Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1898-06-24
The AdTITUI'S S F|0t RQISing.

tliV ilulililul IluY ltuIVlliy'
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
wns agog with the business, but,
above all, the boys, rid of school in
midsummer, were ever on hand to see
and note everything going on.
They already knew that the Ad-
mlral was a great fisherman; that he
had caught in n lake near the town
the biggest and rarcst trout, had even
discovered n new species called by
his name. They also knew Mrs.
Beardslee to be a judge of jellles,
jams, preserves and cake; for they
had tasted the same at her cottage.
What wonder that there was always
a 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 boys 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
nhn Admiral xxsou In
grounds inspectlng-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 a stick nailed to
the corner of a small house Just over
the fence: Admiral, will you put a
flag for us on my flag poleT
The Admiral looked at the stick,
shook his head slowly, and replied:
you what will do; IL you boys win
get good flag pole I'll set II up for
you and furnish the flag"
Within a week a slender, shapely
tree lay on the ground quite near the
AdmiraPs gate. Astride of 1t sat
fine lad, with n knife which he
grasped firmly by its two handles and
passed swiftly to and fro along the
surface. People said: what can the
boys be aboutr But the boys had
their secret and they kept It.
One fine bright morning, when Mrs.
Beardslee sat In her little parlor chat
ting with a friend, TAXA" the Jap
anese steward, entered the room with
a 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 klndled, and,
turning to her friend mystlhed her by
saying Come, and put on your hat,
shall put on one of the Admirars,"
placing on her head a soft gray felt
which lay at hand. Both ladies
stepped into the small yard at the
rear of the cottage.
There stood a 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
as you ever saw, the boys had done
their part so well. II 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 thar 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 ali have a hand in It. I've
made list of their names for the Ad. |
mlral."
'Yery we'll" she replied.
The eyes of the boys were intent
upon her Turning to them, she said, |
impressively: Boys, take OF your
caps; never hoist the flag with the
head covered. Mrs. w. and /, You
see, take off ours" Suiting 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 a nod from Mrs.
Beardslee tho carpenter called out,
lustily; "Hoist AWayP
How the boys pulled, and how that
nag few TO the top OF the pole. every
bare head turned alOft and every eye
straining after I'll Then grandly II
doated; hands relaxed and faces
beamed.
The names OF the boys were com.
municated TO the Admiral at once on
his return, and that evening he and
Mrs. .Beardslee gave them reception.
There were many good things to eat
and many fine words were spoken,