Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1919-05-29
BY GRACE eouLDER.
with the American Y. w. C. A. Over
seas.)
Coblenz, Germany,
3 March % (By Mail.)


3 March % (By Mail)
1t happened right here in Coblenz
A big corporal came into the Y. w.
@. A. Hostess House and asked for the
director, Miss Ruth Woodsmall, who
comes from Colorado Springs, Colo.
could my mother stay here?" he
began at once, trying his best TO cover
his excitement.
"Your mother!" gasped Miss Wood
small. Glow did your mother ever get
here?"
well, she isn't here yet, but if she
comes will you keep herr"
"Of course / will, but"
She didn't finish, for the boy had
smashed his cap back ON his head and
was out of the door on run.
The corporal's visit remained mys-
terry for two days. Then one evening
just at dusk a little white haired wo-
man dressed exquisitely in black APP
peared in the sitting room of the Host
ess House, and the corporal was hover
Ing behind her, trying to be beside her
and back of her and in front of her
all at once. He was carrying her
coat-a big fur one With them were
three doughboys, pals of the corporal.
They tried to keep in 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 woman in civilian clothes.
Mothers are unheard of with the army.
But this was a mother, everyone knew.
After awhile someone. found out
about this mother.
Had Been Interned During War.
She and her husband, who We're
born in Germany, but had been nat
uralized, lived in San Francisco 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, small
boy, and the other was Ralph, now
Corporal Stepp of the American Army
When the war was declared they
sent Ralph back to America, because
j, he was of military age, and they did
+ not want him to fight for the kaiser
Then America entered the war.
Mrs. Stepp-Mrs. Anna Stepp she is
told this part of the story:
"Until month ago 1 hadn't heard
from Ralph for two years and a half
even before America got in the wal
mail was held up. 1 didn't know
whether he was in the army or not
but was sure he was, because-well
because he is an American Here
she stopped a minute to smile up al
him.
"After awhile we heard from some
friends that he was in the army-ant
that he had come over here. That was
all ever knew It's nearly five years
since have seen him!
"Of course 1t was awfully hard
couldn't get word to him and hi
couldn't to me. My husband used tt
tell me 1t wouldn't help Ralph any fol
me to cry. tried not to-before, the
rest of them anyway. Ny daughter
got worse steadily she is no better
We couldn't get the proper food FOL
her after awhile. And she hated tt
see me worried about Ralph, so l uset
to try to keep up before them.
Last January my husband came tt
Coblenz about his citizen papers. Al
American soldicr in Ralph's compan.
who was in the Office heard his name
and asked him If he was any relation
to Ralph. He didn't tell him RALPH
was in Coblenz, but went after Ralph
He didn't tell Ralph his father wa
here When they met they couldn'
believe their eyes.
Ever since then l have been tryini
to see Ralph. He couldn't come t.
American area, and / couldn't ge
through until today-more than tw
months"
They asked her If her Ralph ha
changed much in all that time.
"Oh, ges-very much. But do 70
know, / think 1t is because all tina
long time when i didn't know wher
he was or how he was--I got in TIL
habit of thinking of him as he wa
when he was baby-I kept seein
him as baby and remembering tn
way he felt when he was little. Ism
that queer? And now look at him."
And the corporal tried not to see tn
alteration in her eyes
give years is a long time to wa
TO see your boy" she murmured, an
kept her eyes on him. Again she ha
forgotten the people around her.
The corporal cleared his throa
This is why / ask d you If you coul
keep my mother, Miss Woodsmall
didn't want her to come unless st
had good place to stay. All, e-e-r-
thanks awfully."