The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-06-09

two brothers are now residents of
PerryJ The writer was employed
for long time in Joe stout's cigar
factory;
Headquarters of the Post,
Daet, Camarines Norte, p. |.
March 19, 1902
Dear Father: | received your let
ter few days ago and it contained
words of kindness. forgiveness ard
advice that little deserved.
Good books, associates, surround
ings, etc, do much toward the mold
ing of an honorable character, the
creation vi lofty, ennobling
thoughts and exalted ideals, and ev-
erything essential to the living of an
irreproachable, happy, useful life; but
when a man has once allowed him
self to forget these things, and has
fallen far below the standard of high
purpose and honest endeayor, and
has despaired of ever reaching 1t,
then it is that a letter-a letter OF
kind encouragement and good cheer
from someone he loves-makes a man
resolve with an earnestness surprising
to himself, to brace up" make
amends as far as it lies in his pow sr
for the mistakes of the past, and 10
prepare, plan and strive harder than
ever to be worthy. at least If for.
tune should smile on the days TO
come; or if fate should darken the
path of the future with the gloom Of
disappointments deep and many, to
be able to say honestly, 81 did my
best" 'Tis only letter like the one
was so happy TO receive, that can
bring the moisture of emotion to the
eye; make memory blessed thing;
and life seem worth the living while
there's life--and | thank you for it,
dad In yielding to temptation, in a.
lowing easily brought about despair
to influence my every action. in lis
tening to the fiattery of friends. and
in many other "in's" have been
weak; but I am trying to overcome
some of those weaknesses, especially
the most harmful How well l viii
succeed only the uncertain future an
tell. Army discipline teaches one
self discipline. and for that reason
look for good results.
have enjoyed my short expert
ence as a member of Ulcle Sans
] fighting machine the army - in
menseIy. / have been doing cleri nj
work for nearly a year and I have
found 1t both pleasant and Profitable,
4 pleasant because it Eas ever beeT a
secret ambition Of mine to WELD the
pen through life and profitable be-
cause day never passes without
4 learning something new and interes5-
ing and instructive. l have won the
good will and respect of all the Of
hcers with whom ! have come in con
tact and have been urged by some to
become a student of tactics. etc, with
view to winning a commission.
The sergeant major, New York
boy, and one OF the finest fellows
ever met, went to Manila three Or
four weeks ago to take the examiua-
ion for a promotion to second lieu
tenant, and | was made acting SER
geant major OF the First battalion.
Wy company commander told me that
Z the sergeant major passed the ex'
animation would stand a good show
II getting the appointment of battal-
on sergeant major. There is no
ioubt about the sergeant majors
lbiIity to pas sthe examination as he
highly educated and brilliant man
Ind has had former service, and be-
ind It all has a personal friend IN
.ssistant Secretary of War Sanger.
A non-commissioned stan officer
as the privilege of recommending
ome one as his successor upon his
romotion TO a second lieutenancy,
nd Melhinch (the sergeant ma,o-'a
ame), says for old friendships sake
viii hand my name in. SO | nay
st it. I want it because it Is a step
ng stone.
cant say much more about ths
innate here than that it is some
mes immoderately warm, but uosi
the time pleasant and agreeable
have been over here a year OF
ore and have never been On tbs
lex report" so / can't eonsistetly
anything against the country as 9
alth resort. Campaigning kills Z