Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-12-15
UNCLE sAM's SOLDIERS.

Recruits for the United states Army
 Must Pass Rigid Examination.
 The United States army ia small. Ii Is painfully small. The constant de- mand for men to go into the cavalry and infantry often goes unheeded.
 There is an office on Clark street, be- tween Lake and Washington streets, where the Stars and Stripes almost flap in the faces of the passers-by. At the hall entrance are pictures of the coun. try's defenders, dressed in the blue and brass, mounted on horses or on foot, fully armed It is there that during the past three months 161 men have gone, climbed up the stairs, fllod with q hankering to become a Grant, Hancock, or 8 Logan. But strange to say, during these later days, the private has to pass as strict an examination, physically and moral ly, as does the aspirant for a commis sion from West Point. As 8 conse- quence, the chances are about one in ten of his getting through.
 The applicant is taken into the ser geant's room, where he gives his name and place of residence. Trembling, he is led into 8 back room, where, divest. Cd OA SAN1141Oo COf0E4LRS ho AS pdoS0u under the observation of the examiners. He is weighed, his height measured, his eyes tested and his whole physical condition inquired into.
 Should he pass the required standard in height, weight and soundness, he is given six days of grace in which to prove that he is worthy of the shelter of Uncle Sam by producing letters o1 recommendation. This six days is also a period of probation, and 6 time in which he is at liberty to read the arti- cles of war. the soldiers guide and va- rious other literature tending to show him the vigorous laws governing the army, and what is expected of him should he take to the blue.
 He lives well, quartered at the re. cruiting station and fed at the St Charles Hotel. He proves to the satis. faction of the Government that he is honest, faithful, of passable habits, un. married and unincumbered and he is put On the list for five years service in the wi d and unsettled parts of the American continent.
 Very soon he finds that his home will not always be Chicago. for he and several others drawing SIS month and rations are sent to Jefferson Barracks, just outside St Louis. It is at these barracks that recruits are trained in the duties and exercises of 8 soldier. In about six months he is de- tached from St. Louis and put into his permanent regiment.
 Should he desire to exercise in the trade of which he is master he can draw 50 cents for each days work in addition to his S13 If he is a laborer he draws 35 cents for driving a wagon or handling a spade. But if he desires to be true, bonny-blue soldier he will not stoop to such employment but will put his standard high and apply himself to the noble art of war. He may consider that his salary will come regularly and that whatever other privations he may have to endure he may surely count upon his daily rations.
 It is lazy life, is a soldiers, one of subjection, which for days will have no other excitement than that incident to playing draw poker, and then it will be days in the saddle, hard work for any man and wearing on the best.
 He may purchase 8 discharge if he wishes and has the money, or he may serve his five years out and at the end of the time draw nice little roll and an honorable edischarge.-Chic caRo Globe.