The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-04-11
A ROMANCE OF OUR NAVY.
How the First Sergeant Received a
Baronetcy as Christmas Gift.

New Orleans Times-Democrat)
! All sorts and conditions of men go to
make up the enlisted personnel of a
man -of-war and, as a rule, nothing is
7 known of the history of most of the
man of-wars' men, who come from
every walk of life. 1t is not surprising,
therefore, that now and then a bit of
romance is revealed when the history of
some Of these lads of the sea is made
known by accident.
Perhaps the most romantic incident
of them all was that of the first ser
geant of marines upon one of our ships
in eastern waters who, under remark
able circumstances, came to be offered
an unusual Christmas gift, which he
would not accept. This first sergeant
was the ideal soldier, German by
birth, neat, trim, an excellent disci-
/ plinarian and a fayorite with the men,
who, however, were never familiar with
him. There was something about the
sergeant that made it impossible for
his comrades to treat him fiippantly as
seafaring men usually do each other.
The cruise was drawing to a close and
the ship was lying in a tropical port on
Christmas day, with boiling sun over
head and a sea of glass about her.
Christmas trees rose above the mast
heads and bunting decked the vessel
awnings on the cool white deck were
enjoying their Christmas sports of ath-
letic games, with the first sergeant as
referee. a Christmas dinner laid on
tables on the forward deck awaited the
ending of the sports, and 800 jolly faces
watched the fun and made bets uoon
the results.
The German consul is coming along
side, sir" reported the Guartermaster
on watch to the officer of the deck.
-Four side, boys sang out the latter,
and the boatsWain's mate Diped the
side as the German consul came over
the gangway. He was escorted to the
cabin, and the Interrupted sports went
on. The prizes were awarded and the
Christmas spread duly enjoyed at the
various tables Permission to smoke
was granted, and the first sergeant had
just lighted his pipe when the messen-
ger of the watch came to him and said,
The officer of the deck wants TO see
you, sergeant" Dropping his pipe, he
went aft to the mainmast. where he
was surprised to find awaiting him not
only the officer of the deck, but the cap
tain and a civilian, who proved to be
the German consul.
Sergeant" said the captain, this
gentleman has something to say to
YOU" and while this well-drilIed marine
stood at attention the consul said,
Baron Won Schrader, 1 bring you a
Christmas gift" The first sergeant did
not forget he was a soldier, and. al
though his face expressed the utmost
surprise, he saluted and said, interroga-
lively, Yes, sir?" Your father, the old
baron and your elder BROTHER con-
tinued the consul, have both been dead
for six months, and we have been all
this time trying to find you-a difficult
task, since, as it proves, you enlisted
under an assumed name. However, We
have accomplished our task, and it
gives me much pleasure to hand you
these papers. which prove your right to
the title and the estate of your late
father
The first, sergeant took the papers
mechanically, but stood at attention, a
soldier still.
Now, sergeant" said the captain,
"of course you will want your discharge.
How much longer have you to serve?"
-Four months, SIR answered Baron
Won Schrader, the first sergeant.
We'll, / think it can be arranged"
said the captain, and now that you
are SO great a. gentleman" he added
smilingly, "of course, you will not care
to take your place among the crew.
The first sergeant hesitated. then sa-
iuted and said: Sir, l do not think 1
am a greater gentleman now than I
have been, and. if this matter can be
kept from the crew, sir, l would rather
serve out my enlistment"
The captain thought a moment and
then said Very well, sergeant you
may go forward"
And serve out his enlistment he did,
refusing this strangely offered Christ
mas gift, and no one forward was a
whit the wiser, nor did they learn that
their sergeant was baron until he had
put aside with honor the uniform of
Uncle Sam and entered into his new
estate in his Rhenish home.