The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1919-05-24
BY GRACE couLpER.

II happened right here In Coblenz.
A big corporal came into the Y w.
CA. 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 motherr" gasped Miss Wood
small. "How>dld your mother ever get
heref"
"well, she isn't here yet. but II she
comes will you keep herr"
"0f 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 q run.
The corporal's visit remained q mys-
terry for two days. Then one evening
Just at dusk little white haired wo-
man dressed exquisiteiy in black ap-
peared 10 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
$ii at once He was carrying her
cost--s big fuI one. With them were
fhree, doughboyA pals of the corporal.
They tried to keep In the background,
but their eyes were glued onshef' facs.
Everyone In the sittlng room ssA ut
attention. There are no EnSlish
speaking men or women out OF uni
form In the Third Army area. Yet
here was q woman IN civilian clothes.
Mothers are unheerd Of with the army.
But this wss q mother, everyone knew.
After awhile someone found out
about this mother.
Had Seen informed ourlNa 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 weIsbaden,
Germany, that their Invalid daughter
might have treatment at this famous
health resort. ~
{ They brought their other children
with them. One wns Walter. a small
boy, and the other was Ralph, now.
Corporal Stepp of the American Army.
r 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 n month ago I hadn't heard
rom Ralph for two years and half
even before America got in the war
nail was held up. didn't know
whether he was In the army or not
put was sure he was, because-well.
because lie Is an American Her.
she stopped minute to smile up nj
lin.
After awhile We heard from some
riends that he was in the army-and
nat he had come over here. That wns
III ever knew. It's nearly five years
'ince have seen hImi
"Of course II was awfully hard-I
get word to him and he
to me. My husband used to
ell me II wouldn't help Ralph any for
ne to cry. tried not to--before the
est OF them anyway. My daughter
Tot worse steadily--she is no better
We couldn't get the proper food for
Ter after awhile. And she hated m !
zee me worried about Ralph. 10 used
o try to keep up before them.
Last January my husband came 10 !
,ooienz about his citizen papers. An
american soldier In Ralph's company
Vho was In the Office heard his name
nd asked him II he was any relation
o Ralph. He didn't tell him RaInb
sas In Coblenz. but went after Ralph.
ie didn't tell Ralph his father was
ere. When they. met they couldn't
elIeve their eyes. i
Ever since then have been trying
see Ralph. He couldn't come 10
Veisbaden because II was out OF tho
american area, and I couldn't get
through until today--more than two
ionths."
They asked her II. her Ralph had
hanged much In oil that time.
"Oh, yes-very much. But do Won
now, ! think Il Is because all that
ing time when I didn't know where
g was or how he was-I got In the
abit OF thinking OF him as he was
hen he was baby--I kept seeing
I'm ms baby and remembering the
ay he feit when he was little. Isn't
nat queer? And now look at him -
And the corporal tried not TO see the
dorntion In her eyes.
Five years is long time to whit
see your boy" she murmured, and
ept her eyes on him. Again she had
'rgotten the people around her.
The corporal cleared his throat
This Is why I ask you II you could
eep my mother, Miss woodsmall
idn't want her to come unless she
ad a good place to stay. All, e-e.f-
ranks awfully."
And that Is the story OF how the
Iosiess House happened TO entertain
re only known A. T.. u. mother who
IA ViSffQd fha NFtnu % O....,..,..t.