Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-03-14
Iron County Register
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY,
SUBSCRIPTION: .
One Year, Sl.50. Six Months, 1915.
RATES OF ADVERTISING
Furnished on Application. Special Induce
ments 10 Home Patrons.
Address REGISTER, Ironton, Mo.
From Private Roland Stevenson.

Dear Father--To-day marks another
anniversary of Christ's birth. Nine
teen hundred seventeen years ago
humanity was given agreater hope OF
peace in an after world, az was
prophesied by John the Baptist years
before the day arrived through the
birth Of I'll Savior.
All Christie ndom celebrates this day,
as one OF holiness, and its meaning is
"Peace on Earth, Good viii To All
Men," How sad it seems that we
must disregard this meaning in one
sense of the word on account of that
half barbarous nation, Germany.
Outside the u is obscured by a
Thick mass of clouds. The wind blows
strong and cold. The ground 10 COW
cred by a thin coat Of snow and ice,
and everything in general resembles
many a Christmas in the States.
Far away in the distance the shrill
whistle of a French locomotive cuts
the morning air with a lonesomeness
that can only be noticed by one un-
used to spending the holidays away
from home. The roar of the cars as
they glide along the track, carrying
loads of soldiers, Christmas gifts and
of needed supplies to the men, who
less fortunate than we, r spending
the day in doing their duty in the
field OF fire, just now, aud brings to
my mind thoughts Of different sounds
sounds made by the rulnbling trains
last and other Christmases when they
were carrying me and other people
home for the holidays.
Yet more distinctly still, comes, from
all directions, the roar of huge guns
as they are being fred at target
practice, while just outside can be
heard the tramp, tramp, tramp of the
American Sentry guarding our camp.
These latter sounds force them
selves IN my mind more heavily than
all the others, for they bring to me
the thought that soon | will be SIDE by
side with the other boys at the front
doing my share in Furnishing the Hun
for his objectionable sins upon hu-
manity. With this thought, m
only II pang of regrct--that is for
the worry l know it will cause you.
As for myself, disregarding for the
moment the thoughts OF you, / am
eager to begin it.
Such, Dad, are the conditions with
your 0 on Christmas morning in an
American Camp, Somewhere in
France. Let us hope that the next
one will De spent with you at home.
There are no demonstrations here
to-day except services at the Y. M.
9. A. Hut by our Chaplain, Capt.
Yates, but the spirit is prevalent. Our
packages are arriving, but have not
been distributed yet. l am looking
for the box from Nellie to-day.
In cur Christmas celebrations we
have not been forgotten by our folks
at home, nor have we forgotten the
poor French children around our
camp-children who have not seen a
real Christmas ia the past three years.
But remembering the old proverb,
"It is more blessed to give than to re.
ceive," our chaplain suggested that
each mar donate a certain sum, to
give the children a real American
Christmas. We did, and this morning
the children are running about in
their play, comfortably clothed, and
with toys. while the happy smile on
their faces tell better than words
could express the happiness that is
theirs to-day. In many camps
Christmas trees were fixed for them
with a real Stanta Claus.
To-day, Dad, is also your birthday
and I think Of you, even though am
unable to remember you with a nice
present. Remember that my love is
with you just the ame aud that I'll
think Of you throughout the day.
Our Christmas dinner will be the
best that can be afforded at any
American camp, as was our Thanks
giving dinner. lam going to get a
good picture of our squad at the din
ner table, with our French friend who
ia going to eat with us to-day, and
will send you II when they are fin.
jshed.
Though I ain many thousands Of
miles away from you to-day, my
heart and thoughts 20 back to that
happy circle that will assemble at the
dinner table to-day and eat the good
things you have prepared for dinner,
In my thoughts am not here am
with you, and am in reality living
over again the happy Christmas spent
at home. 1t Is my prayer that viii
be. there In person next Christmas.
have written an exceedingly long
letter now, papa, SO will not write any
q more.
Love to Aunt Mary, Minnie, Aunt
Mary, Uncle Saul, Robbie and Howard
Trusting that you will remain with
US many many Christmases and that
your birthdays will always DC bright
happy days for you, and will find your
son doing his duty as he believes he IL
doing to.day. Inrsmain,
Your loving son,
PRIVATE ROLAND STEVENSON.
France, December %, 1917.
P. S.-This letter is intended for oil
My thoughts are Of you all and my
prayers are for your safety. Sent
the letter to Nellie after you have
read It.
State Hospital No. a Patriotic,