Connecticut western news., 1917-08-23
Letters From the People.

[The following has been sent to us by person who wishes to be known as. "A Subscriber" for publication, with the expressed wish that it will serve as an antidc te to the letter pub. lished in last weeks News, oTer the initials of "B. H ''-Editor.
 The Y. NJ c. A. and Harry Lauder are two social forces that one does not spontaneously connect up. But the for mer was the agency that brought the singer into the fighting. camps of France, pot only to hearten the soldiers here, but to pay touching tribute to the sacrifice of his only son. pr. George Adam. of Edinburgh, who went with him, gives an account of the trip in Association Men (New York;, the official organ of the Y. M. o. A. He also speaks of service under the banner of the Red Triangle that Mir. Lauder has rendered which brings the singing comedian before us in manner hitherto unsuspected: =
 "Op a recent Sunday, altho working at full pressure during the week in the play 'Three Cheers at the Shaftesbury Theater, he gave up his rest day gladly to go away down to two of the great Canadian camps with me.
 "Some one in London asked the little man why he was going down to the camps. Why not join them in a quiet week end on the river? Lauder's reply was as quaint as usual: The boys can't get up to town to see me, so I am off to the camps to see them. A right royal time he gave them, too. Picture 0,000 men in dell on the rolling downs with little platform in the center and there Lauder singing the old favorites you have heard so often and the soldiers love so much Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep 'Bantry Bay, 'The~Laddies Who Fought and Won, 'Children's Home, and many more. =
 "This was not all; his soul must have been stirred by the sight of so many dear, brave men, for when the meeting seemed over, Lauder began to speak to the soldiers. And real speech he made, full of imagery, poetry and fire. May just tell you how he closed? One evening in the gloaming in northern town, was sitting by my parlor. window when 1 saw an old man with pole on his shoulder come along. He was a lamplighter, and made the lamp opposite my window dance into brightness. Interested in his work, I watched him pass along until the gloaming gathered round and could see him no more. However, Iknew just where he was, for other lamps flashed into flame. Having completed his task, he disappeared into a side street. Those lights burned on through the night, making it bright and safe for those who should come behind him. Ap avenue of lights through the traffic and dangers of the city,
 "With passionate earnestness Lauder cried: Boys, think of that man who lit the lamp, for you are his successors only in a much nobler and grands way. You are not lighting for few hours the darkness of passing night. You are lighting an avenue of lights that will make it safe for the genera tions of all time. Therefore, you must be earnest to do the right. Fight we'll and hard against every enemy without and within, and those of your blood who come after you will look up proudly in that light of freedom and say, he sire that went before me lit lamp in those heroic days when Bri- tain warred for right. The first burst of illumination that the world had was in the lamp lit by Jesus, or rather he was the Light himself. He said truly, "I am the Light of the world" You are in his succession. Be careful how you bear yourselves. Quit ye like men Be strong!' "A Subscriber.