Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-23

FOUND on the back page.
II want to Join the George Washing
ton army; please let me know postal
card Il cent?.
BABY EARL MORRIS,
"450O Merton ave-, West Phla,'
This note is no longer mystery but
less than a week ago it rather puzzled
Sergeant Thomas G.. Sterrett, who found
1t one morning slipped under the door of
the United States marine recruiting office,
at 1909 Arch street The missive was in
closed in a much-besmudged envelope and
in the envelope was l cent.
Another crank letter." the sergeant de-
cided, and threw the note into waste
basket.
Sergeant Sterrett has changed his opin-
ion, however, for Baby Earl Morris is
not crank but a robust 6-year-old boy,
who Is now a frequent visitor at the re-
cruiting office and gives promise OF be-
ing one of the most efficient and enthu-
siastic recruits who ever sought enlist
ment in the Marine Corps.
Baby" made his first appearance az
the recruiting Office the other day with
his mother, Mrs Ernest B. Morris, who
explained that she couldn't do a thing
with the child" because OF his determina-
tion to enlist
II am really quite worried about him."
she said "for he won't eat anything and
he hasn't slept for the last week. He talks
guns, soldiers and war from morning
until night, and wants to see every war
movie In the city"
At this point Baby interrupted.
"I guess my letter must have got lost,
he said, "'cause you never answered II
an I know George Washington would
answer it If he got 1t cause he Is big
soier an'-an'-I guess he didn't get 1t,
haV lost Thought
I'd better come down an see you bout
1t so I can join the George Washington
army right away"
BABY" then explained that his really
truly" name Is Shepherd Rodney Earl
Morris, years old and "goin' on T." He
'Nited States flag which he had brought
along.
EAGER TO JOIN WASHINGTON
COURSE though 1 might need en-" he
said, cause a sojer always needs gun
an a flag and George Washington might
want me to fight most any minute, so II
it's all the same to you I'll get right into
my sojer suit so I'll be all ready. Where
is it?"
Baby" was almost heartbroken when
told that he would have to wait until he
was 15 years old before he could even en-
list as an apprentice to real soldiership.
He was only pacified when Sergeant Ster-
rett took him in hand and showed him
how to operate the big machine gum
and assured him that he should devote
his time to target practice with the air
rife II he wanted to be a good 'sojer.
Mrs. Morris explains the childs inclina-
tions toward the military service by the
fact that three of his great-uncles served
under the colors in the Civil War.
1T don't believe in this song about not
raising your son to be soldier" she
said. "If Baby wants to be one / shall
NOT stand In his way, for I certainly
would be proud to have q boy of mine pa
triotic enough to devote his life to serving
his country"
Since ''Baby's" initial visit to the re-
cruiting station he has returned every
day and has become a favorite with the
recruiting officers. When the time comes
when he must go he always tells his new
comrades, Don't worry. I'll be back
again tomorrow" and then, with salute,
he marches from the office, his airgun
over one shoulder, the nag over the other