Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-07


on public thought. Now they are t.
be stunned
A SOLDIERS LEGACY
Harry LADDERS songs and antics
have made millions laugh. With hi
quaint dialect, his kits and funny little
crooked smile, he has delighted audi
ences in thousands Of cities on differ
ent continents, and long ago he be
came an institution in the world of en-
tertaines. Few who heard and saw
him gave much thought to the sort Of
life he lead when away from the foot
lights-until the war came.
When England became involved in
the struggle against Germany FAIRY
Lauder wished to do his BIT His son
John, became an omcer in the British
army; the father employed his wo1der
full talents as an entertainer In the
camps. He followed his boy to France
and the Harry Lauder Of Londonis mu
sic halls became familiar ard be
loved figure within the lines Of the
British army ct the front.
Then John Lauder fell in battie with
the boche, and the war. from being 4
serious national crisis. came to be the
personal, vital, allimportant issue Of
Harry LADDERS life. He had followed
the army to France through feeling
of duty and a natural loyal desire &c
serve his nation. But when John
Lauder gave up his life his father CON
secrated his own life to the cause. All
the fortune he had amassei in the
thirty-nve years of his stage carees
was put into British war bonds. and
Harry Lauder started OF to help wiz
the war.
From England he came to America
last October, and he has sent thou
sands of men to the front. From q de
lightftll minstrel he has turned into a
forceful, convincing. magnetic public
speaker, and exhorter, recruiting ser
geant beyond compare.
In his book, "A Minstrel in France
he tells about his experiences at the
front and about his sons sacrifice
And instead OF embittering the fathers
life, the loss Of his son has shown him
the way to guide his own conduct SC
that he may LEAVE behind more than
the reputation Of singer and laugh
maker.
Yesterday The Courier referred to
Lieutenant Ely's farewell to his par
ents, with its Injunction against
mourning for him should he fall in
battle. Something Of the same won
derful spirit OF sacrifice which he pos
sessed was in the heart Of John Laud'
er, for his father writes:
The last words John Lauder said
before he died were: Garry on"
He meant them for his men, but
have taken them for myself. That
is what l, in my own way, am try
ing to do-"Carry on"-for know
he would wish it SO.
I have sung my songs to the SOL
diers. l have lived with them in
their camps. have been with
them in the mud and blood-soggys
trenches. I have heard their tales,
and seen their deeds. have Wis
tied their hospitals; I have talked
with the wounded and manned.
Some will never more walk the
shady lanes, or the little streets OF
their home towns; some will new
or gaze upon the trees and flow
ers on the hillside, nor look into
the faces of loved ones; but still
they laugh and talk and sing.
have been in France. / realize
now more than ever before that
my sons life was not given In vain.
l came away with the conviction
that every man. no matter what
his life, will pass into the life be-
yond. And then, too, came
through the gracious agency Of
God that other thought-came so
clearly and wildly know 1t is
true-that out beyond will rejoin
my boy.
The life that Is given for ones coun
try is invested. as money is invested
in a Liberty Bond, Lieutenant Ely
wrote It is we'll that this thought has
been given to Americans, facing the
sacrifices and the heart wounds this
war must inlet. Determination, cour
age, loyalty and a will to win impe'
every American soldier as he answers
the call to service Those same quail
ties are his legacy. II he falls, to in
spfre those who loved him to greater
efforts to the end that the victory he
sought shall be won, and that his sac
rifce shall not have been made IN
vain.