Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-22
FINDS WAY QUICKLY
TO HEARTS OF BOYS
Y. M. c. A. Worker Writes OF
His Experiences With
~ Soldiers.
HUT BECOMES HAPPY HOME
No Frills or Shams, but 1t Is
the Real Stuff That
Counts.

SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE. sep,cm-
Der Elm working with the United
States Army Y. NJ G: a. in France.
out above all others-opportuni,y. The
Y. NJ. &. A. gives us just that. this
wonderful opp9rtunity. and We must
both hands practically unhampe red.
and we must work out our own sal
walton by help of our reason. our COM
mon sense. and best of all. our hearts
There can be no frills or shams with
the American soldier in France: IL is
the real stun that counts. and 1t is just
makes good. you make good. YOU both
succeed. and if you don't. YOU fail
! knew little about the Y. NJ. &. \.
point OF life differed radically from
my own. so scarcely dared hope 10
be accepted as :: secretary for war
services. in New York. l told the com
mitiec smoked. took a drink when
! wanted one, and am not sure. but
believe ] said occa sionally swore
However. they gave me an opportunity
for which shall ever be grateful
l., knew as little about opening a
after two days OF being general utility
man in {: well-run hut in a large town.
! was told L was to have one of my
own, all my own to sink or swim by.
down from i motor truck in small
village. in Northern France with
ioau or Canteen supplies and piano
and told TO go To it,"
In moment | was surrounded By 4
mob or excited boys. and the piano was
being played before il touched the
ground. II was bediam. I was deluged
u minstrel show . did you bring a
football?" DO you think we will be
out OF this --- place by Christmas:'
won't dwell on smy struggles and
discomforts those FIRST weeks. | hate
sweeping floor, and tobacco chewing
with the usual accompaniment, makes
it a filthy job. Also. still consider
trimming and filing oil lamps an un-
diSnitied proceeding for n man over
forty. The boys soon thought too.
and came to my rescue. My hut was
the happieSt OF homes TO us all for the
four months We were there.
HOW boys TURNED IN
AND HELPED CLEAN HUT
My boys were not born with a silver
s spHIn in .her TSa5hs NOR Win
dreadful. lurid thought the matter
over carefully and reasoned that il was
as natural for them TO swear as TO
breathe. My job was to make then,
as happy as possible. and they could
not. be happy unless they breathed-
so let them swear away. But drew
the line il they swore In anger.
made my greatest bid for their
respect and affection and I won out.
though II took me weeks to find the
key 10 sumo Oh lnelT hearts. lneS are
all my boys" now in-every sense. and
| love them all, the good ones and the
bad-only there are no bad ones-and
! am prouder OF their affection than
OF anything else that has ever come
TO me.
They call be Larry and Kid. which
is pleasant TO hear when one is over
forty, and since have been with
them in the trenches. ! am known less
elegantly as Larry the Louser.' be-
cause OF the affection the cootie have
for me.
One day youngster. a mere lad in
whom | had taken interest. SAID:
Look here. Larry, you don't know II,
but have always been a crook, i thief.
But somehow ! won't be any iiore."
Then again. just before Christmas,
was working on the tree, when I was
grabbed from behind and voice said.
You do everything for us and we love
you And he kissed me on the back
OF my neck and was gone