'Twas a day or two before New Year's, when the postal truck came in; The orderly fishes one out for Jim; he takes it, without a grin, And then, as he opens the envelope--eeyow! How that man did yell: "A letter from James J., Junior, boys! the youngster has learnt to spell!" So nothin' would do but the bunch of us had to read the letter through; 'Twas all writ out by that kid of his, and a mighty smart kid, too, For it isn't every six-year-old at school as can take a prize, (Like the boy wrote Jim as he had done): and you oughter seen Jim's eyes! Well, Jim had a mighty good New Year's; he stood the squad a treat, And now, 'stead o' turnin' out sloppy, he's always trim and neat; Fact is, the lieutenant passed the word that if Jim keeps on that way He'll be wearing little stripes on his arm and drawin' a bit more pay. Don't it beat hell how a little thing will change a man like that? Now Jim's as cheerful as anything instead o' mum as a bat. An' the reason? Why, it's easy! A guy is bound to fail Of bein' a proper soldier if he don't get no fambly mail! If all of those post office birds was wise to the change they made in Jim, They'd hustle a bit on our letters, for they's lots that's just like him; It may be a kid, or it may be a girl; a mother, a pal, a wife,-- And believe me, this hearin' from 'em--why, it's half o' the joy o' life! Chartered 1822 The Farmers' Loan and Trust Company NEW YORK PARIS BORDEAUX 41, Boulevard Haussmann 8, Cours du Chapeau-Rouge AND TWO ARMY ZONE OFFICES Specially designated United States Depositary of Public Moneys. LONDON: 26, Old Broad Street, E.C.2 and 16, Pall Mall East. S.W.1. The Societe Generale pour favoriser etc., & its Branches throughout France will act as our correspondents for the cashing of Officers' cheques & transfer of funds for MEMBERS of the AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. ---- BIG GUNS ON FLAT CARS TO BATTER HUNS' LINES. ---- A. E. F. Operates Railroad Artillery that will Hurl Tons of Steel Twenty Miles into Enemy's Territory. ---- LONG-BARRELLED 155s ARE ALSO DEADLY. ---- Fortresses and Mountains Crumble like Sandhills Before Blasts from the Busters. ----