Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-04-23
CHAPTER iII.-continued.

With Angela peering hard over his
shoulder, Mr.. Cullen strained to de-
cipher the uneven psrmanship. He
began to read aloud:
Dear Mr.. Cullen;
II am asking Mr.. Henry Hilliard
TO bring you this letter personally.
want him to tell you what I'm not
writing, too. And you can tell other
people, if you care TO.
II want you to know that since I've
had time to think, I've changed my
mind about a good many things. I've
come to the conclusion that you were
right and | was wrong. Maybe you
won't remember the last talk we had
together but ! do. You told me then
that | didn't have it in me 70 make
good unless | learned that was about
the most worthless young man 10 town,
and the one with the hardest row to
hoe in order 10 make something out
OF myself, and set out from there.
Well, I've learned it. | had to. OF
course, / couldn't agree with you at
4
expected. But over here I've had one
lesson after another. Some of them
were pretty bitter but they've all
helped. And since May, when / was
hurt, I'VE had lots Of time to think
them over.
Il never deserved your kindness end
now | can't ever repay 1t. But 1t may
please you to know that this war
has taught me what you tried TO, and
couldn't-that / was as close to zero
value at home rs man could be. It's
only through this war that I've got
any pride In myself, and I'm sort Of
lie Kipling's gentleman r9ker-Fm
proud Of myself because I've done
away with all the other kinds of pride
used 20 have. And / believe I've
made good-not as great general,
but as a private soldier. That Was
the trouble at home--I was Snly fit
TO be a private, and I thought could
be general OFF hand. You said I'd
do well if | learned that, and / have.
They gave me the Croix de Guerra.
and IL way, that proves 1t, doesn't
III Notice that they didn't even make
me corporal. though That's all
right haven't had enough training
yet to be a corporate It's curious
that I'll admit that. isn't it,
II want you to know that I've
thought of you great deal. / don't
blame YOU for letting me so. / did
once, but ! don't now. Please think
OF me, though, as man who came
through at the finish, even IL he'd been
pretty hopeless before.
"Hnliard the best man in the world,
has promised TO bring you this letter.
hope youll be glad to see him. and
TO hear his side of the story. This Is
my apology and my blessing. IL that's
worth anything to you. send kiss
to Angela.
ar. NJ"
Mr. Cullen ended With a falling in
Section, and let the hand which held
fhe letter drop TO his knee
''Tse letter. as you might guess from
tie looks of it." said Hiniald. "was
written at several different tines -ac-
cording to his strength. want you
TO realize. too. Mr. Cullen. that ii was
no small effort for him 20 write It,
And then l was IN Switzerland when
he died, and his possessions had an
gone to one Of those tSpe-bound bu.
'reaus so that | had a fearful time to
identify myself and get what he had
meant me TO have, and after that I
had to make q sudden trip to Russia
and back to England again There
were delays-delayS, ] was III for
oeve"al months myself I had typhoid
~ London. / should have Mailed
these things to you long ago. but ne
had begged me To come in person. and
] had promised. And every day I ex.
pected that in another week or two
/ should start for home. feel that
owe you this explanation and a
great plea for forgiveness for what
must seem 10 you like gross indifter-
ence on my part, But / landed hard.
~ two weeks ago, and I came NO 10
sou at the earliest possible moment"
In some ways be was a most re-
markable young mum said Alr CGi-
len, irreleyauuy Nobody ever un-
derstood why he turned ont such a
black sheep Came from Il Emo old
family. I suppose his father was one
Of the most loved Nen in Ouondaga
eouny. Dick Lived for years on ha