Evening star., 1898-04-23
GUARD NOW READY
District Troops Awaiting Orders From
the President.
ACTIVITY AT CENTER MARKET
Companies Being Recruited and the
Awkward Squads Drilled.
THE NEW ORGANIZATIONS

Probably never before in it's history have
there been such scenes of excitement about
the Center market as now prevail. 1t
certainly now resembles citadel more
than a market. Although 1t is not at all
compulsory, while at the same time the
men have been notified to hold themselves
in readiness to respond to the call expect
ed to be issued by the President at any
moment to the National Guard, a majority
OF the men were at the Center Market
armory this morning. Some in uniform
some in "cits' dress, but all with looks of
anticipation on their faces.
There was such large crowd of persons
about the balconies of the building and in
the quarters that this morning about IL
o'clock orders were issued making those
who had no business there leave the place,
as 1t was too crowded for comfort. Guards
were posted the bridge leading to the
armory and at the street entrance, who
questioned every one trying to enter. A
crowd of interested persons gathered on
the street outside, and watched proceed
irgs, or what they could see of them from
that point. At intervals the guard came in
for share of good-natured Kidding from
the onlookers. which WAS accepted as good
naturedly on the part of the victim.
You needn't mold that gun like you were
afraid of it, sonny said one old fellow
with a chuckle. 1T amt goin' ter explode
in your hands,
Looks like he wuz skeered it would get
away from him, and he couldn't git an
other said a second teaser, and so the
ball was rolled from one to another.
The guards maintained their composure
we'll under the circumst stances. however,
and realized that it was no reflection on
their ability to perform the duties of a
regular to the satisfaction of their COM
manders and the country in general.
Pretty Girls With Bright Eyes.
AS was natural, the pretty girls were
far more Interested in the movements OF
the militia boys han if they had been reg
uars and a numoer of them We're observed
watching with bright eyes across the bridge
for some brother or lover who was waiting
at the armCry.
Insidc things presented IA military ap
pearance entirely in keeping with the
whole Recruiting was being carried Oh,
d guard being stationed as in the regular
army, in front of the recruiting places,
which were designated by signs posted up
cCnspicuously. The headquarters of the
different companies were likewise sim
ilarly designated. Inside these the mrn
were passing away the time speculating
as to how long the war would last, where
the District militia would he detailed, and
one and all expressing the wish that they
could be sent out Immediately.
Some Of them sang; one had a har-
monica, which he was playing, as the
others listened, ard others of the boys
were congregated at table set at the east
end of the upstairs balcony, and INDUCED
in a sociable game of seven up to kill
tine. Many of them yawned and did not
hesitate to swear at the delay to which
they considered they were being subjected.
In the armory proper the awkward
squads" were receiving finishing touches to
their military education, while there was
a crowd Of onlookers.
There was an air of business about the
whole which showed that the men were
not there for the fun of the thing; that
they were in earnest. and that the Span
ish should have been more careful how
they trified with American affairs or per-
mitted one of Uncle Sans warships to be
blown up in a supposedly friendly harbor.
member the Maine
term an accident will be more Of an in
centive for short. sharp fighting than any
thing which could have happened" said
one Of the men. 1T furnishes the finest
rretext in the world to carve them up. If
all Of them feel like do for every sailor
who met his death there should be an ac-
count of more than double interest"
The martial spirit was evident every
ha air ofn
most noticeable things about thu men, They
were all anxiety to be given orders to move
somewhere. to do something-only to be
under orders. one way or another.
The Mothers There.
There were some mothers who visited the
armory today to speak to their sons, SO GER
tain did they seem to be that they would
be called out in short time, and would see
fighting in a few days. They appeared to
t. affairs philosophically, and beyond
words of advice. did not talk much. They
left as If they knew their offspring We're do
ing their duty, and there were no regrets
to be expressed, whatever they might have
thought, over the fact that the boys had
enlisted.
Some of the boys looked after their ac-
couterments. fully satisfying themselves
that everything was in readiness for the
call of 'Time"' when the fight between
Uncle Sam and Spain-that of a heavy
weight with light weight who had been
foolish enough to force a match-wouId be-
gin.
General Harries went up to the War De-
partment this morning to see If he could
learn anything Of the contemplated detail
of the District guard. He stated to a Star
reporter that he had heard nothing new.
There are several vacancies to be filled
in the Brigade Band. Some of the men
who were members Of 1t will be unable to
leave here. and 1t is considered desirable
that the organization should have it's full
quota. Appications(1or enlistment should
be made to the band headquarters. room
p in the Center Market Armory, after q
o'clock tonight.
The Naval Battalion Bill.
The bill for the organization Of the naval
battalion of the District, which has been
passed by the Senate, is held up now on
the desk of the Speaker.
In conversation with Star reporter this
poorp,pp Mr. Hafpc Of the nafont 0ffice