Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-09-13
lE The following bit of romance in the life

~ Inc IOlIOWlng Dlt OF romance In the life
of Lieut.. Msury is related by Mr.. Willis in
this weeks Home Journal:
I'm the earlier days of his professional ca.
reer, the present Commander was a midsbip-
man on board one of the slOops of war sent 70
cruise in the Pacific. The dutv be;no na;niy
TO give authoritative countenance 70 The mer
ehant vessels In those seas, much of their time
OF course, was passed in the anchorage of the
different islands; and Maury having always a
Taste fOr languages, had employed his many
an-idle hour, as coxswain Of the go-ashore
boat, In mastering the dialects of the natives
30 successful had he been in this volunteer
study that he became. at last, the regular in
terpreter, and was the main channel of COM
munieatiOn between the Commodore and the
petty soyereigns of the islands
The thing he most struggled with, in those
days, was constitutional bashfulness and he
was not little fisbbergasted, therefore, when
he was summoned to the quarterback one
bright morning, to interpret between the Com
mander and young Owhyhee princess, the
favorite daughter of the Chief Of the island
where they were anchored. She had swum off
to the ship and climbed up the side, and now
stood In her all tropical florescenee an ex-
qulsltely developed young woman of sixteen,
draped mainly in her flowing tresses and her
unconscious modesty, and gesticulating in the
most lively manner, to the very great admira-
tiOn Of the officers and crew She had eyi-
IDENTIFY message Of Importance to communi.
cate.
'Obedient to the summons, of course. the
gOld-laced cap of the young interpreter-middy
maze It's appearances; and he proceeded to
open communication with the fair UndiDc-
getting sides intimation from the officers au-
dlenced about on the gun-carriages and port
holes, that the dialogue of inquiry should be
prolonged as far as possible
lie was not long in learning her errand-
but how, with his bashfulness, to translate it to
the Commodore and those groups of listening
Lieutenants 1t was no less than an authori-
tative expression of the Islands admiration of
his superior knowledge as shown in the mas
tery OF their language, and proposal for the
honor of his hand. The girl had swum off as
her fathers ambassador, to make the offer of
hersef-the answer being awaited on shore in
full council Of warrior-chiefs,
The difficulty of ofmaintaining the proper ouar-
ter,deek gravity, or Of so REFRESHING the -mirth
OF the surrounding epaulettes not to give Of
tense to the native pride of the auto-ouestiop-
popping Princess, was considerable Maury
has no recollection, at present, whether he him
self stood on his head or his heels during the
interview. The Commodore was discreet, how
ever, and 1t was soon understood that the legate
OF foreign power was to be treated with re-
sFect, whether the diplomatic drapeIy were
more or less entire, and the proposal was to be
respectfully received The ward-room boat
was meantime ordered to be manned, and the
ship newest flag spread in the seats to enyel-
Op the royal unclad on her less water-draped
Return Maury was TO 20 as coxswain. and re-
store the lady to her parents; but his orders
were discretionary. He was to make every as
suranee Of amity between the United States
and the Pacific, and get clear, if he Practically
eo1ld-but, on no account to make any such
rejection OF the proposed honor as would lead
TO a misunderstanding.
was n mill of u,ila t,vo A. go -.
smooth, and the tars were willing for once TO
SIT with their backs to the bow. The officer
and his flag -enyeloped passenger had the con-
versatiOn all to themselves; and he was busily
oJgitating, in the bashful parlor of his mind.
how he should behave under the probable cir
enmstences-phase LIST, ID, or 3d-when the
young lady Unexpectedly jumped overheard
and swan the rest of the way to the beach:
taking TO her heels, on arriving at the sand
with celebrity for which he could in no way
account. Was she angry Was there proba-
bility Of his being disemboweled and burnt If
he should try to Oyertake and explain? He
concluded that 1t was best, on the whole to
carry out the COmmOdOre's policy; and, by
following up the fugitive, to get Il chance, per-
haps. 10 pacIfy the papa. So. leaving the boat
drawn up on the beach, he took his way alone
to the chiefs bungalow.
1T was sOme little distance inland and, on
arriving, he found he was considerably expect
tiOn for n festivity, the tables spread ior a
royal banquet, and the fruits and drinks in
abundant prOdigslity. The chiefs were al.
resdy in a state Of excitement, which preclud.
ed all explanation or modification Of plans
There was nothing to do but to yield to cir
cumstances. He must marry Ia Ia Owhyhee
and she) to keep the pease and protect the
commerce of the nation.
''The delays were apparently inconsiderable
In very short time the runaway bride ap-
peared, dressed in all manner of Pacific orna-
ments, and attended by her mother and beyy
Of sister islandresses. The Commodore was
either not expected, or not missed; the cere-
mOny was performed what there was of III
With only native witnesses, and things pro-
ceeded as usual
For the remaining winter months the slOop
was anchored at the same island, and Prince
Msury, Of course, had q nice opportunity to
become acquainted with the manners and Gus
toms. His eopper-cOlored papa proved very
gentemanly, and, as long as be stayed, he was
most ahectionately treated. His subsequent
half century, as the world of science so well
knows, has been devoted to the study of ma
lures more universal unexpectedness the
charm OF this first lesson, acting, perhaps. as
an initiative relish; but whether 40 or not the
OBhyhee romance, as prelude to a very dis
ungplshed mans lifelong pursuits, is well
worth preserving for his biOgrapher''