Evening star., 1901-08-24

Admiral Schley's story of the terrible
weather he experienced at Buenos Ayres,
as told in The Star the other evening, re-
minds me Of a letter received from one OF
his subordinates during the prevalence OF
bubonic plague at that port said an off1-
cial of the Interior Department This offt-
Ger was commenting upon the healthy con-
dition of the American officers and sailors
under most trying circumstances. as COM
pared with the prevailing disease and death
among sailors of other ships. He said the
water of the harbor was filthy, dirty and at
times gave off disagreeable odor. In spite
of this, the foreign sailors would go over
the sides of their vessels and swim about
In the harbor, just as they would in any
other port. Not so with our sailors. Every
morning at an appointed time the American
vessels lifted anchor and put to sea. When
about five miles out all hands We're ordered
overheard for bath in the pure water OF
the ocean In this way they were able to
enjoy bath that was refreshing and car
riett no contamination. Every man took ad-
vantage of this opportunity. The bath over,
the ships would return to the harbor. BY
carefully adhering TO this program and
strictly prohibiting bathing in the harbor
the men of the American ships avoided the
plague, when those all around them were
suffering They owed il all TO the foresight
of Admiral Schley and his associate Off
GERS.
'Ih3t same .colIlllutu the ohi-
cial told of a way our bluejackets had
of smuggling firewater aboard when their
ships lay In different South American har-
bors. 1t was strictly against orders for the
men to bring any form of Intoxicating
liquor aboard. But the ingenuity of the
American sailor is never failing. 1t was
weeks and weeks before this ingenious
scheme was discovered and broken up. AT
the close Of days cruise some of the Elen
would obt ain permission TO go ashore in one
of the small boats. They would return in
body, always arranging to reach the snip
after dark. a short time before this patty
was expected to return several Jack TarS
were noticed TO get out fishing tackle ana
industrieusiy angle over the stern of the
ship. No one noticed that they had much
luck but that passed without comment.
When the returning party drew alongside
all but sailor would Chamber over the
side. leaving the one to row around to the
stern and haul the boat up on the davits.
This sailor always passed under the lines
of the industrious fishermen on the deck
above. and sometimes took a long time to
make fast.
when the truth came ont it was dis
covered that the shore, party, before draw
ing in sight of the vessel. would cast over
board a string of bottles. tied by their
necks and fastened to as many cords,
which were dragged through the water in
such manner as not to be detected. Inc
ends Of these strings were made fast to
the gunwale of the boat. When the sailors
went up the gangway the one remaining
behind manipulated the boat III Such
manner as to prevent his precious tow from
coming to the surface as he pulled around
to the stern. When he got in close to the
rudder he caught first one and then an
other of the fish lines fastening a bottle to
each until the whole bunch was placed In
direct communication with the sailors on
deck. This done he hauled the boat up
where 1t could bear inspection. Then one
by one the fishermen would draw In their
lines and leave the rail in apparent disgust
at not having a single bite Once the
bottles were aboard ship 1t was compar-
atively easy matter to smuggle them be-
low. This sharp practice went on for
weeks before the suspicion of the officers
was aroused by the persistence of the fish
ermen who never got a bite Since then
some other ingenious scheme has probably
been resorted to-
x X x -
There is book which has the Queerest
use of any book in the city," said the
morgue master to Star reporter recently.
at the same time holding up very unin-
viting-looking copy of the Bible. ''It is
nearly worn out, but has never been read"
he continued, "and yet it is not In as bad
q condition as the one 1t displaced as the
morgue's oath pledger.
How is it used? Well. when a coroner's
jury is sworn I'm the men Of the jury are
arranged around the corpse. While the oath
is being read TO them they touch this book.
each with his right hand. the book in the
meantime being held over the body of the
dead person This function over. the Bible
is brought to the inquest room, where it is
placed at the right hand OF the coroner.
When a witness is sworn In, be the same
white black. male female, he or she
Is tod 20 &c hn h.AA