Page:The history and achievements of the Fort Sheridan officers' training camps.djvu/405

 mar school and went to New York. There he stayed for two years working p. m. to 12 p. m. and on Sundays for another.

Then he came home and worked two years more. By that time he went to the academy, working always at some extra task. Later he entered Dwight. working at night as advertising agent for the New York Times. The next fall he entered Washington and Lee University. There he was manager of the college paper, also the Student Hotel for a while until he found he could not stand it all.

He worked all vacation until he graduated at law, then went to Chicago and worked in the Executive Department of Sears, Roebuck & Co. At night he attended Kent Law School.

"To the best of my knowledge he has not taken three w^eeks' vacation since he was twelve years of age and I have not bought him a suit of clothes since then or given him a dollar. Now, that was not because he had to, that was the unusual part of the boy, but because he was so responsible, so inde- pendent and he was always helping others.

"His father died in 1913 just as he was entering college. Of course after that I could not help him, but before 1 could if he would let me. His friends who knew^ him best have told me since, he had done work enough for any man at the age of fifty.

"He had just attained the place where it was not so hard for him to go forward and enjoy some ease when Uncle Sam called. He asked for the privilege of being the first to register in his district and was granted it.

"It was so hard for me to let him go, as his brother was already a member of the National Guard, 4th Virginia. I felt that if one went that I should have one left at home to take care of his sister and me. But when I w^ould argue, he would say. Mamma, you did not raise slackers. 1 can do more really fight- ing for you than I can staying back.'

"Then I would say, 'Son, why will you and your brother go to the slaugh- ter pen as I see the infantry?' He w^ould say, 'Mother our physical examina- tions are perfect.' Then he went to the Fort Sheridan Officers Training Camp. A year ago yesterday he wired me these words: 'Mamma, my happiest Thanks- giving I made my commission.'

"From then until Christmas he traveled for Uncle Sam downing German propaganda, arriving home Christmas day. He gave all of his time after the camp to the government except the brief stay for the holidays.

"On the eleventh of January, he and I went to New York City to report for overseas. He sailed January 20, 1918. All his letters were so cheerful, begging me not to worry, he was coming back so much better than he went over. That was his plan, but God willed it otherwise. He sent a letter to his brother-in-law for me written May 1 5th to be opened in case the enemy knocked him out for good, and in that letter as all others, he still planned for me as if he was going on a long journey. And his last message was 'Au revoir till we meet again.'

��LETTER FROM LIEUTENANT ADRIAN C. EDWARDS. CARROLLTON,

ILL. [22nd Company, Second Fort Sheridan R. O. T. C. |, TO HIS

MOTHER— READ BEFORE CONGRESS

"Somewhere-in-France, June 12, 1918.

"My dear Mother: I am about to go into battle and have instructed the company clerk to send you this letter in case 1 become a casualty, hence the receipt of this letter by you w^ill indicate that I am either with God or a pris-

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