The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1900-12-20

for the troops III the held Uncle sam
gave public notice some time ago that
ships would sail for the Orient and that
friends of the troops could avail them
selves of the chance to send over remem-
brances. Caution was given in the mat
ter of what to send and how to prepare
it. Then Uncle Sam said every effort
would be made to deliver the goods on
arrival in Manila. Almost every vessel
flying the Stars and Stripes which has
sailed since about Nov. l has carried
huge cargoes OF things for the men in
the field. Refrigerator ships have cross
ed the ocean to give them fresh meat
and ice, the one thing they most need.
Men in the field doing war duty are eat
ers. They ask for food to the exclusion
OF almost everything else. Pretty keep
sakes are priced for the remembrances
they recall, but these may be lost in the
first skirmish. But bit of solid enjoy
ment in the form of n chicken makes the
soldier contented and full of fight.
Many Christmas parties will be organ
lied in Luzon. Troops have been cut into
small detachments to chase the Filipinos
to their inner businesses, so that each
little party will be Christmas party
by itself.
Every man who can will take hand
in the preparation of the meal. Cookie"
will be the most important man in the
detachment. He will be besiezed by 9TH
ers willing to show their skill at turning
out dishes where the materials are scant
and the variety limited. One will be
adept at decorations Flags will come
out of pockets, green's will be picked up
and a bower be built where the men may
sit together and enjoy the good things
they have. In short time what may
have been u wilderness may blossom with
good cheer, for nobody loves good cheer
more than a soldier and none can equal
him ut improyisinG it,
Most of the boys will have received
something to remind them of home by
the time Christmas dawns. Money for
the most part was sent by fathers and
brothers, for money in Luzon as else
where is the most useful of commodi-
ties. Food .stuffs sent could hardly ar
rive in eatable condition. but the cash
can supply every deficiency. Turkeys
abound in the Philippines, or did before
the Yankees arrived with their taste for
turkey. Turkeys cost a lot of money.
some Sc Mexican or SIS American. But.
if in the field those boys will eat turkey
without cost, as Il skillful shot can pro-
vide ness with all the turkey and
ducks that mess can eat and nobody be
much the wiser.
Ducks and poultry are plentiful and
can be had in the same manner. Indeed,
every house with 4 yard against the
Pasig river has its patero or duck yard.
The village of Patero is named because
it is essentially Il breeding ground for
ducks Roast duck is well qualified to
make a hungry soldier forget the lack
of the noble American bird. Meats
brought over from Australia and kept
frozen. mutton. lambs. etc, in the car
ease are in the market and can be pur-
chased for trifling advance over the
home market. These are all in reach of
those not living off of the country"
Those who forage off of the enemy
have plenty of maugocs, fruit much !
loved of those in the tropics. Bananas
are plentiful and luscious. With bit |
OF ice. some rice, mangOeS, bananas, rails |
ins, sugar, coffee, 4 slyly captured turkey |
or duck and few such things as are de- |
sirable. the Christmas dinner of the boys |
need not be too scanty to be enjoyed. But
should it be but pot of rice or hunk |
Of fat meat, the lads will take what |
comes without murmuring. although they
will dwell on what has been the custom
back at home in the States"