James E. Henschel letter to Leopold H. Henschel - February 16, 1919

              Lieut. J.E. Henschel, Motor Section, Advance PC, GHQ, A.P.O. 930, A.E.F. Trier, Germany. February 16th, 1919. Dear Dad: One of the inconveniences of having a wireless station in one's office is the fact that about every so often something happens to the electric lights. Of course, the station denies all responsibility, but that does not give us light and now we have learned again the wisdom of keeping on hand a goodly stock of candles. This morning, in fact all day was mighty pleasant for me, in spite of the fact that it has been wet and misty all of the time. We worked in the morning, and entertained two generals without being "cussed out" That made us very happy. You see, tomorrow is the day that the armisticers make the Germans weep once more, and when I saw the Generals come in the door, my spirits rapidly sank to the zero point. Whenever a set of officers higher than the rank of captain come into our happy home, it usually means mourning for some of us. Everything's coming along fine, and if things go as well the next fe few days, I'll be happy. In the afternoon, another lieutenant and myself oiled up a couple of automatics, and going out into the country found out just how far it is possible to miss a three inch target. Had a lot of fun none the less, and intend to continue the practice. When we came back in town, I went to the American church services in the Basilica. It is the old church that apparently was used by the soldiers who inhabited this barracks before the war. Quite a building, and a really wonderful organ. I enjoyed the music immensely; there's something good for the soul in listening to a fine organ, well played, don't you think? Anyway, the music did me as much good as the excellent sermon, preached by one of the chaplains that are stationed near Trier. Mr. Hoopes, late of Westport, wrote me a note, in which he mentioned the "New Master" of Ivanhoe. My congratulations to Ivanhoe; they picked a good one. Masonically speaking, there isn't a lodge room in the world that I could get into. Honest Dad - don't think me too much of a bone-head - I've forgotten doggone near every word of the work. Don't think that that means that I lost interest in the work; there simply has been no chance for me to talk Masonry to any one at all, and after a couple of years, all that I learned in the few weeks before I left home, has vanished into the thinnest of thin air. You have to teach me again, before I disgrace your on my return. It's awful. There is another equally young second lieutenant in the officer here in exactly the same fix that I am. He has his written credentials and wears a ring bearing the square and compass, but he's like I. I asked him when I was introduced to him if he was a Mason, and he answered,"Yes, but damned if I could prove it!" and grinned - and I grinned, and understood perfectly. A lot of water has careened down the old Missouri since we were raised. The all absorbing topic today is tomorrow, and what will happen tomorrow. Unless we all miss our guess,