The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-28

~ Z WAS A SAILOR the boys
~ Of the street have beer
r 4 whistling; and certainly ap-
propriately.
All through the week II has been prac-
ticany impossible to walk down Penn
sylvania Avenue without seeing tbs
jaunty caps and wide-bottomed trousers
which distinguish American sailors.
They are here no more They left
this city for other ports. where the
'middies" will be further instructed in
the art OF being able seamen.
Yes. they are gone, and now many
washingtonians are forced to fall back
on other sources for amusement.
Two Of the old salts from the Florida
spent almost all OF their first shore
leave riding around the city in an "ob-
servation automobile
They Thought 1t Good.
is il good?'' they replied when asked
by their shipmates how they liked II
as it good?" they repeated. TRY it,
Their advice was followed. and from
that time on, during the entire stay OF
the crews in this city, the observation
auto got its full share Of the money
every Jack invariably saves until h'
strikes large city in which he car
blow it."
The crowds which visited the monitor
as they lay at anchor at the navy yard
were In doubt whether to be amuse,
or sympathetic at the tales OF woe toll
by the seamen.
One after another the ships are los
ing their mascots. The Florida lost
parrot. which. il is claimed. could Swea
I'm five different languages, and an in
curing landsman was solemnly assures
by massive old seaman. who has Gil
COMMUNICATED the globe almost as man,
times as he has fingers, that. II hatch
cd that bird myself. How? Had n he
a sittin' on the egg, OF course-and
raised him 'keerful.' too. He had JUS
one bad habit-it cost too much TO kee
him supplied with good chewin' tobac
CO."
Death Of "Billy."
The Arkansas also suffered a loss. Bill
~. the pet goat. died just before In
ship reached this city, but the Gre
stiH has two mascots on board-a mock
ing bird and a cat-which both nigh
and day combine in an earnest cffor
20 make life uubearable for the officer,
They are great favorites with the mel
however. and woe be unto him VIII
would dare to lay a harmful hand o
either Of "the twins"
The sailors evidently went into
mutual agreement to show or" befor
their future officers. by doing their wor
in a wonderfully quick. thorough man
ner. and also TO show up" the proven
biaI tales Of Jack Ashore" by stay
ing. for the most part. absolutely sober
Naturally enough. a few Of them wer
unable TO get past the swinging door
labeled Push" and awoke later poor
er and wiser men.
No Difference to Jack.
The poorer" part makes little or n
difference 20 the average Jncky-the
get ashore but seldom, and, as one q
the always thirsty class remarked. q
just do my best 70 make UP for loi
time
4 sailor ashore IS always a WELDON
sight to the storekeepers, for they kno7
he is a natural spendthrft. In tn
case. however there was d class Of ~
ture merchant princes who ''wishe
they'd stayed aboard" It was the sma
boys and young men who In some wa
got hold OF rowboats and literal
coined money carrying eager specta
tors near the ships.
Take you over? Row you over?
was heard from a dozen boys an
young men by every spectator VIII
looked as II he might wish a close
glance.
Ferry Charges High.
Did they charge high? They did. bu
they won't admit IL. and even their pa,
sengers say the trip was worth tit
being as much as they thought the VII
itor could be persuaded to giro.
The men. both sailors and officer
were obliging 10 everyone. and the Il
calls are willing 10 swear that N
United States has the best seamen an
the most gentlemanly and capable sc