, 1889-09-06
MARRIED AT SIGHT.

Marselles.
l 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 o as to be together when it
was possible to do so. This was the case
one fine Sunday in the month of Deem
Der. as mild and summer like in the
south of France as a New England May
day.
The singular experience of n of our
number / ave often told since about the
mess table or camp fire. but have never
put it into print
We were strolling ON the square known
as lie Cours st. Louis, a sort of perma-
nent flower market, where h women SIT
enthroned 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 vender sits
raised some six feet in the air, gave a
novel effect to the scene.
While we were idling away the hour
in lie Cours st. Louis, with these roguish
and pretty flower vendors, we were all
thrown into a state of amazement and
curiosity by the appearance of a young
girl of about II, who rushed among US
with a startling speed, and who, hardly
pausing TO regain her breath. said in ex-
cellent English:
"You are Americans, and, thrust, gen.
tlemen. Is there one among you who
will marry me?"
1--WE will all marry you" was the in
slant response, accompanied by hearty
laughter.
"Ah, you are in sport, but l am in
earnest. Who will marry mey"
There seemed to be no joke after all.
The girl was positively in earnest and
looked at one and all of us as coolly, yet
earnestly, as possible.
Here, Harry, {" said one who was rather
aleader among us, and addressing Harry,
''you want a wife," and he gave our COM
rade n slight push toward the girl.
For some singular reason Harry took
the matter much more in earnest than
the rest OF us, and regarded the new
conner with n most searching but respect
full glance. Approaching her he said:
81 do not know exactly what you
mean, but l can understand by your ex-
preston of ace that you are quite in
earnest. Will you take my arm and let
us walk to one slider
"Yes; but / have no time to lose"
And taking his arm they walked away
together.
We looked upon the affair as some
well prepared joke, but were a little an
noyed at the non-appearance of Harry
at our rendezvous on the quay. Our
leave expired at sunset, and we dared
not wait for him, as Capt. D was a
thorough disciplinarian, and we didn't
care to provoke him and thus %endanger
our next Sundays leave.
On board we went, therefore, leaving
Harry on shore. When we reported the
question was, of course, asked where
Midshipman B was, to which query
we could return no proper answer, as we
really did not know. He knew perfectly
well that we must all beat the boat land
ing just before sunset,
Harry did not make his appearance
until h next day at noon, when he
pulled to The ship in n shore boat, and,
coming on board, reported at once to the
captain, who stood upon the quarter
deck, and asked the privilege of a private
interview.
The circumstances connected with the
absence of Harry were very peculiar,
and as he was one Of the most correct
fellows on board, his request was granted
by the captain, who retired to his cabin,
followed by the delinquent. After re-
naming with the commander for nearly
an hour, he came out and Joined us.
what is the upshot of it, Harry" we
asked.
"WeIl, lads, I'm married-that's all"
lEn Ill
voice.
"Tied for lifer.. was the answer.
Hard and fastF'
"Irrevocably."
ITO that little craft you scudded away
within
Exactly. As good and pure a girl as
ever lived" said Harry, earnestly.
"W-h-e-wr" whispered one and all.
How did Old Neptune let you OFF,
we all eagerly inquired-that being the
name the captain went by on board.
"He is hard on me-" said Harry, seri-
ously. what do you think he de-
mands, ladsy'
Cant say, what is it,"
''lf l don't resign he will send me
home in disgrace. That's his ultima
tum."
"W-h-e-wI" again from all hands.
Harry told us his story in a desultory
manner, interrupted by many questions
and CALCULATIONS, but which we will put
into a simple form for the convenience
of the reader.
Julie Meurice was the orphan child of
a merchant, who had been of high
standing during his life and who left a
handsome fortune to endow his daugh-
ter ON her wedding day, or, if not maj
ried before, Ishe was to receive the prop
erty on coming to the age of 20 years.
Her mother had died in her infancy,
and her father, when she was 10 years
of age, placed her in a convent to be
educated, where she remained until his
death, which occurred suddenly six
m~lths previous to the period of our
sketch.
After HIS death Julie became the ward
of her uncle, by the emo of her fathers
will, and the period of her educational
course having just closed at the con-
vent, Hubert Meurice, the uncle,