The Muskogee cimeter. [volume] (Muskogee, Indian Territory, Okla.) 1901-19??, 1904-12-22
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once a year he lays himself out to
eclipse even himself, and that Is on
Christmas day. 1t matters nothing
where he may find himself-dodging
lccbergs in the northern seas, cruis-
Ing among palm-fringed Pacific ISL
ands, or i'm port 5000 leagues from
The lass he loves--it's all the same to
Jack; he means to have what he ex-
rressively calls high old time
and he has il.
And he sets about 1t thoroughly
and Systematically, as becomes
sailor. Long before he filings himself
into his hammock on Christmas eve
to dream, it may be, of the "old folk
at home" everything is practically
ready for the morrows feasting and
revelry. All day long busy hands have
deck into vertable fairy scene or
color and gaiety. Roses there are In
thousands, of all colors of the rain
bow, and all fashioned by clever fin
gers; furlongs of gay paper festoons;
devices and notices of all kinds gilt
er from the walls, and all SO skill
fully arranged and blended that one
is tempted to think that, after all.
Jack has missed his vocation and
should have been an artist
Now all Is ready for Father Christ
mas. First comes an impressive cere-
mony, when the men, in immaculate
duck, are paraded for service; the
DO ., In
the red cross pennon of the church
tinfolds in the breeze, and four or five
hundred lusty voices join with the
band in sending one good old Christ
mas hymn after another rolling up In
majestic volume of sound to the blue
of heaven. There Is no sermon, just
few hymns and prayers; but you
won't find a more impressive Christ
mas service the big world through.
Then come the finishing touches
10 the mess deck fairyland, each mess
trying it's hardest to eclipse all the
others in wealth and skill Of decora-
ton. AS the hour of noon draws near
the petty officers of the watch give
place to the smallest lads aboard, who
strut about in their mimic dignity
and send officers and crew into con.
vulsions of laughter. And then, at the
first stroke of eight bells the captain
and his officers pay their state visit
of inspection to the mess deck.
The plum puddings are sampled
amid deafening cheers, the decora-
tons are duly admired and praised,
and after few seasonable remarks
and good wishes the skipper with
draws himself and his suite, and the
feeding and fun" begin. Such feed
ing and such fun it is, too; but, in
delicacy, let us leave Jack to 1t and
join him again when the last mouth
full of plum pudding has vanished and,
seated and happy, he produces his
pipe-the crown Of the feast.
For hours now the innocent revelry
lasts. Songs with rousing choruses,
recitations, hornpipes, music on half
a score of instruments, follow one an
other in endless succession; jollity
rubs shoulders with sentiment, and
maybe roar Of laughter gives place
to a moist eye, tribute to the loved
ones far away, brought to mind by
tender song. For Jack has a very
tender heart and loyal memory.
diversion may take the form of
4 raid on popular officer and a chair.
ing and ovation, to which he submits
like well pleased. II embarrassed,
martyr. And thus the hours fly in a
jollity which will brighten by its mem.
Dry many long day to come. But :.
he longest and gladdest day has its
ending. "Out pipes" is sounded, and
when Jack at last tumbles into his
hammock, weary and happy, we may
be sure he needs no rocking.