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，andIamgladIenrolledforeveryonehasbeenasniceascouldbe，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，andtheonlyhotelopenfromwhichIsentyouandHopeapostalwasthesameoneinwhichwestoppedayearago。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，todaywhenItoldherthattheCrownPrinceofServiamadehisservantseatlivemiceheisnolongerCrownPrince，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。HegavemepermissionifIsawtheneedforhelpwasimminentanditwillbetocablehimforwhateverI
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。