Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-18

IeSineutal service traditions connected
with the great feast and, though disci-
plne is slightly relaxed for the day, yet
there is but little to distinguish Xmas
from the other great American holidays
But to the British soldier Christmas
is the day of days" a brief, fitting
term during which the military charac-
| ter is relegated to back seat and
Tommy" enjoys a short return to C-
william life and liberties. The men left in
barracks who whether from choice or
necessity, have not yet taken their
months "furlough,' begin to look for
ward TO the annual merrymaking for
weeks beforehand, and speak of it for
days afterward with an affectionate re-
membrance. That is, the old hands. or
| veterans; to the younger generation, I'M
acquainted with the traditions of the
| service and dazzlel by modern cricket
luncheons, regimental races and the an
| nual sports meeting" Christmas is no
longer such an object of veneration, and
has been somewhat shorn of It's pristine
oldtime practice remains to make an
account of them prove highly interest
ing and diverting to an outsider"
The Preparations Begin.
About a month before the great day
The steady, prudent men begin to save
from their pocket money" whatever small
sums they can, laying these by in hoard
ing reccptaces, 'dimmocking bags"
as they are called, with view to on
HANGING the festivities by d contribution
IN Christmas eve. Some there are who.
doubling their ability to refrain from
suming their regular quantity of beer
and tobacco at the canteen, so long as the
jingling copDers seems to burn holes in
their pockets, request the sergeant major
l fr,py fhpTy lHv,
and pat it down to the regimental Christ
mas oinner fund: in the vernacular, they
are SAID to be ION the peg or under
"steppages." AS consequence of this
abstinence the morning .defauters list
begins to diminish and the guard room to
show a corresponding lack of inmates,
for punishment at this season means a
probable loss of privileges and mourning
penalties, such being detailed for guard
iuty on the day itself.
Soon the barrack rooms begin to as
sumo an unwonted aspect, and the or
iery officer conveniently winks at the
iisordered state of the walls and roof
during he days devoted to decoration.
The ever-present handy man is detailed
to supcriatend the work of ornamental
ton, and under his directions and with
room devote their leisure time TO adorn-
ing the walls, roof, fireplace and even
| doors with unique reproductions of the
regimental motto and crest, while sea-
sonablc illustrations from the current
papers and periodicals are pinned up in
every vacant spot. and elaborate fes
| toons Of colored or gilded paper endow
the hanging lamps or gas jets with an
extraordinary appearance of gaicty. AT
| the dullest of times the bare lock of the
barrack room is relieved by some pretty
and attractive decorations, but at Christ
mastide gorgeous is the only word that
| conveys idea of the effect produced.
| Adjacent strawberries even are desooiled
under the cover of darkness to suc.ly
l f,,ff' IL L.
| rlistletoe and evergreens endeavor to cen
| ceal the Objectionable white-washed walls
Goose or Pig.
The major captain and subaltern ofIi-
GERS also contribute literally to the fund,
providing each a quart of beer per man
| or a load of coal to each room, and add
| ing substantial sum in money to aid in
| obtaining the all-importat dinner. A most
amusing feature is the inevitable debate
among the members of each barrack
loom as to what shall be obtained as the
piece de resistance for the feast. 1t must
he remembered that in the British army
the men sleep and eat in the same apart
ment, twelve or fourteen beds being al
lotted to each barrack room. Hence, each
company contains several small "messes''
which are distinct. Generally the occu-
pants of two rooms form a mess of about
twentyfour or twenty-five in one of the
rooms: this is especially the case on great
CO casions, such as the present. Now an
Gent custom and time-honored traditions
have decreed that there are but two dishes
fit for a Christmas dinner-roast goose
and roast pork. Rarely, if ever, is this
rule departed from. and naturally the
adherents of either delicacy are very Stub
born and irrecohcilable. 1t is curious
fact that the old soldier inclines to the
homely but satisfying bird" while the
.cruity'' and young soldier seems equal
~ prejudiced in favor of the more succu-
lent pig. In deciding this knotty ques-
ton the majority, Of course is bound to
rule. and the disappointed "gourmands"
take to their defeat very kindly, to Judge
by results at the table. The usual scale
Of provision is one goose or a leg Of pork
to every three men.
Early on the eagerly awaited 'eve"
the corporal in charge of each room coll
lects the "dimmocked" boards and OBJ
tains the 'stoppages" money from the
sergeant major. The latter official I'M
dertakes the necessary marketing, while
the corporals are commissioned to ex-