Life — June 6, 1918 — page 28: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

human interest. Letters from the Front Correspondents are advised to keep duplicates. the sender should be plainly written on each manuscript. EA Ue cia ‘OR letters from men in the American fighting forces in France Lire will pay ten dollars each, if they are considered of sufficient interest to print. Each letter should be addressed to the Editor, and should be short. Prefer- ably, it should deal with some phase of life at the Front, and the preference will be given to humorous incidents, short anecdotes or matters of fact or The name and address of From a Sailor Dear Dad: Your many clippings all received—also two Sunday Times (only) and Lire (four copies) and a Saturday Evening Post. Many thanks, Everyone on board is en- joying them all, for we all pass around whatever we receive in the reading and eating line. No glasses have appeared as yet. Last mail received was dated March 18, What date did you mail them? We are all pretty tired as the result of going out on an emergency for fen days, with one watch officer shy and then another came down sick. Result, only two of us to stand watches and the cap- tain had to help us out. The captain was very considerate and did everything in his power for us. He really appreciates hard work and wants everyone to know that he does. The result is everyone is only too glad to do anything that looks as though it needed “ doing.” This little yacht stands pretty high around here, Our captain is the only one to receive a letter of commendation from the “ Limies" so far, and for the month of February we stood first among the American vessels for “hours under way.” We stood second for miles traveled, which is not bad for our speed, which I believe you know, but I cannot mention. We will not stand quite as high for March, but expect to stand well up. And we have a fine start on April, With good luck we should stand first again, Always supposing, of course, that we are not “ fished.” The copies of Lire were the best I have seen in years. I certainly admire the stand it takes regarding the “ Ad- ministration.” Everyone on board who has seen them has enjoyed Lire ex- tremely. We all feel like old stagers here now. Whenever a new American vessel appears we advise them and tell them all about things. We hear that officers are being ordered home between six and eight months after they arrive. So have hopes of coming back to God's country some time before next Christmas. We hear there is a new Liberty Loan soon. Are you laying in your share? I really shouldn't ask that, dad, because I know you are. But we certainly need sup- plies. The old army and navy can’t fight without food and ammunition. Gene writes me that she is doing hers. Love to all. As ever, your son, Exery. A European Port, April 10, 1918. By the Light of a Tallow Candle Dear Mother o’ Mine: Your letter came to me at my “billet de luxe,” somewhere on the firing line in France. How welcome it was! It was a rather dreary, quiet d: y tos day—that damp and murky atmosphere that gets on one’s nerves. However, to- night, sitting here, by the telephone cen- tral, with a cheery fire burning in our iron hut and an old-fashioned tallow candle for illumination, I write to yor and my heart warms toward all the world as I think of you and your wonderful love for your boys. I only hope that nothing cither of us ever does shall be a disappointment to you and dad. You know the life of a soldier is rather trying at times. To do your duty as you see it is not so hard; but to do your duty as others see it is a peculiar thing for one of independent thoughts and inclina- tions. However, everything in life has become subordinate to our great achieve- ment, which is victory over the forces which sow discordance and strife in this world of ours. As I write this a peculiar thought comes to me: that across the line, in the range of our guns, some other boy sits by the light of a tallow candle and writes to his mother even as I write to mine, with the same love and devotion and the same longing to be home with her again. Let us hope that the time comes when both he and I can have the wish of our hearts granted. I wonder if you would like to know about my little force of signal men. I don’t believe any officer in any army is prouder of his men than I am, as I know you will be interested to know them (Continued on page 932) “we'RE TORPEDOED!” “HoLp ON! I've GoT Four aces!" comicbookseer]