The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-02-09
Stlttqart. Ian. g 1415

Wy Lear COuSlH A1IHOuSn lett
that your thoughts would often be
with us in anxiety and doubt, to my
regret / did not manage to write to
you that long intended letter I can
not ascribe my neglect entirely to
the lack of time, but also to the feel
ing that we have been shamefully
maligned, and that one ought to be
too proud to eXculpate oneself from
slander. 1t is better to pursue ones
course and let time reveal the truth.
Now, there arrived your precious let
ter, with enclosure, for which many
thanks in the name of the Red Cross );
also the marriage notice of your dear
daughter, Elsa. My heartiest congrat-
ulatiOns for you and your dear wife,
as well as for the happy young couple.
Your family is constantly growing in
size, and at the same time in happi-
ness and well-being. The very
thought of this is a great pleasure.
That all these hopeful young people
entertain such warm feelings for us
makes me very happy. My saying
me" conveys to you the fact that l
have been alone since the beginning
of September. My husband is in the
Vosges; but l have, thank God, al
ways good reports, though narrow es-
capes by him have not been lacking.
One dares not think of what the com
ing days may bring. We must all be
steadfast and trust in God
You could hardly believe that we
are involved in such a terrible war,
if you saw our beautiful Stuttgart,
lying so happily, day after day, in the
most glorious sunshine; and every
thing goes it's accustomed course.
The appearance of the streets is un-
changed. Only here and there we
meet wounded soldier who needs
the support of his cane, or one who
cheerfully passes along with his arm
in a sling. But we all work and help
with all our strength, and hope that
the war may be a process of purifica-
ton for every one. We are going to
strive for more general efficiency and
for all the virtues that make a peo-
pie great. We witness inspiring ex-
amples of heroic sacrifices and the
deepest sorrows patiently borne, so
that no one can escape the feeling of
living in an extraordinary and great
time. To experience a world war, this
great reckoning of all the nations,
each of which feels that the limit has
been reached And do we know
whether this conflagation will not
spread further? l myself belong to
those that are entirely for peace For
me a war is such a bitter calamity
that l cannot express it. | would
save every creature from suffering
But it is fortunate that the whole
world is not made up of milk-sops
that there are men and heroes for
the hour of danger.
Not until the first of August did ]
return from Switzerland, where fol
ten days / stayed with a friend in the
mountains hoping to enjoy glorious
nature for a few weeks. A telegram
called us home. In Chur, and in the
whole of Switzerland the Landsturm
had already been called to arms
Everybody was excited. The trains
were terribly crowded Total strang
ers accosted> one another. All were
brothers. Still more crowded was the
steamer on Lake Constance. In Fried
richshafen we learned of the mobi
lization. Notwithstanding the i'm
mense multitudes that were being
transported, everywhere there was
discretion and prudence, quiet and
morning on as the troops were trans
ported, everywhere enthusiasm anG
great impressiveness. After a few
days we already had a million volun
teers for the war. | cannot tell you
everything; but you would have beer
deeply moved to have seen our peo
pie, and proud of belonging to them
| by birth. What | am personally sc
| much ashamed of, and SO it is with
innumerable others, is that we a.
home here nave everything, and if oul
conscience permitted, we could have
every comfort; while abroad in the
| field the best of our nation and oul
hopeful youths have to suffer the
greatest privations and hardships, and
the peril of death
l send you at the same time with
this letter book, as printed matter
and l shall be anxious to learI
whether it will reach you.
We have made Christmas for oul
brothers in the field as comfortable
and pleasant as possible. Each re
ceived his package on which the
name of the sender was plainly given
| but chance determined who the re
cipient would be. The letters of &C
knowledgement that were received
caused much joy.
| What is very difficult for me is tt
| do alone everything that must be
done; and yet l could not go to my
| brother, for the house must always
be ready to receive my husband
should be return wounded-as has al
ready happened to both Sproessel
cousins, who, after having hardly re
| covered again haSfouad fofhn front