The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1918-05-10
From Our Soldier Boys.
Somewhere in Franc


March 81, 1918.
Federation of Women's Clubs, Edger-
ton, Wis.
Dear Friends: l have recently re-
ceived several copies of Edgerton pa
pers and because have not been
counted among those who have ack-
nowledged receipt of your Xmas re-
membrance, | hasten to do so and to
assure you that my procrastlnatlon has
not been due to any lack of apprecia-
ton. My first letters to friends at
home contained requests for them to
inform you how much | appreciated the
gift and the spirit of the giving. 1t
you could but see us when these things
come | know you would feel many
times repaid.
This is Easter Sunday and this morn
ing | attended an impressive service in
an ancient Presbyterian church built in
the early part of the twelfth century.
Having previously become acquainted
in the church, was asked to aid in
seating the congregation and probably
[ displayed my inexperience. Anyway
as | stood in the rear and looked over
that body, almost equally composed of
French women in black and American
officers and soldiers in khaki, in the
diffused light the khaki seemed like a
glow of sunlight sent to warm the
heart and spirit of these broken peo-
pie. Do not think that in outward ap-
pearance or expression do they tell you
of this, for it is too universal, the time
has been long, what has happened has
been anticipated and moreover they
have an understanding which we can
not grasp. Yesterday | saw large
group of refugees from the zone of the
new offensive-a people, women and
children driven from their homes and
with nothing except what they wore,
and entirely dependent upon their coun-
trymen for their next meal and lodg-
ing There was no complaint except
perhaps from some small child who was
entirely separated from his kin. At
first we thought it hard that we had to
come from our own soil to fight but we
now know that we would never want
to wait until catastrophies like this
came to our own doors. We are now
preparing ourselves with great speed
but the task is hard and long and we
are not half ready for that final half
hour which will signify the end of this
great war.
I wish | were capable of picturing
my present surroundings to you. From
the window look out upon the garden
and lawn of this ancient chateau which
has been donated to the Y. M. G. A.
for the period Of the war, together
with its rich furnishings, beautiful
tapestries. and there needed to be
added only an American piano and Vic
trola to make it an ideal resting place
for our men. No, there is one thing
which stands out above all-the hostess
an American lady who came here
that she might be near her two sons
and her two sons-in-law who are all
away now with organizations. learn
that she is only one of many mothers
who have done likewise.
Many of the Edgerton boys are over
here now and | know you are anxious
to know what you can do for them.
First of all things they will want let
ters Every day that all-important
mail comes and its coming is either
greeted with beaming smile or look
which means-perhaps tomorrow. Then
tomorrow a repetition of the same
Send them cheer, for all your worries
are a large percentage only magma
tive. Do you think any man misunder-
stood mothers smile when he left? No,
he knew the effort behind it and will
think through all and be as brave as
mother was then. Mother is thought a
great deal of from over here and she in
turn can do mnch for the cause. Who
knows whose little mite may swing the
balance in that final half hour of strife.
I learn that America has become
even more excited and alarmed during
the present offensive than the other
allied countries. 1t is perhaps for
tunate awakening Many know are
playing their part already but others /
also know have only used this war for
their own selfish gain. Little honor
will the men here ever have for those
who do not suspend with purely selfish
personal ambitions until this war is
over. Little love do we have for those
who do not accompany their assertions
with acts, and still less for those who
do not assert themselves. Let us come
back and get hold of them and we
would shake out the truth.
Again | want to thank you for the
gift which came at such an appropriate
time for today it represents two arti
cles most necessary to my equipment.
Could you but see France or England
you would see the justification of all
your labors. Sincerely,
ALEX w. ELY.