Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-07-26
BOB HALL.

The Cabin BOY Of the CumberIand-was
Drowned in '62, and a Mother In ,76-
Tho Romantic Adventure of a Brook
lynn MatrOn-Truth Stranger than Fic-
ton.
Brooklyn Sunday Sun.
On the afternoon of March 9Th. 1862.
the sloop-of-war Cumberland was sunk
by the rebel ironclad Merrimac. off
Newport News. The fight lasted two
hours. When the Cumberland went
down many Union tars were drowned.
Aboard the Inflated vessel were many
young Brooklynites, some of whom are
now In this city occupying high places.
When the vessel went down several
small boats and barges shot out from
Newport News, where were encamped
the Union troops, and picked up nearly
all the crew. Among those missing was
one who was a great favorite with all
the crew. Ne was a young man named
Bob 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 smallpox had left its
marks on his youthful countenance.
Monday afternoon two tars, with the
word I" 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 up a position on the corner of
Myrtle avenue and Fulton street. They
had not stood there long when lady,
accompanied by two children-one on
each side of her-passed down Myrtle
avenue. She looked sharply at one of
the sailors, whose name is Mike Craw-
ford. Mike returned the glance, and
said to his companions:
"Say, mate, let us follow that yacht
with the two jolly-boats in her wake"
Mike and his companion walked after
the lady, and she turned her head sew
eral times, and by her looks seemed to
court their attention.
"Say, Nike" remarked that gentle
mans companion, we are being fool
ed by this woman. She is landshark,
trying to tow us into some den and do
for us"
mot 80, 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."
CAL right; 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."
remarked Mike. ave 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 woman turned around and said,
Mike do not follow me-"
When Mike heard the lady call him
by name he was dumbfounded, but
recovering himself he said, beg your
pardon mum, but-but-" -
The lady smiled, saying, "There is
no harm in what you have done. /
myself was to blame If it is conven-
lent l would like to meet you this even
ing at No. 1913 Gold street."
The sailors retraced their footsteps to
Fulton street, and over sundry glasses
of lager, discussed their adventure
" Why" said Hikes companion, Bor-
ton, "1'n bet You lager for everybody
in the house, Lnat ! 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. If you know, would gladly
pay for the grog to find out"
"Don't you remember, Mike, the
time you were in the hospital at Wash
ington.'
Mixes eyes frightened, as he said,
=" rather think you are right, but /
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 a
stout gentleman 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
lor, and the gentleman excused him
self to his visitors, and left the room.
Mike and Boston were engaged in did
cussing the merits of handsome Oil
painting which hung upon the wall,
when the host returned, leading by the
hand the lady whom the two sailors
had met on Myrtle avenue in the after
noon. She shook hands with Mike,
and was by him introduced to Boston.
GIVE been looking over my log book,
mum, and now / remember you," re-
marked Mike Crawford.
The lady blushed and said: mike,
where did you see me beforew
"Why, you were one of the nurses IN
the hospital in Washington, in ga.
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 I saw you. Ny
name is Curren; 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 the astonished /
sailor. Mike at last gave it up in de-
spair.
II know" he said, 1T have met you;