The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-08-18
MARRIED At SIGHT.

MAhhlED Al Clulll.
~----~~.-
We hal been upon the Mediterranean
station for about a year wh,n our COM
mandcr ordered the ship to head for
Marseil'cs
was then a Young midshipman and
enjoyed the leave on shore in a foreign
port with boyish delight. There were
SIX IN our mess. and we managed TO get
shore leave 50 as TO be together when it
was possible to do 50. This was the case
one fine Sunday in the month OF Decem.
Der. as mild and summer like in the
south Of France as n New England MAY
DAY.
The singular experience Of ono Of our
number have often told ssce about the
mess table or camp fire. but have never
put it into print.
Weworo strolling on the square known
as Le Cours ST. Louis. sort Of pcrma.
nent flower market. where the women SIT
enihroned in tent like stalls Of wood. en-
circled by their bright, beautiful and
fragrant wares. while the manner of ar
ranging the stalls. SO that the vcnder sits
raised some six feet in the air. gave q
novel effect 10 the scene
While we were idling away tho hour
in Ie Cours ST. Louis, with these roguish
and pretty flower vendors, we were ali
thrown into a state Of amazcment and
curiosity by the appearance Of q young
girl of about l.. who rushed among us
with startling speed. and who. hardly
pausing TO regain her breath, said in cx-
ccllcnt Englsh.
You are Americans, and, trust. gen
tlcmen. is there one among YOU who
will marry mo;'
I'VE viii all marry YOU was the in
slant response, accompanied by hearty
laughter
"Ah, YOU are in sport, but | am in
earnest. Who will marry me"
There seemed to be no joke after al
The girl was positively in earnest and
looked 1T one and all Of Us as cOolly, yet
earnestly. as possible
Here, Harry, " said one who was rather
a lcadcramong rs, and addressing Harry,
"you want q wife. and be gave our com
rado q slight push toward the girl.
For some singular reason Harry took
the matter much moro in earnest than
the rest OF US. and regarded the new
conner with most searching but respect
ful glance. Approaching her he said:
IL do not know exactly what YOU
mean but / can understand by your OK
preston of face that. YOU are quite in
earnest Will YOU tako my arm and let
as walk to one side!
"Yc-. but / have no time TO lose. 90
And ticking bis arm they walked away
together.
We looked upon the affair az some
we'll prepared joke. but were little an
noycd at the ron-appcarance Of Harry
at our rendezvous Oh the quay. Our
leave expired at sunset. and we dared
not wait for him. as Capt. D. was q
thorough disciplinarian. and We didn't
care 90 provoke him and thus cndanger
0ur next sunday leave
On board we went, therefore, leaving
Harry ON shore When we reported the
question was, of course, asked where
Mid,hipman b. was. % which query
we could return no proper answer, as we
really did not know. He knew perfectly
we'll that we must al beat the boat land
ing Just before sunset
Harry did not make bis appearance
until the next day ot noon, when he
pulled % the ship in shore boat, and,
coming on board, reported at once to the
captain, who stood upon the quarter
dcch. and asked the privilege OF aprivaie
interview.
The circumstances connected with the
absence a. Harry were very peculiar
and as he was one Of the most correct
fellows ON board, hisrcqucst was granted
by tine captain. who retired 20 his cabin,
followed by the delinquent. After re-
manning with the commander for nearly
am hour. lac came ont and joined us.
"What is the upshot Of it, Harry we
asked
"Wcn. lads. I'm marricd-that's all. -
Married." asked the mess, IN one
voice.
Tiled for lifcm was the answer.
lizard and fastf
"Irrcvocably."
"To that little craft you scuddcd away
withf'
Exactly. As good and pure girl as
ever lived said Harry, earnestly.
"W-h-c-wr whispered one and all.
GLOW did Old Neptune let you oily
we an eagerly inquircd-that being the
name the captain went by on board.
lie is hard on me," said Harry, seri
ously. "What do you think he dc-
mands, lads
Cant say. what is it,
elf / don't resign hc will send me
home ia disgrace. That's his ultima
um."
"W-h-e-w" again from all hands.
Harry told as his story in a desultory
T..