Part 33 (2/2)

I planned to get to Paris late Christht I cabled Frazier at the Embassy, to have all ht reading of you and Hope Ithe second steahteen-hour trip across Italy I saved ten hours But when I got here I found the French Consul had taken a holiday, AND WAS OUT BUYING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS! So, I could not get permission to enter France

With soed around the French Consulate, but it was no use So I am here, and cannot leave UNTIL MIDNIGHT CHRISTMAS When I found I could not get away, I told Cook's to give uide, and I set out to SEE ROME The Manager of Cook's was the sao, sold me tickets to the Greek war in Florence, when the A with Cook's, and Charley was Consul So he gaveand we stopped at six They say it takes five years to see Rouide escape, he said he had to compliment me; we climbed more stairways and hills than there are in all New York and Westchester County; and there is just one idea in my mind, and that is that you and I ether On all this trip I have wanted YOU, but NEVER so as today

And I particularly inquired about the milk It is said to be excellent So ill come here, and you, with all your love of what is fine and beautiful, will be very happy, and Hope will learn Italian, and to knohat is best in art, and statues and churches I have seen 2900 churches, and all of theelo and decorated by Raphael; and it was so wonderful I cried I bought candles and prayers, and I am afraid Christian Science had a dull day Toh mass at St Peter's, and then into the country to the catacombs, where the early Christians hid frolish Christmas, but it is so beautiful and wonderful that you BOTH ARE VERY NEAR

I sent you a cable, the second one, because it is not sure they are forwarded, and I hung up a stocking for Hope One of the peasant wo it without on the Root in the forum, where Mark Antony ave Pericles the idea of the Corinthian colu under a tile some one had laid over it--and the yelloas on my table at dinner, so I send it, that we ht, now, and God bless you I am off to bed now, in a bed with sheets The first in six days How I LOVE you, and LOVE you Such good wishes I send you, and such love to you both May the good Lord bless you as he has blessed hters I am a proud husband and a proud father; and soon I will be a HAPPY husband and a HAPPY father

Good-night, dear heart

RICHARD

PARIS, December 28th, 1915

DEAR OLD MAN:

Hurrah for the Dictator! He has been a great good friend to o back to the French front If not I will try the Belgians and then London, and home I spent Christmas day in Rome in the catacombs I could not wear my heart upon my sleeve for duchesses to peck at It is just as you say, Dad and Mother lad I would be to be back here for while the trip East led to no news value, toBut I a on sofas, decks, a different deck each night and writing all the tilad I was! WHAT a beautiful place, what a kind courteous people We will all be here some day Tell Dai she ood luck to the syndicate YOUR syndicate I have not heard frole clipping of anything, so I don't knohether anything got through or not, and I have nothing to show these people here that ain They certainly haveTell Guvey his letter about the toys was a great success here, and copied into several papers

Goodbye, and God bless you, and good luck to you

dick

PARIS, December 31st, 1915

DEAR OLD MAN:

To wish you and Dai a Happy New Year It will ether, good and bad I a out by the Harper's and, in landing so much for me out of The Dictator You have started the New Year for me splendidly I expect I will be back around the first of February I aet back,” but, I needside of the ledger Personally, I got a lot out of it, but I ae of Europe, but to furnish news and stories and that has not happened

I aainst folks who knew you in Florence, and I regret to say most of them are in business at the Chatham bar What a story they make; the M----'s and the like, who know Paris only from the cocktail side One of our attaches told rill rooood as in New York He had no knowledge of any other place to eat The Hotel de l'Eedy They are so poor, that I believe it is ht But, it is the exception Never did a people take a war as the French take this worst of all wars They really are the most splendid of people I only wish I could have had one of therand wonderfully and beautifully, and I aht and God bless you and the happiest of New Years to you both

Your loving brother,

dick

These postcards are ”originals” painted by students of the Beaux-Arts to keep alive, and to keep those students in the trenches They are for Dai

PARIS, December 31, 1915

DEAREST ONE:

The old year, the dear, old year that brought us Hope, is very near the end I ao I have drunk to the New Year and to hter, and before there is ”a new step on the floor, and a new face at the door,” I will be asleep Of all my many years, the old year, that is so soon to pass away, has been the best, for it has brought you to me with a closer tie, has added to the love I have for every breath you breathe, for your laugh and your smile, and deep concern, that comes if you think your worthless husband is worried, or cross, or dismayed Each year I love you more; for I know you more, and to know more of the lovely soul you are, is to love more Just noe are in a hard place I am sure you cannot comprehend how her father, her ”Dad” and your husband can keep away Neither do I understand

But, for both your sakes, I want, before I own up that this adventure has been a failure, to try and pull soovern If it says, ”NO,” then it's Home, boys, Home, and that's where I want to be

It's home, boys, home, in the old countree 'Neath the ash, and the oak, and the spreading maple tree, it's home, boys, home, to etting to you I have not throay a minute I have been a slave-driver, to others as well as to et favors with a whip; and, the French war office has other matters to occupy it, that it considers ofas you understand, it will nothurts, except that you may not understand The moment I see you, and you see ht, and God bless you, you, s Here is to our own year of 1915, your year and Hope's year, and, because I have you both, my year I send you all the love in all the world