The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-08-17
LIPToN's TARs AT CoNEY.
Watermelon and Pie-EatinE Con-
tests Amuse Shamrock Sailors.

Watermelon and Pie-EatinE Con-
tests Amuse Shamrock Sailors
NEW YORK. Aug. I7--Seyenty-four
jack tars. jolly and ready for anything
that might happen along, invaded COney
Island last night All wore the Shamrock
color and all We're Of the Upton outfit.
There were thirty-eight from the Erin and
thirty-siX from the Shamrock, and they
came TO the island in a special car from
Hamilton ferry which was the reudez-
VouS. These were all that could be spared
from the vessels. and they left behind
them some men who were green with
envy. because this is almost the last night
that the sailors OF either vessel can get
shore leave until for "a week at least.
and perhaps not then
Special arrangements had been made
for their reception at Stecplechase Park
by Mr.. Iilyou. the proprietor. and they
were conducted thitner from Brooklyn by
George StanmOTe, the electrical expert
They had been promised a good -iHTp. and
they went prepared to enjoy il. 1t was
easy 70 get them down" said Mr.. Stan
more. 4 doubt II I would have had
such an easy time with a crowd Of Ameri-
can sailors. They came like lambs and
dld whatever I told them to do"
livery man was Quaker sober. bug the
twinkle in every British eye showed that
that condition was conducive and not
detrimental 70 the kind of fun they pro-
posed 10 have. They walked along the
BOWery with an attempt at formation
Too many attractions on either side
however, broke the ranks and made stray
glers Of dozen or more before SteepIe-
chase Park was reached. As they came
along crowd followed at their heels as
though they were a COney Island attrac-
ton. When they were near the entrance
the band struck up Killarney follow
ing II by The Wearing Of the Green as
they passed in. and the people who were
inside gave them three rousing cheers. al
which they all touched their hats and
stood at attention like so many man-a'-
wars-nen. Then they filed into the seats
that had been reserved for them on the
floor Of the big dancing pavilion
Fist there was a watermelon eating
contest between eight colOred men. As
the eaters scooped up the red OF the
watery fruit the sailors. excited by the
haste and nervousness Of the contestants.
shouted and pointed and made remarks
TO each other. See EN- eat" THE lit
tie fellow will burst, surei' Bet yer
pony on the chunky one,' why. they
claw II out like monkeys These were
some Of the comments while the feast
lasted. and afterward much was said
about the carrying capacity Of the black
craft"
Gould yer do that. 'Arry?' shouted one
TO another. who was sitting on the rear
seat. Il could II I was bigger amidships."
was the answer. but Ia want heavy
keel 70 carry me home afteTwaTd"
The pie-eating contest that followed
nearly CONFUSED them with mirth. Ten
darkies, their hands tied behind them.
dug their faces into as many huCkebeTry
pies that had been literally spriukled with
powdered sugar. and their piastered fea-
lures as they rose from their STOPPING
pastures 10 rest and expose their deCgrat-
cd faces TO the gaze OF the sailors was too
much. The three CinEalese servants from
the Erin. all dressed in white had .1t
been left behind. and they enjoyed this
part Of the entertainment as much OF
more than did the others
Never saw pie eat that way afore."
said T. de Silva. He is known by the nick
name Of Erin among his fellows Of the
crew, and he speaks English well. But 1
don't think il would be nice for them 70
do il IN a dining saloon.
Shamrock" otherwise PaIIs de EIvis,
one Of the others, nudged his companion,
known on board as Shamrock II, but on
shore as William Fernando. and said
IN never serve huCkIeberry pie again
without thinking of this"
When Warren Johnson won the contest.
holding his face up I'm the air in his hurry
10 swallow the last piece Of pie. the sail
OTIS stamped and shouted. and cheered the
victor. Some pieces Of money changed
hands. too. after The battle was over, for
they are eager to bet whenever they see
a chance 20 win or lose
But the cakewalk that finished the set
cutertalume mt, That was the feature that
took their eye. As the walkers gathered
on the smooth floor. each .-gemmau' and
lady dressed an the brightest and best
he OF she had, the tars became dumb with
establishment.
Wonder if they dress like that all the
time My word. but they re- tOpUerS-'
and other ordinations of wonder and adj
mIratIou passed from seat 10 seat. Only
one in the whole crowd had ever seen "A
CakcWalll before. and that was I'm London.
Tie is the boatswain Of the Erin. But
Isy Gidu dress like that there, he said.
II never seen such clothes"
The conditions of the contest were eN-
planned and then the walkers took JheI~
places and the march began II was no.
long before each had picked his favorite,
and Shillugs were bet with "A freedom
that. only jack ashore is familiar with.
Some picked the short ones. some the Ions,
ones. some the fat ones, and some the
lean ones. but each had his choice and
stuck 10 IL until he or she wac declared
ont Of the contest. And each encouraged
his iaNoritc with word and hand whenever
proximity permitted But when the real
fancy ~t.ppers came along there was not
n word from the whole crowd Olly for
"a few minutes. however Tor then they
burst into storm of applause that
drowned AN other noises. even that or the
band. The victors We're greeted ,gilh an
equal amount Of noise and she-t tho sail
Cr5 were served with refreshments ia am
other part Of the grounds.
The features Iu the par' were visited
but the one that pleased them most was
the electric fountain. when aS many ass
could feel the shock Joined hands and felt
'ths uckliu'."
Some or them left the pa-k soon arr.r
the caiswalk was finished. but they aIr
met 40 the trolley ear station ~ I o.eTaef.
in The morning and started for their ships