Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1894-05-17
IT Is VERY HARD WORK.
a Naval Omcer Who Thinks He Has Alto
gether Too Much to DO.

gether Too Much to DO.
Every nation loves its navy. and
the heart of the landsman goes out
to the poor fellows who are coopeG
up for life within the steel walls of a
man-of-war, and yet when one pays
visit to such ship as the cruiser
New York he is filled with envy of
the captain, the heutenants and even
the ensigns. When he stands upon
the spar deck and gazes around, he
realizes that he has beneath his feet
probably the finest warship in the
world and feels that he would like to
be part of her. He addresses him
self to lieutenant enthusiastically:
I'D give everything I've got in
the world to be an officer on this YES
sell"
'"Take my place and let me go
ashore. was the reply. quick as a
flash.
IF it were possible, I would ex-
change with you today. What a
time you have! Pets of the govern
ment, pets of the women. Nothing
to do but feel proud of your ship and
yourselves. Wear the handsomest
uniform in the world, look spick and
span, ready for business, whether in
love or war. All, what a lifei'
The lieutenant seemed sad.
You know not what you are say
ing" he answered. You can have
no idea how hard a life we lead
Look at that and tell me if we lie on
a bed of roses"
Opening a locker he flung out a
pair of overalls. blue, greasy, paint
ed, oily, rusty. At sight of them the
eyes of the landsman filed with
tears of sympathy. And he, that
beautiful officer, so spick and span,
actually wore those nasty things!
''Is it possible that you, too, have
to help scrub the decksl My con-
sciencei Ishould never have thought
it. l believed that was left for the
jack tars and the midshipmen 1t
must take you a couple of hours
every morning, even with the assist
ance of your 500 seaman. don't be
lieve I'll exchange with you"
What makes you think 1 help
scrub decksi Inever said So"
Those filthy things. What do
you do in thema Rub up the guns,
maybeg"
sOh, no. Once a week 1 have to
inspect the inside of the hull, and il
is necessary to crawl through some
very small holes, so to save my uni.
form put on these overalls."
"Once a week2 Is that all you
have to do2"
"Well, no. Idrill some of the men
in the morning-three mornings a
week. l have just finished drilling
a squad and feel exceedingly tired
| / was at it at least an hour and q
quarter"
Anything else disagreeablef"
II have to go on watch occasional
ly."
You don't tell me so2 It is pretty
rough, amt it2 I never dreamed
you fellows had such a terrible
amount of hard work to do. The
life of an officer is not a jolly one
Do you ever have holidays"
| Ouly TWO - WCCA- 4hC AlSt,
am SO tired that / lie around the
ship to get rested. The second,
have to make few calls, and wheI
they are over l hurry back to ge
ready for work the next day."
"Well, old fellow, I sympathizt
with you from the bottom of my
heart. I'll go ashore and stay there
Can I send you anything to make
life more PLEASANT"
Thank you, no. The city of New
York has given us everything W.
need, silver service and all.
Are you ever allowed to take
drinkT
.'Oh, yes. A little nip now ant
then"
"A mates nipf
ANY size you like. Hop Wah
take two glasses and corkscrew il
my room"
Poor fellows.-New York Tribune