Letter to Paul B, March 26, 1919

[Received April 13, 1919]

1211 Dakota St. Danville Ill. Mar. 26, 1919

My Own dear dear Boy:- It is beyond my power to express the joy that filled my heart on receiving three letters and a package of Postcards of views of Echternach. Oh boy!! Can you immagine the load lifted from my aching heart? immediately the sun and every thing looked brighter and life seem the worth-while. If the dear Lord will permitt our meeting once more dear boy it will undoubtedly be one of the happiest if not the happiest moments of my life. Just to think the two weeks I was worrying myself amost sick you were over your sick spell and gone on a trip to France, and to say I was glad for such a blessing to come to you is not near saying it all. So you can see how every thing worked out for your good after all for had your band been included in the "leave" you spoke of when writing to Cecil you would have been too sick [to] have gone, and if you had got started you might have had to stop in some hospital. so how much better it turns out for us some times then if it had gone our way. I think the few days at the Hospital did your nerves good as well as otherwise for you were needing rest of mind as well as of body. And now I hope you will have enough variety and changes to make it interesting the rest of the time you will have to stay. There is an awful sight of trouble in the various countries over there. discentent turmoil etc. to make one feel that they will want to go to fighting again. But I hope and pray they will not keep our boys over there till all the revolution and anarchy is run its course. for if they do they wont get back till the restitution is established - or in other words the New King has taken His reins and rules in righteousness. The Commercial News has a piece in about the 33rd div. coming in May. Had a letter from Uncle Joe today saying they look for John in May. Well I guess you will think this letter rather broken and disconnected but daddy has the music going and I find myself entering right into it. So I believe I will lay it aside and write when I can hear myself think at least. So good night

Now please dont laugh at me, for I said good night and layed aside paper and pen. But now after about 10 or 15 minutes take it up again. There goes "Over There" in all its granduer of music.

Monday when we rec'd the mail from you I had a letter for you out in the mail box. And I was sewing when I looked up and saw the Carrier going by on the north sidewalk so I hurried thru the room on to the porch to get the letter and take it down to him for I couldn't tell that he was going to stop so as he got to the gate he said "I thought you would come out to the gate" I said why,- have you a letter from my boy. he said "I should say I have" and by that he began to pull one after another out of the package and it really seemed more like a dream that was too good to be true then any thing else. So when I came in the house I did have a feast and a visit with my dear boy that I had almost began to think would never happen again. It seemed my endurance was tenti[]ned to the limit. So it is like you said one time in a letter that I shouldnt worry for may be right then there wouldnt be the least reason for it and I might say "visa versa" You are certainly an artist any one that can make a drawing like that, and sick in bed at the same time certainly is unusual. Daddy has A Day At West Point going now. Say! they have quite a time you can hear the guns go off and all kinds of bugle calls[.] I was certainly interested in your description of the old Monastery (now the taps is blowing) and surroundings and your thoughts concerning the unfortunates who had to be imprisoned in its old walls. There is going to be a time not far off when all hidden things will be brought to light and O what a revealing of dark deeds there will be when the history of those convents and castles etc. will be made known. You, in speaking of the hold catholicism was getting on our people and that you didnt care to look in the future very far. Do you really know that there will be no need to look far in the future for revolution is now close at our doors, anarchy on its heels. Now this dont mean that every body is going to get killed no no. for there will be millions no doubt who will live thru it and will lay hold upon the new order that will be ushered in by and thru the Jews in their home-land - Palestine. for out of Jerusalem shall go forth the law and His word from Mt. Zion.

I will write you one of the paragraphs in Uncle Joes letter. "The boys are all anxious to get back home. They are tired of loafing. I fear they will have a hard time taming themselves down to the old ruts again, Many will not do it. They will join the ranks of the discontented and help swell the worlds great disquietude, turmult, and turmoil, It is coming, it hastens" etc. etc. Well daddy has "O Where is My Wandering Boy To Night" Say those two weeks of anxiety concerning you I couldnt stand to have that played I would get a weak sick feeling at my heart. But now since hearing from you again I can stand it a little better. The Helmet hasn't come yet I will leave the unwraping till you come. Say I forgot to say that Uncle Joe didn't get to come in Feb. he, for some reason didn't get the letter from Bro Banghard telling him of the acceptance of the dates sent by him so it kept going and in all wondered why he didn't either write or come. Then Bro Banghard wrote again so he got a letter from Uncle Joe yesterday. stating that he could come the last of May or June so you may be home yet when he comes. Today has been rainy but since dinner it has turned cold the wind coming from the north-west. Some have sewed some lettuce & radishes and I guess a few have made their early garden. But we will wait till along towards the latter part of next week if not later. I washed today and put the clothes in the attic I had intended going over to Sr. Cleggets again today and then on out to the Hospital to see Sr Harris and her sick boy. and as it was too bad to go I decided to do the washing I didn't have very much. I guess I will make or help to make Cecils blue satin dress. I dont like to undertake it but she wants me to so bad. New York had a big parade for the 27 div. - or rather they (the boys) formed the parade, the bigest thing of the kind ever took place there. This is Thurs. morning. I will hurry and put the finish on. I have studied the views you sent. I hope you and Mr Taylor had a profitable as well as a pleasurable trip in France. I did feel glad that you got such a warm welcome back to your "home" boys Well I dont feel that I have or really ever can answer your good interesting letters. Havent seen Arthurs lately. May Gods rich blessings continue with you is my prayer.

Your Loving Mother. Ethelinda Hendrickson