The National tribune., 1902-01-23

SAID THE DEACON.
end in one hand and n Delaying pin in
the other. That's who they must be pre-
paieQ to meet. My crew can meet any
body they please on shore, but on this
ship they amt allowed to meet anybody
but me, and the less they meet me the
better they like it.
You irreverent scOffer. Judgment Will
overtake you sooner or later.
We'll, the hose'n overtake you, which'll II
be a mighty sight worse, you serrel-tOpped
circuit-Iider, if you don't go back into
the cabin and stow your CAB. Don't al
low no back talk from nobody afore
breakfast, and mighty few after. 'Spe-
cially from hay-seed passengers
The Deacon happened to look toward
one of the hoscmen, and saw that he was
working to around toward accidentally
dousing him with Il few tons of almost
freezing Potomac water, and that the 9th
ers We're looking out of the corners of
their eyes i'll joyous anticipation Of his so
doing.
The Deacon got down the cabin hatch
way Just in time to spoil their fun, but
not to escape quart or more of chill
water down the back of his neck.
Probably the wrecked sailors who
have 20 live off boiled boOt-legs and each
other get about what they deserve he
unused. While I'd hate awfully to have
to eat one of them bloated wretcheS, no
matter how he was served up, I'd like to
see that Mate have to"
Presently the gong rang for breakfast,
and the Deacon took his place at the
table, and noted its curious arrangements.
There was a high ledge around it to pre-
vent the dishes sliding off when the YES
sci rolled; racks to hold the glasses and
cups, and the cruetS and other things
were fastened down.
'Of course, taking your meals at sea
must sometimes be much more tumultucIS
and athletic than it is on the Wabash
packets he thought, comprehendinS the
use of these things; but it'll be mighty
stormy day when | don't get enough to
eat, if it's anywheres around
1t was a pretty poor breakfast for a
man who had just come from Wizards,
but there was plenty of the substantials,
and the Deacon did not grumblc, since
the price would not come out of his corn
pens. After his meal he went up on deck
to see the vessel cast loose and start on
her voyage.
The sun had risen brightly. making a
delightful Winter day, and wherever the
Dcacon's eyes turned he saw something of
highest interest and Importance.
The Potomac, far broader than any
river he had ever seen, was crowded with
all kinds of shipping; majestic men-Of-
war, sullen little gunbOats, nosing around
as if hunting for trouble; great river and
ocean steamers, and transports and sail
ing vessels of all sizes, rigs and previous
conditions of usefulness. Busy tugs ran
everywhere. whistling, putting, st0rming,
scolding, bringing the big battered men
of-war up to the Navy Yard for repairs
towing the recuperated warriors back into
the channel, to start again for the scene
of battle.
Immediately before him was the IA
nous Long Bridge, over which a million
men had marched to the bloOdiest fields
in history, tens of thousands of them to
find there the serenity of eternal rest. A
temple-like front of Arlington marked
where 10000 soldiers of the Republic
awaited in perpetual silence the Great
Reveille.
The great circle of hills by which Wash
ington is enringed were crowned every
where by heavy forts with high banks of
red clay, from which yawned the huge
mouths of heavy artillery. Flags flew
above each, and music tloated down from
the parading garrisons.
so this is Alexandria" said the Nea-
con, as q short run brought them to the
spot which had been so much in the pub
lie eye since the beginning of the war.
Cant say that as town it compares
with Evansville, Injianny. Apparently
ers around there, though there's plenty
for them to do, goodness knows. Looks
rs if they hadn't driven nail or spread
on n pound of paint since before Injianny
was settled. Wonldnt We .,iven man
like Ellsworth for bakers dozen such
towns"
The river broadeIc.l constantly, with
passing on to Washington, or
coming back from the capital, with war
battered monitors and Elrn Of-war limp
ing up TO the Navy Yard. or steaning
away again in all the pride of renewed
strength and power. with swift little gun
boats yigilantly patrolling the broad ex-
panse and tie endless indentations of the
shores.
The venerable masonry of Fort Wash
n.ton, with its monster 15-inoh Column
biads, impressed him deeply. lie invel-
raised his hat when The bell
.ol!ej to announce passing Mount Vernon.