The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1918-10-05

Mr.. and Mrs. Andrew Markhus of the
University are in receipt of the follow
ing letter from Martin Clausen, with the
American troops in France. The letter
is very interesting and inspiring. The
writer being a naturalized citizen is
showing true patriotism. His letter fol
lows:
with the American E. F., France.
Dear Mr.. and Mrs. Andrew Markhus
"As I sit here on a Sunday evening in
a strange country on the waring CONT
nent enjoying an hour of leisure, the
thoughts wander back to the happy days
at Spokane college, when | was sitting
in the classroom listening to Mrs.
Markhus's most emphatic reminding re-
marks to the poor sinner who failed to
hand in his English theme on time or
learn his poem before entering the class
room; or they go back to a lively dis
cussion of some subject of political or
philosophical nature, enjoyed by Mr..
Markhus and myself in such conspicuous
places as the kitchen or-pantry; or they
go back to the times when the late even
ing hours floated gently into the early
hours of morning while I was placing
the finishing touch on the last sentence
of a theme or an essay, or sometimes a
speech, while at times the last penstroke
was glorified by the rays of the morning
sun Yes, those days were days the
youthful ideas and ideals were moulded
into the lofty aspirations of manhood
character. Those were days of battles
and victories, days of small accomplish
ments, which laid the foundation for the
greater e of later life. 1t was on the
threshold from youth to manhood. Those
were the days when I fixed the goals |
was to pursue in later life. The days Of
patient and faithful pursue followed.
"But now the thoughts come back to
the present. Where are the goals that
were SO clearly in sight? Have they
vanished? No, only a mist have made
them invisible. That mist is the present
war. | am satisfied to have sacrificed
my aims for being in this war. Duty
first. | am proud because I have
the opportunity to fight for one of the
greatest. if not the greatest, causes ever
for.
Suppose you think it queer that I,
who came from Norway about five years
ago and SO radically holding on to my
citizenship, should go in and
fight for the United States?
well, I could have accepted it, as
did, because upon receiving my
.luestionnaire, I did not possess my in
tention-paper but felt that the United
States was right and that the cause and
principles of this wal were we'll worth
for, and freedom-loving as I
was and ann l found it my personal
1uty to enter the army. | came to the
United States merely for educational
purposes, but as | studied its history l
to love it, and as a zeal on my
owe ] am now willing to give my life
.or the cause the United States is fight
ng for, and do not think that I shall ever
my action.
Gas to the army life, it has its odds
ind ends as any other life; but as United
States soldiers, with the freedom-loving
principles of our country, the odds and
,nds of army life are mere trifles to the
uccessfu1 victory we always keep in
rev.
"By the way, this is some autobiog-
Apply | have written but | hope you
will excuse it, as I do not think it will
'vershadow that of Franklin or the other
.reat men, But looking away from my
gotistic self, | wonder how you, Mr..
nd Mrs. Markhus, are. The only way