The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1898-05-14
FROM A FORMER BOONE COUNTY
BOY.

been called upon to refer to periods
of my life when | had to use such
large chunks" of time and it makes
- y5dll as ever and The
string of memories ~ have aroused
makes me wish to go oyer again the
experiences of boyhood\ Insignif-
cant and unimportant they were of
course, but dear nevertheless and l
would live them over again in
thought were it not for the sadness of
such reflection. Some day hope to
visit Boone, and Bellefonte in partic-
ular, that may look up old land
marks and recall those little scenes
and incidents that have impressed
themselves so deeply and firmly on
my mind. | laugh and grow sad,
and regret and long for, and have
commingling of feelings and senti-
ments that battle description. Above
all, | thank you, and ask you to
write again telling me next time
more of the people | have known.
Who is dead? Who married? Who
prospers? There are hundreds of
people would ask about but the list
is too long and I'll not bother you.
AS for myself, l have changed of
course. Am older in appearance and
trust in wisdom too. In fine health
and enjoying life moderately we'll. l
have been fortunate in my cruising,
having been on good stations and
generally satisfactory ships. l have
had one cruise around South Ameri-
ca, one in the West Indies and one in
Europe Needless to say that my
European cruise of two years was
not only novel and interesting but
instructive as well. have been in
almost every sea coast city of i'm
portance from Stockholm, Sweden,
around the coast to the fartherest and
east on the Mediterranean; Copen-
hagen, Berlin, London, Paris, Ma
pies, Damascus, Cairo, Algiers. l
have visited these and of course have
found much to interest ms speak
of these not to boast but to let you
see what good luck / have had-all
of which is delightful in its way but
you must know that all is not sun
shine and song, This variety of life,
travel, and change doubtless seems
more than attractive to you, as a
peaceful domestic one does to me or
would to you if you were compelled
to go to sea. l like 1.-THE life
would not give it up, particularly
now when we have something to do;
but there have been long days abb
sence from home and country, by
days of monotony in the tropics and
long days of pitching and tossing
about in turbulent seas. These
things however have only prepared
us for the time when we are needed
to hight. That time is not far off,
We have been lying here tor weeks,
decks stripped and steam up
ready to move at moments
notice, expecting the morrow to
bring orders. So far as the
Navy is concerned, we are in good
condition and everybody anxious
We now have about fifteen ships
here and it is fine sight even to a
man who Is accustomed to see many
men-of-war together There is nc
lack of patriotism or training. 1t is
encouraging to hear of the spirit Of
people so far inland as you are and
to know that they are with us in
sympathy though it is impossible for
them to take an active part-'tweer
you and me. old man, there's more
patriotism and courage in Boone
county that there is in an eastern
Of 100000 inhabitants. Talk in The
east is in inverse ratio to willines.
to enlist Recently we were at G
particularly patriotic" town o
some 5000 where itlooked as IL thu
town would sprain lung in shout
ing death to the Spainards. We ad
vertised in the papers that we would
enlist as many as ITS men to go OF
the ships Of the feet. One of the 80,
600 enlisted and he was an English
man. Need say any moree
As for yourself, appreciate YOU
spirit and thank heaven You have it
hut as things are now It lis inpossi
BILE for you. The reasons are toe
numerous to mention. First, al
of the ships have their full allowancl
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