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.