Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-10-03
GOT HIS DISCHARGE.
THINGS CAME JUST RIGHT FOR THE
NAVAL MAcHINIST.

THINGS CAME JUST RIGHT FOR THE
NAVAL MAcHINIsT.
A Incidest OF Three Years Cruise
on the Vermont which Goes 60
show How small, After All. This
Great World of Oars Really IL.
Several years ago a quiet young
chap shipped as machinist In the
navy aboard the receiving ship Yer
mont nj the Brooklyn navy yard. He
gave San Francisco as his place OF
nativity He was assigned TO cruiser
about TO start for the China station by
the Suez canal route He was crack
mechanic and very soon showed the
engineers that he knew how TO earn
his rate and wages. He never said
much about himself. He wasn't any
thing Of what is called 'man-o-war
chaw." and. although he had been
up and down the world good deal,
he let others do the talking. lie was
perhaps the quietest man In the Amer
lean navy at the time he served.
His ship got TO the Asiatic station
all right and crulsed back and forth
there between China and japan for
close on o. three years. Then she was
ordered back TO the United States.
She had n lot OF Overtime" men
.Is .rl - hu ha
whose time had expired. but who pre-
ferred to wait until they reached the
United States before they took their
discharges. When the ship was or
dered back home, lot OF overtime
men from other ships on the Asiatic
station were sent TO her TO be brought
back to this country.
This machlnist-call him Beall-had
Just q days left Of his three year en-
listment when the ship left Yokohama
for San Francisco via the Hawaiian
Islands. All OF the overtime men
were talking about their trip around
from San Francisco TO New York by
passenger steamer. They had all ship
ped at the Brooklyn navy yard, and
the navy always sends men TO the
point whence II takes them when they
enlist unless they waive transporta-
ton" for the purpose Of stopping on
nj an intermediary point
II took the ship IA days TO fetch up
Honolulu from Yokohama, and then
Beall. the machinist, had five days yet
To serve.
Are you going to waive transporta-
ton and drop OF at San Francisco, or
are you going around to New York
with usY" the men asked him when the
ship pulled into Honolulu.
Don't know yet" the machinist re-
piled.
After coalIng at Honolulu-which
took four days, done leisurely-the
skipper OF the ship decided 10 take
bit Of a run around the Hawaiian Is
lands before up anchoring for San
Francisco. Beall's time expired on the
morning that his ship was headed for
Iahalna. on the island OF Maui. lit
tie sail OF about ~ miles from Homo
lulu. The ship dropped her anchor
within about 300 yards OF the Lahaina
beach along toward 3 o'clock In the
afternoon.
The island OF Maui Is very beautiful
TO look upon-a yeritable gem OF the
ocean. II such n one was ever fashion
ed by the hand OF the creator. Beall,
the machinist. was OF watch and
standing on the to'gallant fo'csle.
smoking his pipe. when the ship cast
her anchor of Lahaina. There was
some longing In his quiet gray eyes.
He Knocked the ashes out OF his pipe,
stretched his arms and then walked
down 10 the mainmast and told the Of
ficer OF the deck that he wanted TO see
the commanding officer The command |
Ing officer came out Of his cabin.
"what is II, my manY he asked the
machinist.
"My time Is out, sir" said the ma
chinist Il guess I'll take my dis
charge here"
The commanding officer looked sur
prised.
"This Is rather queer notion be I
said. ''You shipped In New York. did |
you not? should think you would |
want to get back to the United States |
after your three years on the China |
station. Or. at any rate, that you |
would prefer to wait until We get back
10 Honolulu. II you want to waive
transportation and take your discharge
down here among the islands. Why do |
you want your discharge today and
hereY'
The machinist smiled as he replied |
Because this island here, Maui, Is
my home At this moment my father I
and mother and seven brothers and /
sisters are on this island. They are at I
q place not very far from Lahalna, call
ed Spreckelsville. The girl that ! am
going 10 marry is also there. was
born In Frisco, but my father came
down to this island as engineer or a
sugar plantation when was 2 years
old. None Of them know that | am
within just few miles OF home now.
| want TO give them a little surprise.
/ waive transportation, and III take
my discharge now"
The commanding officer listened to
the recital with interest.
"Of course well give you your dis |
charge, son." he said, although I'm
sorry to lose you, and had hoped you
might ship over Close mouthed men
are wanted, In the navy. You owe us
some thanks, l think, for starting you
or at New York, taking you around
the world for three years and then
fetching you up within an hour or so
Of your home Oh the very day your
time Is out To all intents and pur-
poses. we have been yacht for you
II was rather remarkable happen
Ing for fact. The machinist packed
his things and went over the side, amid
the pleasant salutations Of the men,
about two hours later. with his bag
and hammock and couple OF thou
sand dollars In gold. his savings dur
Ing the cruise. couple OF hours later !
be was with his people and his sweet
heart In Speckelsville. 1t Is small |
world.-Washinyton Star.