Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-11-08
WON AT SIGHT.

enjoyed the leave on shore in foreign
port with boyish delight. There were
Blk in our mess, and VIC managed TO get
shore leave so as TO be together, when
it was possible TO do so. This was the
case one fine Sunday in the month of
| December, ~ mild and summcr-liko in
the south of France as New England
May day.
Tho singular experience Of one of our
number | have often told since about
the mess table or camp fire, but have
never put it INTO print.
We were strolling on the square
known rs lie Cours s.. Louis, sort of
permanent flower market, whc.o tho
women sit cnthroncd in tcnt-likc stalls
of wood, cncirclcd by their bright,
beautiful aud fragrant wares, while the
manner of arranging he stalls, so that
the vcndcr sits raised some six feet in
the air, gave novel effect to the scene.
We watched with special delight these
back-cycd, black haired and rosy-
checked girls, the blush of health in
their faces fairly riyalling that of their
scarlet flowers. With busy fingers
they arranged in dainty combinations
the vivid and delicate colors, relieved
by fresh green leaves and trailing vines
of smllax, while we young middics
5okcd pleasantly with them and bought
fabulous quantities Of bouquets.
While we were idlins away tho hour
in lie Cours St. Louis, with these
roSush and pretty flower vendors, We
were all thrown into Il state Of amaze.
mcnt and curiosity by the appearance of
young girl of about II, who rushed
among us with startling speed, and
who, hardly pausing to regain her
breath, said, i'll excellent English:
"lou are Americans, and l trust,
gentlemen. Is there one among YOU
who viii! marry mc,"
"Wc will all marry you," was the in
slant response, accompanied by hearty
laughter.
"Ah, you are in sport, but am in
earnest. Who will marry mc!"
There seemed to be no joke after all.
The girl was positively in earnest and
looked at one aud all of us as coolly,
Yct earnestly, as possible.
"llerc, Harry" said one who was
rather leader among lis, and address
ing Harry, ''you want n wife," and he
gave cur comradc slight push toward
The grl.
For some singular reason Harry took
The matter much more in earnest than
the res. of us, and regarded the new
'omcr with a most searching but re-
'peclful slancc. Approaching her he
laid:
"a do not know exactly what you
ncan but can undcrs tand by your cx.
PRESTON OF face that you are quite in
earnest. Will you take my arm and let
Is walk to one sidc.'
'1cs; hut have no time to lose"
md taking his arm, they walked away
.ogcthcr
We looked upon tho affair rs some
ell-prcparcd joke, but were little an
loycd at the non-appearancc of Harry
1t our rendezvous on the quay. Our
cave cx. ircd at sunset. and we dared
not wait for him, rs Captain D was
thorough disciplinarian, and wo didn't
.aro TO provoke him and thus cndan ger
sur next Sundays leave.
On board VIC went, therefore, leaving
Harry on shore. When VIC reported the
question was, of course, asked where
hidshipman B was, to which query
ne could return no proper answer, ms
&c really did not know. lie knew per-
'eclly well that we must all be at the
boat landing just before sunset 1t wa,
plain enough to us all that there was
trouble brewing for our messmltc.
Harry did not make his appearance ua-
Ill the next day ut noon, when he pulled
% the ship in shore boat, and, com
ne on board, reported at once to the
captain, who stood upon the quar- or
ieck, and asked the privilege of a pri
Satc intcrv CIV.
The circumstances connected with the
loscnce OF Harry were very peculiar, and
u he was one of the most correct fcl
'ows 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 near
y an hour, he came out and joined us.
"What is the upshot of it, Harry2"
we asked
"Well. lads, I'm married = that's
ALL"
"Marricd'' asked the mess, in one