contaminating influence of the "oldsters" upon the
"youngsters" was a thing to be known no more forever, albeit the hint of
contamination always seemed, to the writer, questionable, as, in his
experience, the habit and propensity of the youngsters for mischief
appeared to require neither promotion nor encouragement. Indeed, their
methods and ingenuity in evading rules and regulations and defying
discipline were as original as they were persevering, and could the
third-story room of the building occupied by the subject of this sketch
be given tongue, it would tell a tale of frolic and drollery that would
only find parallel in the inimitable pages of Marryatt. Convenient
apparatus for the stewing or roasting of oysters, poaching of eggs, or
the mixing of refreshing drinks, could be readily stowed away from the
inspecting officer, or a roast goose or turkey be smuggled by a trusty
darkey from some restaurant outside; and it was but the work of a moment
after taps to tack a blanket over the window, light the gas, and bring
out a dilapidated pack of cards for a game of California Jack or
draw-poker; or to convert the prim pine table into a billiard-table,
with marbles for balls, with which the ownership of many a collar,
neckerchief, shirt, and other articles of none too plentiful wardrobes,
were decided in a twinkling, while the air of the crowded room grew
thick and stifling from the smoke of the forbidden tobacco. One of the
company would keep a sharp lookout for the possible advent of the
sometimes rubber-shod passed midshipman doing police duty, and, if
necessary, danger signals would be made from the basement story, by
tapping on the steam-pipes, which signal would be repeated from room to
room, and from floor to floor, generally in ample time for the young
bacchanalians to disperse in safety. If, perchance, the revelers got
caught, they would stand up at the next evening's parade and hear the
offence and demerits accorded, read out in presence of the battalion,
with an easy _sang-froid_ that piqued the sea-worn experience of the
oldsters while they marveled. Let no one judge these lads too harshly,
for the day came, all too soon, when they were to stand up in face of
the enemy, and, with equally nonchalant but sterner courage, go into
battle in defence of the flag they were being trained to defend, many
winning undying honor and fame, some meeting untimely but heroic graves,
in "the war that kept the Union whole."

Ou