The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1859-10-08


$3.50
A Romantic Story of Lieut.. Maury
The following bit of romance in the life
of Lieut. Maury is related by Mr.. Willis in
the Home Journal:
"In the earlier days of his professional
career, the present Commander was
midshipman on board one of the sloops of
war sent to cruise in the Pacific. The du-
ty being mainly to give authoritative COUP
tenance to the merchant vessels in those
seas, much of their time, of course, was
passed in the anchorage off the different
islands; and Maury having always taste
for languages. had employed his many-an
idle hour, as coxswain of the go-ashore
boat, in mastering the dialects Of the ma
tiyes. So successful had he been in this
volunteer study that he became, at last, the
regular interpreter, and was the main chan
modore and the petty soyereigns of the
Islands.
''The thing he most struggled with, in
those days, was constitutional bashful-
ness; and he was not a little fabbergasted,
therefore, when he was summoned to the
quarter deck one bright morning, to inter-
pref between the Commander and young
| Owhyhee princess, the faverite daughter of
the Chief of the island where they were an
chored She had swan off to the ship and
climbed up the side, and now stood in all
her tropical forescenee, an exquisitely de-.
veloped young woman of sixteen, draped
mainly in her flowing tresses and her un
conscious modesty, and gesticulating in the
most lively manner, to the very great admit
ration of the officers and crew. She had
evidently message of importance to COM
municate. s- <.a
"Obedient to the summons, of course,
the gold-laced cap of the young Interpreter
midday made its appearance; and he pro-
ceeded to open communication with the fair
Undine-getting side information from the
officers audienced about on the gun-car
riages and portfolios, that The dialogue of
inquiry should be prolonged as far as pos
sible. ~
.'He was not long in learning her errand
but how, with his bashfulness, to trans
late it to the Commodore and those groups
of listening Lieutenants ? It was no less
than an authoritative expression of the
Islands admiration of his superior knowl
edge as shown in the mastery of their Ian
guage, and proposal for the honor of his
hand. The girl had SWAN off, as her faith
er's ambassador, to make the offer of herself
answer being awaited on shore in full coun-
Gil of warrior chiefs. "a,
"The difficulty of maintaining the proper
quarter deck gravity, or of so representing
the mirth of the surrounding epaulettes as
not to give offense to the native pride of the
autoquestion popping Princess, was con-
siderable. Maury has no recollection at
present whether he himself stood Oh his
head or his heels during the interview
The Commodore was discreet, however, and
it was soon understood that the legate of
foreign power was to be treated with re-
spect, whether the diplomatic drapery were
more or less entire, and the proposal was
to be respectfully received. The ward
room boat was meantime ordered to be man
ned, and the ships newest flag spread in
the seats to envelop the royal unclad on
her water draped return. Maury was to go
as coxswain, anu rescue the lady to her pa
rents; but his orders were discretionary
He was to make every assurance of amity
between the United States and the Pacific,
and get clear, if he practically could-but,
on no account to make any such reaction of
the proposed honor as would lead to misun-
Outstanding.
1T was pull Of mile or two, the sea
smooth and the tars willing for once to sit
with their. backs to the bow. The officer
and his fag-enveloped passenger had the
conversation all to themselves. and he was
busily cogitating, IN the bashful back par
lor of his mind, how he should behave I'M
der the probable cireumstances-phase 1st,
Cd, or 3d-when the young lady unexpect-
eddy 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 not account. Was she an
CRY ? Was there probability of his be-
ing disemboweled and burnt, if he should
try to overtake and explain He conclu-
ded that it was best, on the whole, to carry
out the Commodore's policy; and, by fol-
Lowing up the fugitive, to get chance,
perhaps TO pacify the papa. So, leaving the
boat drawn up 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
expected. There was every appearance of
preparation for festivity, the tables spread
for royal banquet, and the fruits and
drinks in abundant prodigality. The chiefs
were already in state of excitement which
precluded all explanation or modification of
plans. There was nothing to do but to
yield to circumstances. He must marry
"a la Owhybee and she }. to keep the peace
and protect the commerce of the nation.
1.-The delays were apparently inconsider-
able. In very short time, the runaway
bride appeared, dressed in all manner of
Pacific ornaments. and attended by her
mother and bevy of sister islandresses.
The Commodore was either not expected, |
or not missed; the ceremony was perform
ed { what there was of it, with only native
witnesses, and ''things proceeded as usual
ssFor the remaining winter months, the |
sloop was anchored at the same island, and |