To the editor:

In recent days we have heard discussions about "soft money," which usually means that someone is looking for favors or special treatment.

Similarly, one can receive undue credit at times even when totally undeserved and unsolicited. I recall a time in Lima, Peru, when a woman who was of Japanese descent but a U.S. citizen asked if I would intervene for her son who was looking for a scholarship in the United States. I told her that I would probably have no influence but that I would speak to someone at the U.S. embassy and would say a good word for her son who had been an excellent student.

I did go to the U.S. embassy as promised, but I only spoke to one of the employees. I stated that Pablo had been a good student and that I would recommend him highly. I was advised to stay clear of the matter. At the time, the U.S. was at war with Japan.

I then left the country for several weeks. Upon my return, I was surprised when Pablo's mother came to my office and told me that Pablo had received the scholarship and had gotten a visa to travel to the U.S. She expressed her gratitude for all that I had done. I explained that I had done very little. She said the whole family was grateful for my assistance. I tried again to tell her I had done nothing. She still gave me all the credit. I was embarrassed by her continued showering of gifts. I felt guilty for accepting them, but I knew the family would be offended if I tried to return them. It was a dilemma. I was never quite sure what action I should have taken. In this case, it was an acknowledgement of supposed favors granted rather than in anticipation of things to come.

One day I was asked to assist in getting a political prisoner released. I went to the U.S. embassy to report the problem but was told that I should not get involved in the matter. About a week later the man was released, and the family gave me credit for something I didn't do. I had their lasting gratitude.

Frequently, people do a great deal for which they receive no credit. Probably the two extremes balance out in the long run. We do what we do without thought of reward, and usually we receive consideration and thanks for the good deeds we do, whether we are Boy Scouts or not.

IVAN NOTHDURFT

Cape Girardeau