New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-12
CAMP TOWNSEND STORIES.
THE LIVES OF OUR SOLDIER BOYS
WHILE WAITING FOR THE CALL.
woMAN's CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION EF-

1IoUoR-THE PLEA FOR DRINK.
In spite OF the rain that fell in torrents Sunday
Camp Townsend. near Peekskl. was well ni'eo
with visitors who escaped the binding sleet oy
crowdine into the restaurant maintained for call
ers The soldiers wore their ''ponchos. ana were
in measure projected from the storm by them.
but the men guard on the outskirts looked as IL
thew were half-frozen. one woman returning from
n visit TO her husband tried to pass tan young
fellow who was guard on the bank OF the
Hudson. along which pedestrians and carriages
have TO 90.
Let me see your satchel' he demanded, point
Ing his gun at her breast but looking exceedingly
mild for warlke.
There's nothing there for you to see" she an
swered
But I must. madam. 1t is one OF my orders
DO you think would steal?' cried the woman
excitedly My husband is soldier here
Madam" Interrupted the soldier. Il would not
| care If YOU had eleven husbands here, | must do
my duty"
The woman grew more excited. and protested so
yoluby that a corporal OF the guard was called
and after threatening TO take her to tn" guard
! house she Iaugnod. opened the satchel and dis
/ paved a lot Of baby clothes. bottle OF milk and
rattle The nurse and child then made their APP
pearance and the soldiers walked away en-
barrasscd.
Another amusing occurrence sent a pretty New
York girl away crying. She went UP TO see pri-
VA . in the Sth Regiment to whom. according TO n
/ fellow -comrade. she wrote ten times week lie
had been looking forward TO her visit with great
deal Of interest. but when the storm broke out IN
its fury the soldier boy concluded she would not
come and went 10 seek comfort elsewhere. She
asked n sergeant where her friend was and he
| called down the street. where Is Private NJ
over Al the Widow's," yelled lusty voice
Seems 10 me he spends good deal Of time
there" grumhled the sergeant, and .augh echoed
| through the street
WHO is the Widow" asked the girl Almost tear
fully.
oh that's a nickname have for a preacher
who lives down the road ma'am." said faithful
comrade but several gigges made the girl scepti-
cal
Please direct me there" she said with dignity.
on bless you It's away the hills, and you'd
| be drowned getting there.
The girl was not to be outwitted. however; so she
the visitors restaurant and asked SOL
Her. Oh. she keeps a 'speak-easy' over the hill
nothing to her place. and the officers have made up
on pcket dty so that none OF the boys pass BY
What is speak-easy'? on that's place where
Fine soldiers. to break the laws Of their Gov
eminent" said the girl. in hard voice.
Wen. the Widow Is goo-i-look!ng" said the
In Smqs at 0Ss Ms. the girl sna and pe9 se 'f ha
may stay at Tho Widows forever. for AL | care
blessed II I'm ever give information TO any one
again" and he looked truly penitent.
A SOLDIER DEFENDS THE CANTEEN.
Some OF tho mon were asked what they thought
o. the action OF the Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union in trying TO put stop to the hospital
ty Of the canteen.
We'll. I'll tell you what" said private IN Com
pany g. 9th Regiment: 81 duty for thirty
hours in succession. with only rest OF few hours
or so. and tell YOU the canteen WAS blessing to
me The water had filed my boots, and Ia have
died OF pneumonia had II not been for ny few
drinks. There are four Of US IN one tent and only
Ffa k.fu
Lots Of the boys have no floors 10 their tents, and
as FOR covering--well we're glad to have even a
have been promised new uniforms every day. -
There mas been lot Of talk abou, the cor1forts
they have only room there for a hundred men;
while there are over hve thousand OF Va here
but could not got in The boys appreciate the
kindness Of tho young men in coming up here. and
there are only few who care FOR liquor out "ha'
men is that It is not cooked enough. The bread.
There are some rough fellows in the camp. and
their rough play IS said TO have been responsib .
tor the death OF the man VINO deG IN ms rem
and "scooped" him into blanket They pitched
him up in the air several times and at last he fell
to the ground. siriknI his head ana was removed
10 his ten, unconscious. whore he died next day
There have been a few cases OF deHrium treinens,
too and some OF the residents OF Peeksk.n are
com blaming OF the rudeness OF the men VINO escape
THY seem to think that they are lady killers
the moment they put uniform said a woman
are rowdcs and think they have right to talk
| 10 every woman who comes along But. OF course.
when the Government allows them liquor, one can
| expect no better. g.. 49,. :,
/ women visitors with soldery politcness Thinking
people blame the excuses OF the few 70 the liquor
/ in camp and the lax discipline that preVais when
the rainy weather prevents drilling
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