Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-06
Sad Homes f.round Us

withcr the hearts where they fall
the MESA ges telling parents and
friends that their lad has paid the
highest price that man can give for
humanity--a bra"e mans life.
What can ne say to comfort those
who are left to bleed? 1t IS their
battle, and they have bravely faced
the foe. hoping. praying, but ever
fearing the message that has come at
last. Our hearts go out to them in
their grief. We know the meaning
and we know that our turn may be
next oh, the agony of the silen.,
watchful hours when prayers have
come to be the occasional voicing of
the continuous hope that will not be
denied-the living appeal for the dear
one in peril.
The bodies of our noble sons may
rest in the soil of France, but their
souls go on triumphant. rejoicing in
the part they played for human bet
terment.
/ Is il Your son who died for Belgium,
/ Serbia, Poland, Armenia. Rumania.
/ Russia? God bless the fathers. mo-
! theirs and other dear ones. who have
given more than their own lives for
a better world
Has your brave boy given his life
/ that France, Great Britain and Italy
+ mi hit not be swept by the Hun
hordes as Belgium has been? Our
hand to YOU in sympathy-but con-
graduation. Your boy stood be-
tween us and a fate as terrible; we
honor him as we do our own
Our sympathy is too deep for
words. but our pride in your brave
only to that voiced by Americas
great citizen, when told of the death
the boy could do his part
Heartsick friend. your boy has done
hi! part, has ,.ven his life for others.
His earthly worl. shortened; yet life
10. him has just begun. Let us, in
this hour remember what ne would
saw to YOU and to us if he could
speak again.
Not long ago brilliant American
tier sang Of the BRAY spirits in
the homes spirits that smile while
hearts are breaking with the dull
longing for the >opes that had been
builded, the plans of years that had
\ n toppled over in moment; the
fathers with the faraway look in dry
hot eyes that must not show the cool
ing bath of tears. A soldier boy has
answered i verse. telling why he
goes on and on unflinchingly. In this
boys name cat present withheld) we
dedicate the following verses to Colo
mel Roosevelt, and other brave dads.
1t applies in the same spirit to the
noble hearted mothers of our state
and nation:
THE PAL WHO WAITS.
You boys may tell of heart throbs,
And the thrill of close escapes;
I've had as many as any of you've
nndpr rllhhpr
| You've seen me going over the top,
And you've seen me badly hit;
You've seen me out with the night
patrol,
But you've never seen me quit.
II YOU call this boastng. let it go
Blow OF the froth and the foam
| want to tell what's pushed me on:
The pal who waits back home.
, You've called me Pride of Company
Know I'm not afraid to die:
But the man who's put me where I am
Is the one who said goodbye"
The man who laughed You're coming
through
Show your colors now. old fellow"
Do you think I'd ever go back to him
With the faintest shade of yellow?
Yes. fellows. his is the hardest lob:
He'd like to be here with you;
And | made a vow. when l left him
there,
That I'd do enough for two.
know the ache in his heart, bows.
The pain that never shows.
He walks beside me unto the fray
His are the hardest o:ows,
| know what it cost him to let me 90.
The golden dreams he cherished
The fighting spirit IL 1t tn ougn ais WOO
Has bravely never persisted.
Oh. God, crush out Of my heart all fs,r
Maintain the courage I've had 49,
Make me q hero for him to see
Oh, God, be good to my Dad.