"OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES AND SUCKLINGS."

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2894, 5 October 1916, Page 7

"OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES AND SUCKLINGS."

Sky—l venture tot forward to you a :opy of some lines sent to me by a lifted young lady from South Australia on hearinE? or the death of one of ny sons, killed in action at Anzac. Although intended only for private circulation, I feel that at a timo like ;his, : when so many families aro plurig}d in woe, bereft of their nearest-and learest, I would indeed be selfish to ceep them to myself. I trust they vill give others the same consolation md cheer as.they gave me. . •We should be proud to think our :ons havo behaved so nobly, and boon jermitted to lay down their lives in :he great cause, fighting for King, sountry/freedom, humanity, and home, ind. echo and re-echo the little child's nessage: "Hip!. Hip I Hurrah! Well lone, our sidol"—l am]" etc., HARRY. A. de LATJTOUR, Kilbirnio, Wellington, October 8, 1916: [Enclosure.] THE MESSAGE, sat in my familiar room (My pe}u hold idly in my hand), )ppressi;d with unfamiliar gloom, For word had come from far-off land. )no of my soldier sous had paid The price of blood ; and I must tell [lie nows to one by distance stayed,— A sister who had loved him well,. Jy pen long idle did remain, The while I searched my mind and hearty . Jhe written word must needs give pain, What could I say to ease tho smart? , if y-youngest son,- tlrreo years about,. Bestrode his.steed in glee and pride, bid as>l mused,- his voice rang.out: "Hurrah! Hurrah! Well done our ,v. side!" ': . fhen.iri a flash the vision clear Of all that we had lost and won lesolved-itself, sublime and near: I passed the cheering message ou, felt thc.man's pride rise in me, v 1 felt the gladnoss of tho child: * . ily son had won his spurs, and he, E'en as'his sires, in conflict wild. lad fought against tho Turk in this The New theirs, the old. ffhatl if in hunting grounds of bliss They greet him there, those warriors bold! bid as a child's rejoicing brought • Relief no musing might obtain, solace beyond the power of thought— A moment's risk—immortal gain. ;,pass it on to 'those who weep, To- those who fret and thoso who chide — [his message with its meaning dcop: "Hurrahf Hurrah! .Well done, our. ai ?.' sidaJ"' •■:••' ■- ~< ...v.:,:;,,..-; ..... . -M.R.L.; ' . S:A:r;October 3, 1915.:.-!.'- ,