Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-20

Well-built young man, two years out o
west Point, which two years had beer
spent with his regiment in the West.
BEER FROM THE CANTEEN.
When the class was dismissed I wa
shown into another casemate near by, which
was the "Canteen." Across the cool, archet
vault was an ordinary beer counter, behint
this refrigerator and cupboard and little
desk. A bright young sergeant acted al
Darkeeper, and we took beer from glasse!
that held an even pint each.
The 'canteen' is the greatest improve
ment-the most practical aid to discipline, .
said the officer, "ever introduced in the
army. The fight made against it by the
temperance fanatics and liquor men was the
I result OF queer combination, though the
latter had the more reason on their side
Ihe canteen promotes temperance. Nc
soldier can get drink here when he ought
not to have it. He, can only get beer OF
ml.der drinks. When he can get that here
ne Will not, as rule, 60 outside and I'LL
himself full of booze and get locked up, or
be rendered worthless for couple of days.
He saves money, for he gets more for his
money here, and the profits go into the COM
pany fund for his benefit. He is more con-
tented. The desertions have fallen off con-
slderably, and visible improvement exists
| Al IHe morals OF bne army.
Glow is it managed? manage this. I
do the purchasing, Keep the accounts, pay
the bills and am responsible for the money.
l have just banked S215, the amount taken
In since we came here. All this is added to
my other duties without extra pay. The
sergeant there is designated by the Captain,
he does it without pay. 1t is for the good
OF the company. l take great interest in
tnls new feature OF the army, for the result
ant good effect on the men is apparent and
hlghly encouraging. The boys get better
cigar here for cents than they could get for
III at the rumshops nearest the fortI We
used to have wine at San Francisco, but
California wine was good and cheap there.
There is no demand for wine here. Yes, the
'canteen' is a frst-class institution in
morals, promotion of temperance and as
matter of social economy among the SOL
diers."
THE COMPANY KITCHEN.
We strolled out and down the slopes to-
ward the officers quarters. Not however,
before l was given peep in the company
kitchen. This was as slick and clean as
any good housewife could desire. Here are
green peas, beans and other early vegetables
in big stacks, and coffee, fresh beef and all
the concomisants of ordinary civilian diet
In abundance. In the small powder maga-
zine near at hand, as cool as an ice chest,
hang great launches of fresh meat In the
court or parade ground, outside, is a chain
pump that brings from an immense cistern
as clear, cold and pure water as ever flowed
from mountain spring.
"Yes," said the Lieutenant, in answer to
my expression of surprise, "the men live
pretty well-better far than do the soldiers
of most any other country. 1t is surprising
how much can be got out of an aggregate OF
Government rations this way. If these ra-
tions are honestly furnished they are as
good, substantial and varied as the living
average well-to-do mechanic or artisan-bet-
ter, perhaps, and more ample than the food
of most laboring men. We nave no COM
plants, very few desertions.
"Oh, yes; some of them understand the
complicated machinery OF these guns thor
oughly. That gray-haired man you saw
probably knows more than I do about it.
He has been in the army twenty-five years,
which begins trife befor. my time" said
the young man, smiling; $50 has our Order
ly Sergeant. The difficulty is to get them
so they can express themselves clearly on
technical points. When the Inspector
comes around and finds anv of them de-
icient we are liable to catch it.
HAS SAVED A LITTLE FORTUNE.
speaking about that man-do YOU know
he has saved some $1,000 out of his pay as a
private soldier? That seems wonderful, but
it is true. A good many have a few dollars
laid by, but the most are improvident, lust
like sailors Every pay day that man turns
over so much to the Paymaster and gets a
receipt for it. The Government encourages
this by paving per cent interest on all such
deposits. Uncle Sam is safe banker.
Every one of these fellows could do the
same thing, but beyond the 81 per month.
retained from their monthly pay by the
Government, they'll mostly have nothing at
the end of their term OF enlistment"
Along lovely, deeply shaded roadway
outside the fort are the officers quarters.
The young lieutenant politely invited me
within his cottage and was soon deeply
immersed in military and medical affairs
with his messmate, the regimental surgeon.
Not too much so, however, to fail to note
the evidences of the bachelor soldier about
me. The young lieutenant had disappeared
and reappeared in comfortable suit of
white flannel, looking still more handsome
and the doctor in like airy civilian costume
was heard in deep consultation with
ponderous Irish matron of mature age but
exceedingly roguish eye, concerning the
dinner. This was soon served In substan-
tlal and highly satisfactory manner. when
we returned to the front porch. The de-
licious fragrance of the honeysuckle min
gled with the flavor OF two cigars
nearly killed the deadly effects of cigar
ette.
STATEN ISLAND HISTORY,
''This historic little island interests me |
immensely" said the DOCTOR studious |
looking man of middle life, fair-haired and I
blue-eyed. "This was an i'm portant point |
250 years ago. The Raritan Indians called |
it 'Egquabous,' or place of Bad Woods L |
presume the mosquitoes were at the bottom
of that, although I never heard OF a
biting an Indian in full paint and
feather. There are many indications in
banks of shells and stone hatchets and arrow
heads, which 60 to show that Staten Island
was favorite camping ground. As early
rs 1640 this particular point was used as
signal station, flag being hoisted to notify
New Amsterdam, now New York, when
ship was sighted outside the bar. 1t con-
;inued to be used as a maritime signal sta
ion for over 200 years, or until the tele-
graphic station was established at Sandy
Hook.
s'The Indians sold it at the rate of cent
or every ten acres. 1t was owned in turn by
he Dutch, the French aud the English, and
inally fell to the Americans General Howe
had 80, 900 soldies camped there. After the
,attle of Long Island this British General
net committee of Congress at the old
Billop House over there. Back there is the
where rest the remains of the pa
riots who died in the English prison hul<s |