initial commit of ebook 13125HEADmain

11 files changed, 10760 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6833f05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitattributes
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* text=auto
+*.txt text
+*.md text
diff --git a/13125-0.txt b/13125-0.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b48876c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/13125-0.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,1721 @@
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13125 ***
+
+DEER GODCHILD
+
+by
+
+MARGUERITE BERNARD and EDITH SERRELL
+
+Published for the Fatherless Children of France
+
+1919
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+DEDICATED
+
+TO OUR FRIEND
+
+LOUISE HURLBUT MASON
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+A young New-Yorker of twelve lately heard an appeal for the Fatherless
+Children of France, and his heart was touched. He had no money, but
+he resolved to give his spare time and his utmost energy to support a
+"kid in France." The French child needed ten cents worth of extra food
+each day, in order to grow up with strength and courage. The little
+American godfather earned those ten cents; he sold newspapers at the
+subway entrance, after school hours, and undertook an amazing variety
+of more or less lucrative odd jobs. Sometimes business was slow, and
+it was hard to keep up the game; but he did. He is still, in the true
+American expression "making good" for his deer godchild, and doing
+it with a broad and brotherly grin. He is James P. Jackson Jr. His
+letters to and from the kid in France are published just for fun--and
+yet in the hope of encouraging more "dear benefactors" to join our
+large family and help along, in the same spirit and with the same joy.
+
+EDITH SERRELL.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls,
+November 27, 1916.
+
+Deer miss Secretary
+
+How are you? It is al-rite about the french orfan and I wood like a
+boy between ten and twelve if it is the same to you. At fust dad sed
+I coodnt have him because there was plenty of rich godfathers who wood
+take him if I didn't, but mother told him of the apeel you made and
+that I was goin to raze the money myself, and he sed well I guess you
+are rite and if he can raze enuf money to raze a kid on he is well
+come to it, and she sed I guess that is the rite spirit. And so I am
+sending you 85cts. which is 70cts, fer the fust weak, and you can
+keep the change which is 15cts, fer the next weak, so I will only send
+55cts, fer the fust weak after that. The 85cts. is my birthday money
+which was on thanksgiving day and I guess the folks will be glad to
+give me work when they no I am suporting a kid in france.
+
+Hoping you are well and I am the same I will, close.
+
+Yours truly,
+James Prendergast Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I shood like his name to be Bill or Pete in french and not one of
+those girly names if it is the same to you.
+
+
+
+
+To Mr. James Prendergast Jackson Jr.
+Dear Sir:
+
+According to your instructions, we have assigned to you André Leblanc,
+aged 11, No. 18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris, as your godchild for one
+year. Thanking you for your interest in this worthy cause, we beg to
+remain
+
+Very truly yours,
+The Junior Committee for the Fatherless
+Children of France.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+Dec, 1st, 1916.
+
+Deer godchild
+
+How are you? I am very well and I have ganed 5 Ibs. in one weak which
+makes me 85 Ibs. which is thot very good in America. Have you had much
+snow? We have had it considerable hear which has spoylt the skating on
+Frost Lake which is beehind old Sam Bursars house who is our naybor.
+I am glad you have a short name, I had ruther be cald André than
+Nickulus, Cristuff or Jean-Marie, but I wood ruther you were cald Bill
+or Pete or Sniper, but you cant help being what they call you so never
+mind. I suported you this weak by selling 70 copies of the Greenville
+Mirror by hand. It is a good paper and shood be patronized. I wakt
+into Jim Parkers offis he is the editur and sed, Mister Parker, if you
+have a loose job and no man fer it I am the man you want, and he sed
+how old are you? and I sed 11. and he sed what you want a job fer? and
+I sed, O fer a kid I have in France and he sed since I was suportin
+you if I cood sell 70 copies of the Mirror he wood give me 35 cts.
+and Mother had give me 15 fer mindin the chikens when she went to
+Peeks-kill, so I new it would be al-rite, so I sed very well your on.
+So I took the mirrors and stood on the corner of School street, and
+bimeby the men begin to come home from the city, and some of them
+stopt to buy a Mirror and some did not, so I thot I wood make an
+appeel so I hollered, Buy a Mirror fer a kid in France, and waived it
+in there faces, and you shood have seen them buy! Enneway I guess the
+Mirror is a good ole paper, when all the men had come home I thot I
+wood take the papers to the folks that wernt on the street, like the
+schoolmaams and the sisters. Well most of them hot fine exept miss
+Leigh the Sunday school teacher, and she sed the Mirror was a low down
+politishuns sheet and I sed buy it fer Lily Blanche her help, and she
+sed what are you so ankshus to sell papers fer? And I sed how do you
+expect me to suport a kid in France if you peeple wont help out? and
+she sed the Lord will provide, but I told her I wood ruther do it
+myself; and she said I guess He's doin it threw you, so at last she
+forkt up, and I went home at 6 o'clock, but I tell you I had a prety
+tuf day. Say how is your mussel? Have you enny brothers and sisters? I
+have five, they are Amanda aged 16, Cecilia aged 10, Myra-Louise aged
+7, Molly aged 6, and Heloise aged 5. I come between the fust too. Dad
+wanted to call Heloise Omeega after Alfred and Omeega in the Bibel,
+but Mother sed that was foolish and I guess it was, cause there was no
+boy to be Alfred excep me, and I was alredy James, so he give it up.
+Sid Perkins is suportin a girl in France and hes auful rich, and
+dont have to work to keep her goin. Gee, Im glad your a boy, girls is
+al-rite in there line but I woodnt adop one fer love or money. Can
+you here the shootin from where you are? I have seen the new American
+submareen and it is a fine bus, I tell you if ever the Yankees come
+runnln over there you wont see Kaiser Bill fer dust. Do you like
+prisners base? What grade are you in? Well, hoping you are well and
+that some day we will meet somewhere in France, I will close.
+
+Your affecshunate godfather,
+James Prendergast Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. If ever we go to war, and I inlist and go to France I mite take
+you back to New York on firlow.
+
+
+
+
+16 Dec. 1916.
+Dear Benefactor,
+
+I thank you with the bottom of my heart for your kindness unto me.
+Maman and me have been so content to receive your letter and your
+donation generous! Your succour will sweeten the times difficult that
+we are traversing; and the silver[1] you send will permit me to eat of
+the meat and be forceful to aid maman she has so much of labor and of
+pain! I will tell you, dear benefactor, that I am not the most robust
+But I take the oil of liver of cod-fish all the days for make myself
+high and good-carrying.[2] Yes, dear benefactor, I will forget never
+what you do, and all the nights I make a prayer for you be happy in
+the life.
+
+I cannot to read your letter very well alone, because I know not
+sufficient the English. But I have one aunt, she is dead, she know
+very well the English, and she teach me of it and my great sister
+also; she is a dactylographer,[3] and she know the English very
+perfect, and she me aids so I do mistakes not at all. And I serve me
+of the dictionary also. Maman say your letters will make complete my
+education. But some words I comprehend not. What is, for example, the
+kid? I search and I see only it is the offspring of a goat. I am sure
+in the book is the mistake, for my dear godfather will not make the
+pain to me and my Maman in calling me the offspring of a goat.
+
+Dear godfather, I am also surprise that you be so much heavy. I have
+11 years like you, and I am only 39 kg heavy. But in Amerique, Maman
+tell me, all is big, big! It is droll, so big little boys. Sometimes
+I ask myself if you are veritably a little boy. Perhaps it is to
+make laugh you tell me you are one infant. Perhaps you are the old
+gentleman.
+
+Tell me dear godfather, what is it the Sunday-school? In Paris we
+go not to school the Sunday. We rise more lately, and we dress more
+pretty than the days of week, and for breakfast we eat the cacao in
+lieu of soup of potato left of last night. And we go to the grand mass
+with Maman. Little brother Jean is one infant of choir at the church.
+He do nothing but balance and smoke the incense, and be pretty like
+one angel; because his hairs are like the gold, and his eyes like
+the heaven when the sun make shine. All at the beginning he was not
+content because the smoking make him to sneeze, and he did cry, and
+he wanted not to indorse[4] the dress white, with lace; he say he
+resemble to a girl; and he believe all the world in the church was
+regarding him. But now he is habituated, and he become more sage. It
+is very necessary he become sage, because he is so devil. Yesterday,
+for example, Mr. le Curé give him a pretty card postal with the image
+of angels and tell him he must apply to resemble to them; and Jean
+responded, "no I want not to be the angel and have wings like one
+hen!" Mr. le Curé say it is Satan that commands the wicked words like
+that, and when he go to fall in temptation Jean must say, "Vade retro
+Satanas," and that make Satan go behind. And Jean say, "yes but then
+Satan go at my back and push hard, so I fall!" It is very sad little
+Jean be so much bad.
+
+I will tell you, dear benefactor, that I effort myself to work and be
+very sage so little brother take model on me. I go to catechism two
+times by week, and I am on the table of honor, and for Christmas Mr.
+le Curé give me a pretty shawl for hold my neck and shoulders warm
+when I go to school.
+
+For Christmas Jean put his shoes in the chimney for the little Jesus
+fill them like all the years. But Maman say to him: "This year the
+little Jesus carry nothing, because with all the sous in the world he
+want to get our big victory so the dirty boches kill no more our dear
+Papas."
+
+But, grace to you, the morning of Noël the shoes were all of same
+remplished. There was apples red and some chocolate and stockings with
+long legs. We make many of holes in our stockings and all the time
+there is no more cloth in places, so Maman cuts them down. So in the
+beginning they are long, then 1/2 long, then socks. It was socks all
+the winter, dear benefactor, but when your silver come, the legs come
+long again.
+
+In the after-dinner Noël we make a promenade in the woods of
+Boulognes. Now it is the vacancies[5] of Noël and I aid Maman, she
+make me some black aprons new for go to school, and I sit myself down
+on the side of her. She loves not that I play in the streets, because
+she desire that I be well elevated [6]. And it is much snow in Paris;
+it make so cold that I love not to go out.
+
+Dear benefactor, you demand what grade I am. I comprehend not. Only
+the officers have grade. Are you an officer? I think yes, because you
+talk so much the submareens, etc.
+
+I have nothing more to say at you, but Maman joins herself to me to
+pray you to agree, dear benefactor, the expression of our sentiments
+the most distinguished and respectuous.
+
+Your godchild,
+A. Leblanc.
+
+[1] Silver _(argent)_ money.
+[2] Good-carrying (_bien portante_) healthy.
+[3] Dactylographer (_typist_).
+[4] Indorse _(endosser)_ to put on.
+[5] Vacancies _(vacances)_ vacations.
+[6] Well elevated _(bien élevée_) well bred.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Jan. 2, '17.
+
+Deer Miss Secretary,
+
+There is something off about my godchild, you no the one you give me
+to suport, well dad rored when he saw the letter but I think he is a
+nut and mother sez he is two elevated fer me, so hoping you will get
+me a nuther one I will close hoping you are well.
+
+Yours truly,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I will rite just the same to this one till you get me a nuther
+one.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Jan. 2, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild
+
+How are you? I got your letter al-rite and what I wood like to no is
+what in thunder is that goat stuff you are drivin at? I didnt call you
+no names excep dere godchild and kid and you are both, and a godchild
+is a godchild and sometimes a kid is a goat and sometimes a goat is a
+kid and if you dont stop your kiddin you'll get my goat see? Mebbe you
+didn't mene to be fresh and if you didnt will call it square and say
+no more about it, ennyway I guess you use that bloomin dickshunary two
+much. Dickshunaries is like girls and is al-rite in there line, but
+I aint got much use fer them and you had best chuck yours out the
+window. I guess 85lbs. is a good ole wait but 39 is something feerce,
+why even Heloise aged 5 ways 45 and she dont eat enny of that codfish
+liver, and say what does it test like ennyway? I bet it tests like ole
+get out. I told Mother you wade only 39 and she sed, my goodness he
+must have tuberculosees, and dad sed, no, he has not had enuf meat,
+but I sed no but he is going to have some now I am suporting him. What
+do you think? I got enuf money to suport you fer too weaks, and if you
+will cross your heart not to tell because I promist I woodnt and you
+must do the same, I will tell you how it hapened, well it was this
+way, I was readin the Motor Boys Under the Sea beehind the portyares
+and its great, when in walk Carl Odell the young feller across the
+way and Amanda aged 16, and they set down and didnt say much and bimby
+Carl he takes Amandas hand and sez, Amanda you no how tis with me? and
+she sez, why no how is it Carl? and he sez I love you, and she sez to
+Carl, this is so suddin, and he sez, little girl will you be my wife?
+and she sez, o Carl I dunno, and he sez, I demand an answer yes or no,
+and she sez well I dunno but as I will, and he sed, sweatheart what
+day shall it be? And I stept out and sed, Hold on, dont go and make it
+Tuesday becaus Amandas promist to go fishin and dad wont let me go
+to Frost Lake without her, caus its 16 feet deep, and you should have
+seen them jump. They was scart plump out of there wits, and Amanda she
+sez, If he tells dad I shall dye, and Carl he grabd me by one ear and
+sed, Jim, I give you the choyce of keepin quiet and gettin $1.50 or
+squealin and being skinned alive, and I sed, Well I am suporting a
+kid, I mean a boy, in France so I will take the coin, so I crost my
+heart and sed hope to dye if I squeal and you must do the same, caus
+bimby if the Yanks come runnin over there you mite mete a frend of
+Carl Odells and hed tell a nuther frend, and bimby all the Yanks wood
+no it and it wood get back to Carl Odells ears. I bet that Jean is
+some brother, say hes al-rite, all excep his name, coodnt you make it
+Buster? Say what you want to go wearin a shawl fer, fust thing you
+no all the boys will call you girly, and I dont intend to have no
+godchild of mine cald that, no siree, not if I have to skin them alive
+fer it. I no its hard when things are give to you not to wear them,
+last yere the Sunday-school teacher give me a baby-blew tie and darn
+if I didn't have to wear it every Sunday till Lady Evelin Jack Burtons
+fathers best bull dog found it and et it. But you go eezy on that
+shawl. Never you mind about Sunday-school, just you be glad you dont
+have to go to it, though I dont no but goin to see that balancin stunt
+of Jeans is just as bad. And dont you be askin two many questions
+about me, mebbe Im an officer and mebbe Im not, and mebbe I no
+something about submareens and mebbe I don't but I woodnt let it
+sprize you if I come ridin in in one of those busses one of these
+days, and if I do and I like you I mite even take you back with me
+to New York, and then goodnite--you'll see some sites. Say whats that
+dope on sage? Hoping you are well and will rite to me soon I will now
+close hoping you are well.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I made Carl Odell give me the money rite off becaus he is a Red
+Indian fer cheatin. Did you get the Christmas presents I sent you?
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+4 Jan. 1917.
+
+Dear Godfather:
+
+The big paquet from Amerique come late but I receive it to-day and I
+thank you very much. You are very good to think so much of me and it
+is very pretty, dear benefactor, There is one glove only, and I am
+fearful that the other rested on the road[7]. But it makes nothing[8];
+I have not business[9] of two, because one is enough big for my two
+hands, and it is a muff very warm; but veritably, dear godfather, you
+are big like giants, in Amerique! The little cage is very commodious
+also, and very pretty. Jean believe it is a muzzle for dog, but no,
+I comprehend it Is for suspend on the ceiling for to make pretty the
+house, with plants green, climbing.
+
+Goobye, dear benefactor, I kiss you with the bottom of my heart
+
+Your godchild all devoted,
+A. Leblanc.
+
+[7] Rested on the road (_resté en route_) went astray.
+[8] It makes nothing (_cela ne fait rien_) it does not matter.
+[9] I have not business (_le n'ai pas besoin_) I do not need.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+
+Deer miss Secretary,
+
+Pleese you must do sumthing quick about my orphan he is awful. I sent
+a baseball glove and mask for Cristmas and he used them fer a muff
+and to hang plants in, and he wares a shawl and sits on the table of
+sumthing, and now he is kissing me with the bottom of his heart and
+that is the limit and he must cut it out because I wont stand fer
+that. Hoping you are well and you will answer soon in answer to my
+leter I will close.
+
+Yours truly,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris
+18 Jan, 1917.
+
+Dear Benefactor:
+
+I thank you for your pretty letter so interesting. My great sister
+Marie work very hard for to aid me read it, but it is very difficult
+to comprehend. It is because you talk the American and the dictionary
+talk only the English. I will try to learn the American if you will to
+me give the instructions. Dear godfather, you are not in anger against
+me? I make always attention to be polite and genteel, because already
+I love you from far. But Marie say there is the miss understand in
+our letters she cannot explicate. For three nights I sleep not well
+because I search to comprehend what is it that makes bad, then this
+morning I have it the idea brilliant; there is on the place des Clercs
+the dentist American. It is writ on his door, Dr. Yanket, and Maman go
+to sew on the dresses of Madame. She talk very well with two tongues,
+and Maman say she regard the letters then she laugh very strong.
+Then she say to Maman: "Console your infant, it may sleep on the two
+ears[10], because the godfather is one very genteel little boy." And
+then she write a little paper she desire me copy for you very careful.
+Here is it: "Jimmy, in Uncle Sam's name I am proud of you. You're the
+right sort keep it up and don't get cold feet. For that godchild of
+yours is very much all right, as you will very soon realize. But let
+me give you frankly just one piece of friendly advice; don't tell your
+kid to 'chuck the dictionary out of the window,' but rather get
+one yourself, and polish up your English. Your spelling and your
+vocabulary are, to use your own expression, 'something fierce;' how
+can you expect the poor little French child to understand your slang?"
+
+There; I have made copy, and again I understand not very well. But I
+am sure it go to make all arrange. And I know that you are one little
+boy; I am so content!
+
+Dear godfather, it is very droll the fashion you do to make silver
+in Amerique! But it is very dangerous, and never in Paris we do like
+that. I see in my book of images English how the terrible Red-skins
+scalp the enemy, "skin 'em alive," like you say, and I see the image
+of the chef. He have long hairs black, with plumes red and green;
+and chains brilliant suspended, and he carry in the middle one little
+apron of fur; and he have not knowledge of the bon Dieu. It is call:
+"trading with the Indians." Oh please, dear godfather, do not for me
+trading with the Indians! I will permit not that you risk to be skin
+alive. I make the promise like you say, and I make like you the sign
+of cross, but I hope not to die if I squeal; I cry not very often, but
+sometimes, and my poor Maman will be to much desolated if I die.
+
+Goodbye dear godfather; believe at my sentiments the more affectuous,
+
+Your godchild,
+A. Leblanc.
+
+[10] Sleep on two ears (_dormir sur les deux oreilles_)
+to sleep like a top.
+
+
+
+
+To Mr. James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+Dear Sir:
+
+I am much interested in the account of your correspondence with your
+French godchild, and I would advise you not to be discouraged if he
+does not seem, in every way, to be living up to your expectations. You
+must remember that these fatherless children have suffered more deeply
+and more courageously than you can possibly imagine. If his letters
+sound rather effeminate I hope you will in time realize that it is
+merely a difference of language and convention that gives you that
+impression. The French are a very affectionate and demonstrative
+people. You know that even their "Papa Joffre" kisses his brave
+soldiers on both cheeks when he decorates them.
+
+You are doing splendid work for a boy of your age, and I hope you will
+not let small prejudices get in your way. Remember you are unusually
+fortunate to have a child who can write in English.
+
+With my best wishes and congratulations, I remain cordially yours,
+
+Secretary for the Junior Committee
+of the Fatherless Children of France.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+Feb. 3, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild
+
+How are you? Say will you do me a faver and cut out kissin me with the
+bottom of your heart? If you think you ot to do it you can kiss me
+on both cheeks if that is the custim I guess I can stand it but I had
+ruther you did not kiss me at all if it is the same to you as we shake
+hands in America. Say that missis Yankit is some woman beleeve me and
+you had better keep away from her, fust thing you no she'll be trying
+to make me go to school every day and buy a dicshunary. What she no
+about the American languidge ennyway? what she have to come buttin
+in with her too tongues between us? You are my godchild and I am your
+godfather and if there is ennything you dont understand I am the one
+to explane, and you tell that Yankit woman she had better be helpin
+her husband with his teeth and let us alone, and to put that in her
+pipe and smoke it. I am glad you like the Cristmas presents I sent you
+and if you want to string the mask from the ceilin you are well come
+to it, but it is ment to keep your nose from gettin smasht when a
+hard ball comes bingin through the air. Say, that must be some stunt
+sleepin on both ears, I have slep on my stummick an on my back an on
+one ear, but not on both. Last nite we had welsh rabit fer super and
+I did not sleep enny way. It is a good thing I have that $1.50 Carl
+Odell give me becaus I do not feel al-rite and Mother wont let me go
+out to work, but I guess I will get out soon again so dont worry about
+my suportin you. Say, thats al-rite about the Red Indians--corse they
+aint as numrous as they was once but there still plentiful in parts
+but dont let that worry you cause I been brot up with them and no how
+to handle them. Red Skins is like snakes and is al-rite if you keep
+your eye on them. Course I woodnt advise you to medal with them, but I
+guess I can look out for myself. Say, how is Jean and has he done enny
+more stunts? I have a sister Molly aged 6 and she is going to rite
+plays and say she turns out some great stuff. Yesterday she dresst
+Cecilia, you no the one aged 7, as a queen and Molly she was the
+subjeck boughed before her and sed, Your majesty to-day unto you a
+child is born, and Cecilia, I mean the queen sed, Bring it in, and
+Molly the subjeck brot in Snookie the cat only it was the child then
+and it was all rigged up in Heloises close, and bimeby Heloise who was
+a wicked king come runnin in to kidnap the baby and she sed, no I mean
+he sed because she was a king, That is my child! and the subjeck sed,
+It is not! and the king sed, It is too! and the sujeck sez as cool
+as a cucumber, Your majesty you are a lyre! and then they had the
+darndest fite over that baby you ever saw. Fust the king hit the
+subjeck bingo in the eye then the subjeck he pincht the babys tail,
+you no Snookies, and bimeby Mother come runnin in and stuck them all
+in bed, but it was a buly fite. I feel auful queer so guess I will
+close hoping you are better than I feel
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. Do you like rabit? I hate it!
+
+P.S. Dont ferget to tell that Yanket woman to put what I told you in
+her pipe and smoke it.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt,
+Paris,
+18 Feb. 1917.
+
+Dear Godfather:
+
+How are you? I hope you are no more fatigued. Very sure I will send
+you the kiss cut out as you say if you prefer. And also I will shake
+your hand. I will do all things American and all things that make you
+pleasure. But, dear godfather, you demand that I tell to Madame Yanket
+to smoke the pipe and I like not to say that because she is one very
+great lady, very genteel. But Maman say that is only a fashion of talk
+American and I must not make attention to it.
+
+Yes, dear godfather, I like rabbit. When we live in the country we
+have two, one white and one black, and at the end of time we have 26!
+But not Welsh rabbits; French. They make not sick like yours.
+
+Dear benefactor, I will write you not very long this day, for my great
+brother Jules come tonight on permission of four days, and I am much
+occupied to aid Maman arrange all things clean and pretty. I will
+relate on him in my letter of the week next.
+
+I squeeze your hand, and envoy to you the kiss cut out with my heart.
+
+Your godchild.
+A. Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Feb, 5, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild
+
+How are you? It waznt the rabit it is the hoopincoff, I guess I am
+goin to dye al-rite.
+
+J.P.J.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt,
+Paris,
+Feb. 20, 1917.
+
+Dear Godfather:
+
+Your letter made me to cry. I will permit you not to die. When I
+get your letter I go and break my tire-lire. It is the little dog of
+porcelain with one hole in the stomach. Maman give it to me for my
+fete, the Ste. Andrée, and she give me two sous for put in the
+hole all the Sundays, and it come out nevermore until it break, you
+comprehend? I guard[11] the little dog under my pillow and it make bad
+in my heart to break it, but what will you? My dear godfather who is
+only one child like me, work strong like a man for make me happy and I
+would break not my tire-lire for to save him from the death? Oh yes, a
+thousand times yes! So I take it out in the court and open the stomach
+with one stone and I make to fall out 26 sous! And I go to the store
+of objects pious, and I demand one candle of 26 sous or two candles of
+13 sous, but the lady say 13 is a number of unhappiness so she give
+me one of 25 sous, and one sou of paper of lace of gold to put around.
+And I go quick to the church, and put up the candle to the Ste.
+Vierge, and she will see it from the sky, and she will see you also
+in Amerique and make you not to die, M. le Curé see the little flag
+American that you send me and that I attach to the candle-stick and he
+caress my head and say: "What for is it?" So I tell him and he say I
+am very genteel. But all of a hit[12] I melt in tears[13], because I
+know I am not genteel, dear godfather! I am very, very bad and wicked;
+I tell not the truth and I conduct not myself well unto you. Perhaps
+you will pardon me never! I go to confession and M. le Curé say for
+my penitence I must also confess to you that I am one little girl! Oh
+dear godfather, be not too much in anger! I am so sad! I comprehend
+not how it arrived, but when you write to me and say you love not the
+little girls I was afraid and responded nothing. Dear godfather, I
+will tell you that when I was little I pray often the bon Dieu make me
+one boy, because you know, for Him nothing is impossible. But He wish
+I remain a girl, and now I have cheated and He punish me very strong
+in make you so much fatigue you almost die. I cannot write more this
+day because I am too much sad. But if you die not please tell me soon
+because I am so much unquiet. I assure you I will nevermore be so
+villain.
+
+Your godchild repentant,
+
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+P.S. Maman say the Comité Americain put me like one boy. It is the two
+"e" that make one girl.
+
+P.P.S. I search what is the hoopincoff, but I find it not. Surely it
+is the very dangerous malady, but if you die, you go to Paradise; M.
+le Curé promise me.
+
+[11] I guard (_je garde_) I keep.
+[12] All of a hit (_tout d'un coup_) suddenly.
+[13] Melt in tears (_fondre en larmes_) burst into tears.
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Deer miss Secretary,
+
+The boy you give me is a girl What are you going to do about it?
+
+Yours respekfully,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+Dear Mr. Jackson
+
+In reply to your letter, we would state that the mistake was due to
+the handwriting of the child's mother, making the name appear to be
+spelt with one "e" instead of two, and thus making it a boy's name.
+
+We will endeavor, as soon as possible, to repair our error, as it was
+never our intention to deceive you.
+
+Very truly yours.
+Junior Committee of the Fatherless
+Children of France.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Deer Miss Secretary,
+
+I didnt say you were deceivin, I just want to tell you the boy you
+give me was a girl so you wood not make that mistake agen. It is the
+limit when you have told the fellers you had a boy, to go and get a
+girl, and when I shod the letter to dad he sed by jove youre in a fine
+posishun you are and I sed how is that, and he sed fust thing you no
+you will get yourself talkt about, ritin to a girl in France and that
+would be fine woodnt it?
+
+Respectfully yours,
+J.P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+March 7, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+I received your letter and I did not dye. Of corse you cant help
+bein a girl insted of a boy and thats al-rite because Heloise and
+Myra-Louise and Nelly the girl next dore and pretty nerely every body
+wood ruther be a boy than a girl, but you were the limit to fib about
+it and you have put me in a auful queer posishun, so no more fer this
+time.
+
+Your godfather,
+J.P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I will suport you just the same so do not worry.
+
+
+
+
+Paris,
+21 March 1917.
+
+Dear Mr. James,
+
+I have your letter, and I perceive that you are very much offensed.
+One time more I demand pardon; but I cannot be like you want, and by
+consequence I can never more call myself your dear godchild; if you
+love me not, and I am offensive, I have not business of you and your
+silver. Please give it to one unhappy little boy. It is worth better
+that I have hunger, it is worth better that I be made dead by the
+boches, than to be like one little mendicant. I demand to Maman if it
+is not true, and she say yes.
+
+I thank you for all the pain you did take for me and I forget never.
+When I become grand I will render to you all you pay for me.
+
+Goodbye monsieur James. Receive the expression of my best salutations,
+
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+April 2, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+Say what is the matter with you ennyway and why don't you want me to
+support you enny longer? I am your godfather and you are my godchild
+and it is a legal afare, dad sez, and if ennybody sez ennything about
+it they will have to deel with me, see? Ennyway mebbe I was kinder
+cranky about it, and you kinder fibbd, so lets say we had a scrap
+and shake on it and let it go at that. Lots of the fellers hear have
+scraps with the girls, and last weak Dinky Odell who is Carl Odells
+yungist brother had one with Heloise because he hollerd, Heloise go
+wash your feet, the bord of helths across the street, at her and she
+cried, but he sent her a peach of a poim to make up, and hear it is,
+"If you dont like me enny more, then I shall inlist and go to war!" I
+guess Dinky is goin to be a poit al-rite. You no I mite go to war two,
+lots of the fellers hear are inlistin in forrin regimunts, theres Carl
+Odell who has joind the Canadian Royal Fling Corpse, and Hanky Jones
+is goin to drive a truck in France and I guess he will be some driver
+al-rite because he has druv the new automobile hearse fer too years
+now, and say he goes like the dickuns. Corse I aint sayin Im goin
+to inlist rite away but I got some ideas in mind and Im thinking of
+raisin a regiment of boy scouts or Red Indians, I guess the Red skins
+wood be the best, and say woodnt Kaiser Bill look chepe if he saw
+a bunch of Red Skins beatin it after him? I bet hed run to beat the
+band, and I bet theyd catch him, and if they did, goodnite fer Kaiser
+Bill. Say they woodnt do a thing to him exept mebbe scalp him or skin
+him alive, and woodnt he look chepe then? Red Skins is auful feerce
+when they get goin, and I dont rekon ennybody cood stop them once they
+got started. We had an auful scare last nite I had been suportin you
+all day by choppin wood and I was dead beet but all of a suddin I
+was woke up by dad and he was yellin Murder! Murder! and Amanda and
+Cecilia and Mother who had her hare in curl papers rushd in, and there
+was dad having a buly fite in bed, and he was punchin the pilo, and
+yellin Murder! Murder! and we was all scart to go neer him because he
+wood punch us like the pilo, so Mother took a pitcher of cold water
+and throo it in his face, and that woke him up and he was mad as time,
+and sed, what you tryin to do, drown me? And then he laft and told
+us his dreme and it was this way, Max Dinkelheim, the shoomaker was a
+German spy and he was trying to sell hot dogs with boms in them and no
+one new there was boms in them exept dad. And he sed, you dirty Fritz
+cut that out, and Max he grabd dad by the hare and dad he yankd Max
+by the ear, and they was havin a buly fite when out come five more
+germans and begun to paist dad on the head, and corse he coodnt manige
+the 6 of them so he was yelling Murder! Murder! And then he got the
+pitcher of water and that was all. I bet dad cood have lickd the
+stuffin out of Max Dinkelheim al-rite, and I bet we are goin to have
+war this weak and if we do, dad sez the Kaiser will find out he has
+bit off more than he can chew, and you had better make up with me
+because I think you are al-rite, and if we have war I mite be in a
+posishun to help you. Thank you fer burning that candle fer me, we
+have been burning some sulfur ones fer Heloise and Molly and they seem
+to be gettin along nicely. Dont fergit when you rite to say if you are
+not mad at me enny more.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. Hows your big brother been makin out?
+
+P.P.S. Thank you very much fer bustin that dog fer me. I have a pig
+with a hole in it and if I ern enuf money next weak I will send it to
+you.
+
+P.P.P.S. Who is that Mr. le Cure you talk so much about?
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt.
+April 16.
+
+Dear Monsieur James:
+
+When I go to school the week past I see the flag of Amerique floating
+well high! And all the world is content because you come to aid us
+terminate by a peace victorious this war so terrible, and be like
+one brother for the triumph of the Justice, and the Liberty, and the
+Humanity. That is what the mistress of school explicate to us, and we
+love and honor the Amerique like the great sister Republique, and then
+she tell us get up and learn chant the song of the Banner of Stars.
+Perhaps you have hear it? It begin: "_Oh, dites, voyez-vous aux
+lueurs du matin_" etc. The mistress write it all on the tables
+black,[14] and we copy in lieu of the exercise of grammar, and it
+make us all joyful. But all that make me think so much of you, that I
+cannot empeche[15] myself even if you are no more my godfather, to pin
+the little flag American that you give me, on my heart, that save you
+from the death by the hoopincoff when I attach it to the candle of the
+Ste. Vierge. And then, pending the recreation of mid-day, I go home
+and the factor bring your letter! And when I return at school I effort
+myself so strong to read your letter, that I cannot make like it
+must[16] my chart geographic. But I promise Isabelle Gaveau, the
+little girl of the merchant of shoes, that if she will to aid me, I
+will lend her my pretty handkerchief new, for go to church the morning
+of Easter. So we be all content and I have very much the time to
+reflect and respond at your letter.
+
+Dear Monsieur James, I comprehend that you want I continue be your
+dear godchild. I demand to Maman what I do, and she say: "Take the
+silver, and make no more infantile foolishness. Only one onion cost
+five sous now, and the life is very hard, but Amerique have the great
+heart to help us and give us the hand, and we work all the two for the
+Patrie." So, dear godfather, we be not mad at ourselves any more, and
+I promise I make no more the fib, and you make no more the cranky, is
+it not? I must to make many progress in American for when you come
+I reckon you come like the dickuns, like yellin thunder, with the
+skin'em alive Red-skins and the hot dogs!
+
+Dear benefactor, what is it the hot dogs? My great sister say it is a
+species of machine-gun American.
+
+It is very funny your Papa make the wicked dream! You have the very
+beautiful family. Me too. Great brother Jules is already the corporal
+and he is like the Chevalier Bayard without fear and without reproach.
+One day, he tell me, a great _éclat d'obus_ take off his hat,
+and he pick it off the ground and say: "Ho Fritz! I wanted not be
+so polite and salute you!" And my great brother tell me many things
+important on the war. But I write them not, because the censure would
+scold me; perhaps put me in prison.
+
+Pending his permission of four days, he teach little Jean the chants
+of the regiment. Some are not for the little infants, Maman says, so
+he whistle them. But Jean love the military chants much more than the
+ones of latin he learn to sing in the church, and I hope he mix them
+not. Dear godfather, tomorrow is Easter and I am making an egg for
+you. It is a surprise so I tell you not what is in it.
+
+Your affeckshunate godchild,
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+[14] Tables black (_tableaux noirs_) black boards.
+[15] Empeche myself (_m'empêcher_) I cannot help.
+[16] Like it must (_comme il faut_) nicely.
+
+
+
+
+May 5, 1917.
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+Gee whiz but Kaiser Bill is in fer it! Gee whiz, you ot to see how
+Uncle Sam is fixin up fer him! Jo Kelly and Walter Daly and lot of the
+felers are going in fer aviashun and Bill Wilson's scout-master and
+organizin a crack bunch of boy scouts and we have a home Deefence and
+dad has got a uniform and a wooden gun and he sez it is a pretty good
+bunch of felers, but he cood do more with them if he was captin insted
+of mister Larkin, who is a good feler but a bum eaptin. I aint sayin
+much but I got a few idees and I woodnt let it sprize you if I was
+to invent something one of these days, but I cant tell you what it is
+becaus the censer wood cut it out. I got your egg and I thank you fer
+it, but say it got me in dutch al-right, it was this way, the postman
+brot the packidge just as I was going to school and I didn't have time
+to open it so I took it along and we was havin some speshul exercises
+fer a kernel Dudley who was to talk on, Do your bit to help win the
+war, and Bug Hadley was recitin the getysberg adress and I opened the
+packidge and their was your egg all smasht up. I guess them cardboard
+eggs aint very strong, or mebbe the censer didn't handel it gently,
+ennyhow it was smasht and the curl inside it was there alrite only it
+was kind of mixt up with the cream candy and I was unmixin them when
+Lily Graham who set beehind me whisperd to Erny Dinkelheim, who is Max
+Dinkelheims youngist son, Jimmy Jacksons girl in France has sent him
+a curl! and Erny started to laff and say, O you Curly--Curly Jackson!
+and I sed, You shut up! and he sed, O pooh-pooh--pooh-pooh--and I sed,
+Dont you pooh-pooh me! and he sed, Who will I pooh-pooh then? and
+I sed, Pooh-pooh the Kaiser, and he sed, The Kaiser wont let me
+pooh-pooh him and you leave him alone! And I sed, The Kaiser is
+bughouse, and Erny he made a grab at me and landed me one on the chin,
+and I paisted him one on the eye and Bug Hadley he stopt sayin the
+getysberg adress, and miss Davis she was jumpin up and down hollerin O
+boys, O boys, stop them, stop them! and kernel Dudley he hopt off
+the stand and pulld us apart, and miss Davis was fer puttin us on the
+platferm with our arms on each others shoulders, but the kernel sed,
+No, it is that other boys falt, send him home. So they sent Erny home
+and he was mad as time. Then the kernel give his talk and sed how the
+girls cood help by making the bandiges and how the boys cood find out
+who was fer the guvernment and who wasnt. I bet Erny and his father
+isnt, and I am going to keep my eye on them. Then we sang the french
+nashunal anthem and it is a fine him, and it goes this way in English:
+Ye sons of France awake to glory, the day of victory has come, your
+childrens wives, and sires horny, behold there tears--and thats as far
+as Ive lernt, we have got to lern all of it, and their is a buly part
+that goes, March on. Yesterday the fife and drum corpse plaid it and
+the Star Spangled Banner and some of the boys lafft becaus the fifes
+sort of sqweekt. I dont see how ennybody can laff when they play the
+Star Spangled Banner. Did you get my pig? I suported you this weak
+by polishin 10 door handels at 7 cents each, some of them was already
+polisht but the folks was real nice about it and let me give them an
+extry polish. Say why dont you tell me who that Mr. le Cure is? I have
+askt you too times now, and say if I was you I woodnt say, come like
+the dickens or skin them alive or enny of that kind of talk. It is
+al-rite fer boys who are used to ruffin it, but it is not nice fer
+girls so if I was you I wood go easy on it, and hot dogs aint machine
+guns, they are sausidges that are made from those low-down german dogs
+that heve short legs, but say they test buly in a roll. The vilets and
+pollywogs have come and I wood send you some but I guess they wood dry
+up before you got them. Ennyway you neednt worry much about the
+war now that Uncle Sam is in it we will lick the stuffin out of him
+together, I mean out of Kaiser Bill.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. Bug Hadley sez it is lucky fer him Erny and I had that
+fite, because he had fergot what come after, and dedicatid to the
+proposishun.
+
+
+
+
+June 3, 1917.
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+
+Dear Godfather:
+
+It is great damage that the pretty egg of Easter I sent you be smasht
+up! But I regret yet more that to receive my paquet make you dispute
+yourself in dutch, like you say, with the little villain in school.
+All the same I am content you landed him one in the eye (I comprehend
+not what you want say by that, but I am sure the little boche
+comprehend) and you are one valiant patriot.
+
+Dear godfather, why say you the girls must go easy to learn the
+American? I effort myself to be instructed with the words in your
+letters the dictionary contains not but if they are nothing but for
+little boys I pray you to tell me the pretty words for the little
+girls. I am sure my dear godfather serves himself not of villain talk.
+Jean was put in penitence yesterday because he say one word that is
+for Poilus only, and Maman turn him against the wall in the corner
+with the hands behind; and do you know what he do when we regard him
+not? He lick the paper on the wall and make it to come off. So Maman
+give him the spank. Dear godfather, I am happy to make you a little
+pleasure in sending you my portrait. I think it is well succeeded and
+very resembling, and will you have the obligeance to envoy to me the
+one of you?
+
+Dear godfather, I make to you a list of words American I comprehend
+not, and I hope you will have the obligeance to explicate them to me.
+What is, for example, gee whiz, felers, boy scouts, bum, home defence,
+kernel, getysberg adress, mebbe, pooh-pooh, bug-house, the dickens,
+pollywogs, and lick the stuffin out? I effort myself very strong to
+find them, but it is not worth the pain to search any longer in the
+dictionary.
+
+Your affeckshunate godchild,
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+July 5, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+How are you? I dont see that their is enny fun in life enny more. I
+erned $1.56 pickin cheries off the Burtons black chery tree and I thot
+that wood make 70 cents fer you and I would spend the rest on fire
+crakers, well Toby that is the Burtons mastif that is always chened
+up, broke loose and I guess he remembered when Johnny Smith and me had
+swiped some cheries last yere when he was chened up, becaus he give
+one yip and come and set rite under that tree, and he set their and
+grinnd at me all afternoon, and bimeby their was a thunder shower and
+I had on my blew pants that was made from dads that had got too tite
+fer him, and I thot when it begin to rain Toby wood beat it, but he
+just set their and didnt move till bimeby mister Burton come along and
+yankt him away by the color. Well I had pickt the cheries al-rite but
+I was soked clear through and the color had come off my pants and on
+my legs. It is feerce to have blew legs. Well I thot I wood stop and
+boy a canon craker and a pistol and I wasnt going to fire them off
+before the 4th. but ole Max Dinkelheim was walking kind of slow in
+front of me and I thot I wood try the pistol just once to see if it
+workt, so I walkt a little faster and shot it off bingo and you shood
+have seen ole Max jump! He give one flop in the air and hollered, A
+bom! A bom! I guess he thot I was a submareen, and when he saw it was
+me beat it after me and we run all the way home, and Max he run rite
+into dad and sed, Where is that boy I will teech him to molest a
+peaceful citizen. And dad sed, What has he done? And he told him and
+sed, I am going to give him the best lickin of his life, and dad rolld
+up his sleeves and sed, Not till you lick me first! And Max kind of
+lookd at dad just like in the dream and I guess he was scart, so he
+sed, If you will promise to see he is punisht I will leve it to you,
+and dad sed, I promise, and Max left and dad he come up and was mad as
+ole get out, and he took my pistol and canon away and I had ruther he
+had give me a lickin because after too days you can set down and are
+al-rite again. We have just herd the Yanks have landid somewhere in
+France. Say, if you want to see a bunch of rele fiters you just go
+take a look at them, and you mite tell your brother Jules to take a
+look at them two as he might get some idees from them. I cant tell you
+what all those words mean, gee whiz is just gee whiz and a feler is a
+guy who is about 12 or 18, and a bum is a feler or something that is
+no good, and a pollywog is a animal that is going to be a frog, and
+pooh-pooh is pooh-pooh, and bughouse means you have rats in the upper
+story, and you had better find out about the getysberg adress and the
+boy scouts and mebbe and the dickens yourself but I wood go easy on
+them if I was you. What you want to go askin me all those things fer
+ennyway? I aint askin you what the vacancies, or all of a hit, or
+pending, of enny of those things are, am I? I got your photo and I
+like the way your hare curls and your eyes two and everythin, and I am
+glad you are not laffin. Girls that giggle are the limit. I have only
+one photo of myself and I look as if I wood dye grinning becaus the
+man that took it was jumpin up and down and sayin, Look hear! Look
+hear! Say wood you relly like to have it? I dont think you wood, I
+dont see what good I am ennyway. I am two young to inlist and I dont
+think you relly like me. I guess mebbe I had better go to sea or
+something.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I went butterflying to-day and had good luck.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+August 2, 1917.
+
+Dear godfather:
+
+You know what it is the "cafard?" In the dictionary it say it is a
+"roach" and that is the little beast black like your pollywogs, I
+think. But in the Poilu talk it means not that. When there is no more
+fun in life, and I am not good for anything anyhow, like you say,
+that is what they call to have the "cafard." And it is very bad in the
+army. It is to have a bad morale and we must wind ourselves up.
+
+Dear godfather, you must be content because I love you much. And you
+take so much pain and you labor so hard to entertain[17] me, I want
+make you happy in your heart so you have no more the "cafard." Dear
+godfather, I will tell you the American Poilus have come. On Monday
+last we hear the music on the road and the mistress tell us this
+afternoon all the children must put on aprons clean, and we go to see
+pass the Americans. And Maman give me five sous for purchase a bouquet
+for give them in souvenir of my dear godfather, and the fleuriste
+give me two roses red and I envelope them in a paper wet for hold them
+fresh. And all the little girls march in rank like soldiers, two by
+two, on to the road where the Americans come. And the gendarmes march
+before us to make spread open the crowd so we come. And we stand in
+rank and it make a very long line and shake the flag American and
+wait. The sun was brilliant and very hot and after a very long moment,
+we hear the big music come around the corner, and all bodies were
+screaming: "Vive l'Amerique! Vive les Etats Unis! Hurrah Sammies!" and
+the gentlemen throw up their hats in air. And all of a hit we see the
+banner of stars coming down the street, and I look and all the little
+girls at a time kneel themselves on the sidewalk. And I make the sign
+of the cross, and the little girls at back of me laugh and mock at me,
+but the mistress say it is right; the sign of the cross is good for
+the flag too. And when the flag is pass we arise and say hurrah
+also, and one soldier American regard me with a smile. Then I take my
+courage with two hands and cast away the roses on him, and he catch
+and kiss me with his hand, and put the roses in his coat. His name is
+Teddy and I love him much. I know because he come see me, because I
+write my name (with two es) and adresse tied to the roses. My Maman
+was very much surprise when she see Monsieur Teddy come and ring to
+the door. He is very well elevated and very beautiful. He has buckled
+hairs[18] and a line on one side and his figure is razed.[19] His
+uniform is the color of the ground; it is not so much pretty as the
+French Poilus who are the color of the sky. And his hat is tied, like
+a bonnet of old woman, with a shoe-lace in the back. But I love him
+all of same. He take me on his knees and say: "Parlez vous français"
+and he begin to recite the verb "avoir," because he know nothing more
+of French. And so I say I know very well the American and I talk at
+him and he laugh very strong. And he give me a piece of bonbon very
+droll. It is mint but it is like elastic; I eat a great number of
+pieces because I want not to offence him, and Teddy all of a hit
+become very much frightened: "What," he say, "You did swallow the
+chewing gum!" And I say: "Naturally I swallow the bonbon!" And Teddy
+say a bad English word and run away without his hat and he come back
+with a bottle of ipecac and I will not take because I know what it
+make do. And poor Teddy was very much desolated; he come every day
+to get of my news, and to-day he bring the bonbons French that we
+swallow. To-day he ask me will I be his little adopted girl the year
+next when you have finish with me and I say, "Mebbe I will." And he
+say, "Bully for you, you're a peach!" I make him write because it is
+the American and not in the dictionary.
+
+Goodbye, dear godfather,
+Your affeckshunate godchild,
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+P.S. I am surprise you ask who is M. le Curé. Only the pagans have
+not knowledge of him. Are you one pagan? I think you say that to make
+laugh. It is very bad to mock yourself of M. le Curé.
+
+[17] entertain (_entretenir_) to support.
+[18] Buckled hairs (_cheveux bouclés_) curly hair.
+[19] His figure is razed (_sa figure est rasée_) his face is shaved.
+
+
+
+
+To Mr. James P. Jackson Jr.
+Dear Sir:
+
+Due to the great confusion and delay existing in the mails at the
+present time, we have not until now been able to repair our error
+concerning your godchild. We take pleasure in announcing that we are
+now in a position to supply you with a boy as formerly requested.
+
+As to the little girl, we can no doubt provide for her until other
+arrangements can be made. Elderly gentlemen, we find, are particularly
+fond of adopting little girls.
+
+Hoping you will pardon our delay, and inform us as soon as possible
+concerning your wishes in this matter, we beg to remain,
+
+Sincerely yours,
+The Junior Committee for The
+Fatherless Children of France.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+Deer Miss Secretary,
+
+It is more than kind of you to bother about changing my girl into a
+boy, but it cant be done because I have changed my mind about it, but
+I thank you all the same. You see it is this way, at fust I wanted a
+boy and I was kinder sore after setting my heart on one to get a girl,
+but the girl you give me is diferent from most girls, she seams to
+have a lot of rele sense, and I have got kinder used to her, and, well
+I woodnt like to have her unprovided and waitin fer a old gentleman to
+adop her. Some old gentlemen are auful cranks. Old Sam Burton who is
+our naybor is the limit. He has had 5 wives and Mother sez Lord only
+nos what he has done with them, enneway we dont. And she has sort of
+been takin it ezy while I was suportin her and the change wood come
+hard to her, I mene my godchild not Sam Burton's wife. Ennyway the
+yere is most over and you no how folks talk. Fust thing I new they
+wood say, young Jackson's a fikle feller. Thot he'd adop a orfan and
+now hes swaped his girl fer a boy. You no how people will talk, so I
+guess I can stand my godchild fer this yere ennyway, and after that
+we shall see. Of corse I was simply sterilized when I lernt she was a
+girl, but even a girl is preferable to a boy that wore shawls and sed
+everything was prety and kist you with the botom of his heart. She has
+cut that out now, and I am gettin her in prety good shape. Explaning
+whats what to her and every thing. So I guess we can manige but I am
+obliged to you fer the asking.
+
+Yours truly,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+Sept. 5, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+Your letter reeched me safely, and I was releeved to here the boys
+had got safely "over there." Of corse we have had some few notes,
+pertikerly from Hanky Jones you no the feller that drove the hearse
+I tole you about. Well he is drivin somewhere over the top in France,
+not a hearse but a truck, and oh boy, he sez the swellest funeral he
+ever drove fer cant hold a candel to drivin a truck with Fritz bulets
+bingin all round you and he sez, I received the kit you sent me and
+It is a great comfort (the kit is not a cat but a assortment of
+handkerchiefs and tooth brushes and everything a soldier gets and
+Mother sent him his and so he rote to thank her) an he sez if I go
+over the top with the best of luck and get enuf leave to come home I
+will give Myself the pleasure of calling on you, and showin you what a
+Greenville soldier looks like. My reciprocity shall never end. And he
+goes on tellin how french cookin agrees with him and the censer didnt
+cut that out, but he cut out the best part I guess. Ennyway the censer
+must have a soft spot fer you because he never cuts enny part of yours
+out. I guess ennyway you must be a pretty poplar girl you have so many
+frens, that think a lot of you, theres your brother Jules and that Mr.
+le Cure and that guy Teddy and me. I was sort of thinkin about you and
+me the other day and I rote a verse of poitry about us and here it is,
+
+
+  REALIZATION
+  By James Prendergast Jackson, Jr.
+
+  _Im over here, and your "over there"
+  And I no not the shade of your eyes or your hare.
+  But this much I relize, from the land of the Free!
+  You are imbibed with mystery_!
+
+
+I think that sums up the situation. I have supported you one yere and
+you dont no me, and I dont no you, and mebbe you will never mete me
+and mebbe I will never mete you, and while I am tryin to think how I
+can get over there along comes that feler Teddy and gets his eye on
+you and sez, Guess Ill have her for my godchild, and Bully fer you
+your a peach! and you fall fer it of corse, and I have to take a back
+seat. I guess that is life, but I tell you it is pretty tuf sometimes
+and a feler who is twelve yeres old has more trubbles than you think.
+But I guess if you want to be his godchild I wont stand between you.
+Mebbe you wood like a list of how I have suported you? Here is some of
+it, mindin chickins, selling Mirrors, choppin wood, frezin ice-cream
+fer Crankit & sons, pickin cheries, money from Carl Odell fer keepin
+quiet, polishin door handels, a mud turtle to Sid Perkins, a jar of
+pollywogs to Sid Perkins, he wants to build an aquarium, and I washt
+the winders of missis Perkins big, white house one weak when I was
+hard up, but I dont think I shall ever be hard up again as mister
+Parker has ofered to take me on the Mirror staff whenever I like, as
+he sez I talk like a book agent. I wish I cood leve school and go into
+bizness or to war or something. I dont seem to get much out of school
+somehow. Miss Davis sez to mother, Mebbe your son has deefective eyes
+but she sez to me, You are a blockhed. I guess miss Davis is off
+the trolly or something, Dad sez she has Fritz blood because she
+is distently related to the Dinkelheims. I was sory to hear you had
+swallerd all that gum, but was glad to see you got away with it, that
+feler was the limit to give it to you, it is not a thing to give to a
+godchild. Fust thing you no when he is your godfather he will feed you
+a shoestring or something, and you will be two polite to say no and
+you will dye. I hate to think of you ending that way it dont seem rite
+somehow. Say what does he want to buckle his hare and line it up one
+side fer? He must think his hed is a race track. Gee whiz I hate to
+think of the Yanks comin runnin over there with felers like that among
+them. I have been in swimmin with Dinky Odell in old Frost Lake to-day
+and he stumpt me to swaller a skipper and sed I bet a quarter you will
+not, so I swallerd one and it didn't test ennything at all, only it
+kind of crawled up and down my throte fer awhile and o Boy! didnt
+he tickel though! The next time I swaller a skipper I shall chew him
+fust, if you dont they walk inside of you as if they was saying "where
+do we go from hear?" Say you were pretty smart about catching on about
+my jokin about Mr. le Cure. Corse I dont no him as well as you do,
+caus you no and I no he has lived on the other side more than hear,
+but I guess if we was to pass on the street, we wood no each other
+well enuf to say, Hello, old top, how are you to-day? Say, I have got
+your Christmas present all pickt out, do you no what I wish you wood
+give me fer mine? See if you can guess.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather as ever,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+September 21, 1917.
+
+My dear godfather:
+
+I thank you for your long letter, and I give it to Monsieur Teddy so
+he read and see how much you are genteel. He regard the letter and
+regard me and his figure become very droll, like he want laugh or cry
+very much and he dare not and must retain himself, and he demand if he
+can keep the letter in his pocket for tomorrow, because he desire to
+envoy you a response with mine. He is very amiable and charming, think
+you not? He come to my house all the days now and always he bring
+something. Sunday he bring a paté like we eat on days of féte before
+the war; and he remain for aid us eat it. And yesterday he bring a
+great ribbon all white for tie on my hairs. He say in Amerique all the
+little girls carry on the summit of the head a ribbon big like a hat.
+He want not I keep for the Sundays but he tie me up and then he say I
+am pretty--jolly he say, and he demand I show him to speak the French.
+So he commence to read my book of when I was little, the "Lectures
+Enfantines" and I make him say the little poetry that is on the page 3
+and it say: "Cher petit oreiller," and then my great sister enter and
+she have on her bodice of Sundays and very much the powder of rice on
+the nose. And she say: "Go in the bed-chamber and amuse yourself, and
+I talk with this Monsieur Americain." And I want not to go, and I cry,
+but she say if I obey not she will tell Monsieur Teddy come back never
+again. She is a villain, my great sister. I will defend that she aid
+me to write my letters to you; I have not business of her. I have
+as much as her knowledge of the English, and the American also. And
+Monsieur Teddy love me, nothing but me. When he get up to go away he
+call: "Where is that child of the gods?" (He make that game of words
+because I have perhaps two godfathers) And I come, and he console me.
+Thursday last it was my birthday. Monsieur Teddy devined it because he
+ask me how much age I have and I say I will have twelve years the 18,
+and he say in Amerique it is always a great feast and I must to eat a
+cake very big with snow and ice on it and candles, and so he bring
+it. I was washing the vessels,[20] and he come in the kitchen and
+make many foolishness. He whip me (to make laugh) twelve times with a
+little stick so I grow very big all the year. And then he make me hide
+my eyes in my apron, and when I open them, I see the cake, big and
+white like--oh like I know not what--and the twelve candles pink were
+illuminated and there was my name with the two es writ in chocolate
+on the snow. And Monsieur Teddy bring also the cold cream; it is rose
+like the candles and perfumed with vanilla and strawberries. Oh dear
+godfather, I wanted you be here and have some! Only one time before
+when I was little I did eat the cold cream and never when it is the
+war did we eat cake. And it is good like to be in Paradise!
+
+But alas! Monsieur Teddy soon will go beat himself[21] with the
+boches! It is terrible to think because he is so good and beautiful!
+I told you he have little wings white on him, because he go up in the
+air?
+
+Goodbye, dear godfather,
+Your affeckshunate godchild,
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+[20] Washing the vessels (_laver la vaisselle_) washing the dishes.
+[21] Beat himself (_se battre_) to fight.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+October 6, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+I am sending you this letter in anser to yours quick, becaus I think
+if you are not careful that Teddy will poison you with his eats.
+The gum was bad enuf and I was jokin when I sed what I did about the
+shoestring, but cross my heart and hope to dye, that feedin you cold
+cream is the wust I ever herd, and what makes me feel so bad is there
+is no one to warn you and he is stringin you on. Gee whiz, it makes
+me sick to think of it! I have not been able to eat fer two days,
+yesterday we had pancakes fer brekfast and I cood not eat enny and
+mother sed, I wonder what ales James? And dad sed, In the spring a
+yung mans fancy, and mother sed quick, It is not spring, Prendy, it is
+fall, and I think it is his stummick that is turned and dad sed, No it
+is his heart I have found his poitry, and mother sed, Well you may be
+rite but I shall give him a dose of caster oil, You no the oil of the
+caster, just like you had the oil of the codfish only this tests like
+sam scratch see? Well I had to swaller some and it was feerce and fer
+too cents I wood twist that teller Teddy's nose and stick my finger in
+his eye. Gee whiz, and he wares white wings dose he, and jumps up
+in the air. Some angel beleeve me, say mebbe he is a angel that has
+fallen from the sky? or a acrobat from Barnums? only I guess if he
+comes from Barnums he must be a freak al-rite. Ennyway until this yere
+ends you are my godchild and I am your godfather, and I forbid you to
+tuch enny more of that Teddys eats, understand? If you are hungry you
+just tell me, and I will send you the proper food; and it will not be
+gum, or cold-cream or candels ether, I can tell you. Why even Mr. le
+Cure wood no enuf not to give you enny of those things. That Teddy is
+not fit to have a godchild, and that is the hole story in a nutshell.
+I dunno just what I shall do if he rites to me. Mebbe I will anser and
+mebbe I wont. I guess I shall tell miss Betty about it. Have I ever
+tole you about her? She lives in the big house on the hill next to Sid
+Perkins and she has hare like, well like what you sed about Jean's,
+like gold and sunshine, and big blue eyes and the cutest little chin
+with a dimple rite in the middle, and when she smiles she makes me
+think of the ferry queens you read about in books. I guess miss Betty
+is the prettiest girl on earth al-rite. She was one of the folks what
+let me give there dorenobs a extra polish, and she nos all about you
+and now I have tole her about that Teddy, and she sez, I no just
+how you feel about him Jimmy. It is a grate comfort to have someone
+understand you if your family do not. And I askt her if she new enny
+poitry in french I cood send you by way of conversashun, and she sez,
+I remember just one, and here it is,
+
+
+  _"Je vous aime, je vous adore,
+  Que voulez vous done encore?"_
+
+
+I thot that was kind of short but she sed if I sent this to you you
+mite send that feler Teddy packin, but I guess you wont. I dont no
+when I have had so much bad luck as I have had lately. Fust their was
+the hoopincoff, then my blew legs, then I lost my firecrakers, and now
+I guess I am going to lose you al-rite. I fergot to tell you their is
+a new preecher hear called Herbit Hoover and he is a minister of
+the gospel of the Clean Plate, and all us school boys have been
+distributin little papers about it, the idee is, if you do not beleeve
+in it you eat meat and wheat and everythin, and if you beleeve a
+little you have meatless days and eat rye and no wheat, and if you get
+the religion rele hard you lick your plate clean and eat pretty near
+nothing at all. Ennyway nobody must eat sugar. Dad sez it is becaus
+sugar has turned to dimonds, so we have sirup insted and it is pretty
+good, the pancakes I was tellin you about was made with that. Mother
+sez the sugar situashun is going to be rele bad. I hope their is some
+left fer my birthday which is near Thanksgiving day. Say, you and I
+come near bein twins do you no that? Just too weaks more and we wood
+have been born together, only I wood have been your twin over here and
+you wood have been my twin over there. Say woodnt that have been funny
+though! Stranger things have happined though. It does seem sort of
+strange to think those too weaks have made me your godfather and you
+my godchild insted of us bein twins. I tole mother about it and she
+sed she thot it was better the way it is. I have saved up 47 cents fer
+your Christmas present I am not going to tell you what I wish you wood
+do fer mine. I am going to see if you can guess it.
+
+Your ever affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+September 24, 1917.
+
+My dear godfather:
+
+I am afraid this letter can't be in my own style and handwriting this
+time, for Mr. Teddy is here and I have asked him to help me with my
+English, in exchange of my helping him with his French. My mind is
+troubled and I think he can express my thought, so he has taken the
+pen in hand, and I, sitting on a little stool at his feet, and gazing
+up at him, try to make him understand what is in my mind.
+
+But first of all Mr. Teddy wants to ask you to forgive him, if he
+seems to be "butting in" and spoiling the game between you and your
+godchild. Honor bright, he didn't mean to do it. It was fate. Just
+blind, mysterious, and merciless fate that decreed that things should
+happen as they did. Mr. Teddy may be a blessing in disguise, anyway
+he couldn't be helped, and he has no excuse to offer, except, perhaps,
+that he is alone in the world and homesick in a foreign land. He is
+sorry you and he can't fight a duel over the situation, but I am very
+glad. And Mr. Teddy wants to tell you, very seriously that he takes
+off his hat to any little fellow of your size who can do the plucky
+thing you have done, and keep it up so well. If grown up men all had
+more of your spirit, he says, the war would be over long ago.
+
+The object of this letter is as follows: I (your godchild) wish to
+make amends. I wrote you yesterday, and didn't answer your letter.
+Not a word did I say about it, except that I had received it, then
+I prattled away all about another would-be godfather for whom you,
+naturally, have no earthly use. And to-day my heart is filled with
+remorse and my head is filled with fears lest you should think your
+dear godchild is ungrateful, fickle, and flighty. I want to tell you
+how every detail of your life--from knob-polishing and bug-swallowing
+to poetry-writing is dear and precious to me. How I wish I could do
+the same! How I live in eager expectation of your letters; how I gloat
+and ponder over them when they come; and how deep is the gloom into
+which I am plunged when they do not come! Mr. Teddy knows all that,
+because I have somehow expressed it, and if I had striven to hide my
+thought he would have guessed it, for he knows full well what goes on
+in the hearts of little maids and gallant lads.
+
+Therefore have I asked him to voice my deepest feelings in a poem that
+will answer yours:
+
+
+  "IDEALIZATION"
+
+  By Andree Leblanc and
+  Yankee Teddy.
+
+  "_Though our eyes may never meet,
+  To me you're more than bread or meat,
+  You are the proud and noble knight
+  That I pray for every night.
+  You could stand up on burning decks,
+  While others ran to save their necks,
+  You would not fear the dreadful Hun,
+  In Freedom's cause you'd fire a gun.
+  A lad who never gets cold feet
+  Was not destined to know defeat,
+  But oh! thou child of many pray'rs
+  Beware of Jealousy's deep snares!"_
+
+
+From your affectionate godchild,
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls
+Oct. 10, 1917.
+
+My dear Mr. Teddy,
+
+Jimmy has just brought me your letter, in great excitement, and I am
+taking the liberty of answering it myself, as I don't think he could
+do himself justice under the present circumstances. Mr. Teddy, did you
+ever have a soft spot for a little girl, when you were about eleven
+or twelve? I had one for a little boy; he was older than I, about
+fourteen; his name was Robert, and he had freckles; I think he
+squinted, too, and he teased all the girls a great deal. I am sure
+he was a very horrid little boy, as I look back, but at that time I
+thought he was wonderful, and it almost broke my heart when he said
+he had no use for little yellow-haired girls and took a girl with two
+brown pigtails to a big children's party, instead of me.
+
+Jimmy has a very soft spot for his godchild, and it is more than
+a passing fancy with him. You see, his family, while not actually
+poverty-stricken, are not as well off as they used to be, and Jimmy
+has practically supported Andree himself all the year, through
+countless little odd jobs. I have seen him on the coldest winter days,
+chopping wood or going from door to door asking to shovel snow, and
+his fingers were so red and frozen he could scarcely hold the shovel;
+yet he was always ready, with a smile, to do more work for his "kid in
+France." Andree is his godchild, his sister, his whole family to him;
+and he shoulders the responsibility of looking after her with all
+the seriousness of a little old man. Now, right in the middle of this
+flourishing state of affairs you come, with your big American pockets
+filled with elastic candy and bon-bons, and at a moment's notice
+you produce cold-cream, perfumed with strawberry and vanilla, and
+snow-covered cakes such as Jimmy can never hope to equal. What little
+girl would not turn fickle to her first love in the presence of such
+a display? At first Jimmy was filled with natural jealousy at your
+intrusion. He was all for going over there and giving you a piece of
+his mind; but since receiving your letter he has, almost incredibly,
+come to feel sorry for you because, as he says, "it must be pretty
+tuf to be all alone over there, and I guess he thinks my godchild is
+a peach, all right." And Jimmy is right; you must be so very very
+lonesome! And yet couldn't we manage to cheer you up a little without
+taking Jimmy's godchild away from him? I don't know of any little
+godchild I could give you in exchange, but I do know of a girl who
+lives with an invalid mother in a big white house on a hill, and who
+would only be too glad to have a soldier for a godson and send him
+little packages of cigarettes, and pictures of movie stars (of which
+she has a great collection) and--oh tell him about home and friends
+and people and everything.
+
+I am sending you this letter care of Andrée Leblanc; if you would care
+for the arrangement I suggest, would you let me know?
+
+Sincerely yours,
+Elizabeth Winslow
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+November 2, 1917.
+
+My dear godfather:
+
+Jules has received a wound, and he is very joyful because it make him
+not to die; on the contrary it make him cited at the order of the
+day and decorated with the Médaille Militaire. He make two boches
+prisoners and catch them with one hand because the other had the very
+bad hurt. And then he fainted himself on the ground and the Cross Red
+pick him and conduct him at a great hospital in Paris. And Tuesday
+Maman and Marie go to see him and take him the lemonade. And yesterday
+Monsieur Teddy ask Maman the permission to take me to see him also and
+she say yes and we go. We ride in the tramway pending a long time
+and I give Monsieur Teddy a lesson of French, and he say nothing
+but, _oui, oui_ and _chic alors--zut alors_! And all the
+travelers regard us and laugh and Monsieur Teddy laugh also. But when
+we arrive at the hospital he laugh not at all. He take my hand and I
+keep it very tight because I am frighten. It is very beautiful, the
+hospital. There is the great garden with trees and flat bands[22] and
+the soldier sentinel at the door. Inside it is all white and dark,
+a little like the church, and it smell of pharmacy and nobody make a
+noise. A lady white conduct us up the stairs and open a door, and I
+see a great number of beds in lines with Poilus in them. When they see
+the uniform American some make the salute military and I feel myself
+very proud. Jules was so content he say it make his hurt to go away
+immediately. And Teddy sit on a chair and give cigarettes and try to
+make conversation with his hands. And I sit on the bed and make talk
+with two tongues and ten fingers also. And Teddy say he will come
+again see brother Jules all the Sundays and Thursdays and console him
+until he go to fly away. Very sure he is one angel, Mr. Teddy! And
+he go up in the heavens with the wings! Oh little foolish godfather!
+Understand you not he is one aviator? And you must not be in anger
+when he give me the good things to eat. Perhaps in Amerique the cold
+cream is bad, but in Paris it make you not sick, on the contrary. I
+show not your letter to Mr. Teddy because you say for two cents
+you twist his nose and his eyes and it is not very genteel, dear
+godfather. When you think wickedness the bon Dieu punish you. It is
+because you think wickedness of Mr. Teddy that you become sick and
+cannot to eat the pancakes, and must drink the oil of the caster.
+
+I am content that the Miss Betty understand you and you tell her all
+things, and she is like the ferry with the twisted hairs. Hairs like
+gold is very pretty for little boys like Jean, but on ladies it look
+like the sun have fade the color. Thank you for the poetry she make.
+But my great sister see it and she say to Maman: "These infants write
+great foolishness all the time. If it continues we must give Andree
+no more stamps of five sous. We will make the economy and send only
+a card postal all the three months when the Comité Americain send the
+silver of the godfather."
+
+And I am very unhappy because Maman will not permit me to polish
+door-knobs like you and gain silver for the stamps of five sous. But
+little Jean come squeeze my neck and console me, and say he will work
+and become rich to purchase the stamps of five sous. Poor little! He
+know not what it is the life, but he is one brave little man, and I
+think he will resemble to you, dear godfather. Oh, I forget, in my
+other letter I write when Mr. Teddy come, to say I desire very much
+your portrait where you are grinning, like you say. I love much the
+grinning godfather. I will place you above my bed, under the branch of
+blessed box. My Papa is there also, and I embrace him all the nights,
+before I lie down.
+
+Dear little godfather, I am very recognizing[23] that you guard 47
+sous for my Christmas. Alas, I can never enough say thank you for all
+you do, and I can never render it to you! It make me full of sorry
+when I think that. With Maman I essay to guess what you want I do. I
+will make something with my proper hands, and Maman will aid. You will
+love a pair of slippers embroidered, or a shawl (I want say a scarf)
+or a bonnet of aviator? Tell me, I pray of you,
+
+I shake your hand affectuously.
+
+Your godchild,
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+[22] Flat bands (_plate-bandes_) flower beds.
+[23] Recognizing (_reconnaissante_) grateful.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls
+Nov. 18, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+How are you? I got that mister Teddy's letter, and I was goin to anser
+it but I dident no just what to say, so I gave it to miss Betty and
+she sed she wood anser it herself. And you needent worry about my
+twistin his nose and stikin my finger in his eye, because if you like
+him I will leave him alone fer your sake. I had quite a good birthday.
+Miss Betty found out when it was, and she gave me a bully party,
+but we had a feerce time gettin sugar. You no mister Hoover the new
+minister I was telling you about? Well he has got reel exited about
+sugar, and he has told the shopkeepers they must give only one pound
+to itch family, and miss Betty she wanted more than that to make my
+cake, because she sez it is hard enuf to cook with things but it is
+the limit to cook without them. And she dident no what to do until she
+had a brite idee. She sent Molly to Butler's store and she got some
+mapel seerop and mixt it all up with the sugar and a lot of other good
+stuff. And I had a bully cake. It was kinder soft to have candels
+on it, but miss Betty made it all herself and that is more than your
+Teddy did, and it was a bully cake just the same. And she let me ask
+Dinky Odell over to have some and we had hot chocolate and a fust rate
+time. I am sorry your sister dident like the poitry. Some peeple dont
+no a good thing when they see it. Carl Odell has writ to Amanda, and
+he sez, "I am writing this in the midst of falling shells and boms
+busting in air, but if ever I come out al-rite little girl I'll come
+back to you." Carl Odell must have been sent to the front pretty quick
+al-rite as he has only been gone too weaks, and he sez he has a lot of
+inside inflammation, but he is afraid the censer will cut it out.
+
+And now I come to the bizness part of this leter. Fer one yere now I
+have been your godfather and you have been my godchild, and we have
+hit it off pretty well I think, and now the yere is drawing to a
+close, and next month it may be all will be ended between us. Little
+girl, what I have been wishing you wood do fer Christmas is not a
+scarf, or slipper or ennything but this. Will you be my godchild fer
+a nuther yere? I guess mebbe you mite do better fer yourself and get a
+more classy godfather. I dont seem to be much good at school somehow,
+and I guess that missis Yanket was rite when she sed what she did
+about my spellin bein feerce. I guess mebbe you rite better than I do,
+and I no that mister Teddy dose becaus miss Betty saw his letter and
+she sed it was a fine letter. Somehow I guess Mr. le Cure and missis
+Yanket and all your frens rite and spell better than I do. But I bet
+I can polish dore handels and wash winders and sell Mirrors and suport
+you as well as enny Body. Mebbe I am cut out fer plane bizness. And
+so I say, if you think you like me, and wood like to keep on having
+me fer your godfather, say yes and I will be much obliged. But if you
+think you wood be hapier with Mr. Teddy, dear godchild why just say so
+and never mind about me. I guess I can live it down.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+Paris, Dec. 4, 1917.
+
+Dear godfather,
+
+I say thousand times yes, and the bon Dieu give you benediction.
+Oh dear godfather, you did make the foolish when you believe I want
+veritably monsieur Teddy to me adopt! He is full of gracious goodness,
+Monsieur Teddy, but he is not like unto you. He did not the work, and
+he beat himself not with Red-Skins, to succour me and give comfort in
+the modest interior. Mr. Teddy very sure will be one hero in the war,
+but you are already one hero with heart more big. And my dear Papa,
+that did die for the Patrie, is well content to behold that. We are
+loving all the Amerique; but Maman and me say yesterday there is not
+in the world entire a boy so much remplished of sentiments delicate
+like my grinning godfather. (I call you like that because your
+photography is come; you are more beautiful than Mr. Teddy and it
+rejoice the heart to look upon you.)
+
+Dear godfather I will tell you Mr. Teddy is departed to the front. He
+come one day, late, and he say not he go away the tomorrow; he only
+sit by the stove, and take Jean upon his knees and caress the hairs
+of gold; and he smile very nice but speak not much. And when he go, he
+tell me, very quiet, he have in his pocket one beautiful letter of
+the miss Betty. And she is his ferry godmother, and you are my ferry
+godfather and all things are al-rite, al-rite! You say all the time
+that word, you other Americans, al-rite, al-rite. Maman say it is
+because you have confidence in the bon Dieu, and you know that He will
+make the bad world all over like that: Al-rite, al-rite!
+
+Happy Year! dear little godfather. Permit, one time, that I embrace
+you very affectuously, and shake your hand.
+
+Your godchild for the life,
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Deer Miss Secretary:
+
+After some consideration I have decided to keep my orfan fer one more
+yere. Of course she is still a girl and I wanted a boy, but she is
+used to me and I am used to her, and it mite go hard with her if I
+left her fer some one else to adop, so if you will just put me down
+fer one more yere I will be much obliged to you.
+
+Yours truly,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13125 ***
diff --git a/13125-h/13125-h.htm b/13125-h/13125-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c7c6614
--- /dev/null
+++ b/13125-h/13125-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,2198 @@
+<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
+<html>
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Deer Godchild, by Marguerite Bernard and Edith Serrell</title>
+<style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
+<!--
+    P {  margin-top: .75em;
+         text-align: justify;
+         margin-bottom: .75em;
+         }
+    H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 {
+         text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+         }
+    HR { width: 33%;
+    margin-top: 1em;
+    margin-bottom: 1em;
+       }
+    BODY{margin-left: 10%;
+         margin-right: 10%;
+        }
+    .linenum  {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */
+    .note     {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */
+    .blkquot  {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */
+    .pagenum  {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */
+    .sidenote {width: 20%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 1em; font-size: smaller; float: right; clear: right;}
+
+    .poem             {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;}
+    .poem br          {display: none;}
+    .poem .stanza     {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;}
+    .poem span        {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i2     {display: block; margin-left: 2em;}
+    .poem span.i4     {display: block; margin-left: 4em;}
+    .poem .caesura    {vertical-align: -200%;}
+    hr.full { width: 100%;
+              height: 5px; }
+	a:link {color:blue;
+			text-decoration:none}
+	link {color:blue;
+			text-decoration:none}
+	a:visited {color:blue;
+			text-decoration:none}
+	a:hover {color:red}
+	pre.pg		{font-size: 9pt;}
+    // -->
+    /* XML end  ]]>*/
+
+</style>
+</head>
+<body>
+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13125 ***</div>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Deer Godchild, by Marguerite Bernard and
+Edith Serrell</h1>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr class="full" noshade>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1>DEER GODCHILD</h1>
+
+<h2>BY MARGUERITE BERNARD AND EDITH SERRELL</h2>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<h4>PUBLISHED FOR THE FATHERLESS CHILDREN OF FRANCE</h4>
+
+<h4>1919</h4>
+<br>
+
+<h4>DEDICATED</h4>
+
+<h4>TO OUR FRIEND</h4>
+
+<h4>LOUISE HURLBUT MASON</h4>
+
+<br>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<h2>INTRODUCTION</h2>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>A young New-Yorker of twelve lately heard an appeal for the
+Fatherless Children of France, and his heart was touched. He had no
+money, but he resolved to give his spare time and his utmost energy
+to support a "kid in France." The French child needed ten cents
+worth of extra food each day, in order to grow up with strength and
+courage. The little American godfather earned those ten cents; he
+sold newspapers at the subway entrance, after school hours, and
+undertook an amazing variety of more or less lucrative odd jobs.
+Sometimes business was slow, and it was hard to keep up the game;
+but he did. He is still, in the true American expression "making
+good" for his deer godchild, and doing it with a broad and
+brotherly grin. He is James P. Jackson Jr. His letters to and from
+the kid in France are published just for fun&mdash;and yet in the
+hope of encouraging more "dear benefactors" to join our large
+family and help along, in the same spirit and with the same
+joy.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>EDITH SERRELL.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls,</p>
+
+<p>November 27, 1916.</p>
+
+<p>Deer miss Secretary</p>
+
+<p>How are you? It is al-rite about the french orfan and I wood
+like a boy between ten and twelve if it is the same to you. At fust
+dad sed I coodnt have him because there was plenty of rich
+godfathers who wood take him if I didn't, but mother told him of
+the apeel you made and that I was goin to raze the money myself,
+and he sed well I guess you are rite and if he can raze enuf money
+to raze a kid on he is well come to it, and she sed I guess that is
+the rite spirit. And so I am sending you 85cts. which is 70cts, fer
+the fust weak, and you can keep the change which is 15cts, fer the
+next weak, so I will only send 55cts, fer the fust weak after that.
+The 85cts. is my birthday money which was on thanksgiving day and I
+guess the folks will be glad to give me work when they no I am
+suporting a kid in france.</p>
+
+<p>Hoping you are well and I am the same I will, close.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Yours truly,</p>
+
+<p>James Prendergast Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. I shood like his name to be Bill or Pete in french and not
+one of those girly names if it is the same to you.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>To Mr. James Prendergast Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Sir:</p>
+
+<p>According to your instructions, we have assigned to you
+Andr&eacute; Leblanc, aged 11, No. 18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris, as
+your godchild for one year. Thanking you for your interest in this
+worthy cause, we beg to remain</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Very truly yours,</p>
+
+<p>The Junior Committee for the Fatherless Children of France.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Dec, 1st, 1916.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild</p>
+
+<p>How are you? I am very well and I have ganed 5 Ibs. in one weak
+which makes me 85 Ibs. which is thot very good in America. Have you
+had much snow? We have had it considerable hear which has spoylt
+the skating on Frost Lake which is beehind old Sam Bursars house
+who is our naybor. I am glad you have a short name, I had ruther be
+cald Andr&eacute; than Nickulus, Cristuff or Jean-Marie, but I wood
+ruther you were cald Bill or Pete or Sniper, but you cant help
+being what they call you so never mind. I suported you this weak by
+selling 70 copies of the Greenville Mirror by hand. It is a good
+paper and shood be patronized. I wakt into Jim Parkers offis he is
+the editur and sed, Mister Parker, if you have a loose job and no
+man fer it I am the man you want, and he sed how old are you? and I
+sed 11. and he sed what you want a job fer? and I sed, O fer a kid
+I have in France and he sed since I was suportin you if I cood sell
+70 copies of the Mirror he wood give me 35 cts. and Mother had give
+me 15 fer mindin the chikens when she went to Peeks-kill, so I new
+it would be al-rite, so I sed very well your on. So I took the
+mirrors and stood on the corner of School street, and bimeby the
+men begin to come home from the city, and some of them stopt to buy
+a Mirror and some did not, so I thot I wood make an appeel so I
+hollered, Buy a Mirror fer a kid in France, and waived it in there
+faces, and you shood have seen them buy! Enneway I guess the Mirror
+is a good ole paper, when all the men had come home I thot I wood
+take the papers to the folks that wernt on the street, like the
+schoolmaams and the sisters. Well most of them hot fine exept miss
+Leigh the Sunday school teacher, and she sed the Mirror was a low
+down politishuns sheet and I sed buy it fer Lily Blanche her help,
+and she sed what are you so ankshus to sell papers fer? And I sed
+how do you expect me to suport a kid in France if you peeple wont
+help out? and she sed the Lord will provide, but I told her I wood
+ruther do it myself; and she said I guess He's doin it threw you,
+so at last she forkt up, and I went home at 6 o'clock, but I tell
+you I had a prety tuf day. Say how is your mussel? Have you enny
+brothers and sisters? I have five, they are Amanda aged 16, Cecilia
+aged 10, Myra-Louise aged 7, Molly aged 6, and Heloise aged 5. I
+come between the fust too. Dad wanted to call Heloise Omeega after
+Alfred and Omeega in the Bibel, but Mother sed that was foolish and
+I guess it was, cause there was no boy to be Alfred excep me, and I
+was alredy James, so he give it up. Sid Perkins is suportin a girl
+in France and hes auful rich, and dont have to work to keep her
+goin. Gee, Im glad your a boy, girls is al-rite in there line but I
+woodnt adop one fer love or money. Can you here the shootin from
+where you are? I have seen the new American submareen and it is a
+fine bus, I tell you if ever the Yankees come runnln over there you
+wont see Kaiser Bill fer dust. Do you like prisners base? What
+grade are you in? Well, hoping you are well and that some day we
+will meet somewhere in France, I will close.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affecshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James Prendergast Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. If ever we go to war, and I inlist and go to France I mite
+take you back to New York on firlow.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>16 Dec. 1916.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Benefactor,</p>
+
+<p>I thank you with the bottom of my heart for your kindness unto
+me. Maman and me have been so content to receive your letter and
+your donation generous! Your succour will sweeten the times
+difficult that we are traversing; and the silver<a name=
+'FNanchor_1_1'></a><a href='#Footnote_1_1'><sup>[1]</sup></a> you
+send will permit me to eat of the meat and be forceful to aid maman
+she has so much of labor and of pain! I will tell you, dear
+benefactor, that I am not the most robust But I take the oil of
+liver of cod-fish all the days for make myself high and
+good-carrying.<a name='FNanchor_2_2'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_2_2'><sup>[2]</sup></a> Yes, dear benefactor, I will
+forget never what you do, and all the nights I make a prayer for
+you be happy in the life.</p>
+
+<p>I cannot to read your letter very well alone, because I know not
+sufficient the English. But I have one aunt, she is dead, she know
+very well the English, and she teach me of it and my great sister
+also; she is a dactylographer,<a name='FNanchor_3_3'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_3_3'><sup>[3]</sup></a> and she know the English very
+perfect, and she me aids so I do mistakes not at all. And I serve
+me of the dictionary also. Maman say your letters will make
+complete my education. But some words I comprehend not. What is,
+for example, the kid? I search and I see only it is the offspring
+of a goat. I am sure in the book is the mistake, for my dear
+godfather will not make the pain to me and my Maman in calling me
+the offspring of a goat.</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather, I am also surprise that you be so much heavy. I
+have 11 years like you, and I am only 39 kg heavy. But in Amerique,
+Maman tell me, all is big, big! It is droll, so big little boys.
+Sometimes I ask myself if you are veritably a little boy. Perhaps
+it is to make laugh you tell me you are one infant. Perhaps you are
+the old gentleman.</p>
+
+<p>Tell me dear godfather, what is it the Sunday-school? In Paris
+we go not to school the Sunday. We rise more lately, and we dress
+more pretty than the days of week, and for breakfast we eat the
+cacao in lieu of soup of potato left of last night. And we go to
+the grand mass with Maman. Little brother Jean is one infant of
+choir at the church. He do nothing but balance and smoke the
+incense, and be pretty like one angel; because his hairs are like
+the gold, and his eyes like the heaven when the sun make shine. All
+at the beginning he was not content because the smoking make him to
+sneeze, and he did cry, and he wanted not to indorse<a name=
+'FNanchor_4_4'></a><a href='#Footnote_4_4'><sup>[4]</sup></a> the
+dress white, with lace; he say he resemble to a girl; and he
+believe all the world in the church was regarding him. But now he
+is habituated, and he become more sage. It is very necessary he
+become sage, because he is so devil. Yesterday, for example, Mr. le
+Cur&eacute; give him a pretty card postal with the image of angels
+and tell him he must apply to resemble to them; and Jean responded,
+"no I want not to be the angel and have wings like one hen!" Mr. le
+Cur&eacute; say it is Satan that commands the wicked words like
+that, and when he go to fall in temptation Jean must say, "Vade
+retro Satanas," and that make Satan go behind. And Jean say, "yes
+but then Satan go at my back and push hard, so I fall!" It is very
+sad little Jean be so much bad.</p>
+
+<p>I will tell you, dear benefactor, that I effort myself to work
+and be very sage so little brother take model on me. I go to
+catechism two times by week, and I am on the table of honor, and
+for Christmas Mr. le Cur&eacute; give me a pretty shawl for hold my
+neck and shoulders warm when I go to school.</p>
+
+<p>For Christmas Jean put his shoes in the chimney for the little
+Jesus fill them like all the years. But Maman say to him: "This
+year the little Jesus carry nothing, because with all the sous in
+the world he want to get our big victory so the dirty boches kill
+no more our dear Papas."</p>
+
+<p>But, grace to you, the morning of No&euml;l the shoes were all
+of same remplished. There was apples red and some chocolate and
+stockings with long legs. We make many of holes in our stockings
+and all the time there is no more cloth in places, so Maman cuts
+them down. So in the beginning they are long, then 1/2 long, then
+socks. It was socks all the winter, dear benefactor, but when your
+silver come, the legs come long again.</p>
+
+<p>In the after-dinner No&euml;l we make a promenade in the woods
+of Boulognes. Now it is the vacancies<a name='FNanchor_5_5'></a><a
+href='#Footnote_5_5'><sup>[5]</sup></a> of No&euml;l and I aid
+Maman, she make me some black aprons new for go to school, and I
+sit myself down on the side of her. She loves not that I play in
+the streets, because she desire that I be well elevated <a name=
+'FNanchor_6_6'></a><a href='#Footnote_6_6'><sup>[6]</sup></a>. And
+it is much snow in Paris; it make so cold that I love not to go
+out.</p>
+
+<p>Dear benefactor, you demand what grade I am. I comprehend not.
+Only the officers have grade. Are you an officer? I think yes,
+because you talk so much the submareens, etc.</p>
+
+<p>I have nothing more to say at you, but Maman joins herself to me
+to pray you to agree, dear benefactor, the expression of our
+sentiments the most distinguished and respectuous.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild,</p>
+
+<p>A. Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls. N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Jan. 2, '17.</p>
+
+<p>Deer Miss Secretary,</p>
+
+<p>There is something off about my godchild, you no the one you
+give me to suport, well dad rored when he saw the letter but I
+think he is a nut and mother sez he is two elevated fer me, so
+hoping you will get me a nuther one I will close hoping you are
+well.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Yours truly,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+<br>
+ <br>
+<p>P.S. I will rite just the same to this one till you get me a
+nuther one.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls. N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Jan. 2, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild</p>
+
+<p>How are you? I got your letter al-rite and what I wood like to
+no is what in thunder is that goat stuff you are drivin at? I didnt
+call you no names excep dere godchild and kid and you are both, and
+a godchild is a godchild and sometimes a kid is a goat and
+sometimes a goat is a kid and if you dont stop your kiddin you'll
+get my goat see? Mebbe you didn't mene to be fresh and if you didnt
+will call it square and say no more about it, ennyway I guess you
+use that bloomin dickshunary two much. Dickshunaries is like girls
+and is al-rite in there line, but I aint got much use fer them and
+you had best chuck yours out the window. I guess 85lbs. is a good
+ole wait but 39 is something feerce, why even Heloise aged 5 ways
+45 and she dont eat enny of that codfish liver, and say what does
+it test like ennyway? I bet it tests like ole get out. I told
+Mother you wade only 39 and she sed, my goodness he must have
+tuberculosees, and dad sed, no, he has not had enuf meat, but I sed
+no but he is going to have some now I am suporting him. What do you
+think? I got enuf money to suport you fer too weaks, and if you
+will cross your heart not to tell because I promist I woodnt and
+you must do the same, I will tell you how it hapened, well it was
+this way, I was readin the Motor Boys Under the Sea beehind the
+portyares and its great, when in walk Carl Odell the young feller
+across the way and Amanda aged 16, and they set down and didnt say
+much and bimby Carl he takes Amandas hand and sez, Amanda you no
+how tis with me? and she sez, why no how is it Carl? and he sez I
+love you, and she sez to Carl, this is so suddin, and he sez,
+little girl will you be my wife? and she sez, o Carl I dunno, and
+he sez, I demand an answer yes or no, and she sez well I dunno but
+as I will, and he sed, sweatheart what day shall it be? And I stept
+out and sed, Hold on, dont go and make it Tuesday becaus Amandas
+promist to go fishin and dad wont let me go to Frost Lake without
+her, caus its 16 feet deep, and you should have seen them jump.
+They was scart plump out of there wits, and Amanda she sez, If he
+tells dad I shall dye, and Carl he grabd me by one ear and sed,
+Jim, I give you the choyce of keepin quiet and gettin $1.50 or
+squealin and being skinned alive, and I sed, Well I am suporting a
+kid, I mean a boy, in France so I will take the coin, so I crost my
+heart and sed hope to dye if I squeal and you must do the same,
+caus bimby if the Yanks come runnin over there you mite mete a
+frend of Carl Odells and hed tell a nuther frend, and bimby all the
+Yanks wood no it and it wood get back to Carl Odells ears. I bet
+that Jean is some brother, say hes al-rite, all excep his name,
+coodnt you make it Buster? Say what you want to go wearin a shawl
+fer, fust thing you no all the boys will call you girly, and I dont
+intend to have no godchild of mine cald that, no siree, not if I
+have to skin them alive fer it. I no its hard when things are give
+to you not to wear them, last yere the Sunday-school teacher give
+me a baby-blew tie and darn if I didn't have to wear it every
+Sunday till Lady Evelin Jack Burtons fathers best bull dog found it
+and et it. But you go eezy on that shawl. Never you mind about
+Sunday-school, just you be glad you dont have to go to it, though I
+dont no but goin to see that balancin stunt of Jeans is just as
+bad. And dont you be askin two many questions about me, mebbe Im an
+officer and mebbe Im not, and mebbe I no something about submareens
+and mebbe I don't but I woodnt let it sprize you if I come ridin in
+in one of those busses one of these days, and if I do and I like
+you I mite even take you back with me to New York, and then
+goodnite&mdash;you'll see some sites. Say whats that dope on sage?
+Hoping you are well and will rite to me soon I will now close
+hoping you are well.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. I made Carl Odell give me the money rite off becaus he is a
+Red Indian fer cheatin. Did you get the Christmas presents I sent
+you?</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.</p>
+
+<p>4 Jan. 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Godfather:</p>
+
+<p>The big paquet from Amerique come late but I receive it to-day
+and I thank you very much. You are very good to think so much of me
+and it is very pretty, dear benefactor, There is one glove only,
+and I am fearful that the other rested on the road<a name=
+'FNanchor_7_7'></a><a href='#Footnote_7_7'><sup>[7]</sup></a>. But
+it makes nothing<a name='FNanchor_8_8'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_8_8'><sup>[8]</sup></a>; I have not business<a name=
+'FNanchor_9_9'></a><a href='#Footnote_9_9'><sup>[9]</sup></a> of
+two, because one is enough big for my two hands, and it is a muff
+very warm; but veritably, dear godfather, you are big like giants,
+in Amerique! The little cage is very commodious also, and very
+pretty. Jean believe it is a muzzle for dog, but no, I comprehend
+it Is for suspend on the ceiling for to make pretty the house, with
+plants green, climbing.</p>
+
+<p>Goobye, dear benefactor, I kiss you with the bottom of my
+heart</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild all devoted,</p>
+
+<p>A. Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls. N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Deer miss Secretary,</p>
+
+<p>Pleese you must do sumthing quick about my orphan he is awful. I
+sent a baseball glove and mask for Cristmas and he used them fer a
+muff and to hang plants in, and he wares a shawl and sits on the
+table of sumthing, and now he is kissing me with the bottom of his
+heart and that is the limit and he must cut it out because I wont
+stand fer that. Hoping you are well and you will answer soon in
+answer to my leter I will close.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Yours truly,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris</p>
+
+<p>18 Jan, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Benefactor:</p>
+
+<p>I thank you for your pretty letter so interesting. My great
+sister Marie work very hard for to aid me read it, but it is very
+difficult to comprehend. It is because you talk the American and
+the dictionary talk only the English. I will try to learn the
+American if you will to me give the instructions. Dear godfather,
+you are not in anger against me? I make always attention to be
+polite and genteel, because already I love you from far. But Marie
+say there is the miss understand in our letters she cannot
+explicate. For three nights I sleep not well because I search to
+comprehend what is it that makes bad, then this morning I have it
+the idea brilliant; there is on the place des Clercs the dentist
+American. It is writ on his door, Dr. Yanket, and Maman go to sew
+on the dresses of Madame. She talk very well with two tongues, and
+Maman say she regard the letters then she laugh very strong. Then
+she say to Maman: "Console your infant, it may sleep on the two
+ears<a name='FNanchor_10_10'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_10_10'><sup>[10]</sup></a>, because the godfather is one
+very genteel little boy." And then she write a little paper she
+desire me copy for you very careful. Here is it: "Jimmy, in Uncle
+Sam's name I am proud of you. You're the right sort keep it up and
+don't get cold feet. For that godchild of yours is very much all
+right, as you will very soon realize. But let me give you frankly
+just one piece of friendly advice; don't tell your kid to 'chuck
+the dictionary out of the window,' but rather get one yourself, and
+polish up your English. Your spelling and your vocabulary are, to
+use your own expression, 'something fierce;' how can you expect the
+poor little French child to understand your slang?"</p>
+
+<p>There; I have made copy, and again I understand not very well.
+But I am sure it go to make all arrange. And I know that you are
+one little boy; I am so content!</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather, it is very droll the fashion you do to make
+silver in Amerique! But it is very dangerous, and never in Paris we
+do like that. I see in my book of images English how the terrible
+Red-skins scalp the enemy, "skin 'em alive," like you say, and I
+see the image of the chef. He have long hairs black, with plumes
+red and green; and chains brilliant suspended, and he carry in the
+middle one little apron of fur; and he have not knowledge of the
+bon Dieu. It is call: "trading with the Indians." Oh please, dear
+godfather, do not for me trading with the Indians! I will permit
+not that you risk to be skin alive. I make the promise like you
+say, and I make like you the sign of cross, but I hope not to die
+if I squeal; I cry not very often, but sometimes, and my poor Maman
+will be to much desolated if I die.</p>
+
+<p>Goodbye dear godfather; believe at my sentiments the more
+affectuous,</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild,</p>
+
+<p>A. Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>To Mr. James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Sir:</p>
+
+<p>I am much interested in the account of your correspondence with
+your French godchild, and I would advise you not to be discouraged
+if he does not seem, in every way, to be living up to your
+expectations. You must remember that these fatherless children have
+suffered more deeply and more courageously than you can possibly
+imagine. If his letters sound rather effeminate I hope you will in
+time realize that it is merely a difference of language and
+convention that gives you that impression. The French are a very
+affectionate and demonstrative people. You know that even their
+"Papa Joffre" kisses his brave soldiers on both cheeks when he
+decorates them.</p>
+
+<p>You are doing splendid work for a boy of your age, and I hope
+you will not let small prejudices get in your way. Remember you are
+unusually fortunate to have a child who can write in English.</p>
+<br>
+<p>With my best wishes and congratulations, I remain cordially
+yours,</p>
+
+
+<p>Secretary for the Junior Committee
+
+of the Fatherless Children of France.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Feb. 3, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild</p>
+
+<p>How are you? Say will you do me a faver and cut out kissin me
+with the bottom of your heart? If you think you ot to do it you can
+kiss me on both cheeks if that is the custim I guess I can stand it
+but I had ruther you did not kiss me at all if it is the same to
+you as we shake hands in America. Say that missis Yankit is some
+woman beleeve me and you had better keep away from her, fust thing
+you no she'll be trying to make me go to school every day and buy a
+dicshunary. What she no about the American languidge ennyway? what
+she have to come buttin in with her too tongues between us? You are
+my godchild and I am your godfather and if there is ennything you
+dont understand I am the one to explane, and you tell that Yankit
+woman she had better be helpin her husband with his teeth and let
+us alone, and to put that in her pipe and smoke it. I am glad you
+like the Cristmas presents I sent you and if you want to string the
+mask from the ceilin you are well come to it, but it is ment to
+keep your nose from gettin smasht when a hard ball comes bingin
+through the air. Say, that must be some stunt sleepin on both ears,
+I have slep on my stummick an on my back an on one ear, but not on
+both. Last nite we had welsh rabit fer super and I did not sleep
+enny way. It is a good thing I have that $1.50 Carl Odell give me
+becaus I do not feel al-rite and Mother wont let me go out to work,
+but I guess I will get out soon again so dont worry about my
+suportin you. Say, thats al-rite about the Red Indians&mdash;corse
+they aint as numrous as they was once but there still plentiful in
+parts but dont let that worry you cause I been brot up with them
+and no how to handle them. Red Skins is like snakes and is al-rite
+if you keep your eye on them. Course I woodnt advise you to medal
+with them, but I guess I can look out for myself. Say, how is Jean
+and has he done enny more stunts? I have a sister Molly aged 6 and
+she is going to rite plays and say she turns out some great stuff.
+Yesterday she dresst Cecilia, you no the one aged 7, as a queen and
+Molly she was the subjeck boughed before her and sed, Your majesty
+to-day unto you a child is born, and Cecilia, I mean the queen sed,
+Bring it in, and Molly the subjeck brot in Snookie the cat only it
+was the child then and it was all rigged up in Heloises close, and
+bimeby Heloise who was a wicked king come runnin in to kidnap the
+baby and she sed, no I mean he sed because she was a king, That is
+my child! and the subjeck sed, It is not! and the king sed, It is
+too! and the sujeck sez as cool as a cucumber, Your majesty you are
+a lyre! and then they had the darndest fite over that baby you ever
+saw. Fust the king hit the subjeck bingo in the eye then the
+subjeck he pincht the babys tail, you no Snookies, and bimeby
+Mother come runnin in and stuck them all in bed, but it was a buly
+fite. I feel auful queer so guess I will close hoping you are
+better than I feel</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+James P. Jackson Jr.<br>
+<br>
+ <br>
+<p>P.S. Do you like rabit? I hate it!</p>
+
+<p>P.S. Dont ferget to tell that Yanket woman to put what I told
+you in her pipe and smoke it.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt,</p>
+
+<p>Paris,</p>
+
+<p>18 Feb. 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Godfather:</p>
+
+<p>How are you? I hope you are no more fatigued. Very sure I will
+send you the kiss cut out as you say if you prefer. And also I will
+shake your hand. I will do all things American and all things that
+make you pleasure. But, dear godfather, you demand that I tell to
+Madame Yanket to smoke the pipe and I like not to say that because
+she is one very great lady, very genteel. But Maman say that is
+only a fashion of talk American and I must not make attention to
+it.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, dear godfather, I like rabbit. When we live in the country
+we have two, one white and one black, and at the end of time we
+have 26! But not Welsh rabbits; French. They make not sick like
+yours.</p>
+
+<p>Dear benefactor, I will write you not very long this day, for my
+great brother Jules come tonight on permission of four days, and I
+am much occupied to aid Maman arrange all things clean and pretty.
+I will relate on him in my letter of the week next.</p>
+
+<p>I squeeze your hand, and envoy to you the kiss cut out with my
+heart.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild,</p>
+
+<p>A. Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls. N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Feb, 5, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild</p>
+
+<p>How are you? It waznt the rabit it is the hoopincoff, I guess I
+am goin to dye al-rite.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>J.P.J.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt,</p>
+
+<p>Paris,</p>
+
+<p>Feb. 20, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Godfather:</p>
+
+<p>Your letter made me to cry. I will permit you not to die. When I
+get your letter I go and break my tire-lire. It is the little dog
+of porcelain with one hole in the stomach. Maman give it to me for
+my fete, the Ste. Andr&eacute;e, and she give me two sous for put
+in the hole all the Sundays, and it come out nevermore until it
+break, you comprehend? I guard<a name='FNanchor_11_11'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_11_11'><sup>[11]</sup></a> the little dog under my
+pillow and it make bad in my heart to break it, but what will you?
+My dear godfather who is only one child like me, work strong like a
+man for make me happy and I would break not my tire-lire for to
+save him from the death? Oh yes, a thousand times yes! So I take it
+out in the court and open the stomach with one stone and I make to
+fall out 26 sous! And I go to the store of objects pious, and I
+demand one candle of 26 sous or two candles of 13 sous, but the
+lady say 13 is a number of unhappiness so she give me one of 25
+sous, and one sou of paper of lace of gold to put around. And I go
+quick to the church, and put up the candle to the Ste. Vierge, and
+she will see it from the sky, and she will see you also in Amerique
+and make you not to die, M. le Cur&eacute; see the little flag
+American that you send me and that I attach to the candle-stick and
+he caress my head and say: "What for is it?" So I tell him and he
+say I am very genteel. But all of a hit<a name=
+'FNanchor_12_12'></a><a href='#Footnote_12_12'><sup>[12]</sup></a>
+I melt in tears<a name='FNanchor_13_13'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_13_13'><sup>[13]</sup></a>, because I know I am not
+genteel, dear godfather! I am very, very bad and wicked; I tell not
+the truth and I conduct not myself well unto you. Perhaps you will
+pardon me never! I go to confession and M. le Cur&eacute; say for
+my penitence I must also confess to you that I am one little girl!
+Oh dear godfather, be not too much in anger! I am so sad! I
+comprehend not how it arrived, but when you write to me and say you
+love not the little girls I was afraid and responded nothing. Dear
+godfather, I will tell you that when I was little I pray often the
+bon Dieu make me one boy, because you know, for Him nothing is
+impossible. But He wish I remain a girl, and now I have cheated and
+He punish me very strong in make you so much fatigue you almost
+die. I cannot write more this day because I am too much sad. But if
+you die not please tell me soon because I am so much unquiet. I
+assure you I will nevermore be so villain.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild repentant,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. Maman say the Comit&eacute; Americain put me like one boy.
+It is the two "e" that make one girl.</p>
+
+<p>P.P.S. I search what is the hoopincoff, but I find it not.
+Surely it is the very dangerous malady, but if you die, you go to
+Paradise; M. le Cur&eacute; promise me.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls. N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Deer miss Secretary,</p>
+
+<p>The boy you give me is a girl What are you going to do about
+it?</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Yours respekfully,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Dear Mr. Jackson</p>
+
+<p>In reply to your letter, we would state that the mistake was due
+to the handwriting of the child's mother, making the name appear to
+be spelt with one "e" instead of two, and thus making it a boy's
+name.</p>
+
+<p>We will endeavor, as soon as possible, to repair our error, as
+it was never our intention to deceive you.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Very truly yours,</p>
+
+<p>Junior Committee of the Fatherless Children of France.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls. N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Deer Miss Secretary,</p>
+
+<p>I didnt say you were deceivin, I just want to tell you the boy
+you give me was a girl so you wood not make that mistake agen. It
+is the limit when you have told the fellers you had a boy, to go
+and get a girl, and when I shod the letter to dad he sed by jove
+youre in a fine posishun you are and I sed how is that, and he sed
+fust thing you no you will get yourself talkt about, ritin to a
+girl in France and that would be fine woodnt it?</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Respectfully yours,</p>
+
+<p>J.P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>March 7, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>I received your letter and I did not dye. Of corse you cant help
+bein a girl insted of a boy and thats al-rite because Heloise and
+Myra-Louise and Nelly the girl next dore and pretty nerely every
+body wood ruther be a boy than a girl, but you were the limit to
+fib about it and you have put me in a auful queer posishun, so no
+more fer this time.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godfather,</p>
+
+<p>J.P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. I will suport you just the same so do not worry.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Paris,</p>
+
+<p>21 March 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Mr. James,</p>
+
+<p>I have your letter, and I perceive that you are very much
+offensed. One time more I demand pardon; but I cannot be like you
+want, and by consequence I can never more call myself your dear
+godchild; if you love me not, and I am offensive, I have not
+business of you and your silver. Please give it to one unhappy
+little boy. It is worth better that I have hunger, it is worth
+better that I be made dead by the boches, than to be like one
+little mendicant. I demand to Maman if it is not true, and she say
+yes.</p>
+
+<p>I thank you for all the pain you did take for me and I forget
+never. When I become grand I will render to you all you pay for
+me.</p>
+
+<p>Goodbye monsieur James. Receive the expression of my best
+salutations,</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Andree Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>April 2, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Say what is the matter with you ennyway and why don't you want
+me to support you enny longer? I am your godfather and you are my
+godchild and it is a legal afare, dad sez, and if ennybody sez
+ennything about it they will have to deel with me, see? Ennyway
+mebbe I was kinder cranky about it, and you kinder fibbd, so lets
+say we had a scrap and shake on it and let it go at that. Lots of
+the fellers hear have scraps with the girls, and last weak Dinky
+Odell who is Carl Odells yungist brother had one with Heloise
+because he hollerd, Heloise go wash your feet, the bord of helths
+across the street, at her and she cried, but he sent her a peach of
+a poim to make up, and hear it is, "If you dont like me enny more,
+then I shall inlist and go to war!" I guess Dinky is goin to be a
+poit al-rite. You no I mite go to war two, lots of the fellers hear
+are inlistin in forrin regimunts, theres Carl Odell who has joind
+the Canadian Royal Fling Corpse, and Hanky Jones is goin to drive a
+truck in France and I guess he will be some driver al-rite because
+he has druv the new automobile hearse fer too years now, and say he
+goes like the dickuns. Corse I aint sayin Im goin to inlist rite
+away but I got some ideas in mind and Im thinking of raisin a
+regiment of boy scouts or Red Indians, I guess the Red skins wood
+be the best, and say woodnt Kaiser Bill look chepe if he saw a
+bunch of Red Skins beatin it after him? I bet hed run to beat the
+band, and I bet theyd catch him, and if they did, goodnite fer
+Kaiser Bill. Say they woodnt do a thing to him exept mebbe scalp
+him or skin him alive, and woodnt he look chepe then? Red Skins is
+auful feerce when they get goin, and I dont rekon ennybody cood
+stop them once they got started. We had an auful scare last nite I
+had been suportin you all day by choppin wood and I was dead beet
+but all of a suddin I was woke up by dad and he was yellin Murder!
+Murder! and Amanda and Cecilia and Mother who had her hare in curl
+papers rushd in, and there was dad having a buly fite in bed, and
+he was punchin the pilo, and yellin Murder! Murder! and we was all
+scart to go neer him because he wood punch us like the pilo, so
+Mother took a pitcher of cold water and throo it in his face, and
+that woke him up and he was mad as time, and sed, what you tryin to
+do, drown me? And then he laft and told us his dreme and it was
+this way, Max Dinkelheim, the shoomaker was a German spy and he was
+trying to sell hot dogs with boms in them and no one new there was
+boms in them exept dad. And he sed, you dirty Fritz cut that out,
+and Max he grabd dad by the hare and dad he yankd Max by the ear,
+and they was havin a buly fite when out come five more germans and
+begun to paist dad on the head, and corse he coodnt manige the 6 of
+them so he was yelling Murder! Murder! And then he got the pitcher
+of water and that was all. I bet dad cood have lickd the stuffin
+out of Max Dinkelheim al-rite, and I bet we are goin to have war
+this weak and if we do, dad sez the Kaiser will find out he has bit
+off more than he can chew, and you had better make up with me
+because I think you are al-rite, and if we have war I mite be in a
+posishun to help you. Thank you fer burning that candle fer me, we
+have been burning some sulfur ones fer Heloise and Molly and they
+seem to be gettin along nicely. Dont fergit when you rite to say if
+you are not mad at me enny more.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. Hows your big brother been makin out?</p>
+
+<p>P.P.S. Thank you very much fer bustin that dog fer me. I have a
+pig with a hole in it and if I ern enuf money next weak I will send
+it to you.</p>
+
+<p>P.P.P.S. Who is that Mr. le Cure you talk so much about?</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt.</p>
+
+<p>April 16.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Monsieur James:</p>
+
+<p>When I go to school the week past I see the flag of Amerique
+floating well high! And all the world is content because you come
+to aid us terminate by a peace victorious this war so terrible, and
+be like one brother for the triumph of the Justice, and the
+Liberty, and the Humanity. That is what the mistress of school
+explicate to us, and we love and honor the Amerique like the great
+sister Republique, and then she tell us get up and learn chant the
+song of the Banner of Stars. Perhaps you have hear it? It begin:
+"<i>Oh, dites, voyez-vous aux lueurs du matin</i>" etc. The
+mistress write it all on the tables black,<a name=
+'FNanchor_14_14'></a><a href='#Footnote_14_14'><sup>[14]</sup></a>
+and we copy in lieu of the exercise of grammar, and it make us all
+joyful. But all that make me think so much of you, that I cannot
+empeche<a name='FNanchor_15_15'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_15_15'><sup>[15]</sup></a> myself even if you are no
+more my godfather, to pin the little flag American that you give
+me, on my heart, that save you from the death by the hoopincoff
+when I attach it to the candle of the Ste. Vierge. And then,
+pending the recreation of mid-day, I go home and the factor bring
+your letter! And when I return at school I effort myself so strong
+to read your letter, that I cannot make like it must<a name=
+'FNanchor_16_16'></a><a href='#Footnote_16_16'><sup>[16]</sup></a>
+my chart geographic. But I promise Isabelle Gaveau, the little girl
+of the merchant of shoes, that if she will to aid me, I will lend
+her my pretty handkerchief new, for go to church the morning of
+Easter. So we be all content and I have very much the time to
+reflect and respond at your letter.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Monsieur James, I comprehend that you want I continue be
+your dear godchild. I demand to Maman what I do, and she say: "Take
+the silver, and make no more infantile foolishness. Only one onion
+cost five sous now, and the life is very hard, but Amerique have
+the great heart to help us and give us the hand, and we work all
+the two for the Patrie." So, dear godfather, we be not mad at
+ourselves any more, and I promise I make no more the fib, and you
+make no more the cranky, is it not? I must to make many progress in
+American for when you come I reckon you come like the dickuns, like
+yellin thunder, with the skin'em alive Red-skins and the hot
+dogs!</p>
+
+<p>Dear benefactor, what is it the hot dogs? My great sister say it
+is a species of machine-gun American.</p>
+
+<p>It is very funny your Papa make the wicked dream! You have the
+very beautiful family. Me too. Great brother Jules is already the
+corporal and he is like the Chevalier Bayard without fear and
+without reproach. One day, he tell me, a great <i>&eacute;clat
+d'obus</i> take off his hat, and he pick it off the ground and say:
+"Ho Fritz! I wanted not be so polite and salute you!" And my great
+brother tell me many things important on the war. But I write them
+not, because the censure would scold me; perhaps put me in
+prison.</p>
+
+<p>Pending his permission of four days, he teach little Jean the
+chants of the regiment. Some are not for the little infants, Maman
+says, so he whistle them. But Jean love the military chants much
+more than the ones of latin he learn to sing in the church, and I
+hope he mix them not. Dear godfather, tomorrow is Easter and I am
+making an egg for you. It is a surprise so I tell you not what is
+in it.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>May 5, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Gee whiz but Kaiser Bill is in fer it! Gee whiz, you ot to see
+how Uncle Sam is fixin up fer him! Jo Kelly and Walter Daly and lot
+of the felers are going in fer aviashun and Bill Wilson's
+scout-master and organizin a crack bunch of boy scouts and we have
+a home Deefence and dad has got a uniform and a wooden gun and he
+sez it is a pretty good bunch of felers, but he cood do more with
+them if he was captin insted of mister Larkin, who is a good feler
+but a bum eaptin. I aint sayin much but I got a few idees and I
+woodnt let it sprize you if I was to invent something one of these
+days, but I cant tell you what it is becaus the censer wood cut it
+out. I got your egg and I thank you fer it, but say it got me in
+dutch al-right, it was this way, the postman brot the packidge just
+as I was going to school and I didn't have time to open it so I
+took it along and we was havin some speshul exercises fer a kernel
+Dudley who was to talk on, Do your bit to help win the war, and Bug
+Hadley was recitin the getysberg adress and I opened the packidge
+and their was your egg all smasht up. I guess them cardboard eggs
+aint very strong, or mebbe the censer didn't handel it gently,
+ennyhow it was smasht and the curl inside it was there alrite only
+it was kind of mixt up with the cream candy and I was unmixin them
+when Lily Graham who set beehind me whisperd to Erny Dinkelheim,
+who is Max Dinkelheims youngist son, Jimmy Jacksons girl in France
+has sent him a curl! and Erny started to laff and say, O you
+Curly&mdash;Curly Jackson! and I sed, You shut up! and he sed, O
+pooh-pooh&mdash;pooh-pooh&mdash;and I sed, Dont you pooh-pooh me!
+and he sed, Who will I pooh-pooh then? and I sed, Pooh-pooh the
+Kaiser, and he sed, The Kaiser wont let me pooh-pooh him and you
+leave him alone! And I sed, The Kaiser is bughouse, and Erny he
+made a grab at me and landed me one on the chin, and I paisted him
+one on the eye and Bug Hadley he stopt sayin the getysberg adress,
+and miss Davis she was jumpin up and down hollerin O boys, O boys,
+stop them, stop them! and kernel Dudley he hopt off the stand and
+pulld us apart, and miss Davis was fer puttin us on the platferm
+with our arms on each others shoulders, but the kernel sed, No, it
+is that other boys falt, send him home. So they sent Erny home and
+he was mad as time. Then the kernel give his talk and sed how the
+girls cood help by making the bandiges and how the boys cood find
+out who was fer the guvernment and who wasnt. I bet Erny and his
+father isnt, and I am going to keep my eye on them. Then we sang
+the french nashunal anthem and it is a fine him, and it goes this
+way in English: Ye sons of France awake to glory, the day of
+victory has come, your childrens wives, and sires horny, behold
+there tears&mdash;and thats as far as Ive lernt, we have got to
+lern all of it, and their is a buly part that goes, March on.
+Yesterday the fife and drum corpse plaid it and the Star Spangled
+Banner and some of the boys lafft becaus the fifes sort of sqweekt.
+I dont see how ennybody can laff when they play the Star Spangled
+Banner. Did you get my pig? I suported you this weak by polishin 10
+door handels at 7 cents each, some of them was already polisht but
+the folks was real nice about it and let me give them an extry
+polish. Say why dont you tell me who that Mr. le Cure is? I have
+askt you too times now, and say if I was you I woodnt say, come
+like the dickens or skin them alive or enny of that kind of talk.
+It is al-rite fer boys who are used to ruffin it, but it is not
+nice fer girls so if I was you I wood go easy on it, and hot dogs
+aint machine guns, they are sausidges that are made from those
+low-down german dogs that heve short legs, but say they test buly
+in a roll. The vilets and pollywogs have come and I wood send you
+some but I guess they wood dry up before you got them. Ennyway you
+neednt worry much about the war now that Uncle Sam is in it we will
+lick the stuffin out of him together, I mean out of Kaiser
+Bill.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. Bug Hadley sez it is lucky fer him Erny and I had that
+fite, because he had fergot what come after, and dedicatid to the
+proposishun.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>June 3, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Godfather:</p>
+
+<p>It is great damage that the pretty egg of Easter I sent you be
+smasht up! But I regret yet more that to receive my paquet make you
+dispute yourself in dutch, like you say, with the little villain in
+school. All the same I am content you landed him one in the eye (I
+comprehend not what you want say by that, but I am sure the little
+boche comprehend) and you are one valiant patriot.</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather, why say you the girls must go easy to learn the
+American? I effort myself to be instructed with the words in your
+letters the dictionary contains not but if they are nothing but for
+little boys I pray you to tell me the pretty words for the little
+girls. I am sure my dear godfather serves himself not of villain
+talk. Jean was put in penitence yesterday because he say one word
+that is for Poilus only, and Maman turn him against the wall in the
+corner with the hands behind; and do you know what he do when we
+regard him not? He lick the paper on the wall and make it to come
+off. So Maman give him the spank. Dear godfather, I am happy to
+make you a little pleasure in sending you my portrait. I think it
+is well succeeded and very resembling, and will you have the
+obligeance to envoy to me the one of you?</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather, I make to you a list of words American I
+comprehend not, and I hope you will have the obligeance to
+explicate them to me. What is, for example, gee whiz, felers, boy
+scouts, bum, home defence, kernel, getysberg adress, mebbe,
+pooh-pooh, bug-house, the dickens, pollywogs, and lick the stuffin
+out? I effort myself very strong to find them, but it is not worth
+the pain to search any longer in the dictionary.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>July 5, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>How are you? I dont see that their is enny fun in life enny
+more. I erned $1.56 pickin cheries off the Burtons black chery tree
+and I thot that wood make 70 cents fer you and I would spend the
+rest on fire crakers, well Toby that is the Burtons mastif that is
+always chened up, broke loose and I guess he remembered when Johnny
+Smith and me had swiped some cheries last yere when he was chened
+up, becaus he give one yip and come and set rite under that tree,
+and he set their and grinnd at me all afternoon, and bimeby their
+was a thunder shower and I had on my blew pants that was made from
+dads that had got too tite fer him, and I thot when it begin to
+rain Toby wood beat it, but he just set their and didnt move till
+bimeby mister Burton come along and yankt him away by the color.
+Well I had pickt the cheries al-rite but I was soked clear through
+and the color had come off my pants and on my legs. It is feerce to
+have blew legs. Well I thot I wood stop and boy a canon craker and
+a pistol and I wasnt going to fire them off before the 4th. but ole
+Max Dinkelheim was walking kind of slow in front of me and I thot I
+wood try the pistol just once to see if it workt, so I walkt a
+little faster and shot it off bingo and you shood have seen ole Max
+jump! He give one flop in the air and hollered, A bom! A bom! I
+guess he thot I was a submareen, and when he saw it was me beat it
+after me and we run all the way home, and Max he run rite into dad
+and sed, Where is that boy I will teech him to molest a peaceful
+citizen. And dad sed, What has he done? And he told him and sed, I
+am going to give him the best lickin of his life, and dad rolld up
+his sleeves and sed, Not till you lick me first! And Max kind of
+lookd at dad just like in the dream and I guess he was scart, so he
+sed, If you will promise to see he is punisht I will leve it to
+you, and dad sed, I promise, and Max left and dad he come up and
+was mad as ole get out, and he took my pistol and canon away and I
+had ruther he had give me a lickin because after too days you can
+set down and are al-rite again. We have just herd the Yanks have
+landid somewhere in France. Say, if you want to see a bunch of rele
+fiters you just go take a look at them, and you mite tell your
+brother Jules to take a look at them two as he might get some idees
+from them. I cant tell you what all those words mean, gee whiz is
+just gee whiz and a feler is a guy who is about 12 or 18, and a bum
+is a feler or something that is no good, and a pollywog is a animal
+that is going to be a frog, and pooh-pooh is pooh-pooh, and
+bughouse means you have rats in the upper story, and you had better
+find out about the getysberg adress and the boy scouts and mebbe
+and the dickens yourself but I wood go easy on them if I was you.
+What you want to go askin me all those things fer ennyway? I aint
+askin you what the vacancies, or all of a hit, or pending, of enny
+of those things are, am I? I got your photo and I like the way your
+hare curls and your eyes two and everythin, and I am glad you are
+not laffin. Girls that giggle are the limit. I have only one photo
+of myself and I look as if I wood dye grinning becaus the man that
+took it was jumpin up and down and sayin, Look hear! Look hear! Say
+wood you relly like to have it? I dont think you wood, I dont see
+what good I am ennyway. I am two young to inlist and I dont think
+you relly like me. I guess mebbe I had better go to sea or
+something.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. I went butterflying to-day and had good luck.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.</p>
+
+<p>August 2, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather:</p>
+
+<p>You know what it is the "cafard?" In the dictionary it say it is
+a "roach" and that is the little beast black like your pollywogs, I
+think. But in the Poilu talk it means not that. When there is no
+more fun in life, and I am not good for anything anyhow, like you
+say, that is what they call to have the "cafard." And it is very
+bad in the army. It is to have a bad morale and we must wind
+ourselves up.</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather, you must be content because I love you much. And
+you take so much pain and you labor so hard to entertain<a name=
+'FNanchor_17_17'></a><a href='#Footnote_17_17'><sup>[17]</sup></a>
+me, I want make you happy in your heart so you have no more the
+"cafard." Dear godfather, I will tell you the American Poilus have
+come. On Monday last we hear the music on the road and the mistress
+tell us this afternoon all the children must put on aprons clean,
+and we go to see pass the Americans. And Maman give me five sous
+for purchase a bouquet for give them in souvenir of my dear
+godfather, and the fleuriste give me two roses red and I envelope
+them in a paper wet for hold them fresh. And all the little girls
+march in rank like soldiers, two by two, on to the road where the
+Americans come. And the gendarmes march before us to make spread
+open the crowd so we come. And we stand in rank and it make a very
+long line and shake the flag American and wait. The sun was
+brilliant and very hot and after a very long moment, we hear the
+big music come around the corner, and all bodies were screaming:
+"Vive l'Amerique! Vive les Etats Unis! Hurrah Sammies!" and the
+gentlemen throw up their hats in air. And all of a hit we see the
+banner of stars coming down the street, and I look and all the
+little girls at a time kneel themselves on the sidewalk. And I make
+the sign of the cross, and the little girls at back of me laugh and
+mock at me, but the mistress say it is right; the sign of the cross
+is good for the flag too. And when the flag is pass we arise and
+say hurrah also, and one soldier American regard me with a smile.
+Then I take my courage with two hands and cast away the roses on
+him, and he catch and kiss me with his hand, and put the roses in
+his coat. His name is Teddy and I love him much. I know because he
+come see me, because I write my name (with two es) and adresse tied
+to the roses. My Maman was very much surprise when she see Monsieur
+Teddy come and ring to the door. He is very well elevated and very
+beautiful. He has buckled hairs<a name='FNanchor_18_18'></a><a
+href='#Footnote_18_18'><sup>[18]</sup></a> and a line on one side
+and his figure is razed.<a name='FNanchor_19_19'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_19_19'><sup>[19]</sup></a> His uniform is the color of
+the ground; it is not so much pretty as the French Poilus who are
+the color of the sky. And his hat is tied, like a bonnet of old
+woman, with a shoe-lace in the back. But I love him all of same. He
+take me on his knees and say: "Parlez vous fran&ccedil;ais" and he
+begin to recite the verb "avoir," because he know nothing more of
+French. And so I say I know very well the American and I talk at
+him and he laugh very strong. And he give me a piece of bonbon very
+droll. It is mint but it is like elastic; I eat a great number of
+pieces because I want not to offence him, and Teddy all of a hit
+become very much frightened: "What," he say, "You did swallow the
+chewing gum!" And I say: "Naturally I swallow the bonbon!" And
+Teddy say a bad English word and run away without his hat and he
+come back with a bottle of ipecac and I will not take because I
+know what it make do. And poor Teddy was very much desolated; he
+come every day to get of my news, and to-day he bring the bonbons
+French that we swallow. To-day he ask me will I be his little
+adopted girl the year next when you have finish with me and I say,
+"Mebbe I will." And he say, "Bully for you, you're a peach!" I make
+him write because it is the American and not in the dictionary.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Goodbye, dear godfather,</p>
+
+<p>Your affeckshunate godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Andree Leblanc.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. I am surprise you ask who is M. le Cur&eacute;. Only the
+pagans have not knowledge of him. Are you one pagan? I think you
+say that to make laugh. It is very bad to mock yourself of M. le
+Cur&eacute;.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>To Mr. James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Sir:</p>
+
+<p>Due to the great confusion and delay existing in the mails at
+the present time, we have not until now been able to repair our
+error concerning your godchild. We take pleasure in announcing that
+we are now in a position to supply you with a boy as formerly
+requested.</p>
+
+<p>As to the little girl, we can no doubt provide for her until
+other arrangements can be made. Elderly gentlemen, we find, are
+particularly fond of adopting little girls.</p>
+
+<p>Hoping you will pardon our delay, and inform us as soon as
+possible concerning your wishes in this matter, we beg to
+remain,</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Sincerely yours,</p>
+
+<p>The Junior Committee for The Fatherless Children of France.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Deer Miss Secretary,</p>
+
+<p>It is more than kind of you to bother about changing my girl
+into a boy, but it cant be done because I have changed my mind
+about it, but I thank you all the same. You see it is this way, at
+fust I wanted a boy and I was kinder sore after setting my heart on
+one to get a girl, but the girl you give me is diferent from most
+girls, she seams to have a lot of rele sense, and I have got kinder
+used to her, and, well I woodnt like to have her unprovided and
+waitin fer a old gentleman to adop her. Some old gentlemen are
+auful cranks. Old Sam Burton who is our naybor is the limit. He has
+had 5 wives and Mother sez Lord only nos what he has done with
+them, enneway we dont. And she has sort of been takin it ezy while
+I was suportin her and the change wood come hard to her, I mene my
+godchild not Sam Burton's wife. Ennyway the yere is most over and
+you no how folks talk. Fust thing I new they wood say, young
+Jackson's a fikle feller. Thot he'd adop a orfan and now hes swaped
+his girl fer a boy. You no how people will talk, so I guess I can
+stand my godchild fer this yere ennyway, and after that we shall
+see. Of corse I was simply sterilized when I lernt she was a girl,
+but even a girl is preferable to a boy that wore shawls and sed
+everything was prety and kist you with the botom of his heart. She
+has cut that out now, and I am gettin her in prety good shape.
+Explaning whats what to her and every thing. So I guess we can
+manige but I am obliged to you fer the asking.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Yours truly,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Sept. 5, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Your letter reeched me safely, and I was releeved to here the
+boys had got safely "over there." Of corse we have had some few
+notes, pertikerly from Hanky Jones you no the feller that drove the
+hearse I tole you about. Well he is drivin somewhere over the top
+in France, not a hearse but a truck, and oh boy, he sez the
+swellest funeral he ever drove fer cant hold a candel to drivin a
+truck with Fritz bulets bingin all round you and he sez, I received
+the kit you sent me and It is a great comfort (the kit is not a cat
+but a assortment of handkerchiefs and tooth brushes and everything
+a soldier gets and Mother sent him his and so he rote to thank her)
+an he sez if I go over the top with the best of luck and get enuf
+leave to come home I will give Myself the pleasure of calling on
+you, and showin you what a Greenville soldier looks like. My
+reciprocity shall never end. And he goes on tellin how french
+cookin agrees with him and the censer didnt cut that out, but he
+cut out the best part I guess. Ennyway the censer must have a soft
+spot fer you because he never cuts enny part of yours out. I guess
+ennyway you must be a pretty poplar girl you have so many frens,
+that think a lot of you, theres your brother Jules and that Mr. le
+Cure and that guy Teddy and me. I was sort of thinkin about you and
+me the other day and I rote a verse of poitry about us and here it
+is,</p>
+
+<br>
+<pre>
+<br>
+<span style='margin-left: 1em;'>REALIZATION</span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'>By James Prendergast Jackson, Jr.</span><br>
+
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>Im over here, and your "over there"</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>And I no not the shade of your eyes or your hare.</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>But this much I relize, from the land of the Free!</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>You are imbibed with mystery</i>!</span><br>
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+
+
+<p>I think that sums up the situation. I have supported you one
+yere and you dont no me, and I dont no you, and mebbe you will
+never mete me and mebbe I will never mete you, and while I am tryin
+to think how I can get over there along comes that feler Teddy and
+gets his eye on you and sez, Guess Ill have her for my godchild,
+and Bully fer you your a peach! and you fall fer it of corse, and I
+have to take a back seat. I guess that is life, but I tell you it
+is pretty tuf sometimes and a feler who is twelve yeres old has
+more trubbles than you think. But I guess if you want to be his
+godchild I wont stand between you. Mebbe you wood like a list of
+how I have suported you? Here is some of it, mindin chickins,
+selling Mirrors, choppin wood, frezin ice-cream fer Crankit &amp;
+sons, pickin cheries, money from Carl Odell fer keepin quiet,
+polishin door handels, a mud turtle to Sid Perkins, a jar of
+pollywogs to Sid Perkins, he wants to build an aquarium, and I
+washt the winders of missis Perkins big, white house one weak when
+I was hard up, but I dont think I shall ever be hard up again as
+mister Parker has ofered to take me on the Mirror staff whenever I
+like, as he sez I talk like a book agent. I wish I cood leve school
+and go into bizness or to war or something. I dont seem to get much
+out of school somehow. Miss Davis sez to mother, Mebbe your son has
+deefective eyes but she sez to me, You are a blockhed. I guess miss
+Davis is off the trolly or something, Dad sez she has Fritz blood
+because she is distently related to the Dinkelheims. I was sory to
+hear you had swallerd all that gum, but was glad to see you got
+away with it, that feler was the limit to give it to you, it is not
+a thing to give to a godchild. Fust thing you no when he is your
+godfather he will feed you a shoestring or something, and you will
+be two polite to say no and you will dye. I hate to think of you
+ending that way it dont seem rite somehow. Say what does he want to
+buckle his hare and line it up one side fer? He must think his hed
+is a race track. Gee whiz I hate to think of the Yanks comin runnin
+over there with felers like that among them. I have been in swimmin
+with Dinky Odell in old Frost Lake to-day and he stumpt me to
+swaller a skipper and sed I bet a quarter you will not, so I
+swallerd one and it didn't test ennything at all, only it kind of
+crawled up and down my throte fer awhile and o Boy! didnt he tickel
+though! The next time I swaller a skipper I shall chew him fust, if
+you dont they walk inside of you as if they was saying "where do we
+go from hear?" Say you were pretty smart about catching on about my
+jokin about Mr. le Cure. Corse I dont no him as well as you do,
+caus you no and I no he has lived on the other side more than hear,
+but I guess if we was to pass on the street, we wood no each other
+well enuf to say, Hello, old top, how are you to-day? Say, I have
+got your Christmas present all pickt out, do you no what I wish you
+wood give me fer mine? See if you can guess.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather as ever,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.</p>
+
+<p>September 21, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>My dear godfather:</p>
+
+<p>I thank you for your long letter, and I give it to Monsieur
+Teddy so he read and see how much you are genteel. He regard the
+letter and regard me and his figure become very droll, like he want
+laugh or cry very much and he dare not and must retain himself, and
+he demand if he can keep the letter in his pocket for tomorrow,
+because he desire to envoy you a response with mine. He is very
+amiable and charming, think you not? He come to my house all the
+days now and always he bring something. Sunday he bring a
+pat&eacute; like we eat on days of f&eacute;te before the war; and
+he remain for aid us eat it. And yesterday he bring a great ribbon
+all white for tie on my hairs. He say in Amerique all the little
+girls carry on the summit of the head a ribbon big like a hat. He
+want not I keep for the Sundays but he tie me up and then he say I
+am pretty&mdash;jolly he say, and he demand I show him to speak the
+French. So he commence to read my book of when I was little, the
+"Lectures Enfantines" and I make him say the little poetry that is
+on the page 3 and it say: "Cher petit oreiller," and then my great
+sister enter and she have on her bodice of Sundays and very much
+the powder of rice on the nose. And she say: "Go in the bed-chamber
+and amuse yourself, and I talk with this Monsieur Americain." And I
+want not to go, and I cry, but she say if I obey not she will tell
+Monsieur Teddy come back never again. She is a villain, my great
+sister. I will defend that she aid me to write my letters to you; I
+have not business of her. I have as much as her knowledge of the
+English, and the American also. And Monsieur Teddy love me, nothing
+but me. When he get up to go away he call: "Where is that child of
+the gods?" (He make that game of words because I have perhaps two
+godfathers) And I come, and he console me. Thursday last it was my
+birthday. Monsieur Teddy devined it because he ask me how much age
+I have and I say I will have twelve years the 18, and he say in
+Amerique it is always a great feast and I must to eat a cake very
+big with snow and ice on it and candles, and so he bring it. I was
+washing the vessels,<a name='FNanchor_20_20'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_20_20'><sup>[20]</sup></a> and he come in the kitchen
+and make many foolishness. He whip me (to make laugh) twelve times
+with a little stick so I grow very big all the year. And then he
+make me hide my eyes in my apron, and when I open them, I see the
+cake, big and white like&mdash;oh like I know not what&mdash;and
+the twelve candles pink were illuminated and there was my name with
+the two es writ in chocolate on the snow. And Monsieur Teddy bring
+also the cold cream; it is rose like the candles and perfumed with
+vanilla and strawberries. Oh dear godfather, I wanted you be here
+and have some! Only one time before when I was little I did eat the
+cold cream and never when it is the war did we eat cake. And it is
+good like to be in Paradise!</p>
+
+<p>But alas! Monsieur Teddy soon will go beat himself<a name=
+'FNanchor_21_21'></a><a href='#Footnote_21_21'><sup>[21]</sup></a>
+with the boches! It is terrible to think because he is so good and
+beautiful! I told you he have little wings white on him, because he
+go up in the air?</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Goodbye, dear godfather,</p>
+
+<p>Your affeckshunate godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>October 6, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>I am sending you this letter in anser to yours quick, becaus I
+think if you are not careful that Teddy will poison you with his
+eats. The gum was bad enuf and I was jokin when I sed what I did
+about the shoestring, but cross my heart and hope to dye, that
+feedin you cold cream is the wust I ever herd, and what makes me
+feel so bad is there is no one to warn you and he is stringin you
+on. Gee whiz, it makes me sick to think of it! I have not been able
+to eat fer two days, yesterday we had pancakes fer brekfast and I
+cood not eat enny and mother sed, I wonder what ales James? And dad
+sed, In the spring a yung mans fancy, and mother sed quick, It is
+not spring, Prendy, it is fall, and I think it is his stummick that
+is turned and dad sed, No it is his heart I have found his poitry,
+and mother sed, Well you may be rite but I shall give him a dose of
+caster oil, You no the oil of the caster, just like you had the oil
+of the codfish only this tests like sam scratch see? Well I had to
+swaller some and it was feerce and fer too cents I wood twist that
+teller Teddy's nose and stick my finger in his eye. Gee whiz, and
+he wares white wings dose he, and jumps up in the air. Some angel
+beleeve me, say mebbe he is a angel that has fallen from the sky?
+or a acrobat from Barnums? only I guess if he comes from Barnums he
+must be a freak al-rite. Ennyway until this yere ends you are my
+godchild and I am your godfather, and I forbid you to tuch enny
+more of that Teddys eats, understand? If you are hungry you just
+tell me, and I will send you the proper food; and it will not be
+gum, or cold-cream or candels ether, I can tell you. Why even Mr.
+le Cure wood no enuf not to give you enny of those things. That
+Teddy is not fit to have a godchild, and that is the hole story in
+a nutshell. I dunno just what I shall do if he rites to me. Mebbe I
+will anser and mebbe I wont. I guess I shall tell miss Betty about
+it. Have I ever tole you about her? She lives in the big house on
+the hill next to Sid Perkins and she has hare like, well like what
+you sed about Jean's, like gold and sunshine, and big blue eyes and
+the cutest little chin with a dimple rite in the middle, and when
+she smiles she makes me think of the ferry queens you read about in
+books. I guess miss Betty is the prettiest girl on earth al-rite.
+She was one of the folks what let me give there dorenobs a extra
+polish, and she nos all about you and now I have tole her about
+that Teddy, and she sez, I no just how you feel about him Jimmy. It
+is a grate comfort to have someone understand you if your family do
+not. And I askt her if she new enny poitry in french I cood send
+you by way of conversashun, and she sez, I remember just one, and
+here it is,</p>
+
+<br>
+<pre>
+<br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>"Je vous aime, je vous adore,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>Que voulez vous done encore?"</i></span><br>
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+
+
+<p>I thot that was kind of short but she sed if I sent this to you
+you mite send that feler Teddy packin, but I guess you wont. I dont
+no when I have had so much bad luck as I have had lately. Fust
+their was the hoopincoff, then my blew legs, then I lost my
+firecrakers, and now I guess I am going to lose you al-rite. I
+fergot to tell you their is a new preecher hear called Herbit
+Hoover and he is a minister of the gospel of the Clean Plate, and
+all us school boys have been distributin little papers about it,
+the idee is, if you do not beleeve in it you eat meat and wheat and
+everythin, and if you beleeve a little you have meatless days and
+eat rye and no wheat, and if you get the religion rele hard you
+lick your plate clean and eat pretty near nothing at all. Ennyway
+nobody must eat sugar. Dad sez it is becaus sugar has turned to
+dimonds, so we have sirup insted and it is pretty good, the
+pancakes I was tellin you about was made with that. Mother sez the
+sugar situashun is going to be rele bad. I hope their is some left
+fer my birthday which is near Thanksgiving day. Say, you and I come
+near bein twins do you no that? Just too weaks more and we wood
+have been born together, only I wood have been your twin over here
+and you wood have been my twin over there. Say woodnt that have
+been funny though! Stranger things have happined though. It does
+seem sort of strange to think those too weaks have made me your
+godfather and you my godchild insted of us bein twins. I tole
+mother about it and she sed she thot it was better the way it is. I
+have saved up 47 cents fer your Christmas present I am not going to
+tell you what I wish you wood do fer mine. I am going to see if you
+can guess it.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your ever affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.</p>
+
+<p>September 24, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>My dear godfather:</p>
+
+<p>I am afraid this letter can't be in my own style and handwriting
+this time, for Mr. Teddy is here and I have asked him to help me
+with my English, in exchange of my helping him with his French. My
+mind is troubled and I think he can express my thought, so he has
+taken the pen in hand, and I, sitting on a little stool at his
+feet, and gazing up at him, try to make him understand what is in
+my mind.</p>
+
+<p>But first of all Mr. Teddy wants to ask you to forgive him, if
+he seems to be "butting in" and spoiling the game between you and
+your godchild. Honor bright, he didn't mean to do it. It was fate.
+Just blind, mysterious, and merciless fate that decreed that things
+should happen as they did. Mr. Teddy may be a blessing in disguise,
+anyway he couldn't be helped, and he has no excuse to offer,
+except, perhaps, that he is alone in the world and homesick in a
+foreign land. He is sorry you and he can't fight a duel over the
+situation, but I am very glad. And Mr. Teddy wants to tell you,
+very seriously that he takes off his hat to any little fellow of
+your size who can do the plucky thing you have done, and keep it up
+so well. If grown up men all had more of your spirit, he says, the
+war would be over long ago.</p>
+
+<p>The object of this letter is as follows: I (your godchild) wish
+to make amends. I wrote you yesterday, and didn't answer your
+letter. Not a word did I say about it, except that I had received
+it, then I prattled away all about another would-be godfather for
+whom you, naturally, have no earthly use. And to-day my heart is
+filled with remorse and my head is filled with fears lest you
+should think your dear godchild is ungrateful, fickle, and flighty.
+I want to tell you how every detail of your life&mdash;from
+knob-polishing and bug-swallowing to poetry-writing is dear and
+precious to me. How I wish I could do the same! How I live in eager
+expectation of your letters; how I gloat and ponder over them when
+they come; and how deep is the gloom into which I am plunged when
+they do not come! Mr. Teddy knows all that, because I have somehow
+expressed it, and if I had striven to hide my thought he would have
+guessed it, for he knows full well what goes on in the hearts of
+little maids and gallant lads.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore have I asked him to voice my deepest feelings in a
+poem that will answer yours:</p>
+
+<br>
+<pre>
+<br>
+<span style='margin-left: 1em;'>"IDEALIZATION"</span><br>
+
+<span style='margin-left: 1em;'>By Andree Leblanc and</span><br>
+<span style='margin-left: 1em;'>Yankee Teddy.</span><br>
+
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'>"<i>Though our eyes may never meet,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>To me you're more than bread or meat,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>You are the proud and noble knight</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>That I pray for every night.</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>You could stand up on burning decks,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>While others ran to save their necks,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>You would not fear the dreadful Hun,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>In Freedom's cause you'd fire a gun.</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>A lad who never gets cold feet</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>Was not destined to know defeat,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>But oh! thou child of many pray'rs</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>Beware of Jealousy's deep snares!"</i></span><br>
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+ <br>
+<p>From your affectionate godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls</p>
+
+<p>Oct. 10, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>My dear Mr. Teddy,</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy has just brought me your letter, in great excitement, and
+I am taking the liberty of answering it myself, as I don't think he
+could do himself justice under the present circumstances. Mr.
+Teddy, did you ever have a soft spot for a little girl, when you
+were about eleven or twelve? I had one for a little boy; he was
+older than I, about fourteen; his name was Robert, and he had
+freckles; I think he squinted, too, and he teased all the girls a
+great deal. I am sure he was a very horrid little boy, as I look
+back, but at that time I thought he was wonderful, and it almost
+broke my heart when he said he had no use for little yellow-haired
+girls and took a girl with two brown pigtails to a big children's
+party, instead of me.</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy has a very soft spot for his godchild, and it is more than
+a passing fancy with him. You see, his family, while not actually
+poverty-stricken, are not as well off as they used to be, and Jimmy
+has practically supported Andree himself all the year, through
+countless little odd jobs. I have seen him on the coldest winter
+days, chopping wood or going from door to door asking to shovel
+snow, and his fingers were so red and frozen he could scarcely hold
+the shovel; yet he was always ready, with a smile, to do more work
+for his "kid in France." Andree is his godchild, his sister, his
+whole family to him; and he shoulders the responsibility of looking
+after her with all the seriousness of a little old man. Now, right
+in the middle of this flourishing state of affairs you come, with
+your big American pockets filled with elastic candy and bon-bons,
+and at a moment's notice you produce cold-cream, perfumed with
+strawberry and vanilla, and snow-covered cakes such as Jimmy can
+never hope to equal. What little girl would not turn fickle to her
+first love in the presence of such a display? At first Jimmy was
+filled with natural jealousy at your intrusion. He was all for
+going over there and giving you a piece of his mind; but since
+receiving your letter he has, almost incredibly, come to feel sorry
+for you because, as he says, "it must be pretty tuf to be all alone
+over there, and I guess he thinks my godchild is a peach, all
+right." And Jimmy is right; you must be so very very lonesome! And
+yet couldn't we manage to cheer you up a little without taking
+Jimmy's godchild away from him? I don't know of any little godchild
+I could give you in exchange, but I do know of a girl who lives
+with an invalid mother in a big white house on a hill, and who
+would only be too glad to have a soldier for a godson and send him
+little packages of cigarettes, and pictures of movie stars (of
+which she has a great collection) and&mdash;oh tell him about home
+and friends and people and everything.</p>
+
+<p>I am sending you this letter care of Andr&eacute;e Leblanc; if
+you would care for the arrangement I suggest, would you let me
+know?</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Sincerely yours,</p>
+
+<p>Elizabeth Winslow</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.</p>
+
+<p>November 2, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>My dear godfather:</p>
+
+<p>Jules has received a wound, and he is very joyful because it
+make him not to die; on the contrary it make him cited at the order
+of the day and decorated with the M&eacute;daille Militaire. He
+make two boches prisoners and catch them with one hand because the
+other had the very bad hurt. And then he fainted himself on the
+ground and the Cross Red pick him and conduct him at a great
+hospital in Paris. And Tuesday Maman and Marie go to see him and
+take him the lemonade. And yesterday Monsieur Teddy ask Maman the
+permission to take me to see him also and she say yes and we go. We
+ride in the tramway pending a long time and I give Monsieur Teddy a
+lesson of French, and he say nothing but, <i>oui, oui</i> and
+<i>chic alors&mdash;zut alors</i>! And all the travelers regard us
+and laugh and Monsieur Teddy laugh also. But when we arrive at the
+hospital he laugh not at all. He take my hand and I keep it very
+tight because I am frighten. It is very beautiful, the hospital.
+There is the great garden with trees and flat bands<a name=
+'FNanchor_22_22'></a><a href='#Footnote_22_22'><sup>[22]</sup></a>
+and the soldier sentinel at the door. Inside it is all white and
+dark, a little like the church, and it smell of pharmacy and nobody
+make a noise. A lady white conduct us up the stairs and open a
+door, and I see a great number of beds in lines with Poilus in
+them. When they see the uniform American some make the salute
+military and I feel myself very proud. Jules was so content he say
+it make his hurt to go away immediately. And Teddy sit on a chair
+and give cigarettes and try to make conversation with his hands.
+And I sit on the bed and make talk with two tongues and ten fingers
+also. And Teddy say he will come again see brother Jules all the
+Sundays and Thursdays and console him until he go to fly away. Very
+sure he is one angel, Mr. Teddy! And he go up in the heavens with
+the wings! Oh little foolish godfather! Understand you not he is
+one aviator? And you must not be in anger when he give me the good
+things to eat. Perhaps in Amerique the cold cream is bad, but in
+Paris it make you not sick, on the contrary. I show not your letter
+to Mr. Teddy because you say for two cents you twist his nose and
+his eyes and it is not very genteel, dear godfather. When you think
+wickedness the bon Dieu punish you. It is because you think
+wickedness of Mr. Teddy that you become sick and cannot to eat the
+pancakes, and must drink the oil of the caster.</p>
+
+<p>I am content that the Miss Betty understand you and you tell her
+all things, and she is like the ferry with the twisted hairs. Hairs
+like gold is very pretty for little boys like Jean, but on ladies
+it look like the sun have fade the color. Thank you for the poetry
+she make. But my great sister see it and she say to Maman: "These
+infants write great foolishness all the time. If it continues we
+must give Andree no more stamps of five sous. We will make the
+economy and send only a card postal all the three months when the
+Comit&eacute; Americain send the silver of the godfather."</p>
+
+<p>And I am very unhappy because Maman will not permit me to polish
+door-knobs like you and gain silver for the stamps of five sous.
+But little Jean come squeeze my neck and console me, and say he
+will work and become rich to purchase the stamps of five sous. Poor
+little! He know not what it is the life, but he is one brave little
+man, and I think he will resemble to you, dear godfather. Oh, I
+forget, in my other letter I write when Mr. Teddy come, to say I
+desire very much your portrait where you are grinning, like you
+say. I love much the grinning godfather. I will place you above my
+bed, under the branch of blessed box. My Papa is there also, and I
+embrace him all the nights, before I lie down.</p>
+
+<p>Dear little godfather, I am very recognizing<a name=
+'FNanchor_23_23'></a><a href='#Footnote_23_23'><sup>[23]</sup></a>
+that you guard 47 sous for my Christmas. Alas, I can never enough
+say thank you for all you do, and I can never render it to you! It
+make me full of sorry when I think that. With Maman I essay to
+guess what you want I do. I will make something with my proper
+hands, and Maman will aid. You will love a pair of slippers
+embroidered, or a shawl (I want say a scarf) or a bonnet of
+aviator? Tell me, I pray of you,</p>
+
+<p>I shake your hand affectuously.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls</p>
+
+<p>Nov. 18, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>How are you? I got that mister Teddy's letter, and I was goin to
+anser it but I dident no just what to say, so I gave it to miss
+Betty and she sed she wood anser it herself. And you needent worry
+about my twistin his nose and stikin my finger in his eye, because
+if you like him I will leave him alone fer your sake. I had quite a
+good birthday. Miss Betty found out when it was, and she gave me a
+bully party, but we had a feerce time gettin sugar. You no mister
+Hoover the new minister I was telling you about? Well he has got
+reel exited about sugar, and he has told the shopkeepers they must
+give only one pound to itch family, and miss Betty she wanted more
+than that to make my cake, because she sez it is hard enuf to cook
+with things but it is the limit to cook without them. And she
+dident no what to do until she had a brite idee. She sent Molly to
+Butler's store and she got some mapel seerop and mixt it all up
+with the sugar and a lot of other good stuff. And I had a bully
+cake. It was kinder soft to have candels on it, but miss Betty made
+it all herself and that is more than your Teddy did, and it was a
+bully cake just the same. And she let me ask Dinky Odell over to
+have some and we had hot chocolate and a fust rate time. I am sorry
+your sister dident like the poitry. Some peeple dont no a good
+thing when they see it. Carl Odell has writ to Amanda, and he sez,
+"I am writing this in the midst of falling shells and boms busting
+in air, but if ever I come out al-rite little girl I'll come back
+to you." Carl Odell must have been sent to the front pretty quick
+al-rite as he has only been gone too weaks, and he sez he has a lot
+of inside inflammation, but he is afraid the censer will cut it
+out.</p>
+
+<p>And now I come to the bizness part of this leter. Fer one yere
+now I have been your godfather and you have been my godchild, and
+we have hit it off pretty well I think, and now the yere is drawing
+to a close, and next month it may be all will be ended between us.
+Little girl, what I have been wishing you wood do fer Christmas is
+not a scarf, or slipper or ennything but this. Will you be my
+godchild fer a nuther yere? I guess mebbe you mite do better fer
+yourself and get a more classy godfather. I dont seem to be much
+good at school somehow, and I guess that missis Yanket was rite
+when she sed what she did about my spellin bein feerce. I guess
+mebbe you rite better than I do, and I no that mister Teddy dose
+becaus miss Betty saw his letter and she sed it was a fine letter.
+Somehow I guess Mr. le Cure and missis Yanket and all your frens
+rite and spell better than I do. But I bet I can polish dore
+handels and wash winders and sell Mirrors and suport you as well as
+enny Body. Mebbe I am cut out fer plane bizness. And so I say, if
+you think you like me, and wood like to keep on having me fer your
+godfather, say yes and I will be much obliged. But if you think you
+wood be hapier with Mr. Teddy, dear godchild why just say so and
+never mind about me. I guess I can live it down.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Paris, Dec. 4, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather,</p>
+
+<p>I say thousand times yes, and the bon Dieu give you benediction.
+Oh dear godfather, you did make the foolish when you believe I want
+veritably monsieur Teddy to me adopt! He is full of gracious
+goodness, Monsieur Teddy, but he is not like unto you. He did not
+the work, and he beat himself not with Red-Skins, to succour me and
+give comfort in the modest interior. Mr. Teddy very sure will be
+one hero in the war, but you are already one hero with heart more
+big. And my dear Papa, that did die for the Patrie, is well content
+to behold that. We are loving all the Amerique; but Maman and me
+say yesterday there is not in the world entire a boy so much
+remplished of sentiments delicate like my grinning godfather. (I
+call you like that because your photography is come; you are more
+beautiful than Mr. Teddy and it rejoice the heart to look upon
+you.)</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather I will tell you Mr. Teddy is departed to the
+front. He come one day, late, and he say not he go away the
+tomorrow; he only sit by the stove, and take Jean upon his knees
+and caress the hairs of gold; and he smile very nice but speak not
+much. And when he go, he tell me, very quiet, he have in his pocket
+one beautiful letter of the miss Betty. And she is his ferry
+godmother, and you are my ferry godfather and all things are
+al-rite, al-rite! You say all the time that word, you other
+Americans, al-rite, al-rite. Maman say it is because you have
+confidence in the bon Dieu, and you know that He will make the bad
+world all over like that: Al-rite, al-rite!</p>
+
+<p>Happy Year! dear little godfather. Permit, one time, that I
+embrace you very affectuously, and shake your hand.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild for the life,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Deer Miss Secretary:</p>
+
+<p>After some consideration I have decided to keep my orfan fer one
+more yere. Of course she is still a girl and I wanted a boy, but
+she is used to me and I am used to her, and it mite go hard with
+her if I left her fer some one else to adop, so if you will just
+put me down fer one more yere I will be much obliged to you.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Yours truly,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<h4>NOTES</h4>
+
+<br>
+<a name='Footnote_1_1'></a><a href='#FNanchor_1_1'>[1]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Silver <i>(argent)</i> money.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_2_2'></a><a href='#FNanchor_2_2'>[2]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Good-carrying (<i>bien portante</i>) healthy.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_3_3'></a><a href='#FNanchor_3_3'>[3]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Dactylographer (<i>typist</i>).</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_4_4'></a><a href='#FNanchor_4_4'>[4]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Indorse <i>(endosser)</i> to put on</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_5_5'></a><a href='#FNanchor_5_5'>[5]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Vacancies <i>(vacances)</i> vacations.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_6_6'></a><a href='#FNanchor_6_6'>[6]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Well elevated <i>(bien &eacute;lev&eacute;e</i>) well bred.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_7_7'></a><a href='#FNanchor_7_7'>[7]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Rested on the road (<i>rest&eacute; en route</i>) went
+astray.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_8_8'></a><a href='#FNanchor_8_8'>[8]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>It makes nothing (<i>cela ne fait rien</i>) it does not
+matter.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_9_9'></a><a href='#FNanchor_9_9'>[9]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>I have not business (<i>le n'ai pas besoin</i>) I do not
+need.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_10_10'></a><a href='#FNanchor_10_10'>[10]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Sleep on two ears (<i>dormir sur les deux oreilles</i>) to sleep
+like a top</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_11_11'></a><a href='#FNanchor_11_11'>[11]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>I guard (<i>je garde</i>) I keep.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_12_12'></a><a href='#FNanchor_12_12'>[12]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>All of a hit (<i>tout d'un coup</i>) suddenly.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_13_13'></a><a href='#FNanchor_13_13'>[13]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Melt in tears (<i>fondre en larmes</i>) burst into tears.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_14_14'></a><a href='#FNanchor_14_14'>[14]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Tables black (<i>tableaux noirs</i>) black boards.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_15_15'></a><a href='#FNanchor_15_15'>[15]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Empeche myself (<i>m'emp&ecirc;cher</i>) I cannot help.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_16_16'></a><a href='#FNanchor_16_16'>[16]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Like it must (<i>comme il faut</i>) nicely.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_17_17'></a><a href='#FNanchor_17_17'>[17]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>entertain (<i>entretenir</i>) to support.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_18_18'></a><a href='#FNanchor_18_18'>[18]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Buckled hairs (<i>cheveux boucl&eacute;s</i>) curly hair.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_19_19'></a><a href='#FNanchor_19_19'>[19]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>His figure is razed (<i>sa figure est ras&eacute;e</i>) his face
+is shaved.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_20_20'></a><a href='#FNanchor_20_20'>[20]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Washing the vessels (<i>laver la vaisselle</i>) washing the
+dishes.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_21_21'></a><a href='#FNanchor_21_21'>[21]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Beat himself (<i>se battre</i>) to fight.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_22_22'></a><a href='#FNanchor_22_22'>[22]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Flat bands <i>(plate-bandes)</i> flower beds.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_23_23'></a><a href='#FNanchor_23_23'>[23]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Recognizing <i>(reconnaissante)</i> grateful.</p>
+</div>
+<br>
+<br>
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13125 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6312041
--- /dev/null
+++ b/LICENSE.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements,
+metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be
+in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES.
+
+Procedures for determining public domain status are described in
+the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org.
+
+No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in
+jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize
+this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright
+status under the laws that apply to them.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77a8bb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #13125 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13125)
diff --git a/old/13125-8.txt b/old/13125-8.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..37426bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/13125-8.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2112 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Deer Godchild, by Marguerite Bernard and
+Edith Serrell
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Deer Godchild
+
+Author: Marguerite Bernard and Edith Serrell
+
+Release Date: August 6, 2004  [eBook #13125]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DEER GODCHILD***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Tamiko I. Camacho, and Project
+Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+DEER GODCHILD
+
+by
+
+MARGUERITE BERNARD and EDITH SERRELL
+
+Published for the Fatherless Children of France
+
+1919
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+DEDICATED
+
+TO OUR FRIEND
+
+LOUISE HURLBUT MASON
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+A young New-Yorker of twelve lately heard an appeal for the Fatherless
+Children of France, and his heart was touched. He had no money, but
+he resolved to give his spare time and his utmost energy to support a
+"kid in France." The French child needed ten cents worth of extra food
+each day, in order to grow up with strength and courage. The little
+American godfather earned those ten cents; he sold newspapers at the
+subway entrance, after school hours, and undertook an amazing variety
+of more or less lucrative odd jobs. Sometimes business was slow, and
+it was hard to keep up the game; but he did. He is still, in the true
+American expression "making good" for his deer godchild, and doing
+it with a broad and brotherly grin. He is James P. Jackson Jr. His
+letters to and from the kid in France are published just for fun--and
+yet in the hope of encouraging more "dear benefactors" to join our
+large family and help along, in the same spirit and with the same joy.
+
+EDITH SERRELL.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls,
+November 27, 1916.
+
+Deer miss Secretary
+
+How are you? It is al-rite about the french orfan and I wood like a
+boy between ten and twelve if it is the same to you. At fust dad sed
+I coodnt have him because there was plenty of rich godfathers who wood
+take him if I didn't, but mother told him of the apeel you made and
+that I was goin to raze the money myself, and he sed well I guess you
+are rite and if he can raze enuf money to raze a kid on he is well
+come to it, and she sed I guess that is the rite spirit. And so I am
+sending you 85cts. which is 70cts, fer the fust weak, and you can
+keep the change which is 15cts, fer the next weak, so I will only send
+55cts, fer the fust weak after that. The 85cts. is my birthday money
+which was on thanksgiving day and I guess the folks will be glad to
+give me work when they no I am suporting a kid in france.
+
+Hoping you are well and I am the same I will, close.
+
+Yours truly,
+James Prendergast Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I shood like his name to be Bill or Pete in french and not one of
+those girly names if it is the same to you.
+
+
+
+
+To Mr. James Prendergast Jackson Jr.
+Dear Sir:
+
+According to your instructions, we have assigned to you André Leblanc,
+aged 11, No. 18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris, as your godchild for one
+year. Thanking you for your interest in this worthy cause, we beg to
+remain
+
+Very truly yours,
+The Junior Committee for the Fatherless
+Children of France.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+Dec, 1st, 1916.
+
+Deer godchild
+
+How are you? I am very well and I have ganed 5 Ibs. in one weak which
+makes me 85 Ibs. which is thot very good in America. Have you had much
+snow? We have had it considerable hear which has spoylt the skating on
+Frost Lake which is beehind old Sam Bursars house who is our naybor.
+I am glad you have a short name, I had ruther be cald André than
+Nickulus, Cristuff or Jean-Marie, but I wood ruther you were cald Bill
+or Pete or Sniper, but you cant help being what they call you so never
+mind. I suported you this weak by selling 70 copies of the Greenville
+Mirror by hand. It is a good paper and shood be patronized. I wakt
+into Jim Parkers offis he is the editur and sed, Mister Parker, if you
+have a loose job and no man fer it I am the man you want, and he sed
+how old are you? and I sed 11. and he sed what you want a job fer? and
+I sed, O fer a kid I have in France and he sed since I was suportin
+you if I cood sell 70 copies of the Mirror he wood give me 35 cts.
+and Mother had give me 15 fer mindin the chikens when she went to
+Peeks-kill, so I new it would be al-rite, so I sed very well your on.
+So I took the mirrors and stood on the corner of School street, and
+bimeby the men begin to come home from the city, and some of them
+stopt to buy a Mirror and some did not, so I thot I wood make an
+appeel so I hollered, Buy a Mirror fer a kid in France, and waived it
+in there faces, and you shood have seen them buy! Enneway I guess the
+Mirror is a good ole paper, when all the men had come home I thot I
+wood take the papers to the folks that wernt on the street, like the
+schoolmaams and the sisters. Well most of them hot fine exept miss
+Leigh the Sunday school teacher, and she sed the Mirror was a low down
+politishuns sheet and I sed buy it fer Lily Blanche her help, and she
+sed what are you so ankshus to sell papers fer? And I sed how do you
+expect me to suport a kid in France if you peeple wont help out? and
+she sed the Lord will provide, but I told her I wood ruther do it
+myself; and she said I guess He's doin it threw you, so at last she
+forkt up, and I went home at 6 o'clock, but I tell you I had a prety
+tuf day. Say how is your mussel? Have you enny brothers and sisters? I
+have five, they are Amanda aged 16, Cecilia aged 10, Myra-Louise aged
+7, Molly aged 6, and Heloise aged 5. I come between the fust too. Dad
+wanted to call Heloise Omeega after Alfred and Omeega in the Bibel,
+but Mother sed that was foolish and I guess it was, cause there was no
+boy to be Alfred excep me, and I was alredy James, so he give it up.
+Sid Perkins is suportin a girl in France and hes auful rich, and
+dont have to work to keep her goin. Gee, Im glad your a boy, girls is
+al-rite in there line but I woodnt adop one fer love or money. Can
+you here the shootin from where you are? I have seen the new American
+submareen and it is a fine bus, I tell you if ever the Yankees come
+runnln over there you wont see Kaiser Bill fer dust. Do you like
+prisners base? What grade are you in? Well, hoping you are well and
+that some day we will meet somewhere in France, I will close.
+
+Your affecshunate godfather,
+James Prendergast Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. If ever we go to war, and I inlist and go to France I mite take
+you back to New York on firlow.
+
+
+
+
+16 Dec. 1916.
+Dear Benefactor,
+
+I thank you with the bottom of my heart for your kindness unto me.
+Maman and me have been so content to receive your letter and your
+donation generous! Your succour will sweeten the times difficult that
+we are traversing; and the silver[1] you send will permit me to eat of
+the meat and be forceful to aid maman she has so much of labor and of
+pain! I will tell you, dear benefactor, that I am not the most robust
+But I take the oil of liver of cod-fish all the days for make myself
+high and good-carrying.[2] Yes, dear benefactor, I will forget never
+what you do, and all the nights I make a prayer for you be happy in
+the life.
+
+I cannot to read your letter very well alone, because I know not
+sufficient the English. But I have one aunt, she is dead, she know
+very well the English, and she teach me of it and my great sister
+also; she is a dactylographer,[3] and she know the English very
+perfect, and she me aids so I do mistakes not at all. And I serve me
+of the dictionary also. Maman say your letters will make complete my
+education. But some words I comprehend not. What is, for example, the
+kid? I search and I see only it is the offspring of a goat. I am sure
+in the book is the mistake, for my dear godfather will not make the
+pain to me and my Maman in calling me the offspring of a goat.
+
+Dear godfather, I am also surprise that you be so much heavy. I have
+11 years like you, and I am only 39 kg heavy. But in Amerique, Maman
+tell me, all is big, big! It is droll, so big little boys. Sometimes
+I ask myself if you are veritably a little boy. Perhaps it is to
+make laugh you tell me you are one infant. Perhaps you are the old
+gentleman.
+
+Tell me dear godfather, what is it the Sunday-school? In Paris we
+go not to school the Sunday. We rise more lately, and we dress more
+pretty than the days of week, and for breakfast we eat the cacao in
+lieu of soup of potato left of last night. And we go to the grand mass
+with Maman. Little brother Jean is one infant of choir at the church.
+He do nothing but balance and smoke the incense, and be pretty like
+one angel; because his hairs are like the gold, and his eyes like
+the heaven when the sun make shine. All at the beginning he was not
+content because the smoking make him to sneeze, and he did cry, and
+he wanted not to indorse[4] the dress white, with lace; he say he
+resemble to a girl; and he believe all the world in the church was
+regarding him. But now he is habituated, and he become more sage. It
+is very necessary he become sage, because he is so devil. Yesterday,
+for example, Mr. le Curé give him a pretty card postal with the image
+of angels and tell him he must apply to resemble to them; and Jean
+responded, "no I want not to be the angel and have wings like one
+hen!" Mr. le Curé say it is Satan that commands the wicked words like
+that, and when he go to fall in temptation Jean must say, "Vade retro
+Satanas," and that make Satan go behind. And Jean say, "yes but then
+Satan go at my back and push hard, so I fall!" It is very sad little
+Jean be so much bad.
+
+I will tell you, dear benefactor, that I effort myself to work and be
+very sage so little brother take model on me. I go to catechism two
+times by week, and I am on the table of honor, and for Christmas Mr.
+le Curé give me a pretty shawl for hold my neck and shoulders warm
+when I go to school.
+
+For Christmas Jean put his shoes in the chimney for the little Jesus
+fill them like all the years. But Maman say to him: "This year the
+little Jesus carry nothing, because with all the sous in the world he
+want to get our big victory so the dirty boches kill no more our dear
+Papas."
+
+But, grace to you, the morning of Noël the shoes were all of same
+remplished. There was apples red and some chocolate and stockings with
+long legs. We make many of holes in our stockings and all the time
+there is no more cloth in places, so Maman cuts them down. So in the
+beginning they are long, then 1/2 long, then socks. It was socks all
+the winter, dear benefactor, but when your silver come, the legs come
+long again.
+
+In the after-dinner Noël we make a promenade in the woods of
+Boulognes. Now it is the vacancies[5] of Noël and I aid Maman, she
+make me some black aprons new for go to school, and I sit myself down
+on the side of her. She loves not that I play in the streets, because
+she desire that I be well elevated [6]. And it is much snow in Paris;
+it make so cold that I love not to go out.
+
+Dear benefactor, you demand what grade I am. I comprehend not. Only
+the officers have grade. Are you an officer? I think yes, because you
+talk so much the submareens, etc.
+
+I have nothing more to say at you, but Maman joins herself to me to
+pray you to agree, dear benefactor, the expression of our sentiments
+the most distinguished and respectuous.
+
+Your godchild,
+A. Leblanc.
+
+[1] Silver _(argent)_ money.
+[2] Good-carrying (_bien portante_) healthy.
+[3] Dactylographer (_typist_).
+[4] Indorse _(endosser)_ to put on.
+[5] Vacancies _(vacances)_ vacations.
+[6] Well elevated _(bien élevée_) well bred.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Jan. 2, '17.
+
+Deer Miss Secretary,
+
+There is something off about my godchild, you no the one you give me
+to suport, well dad rored when he saw the letter but I think he is a
+nut and mother sez he is two elevated fer me, so hoping you will get
+me a nuther one I will close hoping you are well.
+
+Yours truly,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I will rite just the same to this one till you get me a nuther
+one.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Jan. 2, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild
+
+How are you? I got your letter al-rite and what I wood like to no is
+what in thunder is that goat stuff you are drivin at? I didnt call you
+no names excep dere godchild and kid and you are both, and a godchild
+is a godchild and sometimes a kid is a goat and sometimes a goat is a
+kid and if you dont stop your kiddin you'll get my goat see? Mebbe you
+didn't mene to be fresh and if you didnt will call it square and say
+no more about it, ennyway I guess you use that bloomin dickshunary two
+much. Dickshunaries is like girls and is al-rite in there line, but
+I aint got much use fer them and you had best chuck yours out the
+window. I guess 85lbs. is a good ole wait but 39 is something feerce,
+why even Heloise aged 5 ways 45 and she dont eat enny of that codfish
+liver, and say what does it test like ennyway? I bet it tests like ole
+get out. I told Mother you wade only 39 and she sed, my goodness he
+must have tuberculosees, and dad sed, no, he has not had enuf meat,
+but I sed no but he is going to have some now I am suporting him. What
+do you think? I got enuf money to suport you fer too weaks, and if you
+will cross your heart not to tell because I promist I woodnt and you
+must do the same, I will tell you how it hapened, well it was this
+way, I was readin the Motor Boys Under the Sea beehind the portyares
+and its great, when in walk Carl Odell the young feller across the
+way and Amanda aged 16, and they set down and didnt say much and bimby
+Carl he takes Amandas hand and sez, Amanda you no how tis with me? and
+she sez, why no how is it Carl? and he sez I love you, and she sez to
+Carl, this is so suddin, and he sez, little girl will you be my wife?
+and she sez, o Carl I dunno, and he sez, I demand an answer yes or no,
+and she sez well I dunno but as I will, and he sed, sweatheart what
+day shall it be? And I stept out and sed, Hold on, dont go and make it
+Tuesday becaus Amandas promist to go fishin and dad wont let me go
+to Frost Lake without her, caus its 16 feet deep, and you should have
+seen them jump. They was scart plump out of there wits, and Amanda she
+sez, If he tells dad I shall dye, and Carl he grabd me by one ear and
+sed, Jim, I give you the choyce of keepin quiet and gettin $1.50 or
+squealin and being skinned alive, and I sed, Well I am suporting a
+kid, I mean a boy, in France so I will take the coin, so I crost my
+heart and sed hope to dye if I squeal and you must do the same, caus
+bimby if the Yanks come runnin over there you mite mete a frend of
+Carl Odells and hed tell a nuther frend, and bimby all the Yanks wood
+no it and it wood get back to Carl Odells ears. I bet that Jean is
+some brother, say hes al-rite, all excep his name, coodnt you make it
+Buster? Say what you want to go wearin a shawl fer, fust thing you
+no all the boys will call you girly, and I dont intend to have no
+godchild of mine cald that, no siree, not if I have to skin them alive
+fer it. I no its hard when things are give to you not to wear them,
+last yere the Sunday-school teacher give me a baby-blew tie and darn
+if I didn't have to wear it every Sunday till Lady Evelin Jack Burtons
+fathers best bull dog found it and et it. But you go eezy on that
+shawl. Never you mind about Sunday-school, just you be glad you dont
+have to go to it, though I dont no but goin to see that balancin stunt
+of Jeans is just as bad. And dont you be askin two many questions
+about me, mebbe Im an officer and mebbe Im not, and mebbe I no
+something about submareens and mebbe I don't but I woodnt let it
+sprize you if I come ridin in in one of those busses one of these
+days, and if I do and I like you I mite even take you back with me
+to New York, and then goodnite--you'll see some sites. Say whats that
+dope on sage? Hoping you are well and will rite to me soon I will now
+close hoping you are well.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I made Carl Odell give me the money rite off becaus he is a Red
+Indian fer cheatin. Did you get the Christmas presents I sent you?
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+4 Jan. 1917.
+
+Dear Godfather:
+
+The big paquet from Amerique come late but I receive it to-day and I
+thank you very much. You are very good to think so much of me and it
+is very pretty, dear benefactor, There is one glove only, and I am
+fearful that the other rested on the road[7]. But it makes nothing[8];
+I have not business[9] of two, because one is enough big for my two
+hands, and it is a muff very warm; but veritably, dear godfather, you
+are big like giants, in Amerique! The little cage is very commodious
+also, and very pretty. Jean believe it is a muzzle for dog, but no,
+I comprehend it Is for suspend on the ceiling for to make pretty the
+house, with plants green, climbing.
+
+Goobye, dear benefactor, I kiss you with the bottom of my heart
+
+Your godchild all devoted,
+A. Leblanc.
+
+[7] Rested on the road (_resté en route_) went astray.
+[8] It makes nothing (_cela ne fait rien_) it does not matter.
+[9] I have not business (_le n'ai pas besoin_) I do not need.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+
+Deer miss Secretary,
+
+Pleese you must do sumthing quick about my orphan he is awful. I sent
+a baseball glove and mask for Cristmas and he used them fer a muff
+and to hang plants in, and he wares a shawl and sits on the table of
+sumthing, and now he is kissing me with the bottom of his heart and
+that is the limit and he must cut it out because I wont stand fer
+that. Hoping you are well and you will answer soon in answer to my
+leter I will close.
+
+Yours truly,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris
+18 Jan, 1917.
+
+Dear Benefactor:
+
+I thank you for your pretty letter so interesting. My great sister
+Marie work very hard for to aid me read it, but it is very difficult
+to comprehend. It is because you talk the American and the dictionary
+talk only the English. I will try to learn the American if you will to
+me give the instructions. Dear godfather, you are not in anger against
+me? I make always attention to be polite and genteel, because already
+I love you from far. But Marie say there is the miss understand in
+our letters she cannot explicate. For three nights I sleep not well
+because I search to comprehend what is it that makes bad, then this
+morning I have it the idea brilliant; there is on the place des Clercs
+the dentist American. It is writ on his door, Dr. Yanket, and Maman go
+to sew on the dresses of Madame. She talk very well with two tongues,
+and Maman say she regard the letters then she laugh very strong.
+Then she say to Maman: "Console your infant, it may sleep on the two
+ears[10], because the godfather is one very genteel little boy." And
+then she write a little paper she desire me copy for you very careful.
+Here is it: "Jimmy, in Uncle Sam's name I am proud of you. You're the
+right sort keep it up and don't get cold feet. For that godchild of
+yours is very much all right, as you will very soon realize. But let
+me give you frankly just one piece of friendly advice; don't tell your
+kid to 'chuck the dictionary out of the window,' but rather get
+one yourself, and polish up your English. Your spelling and your
+vocabulary are, to use your own expression, 'something fierce;' how
+can you expect the poor little French child to understand your slang?"
+
+There; I have made copy, and again I understand not very well. But I
+am sure it go to make all arrange. And I know that you are one little
+boy; I am so content!
+
+Dear godfather, it is very droll the fashion you do to make silver
+in Amerique! But it is very dangerous, and never in Paris we do like
+that. I see in my book of images English how the terrible Red-skins
+scalp the enemy, "skin 'em alive," like you say, and I see the image
+of the chef. He have long hairs black, with plumes red and green;
+and chains brilliant suspended, and he carry in the middle one little
+apron of fur; and he have not knowledge of the bon Dieu. It is call:
+"trading with the Indians." Oh please, dear godfather, do not for me
+trading with the Indians! I will permit not that you risk to be skin
+alive. I make the promise like you say, and I make like you the sign
+of cross, but I hope not to die if I squeal; I cry not very often, but
+sometimes, and my poor Maman will be to much desolated if I die.
+
+Goodbye dear godfather; believe at my sentiments the more affectuous,
+
+Your godchild,
+A. Leblanc.
+
+[10] Sleep on two ears (_dormir sur les deux oreilles_)
+to sleep like a top.
+
+
+
+
+To Mr. James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+Dear Sir:
+
+I am much interested in the account of your correspondence with your
+French godchild, and I would advise you not to be discouraged if he
+does not seem, in every way, to be living up to your expectations. You
+must remember that these fatherless children have suffered more deeply
+and more courageously than you can possibly imagine. If his letters
+sound rather effeminate I hope you will in time realize that it is
+merely a difference of language and convention that gives you that
+impression. The French are a very affectionate and demonstrative
+people. You know that even their "Papa Joffre" kisses his brave
+soldiers on both cheeks when he decorates them.
+
+You are doing splendid work for a boy of your age, and I hope you will
+not let small prejudices get in your way. Remember you are unusually
+fortunate to have a child who can write in English.
+
+With my best wishes and congratulations, I remain cordially yours,
+
+Secretary for the Junior Committee
+of the Fatherless Children of France.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+Feb. 3, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild
+
+How are you? Say will you do me a faver and cut out kissin me with the
+bottom of your heart? If you think you ot to do it you can kiss me
+on both cheeks if that is the custim I guess I can stand it but I had
+ruther you did not kiss me at all if it is the same to you as we shake
+hands in America. Say that missis Yankit is some woman beleeve me and
+you had better keep away from her, fust thing you no she'll be trying
+to make me go to school every day and buy a dicshunary. What she no
+about the American languidge ennyway? what she have to come buttin
+in with her too tongues between us? You are my godchild and I am your
+godfather and if there is ennything you dont understand I am the one
+to explane, and you tell that Yankit woman she had better be helpin
+her husband with his teeth and let us alone, and to put that in her
+pipe and smoke it. I am glad you like the Cristmas presents I sent you
+and if you want to string the mask from the ceilin you are well come
+to it, but it is ment to keep your nose from gettin smasht when a
+hard ball comes bingin through the air. Say, that must be some stunt
+sleepin on both ears, I have slep on my stummick an on my back an on
+one ear, but not on both. Last nite we had welsh rabit fer super and
+I did not sleep enny way. It is a good thing I have that $1.50 Carl
+Odell give me becaus I do not feel al-rite and Mother wont let me go
+out to work, but I guess I will get out soon again so dont worry about
+my suportin you. Say, thats al-rite about the Red Indians--corse they
+aint as numrous as they was once but there still plentiful in parts
+but dont let that worry you cause I been brot up with them and no how
+to handle them. Red Skins is like snakes and is al-rite if you keep
+your eye on them. Course I woodnt advise you to medal with them, but I
+guess I can look out for myself. Say, how is Jean and has he done enny
+more stunts? I have a sister Molly aged 6 and she is going to rite
+plays and say she turns out some great stuff. Yesterday she dresst
+Cecilia, you no the one aged 7, as a queen and Molly she was the
+subjeck boughed before her and sed, Your majesty to-day unto you a
+child is born, and Cecilia, I mean the queen sed, Bring it in, and
+Molly the subjeck brot in Snookie the cat only it was the child then
+and it was all rigged up in Heloises close, and bimeby Heloise who was
+a wicked king come runnin in to kidnap the baby and she sed, no I mean
+he sed because she was a king, That is my child! and the subjeck sed,
+It is not! and the king sed, It is too! and the sujeck sez as cool
+as a cucumber, Your majesty you are a lyre! and then they had the
+darndest fite over that baby you ever saw. Fust the king hit the
+subjeck bingo in the eye then the subjeck he pincht the babys tail,
+you no Snookies, and bimeby Mother come runnin in and stuck them all
+in bed, but it was a buly fite. I feel auful queer so guess I will
+close hoping you are better than I feel
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. Do you like rabit? I hate it!
+
+P.S. Dont ferget to tell that Yanket woman to put what I told you in
+her pipe and smoke it.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt,
+Paris,
+18 Feb. 1917.
+
+Dear Godfather:
+
+How are you? I hope you are no more fatigued. Very sure I will send
+you the kiss cut out as you say if you prefer. And also I will shake
+your hand. I will do all things American and all things that make you
+pleasure. But, dear godfather, you demand that I tell to Madame Yanket
+to smoke the pipe and I like not to say that because she is one very
+great lady, very genteel. But Maman say that is only a fashion of talk
+American and I must not make attention to it.
+
+Yes, dear godfather, I like rabbit. When we live in the country we
+have two, one white and one black, and at the end of time we have 26!
+But not Welsh rabbits; French. They make not sick like yours.
+
+Dear benefactor, I will write you not very long this day, for my great
+brother Jules come tonight on permission of four days, and I am much
+occupied to aid Maman arrange all things clean and pretty. I will
+relate on him in my letter of the week next.
+
+I squeeze your hand, and envoy to you the kiss cut out with my heart.
+
+Your godchild.
+A. Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Feb, 5, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild
+
+How are you? It waznt the rabit it is the hoopincoff, I guess I am
+goin to dye al-rite.
+
+J.P.J.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt,
+Paris,
+Feb. 20, 1917.
+
+Dear Godfather:
+
+Your letter made me to cry. I will permit you not to die. When I
+get your letter I go and break my tire-lire. It is the little dog of
+porcelain with one hole in the stomach. Maman give it to me for my
+fete, the Ste. Andrée, and she give me two sous for put in the
+hole all the Sundays, and it come out nevermore until it break, you
+comprehend? I guard[11] the little dog under my pillow and it make bad
+in my heart to break it, but what will you? My dear godfather who is
+only one child like me, work strong like a man for make me happy and I
+would break not my tire-lire for to save him from the death? Oh yes, a
+thousand times yes! So I take it out in the court and open the stomach
+with one stone and I make to fall out 26 sous! And I go to the store
+of objects pious, and I demand one candle of 26 sous or two candles of
+13 sous, but the lady say 13 is a number of unhappiness so she give
+me one of 25 sous, and one sou of paper of lace of gold to put around.
+And I go quick to the church, and put up the candle to the Ste.
+Vierge, and she will see it from the sky, and she will see you also
+in Amerique and make you not to die, M. le Curé see the little flag
+American that you send me and that I attach to the candle-stick and he
+caress my head and say: "What for is it?" So I tell him and he say I
+am very genteel. But all of a hit[12] I melt in tears[13], because I
+know I am not genteel, dear godfather! I am very, very bad and wicked;
+I tell not the truth and I conduct not myself well unto you. Perhaps
+you will pardon me never! I go to confession and M. le Curé say for
+my penitence I must also confess to you that I am one little girl! Oh
+dear godfather, be not too much in anger! I am so sad! I comprehend
+not how it arrived, but when you write to me and say you love not the
+little girls I was afraid and responded nothing. Dear godfather, I
+will tell you that when I was little I pray often the bon Dieu make me
+one boy, because you know, for Him nothing is impossible. But He wish
+I remain a girl, and now I have cheated and He punish me very strong
+in make you so much fatigue you almost die. I cannot write more this
+day because I am too much sad. But if you die not please tell me soon
+because I am so much unquiet. I assure you I will nevermore be so
+villain.
+
+Your godchild repentant,
+
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+P.S. Maman say the Comité Americain put me like one boy. It is the two
+"e" that make one girl.
+
+P.P.S. I search what is the hoopincoff, but I find it not. Surely it
+is the very dangerous malady, but if you die, you go to Paradise; M.
+le Curé promise me.
+
+[11] I guard (_je garde_) I keep.
+[12] All of a hit (_tout d'un coup_) suddenly.
+[13] Melt in tears (_fondre en larmes_) burst into tears.
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Deer miss Secretary,
+
+The boy you give me is a girl What are you going to do about it?
+
+Yours respekfully,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+Dear Mr. Jackson
+
+In reply to your letter, we would state that the mistake was due to
+the handwriting of the child's mother, making the name appear to be
+spelt with one "e" instead of two, and thus making it a boy's name.
+
+We will endeavor, as soon as possible, to repair our error, as it was
+never our intention to deceive you.
+
+Very truly yours.
+Junior Committee of the Fatherless
+Children of France.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Deer Miss Secretary,
+
+I didnt say you were deceivin, I just want to tell you the boy you
+give me was a girl so you wood not make that mistake agen. It is the
+limit when you have told the fellers you had a boy, to go and get a
+girl, and when I shod the letter to dad he sed by jove youre in a fine
+posishun you are and I sed how is that, and he sed fust thing you no
+you will get yourself talkt about, ritin to a girl in France and that
+would be fine woodnt it?
+
+Respectfully yours,
+J.P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+March 7, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+I received your letter and I did not dye. Of corse you cant help
+bein a girl insted of a boy and thats al-rite because Heloise and
+Myra-Louise and Nelly the girl next dore and pretty nerely every body
+wood ruther be a boy than a girl, but you were the limit to fib about
+it and you have put me in a auful queer posishun, so no more fer this
+time.
+
+Your godfather,
+J.P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I will suport you just the same so do not worry.
+
+
+
+
+Paris,
+21 March 1917.
+
+Dear Mr. James,
+
+I have your letter, and I perceive that you are very much offensed.
+One time more I demand pardon; but I cannot be like you want, and by
+consequence I can never more call myself your dear godchild; if you
+love me not, and I am offensive, I have not business of you and your
+silver. Please give it to one unhappy little boy. It is worth better
+that I have hunger, it is worth better that I be made dead by the
+boches, than to be like one little mendicant. I demand to Maman if it
+is not true, and she say yes.
+
+I thank you for all the pain you did take for me and I forget never.
+When I become grand I will render to you all you pay for me.
+
+Goodbye monsieur James. Receive the expression of my best salutations,
+
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+April 2, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+Say what is the matter with you ennyway and why don't you want me to
+support you enny longer? I am your godfather and you are my godchild
+and it is a legal afare, dad sez, and if ennybody sez ennything about
+it they will have to deel with me, see? Ennyway mebbe I was kinder
+cranky about it, and you kinder fibbd, so lets say we had a scrap
+and shake on it and let it go at that. Lots of the fellers hear have
+scraps with the girls, and last weak Dinky Odell who is Carl Odells
+yungist brother had one with Heloise because he hollerd, Heloise go
+wash your feet, the bord of helths across the street, at her and she
+cried, but he sent her a peach of a poim to make up, and hear it is,
+"If you dont like me enny more, then I shall inlist and go to war!" I
+guess Dinky is goin to be a poit al-rite. You no I mite go to war two,
+lots of the fellers hear are inlistin in forrin regimunts, theres Carl
+Odell who has joind the Canadian Royal Fling Corpse, and Hanky Jones
+is goin to drive a truck in France and I guess he will be some driver
+al-rite because he has druv the new automobile hearse fer too years
+now, and say he goes like the dickuns. Corse I aint sayin Im goin
+to inlist rite away but I got some ideas in mind and Im thinking of
+raisin a regiment of boy scouts or Red Indians, I guess the Red skins
+wood be the best, and say woodnt Kaiser Bill look chepe if he saw
+a bunch of Red Skins beatin it after him? I bet hed run to beat the
+band, and I bet theyd catch him, and if they did, goodnite fer Kaiser
+Bill. Say they woodnt do a thing to him exept mebbe scalp him or skin
+him alive, and woodnt he look chepe then? Red Skins is auful feerce
+when they get goin, and I dont rekon ennybody cood stop them once they
+got started. We had an auful scare last nite I had been suportin you
+all day by choppin wood and I was dead beet but all of a suddin I
+was woke up by dad and he was yellin Murder! Murder! and Amanda and
+Cecilia and Mother who had her hare in curl papers rushd in, and there
+was dad having a buly fite in bed, and he was punchin the pilo, and
+yellin Murder! Murder! and we was all scart to go neer him because he
+wood punch us like the pilo, so Mother took a pitcher of cold water
+and throo it in his face, and that woke him up and he was mad as time,
+and sed, what you tryin to do, drown me? And then he laft and told
+us his dreme and it was this way, Max Dinkelheim, the shoomaker was a
+German spy and he was trying to sell hot dogs with boms in them and no
+one new there was boms in them exept dad. And he sed, you dirty Fritz
+cut that out, and Max he grabd dad by the hare and dad he yankd Max
+by the ear, and they was havin a buly fite when out come five more
+germans and begun to paist dad on the head, and corse he coodnt manige
+the 6 of them so he was yelling Murder! Murder! And then he got the
+pitcher of water and that was all. I bet dad cood have lickd the
+stuffin out of Max Dinkelheim al-rite, and I bet we are goin to have
+war this weak and if we do, dad sez the Kaiser will find out he has
+bit off more than he can chew, and you had better make up with me
+because I think you are al-rite, and if we have war I mite be in a
+posishun to help you. Thank you fer burning that candle fer me, we
+have been burning some sulfur ones fer Heloise and Molly and they seem
+to be gettin along nicely. Dont fergit when you rite to say if you are
+not mad at me enny more.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. Hows your big brother been makin out?
+
+P.P.S. Thank you very much fer bustin that dog fer me. I have a pig
+with a hole in it and if I ern enuf money next weak I will send it to
+you.
+
+P.P.P.S. Who is that Mr. le Cure you talk so much about?
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt.
+April 16.
+
+Dear Monsieur James:
+
+When I go to school the week past I see the flag of Amerique floating
+well high! And all the world is content because you come to aid us
+terminate by a peace victorious this war so terrible, and be like
+one brother for the triumph of the Justice, and the Liberty, and the
+Humanity. That is what the mistress of school explicate to us, and we
+love and honor the Amerique like the great sister Republique, and then
+she tell us get up and learn chant the song of the Banner of Stars.
+Perhaps you have hear it? It begin: "_Oh, dites, voyez-vous aux
+lueurs du matin_" etc. The mistress write it all on the tables
+black,[14] and we copy in lieu of the exercise of grammar, and it
+make us all joyful. But all that make me think so much of you, that I
+cannot empeche[15] myself even if you are no more my godfather, to pin
+the little flag American that you give me, on my heart, that save you
+from the death by the hoopincoff when I attach it to the candle of the
+Ste. Vierge. And then, pending the recreation of mid-day, I go home
+and the factor bring your letter! And when I return at school I effort
+myself so strong to read your letter, that I cannot make like it
+must[16] my chart geographic. But I promise Isabelle Gaveau, the
+little girl of the merchant of shoes, that if she will to aid me, I
+will lend her my pretty handkerchief new, for go to church the morning
+of Easter. So we be all content and I have very much the time to
+reflect and respond at your letter.
+
+Dear Monsieur James, I comprehend that you want I continue be your
+dear godchild. I demand to Maman what I do, and she say: "Take the
+silver, and make no more infantile foolishness. Only one onion cost
+five sous now, and the life is very hard, but Amerique have the great
+heart to help us and give us the hand, and we work all the two for the
+Patrie." So, dear godfather, we be not mad at ourselves any more, and
+I promise I make no more the fib, and you make no more the cranky, is
+it not? I must to make many progress in American for when you come
+I reckon you come like the dickuns, like yellin thunder, with the
+skin'em alive Red-skins and the hot dogs!
+
+Dear benefactor, what is it the hot dogs? My great sister say it is a
+species of machine-gun American.
+
+It is very funny your Papa make the wicked dream! You have the very
+beautiful family. Me too. Great brother Jules is already the corporal
+and he is like the Chevalier Bayard without fear and without reproach.
+One day, he tell me, a great _éclat d'obus_ take off his hat,
+and he pick it off the ground and say: "Ho Fritz! I wanted not be
+so polite and salute you!" And my great brother tell me many things
+important on the war. But I write them not, because the censure would
+scold me; perhaps put me in prison.
+
+Pending his permission of four days, he teach little Jean the chants
+of the regiment. Some are not for the little infants, Maman says, so
+he whistle them. But Jean love the military chants much more than the
+ones of latin he learn to sing in the church, and I hope he mix them
+not. Dear godfather, tomorrow is Easter and I am making an egg for
+you. It is a surprise so I tell you not what is in it.
+
+Your affeckshunate godchild,
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+[14] Tables black (_tableaux noirs_) black boards.
+[15] Empeche myself (_m'empêcher_) I cannot help.
+[16] Like it must (_comme il faut_) nicely.
+
+
+
+
+May 5, 1917.
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+Gee whiz but Kaiser Bill is in fer it! Gee whiz, you ot to see how
+Uncle Sam is fixin up fer him! Jo Kelly and Walter Daly and lot of the
+felers are going in fer aviashun and Bill Wilson's scout-master and
+organizin a crack bunch of boy scouts and we have a home Deefence and
+dad has got a uniform and a wooden gun and he sez it is a pretty good
+bunch of felers, but he cood do more with them if he was captin insted
+of mister Larkin, who is a good feler but a bum eaptin. I aint sayin
+much but I got a few idees and I woodnt let it sprize you if I was
+to invent something one of these days, but I cant tell you what it is
+becaus the censer wood cut it out. I got your egg and I thank you fer
+it, but say it got me in dutch al-right, it was this way, the postman
+brot the packidge just as I was going to school and I didn't have time
+to open it so I took it along and we was havin some speshul exercises
+fer a kernel Dudley who was to talk on, Do your bit to help win the
+war, and Bug Hadley was recitin the getysberg adress and I opened the
+packidge and their was your egg all smasht up. I guess them cardboard
+eggs aint very strong, or mebbe the censer didn't handel it gently,
+ennyhow it was smasht and the curl inside it was there alrite only it
+was kind of mixt up with the cream candy and I was unmixin them when
+Lily Graham who set beehind me whisperd to Erny Dinkelheim, who is Max
+Dinkelheims youngist son, Jimmy Jacksons girl in France has sent him
+a curl! and Erny started to laff and say, O you Curly--Curly Jackson!
+and I sed, You shut up! and he sed, O pooh-pooh--pooh-pooh--and I sed,
+Dont you pooh-pooh me! and he sed, Who will I pooh-pooh then? and
+I sed, Pooh-pooh the Kaiser, and he sed, The Kaiser wont let me
+pooh-pooh him and you leave him alone! And I sed, The Kaiser is
+bughouse, and Erny he made a grab at me and landed me one on the chin,
+and I paisted him one on the eye and Bug Hadley he stopt sayin the
+getysberg adress, and miss Davis she was jumpin up and down hollerin O
+boys, O boys, stop them, stop them! and kernel Dudley he hopt off
+the stand and pulld us apart, and miss Davis was fer puttin us on the
+platferm with our arms on each others shoulders, but the kernel sed,
+No, it is that other boys falt, send him home. So they sent Erny home
+and he was mad as time. Then the kernel give his talk and sed how the
+girls cood help by making the bandiges and how the boys cood find out
+who was fer the guvernment and who wasnt. I bet Erny and his father
+isnt, and I am going to keep my eye on them. Then we sang the french
+nashunal anthem and it is a fine him, and it goes this way in English:
+Ye sons of France awake to glory, the day of victory has come, your
+childrens wives, and sires horny, behold there tears--and thats as far
+as Ive lernt, we have got to lern all of it, and their is a buly part
+that goes, March on. Yesterday the fife and drum corpse plaid it and
+the Star Spangled Banner and some of the boys lafft becaus the fifes
+sort of sqweekt. I dont see how ennybody can laff when they play the
+Star Spangled Banner. Did you get my pig? I suported you this weak
+by polishin 10 door handels at 7 cents each, some of them was already
+polisht but the folks was real nice about it and let me give them an
+extry polish. Say why dont you tell me who that Mr. le Cure is? I have
+askt you too times now, and say if I was you I woodnt say, come like
+the dickens or skin them alive or enny of that kind of talk. It is
+al-rite fer boys who are used to ruffin it, but it is not nice fer
+girls so if I was you I wood go easy on it, and hot dogs aint machine
+guns, they are sausidges that are made from those low-down german dogs
+that heve short legs, but say they test buly in a roll. The vilets and
+pollywogs have come and I wood send you some but I guess they wood dry
+up before you got them. Ennyway you neednt worry much about the
+war now that Uncle Sam is in it we will lick the stuffin out of him
+together, I mean out of Kaiser Bill.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. Bug Hadley sez it is lucky fer him Erny and I had that
+fite, because he had fergot what come after, and dedicatid to the
+proposishun.
+
+
+
+
+June 3, 1917.
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+
+Dear Godfather:
+
+It is great damage that the pretty egg of Easter I sent you be smasht
+up! But I regret yet more that to receive my paquet make you dispute
+yourself in dutch, like you say, with the little villain in school.
+All the same I am content you landed him one in the eye (I comprehend
+not what you want say by that, but I am sure the little boche
+comprehend) and you are one valiant patriot.
+
+Dear godfather, why say you the girls must go easy to learn the
+American? I effort myself to be instructed with the words in your
+letters the dictionary contains not but if they are nothing but for
+little boys I pray you to tell me the pretty words for the little
+girls. I am sure my dear godfather serves himself not of villain talk.
+Jean was put in penitence yesterday because he say one word that is
+for Poilus only, and Maman turn him against the wall in the corner
+with the hands behind; and do you know what he do when we regard him
+not? He lick the paper on the wall and make it to come off. So Maman
+give him the spank. Dear godfather, I am happy to make you a little
+pleasure in sending you my portrait. I think it is well succeeded and
+very resembling, and will you have the obligeance to envoy to me the
+one of you?
+
+Dear godfather, I make to you a list of words American I comprehend
+not, and I hope you will have the obligeance to explicate them to me.
+What is, for example, gee whiz, felers, boy scouts, bum, home defence,
+kernel, getysberg adress, mebbe, pooh-pooh, bug-house, the dickens,
+pollywogs, and lick the stuffin out? I effort myself very strong to
+find them, but it is not worth the pain to search any longer in the
+dictionary.
+
+Your affeckshunate godchild,
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+July 5, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+How are you? I dont see that their is enny fun in life enny more. I
+erned $1.56 pickin cheries off the Burtons black chery tree and I thot
+that wood make 70 cents fer you and I would spend the rest on fire
+crakers, well Toby that is the Burtons mastif that is always chened
+up, broke loose and I guess he remembered when Johnny Smith and me had
+swiped some cheries last yere when he was chened up, becaus he give
+one yip and come and set rite under that tree, and he set their and
+grinnd at me all afternoon, and bimeby their was a thunder shower and
+I had on my blew pants that was made from dads that had got too tite
+fer him, and I thot when it begin to rain Toby wood beat it, but he
+just set their and didnt move till bimeby mister Burton come along and
+yankt him away by the color. Well I had pickt the cheries al-rite but
+I was soked clear through and the color had come off my pants and on
+my legs. It is feerce to have blew legs. Well I thot I wood stop and
+boy a canon craker and a pistol and I wasnt going to fire them off
+before the 4th. but ole Max Dinkelheim was walking kind of slow in
+front of me and I thot I wood try the pistol just once to see if it
+workt, so I walkt a little faster and shot it off bingo and you shood
+have seen ole Max jump! He give one flop in the air and hollered, A
+bom! A bom! I guess he thot I was a submareen, and when he saw it was
+me beat it after me and we run all the way home, and Max he run rite
+into dad and sed, Where is that boy I will teech him to molest a
+peaceful citizen. And dad sed, What has he done? And he told him and
+sed, I am going to give him the best lickin of his life, and dad rolld
+up his sleeves and sed, Not till you lick me first! And Max kind of
+lookd at dad just like in the dream and I guess he was scart, so he
+sed, If you will promise to see he is punisht I will leve it to you,
+and dad sed, I promise, and Max left and dad he come up and was mad as
+ole get out, and he took my pistol and canon away and I had ruther he
+had give me a lickin because after too days you can set down and are
+al-rite again. We have just herd the Yanks have landid somewhere in
+France. Say, if you want to see a bunch of rele fiters you just go
+take a look at them, and you mite tell your brother Jules to take a
+look at them two as he might get some idees from them. I cant tell you
+what all those words mean, gee whiz is just gee whiz and a feler is a
+guy who is about 12 or 18, and a bum is a feler or something that is
+no good, and a pollywog is a animal that is going to be a frog, and
+pooh-pooh is pooh-pooh, and bughouse means you have rats in the upper
+story, and you had better find out about the getysberg adress and the
+boy scouts and mebbe and the dickens yourself but I wood go easy on
+them if I was you. What you want to go askin me all those things fer
+ennyway? I aint askin you what the vacancies, or all of a hit, or
+pending, of enny of those things are, am I? I got your photo and I
+like the way your hare curls and your eyes two and everythin, and I am
+glad you are not laffin. Girls that giggle are the limit. I have only
+one photo of myself and I look as if I wood dye grinning becaus the
+man that took it was jumpin up and down and sayin, Look hear! Look
+hear! Say wood you relly like to have it? I dont think you wood, I
+dont see what good I am ennyway. I am two young to inlist and I dont
+think you relly like me. I guess mebbe I had better go to sea or
+something.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I went butterflying to-day and had good luck.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+August 2, 1917.
+
+Dear godfather:
+
+You know what it is the "cafard?" In the dictionary it say it is a
+"roach" and that is the little beast black like your pollywogs, I
+think. But in the Poilu talk it means not that. When there is no more
+fun in life, and I am not good for anything anyhow, like you say,
+that is what they call to have the "cafard." And it is very bad in the
+army. It is to have a bad morale and we must wind ourselves up.
+
+Dear godfather, you must be content because I love you much. And you
+take so much pain and you labor so hard to entertain[17] me, I want
+make you happy in your heart so you have no more the "cafard." Dear
+godfather, I will tell you the American Poilus have come. On Monday
+last we hear the music on the road and the mistress tell us this
+afternoon all the children must put on aprons clean, and we go to see
+pass the Americans. And Maman give me five sous for purchase a bouquet
+for give them in souvenir of my dear godfather, and the fleuriste
+give me two roses red and I envelope them in a paper wet for hold them
+fresh. And all the little girls march in rank like soldiers, two by
+two, on to the road where the Americans come. And the gendarmes march
+before us to make spread open the crowd so we come. And we stand in
+rank and it make a very long line and shake the flag American and
+wait. The sun was brilliant and very hot and after a very long moment,
+we hear the big music come around the corner, and all bodies were
+screaming: "Vive l'Amerique! Vive les Etats Unis! Hurrah Sammies!" and
+the gentlemen throw up their hats in air. And all of a hit we see the
+banner of stars coming down the street, and I look and all the little
+girls at a time kneel themselves on the sidewalk. And I make the sign
+of the cross, and the little girls at back of me laugh and mock at me,
+but the mistress say it is right; the sign of the cross is good for
+the flag too. And when the flag is pass we arise and say hurrah
+also, and one soldier American regard me with a smile. Then I take my
+courage with two hands and cast away the roses on him, and he catch
+and kiss me with his hand, and put the roses in his coat. His name is
+Teddy and I love him much. I know because he come see me, because I
+write my name (with two es) and adresse tied to the roses. My Maman
+was very much surprise when she see Monsieur Teddy come and ring to
+the door. He is very well elevated and very beautiful. He has buckled
+hairs[18] and a line on one side and his figure is razed.[19] His
+uniform is the color of the ground; it is not so much pretty as the
+French Poilus who are the color of the sky. And his hat is tied, like
+a bonnet of old woman, with a shoe-lace in the back. But I love him
+all of same. He take me on his knees and say: "Parlez vous français"
+and he begin to recite the verb "avoir," because he know nothing more
+of French. And so I say I know very well the American and I talk at
+him and he laugh very strong. And he give me a piece of bonbon very
+droll. It is mint but it is like elastic; I eat a great number of
+pieces because I want not to offence him, and Teddy all of a hit
+become very much frightened: "What," he say, "You did swallow the
+chewing gum!" And I say: "Naturally I swallow the bonbon!" And Teddy
+say a bad English word and run away without his hat and he come back
+with a bottle of ipecac and I will not take because I know what it
+make do. And poor Teddy was very much desolated; he come every day
+to get of my news, and to-day he bring the bonbons French that we
+swallow. To-day he ask me will I be his little adopted girl the year
+next when you have finish with me and I say, "Mebbe I will." And he
+say, "Bully for you, you're a peach!" I make him write because it is
+the American and not in the dictionary.
+
+Goodbye, dear godfather,
+Your affeckshunate godchild,
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+P.S. I am surprise you ask who is M. le Curé. Only the pagans have
+not knowledge of him. Are you one pagan? I think you say that to make
+laugh. It is very bad to mock yourself of M. le Curé.
+
+[17] entertain (_entretenir_) to support.
+[18] Buckled hairs (_cheveux bouclés_) curly hair.
+[19] His figure is razed (_sa figure est rasée_) his face is shaved.
+
+
+
+
+To Mr. James P. Jackson Jr.
+Dear Sir:
+
+Due to the great confusion and delay existing in the mails at the
+present time, we have not until now been able to repair our error
+concerning your godchild. We take pleasure in announcing that we are
+now in a position to supply you with a boy as formerly requested.
+
+As to the little girl, we can no doubt provide for her until other
+arrangements can be made. Elderly gentlemen, we find, are particularly
+fond of adopting little girls.
+
+Hoping you will pardon our delay, and inform us as soon as possible
+concerning your wishes in this matter, we beg to remain,
+
+Sincerely yours,
+The Junior Committee for The
+Fatherless Children of France.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+Deer Miss Secretary,
+
+It is more than kind of you to bother about changing my girl into a
+boy, but it cant be done because I have changed my mind about it, but
+I thank you all the same. You see it is this way, at fust I wanted a
+boy and I was kinder sore after setting my heart on one to get a girl,
+but the girl you give me is diferent from most girls, she seams to
+have a lot of rele sense, and I have got kinder used to her, and, well
+I woodnt like to have her unprovided and waitin fer a old gentleman to
+adop her. Some old gentlemen are auful cranks. Old Sam Burton who is
+our naybor is the limit. He has had 5 wives and Mother sez Lord only
+nos what he has done with them, enneway we dont. And she has sort of
+been takin it ezy while I was suportin her and the change wood come
+hard to her, I mene my godchild not Sam Burton's wife. Ennyway the
+yere is most over and you no how folks talk. Fust thing I new they
+wood say, young Jackson's a fikle feller. Thot he'd adop a orfan and
+now hes swaped his girl fer a boy. You no how people will talk, so I
+guess I can stand my godchild fer this yere ennyway, and after that
+we shall see. Of corse I was simply sterilized when I lernt she was a
+girl, but even a girl is preferable to a boy that wore shawls and sed
+everything was prety and kist you with the botom of his heart. She has
+cut that out now, and I am gettin her in prety good shape. Explaning
+whats what to her and every thing. So I guess we can manige but I am
+obliged to you fer the asking.
+
+Yours truly,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+Sept. 5, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+Your letter reeched me safely, and I was releeved to here the boys
+had got safely "over there." Of corse we have had some few notes,
+pertikerly from Hanky Jones you no the feller that drove the hearse
+I tole you about. Well he is drivin somewhere over the top in France,
+not a hearse but a truck, and oh boy, he sez the swellest funeral he
+ever drove fer cant hold a candel to drivin a truck with Fritz bulets
+bingin all round you and he sez, I received the kit you sent me and
+It is a great comfort (the kit is not a cat but a assortment of
+handkerchiefs and tooth brushes and everything a soldier gets and
+Mother sent him his and so he rote to thank her) an he sez if I go
+over the top with the best of luck and get enuf leave to come home I
+will give Myself the pleasure of calling on you, and showin you what a
+Greenville soldier looks like. My reciprocity shall never end. And he
+goes on tellin how french cookin agrees with him and the censer didnt
+cut that out, but he cut out the best part I guess. Ennyway the censer
+must have a soft spot fer you because he never cuts enny part of yours
+out. I guess ennyway you must be a pretty poplar girl you have so many
+frens, that think a lot of you, theres your brother Jules and that Mr.
+le Cure and that guy Teddy and me. I was sort of thinkin about you and
+me the other day and I rote a verse of poitry about us and here it is,
+
+
+  REALIZATION
+  By James Prendergast Jackson, Jr.
+
+  _Im over here, and your "over there"
+  And I no not the shade of your eyes or your hare.
+  But this much I relize, from the land of the Free!
+  You are imbibed with mystery_!
+
+
+I think that sums up the situation. I have supported you one yere and
+you dont no me, and I dont no you, and mebbe you will never mete me
+and mebbe I will never mete you, and while I am tryin to think how I
+can get over there along comes that feler Teddy and gets his eye on
+you and sez, Guess Ill have her for my godchild, and Bully fer you
+your a peach! and you fall fer it of corse, and I have to take a back
+seat. I guess that is life, but I tell you it is pretty tuf sometimes
+and a feler who is twelve yeres old has more trubbles than you think.
+But I guess if you want to be his godchild I wont stand between you.
+Mebbe you wood like a list of how I have suported you? Here is some of
+it, mindin chickins, selling Mirrors, choppin wood, frezin ice-cream
+fer Crankit & sons, pickin cheries, money from Carl Odell fer keepin
+quiet, polishin door handels, a mud turtle to Sid Perkins, a jar of
+pollywogs to Sid Perkins, he wants to build an aquarium, and I washt
+the winders of missis Perkins big, white house one weak when I was
+hard up, but I dont think I shall ever be hard up again as mister
+Parker has ofered to take me on the Mirror staff whenever I like, as
+he sez I talk like a book agent. I wish I cood leve school and go into
+bizness or to war or something. I dont seem to get much out of school
+somehow. Miss Davis sez to mother, Mebbe your son has deefective eyes
+but she sez to me, You are a blockhed. I guess miss Davis is off
+the trolly or something, Dad sez she has Fritz blood because she
+is distently related to the Dinkelheims. I was sory to hear you had
+swallerd all that gum, but was glad to see you got away with it, that
+feler was the limit to give it to you, it is not a thing to give to a
+godchild. Fust thing you no when he is your godfather he will feed you
+a shoestring or something, and you will be two polite to say no and
+you will dye. I hate to think of you ending that way it dont seem rite
+somehow. Say what does he want to buckle his hare and line it up one
+side fer? He must think his hed is a race track. Gee whiz I hate to
+think of the Yanks comin runnin over there with felers like that among
+them. I have been in swimmin with Dinky Odell in old Frost Lake to-day
+and he stumpt me to swaller a skipper and sed I bet a quarter you will
+not, so I swallerd one and it didn't test ennything at all, only it
+kind of crawled up and down my throte fer awhile and o Boy! didnt
+he tickel though! The next time I swaller a skipper I shall chew him
+fust, if you dont they walk inside of you as if they was saying "where
+do we go from hear?" Say you were pretty smart about catching on about
+my jokin about Mr. le Cure. Corse I dont no him as well as you do,
+caus you no and I no he has lived on the other side more than hear,
+but I guess if we was to pass on the street, we wood no each other
+well enuf to say, Hello, old top, how are you to-day? Say, I have got
+your Christmas present all pickt out, do you no what I wish you wood
+give me fer mine? See if you can guess.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather as ever,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+September 21, 1917.
+
+My dear godfather:
+
+I thank you for your long letter, and I give it to Monsieur Teddy so
+he read and see how much you are genteel. He regard the letter and
+regard me and his figure become very droll, like he want laugh or cry
+very much and he dare not and must retain himself, and he demand if he
+can keep the letter in his pocket for tomorrow, because he desire to
+envoy you a response with mine. He is very amiable and charming, think
+you not? He come to my house all the days now and always he bring
+something. Sunday he bring a paté like we eat on days of féte before
+the war; and he remain for aid us eat it. And yesterday he bring a
+great ribbon all white for tie on my hairs. He say in Amerique all the
+little girls carry on the summit of the head a ribbon big like a hat.
+He want not I keep for the Sundays but he tie me up and then he say I
+am pretty--jolly he say, and he demand I show him to speak the French.
+So he commence to read my book of when I was little, the "Lectures
+Enfantines" and I make him say the little poetry that is on the page 3
+and it say: "Cher petit oreiller," and then my great sister enter and
+she have on her bodice of Sundays and very much the powder of rice on
+the nose. And she say: "Go in the bed-chamber and amuse yourself, and
+I talk with this Monsieur Americain." And I want not to go, and I cry,
+but she say if I obey not she will tell Monsieur Teddy come back never
+again. She is a villain, my great sister. I will defend that she aid
+me to write my letters to you; I have not business of her. I have
+as much as her knowledge of the English, and the American also. And
+Monsieur Teddy love me, nothing but me. When he get up to go away he
+call: "Where is that child of the gods?" (He make that game of words
+because I have perhaps two godfathers) And I come, and he console me.
+Thursday last it was my birthday. Monsieur Teddy devined it because he
+ask me how much age I have and I say I will have twelve years the 18,
+and he say in Amerique it is always a great feast and I must to eat a
+cake very big with snow and ice on it and candles, and so he bring
+it. I was washing the vessels,[20] and he come in the kitchen and
+make many foolishness. He whip me (to make laugh) twelve times with a
+little stick so I grow very big all the year. And then he make me hide
+my eyes in my apron, and when I open them, I see the cake, big and
+white like--oh like I know not what--and the twelve candles pink were
+illuminated and there was my name with the two es writ in chocolate
+on the snow. And Monsieur Teddy bring also the cold cream; it is rose
+like the candles and perfumed with vanilla and strawberries. Oh dear
+godfather, I wanted you be here and have some! Only one time before
+when I was little I did eat the cold cream and never when it is the
+war did we eat cake. And it is good like to be in Paradise!
+
+But alas! Monsieur Teddy soon will go beat himself[21] with the
+boches! It is terrible to think because he is so good and beautiful!
+I told you he have little wings white on him, because he go up in the
+air?
+
+Goodbye, dear godfather,
+Your affeckshunate godchild,
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+[20] Washing the vessels (_laver la vaisselle_) washing the dishes.
+[21] Beat himself (_se battre_) to fight.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+October 6, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+I am sending you this letter in anser to yours quick, becaus I think
+if you are not careful that Teddy will poison you with his eats.
+The gum was bad enuf and I was jokin when I sed what I did about the
+shoestring, but cross my heart and hope to dye, that feedin you cold
+cream is the wust I ever herd, and what makes me feel so bad is there
+is no one to warn you and he is stringin you on. Gee whiz, it makes
+me sick to think of it! I have not been able to eat fer two days,
+yesterday we had pancakes fer brekfast and I cood not eat enny and
+mother sed, I wonder what ales James? And dad sed, In the spring a
+yung mans fancy, and mother sed quick, It is not spring, Prendy, it is
+fall, and I think it is his stummick that is turned and dad sed, No it
+is his heart I have found his poitry, and mother sed, Well you may be
+rite but I shall give him a dose of caster oil, You no the oil of the
+caster, just like you had the oil of the codfish only this tests like
+sam scratch see? Well I had to swaller some and it was feerce and fer
+too cents I wood twist that teller Teddy's nose and stick my finger in
+his eye. Gee whiz, and he wares white wings dose he, and jumps up
+in the air. Some angel beleeve me, say mebbe he is a angel that has
+fallen from the sky? or a acrobat from Barnums? only I guess if he
+comes from Barnums he must be a freak al-rite. Ennyway until this yere
+ends you are my godchild and I am your godfather, and I forbid you to
+tuch enny more of that Teddys eats, understand? If you are hungry you
+just tell me, and I will send you the proper food; and it will not be
+gum, or cold-cream or candels ether, I can tell you. Why even Mr. le
+Cure wood no enuf not to give you enny of those things. That Teddy is
+not fit to have a godchild, and that is the hole story in a nutshell.
+I dunno just what I shall do if he rites to me. Mebbe I will anser and
+mebbe I wont. I guess I shall tell miss Betty about it. Have I ever
+tole you about her? She lives in the big house on the hill next to Sid
+Perkins and she has hare like, well like what you sed about Jean's,
+like gold and sunshine, and big blue eyes and the cutest little chin
+with a dimple rite in the middle, and when she smiles she makes me
+think of the ferry queens you read about in books. I guess miss Betty
+is the prettiest girl on earth al-rite. She was one of the folks what
+let me give there dorenobs a extra polish, and she nos all about you
+and now I have tole her about that Teddy, and she sez, I no just
+how you feel about him Jimmy. It is a grate comfort to have someone
+understand you if your family do not. And I askt her if she new enny
+poitry in french I cood send you by way of conversashun, and she sez,
+I remember just one, and here it is,
+
+
+  _"Je vous aime, je vous adore,
+  Que voulez vous done encore?"_
+
+
+I thot that was kind of short but she sed if I sent this to you you
+mite send that feler Teddy packin, but I guess you wont. I dont no
+when I have had so much bad luck as I have had lately. Fust their was
+the hoopincoff, then my blew legs, then I lost my firecrakers, and now
+I guess I am going to lose you al-rite. I fergot to tell you their is
+a new preecher hear called Herbit Hoover and he is a minister of
+the gospel of the Clean Plate, and all us school boys have been
+distributin little papers about it, the idee is, if you do not beleeve
+in it you eat meat and wheat and everythin, and if you beleeve a
+little you have meatless days and eat rye and no wheat, and if you get
+the religion rele hard you lick your plate clean and eat pretty near
+nothing at all. Ennyway nobody must eat sugar. Dad sez it is becaus
+sugar has turned to dimonds, so we have sirup insted and it is pretty
+good, the pancakes I was tellin you about was made with that. Mother
+sez the sugar situashun is going to be rele bad. I hope their is some
+left fer my birthday which is near Thanksgiving day. Say, you and I
+come near bein twins do you no that? Just too weaks more and we wood
+have been born together, only I wood have been your twin over here and
+you wood have been my twin over there. Say woodnt that have been funny
+though! Stranger things have happined though. It does seem sort of
+strange to think those too weaks have made me your godfather and you
+my godchild insted of us bein twins. I tole mother about it and she
+sed she thot it was better the way it is. I have saved up 47 cents fer
+your Christmas present I am not going to tell you what I wish you wood
+do fer mine. I am going to see if you can guess it.
+
+Your ever affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+September 24, 1917.
+
+My dear godfather:
+
+I am afraid this letter can't be in my own style and handwriting this
+time, for Mr. Teddy is here and I have asked him to help me with my
+English, in exchange of my helping him with his French. My mind is
+troubled and I think he can express my thought, so he has taken the
+pen in hand, and I, sitting on a little stool at his feet, and gazing
+up at him, try to make him understand what is in my mind.
+
+But first of all Mr. Teddy wants to ask you to forgive him, if he
+seems to be "butting in" and spoiling the game between you and your
+godchild. Honor bright, he didn't mean to do it. It was fate. Just
+blind, mysterious, and merciless fate that decreed that things should
+happen as they did. Mr. Teddy may be a blessing in disguise, anyway
+he couldn't be helped, and he has no excuse to offer, except, perhaps,
+that he is alone in the world and homesick in a foreign land. He is
+sorry you and he can't fight a duel over the situation, but I am very
+glad. And Mr. Teddy wants to tell you, very seriously that he takes
+off his hat to any little fellow of your size who can do the plucky
+thing you have done, and keep it up so well. If grown up men all had
+more of your spirit, he says, the war would be over long ago.
+
+The object of this letter is as follows: I (your godchild) wish to
+make amends. I wrote you yesterday, and didn't answer your letter.
+Not a word did I say about it, except that I had received it, then
+I prattled away all about another would-be godfather for whom you,
+naturally, have no earthly use. And to-day my heart is filled with
+remorse and my head is filled with fears lest you should think your
+dear godchild is ungrateful, fickle, and flighty. I want to tell you
+how every detail of your life--from knob-polishing and bug-swallowing
+to poetry-writing is dear and precious to me. How I wish I could do
+the same! How I live in eager expectation of your letters; how I gloat
+and ponder over them when they come; and how deep is the gloom into
+which I am plunged when they do not come! Mr. Teddy knows all that,
+because I have somehow expressed it, and if I had striven to hide my
+thought he would have guessed it, for he knows full well what goes on
+in the hearts of little maids and gallant lads.
+
+Therefore have I asked him to voice my deepest feelings in a poem that
+will answer yours:
+
+
+  "IDEALIZATION"
+
+  By Andree Leblanc and
+  Yankee Teddy.
+
+  "_Though our eyes may never meet,
+  To me you're more than bread or meat,
+  You are the proud and noble knight
+  That I pray for every night.
+  You could stand up on burning decks,
+  While others ran to save their necks,
+  You would not fear the dreadful Hun,
+  In Freedom's cause you'd fire a gun.
+  A lad who never gets cold feet
+  Was not destined to know defeat,
+  But oh! thou child of many pray'rs
+  Beware of Jealousy's deep snares!"_
+
+
+From your affectionate godchild,
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls
+Oct. 10, 1917.
+
+My dear Mr. Teddy,
+
+Jimmy has just brought me your letter, in great excitement, and I am
+taking the liberty of answering it myself, as I don't think he could
+do himself justice under the present circumstances. Mr. Teddy, did you
+ever have a soft spot for a little girl, when you were about eleven
+or twelve? I had one for a little boy; he was older than I, about
+fourteen; his name was Robert, and he had freckles; I think he
+squinted, too, and he teased all the girls a great deal. I am sure
+he was a very horrid little boy, as I look back, but at that time I
+thought he was wonderful, and it almost broke my heart when he said
+he had no use for little yellow-haired girls and took a girl with two
+brown pigtails to a big children's party, instead of me.
+
+Jimmy has a very soft spot for his godchild, and it is more than
+a passing fancy with him. You see, his family, while not actually
+poverty-stricken, are not as well off as they used to be, and Jimmy
+has practically supported Andree himself all the year, through
+countless little odd jobs. I have seen him on the coldest winter days,
+chopping wood or going from door to door asking to shovel snow, and
+his fingers were so red and frozen he could scarcely hold the shovel;
+yet he was always ready, with a smile, to do more work for his "kid in
+France." Andree is his godchild, his sister, his whole family to him;
+and he shoulders the responsibility of looking after her with all
+the seriousness of a little old man. Now, right in the middle of this
+flourishing state of affairs you come, with your big American pockets
+filled with elastic candy and bon-bons, and at a moment's notice
+you produce cold-cream, perfumed with strawberry and vanilla, and
+snow-covered cakes such as Jimmy can never hope to equal. What little
+girl would not turn fickle to her first love in the presence of such
+a display? At first Jimmy was filled with natural jealousy at your
+intrusion. He was all for going over there and giving you a piece of
+his mind; but since receiving your letter he has, almost incredibly,
+come to feel sorry for you because, as he says, "it must be pretty
+tuf to be all alone over there, and I guess he thinks my godchild is
+a peach, all right." And Jimmy is right; you must be so very very
+lonesome! And yet couldn't we manage to cheer you up a little without
+taking Jimmy's godchild away from him? I don't know of any little
+godchild I could give you in exchange, but I do know of a girl who
+lives with an invalid mother in a big white house on a hill, and who
+would only be too glad to have a soldier for a godson and send him
+little packages of cigarettes, and pictures of movie stars (of which
+she has a great collection) and--oh tell him about home and friends
+and people and everything.
+
+I am sending you this letter care of Andrée Leblanc; if you would care
+for the arrangement I suggest, would you let me know?
+
+Sincerely yours,
+Elizabeth Winslow
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+November 2, 1917.
+
+My dear godfather:
+
+Jules has received a wound, and he is very joyful because it make him
+not to die; on the contrary it make him cited at the order of the
+day and decorated with the Médaille Militaire. He make two boches
+prisoners and catch them with one hand because the other had the very
+bad hurt. And then he fainted himself on the ground and the Cross Red
+pick him and conduct him at a great hospital in Paris. And Tuesday
+Maman and Marie go to see him and take him the lemonade. And yesterday
+Monsieur Teddy ask Maman the permission to take me to see him also and
+she say yes and we go. We ride in the tramway pending a long time
+and I give Monsieur Teddy a lesson of French, and he say nothing
+but, _oui, oui_ and _chic alors--zut alors_! And all the
+travelers regard us and laugh and Monsieur Teddy laugh also. But when
+we arrive at the hospital he laugh not at all. He take my hand and I
+keep it very tight because I am frighten. It is very beautiful, the
+hospital. There is the great garden with trees and flat bands[22] and
+the soldier sentinel at the door. Inside it is all white and dark,
+a little like the church, and it smell of pharmacy and nobody make a
+noise. A lady white conduct us up the stairs and open a door, and I
+see a great number of beds in lines with Poilus in them. When they see
+the uniform American some make the salute military and I feel myself
+very proud. Jules was so content he say it make his hurt to go away
+immediately. And Teddy sit on a chair and give cigarettes and try to
+make conversation with his hands. And I sit on the bed and make talk
+with two tongues and ten fingers also. And Teddy say he will come
+again see brother Jules all the Sundays and Thursdays and console him
+until he go to fly away. Very sure he is one angel, Mr. Teddy! And
+he go up in the heavens with the wings! Oh little foolish godfather!
+Understand you not he is one aviator? And you must not be in anger
+when he give me the good things to eat. Perhaps in Amerique the cold
+cream is bad, but in Paris it make you not sick, on the contrary. I
+show not your letter to Mr. Teddy because you say for two cents
+you twist his nose and his eyes and it is not very genteel, dear
+godfather. When you think wickedness the bon Dieu punish you. It is
+because you think wickedness of Mr. Teddy that you become sick and
+cannot to eat the pancakes, and must drink the oil of the caster.
+
+I am content that the Miss Betty understand you and you tell her all
+things, and she is like the ferry with the twisted hairs. Hairs like
+gold is very pretty for little boys like Jean, but on ladies it look
+like the sun have fade the color. Thank you for the poetry she make.
+But my great sister see it and she say to Maman: "These infants write
+great foolishness all the time. If it continues we must give Andree
+no more stamps of five sous. We will make the economy and send only
+a card postal all the three months when the Comité Americain send the
+silver of the godfather."
+
+And I am very unhappy because Maman will not permit me to polish
+door-knobs like you and gain silver for the stamps of five sous. But
+little Jean come squeeze my neck and console me, and say he will work
+and become rich to purchase the stamps of five sous. Poor little! He
+know not what it is the life, but he is one brave little man, and I
+think he will resemble to you, dear godfather. Oh, I forget, in my
+other letter I write when Mr. Teddy come, to say I desire very much
+your portrait where you are grinning, like you say. I love much the
+grinning godfather. I will place you above my bed, under the branch of
+blessed box. My Papa is there also, and I embrace him all the nights,
+before I lie down.
+
+Dear little godfather, I am very recognizing[23] that you guard 47
+sous for my Christmas. Alas, I can never enough say thank you for all
+you do, and I can never render it to you! It make me full of sorry
+when I think that. With Maman I essay to guess what you want I do. I
+will make something with my proper hands, and Maman will aid. You will
+love a pair of slippers embroidered, or a shawl (I want say a scarf)
+or a bonnet of aviator? Tell me, I pray of you,
+
+I shake your hand affectuously.
+
+Your godchild,
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+[22] Flat bands (_plate-bandes_) flower beds.
+[23] Recognizing (_reconnaissante_) grateful.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls
+Nov. 18, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+How are you? I got that mister Teddy's letter, and I was goin to anser
+it but I dident no just what to say, so I gave it to miss Betty and
+she sed she wood anser it herself. And you needent worry about my
+twistin his nose and stikin my finger in his eye, because if you like
+him I will leave him alone fer your sake. I had quite a good birthday.
+Miss Betty found out when it was, and she gave me a bully party,
+but we had a feerce time gettin sugar. You no mister Hoover the new
+minister I was telling you about? Well he has got reel exited about
+sugar, and he has told the shopkeepers they must give only one pound
+to itch family, and miss Betty she wanted more than that to make my
+cake, because she sez it is hard enuf to cook with things but it is
+the limit to cook without them. And she dident no what to do until she
+had a brite idee. She sent Molly to Butler's store and she got some
+mapel seerop and mixt it all up with the sugar and a lot of other good
+stuff. And I had a bully cake. It was kinder soft to have candels
+on it, but miss Betty made it all herself and that is more than your
+Teddy did, and it was a bully cake just the same. And she let me ask
+Dinky Odell over to have some and we had hot chocolate and a fust rate
+time. I am sorry your sister dident like the poitry. Some peeple dont
+no a good thing when they see it. Carl Odell has writ to Amanda, and
+he sez, "I am writing this in the midst of falling shells and boms
+busting in air, but if ever I come out al-rite little girl I'll come
+back to you." Carl Odell must have been sent to the front pretty quick
+al-rite as he has only been gone too weaks, and he sez he has a lot of
+inside inflammation, but he is afraid the censer will cut it out.
+
+And now I come to the bizness part of this leter. Fer one yere now I
+have been your godfather and you have been my godchild, and we have
+hit it off pretty well I think, and now the yere is drawing to a
+close, and next month it may be all will be ended between us. Little
+girl, what I have been wishing you wood do fer Christmas is not a
+scarf, or slipper or ennything but this. Will you be my godchild fer
+a nuther yere? I guess mebbe you mite do better fer yourself and get a
+more classy godfather. I dont seem to be much good at school somehow,
+and I guess that missis Yanket was rite when she sed what she did
+about my spellin bein feerce. I guess mebbe you rite better than I do,
+and I no that mister Teddy dose becaus miss Betty saw his letter and
+she sed it was a fine letter. Somehow I guess Mr. le Cure and missis
+Yanket and all your frens rite and spell better than I do. But I bet
+I can polish dore handels and wash winders and sell Mirrors and suport
+you as well as enny Body. Mebbe I am cut out fer plane bizness. And
+so I say, if you think you like me, and wood like to keep on having
+me fer your godfather, say yes and I will be much obliged. But if you
+think you wood be hapier with Mr. Teddy, dear godchild why just say so
+and never mind about me. I guess I can live it down.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+Paris, Dec. 4, 1917.
+
+Dear godfather,
+
+I say thousand times yes, and the bon Dieu give you benediction.
+Oh dear godfather, you did make the foolish when you believe I want
+veritably monsieur Teddy to me adopt! He is full of gracious goodness,
+Monsieur Teddy, but he is not like unto you. He did not the work, and
+he beat himself not with Red-Skins, to succour me and give comfort in
+the modest interior. Mr. Teddy very sure will be one hero in the war,
+but you are already one hero with heart more big. And my dear Papa,
+that did die for the Patrie, is well content to behold that. We are
+loving all the Amerique; but Maman and me say yesterday there is not
+in the world entire a boy so much remplished of sentiments delicate
+like my grinning godfather. (I call you like that because your
+photography is come; you are more beautiful than Mr. Teddy and it
+rejoice the heart to look upon you.)
+
+Dear godfather I will tell you Mr. Teddy is departed to the front. He
+come one day, late, and he say not he go away the tomorrow; he only
+sit by the stove, and take Jean upon his knees and caress the hairs
+of gold; and he smile very nice but speak not much. And when he go, he
+tell me, very quiet, he have in his pocket one beautiful letter of
+the miss Betty. And she is his ferry godmother, and you are my ferry
+godfather and all things are al-rite, al-rite! You say all the time
+that word, you other Americans, al-rite, al-rite. Maman say it is
+because you have confidence in the bon Dieu, and you know that He will
+make the bad world all over like that: Al-rite, al-rite!
+
+Happy Year! dear little godfather. Permit, one time, that I embrace
+you very affectuously, and shake your hand.
+
+Your godchild for the life,
+Andrée Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Deer Miss Secretary:
+
+After some consideration I have decided to keep my orfan fer one more
+yere. Of course she is still a girl and I wanted a boy, but she is
+used to me and I am used to her, and it mite go hard with her if I
+left her fer some one else to adop, so if you will just put me down
+fer one more yere I will be much obliged to you.
+
+Yours truly,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DEER GODCHILD***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 13125-8.txt or 13125-8.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/1/2/13125
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/old/13125-8.zip b/old/13125-8.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8416b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/13125-8.zip
diff --git a/old/13125-h.zip b/old/13125-h.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94d0e02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/13125-h.zip
diff --git a/old/13125-h/13125-h.htm b/old/13125-h/13125-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6becc00
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/13125-h/13125-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,2601 @@
+<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
+<html>
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1">
+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Deer Godchild, by Marguerite Bernard and Edith Serrell</title>
+<style type="text/css">
+/*<![CDATA[  XML blockout */
+<!--
+    P {  margin-top: .75em;
+         text-align: justify;
+         margin-bottom: .75em;
+         }
+    H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 {
+         text-align: center; /* all headings centered */
+         }
+    HR { width: 33%;
+    margin-top: 1em;
+    margin-bottom: 1em;
+       }
+    BODY{margin-left: 10%;
+         margin-right: 10%;
+        }
+    .linenum  {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */
+    .note     {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */
+    .blkquot  {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */
+    .pagenum  {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */
+    .sidenote {width: 20%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 1em; font-size: smaller; float: right; clear: right;}
+
+    .poem             {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;}
+    .poem br          {display: none;}
+    .poem .stanza     {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;}
+    .poem span        {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;}
+    .poem span.i2     {display: block; margin-left: 2em;}
+    .poem span.i4     {display: block; margin-left: 4em;}
+    .poem .caesura    {vertical-align: -200%;}
+    hr.full { width: 100%;
+              height: 5px; }
+	a:link {color:blue;
+			text-decoration:none}
+	link {color:blue;
+			text-decoration:none}
+	a:visited {color:blue;
+			text-decoration:none}
+	a:hover {color:red}
+	pre.pg		{font-size: 9pt;}
+    // -->
+    /* XML end  ]]>*/
+
+</style>
+</head>
+<body>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Deer Godchild, by Marguerite Bernard and
+Edith Serrell</h1>
+<pre class="pg">
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: Deer Godchild</p>
+<p>Author: Marguerite Bernard and Edith Serrell</p>
+<p>Release Date: August 6, 2004  [eBook #13125]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DEER GODCHILD***</p>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h3>E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Tamiko I. Camacho,<br>
+    and Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders</h3>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr class="full" noshade>
+<br>
+<br>
+<br>
+<h1>DEER GODCHILD</h1>
+
+<h2>BY MARGUERITE BERNARD AND EDITH SERRELL</h2>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<h4>PUBLISHED FOR THE FATHERLESS CHILDREN OF FRANCE</h4>
+
+<h4>1919</h4>
+<br>
+
+<h4>DEDICATED</h4>
+
+<h4>TO OUR FRIEND</h4>
+
+<h4>LOUISE HURLBUT MASON</h4>
+
+<br>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<h2>INTRODUCTION</h2>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>A young New-Yorker of twelve lately heard an appeal for the
+Fatherless Children of France, and his heart was touched. He had no
+money, but he resolved to give his spare time and his utmost energy
+to support a "kid in France." The French child needed ten cents
+worth of extra food each day, in order to grow up with strength and
+courage. The little American godfather earned those ten cents; he
+sold newspapers at the subway entrance, after school hours, and
+undertook an amazing variety of more or less lucrative odd jobs.
+Sometimes business was slow, and it was hard to keep up the game;
+but he did. He is still, in the true American expression "making
+good" for his deer godchild, and doing it with a broad and
+brotherly grin. He is James P. Jackson Jr. His letters to and from
+the kid in France are published just for fun&mdash;and yet in the
+hope of encouraging more "dear benefactors" to join our large
+family and help along, in the same spirit and with the same
+joy.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>EDITH SERRELL.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls,</p>
+
+<p>November 27, 1916.</p>
+
+<p>Deer miss Secretary</p>
+
+<p>How are you? It is al-rite about the french orfan and I wood
+like a boy between ten and twelve if it is the same to you. At fust
+dad sed I coodnt have him because there was plenty of rich
+godfathers who wood take him if I didn't, but mother told him of
+the apeel you made and that I was goin to raze the money myself,
+and he sed well I guess you are rite and if he can raze enuf money
+to raze a kid on he is well come to it, and she sed I guess that is
+the rite spirit. And so I am sending you 85cts. which is 70cts, fer
+the fust weak, and you can keep the change which is 15cts, fer the
+next weak, so I will only send 55cts, fer the fust weak after that.
+The 85cts. is my birthday money which was on thanksgiving day and I
+guess the folks will be glad to give me work when they no I am
+suporting a kid in france.</p>
+
+<p>Hoping you are well and I am the same I will, close.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Yours truly,</p>
+
+<p>James Prendergast Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. I shood like his name to be Bill or Pete in french and not
+one of those girly names if it is the same to you.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>To Mr. James Prendergast Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Sir:</p>
+
+<p>According to your instructions, we have assigned to you
+Andr&eacute; Leblanc, aged 11, No. 18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris, as
+your godchild for one year. Thanking you for your interest in this
+worthy cause, we beg to remain</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Very truly yours,</p>
+
+<p>The Junior Committee for the Fatherless Children of France.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Dec, 1st, 1916.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild</p>
+
+<p>How are you? I am very well and I have ganed 5 Ibs. in one weak
+which makes me 85 Ibs. which is thot very good in America. Have you
+had much snow? We have had it considerable hear which has spoylt
+the skating on Frost Lake which is beehind old Sam Bursars house
+who is our naybor. I am glad you have a short name, I had ruther be
+cald Andr&eacute; than Nickulus, Cristuff or Jean-Marie, but I wood
+ruther you were cald Bill or Pete or Sniper, but you cant help
+being what they call you so never mind. I suported you this weak by
+selling 70 copies of the Greenville Mirror by hand. It is a good
+paper and shood be patronized. I wakt into Jim Parkers offis he is
+the editur and sed, Mister Parker, if you have a loose job and no
+man fer it I am the man you want, and he sed how old are you? and I
+sed 11. and he sed what you want a job fer? and I sed, O fer a kid
+I have in France and he sed since I was suportin you if I cood sell
+70 copies of the Mirror he wood give me 35 cts. and Mother had give
+me 15 fer mindin the chikens when she went to Peeks-kill, so I new
+it would be al-rite, so I sed very well your on. So I took the
+mirrors and stood on the corner of School street, and bimeby the
+men begin to come home from the city, and some of them stopt to buy
+a Mirror and some did not, so I thot I wood make an appeel so I
+hollered, Buy a Mirror fer a kid in France, and waived it in there
+faces, and you shood have seen them buy! Enneway I guess the Mirror
+is a good ole paper, when all the men had come home I thot I wood
+take the papers to the folks that wernt on the street, like the
+schoolmaams and the sisters. Well most of them hot fine exept miss
+Leigh the Sunday school teacher, and she sed the Mirror was a low
+down politishuns sheet and I sed buy it fer Lily Blanche her help,
+and she sed what are you so ankshus to sell papers fer? And I sed
+how do you expect me to suport a kid in France if you peeple wont
+help out? and she sed the Lord will provide, but I told her I wood
+ruther do it myself; and she said I guess He's doin it threw you,
+so at last she forkt up, and I went home at 6 o'clock, but I tell
+you I had a prety tuf day. Say how is your mussel? Have you enny
+brothers and sisters? I have five, they are Amanda aged 16, Cecilia
+aged 10, Myra-Louise aged 7, Molly aged 6, and Heloise aged 5. I
+come between the fust too. Dad wanted to call Heloise Omeega after
+Alfred and Omeega in the Bibel, but Mother sed that was foolish and
+I guess it was, cause there was no boy to be Alfred excep me, and I
+was alredy James, so he give it up. Sid Perkins is suportin a girl
+in France and hes auful rich, and dont have to work to keep her
+goin. Gee, Im glad your a boy, girls is al-rite in there line but I
+woodnt adop one fer love or money. Can you here the shootin from
+where you are? I have seen the new American submareen and it is a
+fine bus, I tell you if ever the Yankees come runnln over there you
+wont see Kaiser Bill fer dust. Do you like prisners base? What
+grade are you in? Well, hoping you are well and that some day we
+will meet somewhere in France, I will close.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affecshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James Prendergast Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. If ever we go to war, and I inlist and go to France I mite
+take you back to New York on firlow.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>16 Dec. 1916.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Benefactor,</p>
+
+<p>I thank you with the bottom of my heart for your kindness unto
+me. Maman and me have been so content to receive your letter and
+your donation generous! Your succour will sweeten the times
+difficult that we are traversing; and the silver<a name=
+'FNanchor_1_1'></a><a href='#Footnote_1_1'><sup>[1]</sup></a> you
+send will permit me to eat of the meat and be forceful to aid maman
+she has so much of labor and of pain! I will tell you, dear
+benefactor, that I am not the most robust But I take the oil of
+liver of cod-fish all the days for make myself high and
+good-carrying.<a name='FNanchor_2_2'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_2_2'><sup>[2]</sup></a> Yes, dear benefactor, I will
+forget never what you do, and all the nights I make a prayer for
+you be happy in the life.</p>
+
+<p>I cannot to read your letter very well alone, because I know not
+sufficient the English. But I have one aunt, she is dead, she know
+very well the English, and she teach me of it and my great sister
+also; she is a dactylographer,<a name='FNanchor_3_3'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_3_3'><sup>[3]</sup></a> and she know the English very
+perfect, and she me aids so I do mistakes not at all. And I serve
+me of the dictionary also. Maman say your letters will make
+complete my education. But some words I comprehend not. What is,
+for example, the kid? I search and I see only it is the offspring
+of a goat. I am sure in the book is the mistake, for my dear
+godfather will not make the pain to me and my Maman in calling me
+the offspring of a goat.</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather, I am also surprise that you be so much heavy. I
+have 11 years like you, and I am only 39 kg heavy. But in Amerique,
+Maman tell me, all is big, big! It is droll, so big little boys.
+Sometimes I ask myself if you are veritably a little boy. Perhaps
+it is to make laugh you tell me you are one infant. Perhaps you are
+the old gentleman.</p>
+
+<p>Tell me dear godfather, what is it the Sunday-school? In Paris
+we go not to school the Sunday. We rise more lately, and we dress
+more pretty than the days of week, and for breakfast we eat the
+cacao in lieu of soup of potato left of last night. And we go to
+the grand mass with Maman. Little brother Jean is one infant of
+choir at the church. He do nothing but balance and smoke the
+incense, and be pretty like one angel; because his hairs are like
+the gold, and his eyes like the heaven when the sun make shine. All
+at the beginning he was not content because the smoking make him to
+sneeze, and he did cry, and he wanted not to indorse<a name=
+'FNanchor_4_4'></a><a href='#Footnote_4_4'><sup>[4]</sup></a> the
+dress white, with lace; he say he resemble to a girl; and he
+believe all the world in the church was regarding him. But now he
+is habituated, and he become more sage. It is very necessary he
+become sage, because he is so devil. Yesterday, for example, Mr. le
+Cur&eacute; give him a pretty card postal with the image of angels
+and tell him he must apply to resemble to them; and Jean responded,
+"no I want not to be the angel and have wings like one hen!" Mr. le
+Cur&eacute; say it is Satan that commands the wicked words like
+that, and when he go to fall in temptation Jean must say, "Vade
+retro Satanas," and that make Satan go behind. And Jean say, "yes
+but then Satan go at my back and push hard, so I fall!" It is very
+sad little Jean be so much bad.</p>
+
+<p>I will tell you, dear benefactor, that I effort myself to work
+and be very sage so little brother take model on me. I go to
+catechism two times by week, and I am on the table of honor, and
+for Christmas Mr. le Cur&eacute; give me a pretty shawl for hold my
+neck and shoulders warm when I go to school.</p>
+
+<p>For Christmas Jean put his shoes in the chimney for the little
+Jesus fill them like all the years. But Maman say to him: "This
+year the little Jesus carry nothing, because with all the sous in
+the world he want to get our big victory so the dirty boches kill
+no more our dear Papas."</p>
+
+<p>But, grace to you, the morning of No&euml;l the shoes were all
+of same remplished. There was apples red and some chocolate and
+stockings with long legs. We make many of holes in our stockings
+and all the time there is no more cloth in places, so Maman cuts
+them down. So in the beginning they are long, then 1/2 long, then
+socks. It was socks all the winter, dear benefactor, but when your
+silver come, the legs come long again.</p>
+
+<p>In the after-dinner No&euml;l we make a promenade in the woods
+of Boulognes. Now it is the vacancies<a name='FNanchor_5_5'></a><a
+href='#Footnote_5_5'><sup>[5]</sup></a> of No&euml;l and I aid
+Maman, she make me some black aprons new for go to school, and I
+sit myself down on the side of her. She loves not that I play in
+the streets, because she desire that I be well elevated <a name=
+'FNanchor_6_6'></a><a href='#Footnote_6_6'><sup>[6]</sup></a>. And
+it is much snow in Paris; it make so cold that I love not to go
+out.</p>
+
+<p>Dear benefactor, you demand what grade I am. I comprehend not.
+Only the officers have grade. Are you an officer? I think yes,
+because you talk so much the submareens, etc.</p>
+
+<p>I have nothing more to say at you, but Maman joins herself to me
+to pray you to agree, dear benefactor, the expression of our
+sentiments the most distinguished and respectuous.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild,</p>
+
+<p>A. Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls. N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Jan. 2, '17.</p>
+
+<p>Deer Miss Secretary,</p>
+
+<p>There is something off about my godchild, you no the one you
+give me to suport, well dad rored when he saw the letter but I
+think he is a nut and mother sez he is two elevated fer me, so
+hoping you will get me a nuther one I will close hoping you are
+well.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Yours truly,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+<br>
+ <br>
+<p>P.S. I will rite just the same to this one till you get me a
+nuther one.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls. N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Jan. 2, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild</p>
+
+<p>How are you? I got your letter al-rite and what I wood like to
+no is what in thunder is that goat stuff you are drivin at? I didnt
+call you no names excep dere godchild and kid and you are both, and
+a godchild is a godchild and sometimes a kid is a goat and
+sometimes a goat is a kid and if you dont stop your kiddin you'll
+get my goat see? Mebbe you didn't mene to be fresh and if you didnt
+will call it square and say no more about it, ennyway I guess you
+use that bloomin dickshunary two much. Dickshunaries is like girls
+and is al-rite in there line, but I aint got much use fer them and
+you had best chuck yours out the window. I guess 85lbs. is a good
+ole wait but 39 is something feerce, why even Heloise aged 5 ways
+45 and she dont eat enny of that codfish liver, and say what does
+it test like ennyway? I bet it tests like ole get out. I told
+Mother you wade only 39 and she sed, my goodness he must have
+tuberculosees, and dad sed, no, he has not had enuf meat, but I sed
+no but he is going to have some now I am suporting him. What do you
+think? I got enuf money to suport you fer too weaks, and if you
+will cross your heart not to tell because I promist I woodnt and
+you must do the same, I will tell you how it hapened, well it was
+this way, I was readin the Motor Boys Under the Sea beehind the
+portyares and its great, when in walk Carl Odell the young feller
+across the way and Amanda aged 16, and they set down and didnt say
+much and bimby Carl he takes Amandas hand and sez, Amanda you no
+how tis with me? and she sez, why no how is it Carl? and he sez I
+love you, and she sez to Carl, this is so suddin, and he sez,
+little girl will you be my wife? and she sez, o Carl I dunno, and
+he sez, I demand an answer yes or no, and she sez well I dunno but
+as I will, and he sed, sweatheart what day shall it be? And I stept
+out and sed, Hold on, dont go and make it Tuesday becaus Amandas
+promist to go fishin and dad wont let me go to Frost Lake without
+her, caus its 16 feet deep, and you should have seen them jump.
+They was scart plump out of there wits, and Amanda she sez, If he
+tells dad I shall dye, and Carl he grabd me by one ear and sed,
+Jim, I give you the choyce of keepin quiet and gettin $1.50 or
+squealin and being skinned alive, and I sed, Well I am suporting a
+kid, I mean a boy, in France so I will take the coin, so I crost my
+heart and sed hope to dye if I squeal and you must do the same,
+caus bimby if the Yanks come runnin over there you mite mete a
+frend of Carl Odells and hed tell a nuther frend, and bimby all the
+Yanks wood no it and it wood get back to Carl Odells ears. I bet
+that Jean is some brother, say hes al-rite, all excep his name,
+coodnt you make it Buster? Say what you want to go wearin a shawl
+fer, fust thing you no all the boys will call you girly, and I dont
+intend to have no godchild of mine cald that, no siree, not if I
+have to skin them alive fer it. I no its hard when things are give
+to you not to wear them, last yere the Sunday-school teacher give
+me a baby-blew tie and darn if I didn't have to wear it every
+Sunday till Lady Evelin Jack Burtons fathers best bull dog found it
+and et it. But you go eezy on that shawl. Never you mind about
+Sunday-school, just you be glad you dont have to go to it, though I
+dont no but goin to see that balancin stunt of Jeans is just as
+bad. And dont you be askin two many questions about me, mebbe Im an
+officer and mebbe Im not, and mebbe I no something about submareens
+and mebbe I don't but I woodnt let it sprize you if I come ridin in
+in one of those busses one of these days, and if I do and I like
+you I mite even take you back with me to New York, and then
+goodnite&mdash;you'll see some sites. Say whats that dope on sage?
+Hoping you are well and will rite to me soon I will now close
+hoping you are well.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. I made Carl Odell give me the money rite off becaus he is a
+Red Indian fer cheatin. Did you get the Christmas presents I sent
+you?</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.</p>
+
+<p>4 Jan. 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Godfather:</p>
+
+<p>The big paquet from Amerique come late but I receive it to-day
+and I thank you very much. You are very good to think so much of me
+and it is very pretty, dear benefactor, There is one glove only,
+and I am fearful that the other rested on the road<a name=
+'FNanchor_7_7'></a><a href='#Footnote_7_7'><sup>[7]</sup></a>. But
+it makes nothing<a name='FNanchor_8_8'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_8_8'><sup>[8]</sup></a>; I have not business<a name=
+'FNanchor_9_9'></a><a href='#Footnote_9_9'><sup>[9]</sup></a> of
+two, because one is enough big for my two hands, and it is a muff
+very warm; but veritably, dear godfather, you are big like giants,
+in Amerique! The little cage is very commodious also, and very
+pretty. Jean believe it is a muzzle for dog, but no, I comprehend
+it Is for suspend on the ceiling for to make pretty the house, with
+plants green, climbing.</p>
+
+<p>Goobye, dear benefactor, I kiss you with the bottom of my
+heart</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild all devoted,</p>
+
+<p>A. Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls. N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Deer miss Secretary,</p>
+
+<p>Pleese you must do sumthing quick about my orphan he is awful. I
+sent a baseball glove and mask for Cristmas and he used them fer a
+muff and to hang plants in, and he wares a shawl and sits on the
+table of sumthing, and now he is kissing me with the bottom of his
+heart and that is the limit and he must cut it out because I wont
+stand fer that. Hoping you are well and you will answer soon in
+answer to my leter I will close.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Yours truly,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris</p>
+
+<p>18 Jan, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Benefactor:</p>
+
+<p>I thank you for your pretty letter so interesting. My great
+sister Marie work very hard for to aid me read it, but it is very
+difficult to comprehend. It is because you talk the American and
+the dictionary talk only the English. I will try to learn the
+American if you will to me give the instructions. Dear godfather,
+you are not in anger against me? I make always attention to be
+polite and genteel, because already I love you from far. But Marie
+say there is the miss understand in our letters she cannot
+explicate. For three nights I sleep not well because I search to
+comprehend what is it that makes bad, then this morning I have it
+the idea brilliant; there is on the place des Clercs the dentist
+American. It is writ on his door, Dr. Yanket, and Maman go to sew
+on the dresses of Madame. She talk very well with two tongues, and
+Maman say she regard the letters then she laugh very strong. Then
+she say to Maman: "Console your infant, it may sleep on the two
+ears<a name='FNanchor_10_10'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_10_10'><sup>[10]</sup></a>, because the godfather is one
+very genteel little boy." And then she write a little paper she
+desire me copy for you very careful. Here is it: "Jimmy, in Uncle
+Sam's name I am proud of you. You're the right sort keep it up and
+don't get cold feet. For that godchild of yours is very much all
+right, as you will very soon realize. But let me give you frankly
+just one piece of friendly advice; don't tell your kid to 'chuck
+the dictionary out of the window,' but rather get one yourself, and
+polish up your English. Your spelling and your vocabulary are, to
+use your own expression, 'something fierce;' how can you expect the
+poor little French child to understand your slang?"</p>
+
+<p>There; I have made copy, and again I understand not very well.
+But I am sure it go to make all arrange. And I know that you are
+one little boy; I am so content!</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather, it is very droll the fashion you do to make
+silver in Amerique! But it is very dangerous, and never in Paris we
+do like that. I see in my book of images English how the terrible
+Red-skins scalp the enemy, "skin 'em alive," like you say, and I
+see the image of the chef. He have long hairs black, with plumes
+red and green; and chains brilliant suspended, and he carry in the
+middle one little apron of fur; and he have not knowledge of the
+bon Dieu. It is call: "trading with the Indians." Oh please, dear
+godfather, do not for me trading with the Indians! I will permit
+not that you risk to be skin alive. I make the promise like you
+say, and I make like you the sign of cross, but I hope not to die
+if I squeal; I cry not very often, but sometimes, and my poor Maman
+will be to much desolated if I die.</p>
+
+<p>Goodbye dear godfather; believe at my sentiments the more
+affectuous,</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild,</p>
+
+<p>A. Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>To Mr. James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Sir:</p>
+
+<p>I am much interested in the account of your correspondence with
+your French godchild, and I would advise you not to be discouraged
+if he does not seem, in every way, to be living up to your
+expectations. You must remember that these fatherless children have
+suffered more deeply and more courageously than you can possibly
+imagine. If his letters sound rather effeminate I hope you will in
+time realize that it is merely a difference of language and
+convention that gives you that impression. The French are a very
+affectionate and demonstrative people. You know that even their
+"Papa Joffre" kisses his brave soldiers on both cheeks when he
+decorates them.</p>
+
+<p>You are doing splendid work for a boy of your age, and I hope
+you will not let small prejudices get in your way. Remember you are
+unusually fortunate to have a child who can write in English.</p>
+<br>
+<p>With my best wishes and congratulations, I remain cordially
+yours,</p>
+
+
+<p>Secretary for the Junior Committee
+
+of the Fatherless Children of France.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Feb. 3, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild</p>
+
+<p>How are you? Say will you do me a faver and cut out kissin me
+with the bottom of your heart? If you think you ot to do it you can
+kiss me on both cheeks if that is the custim I guess I can stand it
+but I had ruther you did not kiss me at all if it is the same to
+you as we shake hands in America. Say that missis Yankit is some
+woman beleeve me and you had better keep away from her, fust thing
+you no she'll be trying to make me go to school every day and buy a
+dicshunary. What she no about the American languidge ennyway? what
+she have to come buttin in with her too tongues between us? You are
+my godchild and I am your godfather and if there is ennything you
+dont understand I am the one to explane, and you tell that Yankit
+woman she had better be helpin her husband with his teeth and let
+us alone, and to put that in her pipe and smoke it. I am glad you
+like the Cristmas presents I sent you and if you want to string the
+mask from the ceilin you are well come to it, but it is ment to
+keep your nose from gettin smasht when a hard ball comes bingin
+through the air. Say, that must be some stunt sleepin on both ears,
+I have slep on my stummick an on my back an on one ear, but not on
+both. Last nite we had welsh rabit fer super and I did not sleep
+enny way. It is a good thing I have that $1.50 Carl Odell give me
+becaus I do not feel al-rite and Mother wont let me go out to work,
+but I guess I will get out soon again so dont worry about my
+suportin you. Say, thats al-rite about the Red Indians&mdash;corse
+they aint as numrous as they was once but there still plentiful in
+parts but dont let that worry you cause I been brot up with them
+and no how to handle them. Red Skins is like snakes and is al-rite
+if you keep your eye on them. Course I woodnt advise you to medal
+with them, but I guess I can look out for myself. Say, how is Jean
+and has he done enny more stunts? I have a sister Molly aged 6 and
+she is going to rite plays and say she turns out some great stuff.
+Yesterday she dresst Cecilia, you no the one aged 7, as a queen and
+Molly she was the subjeck boughed before her and sed, Your majesty
+to-day unto you a child is born, and Cecilia, I mean the queen sed,
+Bring it in, and Molly the subjeck brot in Snookie the cat only it
+was the child then and it was all rigged up in Heloises close, and
+bimeby Heloise who was a wicked king come runnin in to kidnap the
+baby and she sed, no I mean he sed because she was a king, That is
+my child! and the subjeck sed, It is not! and the king sed, It is
+too! and the sujeck sez as cool as a cucumber, Your majesty you are
+a lyre! and then they had the darndest fite over that baby you ever
+saw. Fust the king hit the subjeck bingo in the eye then the
+subjeck he pincht the babys tail, you no Snookies, and bimeby
+Mother come runnin in and stuck them all in bed, but it was a buly
+fite. I feel auful queer so guess I will close hoping you are
+better than I feel</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+James P. Jackson Jr.<br>
+<br>
+ <br>
+<p>P.S. Do you like rabit? I hate it!</p>
+
+<p>P.S. Dont ferget to tell that Yanket woman to put what I told
+you in her pipe and smoke it.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt,</p>
+
+<p>Paris,</p>
+
+<p>18 Feb. 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Godfather:</p>
+
+<p>How are you? I hope you are no more fatigued. Very sure I will
+send you the kiss cut out as you say if you prefer. And also I will
+shake your hand. I will do all things American and all things that
+make you pleasure. But, dear godfather, you demand that I tell to
+Madame Yanket to smoke the pipe and I like not to say that because
+she is one very great lady, very genteel. But Maman say that is
+only a fashion of talk American and I must not make attention to
+it.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, dear godfather, I like rabbit. When we live in the country
+we have two, one white and one black, and at the end of time we
+have 26! But not Welsh rabbits; French. They make not sick like
+yours.</p>
+
+<p>Dear benefactor, I will write you not very long this day, for my
+great brother Jules come tonight on permission of four days, and I
+am much occupied to aid Maman arrange all things clean and pretty.
+I will relate on him in my letter of the week next.</p>
+
+<p>I squeeze your hand, and envoy to you the kiss cut out with my
+heart.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild,</p>
+
+<p>A. Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls. N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Feb, 5, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild</p>
+
+<p>How are you? It waznt the rabit it is the hoopincoff, I guess I
+am goin to dye al-rite.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>J.P.J.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt,</p>
+
+<p>Paris,</p>
+
+<p>Feb. 20, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Godfather:</p>
+
+<p>Your letter made me to cry. I will permit you not to die. When I
+get your letter I go and break my tire-lire. It is the little dog
+of porcelain with one hole in the stomach. Maman give it to me for
+my fete, the Ste. Andr&eacute;e, and she give me two sous for put
+in the hole all the Sundays, and it come out nevermore until it
+break, you comprehend? I guard<a name='FNanchor_11_11'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_11_11'><sup>[11]</sup></a> the little dog under my
+pillow and it make bad in my heart to break it, but what will you?
+My dear godfather who is only one child like me, work strong like a
+man for make me happy and I would break not my tire-lire for to
+save him from the death? Oh yes, a thousand times yes! So I take it
+out in the court and open the stomach with one stone and I make to
+fall out 26 sous! And I go to the store of objects pious, and I
+demand one candle of 26 sous or two candles of 13 sous, but the
+lady say 13 is a number of unhappiness so she give me one of 25
+sous, and one sou of paper of lace of gold to put around. And I go
+quick to the church, and put up the candle to the Ste. Vierge, and
+she will see it from the sky, and she will see you also in Amerique
+and make you not to die, M. le Cur&eacute; see the little flag
+American that you send me and that I attach to the candle-stick and
+he caress my head and say: "What for is it?" So I tell him and he
+say I am very genteel. But all of a hit<a name=
+'FNanchor_12_12'></a><a href='#Footnote_12_12'><sup>[12]</sup></a>
+I melt in tears<a name='FNanchor_13_13'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_13_13'><sup>[13]</sup></a>, because I know I am not
+genteel, dear godfather! I am very, very bad and wicked; I tell not
+the truth and I conduct not myself well unto you. Perhaps you will
+pardon me never! I go to confession and M. le Cur&eacute; say for
+my penitence I must also confess to you that I am one little girl!
+Oh dear godfather, be not too much in anger! I am so sad! I
+comprehend not how it arrived, but when you write to me and say you
+love not the little girls I was afraid and responded nothing. Dear
+godfather, I will tell you that when I was little I pray often the
+bon Dieu make me one boy, because you know, for Him nothing is
+impossible. But He wish I remain a girl, and now I have cheated and
+He punish me very strong in make you so much fatigue you almost
+die. I cannot write more this day because I am too much sad. But if
+you die not please tell me soon because I am so much unquiet. I
+assure you I will nevermore be so villain.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild repentant,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. Maman say the Comit&eacute; Americain put me like one boy.
+It is the two "e" that make one girl.</p>
+
+<p>P.P.S. I search what is the hoopincoff, but I find it not.
+Surely it is the very dangerous malady, but if you die, you go to
+Paradise; M. le Cur&eacute; promise me.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls. N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Deer miss Secretary,</p>
+
+<p>The boy you give me is a girl What are you going to do about
+it?</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Yours respekfully,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Dear Mr. Jackson</p>
+
+<p>In reply to your letter, we would state that the mistake was due
+to the handwriting of the child's mother, making the name appear to
+be spelt with one "e" instead of two, and thus making it a boy's
+name.</p>
+
+<p>We will endeavor, as soon as possible, to repair our error, as
+it was never our intention to deceive you.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Very truly yours,</p>
+
+<p>Junior Committee of the Fatherless Children of France.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls. N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Deer Miss Secretary,</p>
+
+<p>I didnt say you were deceivin, I just want to tell you the boy
+you give me was a girl so you wood not make that mistake agen. It
+is the limit when you have told the fellers you had a boy, to go
+and get a girl, and when I shod the letter to dad he sed by jove
+youre in a fine posishun you are and I sed how is that, and he sed
+fust thing you no you will get yourself talkt about, ritin to a
+girl in France and that would be fine woodnt it?</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Respectfully yours,</p>
+
+<p>J.P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>March 7, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>I received your letter and I did not dye. Of corse you cant help
+bein a girl insted of a boy and thats al-rite because Heloise and
+Myra-Louise and Nelly the girl next dore and pretty nerely every
+body wood ruther be a boy than a girl, but you were the limit to
+fib about it and you have put me in a auful queer posishun, so no
+more fer this time.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godfather,</p>
+
+<p>J.P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. I will suport you just the same so do not worry.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Paris,</p>
+
+<p>21 March 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Mr. James,</p>
+
+<p>I have your letter, and I perceive that you are very much
+offensed. One time more I demand pardon; but I cannot be like you
+want, and by consequence I can never more call myself your dear
+godchild; if you love me not, and I am offensive, I have not
+business of you and your silver. Please give it to one unhappy
+little boy. It is worth better that I have hunger, it is worth
+better that I be made dead by the boches, than to be like one
+little mendicant. I demand to Maman if it is not true, and she say
+yes.</p>
+
+<p>I thank you for all the pain you did take for me and I forget
+never. When I become grand I will render to you all you pay for
+me.</p>
+
+<p>Goodbye monsieur James. Receive the expression of my best
+salutations,</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Andree Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>April 2, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Say what is the matter with you ennyway and why don't you want
+me to support you enny longer? I am your godfather and you are my
+godchild and it is a legal afare, dad sez, and if ennybody sez
+ennything about it they will have to deel with me, see? Ennyway
+mebbe I was kinder cranky about it, and you kinder fibbd, so lets
+say we had a scrap and shake on it and let it go at that. Lots of
+the fellers hear have scraps with the girls, and last weak Dinky
+Odell who is Carl Odells yungist brother had one with Heloise
+because he hollerd, Heloise go wash your feet, the bord of helths
+across the street, at her and she cried, but he sent her a peach of
+a poim to make up, and hear it is, "If you dont like me enny more,
+then I shall inlist and go to war!" I guess Dinky is goin to be a
+poit al-rite. You no I mite go to war two, lots of the fellers hear
+are inlistin in forrin regimunts, theres Carl Odell who has joind
+the Canadian Royal Fling Corpse, and Hanky Jones is goin to drive a
+truck in France and I guess he will be some driver al-rite because
+he has druv the new automobile hearse fer too years now, and say he
+goes like the dickuns. Corse I aint sayin Im goin to inlist rite
+away but I got some ideas in mind and Im thinking of raisin a
+regiment of boy scouts or Red Indians, I guess the Red skins wood
+be the best, and say woodnt Kaiser Bill look chepe if he saw a
+bunch of Red Skins beatin it after him? I bet hed run to beat the
+band, and I bet theyd catch him, and if they did, goodnite fer
+Kaiser Bill. Say they woodnt do a thing to him exept mebbe scalp
+him or skin him alive, and woodnt he look chepe then? Red Skins is
+auful feerce when they get goin, and I dont rekon ennybody cood
+stop them once they got started. We had an auful scare last nite I
+had been suportin you all day by choppin wood and I was dead beet
+but all of a suddin I was woke up by dad and he was yellin Murder!
+Murder! and Amanda and Cecilia and Mother who had her hare in curl
+papers rushd in, and there was dad having a buly fite in bed, and
+he was punchin the pilo, and yellin Murder! Murder! and we was all
+scart to go neer him because he wood punch us like the pilo, so
+Mother took a pitcher of cold water and throo it in his face, and
+that woke him up and he was mad as time, and sed, what you tryin to
+do, drown me? And then he laft and told us his dreme and it was
+this way, Max Dinkelheim, the shoomaker was a German spy and he was
+trying to sell hot dogs with boms in them and no one new there was
+boms in them exept dad. And he sed, you dirty Fritz cut that out,
+and Max he grabd dad by the hare and dad he yankd Max by the ear,
+and they was havin a buly fite when out come five more germans and
+begun to paist dad on the head, and corse he coodnt manige the 6 of
+them so he was yelling Murder! Murder! And then he got the pitcher
+of water and that was all. I bet dad cood have lickd the stuffin
+out of Max Dinkelheim al-rite, and I bet we are goin to have war
+this weak and if we do, dad sez the Kaiser will find out he has bit
+off more than he can chew, and you had better make up with me
+because I think you are al-rite, and if we have war I mite be in a
+posishun to help you. Thank you fer burning that candle fer me, we
+have been burning some sulfur ones fer Heloise and Molly and they
+seem to be gettin along nicely. Dont fergit when you rite to say if
+you are not mad at me enny more.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. Hows your big brother been makin out?</p>
+
+<p>P.P.S. Thank you very much fer bustin that dog fer me. I have a
+pig with a hole in it and if I ern enuf money next weak I will send
+it to you.</p>
+
+<p>P.P.P.S. Who is that Mr. le Cure you talk so much about?</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt.</p>
+
+<p>April 16.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Monsieur James:</p>
+
+<p>When I go to school the week past I see the flag of Amerique
+floating well high! And all the world is content because you come
+to aid us terminate by a peace victorious this war so terrible, and
+be like one brother for the triumph of the Justice, and the
+Liberty, and the Humanity. That is what the mistress of school
+explicate to us, and we love and honor the Amerique like the great
+sister Republique, and then she tell us get up and learn chant the
+song of the Banner of Stars. Perhaps you have hear it? It begin:
+"<i>Oh, dites, voyez-vous aux lueurs du matin</i>" etc. The
+mistress write it all on the tables black,<a name=
+'FNanchor_14_14'></a><a href='#Footnote_14_14'><sup>[14]</sup></a>
+and we copy in lieu of the exercise of grammar, and it make us all
+joyful. But all that make me think so much of you, that I cannot
+empeche<a name='FNanchor_15_15'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_15_15'><sup>[15]</sup></a> myself even if you are no
+more my godfather, to pin the little flag American that you give
+me, on my heart, that save you from the death by the hoopincoff
+when I attach it to the candle of the Ste. Vierge. And then,
+pending the recreation of mid-day, I go home and the factor bring
+your letter! And when I return at school I effort myself so strong
+to read your letter, that I cannot make like it must<a name=
+'FNanchor_16_16'></a><a href='#Footnote_16_16'><sup>[16]</sup></a>
+my chart geographic. But I promise Isabelle Gaveau, the little girl
+of the merchant of shoes, that if she will to aid me, I will lend
+her my pretty handkerchief new, for go to church the morning of
+Easter. So we be all content and I have very much the time to
+reflect and respond at your letter.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Monsieur James, I comprehend that you want I continue be
+your dear godchild. I demand to Maman what I do, and she say: "Take
+the silver, and make no more infantile foolishness. Only one onion
+cost five sous now, and the life is very hard, but Amerique have
+the great heart to help us and give us the hand, and we work all
+the two for the Patrie." So, dear godfather, we be not mad at
+ourselves any more, and I promise I make no more the fib, and you
+make no more the cranky, is it not? I must to make many progress in
+American for when you come I reckon you come like the dickuns, like
+yellin thunder, with the skin'em alive Red-skins and the hot
+dogs!</p>
+
+<p>Dear benefactor, what is it the hot dogs? My great sister say it
+is a species of machine-gun American.</p>
+
+<p>It is very funny your Papa make the wicked dream! You have the
+very beautiful family. Me too. Great brother Jules is already the
+corporal and he is like the Chevalier Bayard without fear and
+without reproach. One day, he tell me, a great <i>&eacute;clat
+d'obus</i> take off his hat, and he pick it off the ground and say:
+"Ho Fritz! I wanted not be so polite and salute you!" And my great
+brother tell me many things important on the war. But I write them
+not, because the censure would scold me; perhaps put me in
+prison.</p>
+
+<p>Pending his permission of four days, he teach little Jean the
+chants of the regiment. Some are not for the little infants, Maman
+says, so he whistle them. But Jean love the military chants much
+more than the ones of latin he learn to sing in the church, and I
+hope he mix them not. Dear godfather, tomorrow is Easter and I am
+making an egg for you. It is a surprise so I tell you not what is
+in it.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>May 5, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Gee whiz but Kaiser Bill is in fer it! Gee whiz, you ot to see
+how Uncle Sam is fixin up fer him! Jo Kelly and Walter Daly and lot
+of the felers are going in fer aviashun and Bill Wilson's
+scout-master and organizin a crack bunch of boy scouts and we have
+a home Deefence and dad has got a uniform and a wooden gun and he
+sez it is a pretty good bunch of felers, but he cood do more with
+them if he was captin insted of mister Larkin, who is a good feler
+but a bum eaptin. I aint sayin much but I got a few idees and I
+woodnt let it sprize you if I was to invent something one of these
+days, but I cant tell you what it is becaus the censer wood cut it
+out. I got your egg and I thank you fer it, but say it got me in
+dutch al-right, it was this way, the postman brot the packidge just
+as I was going to school and I didn't have time to open it so I
+took it along and we was havin some speshul exercises fer a kernel
+Dudley who was to talk on, Do your bit to help win the war, and Bug
+Hadley was recitin the getysberg adress and I opened the packidge
+and their was your egg all smasht up. I guess them cardboard eggs
+aint very strong, or mebbe the censer didn't handel it gently,
+ennyhow it was smasht and the curl inside it was there alrite only
+it was kind of mixt up with the cream candy and I was unmixin them
+when Lily Graham who set beehind me whisperd to Erny Dinkelheim,
+who is Max Dinkelheims youngist son, Jimmy Jacksons girl in France
+has sent him a curl! and Erny started to laff and say, O you
+Curly&mdash;Curly Jackson! and I sed, You shut up! and he sed, O
+pooh-pooh&mdash;pooh-pooh&mdash;and I sed, Dont you pooh-pooh me!
+and he sed, Who will I pooh-pooh then? and I sed, Pooh-pooh the
+Kaiser, and he sed, The Kaiser wont let me pooh-pooh him and you
+leave him alone! And I sed, The Kaiser is bughouse, and Erny he
+made a grab at me and landed me one on the chin, and I paisted him
+one on the eye and Bug Hadley he stopt sayin the getysberg adress,
+and miss Davis she was jumpin up and down hollerin O boys, O boys,
+stop them, stop them! and kernel Dudley he hopt off the stand and
+pulld us apart, and miss Davis was fer puttin us on the platferm
+with our arms on each others shoulders, but the kernel sed, No, it
+is that other boys falt, send him home. So they sent Erny home and
+he was mad as time. Then the kernel give his talk and sed how the
+girls cood help by making the bandiges and how the boys cood find
+out who was fer the guvernment and who wasnt. I bet Erny and his
+father isnt, and I am going to keep my eye on them. Then we sang
+the french nashunal anthem and it is a fine him, and it goes this
+way in English: Ye sons of France awake to glory, the day of
+victory has come, your childrens wives, and sires horny, behold
+there tears&mdash;and thats as far as Ive lernt, we have got to
+lern all of it, and their is a buly part that goes, March on.
+Yesterday the fife and drum corpse plaid it and the Star Spangled
+Banner and some of the boys lafft becaus the fifes sort of sqweekt.
+I dont see how ennybody can laff when they play the Star Spangled
+Banner. Did you get my pig? I suported you this weak by polishin 10
+door handels at 7 cents each, some of them was already polisht but
+the folks was real nice about it and let me give them an extry
+polish. Say why dont you tell me who that Mr. le Cure is? I have
+askt you too times now, and say if I was you I woodnt say, come
+like the dickens or skin them alive or enny of that kind of talk.
+It is al-rite fer boys who are used to ruffin it, but it is not
+nice fer girls so if I was you I wood go easy on it, and hot dogs
+aint machine guns, they are sausidges that are made from those
+low-down german dogs that heve short legs, but say they test buly
+in a roll. The vilets and pollywogs have come and I wood send you
+some but I guess they wood dry up before you got them. Ennyway you
+neednt worry much about the war now that Uncle Sam is in it we will
+lick the stuffin out of him together, I mean out of Kaiser
+Bill.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. Bug Hadley sez it is lucky fer him Erny and I had that
+fite, because he had fergot what come after, and dedicatid to the
+proposishun.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>June 3, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Godfather:</p>
+
+<p>It is great damage that the pretty egg of Easter I sent you be
+smasht up! But I regret yet more that to receive my paquet make you
+dispute yourself in dutch, like you say, with the little villain in
+school. All the same I am content you landed him one in the eye (I
+comprehend not what you want say by that, but I am sure the little
+boche comprehend) and you are one valiant patriot.</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather, why say you the girls must go easy to learn the
+American? I effort myself to be instructed with the words in your
+letters the dictionary contains not but if they are nothing but for
+little boys I pray you to tell me the pretty words for the little
+girls. I am sure my dear godfather serves himself not of villain
+talk. Jean was put in penitence yesterday because he say one word
+that is for Poilus only, and Maman turn him against the wall in the
+corner with the hands behind; and do you know what he do when we
+regard him not? He lick the paper on the wall and make it to come
+off. So Maman give him the spank. Dear godfather, I am happy to
+make you a little pleasure in sending you my portrait. I think it
+is well succeeded and very resembling, and will you have the
+obligeance to envoy to me the one of you?</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather, I make to you a list of words American I
+comprehend not, and I hope you will have the obligeance to
+explicate them to me. What is, for example, gee whiz, felers, boy
+scouts, bum, home defence, kernel, getysberg adress, mebbe,
+pooh-pooh, bug-house, the dickens, pollywogs, and lick the stuffin
+out? I effort myself very strong to find them, but it is not worth
+the pain to search any longer in the dictionary.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>July 5, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>How are you? I dont see that their is enny fun in life enny
+more. I erned $1.56 pickin cheries off the Burtons black chery tree
+and I thot that wood make 70 cents fer you and I would spend the
+rest on fire crakers, well Toby that is the Burtons mastif that is
+always chened up, broke loose and I guess he remembered when Johnny
+Smith and me had swiped some cheries last yere when he was chened
+up, becaus he give one yip and come and set rite under that tree,
+and he set their and grinnd at me all afternoon, and bimeby their
+was a thunder shower and I had on my blew pants that was made from
+dads that had got too tite fer him, and I thot when it begin to
+rain Toby wood beat it, but he just set their and didnt move till
+bimeby mister Burton come along and yankt him away by the color.
+Well I had pickt the cheries al-rite but I was soked clear through
+and the color had come off my pants and on my legs. It is feerce to
+have blew legs. Well I thot I wood stop and boy a canon craker and
+a pistol and I wasnt going to fire them off before the 4th. but ole
+Max Dinkelheim was walking kind of slow in front of me and I thot I
+wood try the pistol just once to see if it workt, so I walkt a
+little faster and shot it off bingo and you shood have seen ole Max
+jump! He give one flop in the air and hollered, A bom! A bom! I
+guess he thot I was a submareen, and when he saw it was me beat it
+after me and we run all the way home, and Max he run rite into dad
+and sed, Where is that boy I will teech him to molest a peaceful
+citizen. And dad sed, What has he done? And he told him and sed, I
+am going to give him the best lickin of his life, and dad rolld up
+his sleeves and sed, Not till you lick me first! And Max kind of
+lookd at dad just like in the dream and I guess he was scart, so he
+sed, If you will promise to see he is punisht I will leve it to
+you, and dad sed, I promise, and Max left and dad he come up and
+was mad as ole get out, and he took my pistol and canon away and I
+had ruther he had give me a lickin because after too days you can
+set down and are al-rite again. We have just herd the Yanks have
+landid somewhere in France. Say, if you want to see a bunch of rele
+fiters you just go take a look at them, and you mite tell your
+brother Jules to take a look at them two as he might get some idees
+from them. I cant tell you what all those words mean, gee whiz is
+just gee whiz and a feler is a guy who is about 12 or 18, and a bum
+is a feler or something that is no good, and a pollywog is a animal
+that is going to be a frog, and pooh-pooh is pooh-pooh, and
+bughouse means you have rats in the upper story, and you had better
+find out about the getysberg adress and the boy scouts and mebbe
+and the dickens yourself but I wood go easy on them if I was you.
+What you want to go askin me all those things fer ennyway? I aint
+askin you what the vacancies, or all of a hit, or pending, of enny
+of those things are, am I? I got your photo and I like the way your
+hare curls and your eyes two and everythin, and I am glad you are
+not laffin. Girls that giggle are the limit. I have only one photo
+of myself and I look as if I wood dye grinning becaus the man that
+took it was jumpin up and down and sayin, Look hear! Look hear! Say
+wood you relly like to have it? I dont think you wood, I dont see
+what good I am ennyway. I am two young to inlist and I dont think
+you relly like me. I guess mebbe I had better go to sea or
+something.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. I went butterflying to-day and had good luck.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.</p>
+
+<p>August 2, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather:</p>
+
+<p>You know what it is the "cafard?" In the dictionary it say it is
+a "roach" and that is the little beast black like your pollywogs, I
+think. But in the Poilu talk it means not that. When there is no
+more fun in life, and I am not good for anything anyhow, like you
+say, that is what they call to have the "cafard." And it is very
+bad in the army. It is to have a bad morale and we must wind
+ourselves up.</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather, you must be content because I love you much. And
+you take so much pain and you labor so hard to entertain<a name=
+'FNanchor_17_17'></a><a href='#Footnote_17_17'><sup>[17]</sup></a>
+me, I want make you happy in your heart so you have no more the
+"cafard." Dear godfather, I will tell you the American Poilus have
+come. On Monday last we hear the music on the road and the mistress
+tell us this afternoon all the children must put on aprons clean,
+and we go to see pass the Americans. And Maman give me five sous
+for purchase a bouquet for give them in souvenir of my dear
+godfather, and the fleuriste give me two roses red and I envelope
+them in a paper wet for hold them fresh. And all the little girls
+march in rank like soldiers, two by two, on to the road where the
+Americans come. And the gendarmes march before us to make spread
+open the crowd so we come. And we stand in rank and it make a very
+long line and shake the flag American and wait. The sun was
+brilliant and very hot and after a very long moment, we hear the
+big music come around the corner, and all bodies were screaming:
+"Vive l'Amerique! Vive les Etats Unis! Hurrah Sammies!" and the
+gentlemen throw up their hats in air. And all of a hit we see the
+banner of stars coming down the street, and I look and all the
+little girls at a time kneel themselves on the sidewalk. And I make
+the sign of the cross, and the little girls at back of me laugh and
+mock at me, but the mistress say it is right; the sign of the cross
+is good for the flag too. And when the flag is pass we arise and
+say hurrah also, and one soldier American regard me with a smile.
+Then I take my courage with two hands and cast away the roses on
+him, and he catch and kiss me with his hand, and put the roses in
+his coat. His name is Teddy and I love him much. I know because he
+come see me, because I write my name (with two es) and adresse tied
+to the roses. My Maman was very much surprise when she see Monsieur
+Teddy come and ring to the door. He is very well elevated and very
+beautiful. He has buckled hairs<a name='FNanchor_18_18'></a><a
+href='#Footnote_18_18'><sup>[18]</sup></a> and a line on one side
+and his figure is razed.<a name='FNanchor_19_19'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_19_19'><sup>[19]</sup></a> His uniform is the color of
+the ground; it is not so much pretty as the French Poilus who are
+the color of the sky. And his hat is tied, like a bonnet of old
+woman, with a shoe-lace in the back. But I love him all of same. He
+take me on his knees and say: "Parlez vous fran&ccedil;ais" and he
+begin to recite the verb "avoir," because he know nothing more of
+French. And so I say I know very well the American and I talk at
+him and he laugh very strong. And he give me a piece of bonbon very
+droll. It is mint but it is like elastic; I eat a great number of
+pieces because I want not to offence him, and Teddy all of a hit
+become very much frightened: "What," he say, "You did swallow the
+chewing gum!" And I say: "Naturally I swallow the bonbon!" And
+Teddy say a bad English word and run away without his hat and he
+come back with a bottle of ipecac and I will not take because I
+know what it make do. And poor Teddy was very much desolated; he
+come every day to get of my news, and to-day he bring the bonbons
+French that we swallow. To-day he ask me will I be his little
+adopted girl the year next when you have finish with me and I say,
+"Mebbe I will." And he say, "Bully for you, you're a peach!" I make
+him write because it is the American and not in the dictionary.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Goodbye, dear godfather,</p>
+
+<p>Your affeckshunate godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Andree Leblanc.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>P.S. I am surprise you ask who is M. le Cur&eacute;. Only the
+pagans have not knowledge of him. Are you one pagan? I think you
+say that to make laugh. It is very bad to mock yourself of M. le
+Cur&eacute;.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>To Mr. James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>Dear Sir:</p>
+
+<p>Due to the great confusion and delay existing in the mails at
+the present time, we have not until now been able to repair our
+error concerning your godchild. We take pleasure in announcing that
+we are now in a position to supply you with a boy as formerly
+requested.</p>
+
+<p>As to the little girl, we can no doubt provide for her until
+other arrangements can be made. Elderly gentlemen, we find, are
+particularly fond of adopting little girls.</p>
+
+<p>Hoping you will pardon our delay, and inform us as soon as
+possible concerning your wishes in this matter, we beg to
+remain,</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Sincerely yours,</p>
+
+<p>The Junior Committee for The Fatherless Children of France.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Deer Miss Secretary,</p>
+
+<p>It is more than kind of you to bother about changing my girl
+into a boy, but it cant be done because I have changed my mind
+about it, but I thank you all the same. You see it is this way, at
+fust I wanted a boy and I was kinder sore after setting my heart on
+one to get a girl, but the girl you give me is diferent from most
+girls, she seams to have a lot of rele sense, and I have got kinder
+used to her, and, well I woodnt like to have her unprovided and
+waitin fer a old gentleman to adop her. Some old gentlemen are
+auful cranks. Old Sam Burton who is our naybor is the limit. He has
+had 5 wives and Mother sez Lord only nos what he has done with
+them, enneway we dont. And she has sort of been takin it ezy while
+I was suportin her and the change wood come hard to her, I mene my
+godchild not Sam Burton's wife. Ennyway the yere is most over and
+you no how folks talk. Fust thing I new they wood say, young
+Jackson's a fikle feller. Thot he'd adop a orfan and now hes swaped
+his girl fer a boy. You no how people will talk, so I guess I can
+stand my godchild fer this yere ennyway, and after that we shall
+see. Of corse I was simply sterilized when I lernt she was a girl,
+but even a girl is preferable to a boy that wore shawls and sed
+everything was prety and kist you with the botom of his heart. She
+has cut that out now, and I am gettin her in prety good shape.
+Explaning whats what to her and every thing. So I guess we can
+manige but I am obliged to you fer the asking.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Yours truly,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>Sept. 5, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Your letter reeched me safely, and I was releeved to here the
+boys had got safely "over there." Of corse we have had some few
+notes, pertikerly from Hanky Jones you no the feller that drove the
+hearse I tole you about. Well he is drivin somewhere over the top
+in France, not a hearse but a truck, and oh boy, he sez the
+swellest funeral he ever drove fer cant hold a candel to drivin a
+truck with Fritz bulets bingin all round you and he sez, I received
+the kit you sent me and It is a great comfort (the kit is not a cat
+but a assortment of handkerchiefs and tooth brushes and everything
+a soldier gets and Mother sent him his and so he rote to thank her)
+an he sez if I go over the top with the best of luck and get enuf
+leave to come home I will give Myself the pleasure of calling on
+you, and showin you what a Greenville soldier looks like. My
+reciprocity shall never end. And he goes on tellin how french
+cookin agrees with him and the censer didnt cut that out, but he
+cut out the best part I guess. Ennyway the censer must have a soft
+spot fer you because he never cuts enny part of yours out. I guess
+ennyway you must be a pretty poplar girl you have so many frens,
+that think a lot of you, theres your brother Jules and that Mr. le
+Cure and that guy Teddy and me. I was sort of thinkin about you and
+me the other day and I rote a verse of poitry about us and here it
+is,</p>
+
+<br>
+<pre>
+<br>
+<span style='margin-left: 1em;'>REALIZATION</span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'>By James Prendergast Jackson, Jr.</span><br>
+
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>Im over here, and your "over there"</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>And I no not the shade of your eyes or your hare.</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>But this much I relize, from the land of the Free!</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>You are imbibed with mystery</i>!</span><br>
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+
+
+<p>I think that sums up the situation. I have supported you one
+yere and you dont no me, and I dont no you, and mebbe you will
+never mete me and mebbe I will never mete you, and while I am tryin
+to think how I can get over there along comes that feler Teddy and
+gets his eye on you and sez, Guess Ill have her for my godchild,
+and Bully fer you your a peach! and you fall fer it of corse, and I
+have to take a back seat. I guess that is life, but I tell you it
+is pretty tuf sometimes and a feler who is twelve yeres old has
+more trubbles than you think. But I guess if you want to be his
+godchild I wont stand between you. Mebbe you wood like a list of
+how I have suported you? Here is some of it, mindin chickins,
+selling Mirrors, choppin wood, frezin ice-cream fer Crankit &amp;
+sons, pickin cheries, money from Carl Odell fer keepin quiet,
+polishin door handels, a mud turtle to Sid Perkins, a jar of
+pollywogs to Sid Perkins, he wants to build an aquarium, and I
+washt the winders of missis Perkins big, white house one weak when
+I was hard up, but I dont think I shall ever be hard up again as
+mister Parker has ofered to take me on the Mirror staff whenever I
+like, as he sez I talk like a book agent. I wish I cood leve school
+and go into bizness or to war or something. I dont seem to get much
+out of school somehow. Miss Davis sez to mother, Mebbe your son has
+deefective eyes but she sez to me, You are a blockhed. I guess miss
+Davis is off the trolly or something, Dad sez she has Fritz blood
+because she is distently related to the Dinkelheims. I was sory to
+hear you had swallerd all that gum, but was glad to see you got
+away with it, that feler was the limit to give it to you, it is not
+a thing to give to a godchild. Fust thing you no when he is your
+godfather he will feed you a shoestring or something, and you will
+be two polite to say no and you will dye. I hate to think of you
+ending that way it dont seem rite somehow. Say what does he want to
+buckle his hare and line it up one side fer? He must think his hed
+is a race track. Gee whiz I hate to think of the Yanks comin runnin
+over there with felers like that among them. I have been in swimmin
+with Dinky Odell in old Frost Lake to-day and he stumpt me to
+swaller a skipper and sed I bet a quarter you will not, so I
+swallerd one and it didn't test ennything at all, only it kind of
+crawled up and down my throte fer awhile and o Boy! didnt he tickel
+though! The next time I swaller a skipper I shall chew him fust, if
+you dont they walk inside of you as if they was saying "where do we
+go from hear?" Say you were pretty smart about catching on about my
+jokin about Mr. le Cure. Corse I dont no him as well as you do,
+caus you no and I no he has lived on the other side more than hear,
+but I guess if we was to pass on the street, we wood no each other
+well enuf to say, Hello, old top, how are you to-day? Say, I have
+got your Christmas present all pickt out, do you no what I wish you
+wood give me fer mine? See if you can guess.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather as ever,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.</p>
+
+<p>September 21, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>My dear godfather:</p>
+
+<p>I thank you for your long letter, and I give it to Monsieur
+Teddy so he read and see how much you are genteel. He regard the
+letter and regard me and his figure become very droll, like he want
+laugh or cry very much and he dare not and must retain himself, and
+he demand if he can keep the letter in his pocket for tomorrow,
+because he desire to envoy you a response with mine. He is very
+amiable and charming, think you not? He come to my house all the
+days now and always he bring something. Sunday he bring a
+pat&eacute; like we eat on days of f&eacute;te before the war; and
+he remain for aid us eat it. And yesterday he bring a great ribbon
+all white for tie on my hairs. He say in Amerique all the little
+girls carry on the summit of the head a ribbon big like a hat. He
+want not I keep for the Sundays but he tie me up and then he say I
+am pretty&mdash;jolly he say, and he demand I show him to speak the
+French. So he commence to read my book of when I was little, the
+"Lectures Enfantines" and I make him say the little poetry that is
+on the page 3 and it say: "Cher petit oreiller," and then my great
+sister enter and she have on her bodice of Sundays and very much
+the powder of rice on the nose. And she say: "Go in the bed-chamber
+and amuse yourself, and I talk with this Monsieur Americain." And I
+want not to go, and I cry, but she say if I obey not she will tell
+Monsieur Teddy come back never again. She is a villain, my great
+sister. I will defend that she aid me to write my letters to you; I
+have not business of her. I have as much as her knowledge of the
+English, and the American also. And Monsieur Teddy love me, nothing
+but me. When he get up to go away he call: "Where is that child of
+the gods?" (He make that game of words because I have perhaps two
+godfathers) And I come, and he console me. Thursday last it was my
+birthday. Monsieur Teddy devined it because he ask me how much age
+I have and I say I will have twelve years the 18, and he say in
+Amerique it is always a great feast and I must to eat a cake very
+big with snow and ice on it and candles, and so he bring it. I was
+washing the vessels,<a name='FNanchor_20_20'></a><a href=
+'#Footnote_20_20'><sup>[20]</sup></a> and he come in the kitchen
+and make many foolishness. He whip me (to make laugh) twelve times
+with a little stick so I grow very big all the year. And then he
+make me hide my eyes in my apron, and when I open them, I see the
+cake, big and white like&mdash;oh like I know not what&mdash;and
+the twelve candles pink were illuminated and there was my name with
+the two es writ in chocolate on the snow. And Monsieur Teddy bring
+also the cold cream; it is rose like the candles and perfumed with
+vanilla and strawberries. Oh dear godfather, I wanted you be here
+and have some! Only one time before when I was little I did eat the
+cold cream and never when it is the war did we eat cake. And it is
+good like to be in Paradise!</p>
+
+<p>But alas! Monsieur Teddy soon will go beat himself<a name=
+'FNanchor_21_21'></a><a href='#Footnote_21_21'><sup>[21]</sup></a>
+with the boches! It is terrible to think because he is so good and
+beautiful! I told you he have little wings white on him, because he
+go up in the air?</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Goodbye, dear godfather,</p>
+
+<p>Your affeckshunate godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls, N.Y.</p>
+
+<p>October 6, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>I am sending you this letter in anser to yours quick, becaus I
+think if you are not careful that Teddy will poison you with his
+eats. The gum was bad enuf and I was jokin when I sed what I did
+about the shoestring, but cross my heart and hope to dye, that
+feedin you cold cream is the wust I ever herd, and what makes me
+feel so bad is there is no one to warn you and he is stringin you
+on. Gee whiz, it makes me sick to think of it! I have not been able
+to eat fer two days, yesterday we had pancakes fer brekfast and I
+cood not eat enny and mother sed, I wonder what ales James? And dad
+sed, In the spring a yung mans fancy, and mother sed quick, It is
+not spring, Prendy, it is fall, and I think it is his stummick that
+is turned and dad sed, No it is his heart I have found his poitry,
+and mother sed, Well you may be rite but I shall give him a dose of
+caster oil, You no the oil of the caster, just like you had the oil
+of the codfish only this tests like sam scratch see? Well I had to
+swaller some and it was feerce and fer too cents I wood twist that
+teller Teddy's nose and stick my finger in his eye. Gee whiz, and
+he wares white wings dose he, and jumps up in the air. Some angel
+beleeve me, say mebbe he is a angel that has fallen from the sky?
+or a acrobat from Barnums? only I guess if he comes from Barnums he
+must be a freak al-rite. Ennyway until this yere ends you are my
+godchild and I am your godfather, and I forbid you to tuch enny
+more of that Teddys eats, understand? If you are hungry you just
+tell me, and I will send you the proper food; and it will not be
+gum, or cold-cream or candels ether, I can tell you. Why even Mr.
+le Cure wood no enuf not to give you enny of those things. That
+Teddy is not fit to have a godchild, and that is the hole story in
+a nutshell. I dunno just what I shall do if he rites to me. Mebbe I
+will anser and mebbe I wont. I guess I shall tell miss Betty about
+it. Have I ever tole you about her? She lives in the big house on
+the hill next to Sid Perkins and she has hare like, well like what
+you sed about Jean's, like gold and sunshine, and big blue eyes and
+the cutest little chin with a dimple rite in the middle, and when
+she smiles she makes me think of the ferry queens you read about in
+books. I guess miss Betty is the prettiest girl on earth al-rite.
+She was one of the folks what let me give there dorenobs a extra
+polish, and she nos all about you and now I have tole her about
+that Teddy, and she sez, I no just how you feel about him Jimmy. It
+is a grate comfort to have someone understand you if your family do
+not. And I askt her if she new enny poitry in french I cood send
+you by way of conversashun, and she sez, I remember just one, and
+here it is,</p>
+
+<br>
+<pre>
+<br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>"Je vous aime, je vous adore,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>Que voulez vous done encore?"</i></span><br>
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+
+
+<p>I thot that was kind of short but she sed if I sent this to you
+you mite send that feler Teddy packin, but I guess you wont. I dont
+no when I have had so much bad luck as I have had lately. Fust
+their was the hoopincoff, then my blew legs, then I lost my
+firecrakers, and now I guess I am going to lose you al-rite. I
+fergot to tell you their is a new preecher hear called Herbit
+Hoover and he is a minister of the gospel of the Clean Plate, and
+all us school boys have been distributin little papers about it,
+the idee is, if you do not beleeve in it you eat meat and wheat and
+everythin, and if you beleeve a little you have meatless days and
+eat rye and no wheat, and if you get the religion rele hard you
+lick your plate clean and eat pretty near nothing at all. Ennyway
+nobody must eat sugar. Dad sez it is becaus sugar has turned to
+dimonds, so we have sirup insted and it is pretty good, the
+pancakes I was tellin you about was made with that. Mother sez the
+sugar situashun is going to be rele bad. I hope their is some left
+fer my birthday which is near Thanksgiving day. Say, you and I come
+near bein twins do you no that? Just too weaks more and we wood
+have been born together, only I wood have been your twin over here
+and you wood have been my twin over there. Say woodnt that have
+been funny though! Stranger things have happined though. It does
+seem sort of strange to think those too weaks have made me your
+godfather and you my godchild insted of us bein twins. I tole
+mother about it and she sed she thot it was better the way it is. I
+have saved up 47 cents fer your Christmas present I am not going to
+tell you what I wish you wood do fer mine. I am going to see if you
+can guess it.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your ever affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.</p>
+
+<p>September 24, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>My dear godfather:</p>
+
+<p>I am afraid this letter can't be in my own style and handwriting
+this time, for Mr. Teddy is here and I have asked him to help me
+with my English, in exchange of my helping him with his French. My
+mind is troubled and I think he can express my thought, so he has
+taken the pen in hand, and I, sitting on a little stool at his
+feet, and gazing up at him, try to make him understand what is in
+my mind.</p>
+
+<p>But first of all Mr. Teddy wants to ask you to forgive him, if
+he seems to be "butting in" and spoiling the game between you and
+your godchild. Honor bright, he didn't mean to do it. It was fate.
+Just blind, mysterious, and merciless fate that decreed that things
+should happen as they did. Mr. Teddy may be a blessing in disguise,
+anyway he couldn't be helped, and he has no excuse to offer,
+except, perhaps, that he is alone in the world and homesick in a
+foreign land. He is sorry you and he can't fight a duel over the
+situation, but I am very glad. And Mr. Teddy wants to tell you,
+very seriously that he takes off his hat to any little fellow of
+your size who can do the plucky thing you have done, and keep it up
+so well. If grown up men all had more of your spirit, he says, the
+war would be over long ago.</p>
+
+<p>The object of this letter is as follows: I (your godchild) wish
+to make amends. I wrote you yesterday, and didn't answer your
+letter. Not a word did I say about it, except that I had received
+it, then I prattled away all about another would-be godfather for
+whom you, naturally, have no earthly use. And to-day my heart is
+filled with remorse and my head is filled with fears lest you
+should think your dear godchild is ungrateful, fickle, and flighty.
+I want to tell you how every detail of your life&mdash;from
+knob-polishing and bug-swallowing to poetry-writing is dear and
+precious to me. How I wish I could do the same! How I live in eager
+expectation of your letters; how I gloat and ponder over them when
+they come; and how deep is the gloom into which I am plunged when
+they do not come! Mr. Teddy knows all that, because I have somehow
+expressed it, and if I had striven to hide my thought he would have
+guessed it, for he knows full well what goes on in the hearts of
+little maids and gallant lads.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore have I asked him to voice my deepest feelings in a
+poem that will answer yours:</p>
+
+<br>
+<pre>
+<br>
+<span style='margin-left: 1em;'>"IDEALIZATION"</span><br>
+
+<span style='margin-left: 1em;'>By Andree Leblanc and</span><br>
+<span style='margin-left: 1em;'>Yankee Teddy.</span><br>
+
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'>"<i>Though our eyes may never meet,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>To me you're more than bread or meat,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>You are the proud and noble knight</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>That I pray for every night.</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>You could stand up on burning decks,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>While others ran to save their necks,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>You would not fear the dreadful Hun,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>In Freedom's cause you'd fire a gun.</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>A lad who never gets cold feet</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>Was not destined to know defeat,</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>But oh! thou child of many pray'rs</i></span><br>
+<span style=
+'margin-left: 1em;'><i>Beware of Jealousy's deep snares!"</i></span><br>
+</pre>
+
+<br>
+<br>
+ <br>
+<p>From your affectionate godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls</p>
+
+<p>Oct. 10, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>My dear Mr. Teddy,</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy has just brought me your letter, in great excitement, and
+I am taking the liberty of answering it myself, as I don't think he
+could do himself justice under the present circumstances. Mr.
+Teddy, did you ever have a soft spot for a little girl, when you
+were about eleven or twelve? I had one for a little boy; he was
+older than I, about fourteen; his name was Robert, and he had
+freckles; I think he squinted, too, and he teased all the girls a
+great deal. I am sure he was a very horrid little boy, as I look
+back, but at that time I thought he was wonderful, and it almost
+broke my heart when he said he had no use for little yellow-haired
+girls and took a girl with two brown pigtails to a big children's
+party, instead of me.</p>
+
+<p>Jimmy has a very soft spot for his godchild, and it is more than
+a passing fancy with him. You see, his family, while not actually
+poverty-stricken, are not as well off as they used to be, and Jimmy
+has practically supported Andree himself all the year, through
+countless little odd jobs. I have seen him on the coldest winter
+days, chopping wood or going from door to door asking to shovel
+snow, and his fingers were so red and frozen he could scarcely hold
+the shovel; yet he was always ready, with a smile, to do more work
+for his "kid in France." Andree is his godchild, his sister, his
+whole family to him; and he shoulders the responsibility of looking
+after her with all the seriousness of a little old man. Now, right
+in the middle of this flourishing state of affairs you come, with
+your big American pockets filled with elastic candy and bon-bons,
+and at a moment's notice you produce cold-cream, perfumed with
+strawberry and vanilla, and snow-covered cakes such as Jimmy can
+never hope to equal. What little girl would not turn fickle to her
+first love in the presence of such a display? At first Jimmy was
+filled with natural jealousy at your intrusion. He was all for
+going over there and giving you a piece of his mind; but since
+receiving your letter he has, almost incredibly, come to feel sorry
+for you because, as he says, "it must be pretty tuf to be all alone
+over there, and I guess he thinks my godchild is a peach, all
+right." And Jimmy is right; you must be so very very lonesome! And
+yet couldn't we manage to cheer you up a little without taking
+Jimmy's godchild away from him? I don't know of any little godchild
+I could give you in exchange, but I do know of a girl who lives
+with an invalid mother in a big white house on a hill, and who
+would only be too glad to have a soldier for a godson and send him
+little packages of cigarettes, and pictures of movie stars (of
+which she has a great collection) and&mdash;oh tell him about home
+and friends and people and everything.</p>
+
+<p>I am sending you this letter care of Andr&eacute;e Leblanc; if
+you would care for the arrangement I suggest, would you let me
+know?</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Sincerely yours,</p>
+
+<p>Elizabeth Winslow</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.</p>
+
+<p>November 2, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>My dear godfather:</p>
+
+<p>Jules has received a wound, and he is very joyful because it
+make him not to die; on the contrary it make him cited at the order
+of the day and decorated with the M&eacute;daille Militaire. He
+make two boches prisoners and catch them with one hand because the
+other had the very bad hurt. And then he fainted himself on the
+ground and the Cross Red pick him and conduct him at a great
+hospital in Paris. And Tuesday Maman and Marie go to see him and
+take him the lemonade. And yesterday Monsieur Teddy ask Maman the
+permission to take me to see him also and she say yes and we go. We
+ride in the tramway pending a long time and I give Monsieur Teddy a
+lesson of French, and he say nothing but, <i>oui, oui</i> and
+<i>chic alors&mdash;zut alors</i>! And all the travelers regard us
+and laugh and Monsieur Teddy laugh also. But when we arrive at the
+hospital he laugh not at all. He take my hand and I keep it very
+tight because I am frighten. It is very beautiful, the hospital.
+There is the great garden with trees and flat bands<a name=
+'FNanchor_22_22'></a><a href='#Footnote_22_22'><sup>[22]</sup></a>
+and the soldier sentinel at the door. Inside it is all white and
+dark, a little like the church, and it smell of pharmacy and nobody
+make a noise. A lady white conduct us up the stairs and open a
+door, and I see a great number of beds in lines with Poilus in
+them. When they see the uniform American some make the salute
+military and I feel myself very proud. Jules was so content he say
+it make his hurt to go away immediately. And Teddy sit on a chair
+and give cigarettes and try to make conversation with his hands.
+And I sit on the bed and make talk with two tongues and ten fingers
+also. And Teddy say he will come again see brother Jules all the
+Sundays and Thursdays and console him until he go to fly away. Very
+sure he is one angel, Mr. Teddy! And he go up in the heavens with
+the wings! Oh little foolish godfather! Understand you not he is
+one aviator? And you must not be in anger when he give me the good
+things to eat. Perhaps in Amerique the cold cream is bad, but in
+Paris it make you not sick, on the contrary. I show not your letter
+to Mr. Teddy because you say for two cents you twist his nose and
+his eyes and it is not very genteel, dear godfather. When you think
+wickedness the bon Dieu punish you. It is because you think
+wickedness of Mr. Teddy that you become sick and cannot to eat the
+pancakes, and must drink the oil of the caster.</p>
+
+<p>I am content that the Miss Betty understand you and you tell her
+all things, and she is like the ferry with the twisted hairs. Hairs
+like gold is very pretty for little boys like Jean, but on ladies
+it look like the sun have fade the color. Thank you for the poetry
+she make. But my great sister see it and she say to Maman: "These
+infants write great foolishness all the time. If it continues we
+must give Andree no more stamps of five sous. We will make the
+economy and send only a card postal all the three months when the
+Comit&eacute; Americain send the silver of the godfather."</p>
+
+<p>And I am very unhappy because Maman will not permit me to polish
+door-knobs like you and gain silver for the stamps of five sous.
+But little Jean come squeeze my neck and console me, and say he
+will work and become rich to purchase the stamps of five sous. Poor
+little! He know not what it is the life, but he is one brave little
+man, and I think he will resemble to you, dear godfather. Oh, I
+forget, in my other letter I write when Mr. Teddy come, to say I
+desire very much your portrait where you are grinning, like you
+say. I love much the grinning godfather. I will place you above my
+bed, under the branch of blessed box. My Papa is there also, and I
+embrace him all the nights, before I lie down.</p>
+
+<p>Dear little godfather, I am very recognizing<a name=
+'FNanchor_23_23'></a><a href='#Footnote_23_23'><sup>[23]</sup></a>
+that you guard 47 sous for my Christmas. Alas, I can never enough
+say thank you for all you do, and I can never render it to you! It
+make me full of sorry when I think that. With Maman I essay to
+guess what you want I do. I will make something with my proper
+hands, and Maman will aid. You will love a pair of slippers
+embroidered, or a shawl (I want say a scarf) or a bonnet of
+aviator? Tell me, I pray of you,</p>
+
+<p>I shake your hand affectuously.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Greenville Falls</p>
+
+<p>Nov. 18, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Deer godchild,</p>
+
+<p>How are you? I got that mister Teddy's letter, and I was goin to
+anser it but I dident no just what to say, so I gave it to miss
+Betty and she sed she wood anser it herself. And you needent worry
+about my twistin his nose and stikin my finger in his eye, because
+if you like him I will leave him alone fer your sake. I had quite a
+good birthday. Miss Betty found out when it was, and she gave me a
+bully party, but we had a feerce time gettin sugar. You no mister
+Hoover the new minister I was telling you about? Well he has got
+reel exited about sugar, and he has told the shopkeepers they must
+give only one pound to itch family, and miss Betty she wanted more
+than that to make my cake, because she sez it is hard enuf to cook
+with things but it is the limit to cook without them. And she
+dident no what to do until she had a brite idee. She sent Molly to
+Butler's store and she got some mapel seerop and mixt it all up
+with the sugar and a lot of other good stuff. And I had a bully
+cake. It was kinder soft to have candels on it, but miss Betty made
+it all herself and that is more than your Teddy did, and it was a
+bully cake just the same. And she let me ask Dinky Odell over to
+have some and we had hot chocolate and a fust rate time. I am sorry
+your sister dident like the poitry. Some peeple dont no a good
+thing when they see it. Carl Odell has writ to Amanda, and he sez,
+"I am writing this in the midst of falling shells and boms busting
+in air, but if ever I come out al-rite little girl I'll come back
+to you." Carl Odell must have been sent to the front pretty quick
+al-rite as he has only been gone too weaks, and he sez he has a lot
+of inside inflammation, but he is afraid the censer will cut it
+out.</p>
+
+<p>And now I come to the bizness part of this leter. Fer one yere
+now I have been your godfather and you have been my godchild, and
+we have hit it off pretty well I think, and now the yere is drawing
+to a close, and next month it may be all will be ended between us.
+Little girl, what I have been wishing you wood do fer Christmas is
+not a scarf, or slipper or ennything but this. Will you be my
+godchild fer a nuther yere? I guess mebbe you mite do better fer
+yourself and get a more classy godfather. I dont seem to be much
+good at school somehow, and I guess that missis Yanket was rite
+when she sed what she did about my spellin bein feerce. I guess
+mebbe you rite better than I do, and I no that mister Teddy dose
+becaus miss Betty saw his letter and she sed it was a fine letter.
+Somehow I guess Mr. le Cure and missis Yanket and all your frens
+rite and spell better than I do. But I bet I can polish dore
+handels and wash winders and sell Mirrors and suport you as well as
+enny Body. Mebbe I am cut out fer plane bizness. And so I say, if
+you think you like me, and wood like to keep on having me fer your
+godfather, say yes and I will be much obliged. But if you think you
+wood be hapier with Mr. Teddy, dear godchild why just say so and
+never mind about me. I guess I can live it down.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your affeckshunate godfather,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Paris, Dec. 4, 1917.</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather,</p>
+
+<p>I say thousand times yes, and the bon Dieu give you benediction.
+Oh dear godfather, you did make the foolish when you believe I want
+veritably monsieur Teddy to me adopt! He is full of gracious
+goodness, Monsieur Teddy, but he is not like unto you. He did not
+the work, and he beat himself not with Red-Skins, to succour me and
+give comfort in the modest interior. Mr. Teddy very sure will be
+one hero in the war, but you are already one hero with heart more
+big. And my dear Papa, that did die for the Patrie, is well content
+to behold that. We are loving all the Amerique; but Maman and me
+say yesterday there is not in the world entire a boy so much
+remplished of sentiments delicate like my grinning godfather. (I
+call you like that because your photography is come; you are more
+beautiful than Mr. Teddy and it rejoice the heart to look upon
+you.)</p>
+
+<p>Dear godfather I will tell you Mr. Teddy is departed to the
+front. He come one day, late, and he say not he go away the
+tomorrow; he only sit by the stove, and take Jean upon his knees
+and caress the hairs of gold; and he smile very nice but speak not
+much. And when he go, he tell me, very quiet, he have in his pocket
+one beautiful letter of the miss Betty. And she is his ferry
+godmother, and you are my ferry godfather and all things are
+al-rite, al-rite! You say all the time that word, you other
+Americans, al-rite, al-rite. Maman say it is because you have
+confidence in the bon Dieu, and you know that He will make the bad
+world all over like that: Al-rite, al-rite!</p>
+
+<p>Happy Year! dear little godfather. Permit, one time, that I
+embrace you very affectuously, and shake your hand.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Your godchild for the life,</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute;e Leblanc.</p>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Deer Miss Secretary:</p>
+
+<p>After some consideration I have decided to keep my orfan fer one
+more yere. Of course she is still a girl and I wanted a boy, but
+she is used to me and I am used to her, and it mite go hard with
+her if I left her fer some one else to adop, so if you will just
+put me down fer one more yere I will be much obliged to you.</p>
+
+<br>
+<p>Yours truly,</p>
+
+<p>James P. Jackson Jr.</p>
+
+<hr style='width: 65%;'>
+<h4>NOTES</h4>
+
+<br>
+<a name='Footnote_1_1'></a><a href='#FNanchor_1_1'>[1]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Silver <i>(argent)</i> money.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_2_2'></a><a href='#FNanchor_2_2'>[2]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Good-carrying (<i>bien portante</i>) healthy.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_3_3'></a><a href='#FNanchor_3_3'>[3]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Dactylographer (<i>typist</i>).</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_4_4'></a><a href='#FNanchor_4_4'>[4]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Indorse <i>(endosser)</i> to put on</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_5_5'></a><a href='#FNanchor_5_5'>[5]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Vacancies <i>(vacances)</i> vacations.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_6_6'></a><a href='#FNanchor_6_6'>[6]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Well elevated <i>(bien &eacute;lev&eacute;e</i>) well bred.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_7_7'></a><a href='#FNanchor_7_7'>[7]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Rested on the road (<i>rest&eacute; en route</i>) went
+astray.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_8_8'></a><a href='#FNanchor_8_8'>[8]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>It makes nothing (<i>cela ne fait rien</i>) it does not
+matter.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_9_9'></a><a href='#FNanchor_9_9'>[9]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>I have not business (<i>le n'ai pas besoin</i>) I do not
+need.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_10_10'></a><a href='#FNanchor_10_10'>[10]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Sleep on two ears (<i>dormir sur les deux oreilles</i>) to sleep
+like a top</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_11_11'></a><a href='#FNanchor_11_11'>[11]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>I guard (<i>je garde</i>) I keep.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_12_12'></a><a href='#FNanchor_12_12'>[12]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>All of a hit (<i>tout d'un coup</i>) suddenly.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_13_13'></a><a href='#FNanchor_13_13'>[13]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Melt in tears (<i>fondre en larmes</i>) burst into tears.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_14_14'></a><a href='#FNanchor_14_14'>[14]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Tables black (<i>tableaux noirs</i>) black boards.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_15_15'></a><a href='#FNanchor_15_15'>[15]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Empeche myself (<i>m'emp&ecirc;cher</i>) I cannot help.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_16_16'></a><a href='#FNanchor_16_16'>[16]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Like it must (<i>comme il faut</i>) nicely.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_17_17'></a><a href='#FNanchor_17_17'>[17]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>entertain (<i>entretenir</i>) to support.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_18_18'></a><a href='#FNanchor_18_18'>[18]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Buckled hairs (<i>cheveux boucl&eacute;s</i>) curly hair.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_19_19'></a><a href='#FNanchor_19_19'>[19]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>His figure is razed (<i>sa figure est ras&eacute;e</i>) his face
+is shaved.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_20_20'></a><a href='#FNanchor_20_20'>[20]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Washing the vessels (<i>laver la vaisselle</i>) washing the
+dishes.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_21_21'></a><a href='#FNanchor_21_21'>[21]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Beat himself (<i>se battre</i>) to fight.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_22_22'></a><a href='#FNanchor_22_22'>[22]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Flat bands <i>(plate-bandes)</i> flower beds.</p>
+</div>
+
+<a name='Footnote_23_23'></a><a href='#FNanchor_23_23'>[23]</a>
+<div class='note'>
+<p>Recognizing <i>(reconnaissante)</i> grateful.</p>
+</div>
+<br>
+<br>
+<hr class="full" noshade>
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DEER GODCHILD***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 13125-h.txt or 13125-h.zip *******</p>
+<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br />
+<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/1/2/13125">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/1/2/13125</a></p>
+<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.</p>
+
+<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.</p>
+
+
+
+<pre class="pg">
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+<a href="https://gutenberg.org/license">https://gutenberg.org/license)</a>.
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's
+eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII,
+compressed (zipped), HTML and others.
+
+Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over
+the old filename and etext number.  The replaced older file is renamed.
+VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving
+new filenames and etext numbers.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">https://www.gutenberg.org</a>
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
+EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000,
+are filed in directories based on their release date.  If you want to
+download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular
+search system you may utilize the following addresses and just
+download by the etext year.
+
+<a href="http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext06">http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext06</a>
+
+    (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99,
+     98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90)
+
+EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are
+filed in a different way.  The year of a release date is no longer part
+of the directory path.  The path is based on the etext number (which is
+identical to the filename).  The path to the file is made up of single
+digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename.  For
+example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at:
+
+https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234
+
+or filename 24689 would be found at:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689
+
+An alternative method of locating eBooks:
+<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL">https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL</a>
+
+*** END: FULL LICENSE ***
+</pre>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/old/13125.txt b/old/13125.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf4993a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/13125.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,2112 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Deer Godchild, by Marguerite Bernard and
+Edith Serrell
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Deer Godchild
+
+Author: Marguerite Bernard and Edith Serrell
+
+Release Date: August 6, 2004  [eBook #13125]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DEER GODCHILD***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Tamiko I. Camacho, and Project
+Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+DEER GODCHILD
+
+by
+
+MARGUERITE BERNARD and EDITH SERRELL
+
+Published for the Fatherless Children of France
+
+1919
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+DEDICATED
+
+TO OUR FRIEND
+
+LOUISE HURLBUT MASON
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+A young New-Yorker of twelve lately heard an appeal for the Fatherless
+Children of France, and his heart was touched. He had no money, but
+he resolved to give his spare time and his utmost energy to support a
+"kid in France." The French child needed ten cents worth of extra food
+each day, in order to grow up with strength and courage. The little
+American godfather earned those ten cents; he sold newspapers at the
+subway entrance, after school hours, and undertook an amazing variety
+of more or less lucrative odd jobs. Sometimes business was slow, and
+it was hard to keep up the game; but he did. He is still, in the true
+American expression "making good" for his deer godchild, and doing
+it with a broad and brotherly grin. He is James P. Jackson Jr. His
+letters to and from the kid in France are published just for fun--and
+yet in the hope of encouraging more "dear benefactors" to join our
+large family and help along, in the same spirit and with the same joy.
+
+EDITH SERRELL.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls,
+November 27, 1916.
+
+Deer miss Secretary
+
+How are you? It is al-rite about the french orfan and I wood like a
+boy between ten and twelve if it is the same to you. At fust dad sed
+I coodnt have him because there was plenty of rich godfathers who wood
+take him if I didn't, but mother told him of the apeel you made and
+that I was goin to raze the money myself, and he sed well I guess you
+are rite and if he can raze enuf money to raze a kid on he is well
+come to it, and she sed I guess that is the rite spirit. And so I am
+sending you 85cts. which is 70cts, fer the fust weak, and you can
+keep the change which is 15cts, fer the next weak, so I will only send
+55cts, fer the fust weak after that. The 85cts. is my birthday money
+which was on thanksgiving day and I guess the folks will be glad to
+give me work when they no I am suporting a kid in france.
+
+Hoping you are well and I am the same I will, close.
+
+Yours truly,
+James Prendergast Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I shood like his name to be Bill or Pete in french and not one of
+those girly names if it is the same to you.
+
+
+
+
+To Mr. James Prendergast Jackson Jr.
+Dear Sir:
+
+According to your instructions, we have assigned to you Andre Leblanc,
+aged 11, No. 18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris, as your godchild for one
+year. Thanking you for your interest in this worthy cause, we beg to
+remain
+
+Very truly yours,
+The Junior Committee for the Fatherless
+Children of France.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+Dec, 1st, 1916.
+
+Deer godchild
+
+How are you? I am very well and I have ganed 5 Ibs. in one weak which
+makes me 85 Ibs. which is thot very good in America. Have you had much
+snow? We have had it considerable hear which has spoylt the skating on
+Frost Lake which is beehind old Sam Bursars house who is our naybor.
+I am glad you have a short name, I had ruther be cald Andre than
+Nickulus, Cristuff or Jean-Marie, but I wood ruther you were cald Bill
+or Pete or Sniper, but you cant help being what they call you so never
+mind. I suported you this weak by selling 70 copies of the Greenville
+Mirror by hand. It is a good paper and shood be patronized. I wakt
+into Jim Parkers offis he is the editur and sed, Mister Parker, if you
+have a loose job and no man fer it I am the man you want, and he sed
+how old are you? and I sed 11. and he sed what you want a job fer? and
+I sed, O fer a kid I have in France and he sed since I was suportin
+you if I cood sell 70 copies of the Mirror he wood give me 35 cts.
+and Mother had give me 15 fer mindin the chikens when she went to
+Peeks-kill, so I new it would be al-rite, so I sed very well your on.
+So I took the mirrors and stood on the corner of School street, and
+bimeby the men begin to come home from the city, and some of them
+stopt to buy a Mirror and some did not, so I thot I wood make an
+appeel so I hollered, Buy a Mirror fer a kid in France, and waived it
+in there faces, and you shood have seen them buy! Enneway I guess the
+Mirror is a good ole paper, when all the men had come home I thot I
+wood take the papers to the folks that wernt on the street, like the
+schoolmaams and the sisters. Well most of them hot fine exept miss
+Leigh the Sunday school teacher, and she sed the Mirror was a low down
+politishuns sheet and I sed buy it fer Lily Blanche her help, and she
+sed what are you so ankshus to sell papers fer? And I sed how do you
+expect me to suport a kid in France if you peeple wont help out? and
+she sed the Lord will provide, but I told her I wood ruther do it
+myself; and she said I guess He's doin it threw you, so at last she
+forkt up, and I went home at 6 o'clock, but I tell you I had a prety
+tuf day. Say how is your mussel? Have you enny brothers and sisters? I
+have five, they are Amanda aged 16, Cecilia aged 10, Myra-Louise aged
+7, Molly aged 6, and Heloise aged 5. I come between the fust too. Dad
+wanted to call Heloise Omeega after Alfred and Omeega in the Bibel,
+but Mother sed that was foolish and I guess it was, cause there was no
+boy to be Alfred excep me, and I was alredy James, so he give it up.
+Sid Perkins is suportin a girl in France and hes auful rich, and
+dont have to work to keep her goin. Gee, Im glad your a boy, girls is
+al-rite in there line but I woodnt adop one fer love or money. Can
+you here the shootin from where you are? I have seen the new American
+submareen and it is a fine bus, I tell you if ever the Yankees come
+runnln over there you wont see Kaiser Bill fer dust. Do you like
+prisners base? What grade are you in? Well, hoping you are well and
+that some day we will meet somewhere in France, I will close.
+
+Your affecshunate godfather,
+James Prendergast Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. If ever we go to war, and I inlist and go to France I mite take
+you back to New York on firlow.
+
+
+
+
+16 Dec. 1916.
+Dear Benefactor,
+
+I thank you with the bottom of my heart for your kindness unto me.
+Maman and me have been so content to receive your letter and your
+donation generous! Your succour will sweeten the times difficult that
+we are traversing; and the silver[1] you send will permit me to eat of
+the meat and be forceful to aid maman she has so much of labor and of
+pain! I will tell you, dear benefactor, that I am not the most robust
+But I take the oil of liver of cod-fish all the days for make myself
+high and good-carrying.[2] Yes, dear benefactor, I will forget never
+what you do, and all the nights I make a prayer for you be happy in
+the life.
+
+I cannot to read your letter very well alone, because I know not
+sufficient the English. But I have one aunt, she is dead, she know
+very well the English, and she teach me of it and my great sister
+also; she is a dactylographer,[3] and she know the English very
+perfect, and she me aids so I do mistakes not at all. And I serve me
+of the dictionary also. Maman say your letters will make complete my
+education. But some words I comprehend not. What is, for example, the
+kid? I search and I see only it is the offspring of a goat. I am sure
+in the book is the mistake, for my dear godfather will not make the
+pain to me and my Maman in calling me the offspring of a goat.
+
+Dear godfather, I am also surprise that you be so much heavy. I have
+11 years like you, and I am only 39 kg heavy. But in Amerique, Maman
+tell me, all is big, big! It is droll, so big little boys. Sometimes
+I ask myself if you are veritably a little boy. Perhaps it is to
+make laugh you tell me you are one infant. Perhaps you are the old
+gentleman.
+
+Tell me dear godfather, what is it the Sunday-school? In Paris we
+go not to school the Sunday. We rise more lately, and we dress more
+pretty than the days of week, and for breakfast we eat the cacao in
+lieu of soup of potato left of last night. And we go to the grand mass
+with Maman. Little brother Jean is one infant of choir at the church.
+He do nothing but balance and smoke the incense, and be pretty like
+one angel; because his hairs are like the gold, and his eyes like
+the heaven when the sun make shine. All at the beginning he was not
+content because the smoking make him to sneeze, and he did cry, and
+he wanted not to indorse[4] the dress white, with lace; he say he
+resemble to a girl; and he believe all the world in the church was
+regarding him. But now he is habituated, and he become more sage. It
+is very necessary he become sage, because he is so devil. Yesterday,
+for example, Mr. le Cure give him a pretty card postal with the image
+of angels and tell him he must apply to resemble to them; and Jean
+responded, "no I want not to be the angel and have wings like one
+hen!" Mr. le Cure say it is Satan that commands the wicked words like
+that, and when he go to fall in temptation Jean must say, "Vade retro
+Satanas," and that make Satan go behind. And Jean say, "yes but then
+Satan go at my back and push hard, so I fall!" It is very sad little
+Jean be so much bad.
+
+I will tell you, dear benefactor, that I effort myself to work and be
+very sage so little brother take model on me. I go to catechism two
+times by week, and I am on the table of honor, and for Christmas Mr.
+le Cure give me a pretty shawl for hold my neck and shoulders warm
+when I go to school.
+
+For Christmas Jean put his shoes in the chimney for the little Jesus
+fill them like all the years. But Maman say to him: "This year the
+little Jesus carry nothing, because with all the sous in the world he
+want to get our big victory so the dirty boches kill no more our dear
+Papas."
+
+But, grace to you, the morning of Noel the shoes were all of same
+remplished. There was apples red and some chocolate and stockings with
+long legs. We make many of holes in our stockings and all the time
+there is no more cloth in places, so Maman cuts them down. So in the
+beginning they are long, then 1/2 long, then socks. It was socks all
+the winter, dear benefactor, but when your silver come, the legs come
+long again.
+
+In the after-dinner Noel we make a promenade in the woods of
+Boulognes. Now it is the vacancies[5] of Noel and I aid Maman, she
+make me some black aprons new for go to school, and I sit myself down
+on the side of her. She loves not that I play in the streets, because
+she desire that I be well elevated [6]. And it is much snow in Paris;
+it make so cold that I love not to go out.
+
+Dear benefactor, you demand what grade I am. I comprehend not. Only
+the officers have grade. Are you an officer? I think yes, because you
+talk so much the submareens, etc.
+
+I have nothing more to say at you, but Maman joins herself to me to
+pray you to agree, dear benefactor, the expression of our sentiments
+the most distinguished and respectuous.
+
+Your godchild,
+A. Leblanc.
+
+[1] Silver _(argent)_ money.
+[2] Good-carrying (_bien portante_) healthy.
+[3] Dactylographer (_typist_).
+[4] Indorse _(endosser)_ to put on.
+[5] Vacancies _(vacances)_ vacations.
+[6] Well elevated _(bien elevee_) well bred.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Jan. 2, '17.
+
+Deer Miss Secretary,
+
+There is something off about my godchild, you no the one you give me
+to suport, well dad rored when he saw the letter but I think he is a
+nut and mother sez he is two elevated fer me, so hoping you will get
+me a nuther one I will close hoping you are well.
+
+Yours truly,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I will rite just the same to this one till you get me a nuther
+one.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Jan. 2, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild
+
+How are you? I got your letter al-rite and what I wood like to no is
+what in thunder is that goat stuff you are drivin at? I didnt call you
+no names excep dere godchild and kid and you are both, and a godchild
+is a godchild and sometimes a kid is a goat and sometimes a goat is a
+kid and if you dont stop your kiddin you'll get my goat see? Mebbe you
+didn't mene to be fresh and if you didnt will call it square and say
+no more about it, ennyway I guess you use that bloomin dickshunary two
+much. Dickshunaries is like girls and is al-rite in there line, but
+I aint got much use fer them and you had best chuck yours out the
+window. I guess 85lbs. is a good ole wait but 39 is something feerce,
+why even Heloise aged 5 ways 45 and she dont eat enny of that codfish
+liver, and say what does it test like ennyway? I bet it tests like ole
+get out. I told Mother you wade only 39 and she sed, my goodness he
+must have tuberculosees, and dad sed, no, he has not had enuf meat,
+but I sed no but he is going to have some now I am suporting him. What
+do you think? I got enuf money to suport you fer too weaks, and if you
+will cross your heart not to tell because I promist I woodnt and you
+must do the same, I will tell you how it hapened, well it was this
+way, I was readin the Motor Boys Under the Sea beehind the portyares
+and its great, when in walk Carl Odell the young feller across the
+way and Amanda aged 16, and they set down and didnt say much and bimby
+Carl he takes Amandas hand and sez, Amanda you no how tis with me? and
+she sez, why no how is it Carl? and he sez I love you, and she sez to
+Carl, this is so suddin, and he sez, little girl will you be my wife?
+and she sez, o Carl I dunno, and he sez, I demand an answer yes or no,
+and she sez well I dunno but as I will, and he sed, sweatheart what
+day shall it be? And I stept out and sed, Hold on, dont go and make it
+Tuesday becaus Amandas promist to go fishin and dad wont let me go
+to Frost Lake without her, caus its 16 feet deep, and you should have
+seen them jump. They was scart plump out of there wits, and Amanda she
+sez, If he tells dad I shall dye, and Carl he grabd me by one ear and
+sed, Jim, I give you the choyce of keepin quiet and gettin $1.50 or
+squealin and being skinned alive, and I sed, Well I am suporting a
+kid, I mean a boy, in France so I will take the coin, so I crost my
+heart and sed hope to dye if I squeal and you must do the same, caus
+bimby if the Yanks come runnin over there you mite mete a frend of
+Carl Odells and hed tell a nuther frend, and bimby all the Yanks wood
+no it and it wood get back to Carl Odells ears. I bet that Jean is
+some brother, say hes al-rite, all excep his name, coodnt you make it
+Buster? Say what you want to go wearin a shawl fer, fust thing you
+no all the boys will call you girly, and I dont intend to have no
+godchild of mine cald that, no siree, not if I have to skin them alive
+fer it. I no its hard when things are give to you not to wear them,
+last yere the Sunday-school teacher give me a baby-blew tie and darn
+if I didn't have to wear it every Sunday till Lady Evelin Jack Burtons
+fathers best bull dog found it and et it. But you go eezy on that
+shawl. Never you mind about Sunday-school, just you be glad you dont
+have to go to it, though I dont no but goin to see that balancin stunt
+of Jeans is just as bad. And dont you be askin two many questions
+about me, mebbe Im an officer and mebbe Im not, and mebbe I no
+something about submareens and mebbe I don't but I woodnt let it
+sprize you if I come ridin in in one of those busses one of these
+days, and if I do and I like you I mite even take you back with me
+to New York, and then goodnite--you'll see some sites. Say whats that
+dope on sage? Hoping you are well and will rite to me soon I will now
+close hoping you are well.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I made Carl Odell give me the money rite off becaus he is a Red
+Indian fer cheatin. Did you get the Christmas presents I sent you?
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+4 Jan. 1917.
+
+Dear Godfather:
+
+The big paquet from Amerique come late but I receive it to-day and I
+thank you very much. You are very good to think so much of me and it
+is very pretty, dear benefactor, There is one glove only, and I am
+fearful that the other rested on the road[7]. But it makes nothing[8];
+I have not business[9] of two, because one is enough big for my two
+hands, and it is a muff very warm; but veritably, dear godfather, you
+are big like giants, in Amerique! The little cage is very commodious
+also, and very pretty. Jean believe it is a muzzle for dog, but no,
+I comprehend it Is for suspend on the ceiling for to make pretty the
+house, with plants green, climbing.
+
+Goobye, dear benefactor, I kiss you with the bottom of my heart
+
+Your godchild all devoted,
+A. Leblanc.
+
+[7] Rested on the road (_reste en route_) went astray.
+[8] It makes nothing (_cela ne fait rien_) it does not matter.
+[9] I have not business (_le n'ai pas besoin_) I do not need.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+
+Deer miss Secretary,
+
+Pleese you must do sumthing quick about my orphan he is awful. I sent
+a baseball glove and mask for Cristmas and he used them fer a muff
+and to hang plants in, and he wares a shawl and sits on the table of
+sumthing, and now he is kissing me with the bottom of his heart and
+that is the limit and he must cut it out because I wont stand fer
+that. Hoping you are well and you will answer soon in answer to my
+leter I will close.
+
+Yours truly,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris
+18 Jan, 1917.
+
+Dear Benefactor:
+
+I thank you for your pretty letter so interesting. My great sister
+Marie work very hard for to aid me read it, but it is very difficult
+to comprehend. It is because you talk the American and the dictionary
+talk only the English. I will try to learn the American if you will to
+me give the instructions. Dear godfather, you are not in anger against
+me? I make always attention to be polite and genteel, because already
+I love you from far. But Marie say there is the miss understand in
+our letters she cannot explicate. For three nights I sleep not well
+because I search to comprehend what is it that makes bad, then this
+morning I have it the idea brilliant; there is on the place des Clercs
+the dentist American. It is writ on his door, Dr. Yanket, and Maman go
+to sew on the dresses of Madame. She talk very well with two tongues,
+and Maman say she regard the letters then she laugh very strong.
+Then she say to Maman: "Console your infant, it may sleep on the two
+ears[10], because the godfather is one very genteel little boy." And
+then she write a little paper she desire me copy for you very careful.
+Here is it: "Jimmy, in Uncle Sam's name I am proud of you. You're the
+right sort keep it up and don't get cold feet. For that godchild of
+yours is very much all right, as you will very soon realize. But let
+me give you frankly just one piece of friendly advice; don't tell your
+kid to 'chuck the dictionary out of the window,' but rather get
+one yourself, and polish up your English. Your spelling and your
+vocabulary are, to use your own expression, 'something fierce;' how
+can you expect the poor little French child to understand your slang?"
+
+There; I have made copy, and again I understand not very well. But I
+am sure it go to make all arrange. And I know that you are one little
+boy; I am so content!
+
+Dear godfather, it is very droll the fashion you do to make silver
+in Amerique! But it is very dangerous, and never in Paris we do like
+that. I see in my book of images English how the terrible Red-skins
+scalp the enemy, "skin 'em alive," like you say, and I see the image
+of the chef. He have long hairs black, with plumes red and green;
+and chains brilliant suspended, and he carry in the middle one little
+apron of fur; and he have not knowledge of the bon Dieu. It is call:
+"trading with the Indians." Oh please, dear godfather, do not for me
+trading with the Indians! I will permit not that you risk to be skin
+alive. I make the promise like you say, and I make like you the sign
+of cross, but I hope not to die if I squeal; I cry not very often, but
+sometimes, and my poor Maman will be to much desolated if I die.
+
+Goodbye dear godfather; believe at my sentiments the more affectuous,
+
+Your godchild,
+A. Leblanc.
+
+[10] Sleep on two ears (_dormir sur les deux oreilles_)
+to sleep like a top.
+
+
+
+
+To Mr. James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+Dear Sir:
+
+I am much interested in the account of your correspondence with your
+French godchild, and I would advise you not to be discouraged if he
+does not seem, in every way, to be living up to your expectations. You
+must remember that these fatherless children have suffered more deeply
+and more courageously than you can possibly imagine. If his letters
+sound rather effeminate I hope you will in time realize that it is
+merely a difference of language and convention that gives you that
+impression. The French are a very affectionate and demonstrative
+people. You know that even their "Papa Joffre" kisses his brave
+soldiers on both cheeks when he decorates them.
+
+You are doing splendid work for a boy of your age, and I hope you will
+not let small prejudices get in your way. Remember you are unusually
+fortunate to have a child who can write in English.
+
+With my best wishes and congratulations, I remain cordially yours,
+
+Secretary for the Junior Committee
+of the Fatherless Children of France.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+Feb. 3, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild
+
+How are you? Say will you do me a faver and cut out kissin me with the
+bottom of your heart? If you think you ot to do it you can kiss me
+on both cheeks if that is the custim I guess I can stand it but I had
+ruther you did not kiss me at all if it is the same to you as we shake
+hands in America. Say that missis Yankit is some woman beleeve me and
+you had better keep away from her, fust thing you no she'll be trying
+to make me go to school every day and buy a dicshunary. What she no
+about the American languidge ennyway? what she have to come buttin
+in with her too tongues between us? You are my godchild and I am your
+godfather and if there is ennything you dont understand I am the one
+to explane, and you tell that Yankit woman she had better be helpin
+her husband with his teeth and let us alone, and to put that in her
+pipe and smoke it. I am glad you like the Cristmas presents I sent you
+and if you want to string the mask from the ceilin you are well come
+to it, but it is ment to keep your nose from gettin smasht when a
+hard ball comes bingin through the air. Say, that must be some stunt
+sleepin on both ears, I have slep on my stummick an on my back an on
+one ear, but not on both. Last nite we had welsh rabit fer super and
+I did not sleep enny way. It is a good thing I have that $1.50 Carl
+Odell give me becaus I do not feel al-rite and Mother wont let me go
+out to work, but I guess I will get out soon again so dont worry about
+my suportin you. Say, thats al-rite about the Red Indians--corse they
+aint as numrous as they was once but there still plentiful in parts
+but dont let that worry you cause I been brot up with them and no how
+to handle them. Red Skins is like snakes and is al-rite if you keep
+your eye on them. Course I woodnt advise you to medal with them, but I
+guess I can look out for myself. Say, how is Jean and has he done enny
+more stunts? I have a sister Molly aged 6 and she is going to rite
+plays and say she turns out some great stuff. Yesterday she dresst
+Cecilia, you no the one aged 7, as a queen and Molly she was the
+subjeck boughed before her and sed, Your majesty to-day unto you a
+child is born, and Cecilia, I mean the queen sed, Bring it in, and
+Molly the subjeck brot in Snookie the cat only it was the child then
+and it was all rigged up in Heloises close, and bimeby Heloise who was
+a wicked king come runnin in to kidnap the baby and she sed, no I mean
+he sed because she was a king, That is my child! and the subjeck sed,
+It is not! and the king sed, It is too! and the sujeck sez as cool
+as a cucumber, Your majesty you are a lyre! and then they had the
+darndest fite over that baby you ever saw. Fust the king hit the
+subjeck bingo in the eye then the subjeck he pincht the babys tail,
+you no Snookies, and bimeby Mother come runnin in and stuck them all
+in bed, but it was a buly fite. I feel auful queer so guess I will
+close hoping you are better than I feel
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. Do you like rabit? I hate it!
+
+P.S. Dont ferget to tell that Yanket woman to put what I told you in
+her pipe and smoke it.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt,
+Paris,
+18 Feb. 1917.
+
+Dear Godfather:
+
+How are you? I hope you are no more fatigued. Very sure I will send
+you the kiss cut out as you say if you prefer. And also I will shake
+your hand. I will do all things American and all things that make you
+pleasure. But, dear godfather, you demand that I tell to Madame Yanket
+to smoke the pipe and I like not to say that because she is one very
+great lady, very genteel. But Maman say that is only a fashion of talk
+American and I must not make attention to it.
+
+Yes, dear godfather, I like rabbit. When we live in the country we
+have two, one white and one black, and at the end of time we have 26!
+But not Welsh rabbits; French. They make not sick like yours.
+
+Dear benefactor, I will write you not very long this day, for my great
+brother Jules come tonight on permission of four days, and I am much
+occupied to aid Maman arrange all things clean and pretty. I will
+relate on him in my letter of the week next.
+
+I squeeze your hand, and envoy to you the kiss cut out with my heart.
+
+Your godchild.
+A. Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Feb, 5, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild
+
+How are you? It waznt the rabit it is the hoopincoff, I guess I am
+goin to dye al-rite.
+
+J.P.J.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt,
+Paris,
+Feb. 20, 1917.
+
+Dear Godfather:
+
+Your letter made me to cry. I will permit you not to die. When I
+get your letter I go and break my tire-lire. It is the little dog of
+porcelain with one hole in the stomach. Maman give it to me for my
+fete, the Ste. Andree, and she give me two sous for put in the
+hole all the Sundays, and it come out nevermore until it break, you
+comprehend? I guard[11] the little dog under my pillow and it make bad
+in my heart to break it, but what will you? My dear godfather who is
+only one child like me, work strong like a man for make me happy and I
+would break not my tire-lire for to save him from the death? Oh yes, a
+thousand times yes! So I take it out in the court and open the stomach
+with one stone and I make to fall out 26 sous! And I go to the store
+of objects pious, and I demand one candle of 26 sous or two candles of
+13 sous, but the lady say 13 is a number of unhappiness so she give
+me one of 25 sous, and one sou of paper of lace of gold to put around.
+And I go quick to the church, and put up the candle to the Ste.
+Vierge, and she will see it from the sky, and she will see you also
+in Amerique and make you not to die, M. le Cure see the little flag
+American that you send me and that I attach to the candle-stick and he
+caress my head and say: "What for is it?" So I tell him and he say I
+am very genteel. But all of a hit[12] I melt in tears[13], because I
+know I am not genteel, dear godfather! I am very, very bad and wicked;
+I tell not the truth and I conduct not myself well unto you. Perhaps
+you will pardon me never! I go to confession and M. le Cure say for
+my penitence I must also confess to you that I am one little girl! Oh
+dear godfather, be not too much in anger! I am so sad! I comprehend
+not how it arrived, but when you write to me and say you love not the
+little girls I was afraid and responded nothing. Dear godfather, I
+will tell you that when I was little I pray often the bon Dieu make me
+one boy, because you know, for Him nothing is impossible. But He wish
+I remain a girl, and now I have cheated and He punish me very strong
+in make you so much fatigue you almost die. I cannot write more this
+day because I am too much sad. But if you die not please tell me soon
+because I am so much unquiet. I assure you I will nevermore be so
+villain.
+
+Your godchild repentant,
+
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+P.S. Maman say the Comite Americain put me like one boy. It is the two
+"e" that make one girl.
+
+P.P.S. I search what is the hoopincoff, but I find it not. Surely it
+is the very dangerous malady, but if you die, you go to Paradise; M.
+le Cure promise me.
+
+[11] I guard (_je garde_) I keep.
+[12] All of a hit (_tout d'un coup_) suddenly.
+[13] Melt in tears (_fondre en larmes_) burst into tears.
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Deer miss Secretary,
+
+The boy you give me is a girl What are you going to do about it?
+
+Yours respekfully,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+Dear Mr. Jackson
+
+In reply to your letter, we would state that the mistake was due to
+the handwriting of the child's mother, making the name appear to be
+spelt with one "e" instead of two, and thus making it a boy's name.
+
+We will endeavor, as soon as possible, to repair our error, as it was
+never our intention to deceive you.
+
+Very truly yours.
+Junior Committee of the Fatherless
+Children of France.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls. N.Y.
+Deer Miss Secretary,
+
+I didnt say you were deceivin, I just want to tell you the boy you
+give me was a girl so you wood not make that mistake agen. It is the
+limit when you have told the fellers you had a boy, to go and get a
+girl, and when I shod the letter to dad he sed by jove youre in a fine
+posishun you are and I sed how is that, and he sed fust thing you no
+you will get yourself talkt about, ritin to a girl in France and that
+would be fine woodnt it?
+
+Respectfully yours,
+J.P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+March 7, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+I received your letter and I did not dye. Of corse you cant help
+bein a girl insted of a boy and thats al-rite because Heloise and
+Myra-Louise and Nelly the girl next dore and pretty nerely every body
+wood ruther be a boy than a girl, but you were the limit to fib about
+it and you have put me in a auful queer posishun, so no more fer this
+time.
+
+Your godfather,
+J.P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I will suport you just the same so do not worry.
+
+
+
+
+Paris,
+21 March 1917.
+
+Dear Mr. James,
+
+I have your letter, and I perceive that you are very much offensed.
+One time more I demand pardon; but I cannot be like you want, and by
+consequence I can never more call myself your dear godchild; if you
+love me not, and I am offensive, I have not business of you and your
+silver. Please give it to one unhappy little boy. It is worth better
+that I have hunger, it is worth better that I be made dead by the
+boches, than to be like one little mendicant. I demand to Maman if it
+is not true, and she say yes.
+
+I thank you for all the pain you did take for me and I forget never.
+When I become grand I will render to you all you pay for me.
+
+Goodbye monsieur James. Receive the expression of my best salutations,
+
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+April 2, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+Say what is the matter with you ennyway and why don't you want me to
+support you enny longer? I am your godfather and you are my godchild
+and it is a legal afare, dad sez, and if ennybody sez ennything about
+it they will have to deel with me, see? Ennyway mebbe I was kinder
+cranky about it, and you kinder fibbd, so lets say we had a scrap
+and shake on it and let it go at that. Lots of the fellers hear have
+scraps with the girls, and last weak Dinky Odell who is Carl Odells
+yungist brother had one with Heloise because he hollerd, Heloise go
+wash your feet, the bord of helths across the street, at her and she
+cried, but he sent her a peach of a poim to make up, and hear it is,
+"If you dont like me enny more, then I shall inlist and go to war!" I
+guess Dinky is goin to be a poit al-rite. You no I mite go to war two,
+lots of the fellers hear are inlistin in forrin regimunts, theres Carl
+Odell who has joind the Canadian Royal Fling Corpse, and Hanky Jones
+is goin to drive a truck in France and I guess he will be some driver
+al-rite because he has druv the new automobile hearse fer too years
+now, and say he goes like the dickuns. Corse I aint sayin Im goin
+to inlist rite away but I got some ideas in mind and Im thinking of
+raisin a regiment of boy scouts or Red Indians, I guess the Red skins
+wood be the best, and say woodnt Kaiser Bill look chepe if he saw
+a bunch of Red Skins beatin it after him? I bet hed run to beat the
+band, and I bet theyd catch him, and if they did, goodnite fer Kaiser
+Bill. Say they woodnt do a thing to him exept mebbe scalp him or skin
+him alive, and woodnt he look chepe then? Red Skins is auful feerce
+when they get goin, and I dont rekon ennybody cood stop them once they
+got started. We had an auful scare last nite I had been suportin you
+all day by choppin wood and I was dead beet but all of a suddin I
+was woke up by dad and he was yellin Murder! Murder! and Amanda and
+Cecilia and Mother who had her hare in curl papers rushd in, and there
+was dad having a buly fite in bed, and he was punchin the pilo, and
+yellin Murder! Murder! and we was all scart to go neer him because he
+wood punch us like the pilo, so Mother took a pitcher of cold water
+and throo it in his face, and that woke him up and he was mad as time,
+and sed, what you tryin to do, drown me? And then he laft and told
+us his dreme and it was this way, Max Dinkelheim, the shoomaker was a
+German spy and he was trying to sell hot dogs with boms in them and no
+one new there was boms in them exept dad. And he sed, you dirty Fritz
+cut that out, and Max he grabd dad by the hare and dad he yankd Max
+by the ear, and they was havin a buly fite when out come five more
+germans and begun to paist dad on the head, and corse he coodnt manige
+the 6 of them so he was yelling Murder! Murder! And then he got the
+pitcher of water and that was all. I bet dad cood have lickd the
+stuffin out of Max Dinkelheim al-rite, and I bet we are goin to have
+war this weak and if we do, dad sez the Kaiser will find out he has
+bit off more than he can chew, and you had better make up with me
+because I think you are al-rite, and if we have war I mite be in a
+posishun to help you. Thank you fer burning that candle fer me, we
+have been burning some sulfur ones fer Heloise and Molly and they seem
+to be gettin along nicely. Dont fergit when you rite to say if you are
+not mad at me enny more.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. Hows your big brother been makin out?
+
+P.P.S. Thank you very much fer bustin that dog fer me. I have a pig
+with a hole in it and if I ern enuf money next weak I will send it to
+you.
+
+P.P.P.S. Who is that Mr. le Cure you talk so much about?
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt.
+April 16.
+
+Dear Monsieur James:
+
+When I go to school the week past I see the flag of Amerique floating
+well high! And all the world is content because you come to aid us
+terminate by a peace victorious this war so terrible, and be like
+one brother for the triumph of the Justice, and the Liberty, and the
+Humanity. That is what the mistress of school explicate to us, and we
+love and honor the Amerique like the great sister Republique, and then
+she tell us get up and learn chant the song of the Banner of Stars.
+Perhaps you have hear it? It begin: "_Oh, dites, voyez-vous aux
+lueurs du matin_" etc. The mistress write it all on the tables
+black,[14] and we copy in lieu of the exercise of grammar, and it
+make us all joyful. But all that make me think so much of you, that I
+cannot empeche[15] myself even if you are no more my godfather, to pin
+the little flag American that you give me, on my heart, that save you
+from the death by the hoopincoff when I attach it to the candle of the
+Ste. Vierge. And then, pending the recreation of mid-day, I go home
+and the factor bring your letter! And when I return at school I effort
+myself so strong to read your letter, that I cannot make like it
+must[16] my chart geographic. But I promise Isabelle Gaveau, the
+little girl of the merchant of shoes, that if she will to aid me, I
+will lend her my pretty handkerchief new, for go to church the morning
+of Easter. So we be all content and I have very much the time to
+reflect and respond at your letter.
+
+Dear Monsieur James, I comprehend that you want I continue be your
+dear godchild. I demand to Maman what I do, and she say: "Take the
+silver, and make no more infantile foolishness. Only one onion cost
+five sous now, and the life is very hard, but Amerique have the great
+heart to help us and give us the hand, and we work all the two for the
+Patrie." So, dear godfather, we be not mad at ourselves any more, and
+I promise I make no more the fib, and you make no more the cranky, is
+it not? I must to make many progress in American for when you come
+I reckon you come like the dickuns, like yellin thunder, with the
+skin'em alive Red-skins and the hot dogs!
+
+Dear benefactor, what is it the hot dogs? My great sister say it is a
+species of machine-gun American.
+
+It is very funny your Papa make the wicked dream! You have the very
+beautiful family. Me too. Great brother Jules is already the corporal
+and he is like the Chevalier Bayard without fear and without reproach.
+One day, he tell me, a great _eclat d'obus_ take off his hat,
+and he pick it off the ground and say: "Ho Fritz! I wanted not be
+so polite and salute you!" And my great brother tell me many things
+important on the war. But I write them not, because the censure would
+scold me; perhaps put me in prison.
+
+Pending his permission of four days, he teach little Jean the chants
+of the regiment. Some are not for the little infants, Maman says, so
+he whistle them. But Jean love the military chants much more than the
+ones of latin he learn to sing in the church, and I hope he mix them
+not. Dear godfather, tomorrow is Easter and I am making an egg for
+you. It is a surprise so I tell you not what is in it.
+
+Your affeckshunate godchild,
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+[14] Tables black (_tableaux noirs_) black boards.
+[15] Empeche myself (_m'empecher_) I cannot help.
+[16] Like it must (_comme il faut_) nicely.
+
+
+
+
+May 5, 1917.
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+Gee whiz but Kaiser Bill is in fer it! Gee whiz, you ot to see how
+Uncle Sam is fixin up fer him! Jo Kelly and Walter Daly and lot of the
+felers are going in fer aviashun and Bill Wilson's scout-master and
+organizin a crack bunch of boy scouts and we have a home Deefence and
+dad has got a uniform and a wooden gun and he sez it is a pretty good
+bunch of felers, but he cood do more with them if he was captin insted
+of mister Larkin, who is a good feler but a bum eaptin. I aint sayin
+much but I got a few idees and I woodnt let it sprize you if I was
+to invent something one of these days, but I cant tell you what it is
+becaus the censer wood cut it out. I got your egg and I thank you fer
+it, but say it got me in dutch al-right, it was this way, the postman
+brot the packidge just as I was going to school and I didn't have time
+to open it so I took it along and we was havin some speshul exercises
+fer a kernel Dudley who was to talk on, Do your bit to help win the
+war, and Bug Hadley was recitin the getysberg adress and I opened the
+packidge and their was your egg all smasht up. I guess them cardboard
+eggs aint very strong, or mebbe the censer didn't handel it gently,
+ennyhow it was smasht and the curl inside it was there alrite only it
+was kind of mixt up with the cream candy and I was unmixin them when
+Lily Graham who set beehind me whisperd to Erny Dinkelheim, who is Max
+Dinkelheims youngist son, Jimmy Jacksons girl in France has sent him
+a curl! and Erny started to laff and say, O you Curly--Curly Jackson!
+and I sed, You shut up! and he sed, O pooh-pooh--pooh-pooh--and I sed,
+Dont you pooh-pooh me! and he sed, Who will I pooh-pooh then? and
+I sed, Pooh-pooh the Kaiser, and he sed, The Kaiser wont let me
+pooh-pooh him and you leave him alone! And I sed, The Kaiser is
+bughouse, and Erny he made a grab at me and landed me one on the chin,
+and I paisted him one on the eye and Bug Hadley he stopt sayin the
+getysberg adress, and miss Davis she was jumpin up and down hollerin O
+boys, O boys, stop them, stop them! and kernel Dudley he hopt off
+the stand and pulld us apart, and miss Davis was fer puttin us on the
+platferm with our arms on each others shoulders, but the kernel sed,
+No, it is that other boys falt, send him home. So they sent Erny home
+and he was mad as time. Then the kernel give his talk and sed how the
+girls cood help by making the bandiges and how the boys cood find out
+who was fer the guvernment and who wasnt. I bet Erny and his father
+isnt, and I am going to keep my eye on them. Then we sang the french
+nashunal anthem and it is a fine him, and it goes this way in English:
+Ye sons of France awake to glory, the day of victory has come, your
+childrens wives, and sires horny, behold there tears--and thats as far
+as Ive lernt, we have got to lern all of it, and their is a buly part
+that goes, March on. Yesterday the fife and drum corpse plaid it and
+the Star Spangled Banner and some of the boys lafft becaus the fifes
+sort of sqweekt. I dont see how ennybody can laff when they play the
+Star Spangled Banner. Did you get my pig? I suported you this weak
+by polishin 10 door handels at 7 cents each, some of them was already
+polisht but the folks was real nice about it and let me give them an
+extry polish. Say why dont you tell me who that Mr. le Cure is? I have
+askt you too times now, and say if I was you I woodnt say, come like
+the dickens or skin them alive or enny of that kind of talk. It is
+al-rite fer boys who are used to ruffin it, but it is not nice fer
+girls so if I was you I wood go easy on it, and hot dogs aint machine
+guns, they are sausidges that are made from those low-down german dogs
+that heve short legs, but say they test buly in a roll. The vilets and
+pollywogs have come and I wood send you some but I guess they wood dry
+up before you got them. Ennyway you neednt worry much about the
+war now that Uncle Sam is in it we will lick the stuffin out of him
+together, I mean out of Kaiser Bill.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. Bug Hadley sez it is lucky fer him Erny and I had that
+fite, because he had fergot what come after, and dedicatid to the
+proposishun.
+
+
+
+
+June 3, 1917.
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+
+Dear Godfather:
+
+It is great damage that the pretty egg of Easter I sent you be smasht
+up! But I regret yet more that to receive my paquet make you dispute
+yourself in dutch, like you say, with the little villain in school.
+All the same I am content you landed him one in the eye (I comprehend
+not what you want say by that, but I am sure the little boche
+comprehend) and you are one valiant patriot.
+
+Dear godfather, why say you the girls must go easy to learn the
+American? I effort myself to be instructed with the words in your
+letters the dictionary contains not but if they are nothing but for
+little boys I pray you to tell me the pretty words for the little
+girls. I am sure my dear godfather serves himself not of villain talk.
+Jean was put in penitence yesterday because he say one word that is
+for Poilus only, and Maman turn him against the wall in the corner
+with the hands behind; and do you know what he do when we regard him
+not? He lick the paper on the wall and make it to come off. So Maman
+give him the spank. Dear godfather, I am happy to make you a little
+pleasure in sending you my portrait. I think it is well succeeded and
+very resembling, and will you have the obligeance to envoy to me the
+one of you?
+
+Dear godfather, I make to you a list of words American I comprehend
+not, and I hope you will have the obligeance to explicate them to me.
+What is, for example, gee whiz, felers, boy scouts, bum, home defence,
+kernel, getysberg adress, mebbe, pooh-pooh, bug-house, the dickens,
+pollywogs, and lick the stuffin out? I effort myself very strong to
+find them, but it is not worth the pain to search any longer in the
+dictionary.
+
+Your affeckshunate godchild,
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+July 5, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+How are you? I dont see that their is enny fun in life enny more. I
+erned $1.56 pickin cheries off the Burtons black chery tree and I thot
+that wood make 70 cents fer you and I would spend the rest on fire
+crakers, well Toby that is the Burtons mastif that is always chened
+up, broke loose and I guess he remembered when Johnny Smith and me had
+swiped some cheries last yere when he was chened up, becaus he give
+one yip and come and set rite under that tree, and he set their and
+grinnd at me all afternoon, and bimeby their was a thunder shower and
+I had on my blew pants that was made from dads that had got too tite
+fer him, and I thot when it begin to rain Toby wood beat it, but he
+just set their and didnt move till bimeby mister Burton come along and
+yankt him away by the color. Well I had pickt the cheries al-rite but
+I was soked clear through and the color had come off my pants and on
+my legs. It is feerce to have blew legs. Well I thot I wood stop and
+boy a canon craker and a pistol and I wasnt going to fire them off
+before the 4th. but ole Max Dinkelheim was walking kind of slow in
+front of me and I thot I wood try the pistol just once to see if it
+workt, so I walkt a little faster and shot it off bingo and you shood
+have seen ole Max jump! He give one flop in the air and hollered, A
+bom! A bom! I guess he thot I was a submareen, and when he saw it was
+me beat it after me and we run all the way home, and Max he run rite
+into dad and sed, Where is that boy I will teech him to molest a
+peaceful citizen. And dad sed, What has he done? And he told him and
+sed, I am going to give him the best lickin of his life, and dad rolld
+up his sleeves and sed, Not till you lick me first! And Max kind of
+lookd at dad just like in the dream and I guess he was scart, so he
+sed, If you will promise to see he is punisht I will leve it to you,
+and dad sed, I promise, and Max left and dad he come up and was mad as
+ole get out, and he took my pistol and canon away and I had ruther he
+had give me a lickin because after too days you can set down and are
+al-rite again. We have just herd the Yanks have landid somewhere in
+France. Say, if you want to see a bunch of rele fiters you just go
+take a look at them, and you mite tell your brother Jules to take a
+look at them two as he might get some idees from them. I cant tell you
+what all those words mean, gee whiz is just gee whiz and a feler is a
+guy who is about 12 or 18, and a bum is a feler or something that is
+no good, and a pollywog is a animal that is going to be a frog, and
+pooh-pooh is pooh-pooh, and bughouse means you have rats in the upper
+story, and you had better find out about the getysberg adress and the
+boy scouts and mebbe and the dickens yourself but I wood go easy on
+them if I was you. What you want to go askin me all those things fer
+ennyway? I aint askin you what the vacancies, or all of a hit, or
+pending, of enny of those things are, am I? I got your photo and I
+like the way your hare curls and your eyes two and everythin, and I am
+glad you are not laffin. Girls that giggle are the limit. I have only
+one photo of myself and I look as if I wood dye grinning becaus the
+man that took it was jumpin up and down and sayin, Look hear! Look
+hear! Say wood you relly like to have it? I dont think you wood, I
+dont see what good I am ennyway. I am two young to inlist and I dont
+think you relly like me. I guess mebbe I had better go to sea or
+something.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+P.S. I went butterflying to-day and had good luck.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+August 2, 1917.
+
+Dear godfather:
+
+You know what it is the "cafard?" In the dictionary it say it is a
+"roach" and that is the little beast black like your pollywogs, I
+think. But in the Poilu talk it means not that. When there is no more
+fun in life, and I am not good for anything anyhow, like you say,
+that is what they call to have the "cafard." And it is very bad in the
+army. It is to have a bad morale and we must wind ourselves up.
+
+Dear godfather, you must be content because I love you much. And you
+take so much pain and you labor so hard to entertain[17] me, I want
+make you happy in your heart so you have no more the "cafard." Dear
+godfather, I will tell you the American Poilus have come. On Monday
+last we hear the music on the road and the mistress tell us this
+afternoon all the children must put on aprons clean, and we go to see
+pass the Americans. And Maman give me five sous for purchase a bouquet
+for give them in souvenir of my dear godfather, and the fleuriste
+give me two roses red and I envelope them in a paper wet for hold them
+fresh. And all the little girls march in rank like soldiers, two by
+two, on to the road where the Americans come. And the gendarmes march
+before us to make spread open the crowd so we come. And we stand in
+rank and it make a very long line and shake the flag American and
+wait. The sun was brilliant and very hot and after a very long moment,
+we hear the big music come around the corner, and all bodies were
+screaming: "Vive l'Amerique! Vive les Etats Unis! Hurrah Sammies!" and
+the gentlemen throw up their hats in air. And all of a hit we see the
+banner of stars coming down the street, and I look and all the little
+girls at a time kneel themselves on the sidewalk. And I make the sign
+of the cross, and the little girls at back of me laugh and mock at me,
+but the mistress say it is right; the sign of the cross is good for
+the flag too. And when the flag is pass we arise and say hurrah
+also, and one soldier American regard me with a smile. Then I take my
+courage with two hands and cast away the roses on him, and he catch
+and kiss me with his hand, and put the roses in his coat. His name is
+Teddy and I love him much. I know because he come see me, because I
+write my name (with two es) and adresse tied to the roses. My Maman
+was very much surprise when she see Monsieur Teddy come and ring to
+the door. He is very well elevated and very beautiful. He has buckled
+hairs[18] and a line on one side and his figure is razed.[19] His
+uniform is the color of the ground; it is not so much pretty as the
+French Poilus who are the color of the sky. And his hat is tied, like
+a bonnet of old woman, with a shoe-lace in the back. But I love him
+all of same. He take me on his knees and say: "Parlez vous francais"
+and he begin to recite the verb "avoir," because he know nothing more
+of French. And so I say I know very well the American and I talk at
+him and he laugh very strong. And he give me a piece of bonbon very
+droll. It is mint but it is like elastic; I eat a great number of
+pieces because I want not to offence him, and Teddy all of a hit
+become very much frightened: "What," he say, "You did swallow the
+chewing gum!" And I say: "Naturally I swallow the bonbon!" And Teddy
+say a bad English word and run away without his hat and he come back
+with a bottle of ipecac and I will not take because I know what it
+make do. And poor Teddy was very much desolated; he come every day
+to get of my news, and to-day he bring the bonbons French that we
+swallow. To-day he ask me will I be his little adopted girl the year
+next when you have finish with me and I say, "Mebbe I will." And he
+say, "Bully for you, you're a peach!" I make him write because it is
+the American and not in the dictionary.
+
+Goodbye, dear godfather,
+Your affeckshunate godchild,
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+P.S. I am surprise you ask who is M. le Cure. Only the pagans have
+not knowledge of him. Are you one pagan? I think you say that to make
+laugh. It is very bad to mock yourself of M. le Cure.
+
+[17] entertain (_entretenir_) to support.
+[18] Buckled hairs (_cheveux boucles_) curly hair.
+[19] His figure is razed (_sa figure est rasee_) his face is shaved.
+
+
+
+
+To Mr. James P. Jackson Jr.
+Dear Sir:
+
+Due to the great confusion and delay existing in the mails at the
+present time, we have not until now been able to repair our error
+concerning your godchild. We take pleasure in announcing that we are
+now in a position to supply you with a boy as formerly requested.
+
+As to the little girl, we can no doubt provide for her until other
+arrangements can be made. Elderly gentlemen, we find, are particularly
+fond of adopting little girls.
+
+Hoping you will pardon our delay, and inform us as soon as possible
+concerning your wishes in this matter, we beg to remain,
+
+Sincerely yours,
+The Junior Committee for The
+Fatherless Children of France.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+Deer Miss Secretary,
+
+It is more than kind of you to bother about changing my girl into a
+boy, but it cant be done because I have changed my mind about it, but
+I thank you all the same. You see it is this way, at fust I wanted a
+boy and I was kinder sore after setting my heart on one to get a girl,
+but the girl you give me is diferent from most girls, she seams to
+have a lot of rele sense, and I have got kinder used to her, and, well
+I woodnt like to have her unprovided and waitin fer a old gentleman to
+adop her. Some old gentlemen are auful cranks. Old Sam Burton who is
+our naybor is the limit. He has had 5 wives and Mother sez Lord only
+nos what he has done with them, enneway we dont. And she has sort of
+been takin it ezy while I was suportin her and the change wood come
+hard to her, I mene my godchild not Sam Burton's wife. Ennyway the
+yere is most over and you no how folks talk. Fust thing I new they
+wood say, young Jackson's a fikle feller. Thot he'd adop a orfan and
+now hes swaped his girl fer a boy. You no how people will talk, so I
+guess I can stand my godchild fer this yere ennyway, and after that
+we shall see. Of corse I was simply sterilized when I lernt she was a
+girl, but even a girl is preferable to a boy that wore shawls and sed
+everything was prety and kist you with the botom of his heart. She has
+cut that out now, and I am gettin her in prety good shape. Explaning
+whats what to her and every thing. So I guess we can manige but I am
+obliged to you fer the asking.
+
+Yours truly,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+Sept. 5, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+Your letter reeched me safely, and I was releeved to here the boys
+had got safely "over there." Of corse we have had some few notes,
+pertikerly from Hanky Jones you no the feller that drove the hearse
+I tole you about. Well he is drivin somewhere over the top in France,
+not a hearse but a truck, and oh boy, he sez the swellest funeral he
+ever drove fer cant hold a candel to drivin a truck with Fritz bulets
+bingin all round you and he sez, I received the kit you sent me and
+It is a great comfort (the kit is not a cat but a assortment of
+handkerchiefs and tooth brushes and everything a soldier gets and
+Mother sent him his and so he rote to thank her) an he sez if I go
+over the top with the best of luck and get enuf leave to come home I
+will give Myself the pleasure of calling on you, and showin you what a
+Greenville soldier looks like. My reciprocity shall never end. And he
+goes on tellin how french cookin agrees with him and the censer didnt
+cut that out, but he cut out the best part I guess. Ennyway the censer
+must have a soft spot fer you because he never cuts enny part of yours
+out. I guess ennyway you must be a pretty poplar girl you have so many
+frens, that think a lot of you, theres your brother Jules and that Mr.
+le Cure and that guy Teddy and me. I was sort of thinkin about you and
+me the other day and I rote a verse of poitry about us and here it is,
+
+
+  REALIZATION
+  By James Prendergast Jackson, Jr.
+
+  _Im over here, and your "over there"
+  And I no not the shade of your eyes or your hare.
+  But this much I relize, from the land of the Free!
+  You are imbibed with mystery_!
+
+
+I think that sums up the situation. I have supported you one yere and
+you dont no me, and I dont no you, and mebbe you will never mete me
+and mebbe I will never mete you, and while I am tryin to think how I
+can get over there along comes that feler Teddy and gets his eye on
+you and sez, Guess Ill have her for my godchild, and Bully fer you
+your a peach! and you fall fer it of corse, and I have to take a back
+seat. I guess that is life, but I tell you it is pretty tuf sometimes
+and a feler who is twelve yeres old has more trubbles than you think.
+But I guess if you want to be his godchild I wont stand between you.
+Mebbe you wood like a list of how I have suported you? Here is some of
+it, mindin chickins, selling Mirrors, choppin wood, frezin ice-cream
+fer Crankit & sons, pickin cheries, money from Carl Odell fer keepin
+quiet, polishin door handels, a mud turtle to Sid Perkins, a jar of
+pollywogs to Sid Perkins, he wants to build an aquarium, and I washt
+the winders of missis Perkins big, white house one weak when I was
+hard up, but I dont think I shall ever be hard up again as mister
+Parker has ofered to take me on the Mirror staff whenever I like, as
+he sez I talk like a book agent. I wish I cood leve school and go into
+bizness or to war or something. I dont seem to get much out of school
+somehow. Miss Davis sez to mother, Mebbe your son has deefective eyes
+but she sez to me, You are a blockhed. I guess miss Davis is off
+the trolly or something, Dad sez she has Fritz blood because she
+is distently related to the Dinkelheims. I was sory to hear you had
+swallerd all that gum, but was glad to see you got away with it, that
+feler was the limit to give it to you, it is not a thing to give to a
+godchild. Fust thing you no when he is your godfather he will feed you
+a shoestring or something, and you will be two polite to say no and
+you will dye. I hate to think of you ending that way it dont seem rite
+somehow. Say what does he want to buckle his hare and line it up one
+side fer? He must think his hed is a race track. Gee whiz I hate to
+think of the Yanks comin runnin over there with felers like that among
+them. I have been in swimmin with Dinky Odell in old Frost Lake to-day
+and he stumpt me to swaller a skipper and sed I bet a quarter you will
+not, so I swallerd one and it didn't test ennything at all, only it
+kind of crawled up and down my throte fer awhile and o Boy! didnt
+he tickel though! The next time I swaller a skipper I shall chew him
+fust, if you dont they walk inside of you as if they was saying "where
+do we go from hear?" Say you were pretty smart about catching on about
+my jokin about Mr. le Cure. Corse I dont no him as well as you do,
+caus you no and I no he has lived on the other side more than hear,
+but I guess if we was to pass on the street, we wood no each other
+well enuf to say, Hello, old top, how are you to-day? Say, I have got
+your Christmas present all pickt out, do you no what I wish you wood
+give me fer mine? See if you can guess.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather as ever,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+September 21, 1917.
+
+My dear godfather:
+
+I thank you for your long letter, and I give it to Monsieur Teddy so
+he read and see how much you are genteel. He regard the letter and
+regard me and his figure become very droll, like he want laugh or cry
+very much and he dare not and must retain himself, and he demand if he
+can keep the letter in his pocket for tomorrow, because he desire to
+envoy you a response with mine. He is very amiable and charming, think
+you not? He come to my house all the days now and always he bring
+something. Sunday he bring a pate like we eat on days of fete before
+the war; and he remain for aid us eat it. And yesterday he bring a
+great ribbon all white for tie on my hairs. He say in Amerique all the
+little girls carry on the summit of the head a ribbon big like a hat.
+He want not I keep for the Sundays but he tie me up and then he say I
+am pretty--jolly he say, and he demand I show him to speak the French.
+So he commence to read my book of when I was little, the "Lectures
+Enfantines" and I make him say the little poetry that is on the page 3
+and it say: "Cher petit oreiller," and then my great sister enter and
+she have on her bodice of Sundays and very much the powder of rice on
+the nose. And she say: "Go in the bed-chamber and amuse yourself, and
+I talk with this Monsieur Americain." And I want not to go, and I cry,
+but she say if I obey not she will tell Monsieur Teddy come back never
+again. She is a villain, my great sister. I will defend that she aid
+me to write my letters to you; I have not business of her. I have
+as much as her knowledge of the English, and the American also. And
+Monsieur Teddy love me, nothing but me. When he get up to go away he
+call: "Where is that child of the gods?" (He make that game of words
+because I have perhaps two godfathers) And I come, and he console me.
+Thursday last it was my birthday. Monsieur Teddy devined it because he
+ask me how much age I have and I say I will have twelve years the 18,
+and he say in Amerique it is always a great feast and I must to eat a
+cake very big with snow and ice on it and candles, and so he bring
+it. I was washing the vessels,[20] and he come in the kitchen and
+make many foolishness. He whip me (to make laugh) twelve times with a
+little stick so I grow very big all the year. And then he make me hide
+my eyes in my apron, and when I open them, I see the cake, big and
+white like--oh like I know not what--and the twelve candles pink were
+illuminated and there was my name with the two es writ in chocolate
+on the snow. And Monsieur Teddy bring also the cold cream; it is rose
+like the candles and perfumed with vanilla and strawberries. Oh dear
+godfather, I wanted you be here and have some! Only one time before
+when I was little I did eat the cold cream and never when it is the
+war did we eat cake. And it is good like to be in Paradise!
+
+But alas! Monsieur Teddy soon will go beat himself[21] with the
+boches! It is terrible to think because he is so good and beautiful!
+I told you he have little wings white on him, because he go up in the
+air?
+
+Goodbye, dear godfather,
+Your affeckshunate godchild,
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+[20] Washing the vessels (_laver la vaisselle_) washing the dishes.
+[21] Beat himself (_se battre_) to fight.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls, N.Y.
+October 6, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+I am sending you this letter in anser to yours quick, becaus I think
+if you are not careful that Teddy will poison you with his eats.
+The gum was bad enuf and I was jokin when I sed what I did about the
+shoestring, but cross my heart and hope to dye, that feedin you cold
+cream is the wust I ever herd, and what makes me feel so bad is there
+is no one to warn you and he is stringin you on. Gee whiz, it makes
+me sick to think of it! I have not been able to eat fer two days,
+yesterday we had pancakes fer brekfast and I cood not eat enny and
+mother sed, I wonder what ales James? And dad sed, In the spring a
+yung mans fancy, and mother sed quick, It is not spring, Prendy, it is
+fall, and I think it is his stummick that is turned and dad sed, No it
+is his heart I have found his poitry, and mother sed, Well you may be
+rite but I shall give him a dose of caster oil, You no the oil of the
+caster, just like you had the oil of the codfish only this tests like
+sam scratch see? Well I had to swaller some and it was feerce and fer
+too cents I wood twist that teller Teddy's nose and stick my finger in
+his eye. Gee whiz, and he wares white wings dose he, and jumps up
+in the air. Some angel beleeve me, say mebbe he is a angel that has
+fallen from the sky? or a acrobat from Barnums? only I guess if he
+comes from Barnums he must be a freak al-rite. Ennyway until this yere
+ends you are my godchild and I am your godfather, and I forbid you to
+tuch enny more of that Teddys eats, understand? If you are hungry you
+just tell me, and I will send you the proper food; and it will not be
+gum, or cold-cream or candels ether, I can tell you. Why even Mr. le
+Cure wood no enuf not to give you enny of those things. That Teddy is
+not fit to have a godchild, and that is the hole story in a nutshell.
+I dunno just what I shall do if he rites to me. Mebbe I will anser and
+mebbe I wont. I guess I shall tell miss Betty about it. Have I ever
+tole you about her? She lives in the big house on the hill next to Sid
+Perkins and she has hare like, well like what you sed about Jean's,
+like gold and sunshine, and big blue eyes and the cutest little chin
+with a dimple rite in the middle, and when she smiles she makes me
+think of the ferry queens you read about in books. I guess miss Betty
+is the prettiest girl on earth al-rite. She was one of the folks what
+let me give there dorenobs a extra polish, and she nos all about you
+and now I have tole her about that Teddy, and she sez, I no just
+how you feel about him Jimmy. It is a grate comfort to have someone
+understand you if your family do not. And I askt her if she new enny
+poitry in french I cood send you by way of conversashun, and she sez,
+I remember just one, and here it is,
+
+
+  _"Je vous aime, je vous adore,
+  Que voulez vous done encore?"_
+
+
+I thot that was kind of short but she sed if I sent this to you you
+mite send that feler Teddy packin, but I guess you wont. I dont no
+when I have had so much bad luck as I have had lately. Fust their was
+the hoopincoff, then my blew legs, then I lost my firecrakers, and now
+I guess I am going to lose you al-rite. I fergot to tell you their is
+a new preecher hear called Herbit Hoover and he is a minister of
+the gospel of the Clean Plate, and all us school boys have been
+distributin little papers about it, the idee is, if you do not beleeve
+in it you eat meat and wheat and everythin, and if you beleeve a
+little you have meatless days and eat rye and no wheat, and if you get
+the religion rele hard you lick your plate clean and eat pretty near
+nothing at all. Ennyway nobody must eat sugar. Dad sez it is becaus
+sugar has turned to dimonds, so we have sirup insted and it is pretty
+good, the pancakes I was tellin you about was made with that. Mother
+sez the sugar situashun is going to be rele bad. I hope their is some
+left fer my birthday which is near Thanksgiving day. Say, you and I
+come near bein twins do you no that? Just too weaks more and we wood
+have been born together, only I wood have been your twin over here and
+you wood have been my twin over there. Say woodnt that have been funny
+though! Stranger things have happined though. It does seem sort of
+strange to think those too weaks have made me your godfather and you
+my godchild insted of us bein twins. I tole mother about it and she
+sed she thot it was better the way it is. I have saved up 47 cents fer
+your Christmas present I am not going to tell you what I wish you wood
+do fer mine. I am going to see if you can guess it.
+
+Your ever affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+September 24, 1917.
+
+My dear godfather:
+
+I am afraid this letter can't be in my own style and handwriting this
+time, for Mr. Teddy is here and I have asked him to help me with my
+English, in exchange of my helping him with his French. My mind is
+troubled and I think he can express my thought, so he has taken the
+pen in hand, and I, sitting on a little stool at his feet, and gazing
+up at him, try to make him understand what is in my mind.
+
+But first of all Mr. Teddy wants to ask you to forgive him, if he
+seems to be "butting in" and spoiling the game between you and your
+godchild. Honor bright, he didn't mean to do it. It was fate. Just
+blind, mysterious, and merciless fate that decreed that things should
+happen as they did. Mr. Teddy may be a blessing in disguise, anyway
+he couldn't be helped, and he has no excuse to offer, except, perhaps,
+that he is alone in the world and homesick in a foreign land. He is
+sorry you and he can't fight a duel over the situation, but I am very
+glad. And Mr. Teddy wants to tell you, very seriously that he takes
+off his hat to any little fellow of your size who can do the plucky
+thing you have done, and keep it up so well. If grown up men all had
+more of your spirit, he says, the war would be over long ago.
+
+The object of this letter is as follows: I (your godchild) wish to
+make amends. I wrote you yesterday, and didn't answer your letter.
+Not a word did I say about it, except that I had received it, then
+I prattled away all about another would-be godfather for whom you,
+naturally, have no earthly use. And to-day my heart is filled with
+remorse and my head is filled with fears lest you should think your
+dear godchild is ungrateful, fickle, and flighty. I want to tell you
+how every detail of your life--from knob-polishing and bug-swallowing
+to poetry-writing is dear and precious to me. How I wish I could do
+the same! How I live in eager expectation of your letters; how I gloat
+and ponder over them when they come; and how deep is the gloom into
+which I am plunged when they do not come! Mr. Teddy knows all that,
+because I have somehow expressed it, and if I had striven to hide my
+thought he would have guessed it, for he knows full well what goes on
+in the hearts of little maids and gallant lads.
+
+Therefore have I asked him to voice my deepest feelings in a poem that
+will answer yours:
+
+
+  "IDEALIZATION"
+
+  By Andree Leblanc and
+  Yankee Teddy.
+
+  "_Though our eyes may never meet,
+  To me you're more than bread or meat,
+  You are the proud and noble knight
+  That I pray for every night.
+  You could stand up on burning decks,
+  While others ran to save their necks,
+  You would not fear the dreadful Hun,
+  In Freedom's cause you'd fire a gun.
+  A lad who never gets cold feet
+  Was not destined to know defeat,
+  But oh! thou child of many pray'rs
+  Beware of Jealousy's deep snares!"_
+
+
+From your affectionate godchild,
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls
+Oct. 10, 1917.
+
+My dear Mr. Teddy,
+
+Jimmy has just brought me your letter, in great excitement, and I am
+taking the liberty of answering it myself, as I don't think he could
+do himself justice under the present circumstances. Mr. Teddy, did you
+ever have a soft spot for a little girl, when you were about eleven
+or twelve? I had one for a little boy; he was older than I, about
+fourteen; his name was Robert, and he had freckles; I think he
+squinted, too, and he teased all the girls a great deal. I am sure
+he was a very horrid little boy, as I look back, but at that time I
+thought he was wonderful, and it almost broke my heart when he said
+he had no use for little yellow-haired girls and took a girl with two
+brown pigtails to a big children's party, instead of me.
+
+Jimmy has a very soft spot for his godchild, and it is more than
+a passing fancy with him. You see, his family, while not actually
+poverty-stricken, are not as well off as they used to be, and Jimmy
+has practically supported Andree himself all the year, through
+countless little odd jobs. I have seen him on the coldest winter days,
+chopping wood or going from door to door asking to shovel snow, and
+his fingers were so red and frozen he could scarcely hold the shovel;
+yet he was always ready, with a smile, to do more work for his "kid in
+France." Andree is his godchild, his sister, his whole family to him;
+and he shoulders the responsibility of looking after her with all
+the seriousness of a little old man. Now, right in the middle of this
+flourishing state of affairs you come, with your big American pockets
+filled with elastic candy and bon-bons, and at a moment's notice
+you produce cold-cream, perfumed with strawberry and vanilla, and
+snow-covered cakes such as Jimmy can never hope to equal. What little
+girl would not turn fickle to her first love in the presence of such
+a display? At first Jimmy was filled with natural jealousy at your
+intrusion. He was all for going over there and giving you a piece of
+his mind; but since receiving your letter he has, almost incredibly,
+come to feel sorry for you because, as he says, "it must be pretty
+tuf to be all alone over there, and I guess he thinks my godchild is
+a peach, all right." And Jimmy is right; you must be so very very
+lonesome! And yet couldn't we manage to cheer you up a little without
+taking Jimmy's godchild away from him? I don't know of any little
+godchild I could give you in exchange, but I do know of a girl who
+lives with an invalid mother in a big white house on a hill, and who
+would only be too glad to have a soldier for a godson and send him
+little packages of cigarettes, and pictures of movie stars (of which
+she has a great collection) and--oh tell him about home and friends
+and people and everything.
+
+I am sending you this letter care of Andree Leblanc; if you would care
+for the arrangement I suggest, would you let me know?
+
+Sincerely yours,
+Elizabeth Winslow
+
+
+
+
+18 rue d'Autancourt, Paris.
+November 2, 1917.
+
+My dear godfather:
+
+Jules has received a wound, and he is very joyful because it make him
+not to die; on the contrary it make him cited at the order of the
+day and decorated with the Medaille Militaire. He make two boches
+prisoners and catch them with one hand because the other had the very
+bad hurt. And then he fainted himself on the ground and the Cross Red
+pick him and conduct him at a great hospital in Paris. And Tuesday
+Maman and Marie go to see him and take him the lemonade. And yesterday
+Monsieur Teddy ask Maman the permission to take me to see him also and
+she say yes and we go. We ride in the tramway pending a long time
+and I give Monsieur Teddy a lesson of French, and he say nothing
+but, _oui, oui_ and _chic alors--zut alors_! And all the
+travelers regard us and laugh and Monsieur Teddy laugh also. But when
+we arrive at the hospital he laugh not at all. He take my hand and I
+keep it very tight because I am frighten. It is very beautiful, the
+hospital. There is the great garden with trees and flat bands[22] and
+the soldier sentinel at the door. Inside it is all white and dark,
+a little like the church, and it smell of pharmacy and nobody make a
+noise. A lady white conduct us up the stairs and open a door, and I
+see a great number of beds in lines with Poilus in them. When they see
+the uniform American some make the salute military and I feel myself
+very proud. Jules was so content he say it make his hurt to go away
+immediately. And Teddy sit on a chair and give cigarettes and try to
+make conversation with his hands. And I sit on the bed and make talk
+with two tongues and ten fingers also. And Teddy say he will come
+again see brother Jules all the Sundays and Thursdays and console him
+until he go to fly away. Very sure he is one angel, Mr. Teddy! And
+he go up in the heavens with the wings! Oh little foolish godfather!
+Understand you not he is one aviator? And you must not be in anger
+when he give me the good things to eat. Perhaps in Amerique the cold
+cream is bad, but in Paris it make you not sick, on the contrary. I
+show not your letter to Mr. Teddy because you say for two cents
+you twist his nose and his eyes and it is not very genteel, dear
+godfather. When you think wickedness the bon Dieu punish you. It is
+because you think wickedness of Mr. Teddy that you become sick and
+cannot to eat the pancakes, and must drink the oil of the caster.
+
+I am content that the Miss Betty understand you and you tell her all
+things, and she is like the ferry with the twisted hairs. Hairs like
+gold is very pretty for little boys like Jean, but on ladies it look
+like the sun have fade the color. Thank you for the poetry she make.
+But my great sister see it and she say to Maman: "These infants write
+great foolishness all the time. If it continues we must give Andree
+no more stamps of five sous. We will make the economy and send only
+a card postal all the three months when the Comite Americain send the
+silver of the godfather."
+
+And I am very unhappy because Maman will not permit me to polish
+door-knobs like you and gain silver for the stamps of five sous. But
+little Jean come squeeze my neck and console me, and say he will work
+and become rich to purchase the stamps of five sous. Poor little! He
+know not what it is the life, but he is one brave little man, and I
+think he will resemble to you, dear godfather. Oh, I forget, in my
+other letter I write when Mr. Teddy come, to say I desire very much
+your portrait where you are grinning, like you say. I love much the
+grinning godfather. I will place you above my bed, under the branch of
+blessed box. My Papa is there also, and I embrace him all the nights,
+before I lie down.
+
+Dear little godfather, I am very recognizing[23] that you guard 47
+sous for my Christmas. Alas, I can never enough say thank you for all
+you do, and I can never render it to you! It make me full of sorry
+when I think that. With Maman I essay to guess what you want I do. I
+will make something with my proper hands, and Maman will aid. You will
+love a pair of slippers embroidered, or a shawl (I want say a scarf)
+or a bonnet of aviator? Tell me, I pray of you,
+
+I shake your hand affectuously.
+
+Your godchild,
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+[22] Flat bands (_plate-bandes_) flower beds.
+[23] Recognizing (_reconnaissante_) grateful.
+
+
+
+
+Greenville Falls
+Nov. 18, 1917.
+
+Deer godchild,
+
+How are you? I got that mister Teddy's letter, and I was goin to anser
+it but I dident no just what to say, so I gave it to miss Betty and
+she sed she wood anser it herself. And you needent worry about my
+twistin his nose and stikin my finger in his eye, because if you like
+him I will leave him alone fer your sake. I had quite a good birthday.
+Miss Betty found out when it was, and she gave me a bully party,
+but we had a feerce time gettin sugar. You no mister Hoover the new
+minister I was telling you about? Well he has got reel exited about
+sugar, and he has told the shopkeepers they must give only one pound
+to itch family, and miss Betty she wanted more than that to make my
+cake, because she sez it is hard enuf to cook with things but it is
+the limit to cook without them. And she dident no what to do until she
+had a brite idee. She sent Molly to Butler's store and she got some
+mapel seerop and mixt it all up with the sugar and a lot of other good
+stuff. And I had a bully cake. It was kinder soft to have candels
+on it, but miss Betty made it all herself and that is more than your
+Teddy did, and it was a bully cake just the same. And she let me ask
+Dinky Odell over to have some and we had hot chocolate and a fust rate
+time. I am sorry your sister dident like the poitry. Some peeple dont
+no a good thing when they see it. Carl Odell has writ to Amanda, and
+he sez, "I am writing this in the midst of falling shells and boms
+busting in air, but if ever I come out al-rite little girl I'll come
+back to you." Carl Odell must have been sent to the front pretty quick
+al-rite as he has only been gone too weaks, and he sez he has a lot of
+inside inflammation, but he is afraid the censer will cut it out.
+
+And now I come to the bizness part of this leter. Fer one yere now I
+have been your godfather and you have been my godchild, and we have
+hit it off pretty well I think, and now the yere is drawing to a
+close, and next month it may be all will be ended between us. Little
+girl, what I have been wishing you wood do fer Christmas is not a
+scarf, or slipper or ennything but this. Will you be my godchild fer
+a nuther yere? I guess mebbe you mite do better fer yourself and get a
+more classy godfather. I dont seem to be much good at school somehow,
+and I guess that missis Yanket was rite when she sed what she did
+about my spellin bein feerce. I guess mebbe you rite better than I do,
+and I no that mister Teddy dose becaus miss Betty saw his letter and
+she sed it was a fine letter. Somehow I guess Mr. le Cure and missis
+Yanket and all your frens rite and spell better than I do. But I bet
+I can polish dore handels and wash winders and sell Mirrors and suport
+you as well as enny Body. Mebbe I am cut out fer plane bizness. And
+so I say, if you think you like me, and wood like to keep on having
+me fer your godfather, say yes and I will be much obliged. But if you
+think you wood be hapier with Mr. Teddy, dear godchild why just say so
+and never mind about me. I guess I can live it down.
+
+Your affeckshunate godfather,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+
+Paris, Dec. 4, 1917.
+
+Dear godfather,
+
+I say thousand times yes, and the bon Dieu give you benediction.
+Oh dear godfather, you did make the foolish when you believe I want
+veritably monsieur Teddy to me adopt! He is full of gracious goodness,
+Monsieur Teddy, but he is not like unto you. He did not the work, and
+he beat himself not with Red-Skins, to succour me and give comfort in
+the modest interior. Mr. Teddy very sure will be one hero in the war,
+but you are already one hero with heart more big. And my dear Papa,
+that did die for the Patrie, is well content to behold that. We are
+loving all the Amerique; but Maman and me say yesterday there is not
+in the world entire a boy so much remplished of sentiments delicate
+like my grinning godfather. (I call you like that because your
+photography is come; you are more beautiful than Mr. Teddy and it
+rejoice the heart to look upon you.)
+
+Dear godfather I will tell you Mr. Teddy is departed to the front. He
+come one day, late, and he say not he go away the tomorrow; he only
+sit by the stove, and take Jean upon his knees and caress the hairs
+of gold; and he smile very nice but speak not much. And when he go, he
+tell me, very quiet, he have in his pocket one beautiful letter of
+the miss Betty. And she is his ferry godmother, and you are my ferry
+godfather and all things are al-rite, al-rite! You say all the time
+that word, you other Americans, al-rite, al-rite. Maman say it is
+because you have confidence in the bon Dieu, and you know that He will
+make the bad world all over like that: Al-rite, al-rite!
+
+Happy Year! dear little godfather. Permit, one time, that I embrace
+you very affectuously, and shake your hand.
+
+Your godchild for the life,
+Andree Leblanc.
+
+
+
+
+Deer Miss Secretary:
+
+After some consideration I have decided to keep my orfan fer one more
+yere. Of course she is still a girl and I wanted a boy, but she is
+used to me and I am used to her, and it mite go hard with her if I
+left her fer some one else to adop, so if you will just put me down
+fer one more yere I will be much obliged to you.
+
+Yours truly,
+James P. Jackson Jr.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DEER GODCHILD***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 13125.txt or 13125.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/1/2/13125
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
+https://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://pglaf.org
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://pglaf.org
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
+donations.  To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+
diff --git a/old/13125.zip b/old/13125.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..91e71d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/old/13125.zip