The Butler weekly times., 1909-03-04

her sink" The storm lasted abou
20 hours. The ocean was on ram
page about right. Our chief amuse
ment was to promenade on deck anC
watch flying fish. We played many
pranks on each other. There was 6
play card stuck up. Anyone that
could see the Meridian line, the Cap
OF the boat would give them 81, 900
Oh course, he had number of so,
called rubes to bite. We most Ger.
tsinly had some fun out OF them
They sat up all night on deck to see
the line.
Well, | have to tell youin regard TO
our dining room, which was on deck
when pretty weather. We had or rath.
er the Cap. had a pilot, and that
must have been his first trip, or he
had an awful mean heart. About meal
time 1t was bis turn TO go on post
bet that fellow got more cussings
than anybody. just as soon as he
would take hold OF the pilot wheel,
the old boat would begin to surge,
plunge, leap ike a broncho. Just as
sure as We would get our mess kits
filed and comfortably seated on
deck, down the old boat would 90,
you would think her old nose would
go to the bottom OF the ocean. All at
once she would roll over on her side
like u horse with the collie. Sometimes
the water would rush over the deck
a foot deep. You would be lucky to
save your mess kit, much less your
vitals. Not saying any thing about
being nearly drown, possibly rushed
to one side OF the boat 30 fast that
you would crack your head against
the side railing, fine business We
arrived In Manila bay, Dewey's bat
tie ground, day before Christmas.
Stayed In that harbor two weeks
waiting to be assigned TO some post.
Finally received orders, then emi.
grated TO Batangus. Took on $50
PHILIPPINE prisoners. Then we went
by Malihi Prison Island. We had to
learn to walk by this time. We we're
on board 45 days or more, and
owing to the lack OF exercise, this
boat was very small, you couldn't
ever kick on the treatment OF that
pilot, but what you hit somebody. |
Two years hence we went aboard
the Big Sheridan, a palace alongside
ofthe Fitzpatrick, Our company was
about hall.
I'll tell you when the band played
Home Sweet Home" we did some
cheering A happy LOT, t,even those in the
hospital were wearing smiles. L was
taken out OF the let reserve hospital
at Manila, carried to the boat in a
hospital ambulance. | was too weak
to stand, as had been down with
lever and dysentery for over two
months. | had been separated from
my company this long and seeing
ry old chums and the grand old
steaming up to take her
voyage toward home, certainly
ooked good to me. We stopped at
Nagasaki, Japan, for two days; also
Honolulu on our return home. Ev.
wss splendld-s fine voy rage,
music and dancing every night.
There were about 2,2OO on this
boat. Fine dining rooms, steam
cookers, good Ice water, a fine com.
nissary. Everything was ideal, even
he weather and the pilot. It's not
% bad. A fellow can learn some.
hing. Well, every fellow to his own I
deas. l will have to complete my
title piece by telling you OF our little
rip from Manila to Iligan, Minda.
os, on a Spanish craft. We boys
I've it the name Of Krag Jargeson.
t had q Chinese crew. The old Capt.
'ss q Spanisrd. He had a barrel OF
line Tor bis own special use. He
ept the barrel right outside Of his
abin doors One night the boys
apped the barrel by boreing small
ole near the bottom inserted a pipe
tenn. You know the rest. The
ext day some Of them were feeling
retty good, and the Capt. wanted
0 know where the boys found their
pirits. The old Capt. OF the boat
as dased when he discovered bis
Inc was all gone. We we're out for
little fun. Do you blame us? Nov
don't like wine. II was fun to see 9
be bows lie down and mil on thotI