The Washington times., 1918-05-26
To My Sweetheart
SOLDIER
Every Girl Should Read
These Wonderful
Letters.

The General and ! have partici-
pated today in the battles Of the
Somme. Our sick soldier has been
living over that dreadful struggle
and with graphic description and
soul shaking cries, he has recount
ed the horrors and applauded the
courage and cursed the disaster OF
that terrible day! The General. on
one side OF the bed and I on the
other. held his poor hands and
quieted as best we could the agony
OF his mind and body. The censor
would never have passed the con-
hdences which were poured into
our ears today; but there is no cen
sor for a erazed and unconscious
brain. The soldier forgot Esther
for once
It was the thirst Of blood today!
The cry Of the primitive man for
vengeance over a relentless foe.
He told rs OF the horrors OF that
hnal raid. where men dropped their
guns and grappled hand to hand
with the enemy. He visualized for
US the moving army Of Huns
bearing down and surrounding, and
the gallant defense Of the allies as
they swarmed-up to NIL in the
gaping line, and doggedly fought to
keep the enemy back. He told OF
little old American nag tied to
bayonet and raised high. as the line
seemed weakening for retreat. and
how the sight OF that hag-little
and worn-galVaDized the spirit OF
the men into 4 frenzy OF invineible
courage.
Then with lowered voice and a
look Of infinite affection he called
the name Of a comrade-Jim. In an
undertone, as though in intimate
conversation. he unconsciously re-
vealed to US, as II talking to him
self, n tale Of Jim's bravery. won't
try to give you the poor, hating.
fevered words, but the incident was
this: After a hand-to-hand engage
ment between our soldiers company
and attacking Germans out in the
open in No Mans Land, the Ger
mans were formed for retreat when
a German officer became tangled
and impaled on q barbed-W1re OBJ
struction.
He writhed and screamed end
cursed in agony. Jim looked for
Z.
dter. ssPal. I can't stand that sight.
I'm going out to rescue that man.
Straight out into the open he walk
ed-a target for the Germans. Fear
lessly he reached the German Of
ficer, disentangled him from the
barbwire, put him over his shoulder
walked up to the German line,
and laid him down in a German
trench. A German high in rank,
stepped out, and saluted. and shook
JIm's hand, and took a medal OF
honor from him own breast ED
pinned Il on Jim's coat. Calmly and
safely Jim went back to his own
trench, and after q while hostilities
began again.
Oh! Beloved, how I thank God
for that revelation OF even a single
instance Of German humanity. It
softens the thought OF the horrible
atrocities constantly being perform
ed by the agents OF the Kaiser. II
will stand out in the day Of judg-
ment as a deed recommending to
mercy. the lawlessness OF q brutal
nation.
Our soldier has had no periods
OF consciousness yet The doctor
says his strength is wonderful and
he is beginning to feel that We are
making a winning fight. Sometimes
our soldier will lie quiet for long
periods OF time, but usually he Is
living in the war-fighttng with
gallant heart. Now and then his
voice drops into whispered, passion
ate pleading with Esther Strong.
II is then that / steal away. That
confidence Is too sacred, the heart
ache too intense. The sadness OF
his soul shines through his face
Ike the sound Of a child crying in
a dark room.
But some day. II God spares his
life and reason, things will work
but. I am sure. Such Is my faith
in the high destiny OF love.
Goodnight my lover. The knowl-
edge that you are mine. and ! am
yours makes my heart very tender
toward all lovers, the world over
in the words OF Tiny Tim-"May
God bless US everyone"