St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-08-03
MARRIED AT SIGHT.


station for about year when our COM
mander ordered the ship to head for
MarSeilies.
was then young midshipman, and
enjoyed the leave Oh shore in foreign
port with boyish delight. There were
six in our mess, and we 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, as mild and summer-like in
the south of France as New England
May day.
The singular experience of one of our
number l have often told since about
the mess table. but have never put it
into print.
We were strOlling on the square
known as LIE Cours st. Louis. sort OF
permanent flower market. where the
women sit enthrOned in tent-like stalls
of wood, encircled by their bright,
beautiful and fragrant ware, while the
manner of arranging the stalls, SO that
the yender sits raised some six feet in
the air. gave noval effect to the scene.
While we were idling away the hour
in LIE COurS St.L0uis, with these rOguish
and pretty flower vendors, we were all
thrown into state of amaZement and
curiosity by the appearance OF young
girl of about seventeen who rushed
among us with startling speed, and
who, hardly pausing to regain her
breath, said in excellent English:
you are Americans, and, / trust,
gentlemen. Is there one among you
who will marry me?"
"W we will all marry y0u," was the
instant nSe,accompanied by hearty
laughter.
''Ah. you are in sport, but I am in
earnest. Who will marry me?'
There seemed to be 10 joke after ALL
The girl was positively in earnest, and
looked at one and all of us as cody, yet
earnestly as possible.
Here, Harry" said one, who was
rather leader among us, and address
ing Harry, 'You want a 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 most searching but re-
Spectful glance. Approaching her he
said:
II do not know exactly what you
mean, but | can understand by your
expression of face that you are quite in
earnest. Will you take my arm and let
US walk to one side?"
Eyes, but l have no time to lose"
And taking his arm they walked away
together.
We looked upon the affair as some
wel!-prepared joke, but were little
annoyed at the non-appearance of
II OF fho
Our leave expired at sunset. and we
dared not wait for him, as Capt. D.
was 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 be at the boat landing just before
sunset
Harry did not make his appearance
until the next day at noon, when he
pulled to the ship in shore boat, and,
coming OH board, reported at once to
the captain, who stood upon the quar-
ter-deck, and asked the privilege of a
private luLeTVleW.
The circumstances connected with
the absence of Harry were very pecul-
lar, and as he was one of the most cor
rect 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 it, Harry"
we asked.
''Well, lads, I'm married-that's ALL"
married." asked the mess, IN one
voice.
'sTied for lifew was the answer.
''Irrevocably."
''To that little craft you scudded away
with?"
Exactly. AS good and pure girl as
ever lived" said Harry, earnestly.
''W-h-e-ww whispered one and all.
'.How did old Neptune let you off"
we all eagerly inquired being the
name the captain went by on board.
HE is hard on me-" said Harry, seri-
lads?'
"Can't say; what is it?"
"If don't resign he will send me
home in disgrace. That's his ultima
tum."
Harry told us his story in desultory
mnnner, interrupted by many questions
and CALCULATIONS, but whichywe will put
into simple form for the convenience
of the reader.
Julie Meurice was the orphan child of
a merchant who had been of high stand
ing during his life. and who left hand
some fortune to endow his daughter ON
her wedding day, or, il not married be-
fore, she was to receive the property on