Chapter 3

Your affeckshunate godfather,

James P. Jackson Jr.

Paris, Dec. 4, 1917.

Dear godfather,

I say thousand times yes, and the bon Dieu give you benediction. Oh dear godfather, you did make the foolish when you believe I want veritably monsieur Teddy to me adopt! He is full of gracious goodness, Monsieur Teddy, but he is not like unto you. He did not the work, and he beat himself not with Red-Skins, to succour me and give comfort in the modest interior. Mr. Teddy very sure will be one hero in the war, but you are already one hero with heart more big. And my dear Papa, that did die for the Patrie, is well content to behold that. We are loving all the Amerique; but Maman and me say yesterday there is not in the world entire a boy so much remplished of sentiments delicate like my grinning godfather. (I call you like that because your photography is come; you are more beautiful than Mr. Teddy and it rejoice the heart to look upon you.)

Dear godfather I will tell you Mr. Teddy is departed to the front. He come one day, late, and he say not he go away the tomorrow; he only sit by the stove, and take Jean upon his knees and caress the hairs of gold; and he smile very nice but speak not much. And when he go, he tell me, very quiet, he have in his pocket one beautiful letter of the miss Betty. And she is his ferry godmother, and you are my ferry godfather and all things are al-rite, al-rite! You say all the time that word, you other Americans, al-rite, al-rite. Maman say it is because you have confidence in the bon Dieu, and you know that He will make the bad world all over like that: Al-rite, al-rite!

Happy Year! dear little godfather. Permit, one time, that I embrace you very affectuously, and shake your hand.

Your godchild for the life,

Andrée Leblanc.

Deer Miss Secretary:

After some consideration I have decided to keep my orfan fer one more yere. Of course she is still a girl and I wanted a boy, but she is used to me and I am used to her, and it mite go hard with her if I left her fer some one else to adop, so if you will just put me down fer one more yere I will be much obliged to you.

Yours truly,

James P. Jackson Jr.

[1]

Silver(argent)money.

[2]

Good-carrying (bien portante) healthy.

[3]

Dactylographer (typist).

[4]

Indorse(endosser)to put on

[5]

Vacancies(vacances)vacations.

[6]

Well elevated(bien élevée) well bred.

[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.

[10]

Sleep on two ears (dormir sur les deux oreilles) to sleep like a top

[11]

I guard (je garde) I keep.

[12]

All of a hit (tout d'un coup) suddenly.

[13]

Melt in tears (fondre en larmes) burst into tears.

[14]

Tables black (tableaux noirs) black boards.

[15]

Empeche myself (m'empêcher) I cannot help.

[16]

Like it must (comme il faut) nicely.

[17]

entertain (entretenir) to support.

[18]

Buckled hairs (cheveux bouclés) curly hair.

[19]

His figure is razed (sa figure est rasée) his face is shaved.

[20]

Washing the vessels (laver la vaisselle) washing the dishes.

[21]

Beat himself (se battre) to fight.

[22]

Flat bands(plate-bandes)flower beds.

[23]

Recognizing(reconnaissante)grateful.

Back to Index Next