Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1892-06-23

were welcomed 10 Cne ireeuuu Oi IHe
turf and the cool shade about the house
welcomed others on their owH:responsi.
bility. In this simple and cordial way
the men were drawn to the East Side
club every evening, and on Sundays
they brought their children and their
lunches and newspapers and picnicked
on the grass.
Mr.. Wheeler talked to the people. he
had every newcomer introduced to him,
and he sat on the grass with them; he
smoked and,read with them, and he not
only got their ideas on political, social
and industrial questions, but frankly
gave his own, Some of these friendly
discussions lasted u week, and: news OF
them drew. new visitors. When one
evening "the club gentleman" as he
was called, invited two men to dine with
him, his sincerity Of purpose was estab.
lished, and since then the work has pros.
pered.
Associated with Mr.. Wheeler were the
Rev. Mr.. Theodore F. Bacon and Mr.. l..
D. Hughes. graduate and student of di,
vinity. Notwithstanding the religious
tendency of these gentlemen and the
support of the Church club, the work
was conducted on purely nonsectarian
lines. Not a Scripture quotation was
seen on the walls, and neitherihymnal
nor book ofcommon prayer was visible.
The old fashioned dining room was
converted intoa billiard hall, and here
the men smoke and chat, play billiards,
chess and checkers. whenever they like.
at small expense the conservatory
was converted into a gymnasium. On
the same floor Is, the lavatory and bath.
Every day in the week from 8 a. m.
until 40 p. m. the clubhouse is open and
the attendance in the billiard room and
gymnasium is greater Sunday than at
|any other time. When exception was
taken to this unusual plan Of operation
NE. Wheeler took the ground that :
gentleman might play game OF bill
hards in his private club Sunday after
noon If the notion pleased him without
exciting any comment among the mem
bers. Granting this privilege to mer-
chant, banker or professional man, why
(ishould it be denied his truckman and
clerks2 1t also occurred to him that a
game of-eards in a private club was not
only less baneful, but less expensive
than in a saloon or beer garden.
Another innovation is monthly dance
to which all the members are invited to
bring their wives, sisters and friends.
Good music is provided, simply printed
dancing cards are distributed and in the
middle of the programme hot chocolate
and cake or coffee and sandwiches are
served. The young clergyman is al
ways present, and no group, however
small, is unattended in the club, and in
consequence noisy harangues, profanity
and discord are unknown.
Now there are FIVE club ,residents-Mr.
W. s. Brush, also lawyer: Mr.. Paul
Reynolds, editor Of q religious paper;
Mr.. Willis B. Holcom, Mrs. Virginia
Gookin, the kindergarten, and her little
son.
The janito1- and his wife take care of
the house and John Codet, aged sixteen,
is custodian of the Fairgrounds. Dur
ing the day Mrs. Gookin teaches all the
children who come to the kindergarten.
Last October an epidemic broke out and
the school had to be closed. Several
deaths resulted from measles and fever.
The work was resumed recently with q
membership of fifty. At the start these
toddlers had to be washed and scrubbed;
now they present themselves clean and
tidy.
Any self respecting man may become
a amember of the club by paying fifty
cents month. This fee entities the
member to all the privileges and adyan-
tages of social and f-'rndly organiza-
ton. tgives his children the freedom
of the Fairgrounds seven days in the
week and provides kindergarten train
ing for them. It welcomes his wife to
the mothers meetings and the general
entertainments, and it gives him the use
Of gymnasium, library and reading
room, and q cczy and beautiful place to
spend his holidays. 1t brings him in
contact with at least three sympathetic
and influential men on whom he can de-
pend for many courtesies calulated to
relieve the monotony and reduce the
struggles for existence.-New York
WDrld