Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-21

always against the iong-hoped- for
day when we might eventually be re-
leased, and which made a brave show
of color. with a brand-new set OF rib
bons, etc. i started In no way be-
hind my comrades In showing our
guards how the British army turned
out for their great national "Bai-
ram" as the Turks call their feasts.
Twelve o'clock, therefore, found me
seated at my little camp table in my
best attire, which. I trust, did no
discredit to the army" downstairs
or elsewhere. On the sound Of the
midday gun the door opened, and
Ankers appeared. carrying a dish,
about which there was a certain sug-
gestion Of eggs. and respondent him
self down to the last buckle and
button.
He wished me a Merry Christmas"
which reciprocated. and 7 then told
him how proud I felt OF their pluck.
and how I hoped they would allow
me to come 70 see the mems dinner,
| according 10 immemorial custom of
the army He said that they would
be delighted. and so I got him away
as soon as possible with his wonder
Immediately followed by Carter,
| whose appearance was, II anything.
even more Respondent, but who was
sadly weak, as he had long suffered.
even more severely than the rest,
from an acute digestive disorder.
His masterpiece was a plum pud-
ding" %, made, as I learned after
ward. from crumbs which they had
swept up from the now very weevily
dust remaining from our tins of army
biscuits, long since considered as IN
ished. but at which he had been
working for weeks to produce from
them some semblance of a pudding.
This also was rapidly passed over,
though II was insisted that I should
cut off piece; and he then also left
me.
Last Of all. Icadbeater appeared
with a tart, made 1 know not how.
but which he was graciously pleased
to allow me to admire without de-
tracing from its magnificent appear
ance or interfering with the elabo-
rate motto OF "A Merry Xmas" which
distinguished its truly wonderful
crust" II was then agreed that /
should join them downstairs in Ave
minutes time, and assist at their fes-
| tivities. and he then "tottered off,
after the others
7 FOUND myself now faced by the
most dificult problem OF all,
which was to get downstairs myself
However. there being at the moment
! no Turks about to see me, I made a
great effort, and, sticking close to
the walls, eventually reached the
head OF the very dIlapidated stair
| case, where / was at once in appar-
the absence Of any form Of banister
or handrail There, having made
quite certain that I was unobserved,
L got down on my hands and knees
and so descended backward with
great success, regaining my feet
against the wall at the foot OF the
staircase before reaching the mems
door, when I knocked, and was at
once told to come in"
The few odd old boards which
| served as a table were covered with
| towel, scrupulously clean, as were
also our few apidated iron cups
| and plates. the table being already
spread with the "delicacies" which I
| had passed in review upstairs, the
mon on my arrival standing to at
tention" with marked and rather I'M
expected success.
The first proceeding was, OF course,
TO sit down as soon as possible, be-
fore any one had time to fall down,
of which there was very imminent
danger. I then addressed them, and
asked by what possible means they
had managed to provide this repast.
In which 1 saw signs OF eggs, raisins
and other unheard-of delicacies which
were far beyond our means.
For long time they would not tell
me- but was very insistent. and at last
the secret came out, told in almost a
whisper, as they knew we'll I should
never have allowed it had I known what
| they proposed to do. They confessed
! that they had sold their socks, rather
than be unable to keep up the tradition
OF the British army. by some attempt,
| however poor. to celebrate their Christ
mas day In their quarters, as Is the Gus
tom throughout the British army. then
| told them what wanted to say to them,
and did say, which cannot have differed
muchs expect, from what those who
read this story would have wished to
say to such glorious men as these had
they been privileged, as I was, to ad-
dress them at that moment
Finally. asked the men IL they would
back me up II tried to sing God Save
the King" Some very weak voices an
swered me that they were willing
enough to try. IL I SO wished, but that
| they feared it was beyond their powers
20 do themselves JUSTICE" This feeling
| I perfectly understood, and I therefore
stood UP. and they with me, and, taking
of our caps. we gave. with all the
strength we could muster, three very
trembling cheers for '.the King
much fear that they were very weak
| and quavering cheers, but the hearts
| that beat behind them were stout and
| strong and true. I feel confident that II
his gracious majesty could have heard
them hs would have appreciated them
l - deeply ~ many far more powerful
ones he has heard from the lusty threats