The San Francisco call., 1899-08-24
THE CALLS WELCOME.
Its Representatives First to Greet the
CaliiOrnianS.
Papers and News Eagerly Sought by the Men,
Music and Cheers in Appreciation
for KindneSSeS PerSfage.
Toot, Toott Tootl

TOOti TOott Toot.
The loud whistle on the tugboat Alert,
bearing representatives of The Call, sa-
luted the returned California boys. Three
rumbling toots from the transport Sher-
man answered the salutation, and as the
tug neared the vessel that held Califor-
MAS pride the men lined the rails and
poked their tanned faces out of port holes,
and then there was a resounding cheer.
This was quickly answered by the pas
sengers on the tug with waving flags, and
CHEEKY greetings were soon flying across
the water
This was the first greeting the volun-
teers received from shore, and both SOL
diers and newspaper men made the most
of it.
Got any papers?"
How is dear old Frisco?"
Whats happening on shore?" etc, etc.
A perfect volley of interrogations were
fired at The Call representatives as their
tug came to a stop close to the sherman.
The men showed their eagerneSS for
news of home by their queries and items
of information about their reception and
probable mastering out were received
with satisfaction When informed that
their parents and relatives We're prepar-
ing. to give them breakfast that would
make their heads swim, the news was re-
ceiVed with loud huZZa, followed by in
tereStlng questions.
Are we going to have stew" anxiously
asked one soldier, and when the answer
came back that none of that delectable
stuff would be given them, another loud
cheer was given.
1t was apparent that the boys were not
in favor of stew. Some said it was ladled
out to the regiment in large quantities
during their passage home and became
monotonous.
you're going to get chicken and cram
berry sauce, with numerous small bot
ties, some one volunteered ana the noise
that answered the delightful news plainly
told their joy.
The William D. with thousands of cop
les of The Call came alongside and bundle
after bundle of papers were hoisted on
board and were quickly distributed among
the volunteers. The young men on the
launch in their hurry to @ apPeadSe esds +ro,, the ag
the portfolios and openings of the trans
port. Six of them were kept busy throw
ing the papers and the thanks and cheers
ed excellent payment for the labor.
voices took up the cheer, and as the ships
searchlight was turned on the Alert its
representatives waved their flags in token
of the appreciation.
The men showed their anxiety to be on
shore and see the ones they love. Hun
dreds of notes fluttered from the deck of
the transport and found resting place in
the ocean. They contained messages OF
hope and health and were addressed to
fond mothers and sisters. Many of these
little tokens of affection were gathered up
and will be forwarded to the anxious
ones.
An exchange of chaff wiled away the
time while The Call representatives were
gathering news.
Say, boys, how do you like stew?" was
asked.
"Aw, stews on de bum," was the an
swer.
Got any canned 'Eagan ready for us at
the feed?'' one private asked: Ana When
he was informed that beef would not be
in evidence during the breakfast yell OF
satisfaction was heard.
In honor of the visit the regimental
band mounted the deck and lively
quickstep denoted the happiness that per-
vaded the troops because Of the knowl-
edge that they were near home.
A half hour after The Calls tug took up
position close to the transport the State
tug Governor Markham with the Gov
ernor and staff and large party of
friends, hove in sight A brass band nou
fed the soldiers of their coming and
noisy welcome was given the party AS
the tug circled the transport its band
struck up "A Hot Time and then swung
into the pathetic strains Of Home Home Sweet Sweet
vainly tried to deliver a message from the
Governor, but the folds of his flag con-