The Washington times., 1895-03-03
CRIED FoR REALGUNs.

The great argument over the guns occurred
last year when there was TO be COM
petitive drill between the two existing
companies about Christmas time, for be it
known that the young ladies did not choose
wands and dumb beils-they submitted 10
them.
For a time the captains languished for
the swords they could not wear, and the
glOating Of the unfeeiing boys, who con-
Sidercd this q decision in their favor, was
hard to bear.
For a time, it is true, the proposed COM
petitiyc dril threatened TO end in a skirmish
and scatter, till finally the flag of truce
was hoisted, and the wands and dumb bells
accepted.
To hear pretty young lady speak in a
sweet, hesitating way of commissioned
and non-commissioned Officers, allowing
time to think which is which and then not
feeling quite certain, makes one to wonder
why cadet companies of girls were not
sooner recognized organizations But in
teresting chat about setting up exercises
and foot movements is nothing compared
with the picture they present when clad
in their dainty uniforms.
OF course, every one is interested to know
what these uniforms are like. Such pro-
gressive young ladies have strength of mind
enough to don the proper garb. Proper it
is, and not at all ing. There is a
blue serge skirt OF the usual walking length,
waist fitting snugly under belt, and
sleeves of large and fashionable cut, all
looking delightfully."- warlille.
II the young ladies fought for their guns
and lost, they achieved, at least, single
shoulder strap, for even this was at first
condemned as too masculine, but being de-
cidedly reformed was finally admitted.
1t is q modest little affair, about two
inches in length and one in width, and is
-r-oF not on ChO
suppose, but where DO you think? Why,
at the front of the collar, like brooch.
SWEET SHOULDER STRAPS.
One lovely lassie confessed that this
! shoulder strap, so called, was the especial
! pride and JOY of the high school AmaZons.
Across the breasts OF the jaunty blue
! jackets worn by the officers curve three
! pieces of heavy black silk cord. while the
majors are of gold. About the wrists of
! the captains sleeves are three rows of mar
| row gilt braid: the first lieutenants have
only two, ard the second lieutenants one
less.
Each company has chosen a color for the
! flag they are trying TO raise money TO get.
/ Y has decided upon green, Y has fancied
red, and z declares for old gold. In the
/ spring they are TO have public competi
tive drill for a prize flag, as the boys do
| every year and then the citizens OF Wash
ington may see how cleveriy the young
LADIES or the Eastern dlSn SCnool take 10
military tactics.
OF course it is not TO be expected that
/ the young men of the school looked upon
! the move with favor; they even laughed.
! One is reported to have sneered.
But when the guns were forbidden the
] boys praised the feminine warriors enthu-
siastieally: when wands and dumb bells
were substituted the boys looked ra-
diant; when the shOulder-straps were re-
duced to little brooch they admired rap
/ turously.
Oh. the fin de steele girl is a clever
creation, and not one of the bonnie lasses
/ in blue at the Eastern High School but
has benefited by drill that gives them all
grace and health.
"But if we shout for the prosperity and
/ happiness of Companies X, Y. and z - said
| a young man, who can tell when girls
viii begin to apply for admittance into
1 West Point and Annapolis?"
Truly enough, who can?