The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-12-07
WON AT SIGHT.

1 was then young midshipman, ant
enjoyed the leave on shore in foreign
port with boyish delight. There wer,
six in our mess, and We managed to ge
shore leave so as to be together, wher
it was possible TO do so. This was The
case one fine Sunday IN the month OF
December, as mild and summer-liko in
the south of France as New England
May day.
The singular experience of one of oul
number | have often told since about
the mess table or camp fire, but have
never put it INTO print.
We were stroIling on the square
known as lie Cours s.. Louis, a sort OF
permanent flower market, where the
women sit cnthloned in tent-like stalls
Of wood, encircled by their bright,
beautiful and fragrant wares, while the
manner of arranging the stalls, so that
the vendcr sits raised some six feet in
the air, gave a novel effect to the scene.
We watched with special delight these
b!ack-eyod, black ha red and rosy
checked girls, the bush of health in
their faces fairly rivalling that of their
scarlet flowers. With busy f-scr
they arranged in dainty combinat ons
the vivid and delicate colors, relieved
by fresh green leaves and trailing vines
of smlax, while we young middics
Joked pleasantly with them and bought
fabulous quantities of bouquets.
While we were idling away so hour
In lie Cours St. Louis, with these
roguish and pretty flower vendors, we
were all thrown into a state of amaze.
ment and curiosity by the appear ance of
a young girl of about II, who rushed
among us with a startling speed, and
who, hardly pau'ing to regain her
breath, said, in excellent English:
You are. Amer cans, and l trust,
gentlemen. Is there one among YOU
who will marry me-"
eve 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 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 earnestly, as possible.
'licre, Harry said one who was
rather leader among us, and address
ing Harry, you want wife," and he
gave our cOmradc 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 but re-
'pectful glance. Approaching her he
said:
Il do not know exactly what YOU
mean, but can understand by your cx-
preston Of face that you are quite in
viii you take my arm and let
is walk 10 one sidc?'
eyes; but l have no time to lose"
md taking his arm, they walked away
ogcthcr.
We looked upon the affair as some
vell-prepared joke, but were little an
loyed at the non appearance of Harry
It our rendezvous on the quay. Our
cave ex ired at sunset, and we dared
lot wait for him, as Captain D was
thorough disciplinarian, and we didn't
are to provoke him and thus endanger
ur next Sundays leave.
On board we went. therefore, leaving
larry on shore. When we reported the
uestion was, of course, asked where
lidshipman B was, to which query
re could return no proper answer, as
re really did not know. He knew per-
ectly well that we must all be at the
oat landing just before sunset. 1t was
lain enough to us all that there was
oublc brewing for our messmatc.
Harry did not make his appearance I'M
the next day at noon, when he pulled
the ship in shore boat, and, com
g on board, reported at once to til.