Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-02-21

The days mail, which arrived "on
schedule time" brought to me three
of the November copies of the REGIS
TER. During the leisure noon hour
period, and other few moments
respite from our usual days work,
have read with interest all the news
contaihAd in the three issues. Every
item was interesting (even the adver-
tisements held especial Interest for
me, "a it was 'sfrom hOme.n) The
news from Des Arc, Annapolis, and
other south end towns and comEun-
tiles was, as one of the boys express,
ed it, like "Home, Sweet Home to
me-" But best of all, was the good
naHs Of tho successful Y. M. G. A.
fund, which Iron county in general
subscribed to, during the 'campaign."
We boys in this camp, and I'm sure
all the ':Sam mics" in the A. <. Il.
from Iron county, are greatly inter-
ested in these campaigns, for we real
ize 1t is all to our comfort.
We also realize that a great majority
of the people OF our country do not
know exactly of the benefit of an
army Y. M. G. Ado not know how
much comfort and pleasure they give
to the average soldier life--pleasure
thar is denied them in the discharge Of
their every day duty. So have de-
cided to write this article, to be print
ed in your paper, hoping it will con-
vey a general ideal, to all who read
this, just how wonderful a work this
organization ia carrying on among
the members of the American Ex-
pedittonary force in France. J. cannot
tell Of all its work, III words that will
give you its exact WORTH can only
touchupon the minor duties that help
to make our life here partially enjoy
able. To realiza the greatness OF the
organization, and the noble work it Is
accomplishing, II must need see the
s'Forcen itself at work, must be able
to mingle in the 'society" that at all
times hangs around the ''sphere of
brightness,n and must benefit by III
experience with the manly secretaries
and all those who are connected with
the organization.
The branch of the Y. NJ. G. that is
doing its work iii u ca mp 10 one of
the strongest 'forces" ! have ever
seen representing this society. All
kilC NGETGldttE1 arg WiaE IHhhS So0hE
men and women, WORKING with IL sur
prising zeal and earnestlass tlat
brings all the men under their in
fluence. All of them are Christians,
and it is surprising to note the good
work they are accomplishing in the
lire of Christianity, among the men
here. "Practicing all they preacha
they touch the heart Of everyone by
their r. and noble actions. We
have learned tolook upon these men
and women for nearly all IL pleas
ure and comfort; when we need en-
couraging they are willing, nay, eager,
to give a helping hand. When. after
a hard DAYS work, we are tired and
cross, it Is to s'Tha Hut" W. ego, to re-
fresh our minds i'll the hospitable circle
that is always found there at night.
Thew do not tire us with sermons on
the dangers of the hereafter; they do
not make lis ''sick'' with the stories Of
our cDmrades' fate who have died on
the battle field without a hope OF
peace in the after world. They preach
their lessons of Christianity i'll their
every day actions--sermons that can
not fail to be noticed by every one.
But you may ask, ''Is this the only
work that they are doing? Do they
form other acts that help toward the
comfort of the men?" | will answer
the question to the best OF my ability
with q description of the different
"Huts" and the different forms Of
amusements that represent our Y. M.
= G. A. W..
First, the organization has three
buildings in the Camp, each, some one
hundred fifty feet in length and forty
feet in width. These are arranged
side by side and in cold weather are
heated by two stoves, n in each enc
OF the building. The first hut Is
divided into two parts, one division
being used as a canteen. In the can"
teen is kept a full stock of small ar
ticles that are needed every day, out
too numerous to mention. These ar.
tic'es are sold at wholesale prices
plus the cost OF transportation and
handling, which leaves not n cen
Of profit 'sto be %squandered by the
clerks" as many narrow minded peo'
pie believe. $780,.
The other division of the SLUT
contains benches, tables and reading
material, and Is decorated beautifully
with bright colored string paper
Japanese lanterns, and green twigs
This gives to the inside of the hut Z
cheerful appearance and slight though
IT may seem, helps wondt rfully "
cheer up the spirits Of the en-. The
men secretaries have charge OF THU
Hut, and a crowd OF men can Away,
be found here talking heart to hear
talks and writing to friends and fo'k
ut hons. A conspicuous ~"placard'
hangs from the ceiling in the centel
on which ia written IN large letters
"You promised your mother a letter.
write It now"
. The second building is reserved TO
religious services ana entertainments
On Sundays 1t 10 always crowded, an
our chapiains conduct the services
d. They are always very impressive
Very often, too, entertain ments ar
hel4-there, the actors being men q
Nthe ranksn These; entertainment
are always enjoyed by q large all
dlence. Then, too, there are man
lectures held In this Hut, BY man
diff erent Americans and Frenchme