Adventures and Letters

第13章

InOctoberRichardreturnedtotheUnitedStatesandsettleddowntocompletehisfirstbookonthewar。DuringthisperiodandindeeduntilthehourofhisdeathmybrotherdevotedthegreaterpartofhistimetothecauseoftheAllies。HehadalwaysbelievedthattheUnitedStatesshouldhaveenteredthewarwhentheGermansfirstoutragedBelgium，andtothiseffecthewrotemanyletterstothenewspapers。

InadditiontothishewasmostactiveinvariousofthecharitiesdevotedtothecausesoftheAllies，wroteanumberofappeals，andcontributedmoneyoutofallproportiontohismeans。ThefollowingappealhewrotefortheSecoursNational:

"Youareinvitedtohelpwomen，childrenandoldpeopleinParisandinFrance，whereverthewarhasbroughtdesolationanddistress。ToFranceyouoweadebt。Itisnotalonethedebtyouincurredwhenyourgreatgrandfathersfoughtforliberty，andtohelpthem，Francesentsoldiers，shipsandtwogreatgenerals，RochambeauandLaFayette。YouoweFranceforthat，butsincethenyouhaveincurredotherdebts。

"ThoughyoumayneverhavevisitedFrance，herart，literature，herdiscoveriesinScience，hersenseofwhatisbeautiful，whetherinabonnet，aboulevardoratriumphalarch，havevisitedyou。Forthemyouarethehappier；andforthemalso，toFranceyouareindebt。

"IfyouhavevisitedParis，thenyourdebtisincreasedahundredfold。FortowhateverpartofFranceyoujourneyed，thereyoufoundcourtesy，kindness，yourvisitbecameaholiday，youdepartedwithasenseofrenunciation；youweredeterminedtoreturn。Andwhenafterthewar，youdorevisitFrance，ifyourdebtisunpaid，canyouwithoutembarrassmentsinkintodebtstilldeeper？WhatyousoughtParisgaveyoufreely。Wasittostudyartortolearnhistory，forthehistoryofFranceisthehistoryoftheworld；wasittodineunderthetreesortorobtheRuedelaPaixofanewmodel；

wasitforweekstomotoronthewhiteroadsoratacafetablewatchtheworldpass？Whateveryousought，youfound。

Now，asin1776wefought，to-dayFrancefightsforfreedom，andinbehalfofalltheworld，againstmilitarismthatis`madeinGermany。"

"Hermenareinthetrenches；herwomenareworkinginthefields，sweepingtheParisboulevards，lightingthestreetlamps。Theyareundaunted，independent，magnificentlycapable。Theyasknocharity。Butfromthosedistrictsthewarhaswrecked，therearehundredsofthousandsofwomenandlittlechildrenwithoutwork，shelterorfood。TothemthroughoutthewarzonetheSecoursNationalgivesinstantrelief。InonedayinParisaloneitprovides80，000

freemeals。Sixcentspaysforoneofthesemeals。Onedollarfromyouwillforaweekkeepawomanorchildalive。

"Thestoryisthatonemansaid，`Inthiswarthewomenandchildrensuffermost。I"mawfullysorryforthem!"andtheothermansaid，`YesI"mfivedollarssorry。Howsorryareyou？"

"IfeveryouintendpayingthatdebtyouowetoFrancedonotwaituntilthewarisended。Now，whileyoustilloweit，donotagainimposeyourselfuponherhospitality，hercourtesy，herfriendship。

"But，paythedebtnow。

"Andthen，whennextinParisyousitatyourfavoritetableandyourfavoritewaiterhandsyouthemenu，willyounotthemoreenjoyyourdinnerifyouknowthatwhilehewasfightingontheAisne，itwasyourprivilegetohelpalittleinkeepinghiswifeandchildalive。"

Thewinterof1914-15RichardandhiswifespentinNewYork，andonJanuary4，1915，theirbaby，Hope，wasborn。Noeventinmybrother"slifehadeverbroughthimsuchinfinitehappiness，andduringtheshortfifteenmonthsthatremainedtohimshewasseldom，ifever，fromhisthoughts，andnofathereverplannedmorecarefullyforachild"sfuturethanRicharddidforhislittledaughter。

OnApril11mybrotherandhiswifetookHopetoCrossroadsforthefirsttime。Inhisdiaryofthistimehewrites，"OnlyhomeintheworldistheoneIown。Everythingbelongs。

Itissocomfortableandthelakeandthestreamsinthewoodswhereyoucangetyourfeetwet。Thethrillofthinkingastumpisatrespasser!Youcan"tdothatontenacres。"

AcauseinwhichRichardwasenormouslyinterestedatthistimewasthatofthepreparednessofhisowncountry，andforitheworkedunremittingly。InAugust，1915，hewenttoPlattsburg，wherehetookamonthofmilitarytraining。

PLATTSBTTRG，N。Y。

August，1915。

DEAROLDMAN:

Thisisaveryrealthing，andSTRENUOUS。IknownowwhyGodinventedSunday。Thefirsttwodaysweremightyhard，andIhadtoworkextratocatchup。Idon"tknowadarnedthing，andafterwatchingsoldiersforyears，findthatIhavepickedupnothingthattheyhavetolearn。TheonlythingsIhavelearneddon"tcounthere，astheymightundermarchingconditions。MyridingIfindisquitegood，andsoismyrifleshooting。Asyoucouldalwaysbeatmeatthatyoucanseetheconditionsarenothigh。Butbeingusedtothearmysaddlehelpsmealot。IhaveasteeplechaserononesideandaM。F。H。ontheother，andtheycan"tkeepinthesaddle，andhateitwithbitteroaths。Thecampcommandertoldmethatwasacuriousdevelopment；thatthebestgentlemenjockeysandpoloplayersonaccountofthesaddle，weresore，ineverysense。YesterdayIroseat5-30，assembledforbreakfastatsix，tookdowntenttoventilateit，whenacloudmeanlyappeared，andIhadtoputitupagain。Theninheavymarchingorderwedrilledtwohoursasskirmishers，runningandhurlingourselvesattheearth，likefallingontheball，andIalwaysseemedtofallwherethecinderpathcrossedtheparadeground。Wegotbackintimetocleanourselvesfordinneratnoon。Andthenpractisedfiringattargets。Attwoweweredrilledascavalryinextendedorder。Wegallopedtoapoint，advancedonfoot，weredrivenbackbyanimaginaryenemy，andremounted。Wegallopedasasquadron，andthesightwasreallyremarkablewhenyouthinkthemenhadbeentogetheronlyfourdays。Butthehorseshadbeendoingitforyears。AllIhadtodotominewastokeepon。HeknewwhatwaswantedaswellasdidtheCaptain。Afterthatweputonourpacksandparadedatretreattotheband。Thenhadsupperandlistenedtoalecture。Iacheineverybone，muscle，andjoint。Buttheridinghasnotbotheredme。Itisonlyhurlingthedamnedrifleatmyself。AtnineIamsoundasleep。Itcertainlyisagreatexperience，and，allthemenarehelpingeachotherandthespiritissplendid。Themostcuriousmeetingscomeoffandallkindsofmenareatitfromcollegekidstoseveralwhoaregreatgrandfathers。RussellColtturnedupandwasveryfunnyoverhisexperiences。HesaidhesalutedeverybodyandonemanhethoughtwasageneralandstoodatattentiontosalutewasaPullmancarconductor。

Thefoodisallyouwant，andverygood。I"vehadnothingtodrink，butsarsaparilla，butwiththethirstwegetitisthebestdrinkIknow。IhaveaskedtohavenolettersforwardedandifIdon"twriteIhopeyouwillunderstandasduringthedaythereisnotaminuteyouareyourownbossandatnightI

amtoostiffandsleepytowrite。

Alllovetoyou。

DICK。

DEAREST:

Itisnowseven-thirty，andIhavehadtwelvebusyhours。

TheymademepassanexaminationasthoughforSingSing，thenamangavemeagunthatatfirstweighedeightpoundsandthentwenty。Hemademedoallsortsofthingswithit，suchassentriesusedtodotome。ThenIwasgiventheguntokeep，andpacks，beds，blankets，andImademyselfathomeinatent；thenIwasmovedtoanothertentwithfiveothermen。ThenIgotahorseandtheygallopedusupanddownafieldfortwohours。I

losttenpounds。Thenweweremarchedaroundtoaband。I

hadasergeantoneithersideofme，soIdidnotgowrong，OFTEN。Then，achingineveryboneandwithmyheadfilledwithordersandcommands，Igotintothelakeandescaped。

YoucanbelieveIenjoyedthatbath。Itcertainlyisafinething，andIamgladIenrolled(foreveryonehasbeenasniceascouldbe)，butImissyouandHopeterribly。ItseemsyearssinceIsawyou。Iamgoingtomycotquick。Itisnoweighto"clock，andIfeellikeIhadbeenbeateninastonecrusher。KissHope"sfootforme。

Yourlovinghusband，DICK。

Monday。

DEARESTONE:

Igotsuchabeautifulletterfromyou!WithpicturesofHopeplayingwiththeBunny。Itisthebestpictureyet。I

carryitnexttomyheartbecauseyoumadeit，becauseitisofher。Andshesitsupnow？Well，Iwillmissthebigclothes-basket。Ilovedtoseeherinit。Yearsago，whenI

lefthome，shewastryingtocrawloutofit。Whatyoutellmeofher——knowingwhatyoumeanwhenyousay"Kitty"and"Bunny"——iswonderful。Howgooditwillbe!Youmustcomecloseundermyarm，andtellmeeverylittlething。Ifeelsomuchbetternowthatwehavebrokenintothelastweek，andareonthehomestretch。Wehavebrokenthebackboneofthelongabsence，and，thefirstthingyouknow，I"llbetelephoningtohaveyoumeetmeatWhitePlains。

Thisismesewingupaholeinmybreeches。Thesocksaredryingontheline，myrubberbathisontheright。IamnowgoingtoCanada。ButI"llbebackinhalfanhour；it"sonly200yardsdistant。AllthefolkshereareFrench，andthesignsareinFrench。LastplacewehaltedIboughtlumberman"ssockstowearatnight。Isleepverywell，forI

buymyraincoatfullofhayfromthenearestfarmer，andsleeponthat。Todaywehadanother"battle。"Itbeganat7。30

andendedatoneo"clock。Wewerekeptgoingallthattime，taking"cover"behindrailroadembankmentsandstonewallsandinplowedfields，finallyendingwithabayonetcharge。I

killedsomanyIstoppedcounting。

Don"tletHopeforgetherfather。Betterputonawrist-watchandmyhornspectacles，andholdherthewrongway，soshewillberemindedofherDad。

Good-night，mydearestone。YouwillneverknowhowterriblyImissyouandloveyou，andwantyouinmyarms，andyouholdingHopesothatIcanhaveallmyhappinessinonebigarmfulofallthatisgood。

YOURLOVINGHUSBAND。

Wednesday。

DEARESTONE:

TheVitagraphpeoplecametoday。Theyhaveagreatfilmtostirpeopletopreparednesscalled"TheBattleCryofPeace。"

ItshowsNewYorkdestroyedbyGermans。Theytookpicturesofseveralofthebetter-knownmenshowing"them"preparing。I

wastakencleaningmyrifle，and，asthecaptainwaspassing，Iaskedhimtogetinthepicturewithmeandbeshowninstructingme。Hewasdelighted，butrightinthemiddleofthepicturehe"inspected"mybarrel。Ihadnotcleanedit，andheforgotthecamera，andgavemethedevil。Youcanimaginehowthecrowdroared，andthecameradirectormanwasdelighted。Iwanteditretakenshowingthecaptainpattingmeontheback。

Rooseveltturneduptoday，andwasverynice。MartinEgancamewithhimandtheBritishNavalAttache，andtheyhaveaskedmetodineatarealtableatHotelChamplainwithtwoothermen。Itwillbefinetoeatoffchina。The"hike"

beginsFriday，andwesleepeachnightontheground，butthecountrywemarchthroughisbeautiful。Allthatcountsisgettingthedaysbehindmeandgettingyouinmyarms。Doingone"s"bit"forone"scountryisright，butasthemansaid，"GodknowsIlovemycountryandwanttofightforher，butI

hopetoGodIneverloveanothercountry。"Good-night，dear，dearone!Howwonderfulitwillbetoseeandhearyouagain。

KissHopeforherDad。

RICHARD。

Saturday。

DEAREST:

Thisiswritingwithallthelove，butwithdifficulties。I

amsittingonalogandthelightisacandle。Todaywehadourfirstfight。IthappenedthesquadofeightmenIaminwassentinadvance，andIwas100yardsinfront，soIwasthefirsttocomeintouchwiththescoutsoftheRedArmy，andIkilledalot。MysquadwassobravethatweallgotkilledTHREETIMES。Butassoonastheumpirerodeawaywewouldcometolife，andgoonfighting。Finally，hetookusprisoners，andmadeussitdownandlookonatthebattle。Aswehadbeenrunningaroundandeachcarryingaforty-poundpack，weweregladtoremaindead。Butwehavedeclaredthatnothingcankillustomorrowbutasphyxiatinggas。Ihaveterriblenightmaresforfearsomethinghashappenedtooneofyou，andthenItrustinthegoodLord，andprayhimtomakethetimepassswiftly。

Good-night，andalltheloveandkissesforyouboth。

RICHARD。

OnOctober19，1915，RichardsailedontheChicagoforFranceandhissecondvisittotheGreatWar。HearrivedatParisonOctober30，andshortlyafterwardvisitedtheWesternfrontatAmiensandArtois。HealsointerviewedPoincare，andthroughhimtheFrenchPresidentsentamessagetotheAmericanpeople。AtthistimemybrotherhadreceivedpermissionfromtheauthoritiestovisitallofthetwelvesectorsoftheFrenchfrontunderparticularlyadvantageousconditions，andwasnaturallymostanxioustodoso。However，throughamisunderstandingbetweenthesyndicateherepresentedandcertainofthenewspapersusingitsservice，hefounditadvisable，evenalthoughagainsthisownjudgment，togotoGreece，andtopostponehisvisittothesectorsoftheFrenchfronthehadnotalreadyseen。OnNovember13heleftParisboundforSalonica。

OnWaytoFrance，Oct。18，1915。

DEARESTONE:

YouaremuchmorebravethanIam。Anyway，youaremuchbetterbehaved。ForallthetimeyouweretalkingIwascrying，notwithmyeyesonly，butwithALLofme。Iamsosad。

Iloveyouso，andIwillmissyouso。Iwantyoutokeepsayingtoyourselfallthetime，"Thisisthemostseriouseffortheevermade，becausethechancesofseeinganythingaresoSMALL，andbecauseneverhadhesuchachancetoHELP。But，allthetime，everyminutehethinksofme。Hewantsme。Hemissesmyvoice，myeyes，mypresenceathissidewhenhewalksorsleeps。Heneverlovedmesogreatly，oratleavingmewassounhappyasheisnow。"

Goodby，dearheart。MyGod-givenone!Woulditnotbewonderful，iftonightwhenIamupamongtheboatsonthetopdeckthatgirlinthePierrotsuit，andinherarmsHope，came，andItookthemandheldthemboth？Youwillwalkwithheratfive，andIwillwalkandthinkofyouandloveyouandlongforyou。

Godkeepyou，dearestofwives，andmothers。

RICHARD。

October24。

MYDEARDAUGHTER:

SomanyweekshavepassedsinceIsawyouthatbynowyouareabletoreadthiswithoutyourmotherlookingoveryourshoulderandhelpingyouwiththebigwords。Ihavesixsetsofpicturesofyou。EverydayItakethemdownandchangethem。ThoseyourdearmotherputinglassframesIdonotchange。Also，Ihaveallthesweetfruitsandchocolatesandredbananas。Howgoodofyoutothinkofjustthethingsyourfatherlikes。SomeofthemIgavetoalittleboyandgirl。

Iplaywiththembecausesoonmydaughterwillbeasbig。

Theyhavenomotherlikeyou，OFCOURSE；theyhavenomotherlikeYOURS——forexceptmymotherthereneverwasamotherlikeyours；soloving，sotender，sounselfishandthoughtful。Ifsheisreadingthis，kissherforme。Theselittlechildrenhavealittlefather。Hedressesthemandbathesthemhimself。Heisafraidofthecold；andsitsinthesun；andcoughsandshivers。HischildrenandIplayhide-and-seek，and，asyouwillknowsomeday，forthatgamethereisnosuchplaceasasteamer，withboatsandventilatorsandmastsandalleyways。

Somedaywewillplaythatgamehidingbehindtherocksandtreesandrosebushes。EverydayIwatchthesunset，andknowthatyouandyourprettymotherarewatchingit，too。

AndalldayIthinkofyouboth。

Beverygood。Donotbumpyourself。Donoteatmatches。Donotplaywithscissorsorcats。Donotforgetyourdad。

Sleepwhenyourmotherwishesit。Loveusboth。Trytoknowhowweloveyou。THATyouwillneverlearn。Good-nightandGodkeepyou，andblessyou。

YOURDAD。

PARIS，November1。

DEARESTONE:

Todayis"moving"day，andIfeellike——censoredword，atthethoughtofyourhavingthemovingtodirectandmanagebyyourself。IcanpictureBarneyandBurkeloading，andunloading，andcoalandwoodbeingstored，andprovisionsandice，andfinallyHopebroughtdowntotakeherthird——no——fourthmotorride。AndGodwillseeshemakesitallsafely，andthatinhernewhouseyouarecomfortable。

LastnightIdreamedaboutHopeandyou，alongdream，anditmademesohappy。Somethinghappenedtodaythatyouwillliketohear。WhenthewarcametheFrenchstudentsattheBeauxArtshadtogotofight。Thewivesandchildrenhadnothingtoliveon。So，theAmericanstudents，aboutadozenofthem，organizedareliefleague。TheBeauxArtsisinamostwonderfulpalacebuiltbyCardinalRichelieuanddecoratedlaterbyNapoleon。Inthistheyweregatheringsocks，asphyxiatingmasks，warmclothes。Theywerehandpaintingpostcardsforfiftycentsapiece。The"masters"astheycalltheirteachers，alsowerepaintingthem。Igavethemsomemoneywhichwasreceivedpolitely，but，asitwouldnotgofar，withoutmuchenthusiasm。AsIwasgoing，Isaid，"I"llbebacktomorrowtogetsomefactsandI"llwriteastoryaboutwhatyou"redoing。"

Thisisthepartthatisembarrassingtowrite，butyouwillunderstand。TheygaveacheerandayelljustasthoughIhadsaid，"Peaceisdeclared"or"IwillgiveyouCarnegie"sfortune。"Andtheydancedaround，andshookhands，andWhitneyWarren，whoisattheheadofit，allbutcried。

Later，hetoldmetheletterIhadwrittenforhiswife"sfundfororphansbythewarhadbroughtin$5000，thatwaswhytheyweresopleased。Sowe，youandI，willtrytolookatitthatway，andtrytobelievethatfromthisseparation，whichiscruelforus，othersmaygetsomebenefit。Tomorrow，IamtobereceivedattheElyseebythePresident，andIamgoingtotrytomakehimsaysomethingthatwilldrawmoneyfromAmericafortheFrenchhospitals。Ifhewillonlyask，Iknowourpeoplewillgive。Inadayortwo，IthinkIwillbeallowedtoseesomething，but，thatyouwillknowbestbyreadingTheTimes。

Yourlovinghusbandislonelyforyou，andsoitwillbealways。

RICHARD。

November17th。

DEARSWEETHEART:

MylastletterwassuchacomplainingonethatIamashamed。

But，notleavingmetodecidewhatwasbestforthepapers，madememad。SinceIwrote，Ioughttobemadder，forIhavebeentothetrenchesoutsideofRheimsinChampagne；and，hadtheynotdeviledthespiritoutofmewithcables，IbelieveI

couldhavewrittensuchalotofstoriesofFrancethatnooneelsehashadtheopportunitytowrite。Believemenoonehasyettoldthestoryofthetrenchwar。Anyway，inspiteofallthephotographsandarticles，tomeitwasallnew。Iwasallowedtogoalone，andgivencarteblanchetoseewhateverIwished。Isaweverything，butitwouldnotbepossibletowriteofityet。Itwaswonderful。Iwasinthethreelines，reachingtheFIRSTlinebymoonlight。Noonespokeaboveawhisper。TheGermanswereonly300to400yardsdistant。Butworstofallweretherats。TheyranovermyfeetandIwasadarnedsightmoreafraidofthemthantheGermans。IsawtheCathedral，andtheonlyhotelopen(fromwhichIsentyouandHopeapostal)wasthesameoneinwhichwestoppedayearago。IhadsentthehotelmybookinwhichIsaidcomplimentarythings，andIgotagreatwelcome。Theyevengavemearoomwithafireinit，andsoIwaswarmforthefirsttimesinceIlefttheCrossroads。AndthismorningitSNOWED。OnmywaybacktoParis，IstoppedtotelltheGeneralwhatIhadseenandtothankhim。Hesaid，"Oh，thatisnothing。Whenyoureturn，Iwilltakeyououtmyself，andIwillshowyousomethingworthwhile。"Iamgoingtocarryarat-trap，andtwoterriersonaleash。Tonight，whenIgotback，therewasaletterfromyou，butnowriting，buttherewasaphotoofHer，andmeholdingher。Howisitpossiblethatanylivingthingissobeautifulasmychild？

Howfat，andwonderful，anddear，andlovable，andhowterriblyIwanttoholdherasIamholdingherinthepicture，andhowmuchbetterasIreallydon"tneedmyleftarmtoholdsuchamite)，ifIhadyouclosetomeinit。I

missyouso，andloveyouso!ItoldWheelerbeforeIleftasIwasnotgoingtowastetimetravelingIwouldnotgotoServia。So，assoonasIarrived，Iwasfrettedwithcablestogo。Icabledtostopgivingmeadvice，thatIhadamuchbetterchanceinFrancethananyonecouldhaveanywhereelse。

Maybe，beforeIarrive，theGreekswillhavejoinedtheGermans，inwhichcase，IWON"TLEAVETHESHIP。I"llcomestraightbackonhertotheAllies。

RICHARD。

November20th。

ThisisthewayHope"scatlooks，"Mywhiskers!"shesays，"I

neverknewIwastobeletinforanythinglikethis!"WhenI

toldheraboutthebigratsinthetrenchesshewantedtogowithmenexttime，but，todaywhenItoldherthattheCrownPrinceofServiamadehisservantseatlivemice(heisnolongerCrownPrince)，shelookedjustasshedoesinthepicture。"Then，whatdo_I_eatinServia？"shesaid，andI

toldherbothofuswouldliveongoat"smilk。

YouwillbegladwhenItellyouIhavebeen，warm。Wecameprettyfarsouthintwodays，and，thedampchillofParisisgone。Onthetrainafunnythinghappened。AnEnglishofficerandIgottalkingandhewaspresscensoratSalonicawhereIamgoingafterAthens。IaskedhimtolookoverthemanylettersIhadandtellmeifanyofthemwouldbelikelytogetmeinbad，beingaddressedtopro-Germans，forexample。

Hesaid，"Well，THISchapisallrightanyway。I"llvouchforhim，becausethisletterisaddressedtome。"

SEETHECAT!

HOPEGAVETHECATTOHERDAD。

ISTHECATSAD？

YES

ISTHEDADSAD？

VERY!!

WHYISTHECATANDTHEDADSAD？

THEYWANTHOMEANDHOPE。

DOTHEYLOVEHOPE？

DON"TMAKETHEMLAUGH!

Weleave，theBasses，theEnglishofficerandI，inasmalltubofaboatforPatras，andtraintoAthens。

IwilltrytogoatoncetoServia。Harjes，whoaretheParishouseofJ。P。Morgan，gavemea"mission"totryandorganizefortheServiansthesameformofreliefashasbeenarrangedfortheBelgians。HegavemepermissionifIsawtheneedforhelpwasimminent(anditwillbe)tocablehimforwhateverI

thoughttheSerbsmostneeded。So，itisachancetodomuch。

Togetoutnewswillbeimpossible。However，hereIamandtomorrowI"llbegoodandseasick。

Ihaveyourcharmaroundmyneck，andallthepictures，andtheluck-bringingcat，andthescapular，andtheloveyougivemetokeepmewellandbringussoontogether。ThatistheonethingIwant。Godblessyouboth，Hope"sdadandyourhusband。

ATHENS，November26th。

DEARHEART:

IamofftonightforSalonica。IamnotverycheerfulforI

missyouvery，veryterribly，andthefurtherIgo，theworseIfeel。ButnowIamnearlyasfarasIcanget，andwhenyoureceivethisIwill——thankGod——beturnedbacktoParis，andLondon，andHOME!IthoughtsooftenofyouthismorningwhenItookaholidayandclimbedtheAcropolis。OnthetopofitIpickedadandelionforyou。Itwasgrowingbetweentheblocksofmarblethathavebeentheresince400yearsbeforeourLord:beforeSt。PaulpreachedtotheAthenians。I

wasallaloneontherock，andcouldseeovertheAEgeanSea，Corinth，MountOlympus，wheretheGodsusedtosit，andtheSphinxlayinwaitfortravelerswithherfamousriddle。IttakestwodaysandonenighttogotoSalonica，andtheboatsaresoawfulnooneundressesbutsleepsinhisclothesontopofthebed。

Goodby，sweetheart，andgiveSUCHakisstomypreciousdaughter。Howbeautifulsheis。Eventhewaiterwhobroughtmeacardstoppedtoexclaimaboutherpicture。So，ofcourse，beingnotatallproudIshowedhimherinmyarms。I

wantyoubothsoandIloveyoubothSO。And，IwantedyousothismorningasIalwaysdowhenthereisabeautifullandscape，orflowers，orpalms。Iknowhowyoulovethem。

ThedandelionisverymodestandIhopethecensorwon"tloseitout，forshehasalongwaytogoandcarriesaburdenoflove。IwishIwasbringingtheminthedooroftheScribnercottageatthisveryminute。

RICHARD。

VOLO，November27。

Igotheretoday，afterthedarnedestvoyageoftwodaysinasmallsteamer。Weranthroughasnowstormandtherewasnowaytowarmtheboat。So，IDIED。Youknowhowcoldaffectsme——well——thiswasthecoldestcoldIeverdiedof。I

pouredalcoholinme，anditwaslikedrinkingicedtea。Now，Iamonshoreinacafenearastove。WecontinueontoSalonicaatmidnight。Thereare24menandonewoman，Mrs。

Bass，onboard。IammuchtoohomesicktowritemorethantosayIloveyou，andImissyouandHopeso，thatIdon"tlookatthephotos。DidyougetthecableIsentThanksgiving——fromAthens，itread:"AmgivingthanksforHopeandyou。"Ihopethecensorletthatgetbyhim。TheboatIwasonwasarefrigeratorship；itwasalsopeculiarinthatthecaptaindealtbaccaratalldaywiththepassengers。

Itwasasortoffloatinggamblinghouse。Thisiscertainlyastrangeland。Snowandrosesandoranges，allatonce。I

muststop。I"mfroze。GivethekissIwanttogivetoHer，andknow，oh!howIloveandloveandlovehermother——NEVER

SOMUCHASNOW。

SALONICANovember30th，1915。

DEAROLDMAN:

IgotheretonightandfounditthemostpicturesquespotI

evervisited。IamgladIcame。ItwasimpossibletogetaroombutIfoundJohnMcCutcheonandtwoothermenoccupyingagrandsuiteandtheyhavehadacotputinforme。To-morrowIhopetogetaroom。TheplaceisfilledwitheverynationexceptGermansandeventheyarehereoutofuniforms。Wehadastrangetimecoming。ThetripfromAthensshouldhavetakentwonightsandadaybutwetookfour。TheCaptainoftheboatanchoredandplayedbaccaratwheneverhethoughttherewereenoughpassengersnotseasicktomakeitworthhiswhile。

Heplayedfromeleveninthemorninguntilfourinthemorning。Idon"tknownowwhorantheship。Itissocoldwhenyoubathe，thesteamrunsoffyou。Ineverhavesufferedso。But，itlookedasthougheveryoneelsewassinging"Itsgoingtobeahard，hardwinter"fromthewaythey，dress。

TomorrowIamgoingtobuyfurpants。Youcan"tbelievewhatapictureitis。Servians，French，Greeks，Scotsinkilts，Londonmotorcars，Turks，woundedandbandagedTommiesandmillionsofthemfightingforfood，fordrink，foraplaceatthe"movies，"andmore"rumors"thantherearewordsinthedirectory。To-morrow，Ipresentmylettersandhopetogettothe"front。"Ionlyhopethefrontdoesn"tcometous。But，itoughttobeaplaceforgreatstories。Alllovetoyouoldman，andblessyouboth。HowIlookforwardtoourfirstlunchinyourwonderfulhome!Andtositinfrontofyourfire，andhearallthenews。Alllovetoyouboth。

RICHARD。

December6，1915。

DEARESTONE:

Ihavebeenawaysocouldnotwrite。TheytookustotheFrenchandEnglish"front"andawayfromGreece；wewereinBulgariaandServia。Itwasataplacewherethethreeboundariesmet。Wesawremarkablemountainrangesanddeepsnow，andsomefineartillery。Butthrowingshellsintothatbleak，whitejumbleofsnowandrocks——therewasfiftymilesofit——waslikethrowingabaseballattheRockyMountains。Still，itwasseeingsomething。Now，Ihavearoom，andaverywonderfulone。Ihadtobribeeveryoneinthehoteltogetit；andIhavesomethingtowriteand，nomoremovingaboutI

hope，foratleastaweek。Iamabletoseetheshipsatanchorformiles，andthelandingstageforallthewarshipsisjustundermywindow。AsnearasMcCoyRockfromtheterrace。Itislikeamovingpictureallthetime。IboughtmyselfanoilstoveandacanofStandardoil，and，insteadoftryingtowarmthehotelwithmybody，IletGeorgedoit。

Butitisaverysmallstove，andtoreallygetthegoodofit，Ihavetositwithitbetweenmylegs。Still，itissucharelieftobealone，andnottopackallthetime。

McCutcheonandBass，HareandShepherdarefine，butIfeltlikethedevil，imposingonthem，andworkingfourinaroomisnojoke。Wedinetogethereachnight。Exceptthem，Iseenoone，buthavebeenwriting。Also，IhavebeencollectingfactsaboutServianrelief。Harjes，Morgan"srepresentativeinParis，gavemecarteblanchetocallonhimformoneyorsupplies；butIwaiteduntiltodaytocable，soastobesurewherehelpwasmostneeded。Itisstillcold，butthatAWFULcoldspellwasquiteunprecedentedandisnotlikelytocomeagain。INEVERsufferedsofromcold，and，asyouknow，Isufferconsiderable。AlltheEnglishofficerswhohadhuntedincoldplaces，saidneitherhadtheyeverfeltsuchcold。SevenhundredTommieswerefrostbittenandtoesandfingersfelloff。Idonotsayanythingabouthowawfulitisnottohear。But，ifIhadhadyourlettersforwardedtothisdumpoftheLevant，Ineverwouldhavegotthem。Now，IhavetowaitforthemuntilIgettoParis，butthereIwillsurelygetthem。Cables，ofcourse，canreachme，butnocablesmeantomethatyouareallright。NordoIwantto"talk"aboutChristmas。

YouknowhowIfeelaboutthat，andaboutmissingthefirstoneSHEhashad。ButitwillbetheLASTonewewillknowapart。

Neveragain!

Iwantyouinmyarmsandtohearyoulaughandseeyoureyes。

Iaminneedofyoutomakeafussoverme。McCutcheonandCo。don"tcarewhetherIhavecoldhandsornot。Youdo。

Yourointmentandglovessavedmyfingersfromfallingofflikethesoldiers"did。Andyour"housewife"Iusetoputonbuttons，and，yourscapularandmedalkeepmewell。Butyourloveiswhatreallyliftsmeupandconsolesme。WhenIthinkhowyouandIcareforeachother，then，Iamscared，foritisverybeautiful。Andwemustnoteverbeawayfromeachotheragain。Godkeepyoumybeloved，andbothmyblessings。

Icannotbearit——whenIthinkofallIammissingofher，and，allthatsheisdoing。Godguardyouboth。MydarlinganddearwifeandmotherofHope。

Yourhusband，RICHARD。

SALONICA，December18th。

DEARESTWIFEANDSWEETHEART:

Iamverybluetonight，andNEVERwassohomesick。

YesterdayjusttofeelIwasintouchwithyouIsentacablethroughthefog，itsaid，"Well，homesick，alllovetoyouboth。"IdidnotaskifyouandHopewerewell，becauseI

KNOWthegoodLordwillnotletanyharmcometoyou。Iamcertainlycaughtbytheheelsthistime。Anditwillbethelasttime。Asyouknow，ImeantonlytogotoFrancewherenotimewouldbewastedintravel，andIwouldbeabletogetbacksoon。

Buttheblockadehelduptheshipandontheotheronethecaptainstayedatanchor，and，thenwhenIgothere，theAlliesretreated，andIhadtostayontocoverwhatistocomenext。

Whatthatis，orwhethernothinghappens，youwillknowbythetimethisreachesyou。So，hereIam。ForTENdaysuntilthismorningwehaveneverseenthesun。Insixtyyearsnothinglikeithashappened。TheSalonicanssaidtheEnglishtransportsbroughtthefogwiththem。Anyway，Igotit。Myroomisrightontheharbor。IneverthoughtIwouldLOVE

anoilstove。Ialwaysthoughttheywereill-smelling，air-destroying。Butthisonesavedmylife。Iwrotewithitbetweenmyknees，Idrymylaundryonit，andusethetinpanontopofittotakethedampnessoutofthebed。Thefogkepteverythinglikeasponge。Coalisthirtydollarsaton。

Togetwoodforfirewoodtheboatmenrowmilesout，andwaitbelowthetransportstogettheboxestheythrowoverboard。I

goaroundaskingEVERYBODYifthisplaceisnotnowadeadduckfornews。Buttheyallgivemenoencouragement。Theysayitisthenewscenteroftheworld。Ihopeitchokes。I

trytocomfortmyselfbythinkingyouarehappy，becauseyouhaveHope，andIhavenobody，exceptJohnMcCutcheonandBassandJimmieHare，andtheyareasblueasIam，andnoonecangetanymoney。IcabledtodaytoWheelerforsomeviatheStateDepartment。IwenttotheServiancampforthelittleorphanswhosefathershavebeenkilled，andtheyallkneltandkissedmyhands。Itwasawful。IthoughtofHope，andhuggedafewandcarriedthemaroundinmyarmsandfeltmuchbetter。

Todayforthefirsttime，IquitworkandwenttoseeanAmericanfilmatthecinematocheerme。ButwhenIsawthestreetcars，and"readytowear"clothes，andthepolicemenIgotsuicidal。I

wentbackandtoldtheothersandtheyallrushedofftosee"home"things，andaretherenow。Thisisayellofaletter，butit"stheonlykindIcanwrite。Mystoriesandcablesarerotten，too。Ihaveseennothing——justtraveledandwaitedforsomethingtohappen。Goodnight，dearestone。Iloveyouso。

YouwillneverknowhowmuchIloveyou。Kissmydarlingforme，and，thinkonlyofthegooddayswhenwewillbetogetheragain。Suchgooddays。Goodnightagain——alllove。

RICHARD。

HARBORSALONICA，December19th。

Iamahappymantonight!AndthatisthefirsttimeIhavebeenabletosaysosinceIleftyou。Thebackboneofthetripisbroken!andmyfaceisturnedWest——towardyouandHope。JohnMcCutcheongavemeafarewelldinnertonightofwhichIgotonehalf，asthepolicemademegoonboardatnine，althoughwedonotsailuntilfiveinthemorning。Sotherewastimeforonlyonetoast，asIwasmakingforthedoor。Wasittoyourhusband？Itwasnot。ItwastoHopeDavis，twoweeksyetofbeingoneyearold，andbeingtoastedbythewarcorrespondentsinSalonica。Theyknewitwouldpleaseme。AndIwentawayverychokenandhappy。SUCHaboatasthisis!Ihaveasofainthedining-room，andatpresentitisjammedwithrefugeesandallsmokingandnotanairportopen。Whatareliefitwillbetooncemoregetamongcleanpeople。WemusthelptheServians，andGodknowstheyneedhelp。But，iftheywouldhelpeachother，orthemselves，Iwouldlikethembetter。Iamnowondeckunderthecargolightand，onthetopflooroftheOlympusHotel，canseeJohn"sdinnergrowinggayerandgayer。Itislikethemanwhowentonahoneymoonalone。Iamsohappytonight。YouseemsonearnowthatIamcomingWest。

HowterriblyIhavemissedyou，andwantedyou，andlongedforyourvoiceandLAUGH，andtohaveyouopenthedoorofmywritingroom，andsay，"Aladyiscomingtocallonyou，"andthenenterthedearestwifeanddearestbabyintheworld!

Godblessyou，andallmylove。

RICHARD。

ROME，ChristmasEve，1915。

MYDEAREST，DEAREST，DEAREST:

IplannedtogettoParislateChristmasnight。IcabledFrazierattheEmbassy，tohaveallmylettersattheHoteldel"Empire。IMEANTtospendthenightreadingofyouandHope。ImadearecordtripfromSalonica。ByleavingthesecondsteameratMessinaandtakinganeighteen-hourtripacrossItalyIsavedtenhours。ButwhenIgothereIfoundtheFrenchConsulhadtakenaholiday，ANDWASOUTBUYING

CHRISTMASPRESENTS!So，IcouldnotgetpermissiontoenterFrance。WithsomeRedCrossAmericans，IragedaroundtheFrenchConsulate，butitwasnouse。SoIamhere，andcannotleaveUNTILMIDNIGHTCHRISTMAS。WhenIfoundIcouldnotgetaway，ItoldCook"stogivemetheirrapid-fireguide，andIsetouttoSEEROME。TheManagerofCook"swasthesamemanwho，19yearsago，soldmeticketstotheGreekwarinFlorence，whentheAmericanConsulatewasinthesamebuildingwithCook"s，andCharleywasConsul。Sohegavemeagreatguide。Webeganattenthismorningandwestoppedatsix。

TheysayittakesfiveyearstoseeRome，butwhenIlettherapid-fireguideescape，hesaidhehadtocomplimentme；weclimbedmorestairwaysandhillsthanthereareinallNewYorkandWestchesterCounty；andthereisjustoneideainmymind，andthatisthatyouandImustseethissacredplacetogether。OnallthistripIhavewantedYOU，butNEVER

soastoday。AndIparticularlyinquiredaboutthemilk。Itissaidtobeexcellent。Sowewillcomehere，andyou，withallyourloveofwhatisfineandbeautiful，willbeveryhappy，andHopewilllearnItalian，andtoknowwhatisbestinart，andstatuesandchurches。Ihaveseen2900churches，andallofthembuiltbyMichaelAngeloanddecoratedbyRaphael；

anditwassowonderfulIcried。Iboughtcandlesandprayers，andIamafraidChristianSciencehadadullday。

Tomorrowwestartatnine，andgotohighmassatSt。Peter"s，andthenintothecountrytothecatacombs，wheretheearlyChristianshidfromtheRomans。ItisnotwhatyouwouldcallanEnglishChristmas，butitissobeautifulandwonderfulthatyouBOTHAREVERYNEAR。

Isentyouacable，thesecondone，becauseitisnotsuretheyareforwarded，andIhungupastockingforHope。OneofthepeasantwomenmadeinSalonica。Iambringingitwithme。

Andthecatisonmywindow——stilllookingoutontheRomans。

ThegreenleafIgotintheforum，whereMarkAntonymadehisspeechoverCaesar"sbody。ItistheplantthatgavePericlestheideaoftheCorinthiancolumn。Youremember。Itwasgrowingunderatilesomeonehadlaidoverit——andtheyellowflowerwasonmytableatdinner，soIsendit，thatwemayknowonChristmasEvewedinedtogether。

Good-night，now，andGodblessyou。Iamofftobednow，inabedwithsheets。Thefirstinsixdays。HowILOVEyou，andLOVEyou。SuchgoodwishesIsendyou，andsuchlovetoyouboth。MaythegoodLordblessyouashehasblessedme——withthebestofwomen，withthebestofdaughters。Iamaproudhusbandandaproudfather；andsoonIwillbeaHAPPYhusbandandaHAPPYfather。

Good-night，dearheart。

RICHARD。

PARIS，December28th，1915。

DEAROLDMAN:

HurrahfortheDictator!Hehasbeenagreatgoodfriendtome。Iwillknowto-dayaboutwhetherIcangobacktotheFrenchfront。IfnotIwilltrytheBelgiansandthenLondon，andhome。IspentChristmasdayinRomeinthecatacombs。I

couldnotwearmyheartuponmysleeveforduchessestopeckat。Itisjustasyousay，DadandMothermadethedaysodearandbeautiful。IdidnotknowhowgladIwouldbetobebackhereforwhilethetripEastledtononewsvalue，tomepersonallyitwasinteresting。ButIamterriblytiredafterthelastninedays，sleepingonsofas，decks，adifferentdeckeachnightandwritingallthetimeandsuchpoorstuff。But，oh!whenIsawParisIknewhowgladIwas!WHATabeautifulplace，whatakindcourteouspeople。Wewillallbeheresomeday。TellDaishemustbemyinterpreter。Alllovetoher，andyou，andgoodlucktothesyndicate。YOUR

syndicate。Ihavenotheardfrommineforsixweeks。Theyhavenotsentmeasingleclippingofanything，soIdon"tknowwhetheranythinggotthroughornot，andI

havenothingtoshowthesepeopleherethatmightencouragethemtosendmeoutagain。Theycertainlyhavemadeithardhoeing。TellGuveyhisletteraboutthetoyswasagreatsuccesshere，andcopiedintoseveralpapers。

Goodbye，andGodblessyou，andgoodlucktoyou。

DICK。

PARIS，December31st，1915。

DEAROLDMAN:

TowishyouandDaiaHappyNewYear。Itwillmeanalottouswhenwecangettogether，andtakeittogether，goodandbad。IamawfullypleasedoverthenovelcomingoutbytheHarper"sand，inlandingsomuchformeoutofTheDictator。

YouhavestartedtheNewYearformesplendidly。IexpectI

willbebackaroundthefirstofFebruary。Iamnowtryingto"getback，"but，Ineedmoretime。Icanonlyputthetripdowntothewrongsideoftheledger。Personally，Igotalotoutofit，butIamnotsentoverheretoimprovemyknowledgeofEurope，buttofurnishnewsandstoriesandthathasnothappened。

IamconstantlyrunningagainstfolkswhoknewyouinFlorence，andIregrettosaymostofthemareinbusinessattheChathambar。Whatastorytheymake；theM——"sandthelike，whoknowParisonlyfromthecocktailside。Oneofourattachestoldmeto-dayhehadbeenlunchingforthelast18

monthsatthegrillroomoftheChatham，wherethe"mixedgrill"wasasgoodasinNewYork。Hehadnoknowledgeofanyotherplacetoeat。TheHoteldel"Empireisaterribletragedy。Theyaresopoor，thatIbelieveitismyeightfrancsadaykeepsthemgoing；nothingelseisinsight。But，itistheexception。NeverdidapeopletakeawarastheFrenchtakethisworstofallwars。Theyreallyarethemostsplendidofpeople。

IonlywishIcouldhavehadoneofthemforagrandfatherorgrandmother。BessiewritesthatHopeisgrowingwonderfullyandbeautifully，andIamsickforasightofher，andforyou。GoodnightandGodblessyouandthehappiestofNewYearstoyouboth。

Yourlovingbrother，DICK。

Thesepostcardsare"originals"paintedbystudentsoftheBeaux-Artstokeepalive，andtokeepthosestudentsinthetrenches。TheyareforDai。

PARIS，December31，1915。

DEARESTONE:

Theoldyear，thedear，oldyearthatbroughtusHope，isveryneartheend。Iamnotgoingtowatchhimgo。IhavedrunktotheNewYearandtomywifeanddaughter，andbeforethereis"anewsteponthefloor，andanewfaceatthedoor，"I

willbeasleep。Ofallmymanyyears，theoldyear，thatissosoontopassaway，hasbeenthebest，forithasbroughtyoutomewithaclosertie，hasaddedtotheloveIhaveforeverybreathyoubreathe，foryourlaughandyoursmile，anddeepconcern，thatcomesifyouthinkyourworthlesshusbandisworried，orcross，ordismayed。EachyearIloveyoumore；

forIknowyoumore，andtoknowmoreofthelovelysoulyouare，istolovemore。Justnowweareinahardplace。Iamsureyoucannotcomprehendhowherfather，her"Dad"andyourhusbandcankeepaway。NeitherdoIunderstand。

But，forbothyoursakes，Iwant，beforeIownupthatthisadventurehasbeenafailure，totryandpullsomethingoutofthewreck。IfthegovernmentsaysICAN，thenIstillmaybeabletodosomething。Ifitsays，"NO，"thenit"sHome，boys，Home，andthat"swhereIwanttobe。It"shome，boys，home，intheoldcountree。"Neaththeash，andtheoak，andthespreadingmapletree，it"shome，boys，home，tomineowncountree!ThisisHopeandyou。Soknow，thatingettingtoyouIhavenotthrownawayaminute。Ihavebeenaslave-driver，toothersaswellastomyself。Butyoucannotgetfavorswithawhip；and，theFrenchwarofficehasothermatterstooccupyit，thatitconsidersofmoreimportancethananimpatientwarcorrespondent。Solongasyouunderstand，itwillnotmatter。Nothinghurts，exceptthatyoumaynotunderstand。ThemomentIseeyou，andyouseeme，youwillunderstand。So，goodnight，andGodblessyou，you，mytwoblessings。Hereistoourownyearof1915，youryearandHope"syear，and，becauseIhaveyouboth，myyear。I

sendyoualltheloveinalltheworld。

RICHARD。

January5，1916。

MYDEARESTONE:

WHATPICTURES!WHATHAPPINESS!WhataproudRichard!OntopofmywritingyesterdaythatIhadhadnosketchesofyours，andnokodaksofHope，eightcameto-night，andoh!I

amsoproud，sohomesick。Whatawonderfulnurseandmotheryouare!Waseverthereanythingsolovable？Andthatsheshouldbeours，toholdandtolove，andtomakehappy。TheselasteightdaysinParis，inandout，havemademesohomesickforthoseIlove，thatyouwillneverknowwhatthedelaysmeant。

Ifeltjustthewaypoorwomenfeelwhokidnapbabies。IntheparksIknowthenurse-maidsareafraidofme。Istickmyheadunderthehoodsofthebabycarriages，andstopandstandwatchingthematplay。Andtonightwhenallthesebeautifulpicturescame，Iwasthehappiestfatheranywhere。

Thedelaywasnoone"sfault，notmineanyway，norcanIblameanyone。Thesepeoplearesplendid。Theyarewillingtodoanythingforone，butittakestime。Whentheyarefightingfortheirlivesandhavenotseentheirownbabiesinayear，thatyouwanttoseeyoursisonlynaturalandtoobligeyoutheycan"tseewhytheyshouldupsetthewholewar。ButnowitlookslessasthoughIwouldhavetocallitafailure。

AndHopemaybeproudofme，andyoumaybeproudofme，andI

willhaveenoughammunitiontodrawonformanyarticlesandletters，andanotherbook。

Ithasbeenacrueltime；andwhenItellyouhowIworkedtogetitover，andtobebackwithyou，youwillunderstandmanythings。ThemostimportantofallwillbehowIloveyou。

OnlywaituntilIcanlayeyesonyou，youwilljusttakeonelookandknowthatitcouldn"tbehelped，thatthedelaywastheworkofothers，that，allIwantedwasmyBessieandmyHope。

Howheavyshewillbe，ifsheisanythinglikethepictureofheronthecoverlet，sheisaprizebaby。AndifsheisanythinglikeasbeautifulasinthebabycarriagesheisanangelstraightfromGod。Iwanttositinthegreenchairandhaveyouononekneeandhermajestyontheother，andhaveherclimboverme，andpullmyhairandbangmynose，andintimetoknowhowIloveyouboth。

Goodnight，dearheart，Iwishyouhadhadyourselfinthepicture。IhavethreeinthesummertimewithyouholdingherandthatisthewayIliketoseeyou，thatisthewayIthinkofyou。Iloveyou，andIloveherformakingyousohappy，andIloveherforhersake，andbecausesheisOURS:andhastiedustighterandclosereventhanithaseverbeen。I

loveyousothatIcan"twriteaboutit，andIamgoingtodonothingallspringbutjustsitaround，andbeineverybody"sway，watchingyoutogether。

HowjealousIamofyou，andhomesickforyou。Ofcourse，sheknows"mamma"isYOU；andtolookatyouwhentheyask，"Where"smother？"WhoelsecouldbehermotherBUTTHE

DEARESTWOMANINTHEWORLD，andtheonewholovesherso，andinsowonderfulaway。SheisbeautifulbeyondallthingshumanIknow。Ifeverawomandeservedabeautifuldaughter，YOUDO，foryouarethebestofmothers，andyouknowhow"tocaregreatly。"

Good-night，myprecious，dearone，andGodkeepyou，asHewill，andhelpmetokeepyoubothhappy。Whatyougivemeyouneverwillknow。

RICHARD。

CHAPTERXX

THELASTDAYS

AfterashortvisittoLondon，RichardreturnedtoNewYorkinFebruary，1916。DuringhisabsencehiswifeandHopehadoccupiedtheScribnercottageatMountKisco，abouttwomilesfromCrossroads。Heremybrotherfinishedhissecondbookonthewar，andwrotenumerousarticlesandlettersurgingtheimmediatenecessityforpreparednessinthiscountry。AstoRichard"susefulnesstohiscountryatthistime，Iquoteinpartfromtwoappreciationswrittenaftermybrother"sdeathbythetwomostprominentexponentsofpreparedness。

TheodoreRooseveltsaid:

"HewasasgoodanAmericanaseverlived，andhisheartflamedagainstcrueltyandinjustice。Hiswritingsformatext-bookofAmericanismwhichallourpeoplewoulddowelltoreadatthepresenttime。"

Major-GeneralLeonardWoodsaid:

"ThedeathofRichardHardingDaviswasareallosstothemovementforpreparedness。Mr。Davishadanextensiveexperienceasamilitaryobserver，andthoroughlyappreciatedtheneedofageneraltrainingsystemlikethatofAustraliaorSwitzerlandandofthoroughorganizationofourindustrialresourcesin，ordertoestablishaconditionofreasonablepreparednessinthiscountry。AfewdaysbeforehisdeathhecametoGovernorsIslandforthepurposeofascertaininginwhatlineofworkhecouldbemostusefulinbuildingupsoundpublicopinioninfavorofsuchpreparednessaswouldgiveusarealpeaceinsurance。Hismindwasbentondevotinghisenergiesandabilitiestotheworkofpubliceducationonthisvitallyimportantsubject，andfewmenwerebetterqualifiedtodoso，forhehadservedasamilitaryobserverinmanycampaigns。

"ThroughouttheCubancampaignhewasattachedtotheheadquartersofmyregimentinCubaasamilitaryobserver。

HewaswiththeadvancedpartyattheopeningofthefightatLasGuasiinas，andwasdistinguishedthroughoutthefightbycoolnessandgoodconduct。HealsoparticipatedinthebattleofSanJuanandthesiegeofSantiago，andasanobserverwasalwayswheredutycalledhim。Hewasadelightfulcompanion，cheerful，resourceful，andthoughtfuloftheinterestsandwishesofothers。Hisreportsofthegamewerevaluableandamongthebestandmostaccurate。

"ThePlattsburgmovementtookaverystrongholdofhim。Hesawinthisagreatinstrumentforbuildingupasoundknowledgeconcerningourmilitaryhistoryandpolicy，alsoaverypracticalwayoftrainingmenforthedutiesofjuniorofficers。Herealizedfullythatweshouldneedincaseofwartensofthousandsofofficerswithournewlyraisedtroops，andthatitwouldbeutterlyimpossibletopreparetheminthehurryandconfusionoftheonrushofmodernwar。

Hisheartwasfilledwithadesiretoservehiscountrytothebestofhisability。HisrecentexperienceinEuropepointedouttohimtheabsolutemadnessoflongerdisregardingtheneedofdoingthosethingswhichreasonablepreparednessdictates，thethingswhichcannotbeaccomplishedaftertroubleisuponus。Hehadinmindatthetimeofhisdeathaseriesofarticlestobewrittenespeciallytobuildupinterestinuniversalmilitarytrainingthroughconveyingtoourpeopleanunderstandingofwhatorganizationasitexiststo-daymeans，andhowvitallyimportantitisforourpeopletodointimeofpeacethosethingswhichmodernwardoesnotpermitdoneonceitisunderway。

"Daviswasaloyalfriend，athoroughgoingAmericandevotedtothebestinterestsofhiscountry，courageous，sympathetic，andtrue。Hislosshasbeenaveryrealonetoallofuswhoknewandappreciatedhim，andinhisdeaththecauseofpreparednesshaslostanableworkerandthecountryadevotedandloyalcitizen。"

AlthoughsufferingfromhisstrenuousexperiencesinFrance，andmoreparticularlyfromthoseinGreece，Richardcontinuedtoaccomplishhisusualenormousamountofwork，andduringtheseweekswrotehislastshortstory，"TheDeserter。"

ThefollowingletterwaswrittentomewhileIwasintheBahamasandwasinreferencetoanovelwhichIhaddedicatedtoHope:

MOUNTKISCO——February28，1916。

DEAROLDMAN:

Nowordyetofthebook，excepttheadvts。Ienclose。Iwillsendyouthenoticesassoonastheybegintoappear。Iamsohappyoverthededication，and，veryproud。So，Hopewillbewhensheknows。AsIhavenotreadthenovelitallwillcomeasasplendidandpleasantsurprise。Iamlookingforwardtosittingdowntoitwithallthepleasureintheworld。

Youchosetherightmomenttoelope。Neverwasweathersocold，cruelandbitter。Hopeistheonlyonewhogoesoutofdoors。

IstartthefiresintheBigHousetomorrowandtheplumbersandpaperhangers，paintersenterthedayafter。

TheattackonVerdunmakesmesick。IwastheresixweeksagoinoneofthefortsbutofcoursecouldnotthennorcanInowwriteofit。Idon"tbelievethedriveevercangetthrough。

Fortworeasons，andtheunmilitaryoneisthatIbelieveinajustGod。GivemylovetoDai，andforyoualwaysDICK。

P。S。Iamhappyyouarebothsohappy，butthosepostcardswiththepalmswerecrueltytoanimals。

Onthe21stofMarch，1916，RichardandhiswifeanddaughtermovedfromtheScribnercottagetoCrossroads，andafewdayslaterhewasattackedbytheillnessthatendedinhisdeathonApril11。Hehaddinedwithhiswifeandafterwardhadworkedonanarticleonpreparedness，writtensomelettersandtelegramsconcerningthesamesubjectand，whilerepeatingoneofthelatteroverthetelephone，wasstricken。

Withinaweekofhisfifty-thirdyear，justoneyearfromthedayhehadfirstbroughthisbabydaughtertoherrealhome，doingthebestandfinestworkofhiscareerinthecauseoftheAlliesandpreparedness，quiteunconsciousthattheendwasnear，heleftus。Inthosefifty-twoyearshehadcrowdedthework，thepleasures，thekind，chivalrousdeedsofmanymen，andhediedjustasIamsurehewouldhavewishedtodie，workingintothenightforagreatcause，andalthoughillandtired，stillfretfulforthemorningthathemightagaintakeupthefight。