New-York tribune., 1891-12-25
ONA NAN-O- WARSMAN.
THE BLUE JACKET HAS FEW CARES - No'hS
CHRISTMAS SPORTS.

THE BLUE JACKET HAS N<''
CHRISTMAS SPORTS.
@what IS done for the enlisted men on the war VIZ
sells ON Christmas Day1' the inquiry made ie"
days oo I,ttIe more than is done for the officers.
This Is not slip OF the pen, for the Government ooe'
that for the enlisted which ii does not 40 for ns
officer: II provides a sorehouse on ooaru SNIP ho
which the enlisted men may draw tieir ra'ions' ous
the officer is simply allowed 30 cents dAy III mo-
OF rar3hs and IS not permitted to draw from the shps
stores excepting in case OF emergency. In other
words the officers must to 1t that their se&food -
purchased before the vessel leaves port ana enough
for three months laid in and when In port they
must send to the market on shore for such as tneJ
need And to carry out this system the oncers io'm
into messes assess each other certain amount aoous
40 n month or $3l a month more than the Govern
ment allows for ratlons, and appoint one OF their nu
her as caterer wo with the steward aranges for To
daily bill Of fare.
As for jack he has his rations-coarse fare, but
such as mariners need-provlded by the Government
and it makes no difference whether he has cent duo
to him or not his ratlOns served out TO him with
that systematic regularity which has prevailed since
there was Navy. But neither Uncle sam nor Father
Neptune board ship TO put the least thing
into Jacks stocking, into the officers stocking fos
that matter. Nor does Uncle Sam provide anything
extra for Jacks table on Christmas Day. and II tho
bill Of fare is improved upon from the ordinary every
day diet 1t is done by contributions from the pockets
Of the officers by an assessment upon Jacks savings, or
by draft upon the slush fund'-the accumulation
from the sale of the grease skmmings from the cooks
coppers pots when salt pork and beef are boiled.
II the ship should chance TO BE crossing the equator
Christmas Day, Father Neptune will afford enter
tainment by initiating all who the line' for the
first time. This initiation consists OF dOuse In tank
of water burcsque barbershop, using nourpase for
lather and piece Of hoopiron razor; or, in the
OF officer levy upon the wine-mcss for beer
for the crew.
But the usual manner In which the enlisted men Of
the Navy spend Christmas on board ship Is TO 10
turned out of their hammocks about four BELLS"
O'clock; and after cup Of coffee they go deck
and tackle the hoysone" the sand and the hose and
put te decks in their snowywhte condition. After
breakfast at eight bells or 8 o'clock, comes tho
clean bright work." and rags and oil and brick kdust
and muscle play their part in this. AT three bes,'
or 80 o'clock It's all hands TO quarters and the
men are assembled in squads and their persons and
clothing inspected, after which there Is short drill,
and then all unnecessary work is suspended and the
men get sort OF holiday.
IL the men at sea, and the weather Is fine, yarns
will be spun-the old graybcards receiving the closest
attention and reverence, as they capable OF telling
the NEST improbable stories in the most convincing
manner. Singing and dancing are freely INDUCED In,
good fiddler adding materially TO the enjoyment.
In port there Is similar observation Of Christmas
holiday with the addition OF liberty given to the
to go ashore for the day. but with the Injunction
iime-and sober. The one trouble with Jack is that
he has strong fondncss for or Old friends and
whiskey, ana both get the better q him, rs rule.
The enlisted men on the recevi n; ship Vermont, az
the Navy Yard have arranged programme for Christ
which Will afford lots of amusement and interest
TO those who will be privileged to witness the
tests, and be Of coed profit Ia tho most expert
testants. Lieutenant Usher and other officers Of the
Vermont have taken charge of the affair, and have
given 10 the men the benefit OF their influence and
their experience. The winner In each contest Will
ceive q money prize. Probably the most interesting
contest will be the pleeating match There will DO
handIcappDg-that is. the crust Of the pies will be
made at the same time, SO that In no case win the
shortening be put in lenghwe. the materials of fitting
and covering Will be OF the kind In ALL The pies
will DO all OF the sZe and each competitor will be
seated at the table with pie In front Of him and his
hands tied behind him. IL is promised that the pies
will not be such 10 make this competition inter
national tug ofwar. OF tloso with The widest
mouths will stand the best chance. and 10 expected
that the great American peeater" will sustain the
reputation long ago accorded 10 him. The men have
been training for this contet for about a week. and
some have shown marked proficiency, although the
pies have been OF the ordinary 3-oent Gernan-bakcr
kind.
Ths contest in the creased pig race will be more
exciting than chasing deserting sailor clad In
aa oiiskh suit The only training which tho
contestants have had for this Is tl, rubbing Of rosn
petltOrs shall touch tar on the day of the match.
The winner will receive the pig. The potato race win
be another contest, and the sailors will tnd IL
difficult than running up the Orerigrng and sliding
down the back-stays. Among other events 10 take
place the tugof war, obstacle race, whcebarrow
race sparing threeegged race at seventy five yards,
n seventy -hveyard sack race, a i00-yard dash,
standing high Jump, running hlgn jump running broad
Jump, and throwing the sixteen pound hammer. The
contests Will begin at o'clock this morning.
After the games the men will sit down 20 their
Christmas dinner In Sailors Hail. and they will find
many uxuries provided by the wives OF the officers
and other ladies': and after dinner such men as can
lie spared will get liberty on shore.
PUNISHMENT HOR A RRUrIL POLICEMAN