The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-13

backwards like a crab; funny, wasn't
it?-backing away ever so slow. She
had gone four inches, they said, be-
fore anybody noticed it, Then Mr..
Nixon cried out, Smash her quick!'
and l smashed her.
I'D been holding the bottle on my
right shoulder with a firm grip around
the neck, and when the word came
let fly. And the glass couldn't have
broken more, I fancy. The ribbon net
kept the pieces from hitting US in the
face, but the wine spattered every
where, all over the ship and over my
furs-the papers there said 1 was
gowned in sable, but I wasnt-and
over Mr.. Nixon and everybody; and If
there's anything in signs the Dakota
will be as lucky as a five-Ieaf clover.
Her Muscle Cultivated.
my muscle? o, I have always lived
out there next to nature and the
prairie; and, besides, play forward in
our basketball team up at the u. I sup
pose I've learned to deliver the ball
mo, didn't go aboard the ship; she
was so high up. Besides, there was
nothing in her but holes. 1 wanted to
visit the Minnesota that was tied out in
the river and has most of the houses
and things built on her already, but we
didn't have time.
THE Dakota slid down away from us
all wet with wine, and 1 had the fun
NEST feeling-I wanted to go after her
and the ribbons with the broken bot
tie tratled into the water and the colors
ran together; I've got the ribbon in my
trunk now No, the ship didn't make
much noise. I supposed she'd plunge
In with roar. There was a loud crack
or TWO, as she got pretty near in and
the boards she slid on smoked a great
deal; that was ALL
After the christening we had lunch
IN the mold house, where they make
the holdings, and there were beautiful
speeches by the gentlemen. There was
some champagne drunk there, too.
y, yes-and after l had said, I
christen thee, Dakota'-as 1 smashed
the bottle, leaned over and patted the
ship on the blunt piece in the front and
said Good-by, old ship, good luck
4 saw everything in New York. We
were there from Friday afternoon till
saw more in the same time. It's a Won
derful town.
But, really" added the young girl.
leaning over, her bright cheeks flushing
brighter, Il wouldn't give my little gar
den at Ellendale, Dickey county, N. D.,
with its broad vista of the prairie. for
all the palaces n.Fifth avenue!
Ihats the way l feel about it, and
I'm in hurry, almost to get back to
Grand Forks. I'm going straight back
70 the Y Monday, tell the girls all about
lt-and the boys, too, of course if thew
ask-and go to work again in nv class.
But maybe | won't help 'em out on our
class yell! Wish I could give it herei
But L never shall forget the glorious
tlme I've had, and the honor and the
way everybody treated me. Those
South Dakota
been kinder to girl from their end.
And see, here is the beautiful memento
the NorthWesterners gave me, partly
Tor memento, and partly, I think for
a valentine and birthday gift. Yes.
m eighteen years old Sunday, st. Val
entine's day."
The pretty sponsor extended a little
gold watch at the end of a long chain.
Inc plain case of the gift bore her
monogram without; within apneared
this inscription:
PRESENTED to Mary Belle Fleming
ton by the Northwestern Delegation
at the Launching of the S. S. Dakota at
New London, Conn, Feb 6, 1904"
Inc watch was given to Miss Flem-
ihgton on the train Thursday evening
oy Ezra u. Valentine, of Breckenridge.
MIMI, on behalf of himself and his
companions. Miss Pennington acknov1-
edged the honor with a charming
speech. A gift was also made to As9
slstant General Passenger Agent c. r.
Stone, of the Great Northern, in recog-
milton OF his courtesy to the launch
ers. On motion of c. P. Noyes, of st.
Paul, thanks We're voted unanimously
10 James ]. Hill, the Great Northern
R 5 company; Mr.. Stone, Presi-
dent Gushing, of the Chamber Of Com
merce, and the ladies ACCOMPANYING
the party ms