The National tribune., 1890-05-22
ON SHIP ISLAND.
Tho nysterlons hog aud Other Camp lncld

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: TO the un
initiated II ia not to be supposed that the eamy
life OF a soldier, IL of long duration i'm one
particular place, becomes muuotonous; but such
~ the case. and tho soldier has to resort many
times to different ways and means in order "a
overcome this monotony OF the camp. Game.
OF different sorts, such as kicking tho foot. ball
pitching quoits, sack aud wheelbarrow races
etc, are INDUCED in, greatly 10 the merrment
OF the lookcrs-On. A little incident occurred in
one of the bands belonging TO one Of tho Con-
necticut regiments in Gen. Buffers Brigade
while encamped upon Ship Island. in the year
1861, which | will narrate for the entertain.
meut OF old comrades, who, no doubt, have
witnessed tho Same thing in their own regi-
ments, but as ono soldier likes 10 read the
Jokes, sports, etc, of another / give it in
detail.
Encamped as we were upon that almost barren
aud dcsolatc island, 1t Is not surprising that
some one member should be selected as the ono
upon whom these jokes should bo played nj
someone eise's expense, not knowing who that
particular ono may be but at this timo it hap.
pcued 10 bo the one who wore tho shoulder
straps. Himself and another young member of
the band were the sole occupants of the tent in
which this little incident occurred. We re-
fraiu from mentioning names, but will use the
iettor 5. 10 designate the victim of tho Joke
An officer - supposed to have his many private
luxuries In the way Of beds. trunks and other
articles too numerous TO mention for his com
fort, which a private. as a matter OF course is
not permitted 10 have. aud when the command
strike tents Is given. tho private has the
better Of his superiors az he has only To pack
knapsaek, which includes his wardrobe, bed
ding eating untensils, etc. and is ready to
march at once. Tho reader will understand what
comprises the furniture in an officers tent
enough In some instances TO furnish "A small
boarding house; such being the case with the
one who is the subject of our story.
One OF the boys being an ingenious sort Of
fellow, contrved TO rig up piece OF burnt cork
representing huge bug, which was made in
this way piece OF cork is burnt until made
as black as coal, with pieces of hair from a
horses name cut into pieces about half an inch
long. and inserted into the cork upon all sides
representing large spider or bng. This was
attached TO a fne black thread, about two feet
IN length, and tied 10 "A stick Of the same
length When unobserved the peTpetrator of
the joke stands behind his victim. drops the bug
IN front Of his eyes, at the same quickly with
drawing it.
The sight OF it Is enough TO make ones blood
run cold. Dir. s., upon seeing this before his
eyes, jumped, yelled, aud struck at the i'm.
aginary bug with all vengeance, ut the same
time letting How some OF those soft words in
shape Of oaths: Mine Got, what a --- big
spider that vas shust dropped from overhead In
my tent. Shust come in, boys, and help me
find the biggest spider you ever saw in your
life" Aud suiting the action TO tho words,
trunks, beds and everything movable were
taken from the tent aud Laid upon the sand
outside, and thorough search was made for
the mysterious bug The rest of the boys un.
derstanding the joke enter III with will TO
assist Mr. S. in finding the huge creature; but
after half an hours diligent search, aud moth.
ing In tho shape OF a bug being found, every
thing was put back into the tent again, and
quiet reigned for a while. All of u sudden n
buZzIng was heard outside being perfect imi-
tatiOn Of IL large bnmble.bee made with the
mouth by one of the boys The light in the
meantime having been removed from the tent
and held SO us To shine upon the outside where
with stick one OF the number struck the tent
which sounded like a large bug hitting the
cloth. A pin was put into the end OF a stick
and pressed through the canvas from the out
side about an eighth Of an inch; ut the same
time the buzzlng sound was made close TO
where tho pin was inserted, when with
clinched fist Mr. y struck for the bug driving
the pin into his hand, exeiaiming: "Got in
Hmmel, the --- bug has stung mel" at the
Same time jumping aud rubbing his hand, aud
expressing himself in words which he no doubt
thought suitable for the occasion. But this did
not solve the mystery of tho bug that night,
and II probably would have been "a mystery TO
Mr. =. To this day had not some of tho Colo.
nel's staff, having heard of the affair. borrowed
the bug, and in their over-eagerness to play il
upon some one of the officers, could not play
the part of "slight.of-hand -; therefore the
whole thing leaked out, and Mr.. s. found his
sting was not very serious after all, us it was
only the sting OF ---- pin.-EvELYN KEEL
sEY, Clinton, Conn.