Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-06
THE SQUAD IN FATIGUE INFORM.
The Filipino Lnundryman Got Into
Trouble in Queer Way.
ndence of the Chicago Record

Manila Correspondence of the Chicago Record
Here in the Philippines new difficult
ties in connection with the laundry prob
lem And to illustrate this assertion an in
cdent that happened TO troop of the 4th
Cavalry is told Il is told as the soldier
told it-with certain parts eliminated
THE Iaundryman?' the trooper queried.
"Oh. his name was Pedro. On the first
day when the top sergeant asked him his
name he only grinned, exposing TO view two
rows of betel-staiued teeth of assorted
sizes The sergeant asked him again, and
Pedro answered him; No saby.' The ser
geant was not up on Spanish and took the
expression for the name. So the pass was
filled out Pedro NosaDy, wash gentleman.
1t became fixture, that name did. in the
barracks of the 4th cavalry at IasdE, d.
did also the native.
The guards had strict orders to allow no
natives or vendors on the grounds. But Pc
dro was an exception. Pedro did Washing
for the soldiers, and he did it on the jaw
bone plan. That's the credit plan. And
then the first sergeant had given Pedro d
pass ostensibly favor to Pedro, in real
ity to insure the return of his clean khakis.
What Pedro's former vocation had been no
one knew, or cared for that matter; but one
thing was certain-Pedro as a laundryman
Was a fiat failure. Clothes invariably re
turned minus several buttons. No one
would ever suspect that they had been
treated to bath We're it not for the fact
that they were scrupuously folded and
ironed when delivered. There was serse
of Importance and air of superiority
about this swarthy individual that seemed
to defy criticism, and a severe reprimana
usually followed by an apology. Per
haps the hearts of the men were touched
at the sight Of the wan, pinched faces and
toothpick legs of the large assortment of
pickaninnies who trailed at Papa PeirO's
shirt tails and struggled 10 balance Dig
bundles Of clothes on their wee heads Pc
dro never carried bundles. Besides, he Wore
a derby hat of the German comedian Tari-
ETY., and Il was suspected that he wore ii
for the sole purpose of lodging the carry
act.
Sometimes the bundles would be return
ed to their respective owners in the course
of few days. But more often week or
ten days would slip by and the trooper,
reduced to his last clean garment, would
loudly threaten Pedro with immediate and
barbarous punishment. Pedro would smile
blandIy and gather up the remainder of the
troopers wearing apparel in utter Gisre-
gard of the fact that the trooper would
then be reduced to the clothing he had m
his back
Saturday and muster day came Pedro
had been missing for week, and with him
almost every dress khaki suit in the troop.
At . o'clock there was the inspection. The
inspecting officer was known to be strict
disciplinarian. The guns and equipments
were slick as pins, and the troop barber
had been busy with the faces of the men
since early in the morning. AT $40 the
bugle sounded assembly. At $40 Pedro was
still missing. The air was blue with titles
affixed to Pedro's name. The sergeant APP
peared in n canvas fatigue blouse and white
trousers and ordered the men TO fall in
Just as the inspection officer arrived The
troops lined up. clad in the most astonish-
ing costumes ever witnessed on inspection
day. Combina lions of pa jamas and ponchos
were conspicuous. One fellow who had