The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-17

When the party alighted they found
their officer eagerly awaiting them, and
the crowd was soon deposited bag and
baggage in an army bus. and started
for the camp. A short drive along
beautiful rolling country brought these
guests to headquarters, and they ex-
claimed with delight as they looked
out over field after field. as far as the
eye could reach, of white tents, laid
out in streets like a large village.
The officers tent was a bit different
from the others, and upon inquiry it
was ascertained that the convicts
(men who overstayed their leave in
town. had been working all the day
before, planting little bushy Christmas
trees around this particular tent to
make it look as fine as possible when
the ladies should arrive. Inside every
thing was in the most immaculate
trim, there being nothing superfluous
to clutter up the tiny room, each arti-
Gle being where it could be picked up
at a moments notice and slowed away
in camp chest. Steamer trunks plas-
tered with oIeign tags served as bu-
reaus and a soap box gave an impro-
ViSed wash stand, while a rustic seat
made place where four of the guests
could sit provided they sat close. Then
the mascot OF Company A was pro-
duced, which proved to be a tiny kit
ten found fast asleep in a cigar box.
After quarters had been inspected the
call was given for dinner formation for
the rank and file and very amusing
was it to watch the men hustle around,
find their queer sauce-pans and coffee
cups, and march down to where the
cooks were serving rations, consisting
of hash, bread and coffee. The visitors
were told that when a camp is first laid
out, a deep trench is dug and filled
with logs, where a fire is built and after
the logs have burned to Goals, the cook
ing is done over them and very crisp
and nice does such fire make the fish
or meat to be eaten.
Then a boy announced the officers
| mess as ready and each officer with q
girl proudly walking beside him
| marched down the field to the tent
where a dinner was served which was
unique and interesting to those who
had never eaten in a tent before.
Instead of the conventional hard.
tack and beans or bacon, there was set
| forth all the necessaries and many OF
| the luXuries of life. Then came the
| opening of those mysterious bundles
which the girls had brought and the
men exclaimed in delight as there APP
peared fresh fruit from the city mar
kets, and a huge chocolate cake such
las their mothers used to make" and
of which the War department heartily
| dsapproves, "as the boys eat so much
it generally makes them sick"
On the whole the meal was a great
success and much laughter attested tC
the merriment of that particular mess
After dinner there was much to SEE
and question about, a guard moun
taking place just in front of the tent
and new acquaintances being made
among the officers, who said it was &
great treat to have ladies in camp, anC
fully attested it by their hospitablt
efforts in behalf of their guests.
After guard mount, when every mar
stood as if turned to stone, while hi:
arms were inspected, the company
band brought their camp chairs, plant
ed them directly in front of the ladies
tent, and serenaded, with fine, stirrinl
music, until 1t was time for the trair
back TO town. After presenting tn,
band leader with some very wilted anC
dilapidated flowers, which one of tn
girls had worn at her belt. and thank
ing the men for the music, the littl
party, each with an officer as escort
stroled through a woody path toward
the station, turning just at the edge o
the camp as the band played Amer
lea" and every man in that great con
course stood erect, holding his hat II
his hand, while the setting sun mad
beautiful radiance over the picture
giving a most solemn aspect to tn
scene as one thought OF what might b
in store for those same brave boys II
the days to come. M, X, Il.
urasbinutan Cant