The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1906-05-26
JOINING THE NAVY.
LOYAL MINNESOTA BOY TRAINS
FOR UNCLE SANS SERVICE.
Leaves Els Girl at Rivals Mercy,
But She Remains Faithful
and Freezes the Inter-
loper Out,

The boy was satisfied with life in
the small country town. until he saw
the picture of man-of-war. In every
American boys heart there Is some.
thing about the picture OF one OF our
floating fighting machines that starts
within him all the torrents of latent
patriotism and love OF good fight,
and this boy was no exception to the
rule, relates the Minneapolis Tribune.
But to want to enlist was but the
mere beginning OF the boys actual
enlistment. There were obstacles to
overcome. His father was business
man and had made other plans tor
his son. The village jokesmith told
Few jolly ones about people getting
seasick to the bunch OF time brokers
behind the harness shop, and the cur.
ly-haired wonder with the bright eye
on the main chance. who pushed dry
goods across the counter for the in.
spection of the town bellies. made q
mental calculation that with the boy
out OF the way a certain girl would
have three more open nights a week
which he might help to fill. As for
the girl she seemed to take things
very Quietly-in fact so quietly that
shrewd observer might suspect her of
harboring some inside Information
which gave her mind this unseerly
peace.
The curly-hairee dry goods jugg.er
was = little more disconcerting
Three nights a week was a big open.
Ing to leave and four years 4 long
while to be gone, but still he resolved
to trust to an original scheme which
had flashed across his mind when the
question Of leaving the girl had first
presented Itself. He went to talk 1t
over with the girl. There were some
more calculations. a half interest in
certain prosperous little hardware
store was discussed. a little house.
too. Just across from where the girl
lived. was mentioned. and the girl
thought It was awfu. for anyone to
marry at IS anyhow.
Then there must have been q prom.
ise-perhaps q scaled promise, some.
thing. anyway. The boy left the
house with happy look and the curly.
haired dry goods artist. whose net
weekly income had about as much
show OF rising above eight dollars a
week ~ New York insurance direc.
tor has OF reaching for more" was
enectually erased from his thoughts.
Three days later the boy went to
Minneapolis. He passed = good cx.
animation and was sent away to 'Fris.
co the same night with four other
boys. with the same ambition and
destination.
The boy was sent shortly after to
the training ship Pensacola, where the
young boys are taught all sorts OF
things necessary to make them en-
Client seamen. For instance. he wrote
that lie was taught to sew canvas.
eplice rope. make knots. etc.
The boy kept his eyes open and soon
saw that he would be able to pass the
examination for seaman. which would
give him more pay and open the way
to promotion. His division oficer en-.
Outraged him In this effort, as well rs
some others OF the bright boys, and II
won't be long before he obtains his
new rate. About the time Of his cx.
animation the new cruiser Cai,forn..
will be commissioned. This ship Is .
6ne example OF the new armourea
cruiser Of 1900 tons displacement.
boy has hopes for u place
aboard thls latest product OF the
Union lroa works. where also was
built u famous Oregon. especially AS
she WI - y The Asiatic feet. II the
c!ovis OF var gather above China and
break into . storm. the boy will be
there 10 take part II Il and scquit
himself a. Minnesota boys always do.