The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1886-12-25
THE YOUNG MIDSHIPMAN.
AMI the Manner in which He Lost His
tool Bye Kiss.

In the days of long ago young mid
shipman in western town received Or
ders to Join his ship, which was to sail
to the capture OF Vera Cruz. He was 60
ing off full of ardor and enthusiasm, just
spelling to emmolate himself on the
altar Of his country, but the night before
he started he went to say good bye to
beautiful little maiden with whom he
was in love. He made the customary
VOWS Of young officer gong off to his
first battle, but stayed so late that when
he finally kissed his love farewell and
ran to catch the stage the stage was gone
and he was obliged to deter his depar-
ture until the next night. The next
night he went to say goodbye again,
and again he lost the stage. The third
night he came for positively last fare
well, but as he was going to give his
sweetheart final kiss her mother inter
fered and said: "No. Jim, you can't
kiss Mollie goodbye tonight. don't
believe you are going to Mexico at all.
1t is just a scheme of yours to come
around here and kiss her goodbye"
He caught the stage that night and
fought bra, ely in Mexico. Years rolled
by and in his broader field of life he
forgot his boyish love. The Civil War
came and at its close he was covered
with glory. He is now an Admiral, and
yesterday was with him at the Murray
Hill Hotel. We were walking the cor
ridor when a beautiful woman, on the
shady side of fifty l should say, with
snOw-white hair, passed us, and stop
ping little way off stood and looked at
the admiral. He is fine looking old
man, and is great favorite with tho
ladies. He saw at once the impression
he had made on the lady with the white
hair and said: 81 am an old fool,
know, but think I've made mash.
Let us stroll by again" As we Passed
the lady the admiral beamed upon her
graciously, but to his amazement she
walked straight up to him with silvery
laugh and shaking her forefinger at him
SAID: mo, Jim, you're up to your old
tricks again"
If the roof had fallen the admiral
would have not been so much astonished
But quickly recovering his self-posses.
sion he grasped the lady's hand and
said: why, bless you, l knew you from
the first, and wanted to see if you re.
membered me-"
Jim, Jim." she rejoined, "you are
just as bad as ever. Why don't you
grow better as you G ow old 2 Now
who am ~
The admiral was nonplussed again but
with grace, courtesy and sweetness
that have never seen equaled he bowed
and said: "My heart remembers you,
for my heart is young--but my head il
old and my head forgets."
"Well," replied the lady, smiling uI
at MIN, 81 am Mollie B."
The admiral uttered an exclar alton
of surprise and stood for a minute look
ing at the lady. That name had SWEEP
away forty years with all their changes
their wars. their suiferings and theil
honors, and the admiral was a boy again
l wish you could have seen his face
"And have not seen you since wen
to the Mexican War;" he said, "anC
your mother would not let me kiss yol
goodbye on the third night BY Joye
l believe IL take that kiss now"
"No, no! that is outlawed. Come
let me introduce you to my husband.
BY this time the Admiral had be
thought him to introduce me to thu
lady. and we were both presented to he
husband. We had pleasant party a
| dinner and the Admiral told the stor!
of his departure for Mexico just as
/ have told it to you.