The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-10-05
OUR YOUNG FOLKS.
The Story of a Little Boys Nap in
a Cannon.
fBy Mrs. S. B. C. Sdn,uels. |

! hurt. He born on Gub'ment groun'."
| That this fact had anything to do with the
! formation of his character is doubtful, but he
was undeniably brave little chap.
suppose his baby eyes looked wonderngly
upon his surroundings in the Norfolk Yard,
but they conveyed no impression to his mind
in the short year he spent there, and when
eight years later his father was ordered to the
Yard at Boston, BERTHE had not the least idea
what his new home would be like.
Pleasant indeed he found it, however. The
house, a large brown mansion, stood in a
| beautiful garden, facing the city of Charles
town and Bunker Hill Monument. From the
rear was u view across the pleasant, trinity
kept Navy. yard and down the glttering wa
ters of the harbor where white-winged yachts
skinned along steamers and ferry boats
churned the waters tug-boats pulled and toiled,
and the Government vessels, steamships, men
of-war and iron-cIad gun-boats rested quietly.
BERTHE, with his sister Susie, three years
younger, soon explored every nook and corner
of the busy Yard, from the watchmen's sentry
boxes TO the officers quarters.
The dry-dock, when a ship foated in to be
repaired, was a great attraction. They liked
| to watch the great water-gates on the sea-wall
slowly close as the ship passed through shut
ting it n prisoner i'll the great stone dock; then
with intense interest they looked on while
the water was pumped out by big steam
pumps; and when the dock was dry, they
stood leaning over the iron chains that
fenced it around at the top, and gazed down
upon the workmen as they walked about be-
meath inspecting the huge hull, or set to work
upon the necessary repairs. When the ship
was ready for sca-service again two small gates
at the bottom of the great ones were opened.
The water began to flow in slowly, steadily ris.
ing higher and higher until the dock was full.
Then the great gates opened once more, and the
ship fioated out, ready for another voyage.
From the sea-wall flight of steps led down to
little floating wharf, between which and the
receiving ship small ferry piled to and fro.
The famous old Ohio was the receiving ship
when BERTHE and Susie lived in the Navy-yard,
and they were frequent passengers, going
aboard TO visit the officers, all of whom
were friends of their father, and with whom
they were great favorites.
Quite near their house were the marine
barracks, and they were often to be seen
peeping through the palings watching the drill.
Susie was little afraid of the stiff, straight
men, but BERTHE dearly loved to look at them,
and became quite soldcrly in his own bearing.
Marines are sea-soldiers. They guard the gates
of the navy-yards, and when naval vessels go
to sea a certain number of marines accompany
each vessel to help in its defence if necessary.
As their only duties are military, the sailors
profess great contempt for them. One of their
disdainful expressions is, Tell that to the
marines!"
The children thought it great fun, too, to
run along the trim walks of the Yard, to visit
the workshops, the ship and storehouses and
the long straight rope-walk, where miles upon
miles of rope are made. The first time they
went there BERTHE put his hand upon revolv-
ing rope as it twisted by him and lost the
skin from his palm. 1t panied him snartly,
but not a tear did he shed, and thus gained the
respect of the rope makers, who called him a
young admiral" All the workmen liked
the children, particularly BERTHE, who always
had string of questions to ask about what
ever interested him. They found that he re-
WONDERED we'll what he was told, and was
always polite and manly; while Susie was
funny little girl, with ideas of her own on all
subjects, and curious habit of cOnfounding
words in very comical ways.
Soon after their removal to the Navy-yard,
the officers of the Ohio hearing that the coming
Fourth of July was Susie's birthday, promised
to give her grand party on the old man-of-
war. She was to invite all her own friends
and Bertie's, and all the children who lived in
the Navy-yard.
Great were the anticipations among the
young folks Nothing would they talk of for
days but the approaching Fourth, and the Off
GERS themselves made many preparations.
The morning of the important day dawned
at last. BERTHE, aroused by the swapping and
banging, sprang from his bed to find a new
gun, double-barreled, with ramrod and trigger
complete, and ten boxes of banging caps. He
dressed quickly and ran out with his treasure,
aiming wherever his fancy stationed an enemy,
and swapping caps with relentless patriotism.
Susie awoke mid the noise and camor to
find herself the recipient of numerous birthday
gifts among which were two dolls one Il waxen
beauty, and the other q sensible, everyday
doll with three complete sets of clothes and
Saratoga trunk.
This is a gutta-percha doll, and is indie
StructlDle, SAID mamma lou Will nave me
times with her, Susie"
Yes, mamma" answered the happy little
girl. "TIl call the wax one Gertie Daley, be-
cause Admiral Daley sent her to me, and this
one l will call Gertie Percha."
Mamma laughed and the amused Commo-
dore asked his little girl to take walk with
him before breakfast.
will you go to the Curiosity Shop?" asked
Susie
1.-The Curiosity Shop" exclaimed her father,
looking puzzled. why, where is that?"
"Where the officers keep their toys" replied
the child, smiling, as she arrayed Miss Gertie
Percha in her new hat and shawl.
At this unexpected answer several officers
who were present laughed heartily.
well where do they keep their tOys?" asked
the Commodore.
why, in the Curiosity Shop, papa, where
the 'normous tod is"
"And what in the world is a nOrm'Ous tOd?"
asked her father, completely mystited
why, just great 'normous tod :" repeated |
Susie as obstinately as Wadsworths little maid
said 1--WE are seven"
Il guess you will have to take me to the |
Curiosity Shop, and show me the tod ;" said |
her father; and Susie running for her hat, led |
him across the Yard, followed by several of the |
officers who were anxious to see where their |
toys" were kept.