The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-08-10
BOB HALL
The Cabin Boy of the Cumberland
Was Drowned in 80 and Mother
in '76--The Romantic Adventure
Of Brooklyn Matron--Truth
Stranger than Fiction.

by the rebel iron clad Merrimac, off
Newport News. The fight lasted two
hours. When the Cumberland went
down many Union tars were drowned.
Aboard the ill-fated vessel were many
Young Brooklynites, some of whom are
now in this city occupying high places.
When the vessle went down several small
boats and barges shot ont from Newport
News, where were encamped the Union
troops. and picked upnearly all the crew
Among those missing was one who was
a great favorite with all the crew. He
was young man named Rob Hall, who
had only gone aboard the vessel the day
she left the Brooklyn navy yard.
Hall was small'in stature, and not
handsome, as small pox had left its
marks on his youthful countenance.
Monday afternoon two tars, with the
word Brooklyn" in gilded letters on
their caps walked into the ''Unique. on
Fulton street After spending an hour
in drinking they sauntered forth, and
took mp position on the corner of Myr-
tie avenue and Fulton street. They had
not stood there long when a lady, ac-
companied by two ch;idren-one on each
side of her-passed down Myrtle ave-
nue.. She looked sharpely at one of the
sailors, whose name is Mike Crawford.
Mike returned the glance, and said to
his companion.
.'Say mate let rs follow that yacht
with the two jolly-boats in her wake
Mike and his companion walked after
the lady, and she turned her Lead sew
eral times, and by her looks seemed to
court their attention.
ssSay, Nike" remarked that gentle
mans companion, sswe are being fooled
by this woman. She is a land shark,
trying to tow us into some den and do
for us.
ssNot so mate" said Mike. GIVE
seen that little craft before, I'll swear.
Landsharks don't cruise around in the
company of smaller craft like those jolly
boats"
"All right; I only spoke my feelings.
What does lady like that want to do
with two poor tars. [ tell you mate
there is something wrong"
''Let US sail up along side of her, re-
marked Mike. 1--WE are sneaking along
in her wake like pirate; let US board
her.
The two sailors quickened their foot
steps, and at the corner of Jay street and
Myrtle avenue they came up with the
lady. When she saw the sailors the wo-
man turned around and said, 'sAIike do
not follow me.
When Mike heard the lady call him
by name he was dumbfounded, but re-
covering himself he said,'' Beg your
pardon mum, but-but-"
The lady smiled, saying, ''There is
no harm in what you have done. / my
self was to blame. If it is convenient
would like to meet you this evening at
No. 163 Gold street."
The sailors retraced their footsteps to
Fulton street, and over sundry glasses
of lager discussed their adventure
'Why," said Mikes companion, Bos-
ton,.' I'll bet you lager for everybody in
the honse, that 1 can tell you where that
woman met you before
Mike hesitated, and vigorously
scratched his head. AT last he seemed
to give up in despair. ''I'll bet you,
Boston. IL you know, I would gladly
pay for the grog to find OUT
Don't you remember, Mike, the time
you were in the hospital at Washington. p"
Mikes eyes frightened, as he said,
II rather think you are right, but 1
remember the nurse who took care of
me. She was tall woman with red
hair this one is not tall, and her hair is
black
After cruising around town until
about eight o'clock, the two tars pro-
ceeded to the address given by the lady.
The door was opened by stout gen
tleman with heavy black side-whiskers.
He seemed to expect the coming of the
sailors, as he said:
''Walk right in gentlemen"
The two tars were seated in the par
Tor, and the gentleman excused himself
to his visitors, and left the room. Mike
and Boston were engaged in discussing
the merits of handsome oil painting
which hung upon the wall, when the
host returned, leading by the hand the la
dy whom the two sailors met on Myrtle
avenue in the afternoon. She shook
hands with Mike, and was by him intro
duced to Boston.
'l've been looking over my log book
mum, and now L remember you,' re-
marked Mike Crawford.
The lady blushed and said; ssMike,
where did you see me before?"
''Why, you were one of the nurses in
the hospital in Washington. in 81.
Don't you remember was shot through
the shoulder, and the surgeon said I
would die
The woman laughed heartily.
''No, it was not there l saw YOU Ny
name Is Cnrren; perhaps that will help
you to RECOGNIZE ME; this gentleman is
my husband. Guess again, Nike"
Crawford was puzzled. Mr.. Curren
and his wife smiled at this astonished
sailor Mike at last gave it up in des-
pair
L L