Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-11-29
" GIRL OVERBOARD!" /"
A Sailors Yarn OF How He Attended Z
His Business,

A Sailors Yarn OF How He Attended to
His Business.
had lust returned from one of the
periodical wild-goose chases after
wealth that occurred here so often in
the early times. 1t is needless to say
that had not made my fortune. Like
most of the miners, | had come back
s'broke" l was looking around for
something to do, when l found an
opportunity to go as second mate of
the bark What Cheer, bound for
Honolulu. l accepted the chance
gladly: was longing for voyage in
blue water and. bidding farewell to
San Francisco. we were soon bowling
along upon our voyage. We had few
passengers, most of them travelling to
the islands in search of health; one of
them, a Captain Hudson, of Marys-
vile, was going after his wife and
daughter, who had made the trip six
or eight months before for the benefit
of Mrs. Hudson's health. The voyage
and change had so improved her that
she now felt well, but so homesick that
she was anxious to get back to Marys
vile. Captain Hudson was an old salt
who had been long time ashore so he
was glad of this opportunity to make
trip with his old friend, the captain of
the bark, and intended to return with
US. He was a jovial old fellow, and
the best "yarn-spinner" l ever heard.
The voyage was pleasant one, and it
did not seem long before we sighted
the island of Oahu, and entered the
harbor of Honolulu.
The Hawaiian capital was then a
very lively port; whaleships were re-
pairing and fitting for the Arctic fish
ing grounds; others were loading with
oil for the long voyage round the
Horn" home, and two men-o'-war-
English and American-were lying in
the outer harbor. While we were in
port the American officers gave ball
on board ship, to which l received an
invitation. The main or spar-deck was
cleared, the guns run out, and an avn
ing housed the entire deck, which was
handsomely trimmed with flags of all
nations, and lighted by battle-lights
and Chinese lanterns; the deck was
scrubbed as white as wood can be made,
and waxed to perfection; the band
played on the forecastle, and altogether
it was as complete and handsome a
ballroom as one would wish to see.
There were few American and
English ladies present, but most of the
fair ones were native girls, who would
rather dance than eat at any time.
The dusky king, with his aids and
members of the cabinet, all in uniform,
the American and English officers in
gold lace and brass buttons, made a
most brilliant picture. Captain Hud-
son was one of the guests, and intro
duced me to his daughter. asked her
to dance, but she declined. Evidently
the mate of merchantmen stood no
show among so many brass buttons.
l contented myself with the native
bellies. Wedid not leave the ship until
daylight, and to this day have pleas
ant memories of that most delightful
evening.
Our stay in port was very brief, and
the flag was soon hoisted announcing to
all wanting passage that the time had
arrived to come on board. Before long
we parted with our pilot, and as we
left the violet island slowly sinking in
the west, [ said to myself that when
had made my fortune that land should
be my home. Youthful visions!
They are gone. l have grown older
I hope Wiser-and the island is not nv
home.
On the homeward trip we had twelve
passengers--Captain Hudson, wife and
daughter, and the wives of two
missionaries going home to the Eastern
states on visit and to regain color.
found that all foreigners bleached out
to dead white, and had no color at all
after living few years at the islands.
Miss Hudson was the only young
woman on board, and 7 naturally
thought she would affect my company,
as / have been told many times l was
good looking, and always thought