Evening star., 1898-04-22
District Troops Awaiting Orders From
the President.
ACTIVITY At CENTER MARKET
Companies Being Recruited and the
Awkward Squads Drilled.


Probably never before in its history have
there been such scenes of excitement about
the Center market as now prevail 1t
certainly now resembles a citadel more
than market. Although 1t is not at ali
compulsory. while at the same time the
Elen 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 "cfts" 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 ~
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 on 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 a share of good-natured kidding from
the onlookers. which was accepted as good
neturedly on the part Of the victim.
You needn't mold that gun like you were
afraid Of 1t. sonny said one old fellow
with chuckle. 1T amt goin' ter explode
in your hands,
Looks like he wuz skeered it would get
away from him, and ne couldn't git an
other" said second teaser and SO the
ball was rolled from one to another.
The guards maintained their composure
well under the circumstances, however,
and realized that 1t 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 than if they had been reg
uars. and number of them were observed
watching with bright eyes across the bridge
for some brother or lover who was waiting
at the armory.
Inside things presented a military ap-
pearance entirely in keeping with the
whole. Recruiting was being carried on,
a guard being stationed as in the regular
army, in front of the recruiting places,
which We're designated by signs posted UP
ccnspicuously. The headquarters of the
different companies were likewise sim
ilarly designated. Inside these the men
were passing away the time specializing
as to how long the war would last, where
the District militia would be detailed, and
one and all expressing the wish that they
could be sent out Immediately.
Some OF them ssng; 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 indulged
In 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 WIS
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 supposedly friendly harbor.
Ihe Watchword among the boys was: Re
member the Maine
That affair the Spanish were pleased to
term an accident will be more of an in
thing which could have happened" said
one of the men. 1T furnishes the finest
rretext in the world to carve them up. III
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 eyery-
where. This and the air of unrest were tbe
most noticeable things about the 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.
Ihere we're some mothers who visited the
armory today to speak to their sons, SO GER
tam did they seem to be that they would
be called out in short time and would see
hghtlng in few days. They appeared to
take affairs philosophically, and beyond
words of advice. did not talk much. They
left as If they knew their offspring were 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 tho
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 match-would 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 10 be filed
in the Brigade Band. Some of the men
who were members of it will be unable 10
leave here, and it is considered desirable
that the organization should have its full
quota. Applications for enlistment should
be made to the band headquarters, room
q in the Center Market Armory, after 8
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
morning Mr.. Hains of the patent office,
with whom the idea OF forming the bat
talon originated and by whom one was or
ganized. stated that he did not understand