The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-10-11
LETTERS Of ADOPTED
CHILDREN IN FRANCE
WRITE Mr.. AND MRS. BERT
BARNES, VERNON CENTER
Appeal From Orphans Whose
Father Was Killed On the
Battlefield

two girls, all under the age of eleven
years. About a month ago they re-
ceived the letter inclosed telling of a
most pathetic tragedy that had been
enacted in that territory wherein the
teacher who wrote the letter has
jurisdiction. Mr.. and Mrs. Barnes
big hearts responded to the appeal
and at once began the necessary
negotiations whereby another little
waif will be put under their protec-
ton and cared for and schooled until
after the war is over at least. We
are enclosing the two letters, one
from the teacher who makes the ap-
peal and the other from one of their
Cod children who has found this
haven of refuge in the Barnes hearts.
am enclosing copy of the two let
tiers which were written in French and
have been translated that they may
be published in The Free Press whose
wide publication reaches such a vast
army of readers in the hope that it
may awaken new interest in the
great need of carrying for the thous-
ands Of children made orphans and
that many others will see the great
need and the great opportunity and
blessing that will descend onto
these God -fathers and God mothers
throughout our broad >lands for 'In
so much as We do to one of these little
ones We do it unto me-"
Madame: Your generosity for my
little war orphans assures me your
good will for the call which l take
the liberty of making. A little child
of neighboring village, lost in March
1918, her soldier father, who fell gall
lantly fighting for his beloved France.
The day before yesterday her mother,
aged thirty two died suddenly of a
hemorrhage of the lungs. She work
ed too hard SO that her child and her
old parents should lack nothing. Her
mothers sister, who has six children,
who is poor, whose husband is not
industrious, can scarcely support the
needs of his family. has taken in
without hesitation this orphan and
takes with her her father, seventy-six
and her mother, seventy eight
i shall send to the Committee of
Fraternity of America the name of
this child so that an American God
mother can take her under her pro-
lection But it may be a long time
Till then, | ask you, Madame, if it
would not be possible to find among
your friends someone who not having
any God-child would be willing to
adopt this child and register for her
at the Comite de F'ranternite Ameri-
ca1ne Rue Voley, Paris This aid
would help the whole family. Beg par
don Madame, and thank you for your
Kindness to our unfortunates."
On the above letter the Barnes
made applications for her adoption.
The cost of adopting a French war
orphan is $36.50 a year, the French
government paying the same amount
Inc little American orphan girl who
is Gcdchild OF the Barnes also, re-
celVed no aid from the American
government and the cost of maintain
Ing an American war orphan is $40
yearly.
The following letter recently
received from one heir little war
girls whom they adopted last year and
tells in its quaint French way the
happiness and comfort and advantages
that this child is I,eceiving from her
american benefactor. The letter is in
french. Parts or most of it is printed
as the little girl cannot write much
Dear Godmother: I have just re-
celved your gift of--francs. How
pleased mother was She is going 70
Duy me a dress of checked black and
Whlte cloth for my black dress is
worn out. The rest of the money she
VIII keep for me. My little brother
needs nothing for he does not 60 TO
scnool yet. wish to learn to write
SO as to learn how to say thank Won
change grades and shall work hard
SO as t olearn how to say thank Won
for your kindness. 1t is very warm
here. The vacation is over. I en-
brace you both with all INV heart
Angelo Fouget."
Inc teacher adds this postscript.
Dear Mr.. and Mrs. Barnes: Pardon
Ahgeio,s poor writing and the spots
on the letter. She wept in despair
and promised herself to come regular.
~ TO class to make progress. The
poor child has been coming to school
only for year. The mother has been
living alone in her little house far
from the town of Vezac. Unhappv
disabled, she forgot somewhat her two
chiIdren whom she loves much. She
mas come to seek refuge at her fathers
d poor FARMER who has six children
II VIII be necessary, however. that
she resign her self to returning alone,
10 her children's. house for her bus-
Dand was killed in battle three wears
ago. He will never more return m
her. What pain this sad war ac-
cumulates each day. What respons-
ioility will the kaiser and his mill
.ary caste bring to God and to history
Thank you Mr.. and Mrs. Barnes for
the good that you do and the low that
you give. May it be to you a harvest
OF health and happiness. RespectfnIs
ly, M. Larvigne."
TIE ladies of the Baptist Aid have
cnosel Wednesday, October 90. as the
cate of their annual sale and sumner
More particulars later.
MI. and Mrs. d. H. Thew of Old
Iown have received word that their
son. Paul H., has arrived safely over
seas. Paul left Mankato the middle
OF June for Camp Grant. About a
month ago he was transferred to q
cantonment in Rhode island to await
ms departure overseas. Elmer lar
son and George Baumgartner are
somewhere on the ocean, having en-
parked sometime during the mas,
week. Every week sees more and
more OF the boys from this locality
going across. Today we have an in.
LereSttng letter sent in hx, fSro, So