Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1918-10-18
J i'm IS 5: Dream } a J
(copy,asht, 1917. Western N.vspap,r union.,
BY AGNES G. bROCAN

AS the soldiers received their mail,
Jim fingered, but there was little hope
in his wistful face; for during all the
time that he had been in training
camp, Jim had received but two letters
these from kindly though not vitality
interested friends.
Back in the treadmill Of business he
had not known this poignant hunger
for the things Of home. It came to
him now, out here IN the barracks, as
he noted the new light Of courage In
youthful faces. inspired by close-wrtt-
ten pages from home. someone" was
anxious concerning their welfare.
"somebody'' cared.
There had been little time for girls
in Jim's former plodding, busy. life.
Presently an envelope was tossed at
him with laugh, and he bent In sur
prised perplexity over it's unusual in
scr1ption. ITO be delivered" he read,
ITO the soldier who has no other let
ter" Below was the proper address
Of his company. Safely away from In
terruption, Jim opened the lavender
envelope, and his eyes swiftly fol-
lowed the lines of neat feminine hand
writing. Jasmine Dale" his CORE
spondent signed herself.
"Having no soldier" as she phrased
1t, "of her own, to work for" she
wished to bestow her KNITTED handi-
work, and if desired, magazines, pa
pers, and even letters, where they
would be acceptable. If the recipient
of this letter wished to take advan-
tage Of such patriotic friendship, would
he answer at an early date, forward
ing his name and correct address to
Miss jasmine Dale Sunnyville, n. Y?
Jim flushed; it was Il pretty name
the scent which still fingered about
the lavender envelope might be JAS
mine, 100. She was romantic, undoubt-
eddy, his PARKWAY wOuld-be friend, a
girl nevertheless who wanted to do
her bit, in cheering. And was not
home letter the thing for which he
had been wishing, and New York at
least was his home state. Later she.
might feel herself in a measure re-
paid by his description of scenes
abroad, his personal tales Of battle,
And he would strive to be her hero
Jim smiled in anticipated pleasure al
his new incentive.
In prompt reply to his grateful let.
ter came box delightfully."- complete
in soldiers necessarles and comforts
Jim dreamed good deal that moon
lit evening in camp and ever his fancy
lent added charm to the far-away writ
er of his letters. "From Jim's GIRL
the boys Woult! say, as til" lavender en-
velope slipped into his hand. And
Jim made no denial, in secret thought,
Ihat she h;:G l,tH,n, his girl.
There WIS Il i....v !'!:t'1 Miss Jasa-
mine failed in the proniplncs.' Of her
response. Jim was agitated by vari-
Gus fears. The girl might be engaged,
might have given her heart into an.
others keeping-but no, the letter at
length brought relief. "She had been
very busy, but she had not forgotten
her soldier"
He planned a surprise during his
last leave Of absence before sailing
for France. He would search out lit
tie Sunnyville, and call to bid Miss
jasmine goodbye. His dream picture
Of her seemed very real, as he passed
down the village street. Just SO, he
had fancied the setting where his
dream girl should dwell-the white
house with it's rose-colored tre1lis, that,
too, was home.
Miss jasmine Dale was not in," a
man coming through the gateway an
swered his question. "But he would
find her at the Red Cross meetin' down
the street. She was givin' readin'
there this afternoon, letters from a
soldier in camp"
Jim sensed sudden disappointment
In the thought Of jasmine publishing
those letters whose expression was for
her alone. Yet, the reading was an
honor, and there were parts he admit
ted instructive to Red Gross meet
ing. The door Of the hall stood open
to the summer air, Jim stood con-
cealed by a screening vine.
Miss jasmine Da1e's name was an
nounced, and amid hand-clapping that
lady assembled the platform. At her
bow Of greeting Jim gasped audibly.
For the speaker on the platform was
an old lady, sweet faced and Of type
almost forgotten.
II will read" she began Quaveringly
"extracts descriptive Of camp life,
from the last letter Of my soldier"
With sinking heart Jim listened,
remorsefully. Aware Of his own un-
worthiness of his benefactor's kind
ness, he decided to go away unob-
served. Later when he could recon
cile this bitter loss of the jasmine
of his dreams, he would write sane
letter Of sincere gratitude. But now
"etep SOFTLY" admonished voice
behind him, cor you'll attrdct Aunt's
attention and shall have to 60 in.''
Jim wheeled about to look directly
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