The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-09-06
Watermelon fEASTS
FOR MEN IN UNIFORM
Beautiful Home Opened by Brotherhood
of 81. Andrew to Soldiers. sailors
and Mariues.

Soldiers. Sailors and Marines club
at sos East Grace street was once
handsome old Virginia home. with high
ceilings, large French plate mirrors,
and ornamental white marble mantels.
the space between the wide folding
doors ornamented by our national col
ors and fisnked by the flags of our al
lies.
A sailor entered this hospitable club.
and his eyes lit up with glenn of JOY
and surprise as his artistic optics pho
tographed the attractive sight of six
writing tables. every seat occupied by
men in government uniform. busy
writing to the loved ones at home,
while on the divansf and easy chairs
others were deeply engrossed in read
Ing recent fiction or playing games
Of chess or checkers.
The three large rooms on first floor
are used for writing, reading, music
and games The large French plate
mirrors reflect brilliant scene when
Saturday evening brings many from
the various camps and battleshtps in
the adjacent waters. A fine toned
piano and a victrola with 15o records.
afford a pleasant pastime. Every Sat
urday evening. at O'Clock. all are in
vited to a Watermelon feast la The rear
yard. where mammoth Hanover melons.
ice cold, are served in bountiful slices
SO enthused was this appreciative
sailor that he cast his round. fat-top
cap on a table, and said. in sincere and
emotional tones. Il have visited the
coast cities from the border of Canada
to the confines of Mexico, and can
frankly say, this club tops anything
of the kind seen in my voyages.
On the walls of the three rooms can
be seen pictures of the leading heroes
of the present war; also a fine engrav-
ing of the Charge of the Light Bril-
gade": another of Marshal Ney', the
famous cavalry leader. of whom Napo-
leon once said. Wherever the white
plume of Ney was seen on the field OF
battle, victory wac sure to follow
Still another Of interest is the pic
turesaue figure Of Joan OF Arc, on
the shelves Of the bookcases are over
400 volumes of recent literature, and
all the leading magazines. An iron safe
is in front room for the deposit OF
money and other vaiuahles.
On the floor above a pool table gives
enjoyment to those fond OF shooting
the ivory balls. The dormitory con-
sists Of twelve rooms. in which are
placed neat white iron beds, soft mat
tresses and clean bed linen, Hot and
cold water on each floor. with bath
and lavatory.
The front yard has frame on which
three lines OF cora are ara " IL " w
resent st Andrews cross On these
lines are trained a scarlet f'owered vine
amidst leaves of green. Also, on the
crest of the terrace is circular BED
OF sweet alyssum coleas and scarlet
sage In the center OF this circle rs
twelve-foot pole surmeunted by
bronze bust Of General Pershing' me
lines leading up are covered with the
brilliant scarlet cypress forming an at
tractive pyramid Of scarlet and green
In one room is an np-to-date barber
ship and bootblack stand for soldiers
and sailors only.
Colonel Henry Lee Valentine. the
president OF this club. and his asso-
ctates have great reason to be proud OF
having taken the initiative in organfz-
ing club TO cast ray or sunlight
into the hearts of our brave men.
When the melon@Seasoh IS over the
club coutemplates pfoviding cup OF
hot coffee and sandwich. gratis Tor
those who room in the building.
THIS club Is conducted by the broth-
erhood of st Andrew at minimum eN-
s-nse- fer Sunday and jsn!t"f-EAf en- y
500 per month. The UNIFORM - TIE
badge OF admission.