The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-02-18

ultimate design they may have on their
souls, are unwilling to meet and treat
with them as rational beings. Long
before Kipling said that Tommy At
kins is "single man in barracks most |
remarkable like you," the ladies had
realized the truth, and their homes are
the material evidence of their convic-
tions.
A description of one of the homes
will serve for all, for they vary very
little. And as there are some readers
of THE MIRROR who claim the blessed
sod of the Emerald Isle as their native
soil, will try to describe the one at
Cork. 1t was built entirely by volun-
tary gifts. The building contains elab-
crate baths and lavatories, fine cafe
in which Jack and Tommy may get
the best of meals at little more than
cost price, reading rooms, smoking
room, sitting room, etc. The second
floor is furnished in a style that sug-
gests combination of domestic sit
q
large apartment, containing plenty of
comfortable chairs and well filled book
cases. There are writing and reading
tables, but the crowning feature of all
in Jacks or Tommy's estimation is
huge fireplace at each end of the room.
Altogether it is home-like room.
Seated around the fire, or at the little
tables which dot the apartment, are
infantrymen, cavalrymen, artillerymen,
engineers, sailors and marines, all of
them as much at home as they would
be in their own houses. Three or four
ladies, residents of the home and visi-
tors, are present. One perhaps is sew
ing and at the same time talking to a
groop of soldiers or sailors; another
lmaY ba4plaGing a piano accompaniment
for some bandsman who has brought
his instrument; while another is as
sisting one of the men to write to his
wife and children. Each time the door
opens the sound of hearty singing in a
room above is heard, and those who
care to wander up there-they are new
er urged to do so-may Join in the sing
ing and listen to talk from some resi-
dent or visitor. Such addresses, while
they are of religious tone, are not
sectarian.
On the same floor with the sitting
room is room for games of bagatele
dominoes, chess, ETC., and next door is
the smoking room. On the fourth floor
are bed rooms for soldiers on sail night
pass" or the sailors in port. Those
who are going to make it their home
for few weeks pay about So week
for bed and board. A married sailor
can have his wife and family with
him. Thus the saloon and cheap lodg
ing house is frequently robbed of its
victim.
A notable feature of the undertaking
-, is the wholesome influence of th'
!, beautiful appointments and refined at
= mosphere of the home on it's patrons
Men whose early lives were spent in tn
slums of the great cities often yield t.
, the charm and become clean living ant
gentlemanly. The one who is previous
. ly ignorant of the slightest courtesy o
= knowledge of the canons of politenes
learns to subdue his voice, rise when
- lady enters the room, and in thou
= sand and one little ways demonstrate
; that he is in the right school.
q Experience has proven that disc
r pline only restraints, it does not cor
+ vert. Notwithstanding discipline, sol
# diers run, amuck. To do away with tn
a canteen does not help matters so Ion
n as the soldier can get what he want
n to drink outside the barrack gates
II These homes are gaining victory oy
4 er the canteen, saloon and dance hal
,r and the letter which follows is suff
9. cient testimony to their success. 1t
q from Lord Roberts to Miss Weston
h "These homes are really what the
d. profess to be, and they will alwa,
re- have my support. Quite apart frol
d. religion or morals, these homes do
great deal to keep men healthy an
n efficient. Men resort to them as
Or places where they eau get good refresl
e. ment and cheerful society, and whel
X they can talk, and smoke, and wri
:. lotforc amid n1ooconf cnrroundino