The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-08-08
COMING HOME.
Return to the United States Of
Lieutenant Greedy.
Affecting Meeting Of the Explorer
With His Family,

Upon the arrival at Portsmouth, n Ii.
of the three vessels forming the relief squad
ron which brought back Lieutenant Greedy
from his Arctic prison, there was an affect
ing meeting between the explorer and his
family. The scene is described as follows:
To avoid publicity as much as possible Sec
rotary Chandler arranged to receive the com
manders of the relief shiTs in the after cabin
of the Tennessee. Acting Admiral Luce es
corted them to the presence of the secretary
of the navy. AS Commander Schley stepped
into the cabin he was greeted by Secretary
Chandler, who clasped his hands with fervor
and passing one arm over his shoulder said
in voice almost smothered with emotion,
"God bless you, sir; l am glad to welcome
you home" Commander Coffin, of theAleft,
was next introduced, and in answer to the
query OF Secretary Chandler, said:
never was in better health in
my life 1t seems to have agreed with u.s."
Lieutenant Emory, of the Bear, was next
ushered into the secretary's presence and re-
received cordial welcome from the represen-
tatives of the navy department.
After a brief and informal conversation
between Commander Schley and Secretary
Chandler, the former looked anxiously around
the cabin, and gradually his countenance be-
came overcast with gloom. Surgeon General
Gunnell, noticing the look of disappointment
which had overspread the commanders coun-
tenan &c stepped forward saying, your wife
is in yondcr stateroom, Captain With
n bound Commander Schley reached the
presence of his wife and daughter. After
half an hour spent in conversation and general
handshalSing the commanding officers of tho
~elief ships returned to their vessels Many
were the appeals made by all CLASSES of people
to Secretary Chandler to permit them to 90
on board the Thetis to catch a glimpse of the
Arctic hero, Greedy, but these requests were
invariably refused.
Mrs Greedy, wife Of the explorer, had
reached Portsmouth on an early train this
afternoon, and was at once conveyed to the
flagship Tennessee by the United States
steamer Aladdin, reaching there about 3
O'Clock. After the commanding officers had
come back to their ships. Mrs. Greedy was put
en- board of the secretary's barge and con-
veyed to the Thetis, where her husband was
As the lady passed down the eompanion-way
to the barge she walked with a firm step and
showed no signs of emotion other than biting
her lips and lightly clutching her hands.
Lieutenant Greedy had not been informed
that his wife was about to come on board the
Thetis, and a few minutes before her arrival
in conversation with Commander Schley, he
said he did not expect to see her to day, as
she probably had not been able to reach there
so soon When the secretary's barge was
seen to leave the Tennessee with Mrs. Greedy
and her two brothers. G.. O. and &. a. Mes
ululll, blIlulS Ill lnt SlcI1l-SllctIS, I ON
mander Schey said to Lieutenant Greedy:
Lieutenant, | would like to see
You in my cabin for few moments.n Com
mander Schley entertained Lieutenant Greedy
in conversation ahoIt Arctic matters until a
peculiar signal was given on "A boatswain :
whistle to indicate that Mrs. Greedy was on
board and ready To meet her husband.
Now the lady trembled in every limb, her
breath came in gasps, and her whole frame
shock with emotion. With trembling steps
she went to the cabin door, and just at the
instant she entered Commander Schley left
the room, leaving the long separated couple
alone Lieutenant Greedy was sitting with
his back to the door, but when Com.
mander Schley SO abruptly lett
him he turned and at the same
instant saw his wife enter With a loud cry
that was more like gigantic sob half smC tt
cred, Lieutenant Greedy bounded from his
chair with eyes cleaning with joy at the sight
and stately, sprang forward to meet her hus
band, crying: "Arthur! Arthur! home"
After Mr.. and Mrs. Greedy had been alone
for twenty minutes her brothers Were called
in and cordially and tearfu}ly greeted their
b broth 1hd r,o It , was noticeable on
tears when Mrs Greedy entered
the cabin where her husband was. Late in
the afternoon the mother of Lieutenant
Greedy came from Newburyport, and was
taken at once on board the Tennessee. Short
ly after she was put in the secretarys barge
and taken Oh board the Thetis. When she ar.
rived there Mr.. and Mrs. Greedy and the lat
ter'S brothers were seated in Commander
Schleys cabin alternately crying and laugh
Ing and embracing. A minute before the Lieu
tenants mother entered the cabin Com. Schley
stepped to the door and said: Lieutenant,
your mother is here" Mrs. Greedy then en-.
tered and threw her arms around her sons
neck, saying only: MY SON. My SON"
Lieutenant Greedy spoke but one word:
"Mpther!' but in his tone and expression
there was a world of tendern IS. Clasping
his mother in his arms, the lieut. 'nant did
nothing else but sob, while the mother cried
ike child. Fearing that the excitement
would be too much for Lieutenant Greelys
shattered constitution, Commander Schley
entered the cabin and wisely directed the con
vcrsation into less emotional channels.
At about o'clock Secretary Chandler en-
tered his barge and was rowed to the ThetiS.
Secretary Chandler went at once TO Lieutan-
ant Greedy and alfectiOnately took the gallant
explorer to his arms in the fervor of his greet
ing. God bless you God bless your said
NE secretary. You have come back to us al
most from the grave. | hope your future
appiness may reward you for the terrible
experience you have had. The lieutenant
responded feelingly. thanking Mr.. Chandler
for his kind expression
Lieut.. Greedy to an Associated Press report
er said tina he desired to thank the newspapers
IF the country for the universally kind man
Ter in which he had been treated by them.
tic could say but little at present concerning
his expedition, but the public would soon
be given the entire details through the Off
cial reports. When asked as to his health
Lieute nant Greedy stated that he felt com
Peratively well in all respects, excepting that
lie was at all times considerably affected by 3
feeling of intense weakness.