The Wilmingtonian. (Wilmington, Del.) 1882-188?, 1884-06-14
THE STORY TELLER.
A ROYAL YARN.

One OF lne HlDSL Interesting
perhaps, that ever lodged in Snug Ilarbor,
was an old, weatheg-beateu man-of-war's
man, p. j. Miller by name who was famous
for yarn-spinnng, which he had reduced to
a science. Daring nearly half century S
service as boatswain in the navy he had cul-
tivated the faculty Of improving yam
every time he told it, no matter how slight
the original materials. During his last
years of service aboard ship, Miller, by reason
of his age, was granted liberties rarely
enjoyed by boatswains, aud of the mary
stories told ebout him in the navy the fol.
lowing is one of the best:
''Do you know II. r. II. the Ddke of
Edinburgh" demanded Miller one day of the
officer of the deck.
''No," responded the latter, 81 don't, do
you?"
edo know II. r. II. the Duke Of Edin-
burg? Well should say did.
"Why, where did you get acquainted with
him, Mr.. Miler?'
"Whcre did meet him ?-well, I met him
in Canadian waters, an me an him was
great friends"
81 suppose you used to call on him fire.
quently?"
eyes, l did; an he never wouldn't let any
of the marines bother me with questions as
to where l was a goin' of. One day he says
TO me, 'P. j., says he, 'dou't you never pay
no attention to them marines aud quarter
masters and the like when you're a-comin'
aboard fur ter see me. Jest you climb over
the side and slide right down inter the
cabling, says he, and help yourself to what
ever yer fancy!' III. r. H., says |, put it
thar and we shook
This story of the aged boatswain, of course,
went the rounds of the ship. Alterward
when the ship, which was the flagship, was
in English waters big British man-of-war
hove in sight early one oIening, aGd the
guns from the English fleet riding ~ auchor
saluted until the waters were covered with
smoke. The old boatswaim had seen the
flag of the newcomer, and surmising that il
was commanded by lis quondam friend, the
Duke of Edinhurg, he suddenly became very
busy ''piping the side," and oyaded the
questions of the officer of the deck in regard
to his royal friend The next day the
Admiral paid his respects to the Duke OF
Ednburg, and a day later the Duke came to
return the Admiral's visit. The drums beat
to quarters, and the marines were drawn up
and presented arms. The Dukes face wore
curious expression when he reached the
cabin. admiral" said he, as hn turned
from side to side before his host, ''ls there
anything on my back, any chalk or the
like?'
''No, sir," responded the Admiral. ''Why
do you ask?'
because" said the Duke, 81 noticed,a as
came over the side, that the marines smiled
at mel"
''The marines smiled at you?" slowly
repeated the Admiral amazed that such a
breach of discipline should have occurred
Then he called for the captain, and the cap.
tain sent for the officer of the deck. The
latter, being interrogated, acknowledged
that what e." Duke had said was unfcr.sgg,
this ship tn -, in tn,
navy. Many of the seiffor captains tool
their first lessons in knottng and splicing
from him, and for this reason he enjoys Ger
tain liberties aboard not usually given to tho
men." Then he repeated the ''P J.. Miller
and the Duke of Edinburg" story, to tn,
great delight of the royal visitor, who
besides being an able seaman, is possessed
of great goodnature. He insisted upon
seeing the old Dos'n, and the word was
passed forward for p. ]. Miller When
Miller got the word to clay aft" and heard
that il came from the Admiral himself he
was sorely troubled. lie took off his hat
and pulled his forelock over his forehead
before he had reached the break of the quar-.
ter-deck, and descended into the cabin on
legs that knocked the one against the other.
Knowing full well what naval discipline
was, hanging would, in his eyes, have been
light penalty for his oifense, and he was
fully prepared to receive sentence
But the Duke soon treasured the old
fellow. "P. j., old man, ''said he, advancing
and eood-naturedly extending his hand,
''put it there! Whenever you come aboard
my ship to see me, never mind the marines
and the quartemasters aud the cox'ns and
the rest of them, but slide right down into
my cabin and help yourself to whatever you
fancy!"
When p. j. Miller heard the Duke repeat
the language of his own yarn, he almost
faiuted, and had to he assisted up the COM
panion-way. But he pulled himself together
when he saw the officer Of the deck to whom
he had told his yarn, and, as he passed, he
Missed out: "Therel didn't tell yer that H.
r. II. were a friend O. mire ?"-(7He Cen