Evening star., 1898-03-25

Lonuon prize ring rules, or any way
Awakened and Aroused.
The country seems to have been
awakened to the fact that perhaps after
all an army and navy are not such SUPER
f1uous things. Interest is aroused on all
sides. The passing of d group of marines
UP the avenue, or two or three sailors.
while 1t formerly attracted little or no at
tention, causes persons now to stand and
stare, and possibly the less polite to point
and cape at the objects of their curiosity.
a company of cavalry exercising in the
Smithsonian grounds just now is almost
as much food for interest as circus 1t
was explained by a gentleman, who said
1t was like going to a horse race. If no
pets were made no interest was evoked
II on the contrary, a wager had been
placed on an animal 1t Immediately be-
some fighting to be done, and it is only
natural that the ones on whom the United
states pat their faith to win ont should
attract attention.
An Illustration.
Tnis Is pointed out by Kipling in one
of his barrack room ballads, where he tells
OF the tribulations and ignominies to which
Tommy Atkins is subjected in times of
peace, but
It's make way for Mr.. Atkins, when
the troop ships on the tide"
Conductors on the Navy Yard line COM
plain now that they have not time enough
to eat their lunches properly. 1t was bad
enough, they say, before the Vesuvus ar
rived there, but now the crowds have been
SO greatly increased they are in a continual
hustle. Eighth street southeast just now
resembles nothing SO much as the place
leading up to the main entrance 10 a cir
Gus. There are pedestrians wheelmen and
women. and persons can be seen leading
children by the hand. as If it were pay
show to which they are going
All Classes and Conditions.
There are not few stylish turnouts, and
cabs and hansoms, driven through the big
archway and headed down toward where
the Vesuvius lies. wrapped in her mantle
of excluSiveness. An air of mystery per-
Vades the ship, as II 1t were feared the
character of the repairs which she is un-
dergoing might be learned by Spanish
spy if the public was allowed to go below
the spar deck. A few persons in official
circles are admitted to see what there is
going on, but against others the bowlne
is tightly drawn. The officers can gener-
ally be seen however on deck, as they APP
pear extremely busy in watching the clean
ing of the ship and attending to duties
which they probably understand, but which
1t is most difficult to make a landsman
know thoroughly While everything is
quiet on the Vesuvius now. from the prep
aratiOns being made it will be in stare
of eruption before long.
Other Interesting Sights.
It is not alone the Vesuvius, however,
which serves to attract visitors to the navy
yard. Never before have there been So
many, old residents of that section state.
Every object there comes in for it's share of
interest. Even the watch box, where there
ere always two or three marines on guard,
is closely inspected. Those at the entrance
are likewise by no means ignored. The
marine barracks, near the navy yard,
attract curiosity seekers also. The only
object of much account there is the rapid
fire gun. to one side of the parade ground.
near the commandant's Office This Is duly
inspected and criticised, and causes no
small wonderment in the breasts of those
who are unused to wars alarms and all the
trappings and munitions Of war.
In the navy yard there is much to attract
the stranger within the gates There is a
hum and roar Of heavy machinery, which
falls on the air long before the shops are
reached, and the visitor knows instinctively
that this Is where the big guns are made.
DiscOmated Guide.
At the watch box there are always a
half dozen or more guides. who are anxious
to pilot strangers about, and show them
what there is to be seen. They apparently
make living out Of it. A majority of the
visitors. though, prefer to go around at
their own pleasure.
Its funny how many people were born
here" said one of the guides, with a dis
gusted face after tackling q new arrival
That's the stxtfeth man this morning
that told me he was raised here in the
yard. and didn't need anybody to show him
around
The gun to the left of the entrance, Just
beyond the Flagstaff. generally has crowd
around It. This Is the one captured by
Decatur from one Of the Barbary states.
Words From the West.
"Old 'Catie didn't take no foolin' from
them bloody pirates.' said long. lean
locker at the gun, recently. He looked as
IL he had come from out Kansas way.
Il tell you," he continued with enthusi
asm, as he patted the breech of the gun
with his hand. I'VE are slow to anger, but
when we get riled once all h can't stop
us. Somethin' like Josh Viking brindle
bull. Josh had him in a half acre lot, with
a big board fence round it. Josh lowed
ther bull was dead slow-didn't have no
life ter him: He Flowed he'd tickle him
with pitchfofk one.d day. Thought If the
bull did get excited like, the fence would
stop him, anyway,
He got fooled 1,ffJosh stuck the fork
through the fenceI an iprodded the bull.
He woke up all right broke down the
ferce and 1t took Josh six months fer ter
git fixed right. He amt been the same
man since I amt likenin' the United
States ter the bull. but spain'I have her
hands full Ell we get walked up"
1t attracted no little applause. did that
speech. and there was a display of patriot
ism that pervaded the whole atmosphere.
Amusing Incidents.
Some Of the mistakes made by visitors to
the yard particularly where the ladies' are
concerned. are amusing. and unless the
marines who are on duty are well trained
they W. tuld have to disgrace themselves
oftera by laughing In the faces of the fair
quess 'oners. In the watch box is an arrange
ment, something like the annunciator in a
hotel office. whereby connections can be
made with the different offices by telephone
A young lady who paid her first visit to the
yard almost paralyzed the guard by asking
fim If the apparatus was not designed so
that hostile ship approaching Washing
ton could be blown up, by touching one of
the Keys and exploding mine.
The guard turned red In the face, came
to quick attention and responded, mot ex-
actly ma'am. 1t amt been definitely ar
ranged yet. You see things is in some
what II embryonic state.'' This ap-
parently satisfied her and gave the marine
chance to recover his equilibrium.
Fhe Trophies OF Former Wars
1t Is not generally understood either, by
the visitors. that the guns which are in
u