The age-herald., 1900-09-24
SKETCHES FROM
 EVERYDAY LIFE


 It was probably not long time between drinks with the governors of Alabama and New Hampshire. The Alabama and the Kearsarge. born again, were making friends and talking about the good old times when they poured hot shot into each others sidess while the two governors were, iguratively speaking, pouring hot drinks into each others sides ,and thank ing heaven that these are piping times of peace, when. the "bo-sn's" whistle pipes all hands to grog and not to battle.
 It is times like these that make history. The old Kearsarge and Alabama are his toric, and what would be more fitting than for some historic incident to have occurred at Portsmouth? The governors of North Carolina and South Carolina made them- selves historic, and why should not the governors of Alabama and New Hamp- shire? Not necessarily in the same old way. There was no occasion for that. No, drink on McDuff. and damned be he who first cries hold. enough! was the battle cry at Portsmouth.
 A story is told of a sea captain who was usually drunk. The mate, who was teetotaler. one day fn writing the ships log, put in the following sentence: 'The captain has been drunk all day." The next day the captain wrote the log with the following comment: "rhe mate has been sober all day"
 Whether the old Kearsarge stin exists do not know. I remember however. when a boy being shown over the vessel when she was anchored off Alexandria Va That was time when the United States had no war ships but wooden tubs and some iron monitors. Now both are obsolete, but it was not until William c. Whitney was Secretary of the Navy that the govern ment began to build modern war vessels.
 The two most vivid impressions made by the Kearsarge was the astonishing number of sailors she carried, and the horror of two big guns that were placed amidships on pivots and were arranged to swing in any direction. The sides of the ship could be let down on whichever side the guns were being used. I think these guns were muzzle loaders. but they looked as If they could krock a ship to pieces with one shot. There was a secondary battery, but 1t was tame and insipid after looking at the two big guns.
 The ship seemed to be alive with sailors. Had a shell exploded in the forecastle 1t must have killed hundred. Their arms and bodies were covered with the most fascinating tattooing in red, yellow and blue. Nearly every one had an American flag somewhere in his skin, and all the face masks, bIeeching powders, and ante frecklelines in the world could not have made them white.
 Some of the Kearsarge lives though most Of 1t may have died. In the navy yard at Washington is block of wood with shell about twice the size of an ostrich egg em- bedded in it. This block of wood was taken out of the Kearsarge and the shell was fired from the Alabama. Had it exploded it is said the Kearsarge would have blown up, as it struck very close to her maga- zine. A defective fuse changed the fortune of war
 "It is astonishing" said young Wilson, "how little trffes change well-arranged plans" Wilson said this in a thoughtful tone as though he had made discovery. Now the other day." he continued, q was walking down Second avenue from Twenty-first street. I was on the North side of the street, but intended to cross over when opposite the Peoples Savings Bank Just as I was about to cross the street I saw a very attractive-looking girl little way in front of me going in the same di- rection. I could only see her back, but her clothes fitted so neatly that imnedi- ateIy concluded she was a pretty girl and thought I would like to see her face. So changed my mind about going to bank and fOIl0Ued hpP When hfs aacbad tha office the girl stopped and turned to look at something and I saw her face. She was an old fright, and I have not got over my disappointment yet"
 Another thing I can't understand" he continued, lis why people will not learn how to walk on a sidewalk. They won't keep to the right but struggle about in all directions. I must have run into half dozen people while following that girl didn't stop to apologize, and suppose they thought I was drunk or crazy. But was punished enough for my rudeness when I saw the girl I was also fined for my mis- conduct for I had nowhere to go but back. so stepped in the post office and bought 10 cents worth of stamps that I didn't want and spent a dime that stood in need of'
 And so the inevitable has happened in the Transyaal, and Dom Paul Is in full flight towards Holland This is the sad dest feature of the war. After a truly heroic fight on the part of the plucky Dutch; after the killing or capture of their generals, to see the man who more than anyone else is responsible for the war, scuttlinP away towards freedom with his pockets full of gold, is sad spectacle. Had he remained and been captured, or died with his men, he would have been a martyr or hero, but now he is only contemphble. Perhaps with his name and his money he will establish first rate pawn shop in Holland. How euphoneous it will sound to say l am going to Oom Paups instead of my Uncle Lewis. There is some thing fascinating about that word "Oom." 1ou can say it without opening your