Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-06-27
The Adni[u|S S F|QQ RQiSiDl.

The warships of the Pacific Squad
ron were riding at anchor in the har-
Dor of Port Angeles, Wash. Admiral
Beardslee, in command of the fleet,
which had assembled for the summers
drills, had rented a cottage on the
bluff overlooking the bay, and was
settling his wife for two months
housekeeping.
OF course, the whole neighborhood
was agog with the business, but,
above all, the boys, rid of school in
midsummer, We're ever on hand to see
and note everything going on.
They already knew that the Ad-
miral was a great fisherman; that he
had caught in lake near the town
the biggest and rareSt trout had even
discovered n new species called by
his name. They also knew Mrs.
Beardslee to be a judge of jellies,
jams preserves and cake; for they
had tasted the same at her cottage.
What wonder that there was always
q boy somewhere in sight, either dodg-
Ing you as you went in at the gate,
or lying on the grass, looking up at
the sky and dreaming his dreams
such dreams as only bows dream Of
ships and guns, with the Stars and
Stripes floating over all.
The last touch to the house had been
the purchase of some hens with
broods and the building of a chicken
coop. The Admiral was in the
grounds inspecting-for you know an
Admiral will have everything ship
shape-when the boys, who had gath
cred in force, approached him, and
one said, pointing to n stick nailed to
the corner of small house just over
the fence: Admiral, will you put a
flag fot us on my flag pole?"
The Admiral looked at the stick,
shook his head slowly, and replied:
mo, / cannot do that But I'll tell
you what l will do; if you boys will
get good flag pole I'll set it up for
you and furnish the flag"
Within n week slender, shapely
tree lay on the ground quite near the
Admiraps gate. Astride of it sat a
fine lad, with a knife which he
graspcd firmly by its two handles and
passed swiftly to and fro along the
surface. People said: What can the
boys be about?" But the boys had
their secret and they kept 1t.
One fine bright morning when Mrs.
Beardslce sat in her little parlor chat
ting with a friend "Taka," the Jap
anese steward, entered the room with
quick step approached her and said,
In tone suppressed with excitement:
"All weady hois' flag"
AT once Mrs. Beardslee arose, her
face animated, her eye kindled, and,
turning to her friend mystified her by
saying, Come, and put on your hat, I
shall put on one of the Admirals,"
placing ON her head soft gray felt
which lay at hand. Both ladies
stepped into the small yard at the
rear Of the cottage.
There stood n dozen boys, ranging
from eight to twelve years old. The
Admiral, who was unavoidably alb
sent, had been as good as his word.
The flag lay there, and the carpenter
with his gang from the flagship had
already raised the pole-as fine a pole
MS you ever saw. lue DOyS nuu uOne
their part so well. 1t was firmly
planted in the ground, and securely
stayed with strong ropes, called, in
sea language, guys.
| The carpenter saluted Mrs. Boards
lee and reported, "All ready, madam"
With another touch of the cap, he
said: II promised the boys that the
one who could tell the number of
stars in the flag should have the honor
of hoisting it; but they all know, so
they must all have Il hand in 1t. I've
made n list of their names for the Ad-
miral."
| VERY WELL" she replied.
| The eyes of the boys were intent
upon her. Turning to them, she said
impressively: Boys, take off your
caps; never hoist the flag with the
head covered. Mrs. w. and l, you
see, take off ours" Sultlng the action
to the word, both ladies stood, hat in
hand.
| At once every cap was on the ground
and every boys hand again grasped
the halliards. AT Il nod from Mrs
Beardslee the carpenter called out