New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-05
ARMY AND NAVY COMPARED.
MEMBERS OF EACH ADVISE A PROSPECTIVE RH
CR1-Ir AT SOUTH BEACH

MEMBERS OF EACH ADVISE PROSPECTIVE RA
cRurr AT SOUTH BEACH
A student OF local color" found his way to South
Reach last evening For the benefit Of the I'M
initiated It may be said that South Beach Is a pop
uar resort the lower end OF Staten Island IL is
favorte place OF recreation for the sailors attached
TO the men-of-war lying in the Lower Bay ana the
soldiers attached 10 the stations at Governors lsaho
and Fort Wadsworth. There is the usua board walk,
with concert halls At intervals. The 'oarHers ana
'pul.es-in' make night hideous with Their resonaf
cries which are at times drowned by the squeak OF
vio.ins and the bare OF bands.
The visitor in question wandered into a concert han
and sat down at a table Indicated by white-aproned
waiter AS he took his seat the party on the stage
which consisted Of two alleged comedians and naif
dozen short-skirted and brazen-throated women
were just retiring after one OF the acts Then tho
visitor saw that he had been thrown into the COM
pany of two sailors from the battleship Indiana and
three soldiers who are stationed at Fort Wads-
worth The "jackies' and the so diers were chatting
in a convsvial manner over brown mugs OF ale The
loca-color student engaged them In conversation
and presently OF the sailors inquired: What
might be yer business. mister?
The student replied that he had no business. and,
in fact, was looking for something to do. Ths
"jacky' smote his thigh. swore an oath and 70
marked: Then yer ought to join the Navy. There
amt thing to do but eat yer ratons and let The
ship take yer wherever It goes"
has to wash down decks and act Ike a housernaid."
Go wan" sad the sailor. Yer is jea.ous dat'S
all"
Don't Yer believe IT," continued the soldier. "Yx
Join the Army OATS the place for man. All yoP
have to do is lie around. and once in a while curry
horses and take yer turn al mess"
An run errands for officers and drill in q no; sun
TIL yer drop and be cussed I'LL yer cani see." added
the sailor. Not yer life. Give the Navy, w.d
its life de ocean blue. OATS de place for me-
"A Navyman amt anything but deck swa5ber."
declared the soldier.
A not answer in order, and a fight seemed tn.
minent The student said neekly: "F.l tell you whzl
/ Il DO. II join both"
The sailors and the soldiers eyed him suspciousiy.
as II trying 70 make out wheeler he craifin6
them not. Then OF them said decisivcly: "You
can't do THAI. you d fool
This was emphatic. and the student protested chat
he thought he could Join both and take his chances
TO assignment. His companions al once went irfo
detail and explained the matter 10 him. Suddenly
the student frightened up and exclaimed: TN toss
up coin. Heads rhe Army; tails the Navy"
This suggestion was hailed with enthusiasm. The
is" said the student. He was at once placed upon
q footing OF comiadeshp by the soldiers. ami tho
sailors eyed him with pity q man whom fate bso
concert went on. After while the student. well I'D.
monished to how TO act when he applied for J:
mission 70 the Army left his new-found frfende, an1
perhaps AZ Fort Wadsw5fth there three soldiers
who are waiting for the appearance OF q new co0e