New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-29

~ a ROAD in Argonne soldier picked
" IN a crumpled and bullet-pierced
letter. Tossed aside as thing of no
value. by some one who had searched the dead
But soldiers know that bullet-pierced papers
picked I'D on the edge of battlefield may be
some ones treasure-trove through empty years
So the letter found its way to the regimental
chaplain, the good able who locks after his
bows in the trenches and on the battlefield and
between patient trudgngs on errands of mercy
f~l- tine somehow 10 write to those who have
e.ca their all to France the brave words
which are all that the French women of to-day
allow themselves TO speak or hear.
This was the letter written by Corporal Louis
Morlet Of the 1886 Infantry, onetime drug
clerk Of Orleans, TO the one who waited at
home:
"Bivouac de Wargemailin. To be sent in
case of death three weeks after my oecease.
September 8, 1915.
NV Dear Yvonne: If this letter comes to
YOU it will be because have ceased to live. AT
the moment before going into decisive battle
have felt that must take some precaution;
have not wished to leave to others the care OF
SenQlng you WOTQ-SuCH paihAui HiASoiN'''
81 know that if wied could put myself IN
safety. But prefer rather to die on the field
Of honor than to live coward. My dear little
ones will not have to blush for their father
and love them too well to be able to act
otherwise
81 have no advice TO give you in regard to
them. know that you will lead them in the
night path.
Confidence in God is the only sustaining
power in sorrow. We poor soldiers trudging
the plains Of Argonne under the mitraille know
il we'll Have confidence in Him. He will sus-
tain you also and will aid you in bringing up
ny dear little ones.
'T had 80 desired to see them again, to en-
brace them But alas! one cannot escape the
fatality which always hovers over US.
AT the moment when our happiness was
about 20 blossom, war like cyclone was IN
chained am one of its victims. l offer my
blood for France. / die without any regret
my duty accomplished.
ITO you who for five years have been my most
devoted companion; to my three little ones
offer my heart and my last thought as well as
ny last kiss. THY LOUIS"
No famous hero wrote this; no brilliant
nan gifted at finding ringing words Tor the
voieing Of great thoughts-only little drug
clerk, caught like hundreds Of thousands of his
kind in that cyclone which has devastated and
glorifed France! But the humble little clerks
and shopkeepers, the peasants and the toiers
for days wage, are like that in this strange,
splendid France of to-day. And the women
who wait at home, doing what work they may
10 keep bread in the mouths Of their little ones,
are ft mates for these men. That is why the
good Able Godefroy, chaplain Of the lb3d In
fantry, wrote this letter 20 Yvonne Morlet
October Ii, 1915.
Dear Madame: l have most sorrowful
mEsion % fulfil, and entreat the good God
" give you the courage necessary To endure
the cruel trial that He permits.
"Our colonel received some days ago the
papers which / send you, and il is he who In
Etructs me 10 forward them. You will find
among them The truly admirable letter Of your
husband; letter full Of faith and patriotism.
A letter in which the most exalted sentiments
Of duty are united with a complete confidence
IN God.
you viii not forget, madame, either the
counsel that he gives you nor the resignation
that he breaches. You will guard this letter
az the last testament Of hero, and in re-
reading II 20 your dear children you will teach
them how great was the grandeur OF soul Of
their father.
THE ball which reached your husbands