The New York herald., 1921-03-13

South America The husband had died.
leaving only this handsome boy who had
become the idol OF her life. She showed
US his picture and told US OF the days
at the beginning OF the war when ne
pleaded with her TO let him join the
American army.
She was here three weeks. lodging
In the little shell torn village OF Belleau
and spending the days by the grave OF
her boy. reading and sewing and think
ing of the happy days of his childhood
and praying, for she was q devout Cath
clic. She spoke approximately OF the
tend erness of the caretaker who made
it possible for her to reach her arm
down beneath the sod, as near to his
body as she could. there to leave little
cruciix which she had brought from
Paris.
"I am quite sure that I viii prefer
TO leave him here" she said. MY friends
are wanting me to come back to Chile
to make my home there. but I think /
shall live In America 1t was the coun-
try for which he died. ! shall leave
him in this beautiful place and know
that his loved country will always pro-
tect his grave"
Another time It was a widow from
California. who was following In srs
footsteps Of her husband, who had been
an officer and who had fallen in the
Argonne. She had with her all his let
ters, which had carefully velled the
names OF places, hut from these she was
still able 70 trace his movements.
Last Christmas we met a gentleman
and his wife under distressing circum-
stances. They had come out from Paris
with a chauffeur who was reckless in
his driving. Not speaking French, they
stopped at our place to ask US to eau
ton him against his dangerous driving.
After visiting the grave of their son and
going in search OF the place where he
had fallen In the battle the drunken
driver overturned the automobile. Both
were seriously injured.
When we found him II was thought
that Mr.. McKenna would certainly die
from his wounds. We shall never forget
the fine humor OF the man as he re-
gained his consciousness. Forgetting all
about himself he would insist upon tell
ing US all about his boy who had suf-
fered here in Chateau Thierry even to
his death: Surely you must have known
of him. He was Major McAenna, a
lawyer from New York, prominent in the
New York Athletic Club, and known by
everybody as Jimmy McKenna, coach
of the Harvard crew.
There was a pouring rain as we stood
later together by the grave OF the son
and with simple service had the body
nj IN 10 T~ti hi
time the body had been in the original
box which had been made by the Majors
own brother at the time OF his death
out Of two doors which he had obtained
here in Chateau Thierry
The Methodist Memorial Building In
which we live would be known to many
Of the boys as TIC old Hotel Elephant,
1t was terribly wounded itself in the
war. The property was bought by the
Board of Foreign Missions and conse-
Grated for place of social service which
might be memorial for the American
soldiers who gave their lives for France
In 1918.
Immediately after coming we were ad-
vised by q leading local physician. DR..
Prieur. that if the Americans would help
tiSy lAlo anu
youth who must take the places OF the
one million and half OF men who were
killed by tho war. The programme OF
work includes 4 trained nurse for the
homes where babies are expected day
nursery for the babies OF mothers who
are working in the musical instrument
factory across the Marne; classes In
gymnastics and sewing and English
rooms for children to prepare their
home work for the school after the
school hours; free circulating library
with nearly one thousand volumes and
reading room with copies OF the leading
French periodicals.
1t Is constant Joy to render this SER
vice TO the people OF Chateau Thierry.
always remembering that It Is service
in memory OF our American boys who
are resting In Belleau Woods
JULIAN S. WADswoRrH,
Director Chateau Thierry Methodist
Memorial.
IN