The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-04-20
An OLD SAILORS YARNS.

Mr.. EpIToR:-Gou have been pleased to
designate these brief and, fear, uninter-
esting articles as an old sailors yarns "
The definition of yarn found in sailors
dictionary would be an improbable miracu-
lous story, without an iota of truth for its
foundation, and | wish it distinctly under
stood before | wind up these yarns that
they do belong to the sailors definition,
but are facts drawn from memory. l may
err. but not wilIlGly.
After having disposed of our first Japa-
nese meal, smoked cigar or two we be-
gan to look about, as to how we were to
to rest for the night: no couches or beds of
any de description were to be seen; nothing
but floor covering with straw mating, and
we began to think that we were in rather
an unpleasant fix, but by signs. Nc, We
succeeded in making the official who had
charge of US understand that we wanted
something TO sleep on. After a few mo
menrS absence, he returned, followed by
several other .IapS, bearing sleeping gowns,
made OF silk, and very thickly and heavily
stuffed with raw silk, until they were sew
eral inches in thickness. These, with a
small cushion or pillow of silk, formed our
beds aud, after little use became very
pleasant arrangements. One of the paper
partitioued rooms was allotted to four per-
sons. At every hour, when the immense
gong of the temple was struck, one of the
Japs would enter each room and count
heads. To see if we were all present. The
.'mIddies = among our number, discover
ing the concern felt about our presence,
tn MIA 10 lam
shifting IRON one room TO another, keeping
the poor guard travelling from room to
room half the nlght fearing some of us
had stolen out into the city, which was
then strictly forbidden. Each watchman
was held responsible for the safe keeping
of those placed III his charge. In one of
the rooms adjoining the one occupied by
your correspondent was an altar dedicated
10 the worship of one Of their heather
gods. being golden image made to repre-
sent q human beng. AS we could not
sleep the first night in our novel arrange
ments, We We're asir very early, and saw
one of the priests carry to his god several
dishes Of rice, eggs, etc, for his morning
meal, mumbiing his prayers and beating
gong. The rice and eggs disappeared, but
whether eaten 10y the priest or the golden
image, | will leave your readers to coniec
sure
Our morning meal was served up in the
same style as on the previous evening.
After enjoying it we proposed an explor
ing expedition to see the wonders of their
great city. As must either walk or be
carried or the shoulders Of half naked men
on sedan chairs. most of us preferred walk
ing. Each of Us was furnished with an
officer to act as guide or spy The streets
of I,ddO afford but little to be seen. The
monorouy OF oue-stOry houses, no variety
the public buildings being all enclosed in
high walls. out Of view soon tired us out,
and we desired TO be conducted to the resi-
deuce of the Hon. Mr.. Harris, the Ameri-
can Minister, who WE found occupying one
of the temples, surrounded by high walls,
and a guard in every direction; but MIR.
Harris had converted it into an elegant
residence, furnished in choice American
style. Our reception was of the most cor
dial kind, being the first of his ooUutrymen
he had been permitted to receive. In our
progress through the streets we had an
opportunity of seeing many of the females
-mauy of the unmarried being very hand
some: but the married portion were horri-
hle sights eye browS pulled out and teeth
dyed Jet black. No one could have the
excuse to make love to what he thought a
single woman, for the contrast was too
strong: therefore, any man who made any
advances TO a married woman could be
killed by any of her friends without any
penalty or punishment
The midshipmen of our party were
anxious for a ride on horseback, and after
much persuasion each of them was fur
nished with japanese pong and an officer
70 accompany them OH their ride, to see
that they did not visit any place forbidden
to strangers There is an old saying, put
baggar a horseback and he will ride to the
d; but put a midshipman on horseback
aud he will ride to see the elephant. in some
shape or other. Therefore they determined
to play a trick on their guido. aud divided
III different squads, some going in one di-
rection, some in another, and as the poor
Jap could not follow ali the parties he had
to give 1t up in disgust and return to Mr..
Harris with the complaint that he could
not do anything with such party as that.
And . glorious ride they had Of it all over
the city, visiting tea gardens and all sorts
Of places, aud some OF them found the ele
p;iant. | will now pipe "belay" for
short period. Yours, L.
Ito do as folks of fashion d0,' in
one respect at least, YOU must use tilenp's