The patriot. (Glenmora, La.) 1918-1955, 1919-07-18
sx GRACE GoULpER.

BY GRACE GoULDER.
with the American Y. w. c. A, Over
seas.)
Coblenz, Germany,
March % (By Mall)
It happened right here in Coblenz.
A big corporal came into the Y. w.
C. A. Hostess House and asked for the
director, Miss Ruth Woodslnall, who
comes from Colorado springs, Colo.
Gould my mother stay here?" he
began at once, trying his best to cover
his excitement.
your mother!" gaspcd Miss Wood
small. "How did Your mother ever get
here?"
well, she isn't here yet, but de She
comes will you keep herf'
"Of course will, but"
She didn't finish, for the hoy had
smashed his cap back on his head amt
was out Of the door on a run.
The corporaFs visit remained mys-
terry for two days. Then or" evening
tust at dusk Il little white Haired NO.
man dressed exquisitely in black APP
peared in the sitting room Of the Host
ess House, anC.tae corporal was hover
ing behind hers trying to be beside her
and back of Ter and in front Of her
all ut once He was carrying her
coat-a big fur one. With them were
three doughboys, pals Of the corporal.
They tried TO keep n the background,
but their eyes were glued on her face.
Everyone in the sitting room sat at
attention. There are no English
speaking men or women OUT of uni
form In the Third Army area. Yet
here was q woman In civilian clothes.
Mothers are unheard OF With the army.
But this was mother. everyone.kDsE{
After awhile someone fovrd tSe
about this mother.
Had Been informed DuFiy War.
She and her husband. 81 were
born in Germany, but haS zen nat
uralizcd, lived in San Frs tSsco. Be-
fore the war they left for Weisbaden.
Germany, that their invalid daughter
might have treatment at this famous
health resort
They brought their other children
with them. One was Walter, q small
boy, and the -otier was Ralph, now
Corporal Stepp Of the American Army.
When the war vas declared they
sent Ralph hack to America, because
he was OF military age, and they did
not want him to fight for the kaiser.
Then America entered tse war.
Mrs. Stepp-Mrs. Anna Stepn she Is
-41Nld this part of the story:
Until Il month ago hadn't heard
from Ralph for two years and a half
even before America got In the war
mail was held up. ! didn't know
whether he was In the army or not
but I was sure he was, becatlse--well.
because he Is an American" Here
she stopped q minute to smile mp at
him.
After awhile we heard from some
friends that he was In the arfny-and
that he had come over here That was
aIlI ever knew. It's nearly five years
since Ehave seen h.n1s
't0f course 1t was avfuliy hard-f
couldn't get. word TO him and he
tell.me 1t wouldn't help Raiph any for
me to cry. : tried not to--before the
rest Of them anyway My daughter
got worse steadily-she is nc better.
We couldn't get the proper food for
her after awhile. And she hated to
soc me worried about Ralph. 20 usetf
to try to keep.up before them. IS
LAST January my husband came to
Coblenz about his citizen papers. An
American solt;ic- In Ralph's company
who was I'm the Office heard his name
and asked him if he was any reiatiof.
TO Ralph. Ne didn't tell him RALPH
wes in Cobienz, but went after RALPH;
He didn't tell Ralph his father was
here. When they met they couldn't
believe their eyes.
Ever since then I have heen trying
to see Ralph. He couldn't come to
Weisbaden because 1t was our of the
American area, and couldn't ret
through until today-more than rive
months"
They asked her IL her. Rakapts liaa
changed much In all that tis,e.
"Oh, yes-yery much Btt do you
know, think i is becausesnH that
long time when didn't know where
he was or how he was-I rot In ti1e
habit Of thinking of him as he was
when he was baby--I kept seeing
him as baby snsl remembering The
way he felt when he was little. Isna
that queer? And now look at him e. i.
And the corporal tried not to see tia
alteration In her eyes.
Five years is locg time TO wal,
toases your boy" size murmured anf
kept her eses on him. Again she llas
forgotten the people around her.
The corporal cleared his throat
This 10 why / ask d you II YOU couIs
keep my mother, Miss woods1nsil
didn't want her to como unless sh.
had good place to stay. All. GER.
THINKS awfu.lyy
And that Is the story Of how tn.
Hostess House Eappenpd to entertain
the only known A e. 4. mother wh,
Ass Visited the Arrlg Of Occupation.