The Jersey City news., 1902-11-18
CROP PSEY'S HUMOR.
Naval Prisoners on Their
Way to Boston Have
Lots of Fun.

Just as the quarter before five annex
boat was about to leave its slip yestet-
day afternoon for the Fail River line
pier, at which 1t stops on its way to
Brooklyn, nearly a score of jackies
marched ON the boat and occupied the
forward mems cabin. 1t was observed
that half of them were in blue serge
and the other half in white duck and they
were linked together by handcuffsl
When they had taken their seats two
marines with loaded rifles stood at the
door leading to the forward deck and
two others guarded the entrance to the
narrow passage connecting the forward
and aft cabins on the starboard side of
the boat. Beside the sailors the only
other passengers were Mr. T. J. Curtin,
buyer for John Mullins & Sons, of this
city and representative of THE News"
Mr.. Curtin att once became interested
and addressing a nice looking marine, he
asked what it all meant.
We've just come" he said, ssfrom
League Island. Philadelphia, and are on
oru way to Boston for the y. s. Southern
to serve our terms"
"For what?''
"Oh, desertion, drunkenness and other
things" he answered with a broad grin
Mr. Curtin at once Aemptied his pockets
of cigars, and his companion likewise,
which were thankfully received His in
formant added that the sentences of him
self and his comrades ran from one to
two years. 1t evidently had no terrors
for the majority of the men who joked
with their guard
CROPSEY'S HUMOR.
Suddenly bootblack entered and the
convicts yelled at him. Down he squat
ted and polished the boots of jackie
whom the others called "Cropsey." ;"
That gentleman, with scapegrace writ
ten Oh his face, puffed a cigar and
watched the polishing process with con-
siderable satisfaction. When it was over
he shouted to the sergeant in command !:
Hey, Dick, put that in the expenses
will yer?" and there was shout of
laughter, renewed, when. as the boat
drew out of the slip, he shouted, 81 hope
l haven't forgotten my dress suit case?'
One young sailor, evidently his first
experience as a convicted deserter ap-
peared to feel his disgrace keenly. He
didn't laugh or jest, but looked longingly
at the Brooklyn shore. He said some
thing to his companion chained to him.
but, that joker--it was "Cropsey''-
laughed. The other rose quickly. drag
ging his companion to his feet, and an
grily exclaimed:--
Il want to see Brooklyn for the last
time, and if you don't come I'll break
your ----- --- - wrist" Cropsey
went with him and they stood at the
door with their noses fattened to the
glass as long as glimpse of the Long
Island shore could be had.
BETRAYED BY A RELATIVE.
As the boat steamed up the river he
handed Mr.. Curtin two letters. one for
his wife and the other for his mother in
| Brooklyn, and begged that he would
mail them.
Il wouldn't have been nabbed," he
said sorrowfully, had it not been for
my wife's sister. She betrayed me-"
At the moment the boat touched the
Fall River line pier, the gang plank was
run over the side; harsh voice of COM
mand from the sergeant brought the
prisoners to their feet, and the last that
was heard of them was Cropsey shout
ing
| 'All off for the Horse Showv'