Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1889-10-18

HEN1 "A six in our mess,
NykfN p and we managed
to get shore leave
30 as to be together, when it was possi-
BILE to do so. This was the case one fine
Sunday In the month of December, as
mild and summer-like in the south Of
France as New England May day.
The singular experience OF one of our
number have often told since about the
mess-table or camp fire, but have never
put 1t into print.
We were strolling on the square known
as Le Cours, st. Louis, sort of perma-
nent flower market, whore the women
sit enthroned in tent-like stalls OF wood,
enclrcled 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
novel effect to the scene.
While we were idling away the hour in
LIE Cours, st. Louis, with these roguish
and pretty flower venders, we were all
thrown into a state of amazement and
curiosity by the appearance Of young
girl of about II, who rushed among us
with a startling speed, and who, hardly
pauslng to regain her breath, said, in eX-
cellent English:
"You are Americans, and, trust, gen.
tlemen. Is there one among you who
will marry me?"
"We Will all marry you," was the in
stant response, accompanied by hearty
laughter.
"Ah, you are in sport, but I am in
earnest. Who will marry me2"
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
~
Here, Harry" said one who was
rather leader among us, and address
ing Harry, "you want wife" and he
gave our comrade 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 a most searching tbut re-
spectful glance. approaching her he
said
II do not know exactly what you
m can, but l can understand by your ex-
preston of face that you are quite in
earnest. Will you take my arm and let
us walk to one side?"
"Yes but have no time to lose" and,
taking his arm, they walked away to-
gether,
We looked upon the affair as some we'll
prepared joke, but we're little annoyed
at the non-appearance of Harry at our
rendezvous on the quay. Our leave eX-
pired at sunset and we dared not wal.
FOR him, as Captain D. was a thor
ough 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 be at the boat land
ing just before sunset. 1t was plain
enough to us all that there was trouble
brewing for our messmate.
Harry did not make his appearance
until the next day at noon, when he
pulled to the ship in q shore boat, and
coming on board, reported at once to the
captain, who stood upon the quarter
deck, and asked the privilege of a pri-
vate 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 remaining with the commander
for nearly an hour, he came out and
Joined us.
"What Is the upshot Of 1t, HarryH" we
asked
"Well, lads, I'm married-that's all"
"Married?" asked the mess, in one
voice.
"Tied for life p was the answer.
Hard and fast?"
"Irrevocably."
"To that little craft you scudded away
with2"
Exactly. AS good and pure girl as
ever lived" said Harry, earnestly.
"W-h-e-w?' whispered one and all.
show 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 demands,
lads?"
Cant say, what Is it2"
"If l don't resign he will send me
home in disgrace. That's his ultima
tum."
"W-h-e-wl" again from all hands.
"Lets get up a petition for Harry,
suggested one.
''It's of no use, lads, know he means
what he says. He has given me while
to think 1t over"
1t was all up with Harry.
Captain D. was q severe, but an ex-
cellent officer, and he had only given the
delinquent the alternative Of resigning
or being sent home In disgrace. The
fact that he had got married, In the man.
ner he described, In place Of palliating
matters, only aggravated the captain
beyond measure. He declared 1t was a
disgrace 10 the service, and breach OF
pa I.rty M tO b" overlooked.
Harry ;old u h.s striy III desul or
n" =, interrupted by many qu".Il"
o culatior., but watch we will -,
l. o.iipio fUY.a for the convenien
6. ..:r .a5eF
lnlie Ma1, 80 was tho orphan child u
! a.P.chaat WIN had ben of high s,ihnn
ing dnldn5 hi+ liz ami wFro ~fl huns.
soinc forfune t. endo- his. laughter az
her we2,i'nV lay, ~, II ~ n rrird b..
fore, she was 70 receive sSf' properly o.,
coming to the age of 20 years. ii
mother he'd died in her infancy, and III.
father, when she was 10 years OF ,Ase,