The spectator., 1919-05-27
Dy GRACE BOULDER, (Wlth the American Y. w. C. A. Over.
 oeae)

COblenz, Germany.
 March 2s (By Maf)
 It happened right here h Coblens
 A big corporal came into the Y. W. c. A. Hostess House and asked for the director, Miss Ruth WoodSmall. who comes from Colorado springs, Colo Gould my mother stay here?" he began at once trying his best to cover his excitement.
 Your mother!" gasped Miss Wood small. "How did your mother ever get here?"
 Well, she isn't here yet, but If she comes will you keep herr" "Of course I will, but"
 She didn't finish, for the boy had smashed his cap back on his head and was out of the door on a run The corporal's visit remained mys- tery for two days. Then one evening just at dusk little white haired wo- man dressed exquisitely In black ap- peared in the sitting room of the Host ess House, and the corporal was hover ing behind her, trying to he beside her | and back of her and in front of her all at once. He was carrying her cost-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 unhesrd of with the army. But this was mother, everyone knew.
 After awhile someone found out about this mother.
 Had Been interned During War. She and her husband, who were born in Germany. but had been nat uralized, lived in San Francisco Be fore the war they left for Welsbaden. 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 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 I hadn't heard from Ralph for two years and q half even before America got In the war mail was held up. l didn't know whether he was In the army or not hut I was sure he was, because-well. because he Is an American" Here she stopped minute to smile up at him.
 After awhile we heard from some friends that he was Tn the army-and that he had come over here. That was all ever knew. It's nearly five years since l have seen him
 "Of course It was awfully hsrd-I couldn't get word to him and he couldn't to me, My husband used to tell me It wouldn't help Ralph any for me 10 cry. tried not to--before the rest of them anyway. My daughter got worse steadly-she Is no better We couldn't get the proper food for her after awhile. And she hated to see me worried about Ralph. 90 I used to try to keep up before them.
 Hast January my husband came to COblenz about his citizen papers. An American soldier in Rslph's company who was in the office heard his name M, 2 T. to Ralph. He didn't tell him Ralph was in Coblenz. 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 have been trying to see Ralph. He couldn't come to Weisbaden because It was out of the American area, and I couldn't get through until today-mors than two months"
 They asked her if her Ralph had changed much in all that time. "Oh, yes-very much. But do you know, l think It Is because all that long time when I didn't know where he was or how he was-I got In the habit of thinking of him as he was when he was a baby--I kept seeing him as a baby and remembering the way he felt when he was little Isn't that queer? And now look at him" And the corporal tried not to see the adoration in her eyes.
 Five years Is long time to wait to see your boy" she murmured, and k.ar, hAp |. .t,,<
 forgotten the people around her. The corporal cleared his throat
 This 10 why ask you if you could
 keep my mother, Miss Woodsmall, ! didn't want her to como unless she
 had . good place to stay. An, e-e-r- thanks awfulls."
 And that Is the story of how the
 Hostess House happened to entertain the enly known A. D. '. mother who hA v @~va~ A.4 - A ar