Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-07-13
Sailor BOYS in the Navy.

On bright morning in May. steam
cutter, towing heavy launch, puffed up t
the port gangway of a United States train
ing ship, then lying at her mooring in
Nor b river, off Twenty third street, New
York city. 1t was the IL o'clock boat
from the shore-the recruits boat-anc
the launch was we'll filled with BOYS o
from II to Is years of age, eager to enlis
in the navy, attended by their parents ol
guardians. On one of the after-thwart
sat pale, sweet-faced woman. dressed il
mourning, with her son at her side. Tn,
boy had evidently had a careful training
He was tall and quite robust. His face
showed intelligence and refinement, anC
his quick eye seemed to take in every de.
tail of the ship and its accoutrement.
The massive hull, glistening with fresh
black paint, relieved only by broad streak
of white; the long rows of heavy guns the
tall masts seeming to pierce the sky; the
wilderness of ropes and rigging; the sails
loosed and hanging in graceful festoons u
the yards the fleet of boats trailing, some
astern and some from the long booms pro
jecting from the sides; the marines on
guard on the forecastle and gangway-
nothing indeed escaved the eager lad Sud
denly the mother touched her son with "a
gesture of alarm.
"See there, Edward, and there!'
A boy in neat duck suit, with he name
of the ship in gilt letters on his cap ribbon,
was dangling from the side in "boat-
swain's enair," cleaning the brass rim of
an air port, and quite indifferent to the
rushing water Il few feet below. Another
had Just run out on the boom projecting
from the ships side, and dropped-over-
board seemingly; but no! for he was seen
the next moment in one of the boats,
lounging in the stern sheets. Before any
comments could be made, three piercing.
prolonged whistles, followed by the loud
order, given on the ship, to "furl sail" was
the signal for crowds of boys TO swarm
through the port holes, and over the ham
mock nettings, and climb upon the broad
ladders which converged at the tops of the
masts. On the shearpoles and lower rat
lines they paused impatient for the order
to 90 aloft, and when it came, away they
went like monkeys, racing to see which
would reach the tops first.
The timid mother looked up at the long
lines of boys far above her in the foot-ropes
of the yards, tugging at the heavy sails,
and then turned to her son. "Oh Edward,
| never, never can consent"
But her sons interested eeager face,
flushed with excitement, m her gaze,
and before he could make any reply, the
boat was at the gangway, and those on
board we're fastening up the long COM
panion ladder and descending to the deck
on the other side. A bridge was built
across the deck ust abaft the mainmast
On his the captain was standing, AMI also
the executive officer, the next in command.
The latter had taken the deck when 'all
hands" were called to furl sail, and still
held the trumpet. Both officers wore
their appropriate uniforms. They were
looking down at the crowd which had just
come on board, and the captain arked
as he left the bridge:
Better look those boys over, Mr.. B.,
and sft out those who are obviously unfit
before they go down to the office"
The executive officer leaned over the rail
of the bridge, and called to the corporal of
the guard on duty at the gangway. who
stepped to the bridge and saluted.
"Pck out the boys who come to ship,
and form them in line On the port side OF
the quarter deck, and have their friends go
below"
The corporal again saluted, and went to
his duty. In few moments n line of boys,
some % in number, were toeng seam
and ready for inspection. The officer came
down from the bridge, glanced quickly at
the different faces, and then stepped up to
an unhappy. looking youth whose bloated
face and beery breath showed signs OF re
cent intoxication.
"What are you here forP" he inquired,
sharply.
II want to ship, sir.'
when we're you drunk lastP'
81 never gets drunk. sir. never. Take a
glass O beer 'casionally, an l thought,
mebbe. it would reform me it''-
you have come to the wrong place.
said the officer, sternly. This is not a
reform school, and we want no drunkards
or vicious boys in the service. Fall out OF
the line! Corporal, take this boy to the
gangway and send him ashore in the first
boat
"And what led you to come herep" said
the officer, turning to led whose short,
stout figure and clean, good face had at
tracted him.
"My mother is widow, sir, and want
to help to take care of her. heard you
paid boys $40 month over and above
their board"
THAT will do. am sorry tor your
mother, my lad, and it is the proper thing
for you to do what you can to support her
but you have come to the wrong place
The law forbids tnat cent of your earn
ings shall 60 for the support OF any rels.
tive. A part of it is needed for outfit and
spending money, and the rest is kept on
the books for you until your discharge at
the age of 2l. Fall outr' And the lad
left the line with look Of disappointment
and went to the gangway.
How old are youp" the officer inquired
stopping in front of strapping fellow
nearly six feet high.
Nineteen, last December"
You are too old to ship, and too tall
Our limit of age is from l5 to 18 and oul
maximum height is five feet three inches
Fall out!
The next boy addressed was terror.
stricken lad, who was looking about him
as though trying to find way of escape.
"What brought you herep"
Father made me come" the boy re-
plied, whimpering.
Don't you come Of your own aocordr
"No, sir; I'd rather be thrashed than
come, Father swore he'd put me'-
THAT will do. Give my compliments
to your father and tell him this ship is not
penitentiary. but schools school for
good boys-boys that eau be trusted. Dc
you understand"
"Yes, sir"
Ill c,ll kha,, ~ a. L.. I 4 -. !