Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-03
IT WAS A WOODEN INDIAN.
Naval Omcss Play . Practical Joke On Their
Brethren Of the Army.

NAVEL Omcers Play Practical Joke On Their
Brethren Of the Army.
The cruel practical joker got in his work the
other night against the poor, defenseless army,
and there il trouble in the United Service Club
just at present in consequence; not q very
troublesome kind Of trouble, but Just sort Of
humorous kind that is causing lots Of laugh
and plenty Of chagrin on the part Of the army
members There has always been q good
natured rivalry between the two sections Of the
service men, each trying 10 get joke ON the
other, and the opportunity Of the naval con-
tingent came on New Year eve. Just who did
it is not known, but there are suspicious that a
certain handsome lieutenant on duty in the
Navy Department is the guilty wretch who
stole the wooden Indian sign from in front Of q
neighb0ring tobacco store and had it dragged,
under the cover Of darkness, to a commanding
position in front Of the United Service Club
house on street between 18th and 18th.
1t was very commanding Indian, anyway,
70 say nothing OF the rakish air which it
sumed under the dextrous handling Of the
manipuiators of the practical joke. It's toma-
hawk was raised in a threatening way that
looked very dangerous in the mist and half
light OF midnight. The box Of genuine i'm
ported two-for-fve cigars that it held out in
its left hand took upon itself the appearance Of
large pistol or other instrument Of destruc-
ton: 1t is asserted, upon good authority, that
the figure mir vt very easily have been mistaken
oy man in the proper condition for the re-
cephon OF the new year for the ghost of old
Sitting Bull or some other famous warrior Of
the aborigine type. And, il is also stated by
the naval officers, there were several officers Of
the army at the club on this night who were
quite well prepared for the advent Of another
cycle OF time and that when they emerged into
the open air and saw this alarming sight before
them they first stared as if they could scarce
believe their eyes, and then fed as precipitately
as their New Year legs would let them. They
Needed not where they went SO that they es-
capped for the time from that frightful appari-
ton of an Indian on the warpath.
From various points of vantage and espion-
age, it is said. there were several Of the con-
spirators on the lookout for the Developments
OF their joke, and the informant says that their
laughter might have been heard by the retreat
ing officers had not their ears been deafened
by the sudden shock of seeing an Indian. The
next morning, SO the naval officers say, there
was not an army officer brave enough to ap-
proach the club, and there is q rrmor that the
club is endeavoring to apprehend the perpe-
traitors OF the joke for the purpose Of suing for
damages ON account OF the decreased custom
OF New Year day.
The Indian was removed later in the day, to
position in front of KlOtzs restaurant, Just
below the club house, and there it still stands
the owner being as much a matter of mystery
as the thieves
And now there is conspiracy being Matched,
sort OF counter mine, as it we're, by the army
officers, to even up things between the sections
They propose, as a horrible punishment for the
dire offense of Wednesday nj 70 place tub
of salt water in front of the !, of the club
some night and thus give their brethren as
much OF shock to their nervous systems az
was given the other night to themselves.
This incident has brought to mind story
told at the time the kirmese was danced at the
National Theater in this city. 1t was then said
by a naval officer-indeed. the same one who is
now suspected Of completely in the joke Of
the army, one who had achieved fame az an
Indian fighter tainted in the parquet when the
representation Of an Indian war dance was
given.