The times., 1898-05-22

The District volunteers are approaching.
Their coming has been eagerly awaited
since noon by throng of wives, moth
ers. sisters, sweethearts and sight-seers,
the equal OF which has not been seen
in the National Capitol since the civil
war
Through the trees to the south the
column swings into sight, crawling and
turning to meet the irregularities in its
path like some huge bristling serpent,
bent upon a mission of deliberate ven
geance- At its head is the old District
Guard band The snare drummer under
goes a spasm Of enthusiasm; the base
drummer agrees with two sonorous notes
and suddenly the strains Of Dixie are
lifted up by the breezes and float away
TO warn the watchers up above that the
troops are here.
The Parade.
"Ready-y. Haiti, Line up your men
for review" command the lieutenants.
"Get together there" shout the busy
corporals. Line up straight Be proud
Of yourselves, now"
Forward march,
And at precisely 4:lO the volunteers. just
LEAAA44EA 4EoA1 camp 4lt virginia. swung
into an easy stride and leave the White
Lot on their triumphant march through
the Capital The men look Ike regulars.
The public Is proud of them and cheers
vocifer0usly at every corner.
Turning into Seventeenth Street the
band plays the Star Spangled Banner"
Every window in the State, War and
Navy Department building adds volume
TO the cheering. The tread, tread of drill
Cd l. IL,
an echo like the tapping Of sea swells
against the rocks, too regular and monoto-
nous to drown the noise Of hurrying, half
hysterical pedestrians as they follow in
vast numbers. The bicycle man stops
long enough 10 frown al the fellow who
has run into his wheel who in turn stoops
impatiently 10 brush away the dust on his
trousers acquired by the collision, then
beth hurry along again. indiscriminately
cheering and talking excitedly.
Now they wheel into Pennsylvania Ave-
nue., four abreast. Ubiquitous police off,
GERS seize small boys on either hand by
the most opportune possible grasp and
toss them to the right to the left, any old
way where they viii be Of the least
trouble. The thoroughfare is in abso-
lutte possession of the excited crowds, and
the blockade is absolute. Lafayette mon
ument appears to be built of summer
dresses, white handkerchiefs, fiuttering
in the hands Of pretty women and small
boys, perched upon the heads and arms
and clinging TO the sides Of historic old
war heroes.
A woman sitting in her private carriage
drawn Up near the curbstone has shouted
herself hoarse.
Cheer John" she gasps to her coach
man.
.'I am replies John. between breaths
Cheer louder, then"
Reviewed by the President.
- The soldiers turn into the White House
grounds to pass in review before the Pres
ident. Keep off the grass" signs have
been pulled up by the roots and are used
by the ladies for seats. Under the mas
sive columns Of the Executive Mansion
the President stands, cheering with the
rest. surrounded by his family and staff
Mrs. Mckinley waves a dainty square OF
lace and adds her -Hurrah" to the gen
eral confusion. The band plays Louis
lana Lou" which is the President
favorite.
Turning into the Avenue again. tbs
troops go down Fifteenth Street, ant
thence to the Avenue once more.
Looking at the Treasury Detartment
one is reminded Of a colossal open-ail
amphitheater. Every inch Of room OF
the stone steps is at q premium, and ev
cry window is full of faces.
Until now the applause of the multi
tudes has been prolonged without {
break. Suddenly a thick, mufied cuie
settles over the scene. There is scarcel!
a sound above that monotonous shuttle
OF feet.
This l. War.
This is no dress parade.
II is wari
A consciousness of the fact seems t
have taken possession Of the people.
The remarkable silence is brief, bu
very solemn, and every participant feel
''Vonce more, now, whoop 'em upr
a giant German shouts from the curb
stone.
''Fo-o-r-a-a-ai"
The effect is instantaneous, and the pre-
vious tumult is renewed.
A tall, soldierly lieutenant, with tn
bearing of a soldier Of fortune or
DArtignan, strides along chewing to
bacco with remarkable yehemence.
Isn't he grand2" says an effusiv
bunch Of effeminacy in the crowd
The lieutenant hears, spits six inche
farther than he ever did in his life be
fore, and shouts to his men:
Take ii easy, there, boyst"
WEAKNESS begins to claim recruits
The men are hot. thirsty and tired. With
out warning a small riot breaks out il
the ranks.
Lynch him.
Throw him outr'
'What'n we do to him2"
What's the matter here?' demand
the sergeant.
THE fellow here in the middle wants {
know how a fat, juicy schooner of bee
would slide down now" answers four O
five privates in chorus.
Just remember his name and well hav
him court martaled." says the ser
geant and the parade marches on.
The Girl lie Left behind.
A daintily attired little Miss espies
sweetheart dn the ranks and evades tn
vigilance Of the company officers to sli
her Iace-bordered handkerchief into hi
hand.
Don't forget me. Charlie dear"
"A few PAGES farther on a rose from tn
bosom OF a ruffied Summer waist change
hands under the same conditions.
There's pap" cries a thin-faced littl
woman 10 three little ones at her sid
Leaving them she presses forward an
hurTiedly thrusts wilted morning glor
and several blades Of field grass into
foil-burdened hand.
THE children say give these 70 papa
The man tried TO smile, but tears cloude