The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-01-24
her son was doing, iifs.'prestOn went


1t gives me much pain, much more than can
tell you. Mr.. Blake, to say that Willis has fallen
into evil ways down here. He was in the habit
OF drinking a little when in college. ! knew that
at the time, and did all in my power to get
him to give up his secret society suppers and
leave all the drink alone. / knew ! failed for
when he was home last holiday he told me
he had been drinking 1t seemed very
strange to you, | have no doubt that Willis
should leave me alone Christmas day last year.
He gave an excuse his private theatrical
tertainment arranged by the society men, In
reality l knew at the time that he was restless to
be away from my restraint, so that he could more
freely indulge In his growing habit. But all that
Is as nothing compared with the horror ] feel
growing on as l see into what his habit has
grown since he came down into this camp. The
army canteen Is a constant hell to the soldiers,
and 1t has been the one great source Of tempta-
ton to my here. have asked myself thou
sand times why our government sanctioned this
destructive force. | am only a poor, weak wom-
an and do not know all about the nice techni-
calities OF the law, but the plain fact that do
know is that the United States, through it's
tional laws allows the army canteen to sell liquor
to its own soldiers within their own camp and
actually tempts hundreds OF boys like mine by
maintaining and defending by law institution
that is killing more bodies and souls than
slain the battlefelds Of all the nations OF
the world put together.
l came down here two weeks ago. The second
day after ] came found Willis intoxicated He
was not duty, and the ofense was not punish
ed. Three days ago he put in the guardhouse
for insulting officer while under the influence
OF liquor Yesterday he taken from the
guardhouse to the camp hospital and he lies there
now, raging with fever, the camp fever, that
has already proved fatal to several of the regi-
ment.
And am sitting here in the tent, by this son
OF mine, telling you OF his shame and of my
guish. / do not know how this fever will ter
inmate. I will nurse him back to life, ii il be
Gods will and he give me strength. But II he
allows me to save his body, what hope have for
his soul? The sreport now comes that the regi-
ment may be ordered to active service in the
Philippines in the fall II Willis RECEIVERS, ! do
net think any pleading on my part can prevent
his going. lie will re-enlist and go there for the
sake OF the excitement and chance OF real fight
ing. And from what learn OF conditions in Ma
Mia the rum and the whisky and the beer flow
like water in the streets and all through the
camps Great Godl | cannot help crying as
think of what IL will mean to my only boy. Is
there no spot earth under our flag where our
so called Christian civilization can. prohibit this
evil? Even the papers printed in our own coun-
try, the magazines that are published by men OF
culture and education, by men who sit in cush-
toned pews Sunday and complacently pay SO
much year TO support the gospel, print great adj
yertisements in which the liquor dealer boasts OF
the carloads of liquor that have been shipped into
the Philippines since those islands, inhabited by
SO called heather, became property. And
these liquor advertisements, which pay such fat
revenue to the publishers OF these called jour-
nails of civilization, face our Christian preachers
and our church members and our inner home cir
cles, and what do we 90 about it? But oh, worst
OF all is this army canteen! How shall my boy
resist this hourly temptation thrust SO hideously
and persstently in his faceg
Mr. Blake | saw this to yOu, knowing that
have come to love my and knowing also that
your influence over him has been greater than
even my oYn, at times, ] almost wish he could
die here, If only he died sober and rcpentant,
rather than rise from this illness and so out into
the world to fall, as am sure he will fall into
this hell. And If he falls at whose door shall we
put part Of the blame2 In Gods great judgment
shall the head of this nation be counted guiltessi
Shall the government go unpublished?
Willis has little volume Of poems in his hand.
He asked for ii soon as he was brought here
from the guardhouse. In his delirium | have tried
70 take the book out of his hand but he clings
to il so that | cannot remove it. He has repeat
ejly mentioned your name and also your sisters.
II there was any hope OF your doing anything fol
Willis by coming here, | should beg you to come,
but I do not see how it would do any good II
you pray, pray for me- The good God help me {
For all else seems mockery. LUCILLE Preston.
Probably in all his life Edward had
never felt more deeply moved than by
this remarkable letter from his chum's
mother.
He read 1t again. and for the first
time in his young life horror grew
up in him toward the liquor business,
an Indignation that was destined &c
burn in his SOIL all his life, started
from the fuel cast into 1t by that moth.
er's bleeding heart.
1t was the very next day that his
new experience with, the new presi.
dent came 10 him.
He was in the Office answering few
letters at the presidents dictation. The
president was going away for little
vacation in July. and several items OF
college business were being dispatched
before he went.
About 10 o'clock in the forenoon
some one rang the bell. and Edward
whose table was nearest the door
opened it.
SIS the president in?" the man
standing there abruptly asked. anG
without waiting for an answer the
man, seeing President Royce at his
desk. stepped into the office.
"Mr Rankin" the president exclaim
ed as he rose.
"Yes. sir" replied the other stffiy
y thought I would come and See you
on. the matter we have been
corresponding about"
The president looked at his visitor
with light In his eye that was new to
Edward. He was calm and dignified,
but there was the look on his face OF
those who face battle.
'Yes, sir Shall ask Mr.. Blake, my
secretary. to retireW
mo, sir. On the contrary, l have
nothing to conceal as to the object of
ny visit. In fact, the sooner 1t Is made
public to the trustees and to the world
all the better"
mo doubt" replied the president.
and he looked directly at Mr.. Rankin.
"Are you willing that Mr. Blake take
down report of our interview for
publications."
ITO BE CONTINUED