The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1904-06-09

IL was grandmas birthday. 10 addition
to the ferns and other decorations adloln
ing the ctEi little slt,icg room, fade,
American lag draped the wall Just show
the open neplace. Il hal been my pless
ure TO be present At several Of the eelebrs
tlons Of giAndms's natal dsv, and | hat
nollsed that before retirirg for the night
the old LADY would place the nig carefully
away In the lit,le hair trunk to await the
dawn OF another birthday lathe evening,
after the guests had departed, aud had
seated myself at her side and gss d Into
the cheerful fire Of b zlug logs, became
irquisi.ivc and learned the reason why she
treasured the faded emblem
A. the time the nag come into m9 pos.
sessior, said gr,ndms, beginning her story,
my father was aiIed States Consul to an
Eaglsh possession. ID semlng 1t advisable
to send me hlm,, he secured pssssgs for
me 10 the clipper ship Ocean Wave. Cap
tain Thomas, her commander, was a llie-
long fri nd OF fathers, and expressed
grest pleasure that was to be passenger
on the ship,
One evening, Inst before ictiriog to my
stsleroom, bade the captain good light
and casually remarked that the folio wing
dsy w,rl mark my twentieth birthday.
In the otting, when went on de,k,
found the tbp gayly decorated with l,gs
and streamers. Upon making inquiry as TO
its purport, was agresasly surprised to
learn that It WAS in honor OF my birth.
day.
Abou' midday the outlook reportcl
ship bearing down upon US from wind ward.
When the stranger had approached within
bslt mile she shook out her colors. A
cloud Of smoke broke from her port, the
report Of gun boomed across the water
and solid shot threw up a spray quite
close to cur bow.
la response to Captain Thomas orders,
the Ocean Wavs was hove to to await he
arrival OF the boat from the strange vessel.
Well, sir who are you, and what does this
mean? thundered Captain Thomas, as
uniformed officer came over the side, am
Captain Skinner, sir, OF the Confederate
States Navy, and have come to demand the
surrender Of this vessel. Sir, retorted the
captain, this is sn E1glish vessel, and hark |
you, sir, you will have to answer to Her
NJ, st,' government for this insult. That
rems 1s to be seen, replied the officer, as
he followed the captain into the cabin to
'xlmine the ships papers.
Captain Thomas, he said few moments
later, find your papers to be all right, but
why so much display Of Yankee bunting ?
Simply in honor OF this lady's birthday,
the daughter Of an old and true friend, a
Unittd States Consul at my home port.
Captain S'mmes' manner Immediately
changed. With true Southern chivslry, he
turned to me and said: Pardon me, lady,
regret II In the performance tf duty
have caused you uneasiness and alarm
assured that even though this vessel
had proved to be the prlz, expected, you
would have received the courtesy and res.
pect due your sex. Captain Thomas, ]
hope and trust you will understand my pos
tion and pardon the unlntentional afiront
20 Her Msjesty'a government and yourself.
The captain took the extended hand Of the
al. ho T.. .,fu "a
wine, and drank to my health and hsppi-
leis.
As the ships parted company the Alaba.
mas guns resounded over the water in a
parting salute to the Ocean Wave, who still /
proudly hoa.ed fyQm her peak the Star
,pangled Banner That ! now treasure In
remembrance Of Captain Thomas and my !
wentieth birthday.