Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1874-12-09

~ Wub bupponcu tuo scciot"Ay "nn oiN-
ing around had not appeared when the
first gun fired on the river front. Peal
after peal followed and still no car
riage. At length, just us the admiral
had given himself over to absolute des-
pair, up came the carriage, driving
furiously, and envcloped in cloud Of
dust. II seemed that one heavy gen.
tlemen of the secretary's party chose
to drive around, and, hearing the first
gun of the salute, the driver had Mt
tempted to reach the ground so that
the guest might not miss any part Of
the reception. II was natural that all
should suppose the secretary to be in
that carriage, and the appearance Of
the stout gentleman confirmed the be-
lief, so the admiral anc all his officers
gave the customary salutation in splen-
did style. The four companies Of ma.
rines presented arms, and tho band
went into ccstncies. At this juncturc
the strange gentlemen got out, and
the admiral was advancing toward
him, when messenger came up and
informed him that the secretary had
landed at the wharf, and was there
alone. The strange gentleman was
left TO his fate, and under the swift
orders of the admiral the whole force
started on doublc-quick for the wharf,
the officer in advance, and the battalion
of marines, with its band, preceding,
followed close after. The marines be-
ing more accustomed to double-quick
step than the admiral and his officers,
gained on the latter, and as the hurry
ing column pressed on IL was well
closed up. Then came the crowning
catastrophe. Turning sharp corner
in the road, where it passed between
two high buildings, and where the
echo was altogether confusing, the ad-
miral and his companions bore directly
down upon the still more astonished
secretary, and the next instant the
drum major, with his big fur cap and
baton, projected himself into the official
presence, followed by drums and brass
horns in dire confusion, and an instant
later, the column of marines tclescopcd
the whole party, after the manner Of a
railroad collision.
The situation was at least grave
The admiral had grasped the secreta-
ry's hand at the first meeting, and was
trying to explain, when the player on
the biggest horn arrived, and before he
could halt had run the instrument
over the secretary's shoulder, till, seen
from his own party, the illusion of his
having Joined the band was complete.
And to make matters worse, the thun-
der of the last guns of the salute was
rattling between the buildings, render
ing explanations on either side almost
impossible. But after some two min
utes, which to the admiral seemed rs
many hours, the salute ended, the ma
rines regained their ranks, the band
got itself together and Withdrew to
one side, and the admiral soon ex-
planned how he had been misled by the
message from Master - that the
secretary will drive around" a0t
As the reception had been thus some
what marred when judged by naval
standards, the battalion of marines was
marched to the parade ground, where
they were reviewed by the secretary,
Here everything passed off with the
strictest regard 10 tactices, except that
the secretary, instead of standing OPP
posite the colors when the line formed