Page:Christian Science War Time Activities.djvu/242

 In The American Embarkation News of May 17, 1919, a soldiers' publication printed at Le Mans, there appeared the following article:

“The other day a soldier was passing the large gates back of which stands a great house at 13 rue Saint Dominique. Pointing to the building he remarked, ‘Believe me, Joe, that place used to be home to me.’ He was referring to the house formerly occupied by the Christian Science Welfare and Relief organization of Le Mans. Their headquarters have been moved to 35 and 37 rue la Paille at the intersection of rue de la Batterie and rue Bourge d'Augny, where reading and rest rooms are available for all soldiers who wish to enjoy them.

“But it was at rue Saint Dominique that soldiers found a little paradise of a place. A large, roomy building, wonderfully furnished with heavy, soft rugs in which you lost your feet, windows shaded with pretty curtains and walls covered with mirrors and art studies greeted the soldier. It was just like home. . ..

“A large fine-toned grand piano was at the disposal of the men. Unique little tables served the soldiers with places to write and there was always plenty of good stationery. The fact is, the Christian Science Welfare and Relief rooms at 13 rue Saint Dominique were one of those places where a soldier wanted to clean his shoes on the outside and remove his hat as he entered the door.

“One of the delightful things about this place, which was so popular with the boys, was the quiet that reigned there. There was no noise, no hubbub and one could spend a few hours in the reading room absolutely undisturbed. . . . There are perhaps few men in and about Le Mans who have not spent an hour or two in the place and who will not acknowledge, like the fellow quoted in the first paragraph, that the place was really a home.