birds", I’ve got- three more pack
ages of "tailor-mades” and 1 think Wiseman has already spotted ■ •
them. "Climb off that bunk, too, while you’re at it. You know the
old Army saying - ’one man - one bunk'. You may sit on the locker,
it’s locked. Thanks’" "Well, to tell you fellows the stgry of
this gun. It was just such a night as this eight years ago. I was
a civie’ in Frisco, and times were hard on the outside. The em
ployment offices on Howard Street from 3rd. to 5th. were crowded
with fellows looking for -work from the time they opened in the
morning ’till ;they closed at night; and there was no work. Frisco
was full of unemployed and the boys were desperate for money and
food and this ^particular night the rain was falling like it is to
night, the pavements were wet and slick, reflecting the street
lights coldly.. I was wet to the skin, broke and had’nt eaten for
hree days. I had this gun in my pocket. I was going along East
Street, (they call it Embarkadero now) and it was dark, quiet and
dismal, not a ;soul could be seen on the street, and I was walking
close to the buildings; the hallways and alleys were as black as
dcv-m, my shoes were wet and made a queer swooshing sound as I
walked along. As I approaced the Ferry Building near Market Street
and started to turn the corner, a light flashed in my eyes -- I
glanced at it greatly startled -- I reached into my pocket, grabbed ]
my gun and jerked it out swiftly and plunged straight toward the J
light — I was desperate -- I — say, have, any of you fellows got
a match? My cigarette is out". "Match", cried Wiseman, "here is
a match" , throwing over a box of safety matches, which Odum caught
lit his cigarette and puffed contentedly, watching the smoke curl *
toward the ceiling.
wel1 , said Mosher, "You pulled your gun and rushed to
ward the light. What happened then?"
"It was the light of an all-night 'hock-shop1," continued
Odum. "I pawned the gun for two dollars and got a square meal.
Yes, this gun sure saved my life, or I'd have starved to death".
"Huh", grunted Wiseman and the '.gang' in chorus.
"Beats me", said Mosher, and the 'gang' turned in, calling:
f. 11 a night and were soon "wrapped in the peaceful arms of Morphe^uY