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

Laying Out the Tables,
This interesting inauguration cere-
mony over, attention is devoted to break
fast and preparing for church parade.
Already one begins to observe a flushed
look among some of the more reckless
characters, for, though the canteen will
rot oper till noon, and the barrel in the
corner will not be tapped till after dim
ner. yet the soldier that wants a drink
can always procure it from some myste-
rious source. no matter what the visible
and outward restrictions may be. But to-
day that unmistakable look passes seem
ingly unnoticed by the inspecting officers,
and Immediately after service every man
has his work cut out to assist in the bar
rack room. Here the tables arr: laid out,
clean sheets for tablecloths, and the
crockery borrowed from the married wo-
men of the regiment. Every knife fork
and basin is polished till it shines again.
and when al last the steaming hot dishes
are brought in by the cooks mates. both
the nostrls and the eyes are pleasantly
assailed. Before the brave fellows can be-
gin the repast, however, it is necessary TO
receive the officers.
First comes the officer of the day, with
his customary brief visit. Then enters
on the scene the colonel, attended by the
battalion major, company captain and sub
alterE officers. After the usual inquiry as
to com plants, the colonel in a few pleas
ant words admires the decorations and
wishes the men a merry Christmas. In
RESPONSE subdued Same 10 you, sir
and many of them is heard, and the
officers are invited to cartake of wine or
spirits, as they prefer, which the sergeant
offers on a waiter A hearty cheer is
then given for the colonel and another for
each of the officers, in the midst of which
the latter hasten out to the next room,
though you will generally find the last
Joined subaltern tagging behind to hear
his name cheered and rejoice in his pop
ularity.
A Royal Feast.
And now they fall to- those hungry dev-
lis. for many one ate little or no break
fast in order 10 have the more room for
dinner, and the roast meat is washed
down with the officers quarts of beer,
followed by the glorious plum pudding
and more beer. Then the tuckcart man,
who has lain in large supply of fruit,
sweets and other delicacies, provides the
dessert from his cart, and preparations are
made for the afternoon sitting. Beds,
forms and tables are crowded round the
roaring fire; the barrel of porter SO visit
fully eyed all the morning is preached at
last and a large tin pail filled from it is
handed round to replenish the vessels
which do duty for mugs.
Tobacco and pipes are put in requisi-
ton, and Tommy Atkins enjoys for
brief, happy period the delight of his
life-an unlimited quantity of beer, open
~ consumed IN BARRACKS. Sy ana by the
married men and their wives drop in
a little something hot is always ready
for the womenkind. Songs the
der OF the day, always sentimental be it
noted, for Tommy despses your comic
song, and has only passing fancy for
those of a bacchanalian type. Beer and
songs-songs and beer-that is his sum-
mum bonum. Speeches are the excep
ton, for those that would cannot, and
the few that could will not waste their
time in mere words. And when at last
the keg is emptied-another dead ma
rine,' says Tommy, and turns his atten-
ton to levying sufficient funds to lay in
a supply of the necessarily inferior can
teen brand. And so it goes till lights
out sounds, and another Christmas day
is gone over to the majority. Among the
officers the celebration of the day is con-
Quoted on a quieter scale. A supper, of
which the exhibition of the regimental
plate is quite feature speechmaking and
dignified jollity all around are the order of
the day,