Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-06-24
American Soldier
Best Customer of
Candy Statesmen

Correspondence Associated Press.1
London. Nav 20.--.SNext for candy
cries the keeper Of the ships canteen.
In front Of his booth Is a long queue OF
American soldiers. patiently awaiting
their turn to buy the sweets and
souvenirs displayed on The counter and
in the showcases. 1t Is an incident OF
life of American soldiers on trans
port bound fo- France.
The canteen Ike eper Is tired. Never
in his experience on British vessels has
he encountered ouch rush of busi-
Iess He has sold his wares in all
the seven seas to people Of many ma
tionalities AMI II he were awarding d
prize to the best customer 1t would
be bestowed promptly or the American
soldier.
II say" he exclaimed to the chief
steward after lie had closed shop the
first day out, what a sweet tooth
they have! AT the ratio they're buying
me out, there won't be 4 gutndrop left
by the time VIC set hhaiss%aS; across
On some of the British transports
that are taking Uncle Sans troops 10
France there are as many as five can
teens.
The demand for chocolates Is so
great that the supply. large tho 1t
may have been, Is quickly exhausted.
American chewing gum Is next in pop
ularity. After the home variety OF
CONNECTIONS nave been sold out, The
soldiers begin to experiment with
British sweets, OF which toffee wins
perhaps the most favor II American
pop" could De had it would be con-
su(neda in large quantities. Failing
that. the troops drink Spanish ginger
ale.
One soldier Is known to have spent
SIS for candy and ginger ale. He
probably wouli have sEent more be-
fore the ship reached port, but one
day, greatly to his establishment. he
became seasick.
The canteen curios. such as shells
on which are painted the American
Rag. attract many buyers. and before
the trip is ended almost every SOL
diers kit contains one or more o.
these treasures
On the British transports the bar
Der shop is advertised on the door as
"hairdrescr". AS rule this sign Is not
understood BY the American looking
for a haircut or shave. He thinks It
is a place for women to have their
hair dressed and he passes 1t by When
he confesses TO HIS comrades that he
can't find the barber shop ne Is made
the victim Of good deal Of joshiny
from those who have fathomed the
secret
The soldiers who patronlze the hair
dresser find the experience rather
novel 1t seems queer to be shaved
in an immovable upright chair and
queerer still. but extremely satisfac-
tory, to be charged about half the
price one pays in first class Amer
lean shop. ,rv
1t Is on the ship that many Amer
leans become acquainted for the first
time with English money. Aside from
stray Canadian dime they usually
have never seen British coins and
when In exchange for an American
bill they are given strange looking
pieces Of silveri and big disks OF cop
per they register, in the language or
the movies, wide-eyed interest.
What are these stove lids for"
asked an Iowan Of Texan. puzzled
and showing some disdain for the big
English pennies.
"You put EN- in sock to bean
Hun with. reckon" replies the
southerner. netting the coins. "or,
maybe" he adds, I'VE can use EN- To
throw at submarines"
A sergeant steps up with informa-
ne volunteers. They're worth cents
piece. That's COOL sized tip in
London"
"You fellows" the sergeant goes on.
reaching for tho Iowan's coins, better
get wise TO this English dough" He
hold up a silver coin. You know what
that is?"
A crowd ha. gathered to hear the
lecture.
That's a shilling" says a voice.
Shilling your grandmother. That's
a halfcrown It's equal to two shill-
ings and sixpence. You want to be
careful not to GET 1t mixed up with one
of these two shilling pieces that's
nearly the same size"
How much is Q shilling1" queries
the Texan.
About two bits" says the sergeant,
who halls from California. It's equal
to two Of these s.xpences."
He gives tha coins hack to their
owner and stalks of, followed by ad-
miring eyes.
Say" obsarSes the !!e@sn. wye got
lot to learn And when we get to
France, guess we'll ruE into some
- Lab
War certainly Is hell" says the
Texan.