Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-28
BELGIAN FINDS OUT
WHAT'S IN A NAME
Inquiry of CycIist at Front Del
veIops Namesake Is of
German Origin.
GOOD STORY IN INCIDENT

There is one cyclist in the Belgian
army who could give Juliet pointer
as to the value of n name.
The name is his own, and the pointer
stands for a bit of story which. be-
cause of its contrast to most stories
of trench life, Is worth the passing on.
One day, while reading a foreign
magazine. his interest was caught by
the mention of an American whose
name was the same as his own. There
was reason to hope that the name
might mean kinshfp. SO he wrote the
following letter, between shells and
directed 1t to a resident of this city:
Dear sir: This morning in reading
the National Geographic Magazine
was much astonished on discovering
your name. My father often used to
speak to me. before the war, Of an
uncle who departed for America. He
was called -. am wondering, dear
discover him. I would be very happy
to find once more some of my family,
with whom I might correspond. for 1
have been separated from my family
for more than two years. Awaiting.
dear sir, or perhaps. dear uncle, your
answer, which I shall be happy to re-
ceive, I beg you to accept my most
sincere respects. My father Is called
-, and lived in the province Of
Manur"
Is Of German Origin.
The letter was answered by the
daughter Of the gentleman who re-
ceived it. since he does not write in
French. Her explanation that her father
was of German origin and therefore
unrelated to the Belgian branch was
given with the kindness that makes
the whole world kin. She wrote:
I'VE were much interested in receive
ing a letter from a cyclist in the Bel
gian army, and I would be very happy
to write you again to give you little
diversion. If you would care to write
me and ask anything in which you are
interested in our country or our Ameri-
can life, / would try to answer you to
the best Of my ability. My grammar, I
we'll know, is execrable. but I love
French, which 1 studied in college and
years old 1 visited Brussels and Ant
werp, now SO changed, of course. Would
you not like to describe for US a little Of
your life at the front; If you are COM
The soldiers reply was received as
soon as a venturesome French stamp
could bring it over the ocean. It read:
Grateful for Reply.
Dear Madam: You will excuse the
mistake I made in thinking I was
writing to my uncle. want to con-
graduate you on the manner in which
you write French. would like to be
able to write so well in English. I
answering me promptly. and for the
sympathy you feel for the Belgians and
the allies. AS YOU see. we are doing
our little best to try to take back
from the boches what they taye taken
from us; it is hard. but we will get
there. I am very pleased that you
write me. for l am SO alone, all my
family having remained in Belgium
You will hardly believe what joy 1t is
for me to receive your good letters.
world in thinking that such a kind
person as you. dear madam, wishes
to trouble herself with poor Belgian
soldier. | saw with pleasure that you
service of the wounded, and who knows
If the bandages that you make in
America will not one day be for me-
Our life now. dear madam, Is very
monotonous. for in spite Of the fact
that we are cyclists we are serv-
ing in the trenches; in spite of
the rain which has fallen aboundant
for some days and the bad weather
which approaches? One cannot see
the color of ones boots; also it is very
cold? Happily. the moment of vic
tory draws nearer and nearer< but, all
the same, 1t Is very sad to be alone.
You see. dear madam, that the trade
of soldier is not the most beautiful
nor the most lucrative. I distract nv
self a great deal by reading American
newspapers and reviews. They are
pretty and very interesting, above all
the Geographic Magazine. You will
excuse my handwriting, dear madam.
for / am forced to use my knees for a
desk. and the boches have not left us
at peace a moment since morning, but
they aim very badly. I would be al
ways very happy to hear from you dear
madam. and. awaiting that, 1 wish you
good health. also your husband, and I
beg you to receive the good sentiments
Of friendship and gratitude of a little
Belgian at the 'front.'
Juliet. being a combative young per-
son. might argue in behalf Of her
remark that the kindness received by
the cyclist was due to his loneliness.
entirely regardless OF his name.
But, all the same. 1t makes a good
little story.
f