Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1917-11-08
A Letter from an Iron. County Boy Prior
to His Leaving for France.


Dearest Sister Nelle-To. day ia my !
last day at this fort and, perhaps, my
last day on land for some time. We
leave to to-morrow, via Hoboken, N. j.,
for the foreign field. Will leave here
on boats and will get our transports
in two more days.
To-day is the most beautiful Sunday
l ever saw. The breeze from the
ocean makes the air delightful.
There's not a sound to disturb the
quiet solitude of the "Lord's Day."
Birds are singing and fitting about
amt ng the leafy trees, blending their
happy songs with the Holiness of the
day. Bees are hummng through the
air, carrying the sweet nectar OF the
blooming flowers to store it away for
winter food; while now and then,
across the shady grove In front of my
tent, can be seen a pet squirrel frisk:
ing through and around the under
brush, happy and contended to do it's
share in making the world and its in-
habitants happy.
The peaceful bay lies before me,
stretching far away to the east,
where its tranquil waters mIngle with
roaring waters of the mighty Al
lantic. On the bay there's not a wave,
not ripple on its CLASSY surface, ex-
cept when the light breeze blows
its surface, causing rippIes to go be-
fore it, first slowly, then fast and
faster with the velocity of the breeze,
until they reach the bank on the
southern shore and break again into
peaceful calm, only to be caught agair
by the next breeze. 1t is a study
within itself--nay an inanimate OBJ
lject, personified by the history OF the
lagos. Its greatness is increased ten
fold when | recall the tragedies whicl
have occurred within its arms, bu
now in its peaceful calm, it represent.
. to me the photograph Of a nation
the ripples representing the diiferen
thoughts of different people. Nov
r and then from the far distance cai
, be heard the faint whistle of a grea
;. ocean steamer ~ it forces its wa,
through the waves of the mighty AT
, lantic carrying its load OF supplies t.
}. "our boys now in France"
This is the picture of this Lowell
), day as it forces itself upon my min
+ and / would not have it otherwise, TO
am thankful that my last day in IN
own dear country is so full of happ
5 scenes and fond recollections.
But there's another picture, Nell'
= which keeps forcing itself upon th
screen of my mind, and that is tll
picture of foreign land and fore jg
people. can see the day as | kno
lit is in dear old England-the HON
of our forefathers. While, no doubt
the day is just as beautiful az it eve
was in its glory, yet there is not I'll
same JOY and gladness in the hearts
the people, as is the case in our ow
free country. / see mothers al
fathers, brothers and sisters, swee
hearts. and friends, crowding aroun
the post Office eagerly awaiting nev
from their loved ones at the from
Now | hear the scream OF angus
lfrom dear mother who has just r
ceived word that her only boy W
Imed the uay before while brave
defending his country. Now Il
scene changes. In little Belgiul
which few years ago was the hapl
peaceful nation of Europe, there
az mourning for loved ones, not on
Ks sons, but precious daughters W
.cr have been captured by the invadi
foe. Little they heed the happins
~ of the day for their hearts are brok
NJ and bleeding for the ones they v
it, never again see.
Again the scene changes. In
w trenches along the battle lines .
aa courageous soldiers pouring out tn
W. W. life blood to the foe who has been
cause of all the sorrows OF tn
dg nations. English, French, Belgia
Serbians, Russians and Roumani'
are fighting side by side for ca
they know Is noble. Now see tn
noble boys, rs they are preparing
an attack on the enemy, needless
the knowledge that many will be k
ed in the charge; they are trying
be merry. / hear the shouts OF
brave soldiers in my imagination
they hear the "Forward, March" fr
their Captain, and see them r
upon the invaders merciless while
battle, only thinking frevenge. III
at last see them sitting around u
campfires after the battle--not
many who started in the fray, but