第12章
R。H。D。hadfoundsomethingtolikeandadmireinthatstory(verylittleperhaps)，anditwashisdutyandpleasuretotellyouso。Ifhehadlikedthestoryverymuchhewouldsendyouinsteadofanoteatelegram。Oritmightbethatyouhaddrawnapicture，or，asacubreporter，hadshowngoldenpromiseinahalfcolumnofunsignedprint，R。H。D。
wouldfindyouout，andfindtimetopraiseyouandhelpyou。
Soitwasthatwhenheemergedfromhisroomatsharpeighto"clock，hewaswide-awakeandhappyandhungry，andwhistledanddouble-shuffledwithhisfeet，outofexcessiveenergy，andcarriedinhishandsawholesheafofnotesandlettersandtelegrams。
"BreakfastwithhimwasnottheusualAmericanbreakfast，asullen，dyspepticgatheringofpersonswhoonlythenightbeforehadrejoicedineachother"ssociety。Withhimitwasthetimewhenthemindis，oroughttobe，atitsbest，thebodyatitsfreshestandhungriest。Discussionsofthelatestplaysandnovels，thedoingsandundoingsofstatesmen，laughterandsentiment——tohim，atbreakfast，thesethingswereasimportantassausagesandthickcream。
"Breakfastover，therewasnodawdlingandputtingoffoftheday"swork(elsehow，atelevensharp，couldtennisbeplayedwithafreeconscience？)。Loving，ashedid，everythingconnectedwithanewspaper，hewouldnowpassbythoseonthehall-tablewithneversomuchasawistfulglance，andhurrytohisworkroom。
"Hewrotesittingdown。Hewrotestandingup。And，almostyoumaysay，hewrotewalkingupanddown。Somepeople，accustomedtothedeliciouseaseandclarityofhisstyle，imaginethathewroteveryeasily。Hedidandhedidn"t。
Letters，easy，clear，tothepoint，andgorgeouslyhuman，flowedfromhimwithoutletorhindrance。Thatmasterpieceofcorresponding，theGermanMarchthroughBrussels，wasprobablywrittenalmostasfastashecouldtalk(nexttoPhillipsBrooks，hewasthefastesttalkerIeverheard)，butwhenitcametofictionhehadnofacilityatall。PerhapsIshouldsaythatheheldincontemptanyfacilitythathemayhavehad。ItwasowingtohisincomparableenergyandJoblikepatiencethatheevergaveusanyfictionatall。Everyphraseinhisfictionwas，ofallthemyriadphraseshecouldthinkof，thefittestinhisrelentlessjudgmenttosurvive。
Phrases，paragraphs，pages，wholestorieseven，werewrittenoverandoveragain。Heworkeduponaprincipleofelimination。
Ifhewishedtodescribeanautomobileturninginatagate，hemadefirstalongandelaboratedescriptionfromwhichtherewasomittednodetail，whichthemostobservantpairofeyesinChristendomhadevernotedwithreferencetojustsuchaturning。Thereuponhewouldbeginaprocessofomittingonebyonethosedetailswhichhehadbeenatsuchpainstorecall；andaftereachomissionhewouldaskhimself，`Doesthepictureremain？"Ifitdidnot，herestoredthedetailwhichhehadjustomitted，andexperimentedwiththesacrificeofsomeother，andsoon，andsoon，untilafterHerculeanlaborthereremainedforthereaderoneofthoseswiftlyflashedice-clearpictures(completeineverydetail)
withwhichhistalesandromancesaresodelightfullyandcontinuouslyadorned。
"Butitisquartertoeleven，andthisbeingatimeofholiday，R。H。D。emergesfromhisworkroomhappytothinkthathehasplacedonehundredandsevenwordsbetweenhimselfandthewolfwhohangsabouteverywriter"sdoor。Heisn"tsatisfiedwiththosehundredandsevenwords。Heneverwasintheleastsatisfiedwithanythingthathewrote，buthehassearchedhismindandhisconscienceandhebelievesthatunderthecircumstancestheyaretheverybestthathecando。
Anyway，theycanstandintheirpresentorderuntil——afterlunch。
"Asignofhisyouthwasthefactthattothedayofhisdeathhehaddeniedhimselftheluxuryandslothfulnessofhabits。
Ihaveneverseenhimsmokeautomaticallyasmostmendo。Hehadtoomuchrespectforhisownpowersofenjoymentandforthesensibilities，perhaps，ofthebestHavanatobacco。Atatimeofhisowndeliberatechoosing，oftenaftermanyhoursofhankeringandrenunciation，hesmokedhiscigar。Hesmokeditwithdelight，withasenseofbeingrewarded，andheusedallthesmoketherewasinit。
"Hedearlylovedthebestfood，thebestchampagne，andthebestScotchwhiskey。Butthesethingswerefriendstohim，andnotenemies。Hehadtowardfoodanddrinkthecontinentalattitude；namely，thatqualityisfarmoreimportantthanquantity；andhegothisexhilarationfromthefactthathewasdrinkingchampagneandnotfromthechampagne。PerhapsIshalldowelltosaythatonquestionsofrightandwronghehadawillofiron。Allhislifehemovedresolutelyinwhicheverdirectionhisconsciencepointed；andalthoughthateverpresentandneverobtrusiveconscienceofhismademistakesofjudgmentnowandthen，asmustallconsciences，Ithinkitcanneveroncehavetrickedhimintoanyactionthatwasimpureorunclean。Somecriticsmaintainthattheheroesandheroinesofhisbooksareimpossiblypureandinnocentyoungpeople。R。H。D。nevercalleduponhischaractersforanytraitofvirtue，orrenunciation，orself-masteryofwhichhisownlifecouldnotfurnishexamples。"
InJuneof1912RichardreportedtheRepublicanconventionatChicago。Shortlyafterthis，onJuly8，hemarriedatGreenwich，Connecticut，MissElizabethGenevieveMcEvoy，knownonthestageasBessieMcCoy，withwhomhehadfirstbecomeacquaintedin1908aftertheestrangementfromhiswife。
RichardandhiswifemadetheirhomeatCrossroads，wherehedevotedmostofhisworkinghourstothewritingofshortstories。InAugustofthatyearmybrother，accompaniedbyhiswife，returnedtoChicagotoreporttheProgressiveconvention。Duringtheyear1913hewroteandproducedthefarce"Who"sWho，"ofwhichWilliamCollierwasthestar，andinthefallofthesameyearspentamonthinCuba，withAugustusThomas，wheretheyproducedafilmversionof"SoldiersofFortune。"Inreferringtothistrip，ThomaswroteatthetimeofRichard"sdeath:
"In1914amotion-picturecompanyarrangedtomakeafeaturefilmoftheplay，andDickandIwentwiththeiroutfittoSantiagodeCuba，where，twentyyearsearlier，hehadfoundtheinspirationforhisstoryandoutofwhichcityanditsenvironshehadfashionedhissupposititiousrepublicofOlancho。Onthattriphewastheidolofthecompany。Withthemeninthesmoking-roomofthesteamertherewerethenumberlessplayfulstories，intherough，oftheexperiencesonallfivecontinentsandsevenseasthatwerethebackgroundsofhispublishedtales。
"AtSantiago，ifanofficialwastobepersuadedtoconsenttosomeunprecedentedseizureofthestreets，oradiplomatinvokedfortheassistanceoftheArmyortheNavy，itwastheexperienceandgoodjudgmentofDickDavisthatcontrolledthetask。Inthefieldtherewerehishelpfulsuggestionsofworkandmakeuptotheactors，andontheboatandtrainandinhotelandcamptheladymembersmetinhimaneasycourtesyandunderstandingatoncefraternalandimpersonal。
"Theelementthathecouldnotputintotheaccountandwhichisparticularlypertinenttothispage，istheauthorof`SoldiersofFortune"asherevealedhimselftomebothwithintentionandunconsciouslyinthepresenceofthefamiliarscenes。
"Forthreeweeks，withtheexceptionofoneortwooccasionswhensomelocaldignitarycapturedtherevisitinglion，heandIspentoureveningstogetheratacafetableoverlooking`TheGreatSquare，"whichhesketchessodeftlyinitsatmospherewhenClayandtheLanghamsandStuartdinethere。AtoneendoftheplazathePresident"sbandwasplayingnativewaltzesthatcamethrobbingthroughthetreesandbeatingsoftlyabovetherustlingskirtsandclinkingspursofthesenoritasandofficerssweepingbyintwooppositecirclesaroundtheedgesofthetessellatedpavements。Abovethepalmsaroundthesquarearosethedim，whitefacadeoftheCathedral，withthebronzestatueofAnduellatheliberatorofOlancho，whoansweredwithhisupraisedarmandcockedhatthecheersofanimaginarypopulace。
"TwentyyearshadgonebysinceDickhadreceivedtheimpressionthatwrotethoselines，andnowsometimesafterdinnerhalfalongcigarwouldburnoutashemusedoverthepictureandthedreamsthathadgonebetween。Fromonelongsilencehesaid:`IthinkI"llcomebackherethiswinterandbringMrs。Daviswithme——stayacoupleofmonths。"Whatafinecomplimenttoawifetohavethethoughtofherandthatplanemergefromthatdeepandromanticbackground。
"Thepicturepeoplebegantheirfilmwithashowingofthe`mountainswhichjuttedoutintotheoceanandsuggestedroughlythefiveknucklesofagiant"shandclenchedandlyingflatuponthesurfaceofthewater。"ThatformationoftheseawallisjustoutsideofSantiago。`Thewavestunnelledtheirwayeasilyenoughuntiltheyranupagainstthosefivemountainsandthentheyhadtofallback。"HownaturalforoneofustobeunimpressedbysuchafeatureofthelandscapeandyethowcharacteristicofDickDavistoseetheelementalfightthatitrecordedandgetthehintforthewholeoftheengineeringstrugglethatissomuchofhisbook。
"Wewentoverthosemountainstogether，wheretwodecadesbeforehehadplantedhisbannerofromance。WevisitedtheminesandtherailroadsandeverywherefoundsomesuperintendentorforemanorengineerwhorememberedDavis。
Hehadguessedatnothing。Everywherehehadoverlaidthefactswithadventureandwithbeauty，buthehadbeenonsurefootingallthetime。HisprototypeofMacWilliamswasdead。
Togetherwevisitedthewoodencrosswithwhichtheminershadmarkedhisgrave。
CHAPTERXIX
VERACRUZANDTHEGREATWAR
LateinApril，1914，whenwarbetweentheUnitedStatesandMexicoseemedinevitableRichardoncemoreleftthepeaceandcontentofCrossroadsandstartedforVeraCruz，arrivingthereonApril29。Hehadarrangedtoactascorrespondentforasyndicateofnewspapers，andashehadforlongbeenopposedtotheadministration"spolicyof"watchfulwaiting"
wasgreatlydisappointedonhisarrivalatthebordertolearnofthePresident"splanofmediation。Hewrotetohiswife:
CRUZ，April24，1914。
DEARESTONE:
Welefttodayat5。30。Itwasasplendidscene，exceptforthechildrencrying，andthewivesoftheofficersandenlistedmentryingnottocry。Igotastateroomtomyself。
Withtheelectricfanonandtheairportopen，itisaboutascoolasablastfurnace。ButIwasgivenaseatontheleftofGeneralFunston，whoiscommandingthisbrigade，andtheotherofficersatthetableareallgoodfellows。AslongasIwasgoing，IcertainlyhadluckingettingawayassharplyasIdid。Oneday"sdelaywouldhavemadememissthistransport，whichwillbethefirsttolandtroops。
April25th。
Adreadnaughtjoinedustoday，theLouisiana。IwirelessedtheAdmiralaskingpermissiontosendapressdespatchviahisbattleship，andhewaspoliteinreply，butfirm。Hesaid"No。"
Therearefourtransportsandthreetorpedoboatsandthebattleship。Wegoveryslowly，becausewemustkeepupwithoneofthetroopshipswithbrokenengines。Atnightitisveryprettyseeingtheshipsinline，andthetorpedoboatswinkingtheirsignalsateachother。IamwritingallthetimeorreadingupthingsaboutthearmyIforgetandgettingthenewdope。AlsoIambrushingupmySpanish。JackLondonisonboard，andthreeothercorrespondents，twoofwhomIhavemetonothertrips，andone"cub"correspondent。HewassittingbesideLondonandmebusilyturningoutcopy，andIaskedhimwhathefoundtowriteabout。Hesaid，"Well，maybeIseethingsyoufellowsdon"tsee。"Whathemeantwasthatwhatwasoldtouswasnewtohim，buthegotguyedunmercifully。
April27，1914。
ThecensorreadsallIwrite，andsodosomehalf-dozenMexicancableclerksand60(sixty)correspondents。SowhenI
cable"love，"itMEANSdevotion，adoration，andworship；
loyalty，fidelityandtruth，wantingyou，needingyou，unhappyforyou。ItmeansALLthat。
RICHARD。
VERACRUZ，April30，1914。
Thisheat——humidandmoist——wouldsweatwateroutofachilledsteelsafe；soimaginewhatitdoestomewithalltheawfulwinter"saccumulationoffat。Ihatetosayit，butILIKE
theseMexicans——muchbetterthanCubans，orCentralAmericans。
Theyarehuman，kindly；itisonlythepoliticiansandbanditslikeVillawhogivethemabadname。But，thoughtheyoughttohateus，wheneverIstoptoaskmywaytheyinvitemetocomeinandhave"coffee"andsay，"Myhouseisyours，senor，"whichcertainlyiskindafterpeoplehavetakenyourtownawayfromyouandgivenyouanotherflagandknockedyourheadoffifyoudidnotsaluteit。Inowhaveafineroom。TheNavymovedouttodayandIgottheroomofthepaymaster。Itfacestheplazaandthecathedral。Iburnedacandletheretodayforoursoonmeeting。Thepriestsallhadrunaway，soIhadtohuntupthecandle，andpaythemoneyintotheboxmarkedforthatpurpose，buttheLorddoesnotrunaway，andHewillseewesoonmeet。
May2nd。
YesterdayIwentoutonthetrainthatbringsinrefugeesandsawtheMexicans。Theyhadonthreethousandcartridges，muchhair，hatsashighaschurchsteeples，andlotsofdirt。TheSeligMovingPicturefolkstookmanypicturesofusandseveral"stills，"inwhichthewarcorrespondentwasshowngivingcigarettestothebrigands。Also，Ihadawonderfulbathintheoceanofftheaviationcamp。Iborrowedasuitfromoneoftheaviators，andsplashedandswamaroundforanhour。My!itwasgood。ItremindedmeofmydearBessie，becausethelasttimeIwasintheoceanwaswithher。
Maybeyouknowwhatisgoingon，butwedonot。SoIjusthustlearoundalldaytryingtofindnewsasIdidwhenIwasareporter。Itishotenoughhereevenforme，andIhavelostabouteightpoundsofthatfatIlaidinduringourNorthPolewinter!
VFRACRUZ-May8，1914。
DEARCHAS。:
Today，whenWilsonorderedHuertanottoblockadeTampicowhichwasaninsulttoMediatorsandtheactofabullyandacoward，ANDadeclarationofwar，weallgotonourponiesto"advance。"ThencamewordHuertawouldnotblockade。Itislikelivinginamadhouse。Weallarehopingmediatorsrefusetocontinuenegotiations。Iftheyhaveselfrespectthatiswhattheywilldo。TonightifWilsonandHuertaranforPresident，Huertawouldgetallourvotes。HemaybeanuneducatedIndian，butatleastheisaman。However，thatmakesnonevermindsofarastomygettingback。ThereasonIcannotreturnisbecauseIhave"credentials。"ItisnotthattheywantMEhere，buttheywantmycredentialshere。
Theadministrationisusing，asIseeit，theprivilegeofhavingacorrespondentatthefrontasaclub。Itsaysuntilwarisdeclareditwon"tissueanymore。Sothosesyndicateswhohavenocorrespondentandthepapersformingthem，areafraidtoattackortocriticisetheadministrationforfeartheywillbeblacklisted。Andthosewhohaveacorrespondentwithhisthreethousanddollarsignedandsealedpassinhispocketaren"ttakinganychanceonlosinghim。So，IseebeforemeanendlessexistenceinVeraCruz。
RICHARD。
OnMay7RichardstartedforMexicoCitywhere，ifpossible，heintendedtointerviewHuerta。AtPascodeMachohewasarrested，butafterwardwasallowedtoproceedtoMexicoCity。
Herehewasagainarrested，andwithoutbeingallowedtointerviewHuertawassentbackthedayafterhisarrivaltoVeraCruz。
OfthisVeraCruzexperienceJohnN。Wheeler，afriendofRichard"sandthemanagerofthesyndicatewhichsenthimtoMexico，wrotethefollowingaftermybrother"sdeath:
"RichardHardingDaviswenttoVeraCruzforanewspapersyndicate，andafterthefirstsharpengagementintheMexicanseaporttherewasnothingforthecorrespondenttodobutkilltimeonthatbarren，lowlyingstripofGulfcoast，hemmedinonallsidesbyMexicansandthesea，andtimeishardtokillthere。Yettherewasastorytobegot，butitrequirednervetogoafterit。
"InMexicoCitywasGen。Huerta，thedictatorofMexico。Ifanewspapercouldgetaninterviewwithhimitwouldbea`scoop，"buttheworkwasinclinedtobedangerousfortheinterviewer，sinceAmericanswerebeingmurderedratherprofuselyinMexicoatthetimeinspiteoftheastuteassurancesofMr。Bryan，andnomatterhowsubstantialhisreferencesthecorrespondentwaslikelytomeetsometemperamentalandtouchysoldierwithaloadedriflewhowouldshootfirstandafterwardcarryhispaperstosomeonewhocouldreadthem。
"OneofthenewspaperstakingthestoriesbyMr。DavisfromthesyndicatehadastaffmanatVeraCruzaswell，andthoughtto`scoop"thecountrybysendingthisrepresentativetoseeHuerta，inthisway`beating"eventheothersubscriberstotheDavisservice。AninterviewinMexicoCitywasconsequentlyarrangedandthestaffmanwascabledandaskedtomakethetrip。Hepromptlycabledhisrefusal，thisyoungmanpreferringtotakenosuchchances。ItwasthensuggestedthatMr。Davisshouldattemptit。BypullingsomewiresatWashingtonitwasarranged，throughtheBrazilianandEnglishAmbassadorsattheMexicancapital，forMr。DavistointerviewPresidentHuerta，withsafeconduct(thisbeingaboutassafeasnonskidtires)toMexicoCity。
Mr。Daviswasaskedifhewouldmakethetrip。Inlessthantwohoursbackcamethislaconiccable:
"`LeavingMexicoCityto-morrowafternoonat3o"clock。"
"ThatwasRichardHardingDavis——nohesitancy，novacillation。
Hewasalwayswillingtogo，totakeanychance，toendurediscomfortandallifhehadafightingopportunitytogetthenews。ThepublicnowknowsthatDaviswasarrestedonthistrip，thatHuertarefusedtomakegoodontheinterview，andthatitwasonlythroughthegoodeffortsoftheBritishAmbassadorattheMexicancapitalhewasreleased。ButDaviswent。
"TherewasanechoofthisjourneytotheMexicancapitalseveralmonthslateraftertheconflictinEuropehadbeenragingforafewweeks。LordKitchenerannouncedatonestageoftheproceedingshewouldpermitasinglecorrespondent，selectedandindorsedbytheUnitedStatesGovernment，toaccompanytheBritisharmytothefront。Ofcourse，alltheswarmofAmericancorrespondentsinLondonatthetimewereeagerforthedesirableindorsement。Mr。Daviscabledbacktheconditionsofhisacceptance。ImmediatelySecretaryofStateBryanwascalledinWashingtononthelong-distancetelephone。
"`LordKitchenerhasannounced，"theSecretaryofStatewastold，`thathewillacceptonecorrespondentwiththeBritishtroopsinthefield，ifheisindorsedbytheUnitedStatesGovernment。RichardHardingDavis，whoisinLondon，representsastringofthestrongestnewspapersintheUnitedStatesforthissyndicate，andwedesiretheindorsementoftheStateDepartmentsohecanobtainthisappointment。"
"`Mr。DavismadeussometroublewhenhewasinMexico，"
answeredMr。Bryan。`HeproceededtotheMexicancapitalwithoutourconsentandIwillhavetoconsiderthematterverycarefullybeforeindorsinghim。HisMexicanescapadecausedussomediplomaticeffortsandembarrassment。"(WhattheSecretaryofStatedidtobringaboutMr。Davis"sreleaseontheoccasionofhisMexicanarrestisstillasecretoftheDepartment。)
"Mr。BryandidnotindorseMr。Davisfinally，whichwaswell，sinceLordKitchenerofKhartumkepttheselectedlistofcorrespondentsloafingaroundLondonononepretextoranothersolongtheyallbecamedisgustedandwentwithoutanofficialpassfrom`K。ofK。"AssoonasMr。DaviswastoldhewouldnotbeappointedheproceededtoBelgiumandreturnedsomeofthemostthrillingstorieswrittenonthisconflictatgreatpersonalrisk。"
May13，1914。
MYDEARESTONE:
DONOTBLAMEmeforthislongdelayinwriting。GodknowsI
wantedeverydayto"talk"toyou。Butwewereonthe"suspect"list，andtomakeevenanotewasrisky。ThewayI
diditwastoexclaimoverthebeautyofsomeflowerortree，andthenasktheMexicannearestmetowritethenameofitHIMSELFinMYnotebook。ThenIwouldsay，"InEnglishthatwouldbe——"andIwouldpretendtowritebesideittheEnglishequivalent，butreallywouldwritethewordthatwasthekeytowhatIwishedtoremember。So，yousee，aletteratthatrateofprogresswasimpossible。Itwasacaseof"Can"tgetawaytocableyoutoday；policewon"tletme!"However，weareallsafeathomeagain。Asamatteroffact，Ihadamostexcitingtime，andamdyingtotellyouthe"insie"story。ButtheoneIsentthepapersmustserve。
IpromisedmyselfIwouldgivetheFIRSTsoldier，marineandsailorImetonreturningacigar，andthefirstsailorwastheCHAPLAINOFTHEFLEET，FatherReany。Buthetookthecigarandgavemehisblessing。IamnowburningcandlestoSt。Rita。WhatworriedmetheMOSTwashowworriedYOU
wouldbe；andIbeggedPalmernottosendthestoryofourfirstarrest。Butotherpeopletoldofit，andhehadtoforwardit。YoucertainlymadethewiresBURN!andhadthearmyguessing。Oneofficersaidtome，"I"mawfullysorrytoseeyouback。Ifyou"donlyhavestayedinjailanotherdayyourwifewouldhavehadusallonourwaytoMexico。"Andthecensorsaid，"MyGod!I"mgladyou"resafe!YourwifehasMADEOURLIVESHELL!"Andquiteright，too，blessyou!
Noneofusknowsanything，butitlookstomethatNOTHING
willinduceWilsontogotowar。ButtheMexicansthinkweAREatwar，andactaccordingly。Theymaybringonaconflict。ThatiswhyIammakingreadyincaseweadvanceandthatiswhyIcabledtodayfortherestofmykit。Ihaveafinelittlepony，andalittlemessengerboywhospeaksSpanish，tolookafterthehorse，andme。
Andnow，astoyourLETTERS，theycameto-day，fiveofthem，COUNT"EM，andthepicturesdidmakemelaugh。IshowedthoseofthesoldiercommandeeringthevegetablestoFunstonandhelaughed。And，IdidlovetheflowersyousentnomatterHOWhomesicktheymademe!(Oh)。Idonotwantacamera。
Ihaveone，andthosefancycamerasIdon"tunderstand。
Thelettersyouforwardedwerewonderfullywellselected。I
mean，thosefromotherpeople。OneofthemwasfromSenatorRoottellingmeBryanisgoingtorewardourthreeheroicofficerswhojumpedintotheocean。Iknowyouwillbeglad。
ThereareNOmosquitoes!Haven"tmetupwithbutthreeandTHEYarenotCOMINGBACK。
Isendyouapictureofmyroomfromtheoutside。Fromtheinsidetheviewisso"pretty。"Acrossthesquareisthecathedralandthetreesarefilledwithbirdsthatsingallnight，andstatues，andprettyglobes。Thebandplayseverynightandwhenitplays"Hello，WinterTime，"ICRYforyou。
Ipaidtheband-master$20toplayit，anditisWORTHIT。
Isitonthebalconyandthinkofyouandknowjustwhatyouaredoing，forthereisonlyanhourandahalfdifference。
Thatis，whenwithyouitisteno"clockwithmeitiseight-thirty。SowhenyouandLouiseareatdinneryoucanknowIamjustcominginfrommyhorsebackridetobatheand"nap。"Andwhenateight-thirtyyouareplayingtheVictor，I
amdrinkingacocktailtoyou，andshooingawaytheColonelsandAdmiralswhointerferewithmyceremonyofdrinkingtomydearwife。
VERACRUZ，May20th，1914。
DEARESTWIFE:
IgotSUCHabullyletteryesterdayfromyou，writtenlongagofromtheWebster。Itsaidyoumissedme，anditsaidyoulovedme，andtherewerefunnypicturesofyoureadingthewarandpeacenewseachwithadifferentexpression，andyoutoldmeaboutPadrighandhowherunsdowntheroad。Itmademeverysadandhomesick，butverygladtofeelIwassomissed。
AlsoyoutoldmecheerfulfalsehoodsaboutmyTribunestories。Iknowtheyarenogood，andastheyarenogood，theshorterthebetter，butIliketobetoldtheyaregood。
Anyway，IsatdownatonceandwrotealongscreedonVeraCruzandthesleepypeoplethatfivehere。
Weallliveonthesidewalkunderthestoneporch。EverynightatableisreservedandbymyordersALLchairs，exceptmine，areremoved。SonoonecansitdownandboremewhileIamdining。AnothertrickIhavetobeleftaloneistocarryabigrollofcableblanks，andIpretendtowriteoutcablesifanyonetriestotalk。ThenIbeckonthemessenger(healwayssitsintheplaza)andsay"Filethat!"
andhegoesoncearoundtheblockandreportsbackthatitis"filed。"IftheborerenewstheattackIwriteanothercable，andtheunhappymessengermakesanothertour。Thebandplaysfromseventoeighteverynight。Therearefivebands，andI
sawnoreasonwhythereshouldnotbemusiceveryevening。
Afteradayinthisdirtyhotelordirtycityalivelybandhelps。Funstonagreed，butforgot，untilafterthreenightswithnoband，Iwrotehimaletter。Itwassignedbyfakenames，askingifhecouldn"tgetnineteenGermanmusiciansintoabandstandhowcouldhehopetogettenthousandsoldiersintoMexicoCity。Sonowwehaveabandeachnight。
Thatisallmyday。AfterdinnerIsitattableandthemenbringupchairs，orelseIgotosomeothertable。Therearesomedamnfoolwomenherewhoareanuisance，andtheynowhavedancinginthehoteladjoining，butIdon"tknowthem，excepttobow，andIapproveofthetangopartiesbecauseitkeepsthemawayfromthesidewalk。Theyire"refugees，"thesortoffolksyoumeetatOceanGrove，orratherDON"Tmeet!
Alllovetoyou，andgivePatrighapatfromhisUncleRichardforlookingafteryouandlookingforme，andremembermetoLouiseandShuandeverythingathome。Iloveyouso。
RICHARD。
VERACRUZ，May28，1914。
Iwanttobehometoseethedaisyfieldwithyou。Thatkneeyounearlybustedtobogganingwhenthedaisyfieldwasanicebergisnowrecovered。
TheoneandallcamethismorningandasIexpecteditwasallfulloflovefromyou。IDIDgethappinessoutofthethoughtyouputinit。Andalldoneinanhour。Theunderclothesmademeweep。Icouldgetnonehere。NotbecauseMexicansarenotaslargeasIam，butbecausenoMexicanofanysizewouldwear"em。SoI"vehadtowashthefewthatthewasher-womandidn"tdestroymyself。AndwhenI
sawthelotyousent!Itwaslikeawhitesale!AlsothequininewhichItastedjustforluck，andthesoapinthelittlevioletwrappermademequitehomesick。EspeciallywasIgladtogetsocksandpongeesuits，andshirts。Ireallywasgettingdesperate。GodknowswhatIwouldhavedonewithoutthem。
Iwanttoseeyousomuch，andIwanttoseeyouinthesamesettingofotherdays，Iwanttowalkwithyouinthedaisyfield，andinthelaurelblossoms，andcliproses。ButtobewithyouI"dbewillingtowalkonbrokenglass。Notyou，too。Justme。
RICHARD。
VERACRUZ——June4，1914。
DEAROLDMAN:
Iamawfullysorryforyoursake，youcouldnotgetaway。OfcourseformyselfIamgladthatIamtoseeyouandDai。Atleast，IhopeIam。Godaloneknowswhenwewillgetoutofhere。Iamsickofit。NexttimeIgotowarbotharmiesmustfightfortwomonthsbeforeIwillbelievetheymeanit，andBEFOREIWILLBUDGE。
ItistrueIamgettinggoodmoney，butalsothereisabsolutelyNOTHINGtowriteabout。Bryandoesn"tknowthatunlesshetalksbycodeeveryradioonsixteenshipscanreadeverymessagehesendstothesewaters。AndtheStateDepartmentsayingitcouldnotunderstandtheHyrangagivinguphercargoisadamnsillylie。NooneissofoolishastothinktheChesterandTacomahletherlandthosearmsundertheirgunsunlesstheyhadbeentoldtosubmittoit。
Andyettoday，wegetpapersofthe29thinwhichBryansayshehastwicecabledBadgerforinformation，whenforaweekBadgerhasbeenreadingBryan"sorderstoconsulstoletthearmsbelanded。Canyoubeatthat？Thisisanawfulplace，andifIdon"twriteitisbecauseIhatetoharrowyourfeelings。Itisatownofflies，filthandheat。JohnMcCutcheonistheonlyfriendIhaveseen，andhesensiblylivesonawarship。Ican"tdothat，ascablescomeallthetimesuggestingspecials，andIamnotpaidtoloaf。Johnishereonavacation，andcandoashepleases。ButIridearoundlikeanycubreporter。Andthereisnonews。SinceI
lefthomeIhavenottalkedfiveminutestoawoman"ormeanto!"TheMexicanwomenareacrossbetweenapesandsquaws。
OfallIhaveseenherenothinghasimpressedmesoasthehideousnessofthewomen，girls，children，widows，grandmothers。Andtherefugees，asCollierwouldsayit，are"terrible!"Iliveaverylonelyexistence。Ifinditworksoutthatwaybest。Andatthesametimeallthecorrespondentsaregoodfriends，andIdon"tfindthatthereisoneofthemwhodoesnotgooutofhiswaytoSHOWheisfriendly。WhatICAN"TunderstandiswhynooneathomeneverguessesImightliketoreadsomeofmyownstories……
DICK。
OfthesedaysinVeraCruzJohnT。McCutcheonwrotethefollowingshortlyafterRichard"sdeath:
"DaviswasaconspicuousfigureinVeraCruz，asheinevitablyhadbeeninallsuchsituations。Whereverhewent，hewaspointedout。Hisdistinctionofappearance，togetherwithadistinctionindress，which，whetherfromhabitorpolicy，wasavaluableassetinhiswork，madehimamarkedman。Hedressedandlookedthe`warcorrespondent，"suchaoneashewoulddescribeinoneofhisstories。Hefulfilledthepopularidealofwhatamemberofthatfascinatingprofessionshouldlooklike。HiscodeoflifeandhabitswasasfixedasthatoftheBritonwhotakeshishabitsandcustomsandgamesandteawhereverhegoes，nomatterhowbenightedorremotethespotmaybe。
"HewasjustasloyaltohiscodeasistheBriton。Hecarriedhisbath-tub，hisimmaculatelinen，hiseveningclothes，hiswarequipment——inwhichhehadtheprideofaconnoisseur——whereverhewent，and，whatismore，hehadthecouragetousetheeveningclothesattimeswhentheirusewasconspicuous。HewastheonlymanwhoworeadinnercoatinVeraCruz，andeachnight，athisparticulartableinthecrowded`Portales，"attheHotelDiligencia，hewastobeseen，asfreshandcleanasthoughhewereinaNewYorkorLondonrestaurant。
Eachdayhewasupearlytotakethetrainouttothe`gap，"
acrosswhichcamearrivalsfromMexicoCity。Sometimesagood`story"wouldcomedown，aswhenthelong-heraldedandlong-expectedarrivalofConsulSillimangaveafirst-page`feature"toalltheAmericanpapers。
"Intheafternoonhewouldplaywaterpolooveratthenavyaviationcamp，andalwaysatacertaintimeofthedayhis`striker"wouldbringhimhishorseandforanhourormorehewouldrideoutalongthebeachroadswithintheAmericanlines。"……
OnJune15RichardsailedontheUtahforNewYork，arrivingthereonthe22d。ForafewweeksafterhisreturnheremainedatMountKiscocompletinghisarticlesontheMexicansituationbutattheoutbreakoftheGreatWarheatoncestartedforEurope，sailingwithhiswifeonAugust4，thedaywarwasdeclaredbetweenEnglandandGermany。
OnLusitania——August8，1914。
DEARCHAS:
Wegotoffinagreatrush，astheCunardpeoplereceivedorderstosailsosoonaftertheGovernmenthadtoldthemtocancelallpassengers，thatnooneexpectedtoleavebyher，andhadsecuredpassageontheLorraineandSt。Paul。
Theygavemea"regal"suitewhichatothertimescosts$1，000
anditissodarnedregalthatIhatetoleaveit。Igetsleepywalkingfromoneendofittotheother；andwehaveopenfiresineachofthethreerooms。Generallywhenonegoestowaritisinatransportoratrooptrainandthepersonoftheleastimportanceisthecorrespondent。So，thiswayofgoingtowarIlike。Wenowareacruiserandareslowlybeingpaintedgrey，andassoonastheygotwordEnglandwasatwaralllightswereputoutandtofindyourwayyoulightmatches。
YoucanimaginetheeffectofthisRitzCarltonideaofashipwrappedindarkness。GeraldMorganisonboard，heisalsoaccreditedtoTheTribune，andFrederickPalmer。IdonotexpecttobeallowedtoseeanythingbutwilltrytojoinaFrencharmy。IwillleaveBessienearLondonwithLouiseatsomequietplacelikeOxfordoravillageontheThames。Wecan"take"wireless，butnotsendit，soasnooneissendingandaswedon"tcaretoexposeourposition，wegetnonews。
WearerunningfarNorthanditisbitterlycold。IthinkPearywillsueusforinfringinghiscopyrights。
IwilltrytogetintouchwithNora。Iamworriedlestshecannotgetathermoney。AsBritishsubjectsnootherthingshouldupsetthem。AddressmeAmericanEmbassy，London。
Isendsuchlovetoyouboth。Godblessyou。
DICK。
RichardarrivedinLiverpoolAugust13，andmadearrangementsforhiswifetoremaininLondon。UnabletoobtaincredentialsfromtheEnglishauthorities，hestartedforBrusselsandarrivedthereintimetoseetheentryoftheGermantroops，whichheafterwarddescribedsographically。
IndeedthisarticleisconsideredbymanytobeoneofthefinestpiecesofdescriptivewritingtheGreatWarhasproduced。
ForseveraldaysafterBrusselshadcomeunderthecontroloftheGermansRichardremainedthereandthendecidedtogotoParisasthesiegeoftheFrenchcapitalatthetimeseemedimminent。HeandhisfriendGeraldMorgan，whowasactingasthecorrespondentoftheLondonDailyTelegraph，decidedtodrivetoHalandfromtheretocontinueonfootuntiltheyhadreachedtheEnglishorFrencharmieswheretheyknewtheywouldbeamongfriends。
AtHaltheywerestoppedbytheGermanofficialsandMorganwiselyreturnedtoBrussels。However，Richardhavingdecidedtocontinueonhisway，waspromptlyseizedbytheGermansandheldasanEnglishspy。ForafewdayshehadamostexcitingseriesofadventureswiththeGermanmilitaryauthoritiesandhislifewasfrequentlyindanger。Itwasfinallyduetomybrother"sownstrategyandthepromptactionofourAmbassadortoBelgium，BrandWhitlock，thathewasreturnedtoBrusselsandreceivedhisofficialrelease。
OnAugust27，RichardleftBrusselsforParisonatraincarryingEnglishprisonersandGermanwounded，andenroutesawmuchoftheburninganddestructionofLouvain。
BRUSSELS，August17，1914。
DEAREST:
Writemesoonandoften!AlliswellheresolongasIknowyouareallright，sodonotfailtotellmeall，andkeepmeintouch。If_I_donotwritemuchitisbecauselettersdonotgetthroughalways，andareread。ButyouknowIloveyou，andyouknowtwiceeachdayIprayforyouandwishforyouallthetime。IfeelasthoughIhadbeengoneamonth。
GeraldMorganandIgotinlastnight；thisisasplendidnewhotel；for$2。50Igetaroomandbathlikeyoursonthe"royalsuite，"onlybigger。Thismorningtheministerdideverythinghecouldforus。ThereareabouttwentyAmericanswhowantcredentials。TheysaytheywilltakenoAmericans，buttoourministertheysaidtheywouldmakeexceptioninfavorofthree，soIguessthethreewillbeJohnMcCutcheon，Palmerandmyself。JohnandI，ifanyonegetsapass，aresure。Withthepasseswehad，GeraldandIstartedoutinayellowmotor，coveredwithflagsoftheAllies，andsawagreatdeal。HowI
wishedyouwerewithme，youwouldsohavelovedit。Thecountryisabsolutelybeautiful。Wewerestoppedeveryquartermiletoshowourpassesandwegotaworkingideaofhowitwillbe。
TonightIdinedwithMr。Whitlock，theminister，andJohnMcCutcheoncameinandIrvingCobb。JohnandIwillgettogetherandgoout。Allyouneedisamotorcarandyoucangoprettymucheverywhere，EXCEPTnearwherethereisfighting。SowhatI
amtodotoearnmywagesIdon"tknow。IamnowgoingtobedandIsendmydarlin"alllove。TodayIsentyouawire。Ifitgottoyouletmeknow。Takesuchgoodcareofyourself。
RemembermetoLouise，and，WRITEME。Alllove，DEAR，DEAR
one。Mywifeandmysweetheart。
Yourhusband，RICHARD。
Thefollowingisthelastletterthatgotthrough。
BRUSSELS，August21，1914。
DEARESTONE:
Icannotsaymuch，asIdoubtifthiswillbeopenedbyyou。
TheGermanarmycameinandtherewasnofightingandIamverywell。Iamonlydistressedatnotbeingabletogetlettersfromyou，andnotbeingabletosendthem。Iwillwritealongone，andholdituntilIamsureofsomewaybywhichitcanreachyou。
YOUKNOWWHATIWOULDSAY。
Mrs。DavishadwaitedinLondontomeetRichardonhisreturnfromthewar，butamisunderstandingastothedateofhisreturn，coupledwithherstrongsenseofdutytohisinterestsathome，gaveoccasionfortheletterwhichfollows:
LONDON，August31，1914。
DEARESTONE:
NotsincetheHeraldSquaredayshaveIhadsuchablowaswhenIdroveupto10Clarges，andfoundyougone!ITWAS
NOBODY"SFAULT!YOUWERESORIGHTtogo；andICOULDNOT
COME。IamsodistressedlestitwasmycablesayingIcouldnotgetbackthatdecidedyoutogobeforethefifth。ButAshfordsaysitwasnot。HetellsmethecablecameatTHREEinthemorningandthatyouhadarrangedtobecalledatsix-thirtyinordertoleaveforScotland。So，forsendingthatcableIneednotblamemyselftoomuch。IsentyousomanymessagesIdonotknowwhichgotthrough。ButIthinkitmusthavebeenonesayingIcouldnotreturnintimetoseeyoubeforethefifth。THEN，notrainswererunning。TheveryNEXTDAYtheGermansstartedatrooptrain，andItookit。ThereasonIcouldnotcomebyautomobilewasbecauseI
hadafallingoutwiththe"maddogs"andtheywouldnotgivemeapass。SoEvans，withwhomIwastomotortoHolland，gotthroughFridayafternoonandsentthecable。AssoonasI
reachedHolland，IcabledIwascomingandkeptontelegraphingeverystepofthejourney，whichlastedthreedays。
ItelegraphedlastfromFolkestone；eventellingyouwhattohaveformysupper。Asyoudirected，Ashfordopenedthecables，andwhenIdroveup，hewasatthedoorintears。Hehadmadealightinyourroomsand，ofcourse，asIlookedupIthoughtyoustillwereinthem。WhentheytoldmeIwasadaylate，Icried，too。ItwasthebitterestdisappointmentI
everknew。IhadtakentheveryfirsttrainoutofBrussels，theonewiththewounded，andforthreedayshadbeenhavingonehellofatime。ButIkeptthinkingofseeingyou，andhearingyourdearvoice。Sothetripdidnotmatter。IwasonlythinkingofSEEINGYOU，andthankingGodIwasshutofthedirtyGermans。Wehadnothingtoeat，andwesleptonthefloorofthetrain，theGermanskeptuslockedin，and，allthroughevenHolland，wewereunderarrest。Butnothingmattered，becauseIwassohappyatthoughtofmeetingyou。
AsIsaidneitherofuswasatfault。YoujustHADtogo，andIcouldNOTCOME。But，youcanfeelhowIfelttolearnyouwereatsea。
IwassogladIcoulduseyouroldrooms。IwenttothetablewhereyouusedtowriteandwassogladIcouldatleastbeasneartoyouasthat。NootherplaceinLondoncouldhaveheldmethatnight。NotBuckinghamPalace。Ifoundlittlethingsyouhadleft。Ilovedeventhefunnypicturesonthewallbecausewehadtalkedofthemtogether。ItwasROTTEN，ROTTENluck。ButonlytheGermansandtheirhellishwarweretoblame。Idrovestraighttothecableoffice，andtriedtowirelessyou，knowingyouwouldfeelgladtoknowIwaswell，andsafeandsound。Butthecablepeoplecouldnotsendmymessage。Youwerethenoutofreachofwireless，ontheIrishcoast。AndforninedaystherewasnowaytotellyouIhadcomebackasfastastrainsandboatsandthedirtyGermanswouldletme。Oh，mydear，dearone，HOWILOVEyou。IfonlyIcouldhaveseenyouforjustfiveminutes。Asitwas，Ithoughtforfivedaysmorewewouldbetogether。WhatI
shalldonow，Idon"tknow。ImustgobackwitheithertheFrenchortheEnglishuntilmycontractexpires，andthen，I
canjoinyou。TomorrowIamtryingtoseeAsquithandChurchilltogetwiththearmy。AndIwillatoncereturnacrossthechannel。But，donotworry!IwillneveragainletaGermancomewithinONEMILEofme!Afterthis，betweenmeandtheGermans，therewillbesomehundredsofthousandsofEnglishorFrench。SoafterthisreachesyouI
willsoonbeonmywayHOME。Don"tworry。GetJamesbackandAmeliaandeveryoneelsewhocanmakeyoucomfortable，andtrustinthegoodLord。IhaveyourcrossandSt。Ritaaroundmyneck，andinspiteofwhattheKaisersays，GodislookingafterotherpeoplethanGermans。Certainlyhehastakengoodcareofme。Andhewillguardyou，andour"blessed"one。
Andinalittletime，dear，DEARheart，Iwillbeback，andIwillbecomeagrocer。Godloveyouandkeepyou，ashedoes。AndyouwillneverknowHOWILOVEYOU!Goodnight，dearest，sweetheartandwife!Iamwritingthisatyourtable，and，thankingGodyouaregoingtothefarm，andtopeaceandhappiness。ISENDYOUALLTHELOVEINALLTHEWORLD。
RICHARD。
LONDON，September3rd。
MYDEARESTONE:
ItwasafullmoonagaintonightandIthinkyouwereondeckandsawit，becausebynow，youhavepassedthefourdaysatseaandshouldbeintheSt。Lawrence。SoIknewyousawthemoon，too，andIsentyouakiss，viait。ItwasjustoverSt。JamesPalacebutalsoitwasjustoveryou。
Todayhasbeenadayofworries。Wheelercabledthatthepaperswantedmetobe"neutral"andnotwriteagainsttheGermans。AsIamnotinterestedintheGermanvote，orinadvertisingofGermanbreweries(suchahardwordtoSAY)I
thought，consideringtheEXCLUSIVEstoriesIhadsentthem，insteadofkicking，theyoughttobesendingmeafewbouquets。Especially，asIgotcablesfromGouvey，Whigham，Scribner"sandotherscongratulatingmeontheanti-Germanstories。SoIcabledWheelertotellpapersofhissyndicate，dictationfromthemastowhatIshouldwritewas"unexpected，"thattheycouldgotoname-of-placecensoredandthatifhewishedIwouldreleasehimfromhiscontracttonight。ConsideringthatwithoutcredentialsIwaswithFrench，BelgianandGermanarmiesandsawentryofGermansintoBrusselsandsackingofLouvainandgotarrestedasaspy，theywereabitungrateful。IamnowwonderingWHATI
wouldhaveseenHADIHADcredentials。
IsawAnthonyHopeattheclublastnight。Hehadtogobacktothecountry，soIdinedaloneonEnglishoysters。FancyanyonebeingNEUTRALinthiswar!GermanydroppingbombsinParisandAntwerponwomenandchurchesandscatteringminesinthechannelwheretheyblowupfishermenandburningthecathedrals!Amanwhonowwouldbeneutralwouldbeacoward。
Goodnight，NEAR，DEAR，DEARone。IthasbeenseveralweekssinceIhadsleep，soifIraveandwanderinmylettersforgiveme。YouknowhowIamthinkingofyou。Godblessyou。
Godkeepyouforme。
YourhusbandwholovesyouSO!
LONDON，September7th。
DEAREST:
Ijustgotyourcablesayingyouwereatthefarm，andwell!
HOWHAPPYITMADEME!IcabledyoutoQuebec，andtoMt。
Kisco，andwhentwodayspassedandIheardnothing，todayI
wasscared，soIcabledGouveytolookafteryou，andalsotoWheeler。IwenttotheBromptonOratorytoday，whichisthesecondmostimportantchurchhere(thecardinallivesatWestminster)andburnedtheBIGGESTCANDLEtheyhadforyouandthe"blessing。"AbigwomanallinblackwaskneelinginthelittlechapelandwhenIcouldnotgetthecandletostandup，shebeckonedtooneofthepriests，andheranandfixedit。Thenshewentonpraying。AndWHOdoyouthinkshewas？QueenAmelieofPortugal，youseeherpicturesintheTattlerandSphereopeningbazaars。SoshemustbeverygoodorshewouldnotbesayingherprayersallalonewiththepoorpeopleandseeingthatmyBessie"scandlewasburning。I
havebeenwaitingherehopingtogetsomesortofcredentialsfromKitchener。ButthoughWinstonChurchillhasurgedhim，andtomorrowisgoingtourgehimagain，theygivemenohope。
SoI"lljustgoover"onmyown"andIbetI"llseemorethananyoneelse。Ihavefinepapers，anyhow。IamnowwritingScribnerarticle，soTHATisoffmymind。Andnowthatyouarehome，Ihaveno"worries。"IwishIhadgotyourcableearlier。IwouldhavehadoystersandchampagneinBATHTUBS。Givemylovetoalltheflowers，andtoSheaandPaedrig，andTom，andLouise，andGouveyandthelake。AndtakeSUCHgoodcareofyourself，andloveme，andbehappyforIdosoloveyoudearone。IDOSOLOVEYOU。
YOURHUSBAND。
September15th。
DEAREST:
TonightIgotyourcableinanswertomineaskingifyouwerewell。Allthingsconsideredtwenty-fourhourswasnotsolongforthemtogettheanswertome。YouBETIwillbecareful。Idon"twanttogetnearertoaGermanthantwentymiles。AtthebattlefieldIcollectedfiveGermanspikedhelmetsbutattheParisgatetheytookALLofthemfromme。
IWASmad!Iwantedtokeeptheminmy"gym，"andpoundthemwithIndianclubs。Iwrotealldayyesterday，sotodayI
didnotwork。Thereisnothingmoreheretodo。AndassoonasmycontractisupOctober1st，IwillmaketowardsYOU!
Seeingthebigbattlewasgreatluck。SofarIhaveseenmorethananyone。Ihavehadnocredentials；andyethavebeenwithALLthearmies。NowIamjustbeatingtime，untilI
cangethome。ThefightingistoofarawayevenifIcouldgotoit。ButIcan"twithoutbeingarrested。AndIamfeduponbeingarrested。Todayallthelittlechildrencameoutofdoors。Theyhavebeenlockedupforfearofairships。ItwasfinetoseethemplayingintheChampsElyseesandmakingfortsoutofpebbles，androllinghoops。
Godlovesyou，dearone，andItrustinHim。ButIamawfulsickforasightofyou。Whatalotwewillhavetotelleachother。OnethingIneverhavetotellyou，butitmakesmehappywhenIcan。Itisthis:ILOVEYOU!AndeveryminuteIthinkofyou。
Withallmylove。
YourRICHARD。
PARIS，September15th，1914。
DEARCHAS。:
IgotthismorningyourletterofAugust25th。InityousaykindthingsaboutmyaccountoftheGermansenteringBrussels。
Nothingsomuchpleasesmeastogetpraisefromyouortoknowmyworkpleasesyou。SincetheGermanswerepushedineveryonehereisbreathingagain。Butformeitwasbadasnowthearmiesaretoofartoreachbytaxicab，andifyouarecaughtanywhereoutsidethecityyouarearrestedandasapunishmentsenttoTours。Eightcorrespondents，amongthemtwoTimesmenandJohnReedandBobbyDunn，weresenttoToursSunday。IhadanotherpieceofluckthatdaywithGeraldMorgan。ItaxicabedouttoSoissonsandsawawonderfulbattle。So，nowIcangohomeinpeace。HadIbeenforcedtoreturnwithoutseeinganyfightingIneverwouldhaveliveditdown。Iaminmyoldroomsofyearsago。Igotthewholeimperialsuiteforeightfrancsaday。Itusedtobe49francsaday。Ofcourse，ParisthatclosestightatnineishardlyParis，butthebeautyofthecityneversomuchimpressedme。Thereisnofoolrunningabouttotakeyourmindoffthegardensandbuildings。WhatMOSTmakesmeknowIaminParis，though，arethepackagesofsegarslyingonthedressingtable。GivemylovetoDai，andtellherIhopesoontoseeyou。Thewarcorrespondentisdead。MyonlychancewastogetwiththeEnglishwhowilltakeoneAmericanandaskedBryantochoose，hepassedittothePressAssociationandtheychosePalmer。ButIdon"tbelievetheofficialcorrespondentswillbeallowedtoseemuch。IsawtheGermansenterBrussels，theburningofLouvainandtheBattleofSoissonsandhadaveryseriousruninwiththeGermansandnearlygotshot。Butnowifyougoout，everymanisafteryou，andeventhegendarmestrytoarrestyou。Itissickening。Fornever，ofcourse，wastheresuchachancetodescribethingsthateveryonewantstoreadabout。AgainmylovetoDaiandyou。Iwillseeyousoon。
RICHARD。