Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-06

lust entered the High Schools from the
eighth grade-constituting the major por-
ton of the enlisted force. With very few
exceptions the regiment is clothed anew
each year, the uniforms being delivered
about the end of November. Then it is
that the heart of the High School boy Is
made glad AS a rule he is exceedingly
proud of his military attire, and no matter
how cold the weather may be any amount
of persuasion will not induce him to don
an overcoat until the newness of the SOL
der clothes wears away. This Is particu-
larly true of the officers. who of course,
are more gaudily attired than are the nom
commissioned officers and privates.
Il well recall my last year at the High
School. ! had been commissioned first
lieutenant. and ! was proud almost to the
bursting point. My uniform with its gold
lace trimmings arrived the day before
Thanksgiving Although on the holiday the
weather was bitterly cold L strutted about
the downtown streets the greater part of
the day without a top coat, immensely
pleased with myself and never giving heed
to the zero condition that prevailed. A
verse appeared in the school paper earlier
In the year which expressed the situation
with accuracy, as follows:
''Our officers bold
Won't mind the cold.
Without overeoats they'l II survive.
The frstyear cadet
VIII be envious, you bet,
When those shoulder straps arrive.
:: x q = x
The conductor of an elevator in a big
downtown office building appeared nervous
a few days ago. I've half a mind to ask
the superintendent to let me off for the re-
mainder of the day." he remarked. why?
Because there's evidently a hoodoo of some
sort at work, and feel almost sure that an
accident is going to happen to me or to this
car. / tell you, the feeling is mighty I'M
comfortable one. What has caused me to
worry? Well. sixteen people. by actual
count have told me this morning that last
night they dreamed about this elevator.
Now, you must admit that that's some
thing more than strange coincidence.
Il guess I'll feel better tomorrow If j
rest today" added the elevator man, as
he carefully started the car downward and
toward the basement where the superin-
tendent of the building has his headquar-
tiers.
q K = y y
number of sports who came here dur
Ing the races went away with the full un-
Outstanding of what is meant by the ex-
preston: Walking is good" In the bet
ting ring at the track every day were
well-dressed men who moved through the
crowds and displayed outward evidences of
prosperity. but who really showed on their
backs most of their earthly possessions.
They gave tips on the races. and when they
were fortunate enough to make good
guesses they picked up dollar or two.
When the races were over and it was nee
essary for these men to go to their homes
some of them found themselves without
the amount of cash demanded by the rail-
roads for their fare. Then they sought as
slstance from the authorities.
For a number of years Sanitary Officer
Frank. or Capt" Frank he is more
-. I'D
set apart to assist INDECENT persons to their
homes. and some of these sports who had
not succeeded in getting money from book
makers or others called upon him. Much
To their surprise they were informed that
the board of charities would listen to their
appeals.
IL guess I'm up against the real thing"
said a stylishly dressed young man who
called at the detective office one morning
this week and made known the object of
his visit. IF / go in the office wearing this
overcoat.' he said, they may tell me to
go and let my uncle have it, so l think
I'll not flash 1t up to them.
Taking of the overcoat and leaving it
with an acquaintance of a few minutes the
sport went out and found the clerk who has
charge of the charity fund. His appearance
was not that of man who needed charity,
nor could the clerk think that he was the
Kind OF a person who should receive the
benefit of the fund
"Nothin' doin' ;" was the mans only re-
Ni4th itlui htu anu dShtu IOl
coat
Walking Is good" he was told, and he
started off to find friend who might let
him have the price of car ticket.
r
cit may sound strange to Washingto-
mans remarked a naval officer to Star
man yesterday, but it Is fact that the
officers and men stationed at the Pensacola
navy yard are even now suffering severely
from an invasion of mosquitoes and flies.
They are never free from these pests even
In midwinter. To guard against them the
house of each officer is supplied with
mosquito cage. which Is almost continu-
ously occupied during the summer time
except at bedtime, and then nets are nee
essary. At times the mosquitoes are par
ticularly vicious and attack their victim
savagely. biting through stockings and I'M
derclothing without much trouble. Efforts
have been made to destroy the pests, but
so far with only Indifferent success"
*
1t Is confidently asserted that the new
army rife is the finest arm of it's kind In
the world. 1t is an Improvement on the
Krag-Jorgenssen, with which the army was
recently supplied. Its general superiority
was demonstrated at recent trials and the
department has ordered the construction of
800 at once for practical use. The new
piece weighs little less than nine and one
than the German rifle and the Mauser yet
has greater velocity and greater penetra-
ton. The rod bayonet is a feature of the
new rife. Its advantage Is said to lie in
the fact that 1t lightens the weight of the
gun and dispenses with the bayonet and
bayonet scabbard now in use and permits
the soldier 60 carry intrenching tools in
their stead.
Secretary Moody was one of the most
enthusiastic spectators at the recent West
Point-Annapolis foot ball game at Phila-
delphia, and was proud of the work OF the
middies. despite their defeat. He is OPP
posed to the proposition to abandon the
annual contest between the two academies,
but hopes that some plan will be adopted
by those in charge of the game by which
members OF Congress will be supplied with
tickets TO next years game. These games
are given under the auspices of the ath-
ietic committees of the two academies and
the War and Navy departments have moth
Ing to do with them except as the officials
may be Invited as guests. Secretary
Moody and Secretary Root were con
siderably embarrassed by the persistent