The Washington herald., 1920-01-17

ing is not for you; but cross your
heart and hope TO die, my A. Y.
F., didn't you use IL constantly IL
there, were times when we weren't
with you. il was because. alas! we
couldn't be everywhere-and when you
seemed to need us most, there was
often no way to get to you. Surely
you must have realized that when
the army couldn't even get your
corned beef up to you 1t wouldn't
permit us to bring you chocolates!
/ want you to tell Aunt Minnie, who
gave US the 50 cents for you, and
Dad and Mother. who gave US s.. and
little Bobby. who gave us a nickel.
the truth about us-for their sake as
much as four ours. and most OF all,
for Truths. You needn't soften IL
down or touch IL up q bit II you
discovered Y man who was a thor
ough and consistent crouch, or one
who charged cinq centimes more than
you thought was justifiable. tell them
the whole horrible tale: but in the
name OF justice and fair play and
common decency. my A. +. r., tell
them about the other times-;he hun
dreds and hundreds OF other times
when the Y was all that you had
and when you used il mercilessly. IL
am speaking only of the Y, il is
because j know il best and because
1t gave me the joy OF being with you
for many months and so ! am
eternally grateful to it: but / want
you TO tell them the truth about every
organization over there that stretched
out a hand to you-because. by and
large, 1t makes as beautiful a story
Q
could care to hear. And for my sake,
because I was Y girl. and because
We loved each other. please go out Of
your way to tell them about every
place that you found US. from the
God -forssken little mud-hole where
we had laboriously rugged up a movie
machine and dug up a stove to burn
for you, and hot chocolate in a tin
can and a wheezy talking machine TO
sing about the little gray home. and
where We were duly exultant that we
could get so much and pretty sad
that il was 80 little-to the incredible
loneliness Of the leave-areas. where
we took the most wonderful casinos
set in the most wonderful scenery ~
the world. and flung the doors wide
and asked you TO come in and play
with us-:o see the best shows ano
hear the best singing and eat the best
food that could be found-to dance
on the best floors TO the best music
that you ever hes rd-Gnd with the
best dancers. too. though they oId
wear Powered aprons and had 10 run
back to the cantcen between times to
give YOU the ice cream. can't be-
!i"Ve that II YOU were ever our guests
at one OF our seven-day house parties
and at ny house we used 10 enter
tain over 500 week. don't believe
that YOU could help getting little
hot and uncomfortable when you r.
memb-red some OF the things that
you have said about us Becs U.s. YOU
swore that you h54 never had such ?
wonderful time. and that YOU would
never. never forget IL. Have you fO'-
gotten. my 4. l.. r"
Its getting Iate-but lets II; here
for a minute Longer. with no words at
oil. It's so quiet in the little street.
il makes our terrible and beautiful
adventure seem like q dream. The
honey suClsie and the locust smell
sweeter even than our memories OF
them. and the lights are coming out
one by one IN the little houses. and
tired people are coming home to rest.
Some one is cutting the grass next
door. and the little girls skipping rope
look like white but; erfiies. and far
down the street a woman is calling.
"Johnny-Johnny-supper-time"'
oh. America. how We have learned
to love sou. We thought that ~" might
have lost you forever. Well 90 We
know. too. that in your quiet streets
lie adventures more thrilling Ihan any
we have dreamed. For IN your qJiet
streets lies the Future
All the lights are shining in The
windows. and the last one is i.Elte1
in the West-the evening Star. Do Ncu
remember the rhyme that We used to
LAY when Ne were little? Give me
your hand. my 4. l.. F, aud we'll wish
on the first tar ia lEc dar'.noss S"for"
you 20.
star light. star bright.
Very first star I've seen tonight.
Wish I may. wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight
I wish. my \. =. p. tina, sou may
your dea;hless courage aad impcrish-
able strength. your ringing laughter
and your beautiful rentleness. yoUr
.
youth. I wish thai you may give her
your soul.
And so farewell 10 YOU. my 4. +. F.
Turn once more 10 wave TO me at
the crvssroadS-eVen though my eye.
cannot see you for the foolish tears
my heart sees YOU well-tall and srlen-
did in your khaki. waving farewell 10
me with that eNultant ldU-a or YOURS
eager 10 be on. eager TO be away.
When you have turned the corner. 7
see You sp'l-l will see YOU always
So ] will smile. too. and he glad that
You have come and gladsl hat Yea have
gone-still Young and unhroken and
triumphant
Best comrade and trueSi lover and
dearest playmate hail ana farewell.
my A. r.
JThe Eail