Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1918-08-29
HAS THE
RIGHT SPIRIT

sister, which shows the true America
spirit of boy who gave up a goo
position of $4,000 per month and in
i. listed in the service of the Unitec
States:
August IL, 1918
Dear Alice:
Both your letters duly received; anC
with .tnost welcome | assure you
Hope you viii always write even the
necessity prevents my answering as
promptly as l should.
1t was indeed sad surprise when on
Tuesday, August 9th, one of the men
told me my brothers name was among
the severely wounded. I learned this
just after returning from our wireless
class at 9:30 in the evening. l was so
angry I could ma .ily sleep. I'd give
alls have in the world if conditions
80 permit me to go to France al
oafe, but Of course it is an absolute
infpossibility. Did not realize how it
would affect me until l saw Arthur's
name in the list. If l ever get a
chance, believe me, I'll pay 'em back
for | only wish to God | could have
been in Arts place or else at least
been there to help him. However,
conditions must be taken as they come;
I'll get my chance some day. Had it
not been for the worry it would cause
our dear mother and father I'd have
enlisted long, long before. But now
that Pm in it I'm going after them as
hard and as fast as can.
The trouble of war is the chief suf-l
fering comes on the mothers, wives
and sweet hearts. If it were possible 1
to alleviate mothers fears and wor-
ries one half the suffering of the war
would be ended. But on the other /
hand what greater pride could come /
into mothers heart than realize ker
own son, and sons, were doing their
level best to make life for her, anil /
all humanity, safe. And in so doing
ninimizinz the worlds suffering. For
no mothers son can do a better or
more highly valuable service than to
protect the honor and the safety of
herself and the dear country which
harbors only that which is honorable
and democratic. What could be more
gratifying to a mother, all mothers,
than to know that the thoughts of a
son are more for her. than ever be-
fore when he enters the service; and
grow and grow with the days of his
enlistment. Also that the entire
United States looks with supreme
pride upon the deeds anil acts of !
bravery of our boys cover there" Ar
thurs name stands with many others
on a beautifully decorated sheet in tire
Oakland papers headed "Our Heroes"
have preserved the paper; every look :
at it deeply hurts me that / had not /,
been the one, instead of Arthur, but !,
still it is accompanied by an unbound !,
ed feeling of pride for know Arthur
conducted himself only as becomes q
real hero. Therefore, l say the
mothers can not help but be hurt, but :
the pride in their sons who have been !.
fortunate enough to do something for
their country as Arthur has, overcome
their worries and fears. Think of the
thousands of families who have been
effected in some way or other. We
Ast remember we are but few in
NDiOns. e
Have been waiting for letter. from
mother, but surmise that she is very o
busy. Since my studies keep me busy
md our work is so hard l want this
% serve as letter to both mother and r
,ourself and then l can answer :
Mothers letter when it comes. n
The weather here has been very cool h
oday This is supposed to be the
oggy season here, but the fog really b
loesn't samount to much. Today a l
riend, a splendid young fellow from y
Nebraska who is my bunk-mate, and |,
climbed hill back of our barracks S
or change from studying From the o
lill top we could see .all of Berkeley, Il
oakland, the Golden Gate, Goat and Il
Albatross islands and the bay shore p
or miles. The hills here are as dry e
IS in Payette, but here and there are t,
catches of eucalyptus trees instead of o.
age brush. You would be surprised
It the dryness of the country here, u
hope some day to get some pictures a
o give you folks an idea of my sur
here and of the scenery
Iearby. never get to see any of the a
cenery myself, however. Hope that n
ONE fine person will some day give 8,