Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-30
AMERICAN TROOPS
MARVEL At COINS
British Money, Some Large and
Heavy, Proves Puzzle
to Soldiers.
EXHAUST SUPPLY OF SWEETS
Search for Barber Shop Reveals
Only Place Labeled
"Hardrcsscr."
EXHAUST SUPPLY OF SWEETS

LONDON. June 2a--"Next for
candy" cries tho keeper of the ships
cantcen. In from, OF his booth is a
long queue OF American soldiers. pa.
'icntly awaiting their turn to buy the
sweets and souvenirs displayed on the
counter and in The showcases. II is
an incident OF life OF American soldiers
on a transport bound for France
The can;eeD keeper is tired. Never
in his experience on British vessels has
he encounterd such rush OF bust
ncas lie has sold his wares in all the
seven seas |, people of many rationale
ties, and i; he were awarding 4 prize
20 the best customer II would be be-
slowed promptly on the American SOL
der.
Il say" he exclaimed to the chief
steward after he had closed shop the
first day out. what sweet tooth
they have At the rate they're buying
me out, there won't be gumdrop lei,
by the tine we get halfway across"
On some OF the British transports
France there are as many as five can
teens.
The demand for chocolates is so great
that the supply. large though 1t may
have been, is quickly exhausted.
American chewing gum is next in
popularity. After the home variety
of CONNECTIONS have been sold out, the
soldiers begin to experiment with
British sweets. OF which toffee wins
perhaps the most favor. If American
pop" could be had. it would be con-
sumed 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 would have spent more before
the ship reached port. but one day.
greatly 20 his astonishment. he became
seasick.
The canteen curios. such as shells OF
which are painted the Americaa flag.
attract many buyers. and before the
trip is ended almost every soldiers kit
contains one or more OF these treasures.
On the British transports the barber
shop is advertised on the door as
'hairdresser." AS rule this sign is
not understood by the American look
ing for haircut or a shave. He thinks
ii is a place for women TO have their
hair dressed. and he passes it by.
When he confesscs to his comrades
that he can't find the barber shop he
is made the victim OF good deal ..
joshing from those who have fathomed
the secret.
The soldiers who patronize the hair
dresser find the experience rather
novel. /, seems queer 10 be shaved
in al :mmovable upright chair, and
qucrcr still, but extremely satisfac-
tory, 70 be charged about half the price
one pays in a :irst-class American shop.
HUGE DISKS OF COPPER
SOURCE Or WOND-1RNENT
cans become acquainted for the first
time with English money. Aside from
stray Canadian dime. they usually
have never seen British coins. and
when III exchange for an American bill
they are given looking pieces
OF silver and big disks OF copper they
register, in the language OF the movies.
"ide-eyed interest,
What are these stove lids for?" asks
en- Iowan o! a Texan. puzzled and show
ing some d!sda!n for the big English
pennies.
You put 'em in a sock 10 bean a
Hun with, reckon" replies the South
crner. netting the coins. OR. maybe"
he adds. we can use EN- 10 throw at
submarines"
\ sergeant steps up with informa-
t!on. You use those things for tips
he volunteers. They're worth cents
apiece. That's good-si=ed tip in
London"
You fellows" the sergeant goes on.
reaching for the Iowan's coins. better
get wise 10 this English dough" He
holds up a silver coin. You know
what that isl"
y crowd has gathered to hear the
lecture.
That's a shilling" says a voice.
Shilling your ndmother That's
haif-crown. It's equal to two shil-
linSs and a siNpencc. You want To be
careful not To get il mixed up with
one Of these two-shil!iny pieces that's
nearly the same size"
How much is 4 shilling?" queries
tho Texan.
About two bits" says the sergeant,
who halls from California. IT'S equal
10 two OF these siXpences."
lie gives the coins back to their
owner and stalks off. followed by adj
miring eyes
Say" observes the Iowan. we go,
Il lot to learn. And when We get to
France. guess we'll run into some
other KIND OF foolish money"
War certainly is he'll" says the
Texan.