The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1917-08-30
LETTER FROM A JACKIE"
At Naval Training Station August
20th 1917.

This morning we had Slight dis
agreement with the paymaster when
we were getting paid off, but with the
aid of few banana peels we slipped
into his "bean" the amount that was
coming to us, but on account of
my being in the hospital, better
known here as the sick boy, didn't
get anything
So far a few have shown symp-
toms of bein" home sick and go to the
"sick boy" for a few days until they
recover.
We get our mail twice daily, but
as my company has been transported
/ have never been transferred, my
mail goes on to Boston and / have to
be contented with reading the funny
sheet" of my "sick boy" mates mail.
AS one sea student toll dine, the
sea gulls ride the water much better
than ride square wheel bicycle |
looked at him like a northeast gale
and he "blew."
Some of the "sea students" seem to
find it quite difficult to climb into
their hammocks via hammock lad
der" which, by the way of explana-
ton. has two sides, an inside and an
outside. 1t takes quite while to dis
tinguish which is which, but after you
once master it the ladder is no longer
needed.
Now, for many people, both ashore
and afloat, who are not familiar with
the enlisted men of the navy and the
naval recruits and other outdoor
sports ashore, shall endeaver to en-
tighten YOU upon that subject first.
Perhaps you wonder how the lay
man can distinguish them from the
Irregular man o. warsman" why that
is easy. Listen. | will give you
few simple rules whereby YOU will
never make mistake. In the first
place they are mostly afflicted with
the wrist watch fever. Now another
one to observe is this, when they 60
ashore they will be duly armed and
equipped with one perfectly unsightly
even though efficient-pair of tor
toise- trimmed glasses, which they bal
ance most carefully on their cute lit
tie noses, with this information. you
can easily distinguish them from a
regular fellow"
Now / will give YOU a little "dope"
on the sports proposition. We have
a wonderful branch of the Y. M. G.
A. workers, who are always formulat-
ing some plan to get the boys into
the game of life. Of course we have
some very ambitious boxers, and to
hear them tell it. thew are anxious to
meet Jess Willard after he is laid up
with the rheumatism. OF course some
of them can deliver the goods" On
time and with full speed aheadAI
Among the many pool experts here,
we have one hailing from queer part
Of America. Said expert has a pecu-
liar way of saying just before a diff
ficult shot "You hold him, Cv.and I'll
wing him" I'll admit it's old stuff,
but even a hen needs grit these days.
AS before mentioned, the Y M. G.
A. men of this branch are on the job
most dav and night to make things
more jolly for all the boys.
Now, if there is anything in beans
and spuds, (potatOes) ITO make man
out of a fellow just Join the navy if
you want to be a man. You can 90
around recruiting stations and read
as follows:
"Join the navy. See the world. Save
your money. Serve your country
If they should happen to put it
correct it wauld read as follows:
"Join the navy. Sweep the floors,
Swab the deck Serve the beans"
AS the bugle has blown for IL m.
mess I'll have to close this letter and
90 get my beans. CIR.