The San Francisco call., 1905-04-25
MiSunde rstanding
to Be Settled by
Another Marriage
Troubles of AuIins
to End in Joy at
an Oakland Altar

An odd romance, involving a mid
dle-aged couple that had been divorced
by reason of misunderstanding grow
ing out of the Russo-Japanese war,
is about to be eliminated at the altar
in Oakland. The facts are interesting
and unusual.
After being called into service by
the Russians at Port Arthur through
the japanese siege and kept from re-
turning to his home for nearly a year
longer than he had intended to be alb
sent, Captain John B. Aulin returned
few days ago to find that his wife
had been divorced from him and the
custody of their four children had
been awarded to her.
There has been a reconciliation with
explanations, however, and yesterday
a marriage license was issued that will
be used to unite those whom stress
OF circumstances had separated.
Not of the least Importance in con-
nection with his return was the fact
that Captain Aulin had $4,000 in his
inside pocket TO show that he had not
been busy counting any other sweet
heart than tickle fortune, and to-day a
deed was placed on record giving Mrs.
Aulin pretty home and as soon as the
be the scene of their second marriage.
Captain Aulin has been employed in
the China seas for years and latterly
acted as pilot at Port Arthur for
Clarkson & Company. agents for the
Boston Tow Boat Company and sew
eral large steamship lines. He was
one of two pilots in the harbor and
until impressed into the service of the
Russians was a free lance and charged
his own price for his services to those
anxious to get in or out of the gun
locked harbor He had many narrow
escapes. The lobe of his right ear is
missing and a scar along the neck
shows how near a piece of a Japanese
shell came TO ending his earthly ca
reer.
TELLS HIS STORY.
In talking of his return and the
events which delayed it, he said:
On the day of the first bombardment of Port
Arthur \ went out in a tug to notify two
steamers, the Columbia and the Edward Bell.
that they were refused entry to the port. and
a. 1 c@Ine back | received my baptism under
fire The japanese are fine marksmen, and
Il was far from a pleasant experience.
/ was in the employ OF Clarkson & Co. and
there only frst-cass pilots at Port
Arthur. OF whom 1 was one. of course we
could ask virtually our own prices. and
have come home with about $4,000 as the re-
salt Of my work.
was in full operation / was called into the
service Of the Russian Government and found
il hardly profitable. as / have yet, re-
ceived no compensation from them, and un-
less they should beat Japan l hardly expect
To receive any.
I cannot understand why Port Arthur was
surrendered. when at that time there seemed
be provisions and ammunition in plenty. If
the fortrcss had held for a month or two
Longer the disaster to Kuropatkins army would
not have occurred
At 10 time during the siege there any
scarcity OF provisions. except as regards meat
and fresh vegetables which one hardly can
expect al such a time Any one with money
could purchase almost anything else that he
desired.
PRAISES RUSSIANS.
I v-ish 10 say a word in favor Of Russian
sailors wl.o can be favorably compared with
those Of any other nation. but tie officers
while invariably gentlemen and pleasant fell
lows meet. ashamed 10 be Se5n doing
any work. If they would occasionally put
on 4 suit of overalls and work with and
personally direct their their navy would
be the better for it,
The Japanese blockade nearly perfect
which was due to their torpedO-boats They
had d great number of these boats and were
adepts in their use
I Lad several narrow escapes from being
killed Once while l washing in my
room a shell burst through the wall and
fell my feet. / did not wait for any fur
ther Developments bMt came back later to
Another time a s-.ell from a small machine
gun knocked down from the concussion
as il passed by. taking my hat with it.
have mad enough of war.