The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-09
LARKS OF THE MIDDIES.
sAFETT TILEEs or FUN RELIEVE
THE STRAIN OF BOOKS AND DRILLS.

baeeo Sasktae Unssr Diaeuuie--shoss
Ont or Piaec-HrzinE OF Fiebes, QsseR
| Prescription, ana "Tsrror the Great"
Among the numerous accounts that have
been written Of the United States Naval Acad-
emy its MANAGEMENT. methods, and middies.
there are few that touch at any great length
upon the side Of cadet life that IL the escape
valvc from books aud drills Although It is a
side that might scarcely be approved from the
viewpoint o!the strict disciplinarian. Il is sure
ly interesting. and over coffee and cigars In the
| Storage or even the wardroom OF the cruiser
memories OF that side creep In upon the talk.
| IL might not be amiss to say the Admiral Of
the squadron recalls tying his first monkey
| FIST in hammock lashing much more clear-
! ly than how he passed his first examination.
! There was a day when smoking was per-
mitted at the academy. How the privilege
was acquired is worthy OF the telling One
night in the early part Of January. 1879. an
alarm Of IRE sounded shortly before 10 o'clock.
! The cadets, then in the midst OF study hour
turned out in all sorts OF costumes thinking IL
might ba but drill In spite ofthe cold m ans
wore fencing slippers. and not few were
! without overcoats. When the battalion was
assembled at fire quarters word was passed to
proceed with all haste to state House Circle in
town. whore eight buildings were on FIRE.
The answer was a cheer. and shoes and over
coats were forgotten in an instant. At the
FIRE 1t was found that the hydrants could not
supply enough water. and the Annapolis Fire
Departmenthad almost given up in disgust and
despair The cadet officers Immediately took
charge Of matters. and line OF hose was run to
the river Five houses we're doomed and oil
attention was directed toward saving the re-
naming three. Several cadets climbed to the
burning roofs, although repeatedly warned
that the buildings were likely to fall at any
uinufa Erprn int of a
were fought until the position became too hot
to hold and even then retreat was slow.
In order to save the three buildings IL was
necessary that the adjoining structure should
he pulled down. To accomplish this heavy
chain was passed through tho doorway OF the
blazing house and out OF the next window
When this was done the chain was made fast
10 long rope. and with hearty "Heaye
away" half OF the front OF tho house was
dragged out. Even In the midst of the excite
ment and work time was given to skylarkinR.
The town folk who had pulled so sturdly on the
rope were told to stretch out for another heaye.
Tho chain was caught about the trunk Of
convenient tree and made secure. For fifteen
minutes the people tugGed like mad. and then
in some unaccountable way the chain broke
loose from its fastenincs and the crowd shot
hall way up the street Another little Incident
OF the fire occurred while three cadets were on
lauOer directing a hose through the second
story windows Of a ouldering house. Several
rounds above them stood IN officer in n rubber
rain coat. As his position appeared to the
his rain coat was lifted gently and the nozzle
Of the hose inserted beneath It, or course
there were hasty APOLOGIES Tor such careless
ness, put pot until the water gushed out OF the
neck uand OF the coat IN torrent. Then the
officer got down and went home.
the battalion dragged itself back to the
, academy after six hours Of hard work. But
Thought ~ IN d. nf tha Anta
was that IN five hours N ore the ,!reade ed semi
annual a. eNaninations would begin, and few felt
:, When the corps fell in for breakfas. forma-
ton with red eyes aud yawnins mouths an
creat"d great surprise and still greater rejoic-
ing. The only words the cadets heard was
great bravery in the performance OF their duty
tho night before in extingulshine a threaten
an orderly manner. the superintendent
desired 20 EXPRESS his appreciation and
using tobacco. The semi me nI'es ess3 Dl
nations were ais" ordered to be post |
400 men We're putting away. although no to- |
lacco had been drawn from the storekeeper |
S Sas lG rules were posted and each CADET
hounds. OF tobacco month. No smoking was |
permitted and chewing was forbidden.
Inc privilege was t2Scn away in June 1891 |
BY Admiral {. T.. Rogers. 1t is needless to |
say the smoking continued. and wits we're |
always at work to devise means OF conceaiing |
tobacco aud cigarettes In the floor OF the ap- |
per rooms then is u small loose board which /
low. The cavity thus formed USED 10 be a IA.
N0r!te place to hide cOntraband goods. An |
pages and one c wSs 20 paste toGf,he5 all he
nlock resulting square hole was cut down TO
shs iast cover large enough to hoid PACK Of
the BOOK eox which was then placed beside its
innocent nfioc, eo,npanions was particularly an
privilege had been countermanded, as three
S mnDtbPs . reports IN thirty days meant a
Companions in transgression were never lack
ing, o. course but there were many discom-
When cadet desires to burn q light in his
room after taps the most minute precAu-
outer wofii. 4 blanket Is hung before the the
window. a rubber coat at the tIansom, a pea
hung upon the knob to guard the EeyReie A
poker party was in full blast one night in the
usual precautions had been R taken and In ad'
dltion the door was securely barred with an
Indian club: AYatchman happened TO prowi
minutes la'erthe officer in charge knocked at
the door and demanded admission. i hSdbssn
sure Of being reported in case OF detection.
was to take time 70 remove all cards and chips
iirst knock at the door two o. he he G pIaTers
Jumped from the window to the ground a few
OF the room. were anxiously enerossed in dis.
69 sts6 to .n d pot, Ths heqtena1t thup;
fast. As matters were becoming serious. on.
OF the rem aiming contestants spread his hand,
full house. upon the table and gathering
the stakes n his cap. disappeared through tho
window. The other forgetting all else In his
in the darkness:
a King full on aces"
Cadets are forbidden to visit one another
during study hours which are from 40 until
s;tO o'clock, and sometimes Tho ofieer in
charge makes tour u inspection TO see that
the order not violated His appToa n on such
an erTRad Is apt to TO discovered in time 10 |
permit the visiting cadets 10 regain their !
rooms On one occasion the descent on the |
foll was too rapid to admit OF escape and "a |
radet who Wa in the room of another sought |
10 hide ~ getting behind the wardrobe door
which he opened 10 It's widest extent. Every |
portion OF his body was hidden with the ex-
eeptlon q his Feet. Ihev were IN full view be-
low the door. When the ohicsr entered ths !
room ne looked about susplciously and caught
sight Of the shoes beneath the Wardrobs door. |
A triumphant smile lighted his face as lie said |
10 the owner Of the room:
Mr.. Blank. / shall have TO report you for !
having shoes out Of place" pointing 10 the
visitors feet lou know that shoes belong