Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-02
1T IS VERY HARD WORK.
A Naval Omcer Who Thinks That He
Has Altogether Too Much to Do,

Nus AltOEetncr TOO Much to Do.
From the New York Tribune
Every nation loves it's navy, and the hes ri
or the landsman goes out to the Door fell
lows who are cooped up for life within the
steel walls of man-of-war. And Yet, when
one pays visit to such a ship as the new
cruiser New York, he is filled with envy of
the captain, the heutenants and even the
ehsigns. When he stands upon the spar
deck and gazes around he realizes that he
mas beneath his feet probably the finest
war ship in the world, and feels that he
would like to be part of her He addresses
himself TO lieutenant, enthusiastically:
I'D give everything I've got in the world
TO be an officer on this vesseln'
Take my place and let me go ashore, "
was the reply, quick as flash.
III 1t were possible l would exchange
with you today What a time you have!
Pets of the government, pets OF the women
Notnlng to DO but feel proud of your ship
and yourselves. Wear the handsomest
unlform in the world, look spick and span,
ready for business whether in love or war
All, what a life."
The lieutenant seemed sad.
GU know not what You are saying" he
answered. You can have no idea how
hard a life we lead Look at that and tell
me IL We lie on a bed of roseS!"
Opening locker ne flung out a pair of
overalls, blue, greasy, painted. oily, rusty.
Al sisnt OF them the eyes of the landsman
AAAASO with tears Ol lHpdtny. ana that
beautiful officer, SO spick and span, actually
wore those nasty things!
Is IL possible that You. too, have to help
scrub the decks? My conscience! l should
never have thought 1t. l believed that was
left to the jack tars and the midshipmen
II must take you a couple of hours every
morning, even with the assistance Of your
900 seamen. L don't believe I'll exchange
with you"
What makes you think help to scrub
decks: L never said So''
Those filthy Things. What do you do
in them? Rub up the guns, maybe?"
On, no. once d week i have to inspect
the inside OF the hull, and it is necessary
to crawl through some very small holes,
SO TO save my uniform put on these over
ais
do?"
Well no. l drill some of the men In the
morninS-three mornings week. L have
just finished drilling d squad, and feel ex-
hour and quarter"
'Anythl else ulsagreeable?"
Il nave tC go on watch occasionally"
You don't Tell me SO? 1t is pretty rough,
amt it? 1 never dreamed you fellows had
such a terrible amount OF hard work to
do. The life OF an officer is not jolly one.
Do you ever have holiday?'
"Only two a week. The first 1 am SO
tired that / lie around the ship to get rest
ed. The second. have to make a few calls,
and when they are over L hurry back to
get ready for work the next day
We'll, old fellow, 1 sympathize with you
from the bottom of my heart. I'll go
ashore and stay there. Can / send you
nything to make life more pleasant
THANK you, no. The city OF New York
has given us every thing We need. silver
service and all"
Are you ever allowed to take a drink?'
"Oh. yes; a little nip now and them
"a mates nip?
ANY size you like. Hop Wah. take two
glasses and a corkscrew IN my room"
Poor fellows!