Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1900-02-24
FROM HONOLULU TO MANILA.
A CHRISTMAS UPON THE
SEA.
Interesting Exercises-Beau
full Music-Officers Celebrate
Christmas Eve-Rex And
The Jester-Thirteen
States Represent
ed-Russian
ASSUMPTION ISLAND MANILA AT
LAST.

a letter received from Lieut.. J. Edward
Abbott. Of the 4snd Regiment. Infantry.
u. 5. ", now at La Iona Church. p. L.:
At Sea, on Board the United States Trans.
port. "Dalney Vostock."
On Christmas morning signaled the
columbia" our entire programme, and
how we proposed TO give the entertain.
menl for the benefit Of the enlisted men.
They regretted we lacked music, and
agreed to give us the service OF the band
on the Columbia
Well, here is where the novel part of
the exhibition came in. We received.
by signal. the program of twelve pieces
| 10 be played by the band. and the time
each would be played. So in the after
noon the "Columbia" steamed sufficient
| ly close TO our siarboaTd side for us 10
be within hailng distance,
The sea was smooth and the weather
conditions most favorable. The perform
ance began at ? p. m. with sweet strains
OF music from the regiment band on the
columbia, carried to our ship by the
breeze. The men applauded each piece
| OF music vocferously and lined up on
the starboard side and gave three rous-
ing cheers when the "Star Spangled Ban
ner" and "My Country lis OF Thee"
we're played.
| Both ships were gaily decorated from
stem to stern with flags, and presented
beautiful sight as they ploughed through
the sea. The performance lasted two
hours, and was most creditable affair.
Many Of US were surprised to find so
much talent in the regiment among the
men. There were a number of original
songs and reci,ations. The evening per-
iormance was for the enlisted men, who
were unable to attend in the afternoon.
The painted scenery showed up we'll
behind electric footlights, and judging
from the applause. should say it was
thoroughly enjoyed. On Christmas Eve
the officers had their celebration. and
gathered in the dining saloon. Here we
found the tables covered with fruits. cake,
nuts. etc. At the end OF the saloon was
remarkably realistic Christmas tree.
painted by one OF our lieutenants. In a
few minutes "Rex" arrived, gowned in
bedspread and wearing a wig OF hemp,
impeisonated by one Of our officers.
He took his seat on the throne in front
OF the Christmas tree, with a lieutenant
impersonating "Couft Jester" at his side.
| Each officer was given a card bearing
number, corresponding with the one on
package, Of which there were many piled
| on the throne. The roll was called and
after the officer was identified by the
jester. he received his gift. which was
thereupon opened, during which time he
had his past, present and future history
| told him by "Rex." This over punch
| and sandwiches we're served, and then
| followed toasts to the President. COM
manding officer. those left at home, sweet
hearts and wives.
The officers present represented thirteen
different states of the Union. and each
spoke relative to what his State had ac-
complished during the Spanish-American
war, and also Of the aid rendered by the
government or by his native town or city.
| Il was after midnight when we retired to
our staterooms. My Christmas gift was
| a miniature surf boat, such as are used
| at Honolulu. where we purchased our
presents. Our vessel has been making
pretty good time since we left Honolulu.
spent much time on the bridge with
the watch officers. and conversed a great
deal with the Russian officers, whom
found quite intelligent. II may interest
you to know how they wash and iron
clothes on a troopship. Clothes are tied
on the end OF rope and thrown over
board, to be dragged along with the
/ vessel.
They are then pulled up on the ship
and dried in the rigging. and placed on
board. A large tin bucket or tea pot.
filed with boiling water is then moved
over the clothes until they are as smooth
as il one had used an iron. Ii is quaint
| and somewhat cumbersome process. but
rather an ingenious one. rhe men have
been well cared for, and received three
| good meals each day. on many occasions
better than those for which the officers
paid so per day. There have been
many diversions to keep them daily oe-
cupied. such as sparring, tug. .of-war. glee
club practicing, calls for officers. Y. M.
| c. A., officers school, day and night,
hospital corps work. instruction in signal-
ing, religious meetings Of some kind by
about 80 men. each day, dramatic club
| reheai sails and minsirels.
All these in addition to the regular
i routine drills. DO you see edCn oay -
occupied in some way ali the time. Our
eramophone discoursed sweet music and
many songs on the upper deck in the
afternoon and evening. Every afternoon
we we're served Russian tea on the deck
enjoyed it very much. II is as much
different from the tea we get in the Uni
ted States as wine is from water. The
quiet hush Of the tropical night at sea,
the great troopship pounding along on
the last leg Of our long journey across
the Pacific towards the goal OF our de-
sires, and the moon adding tropical
| sple ndor to the scene. makes one con-
templative, and inclined 10 conjure up
memories OF Aud Lang Syne. A song
Of the seal How it leaps in the summer
sunshinel How It CLEANS IN TIE silvery
moonlight How il throbs and heaves
in the rising storm!
think OF the suggestiveness Of all ma
ture, and it seems. 70 me there is none
like that Of thetocesh.. look away
across the waves to the sky line. and