Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1906-11-23
Two Scapegraces
GOriginal.l


as midshipman in the navy-that is,
where the midshipman is ashore ON
leave. Possibly now that war vessels
have changed from light wooden struc-
lures, riding the waves with white
wings like a bird, to a machine shop
driven by steam some of the romance
may have been knocked out of the
middies, but fifty years ago, when the
United States frigate Honeybee sailed
into Havana harbor she had as roll
licking a lot of Juniors as ever were
got together in a fighting ship.
Bob Merrett and Ned Perry, both
midshipmen, could get into more mis-
chief in one day ashore than the rest
of the officers would meet in month.
No sooner had the Honeybee dropped
her anchor than both lads applied for
leave to go ashore.
s'You can co. said their commander,
'sbut remember that these Spaniards
are hot, Jealous lot, and if you're not
careful you'll be brought back with
machete sticking in you''
The injunction was unheeded. The
middies went into Havana, hired a
vehicle for a drive and, passing the
plantation of Don Antonio CORDOBA,
espied Donna Ysabel CORDOBA, his
daughter, aged fifteen, playing under
the palms at some distance from the
house.
Now, what followed would have
stricken the girls parents with horror.
They considered Ysabel child, for
getting that in the tropics girls expand
like the foliage. The young rascals
| called to Donna Ysabel to ask the road,
chatted with her in bad Spanish and
asked her to drive. She cast a fright
ened glance in the direction of the
house, climbed the wall, and, taking
seat between the two middies, away
they went as fast as the bony, half
starved horse could take them. Either
officer made good chaperon, so there
vas really no harm in the escapade
except violation of custom.
The ride finished, the girl was drop
ped safely where she had been taken
up, and, during the stay of the Honey
bee in the port of Havana, Bob Merrett
| made frequent visits to the palm wood,
at last sailing away with Donna Ysa-
bel's heart. A year passed before he
saw her again, when his ship touched
at Havana and he went to the Cardoza
plantation with proposition for the
girls hand. He was Informed that if
he showed his face there again he
would find a resting place in neigh
boring cemetery.
Bob went back to the ship and told
his sorrow to his friend Perry. The
result of the interview was that Perry
agreed to go to the plantation in mufti,
steal away the girl and take her to a
village the two middies had passed
through on their way to the planta-
tion. There her lover was to meet and
marry her There were several de-
fects in the plan, not the least of which
was the fact that they agreed to
center of the village, rather a public
place for such a meeting.
The next day, both middies having
obtained shore leave, Ned went on
ahead, agreeing to have the girl at the
trysting place, though the hour must
necessarily be indefinite. Bob waited
impatiently in Havana till he could
wait no longer, then went to the viii
lage and took a seat in the public
square.
After waiting an hour it occurred to
cessful in getting the girl they might
not find it quite safe to rendezvous in
so conspicuous place. They might
be hiding in some of the houses.
Knocking at several Of the doors,
he asked those within if they had seen
a young couple. No one had seen a
young couple. Along came hawker
Of toys. Bob thrust his hand into the
mans basket. drew out a tin horn
and blew the dinner call with a mighty
blast Up went a window sash on the
opposite side of the street, and Ned
Perry's head was thrust out.
81 thought that would bring you,"
said Bob. ''What luck?'
s'Come over here and I'll tell you"
Bob crossed the street and was ad-
mitted to the house. Inside were a
Spanish woman and a black eyed
maiden just budding into womanhood
But she was not Donna Ysabel. BoE
looked ct l,c" disappointed. then at his
friend for ii explanation.
1--WE good news for you." said Ned
Donna Ysaael was frantic at your re.
pulse and told her father she would
kill herself. So he has consented to
look up your credentials and if you're
all right he'll consent"
''That's good news, sure enough
said Bob. ''but what are you doing
here?'
Ned f"o--c.ed at his friend, glancine
~ t3.c rI---. tine at the others; then,
b-s...:l3ss then good afternoon. the mid
G: 5 LIT TIE house.
''Wcl. what is it?'' asked Bob on tn.
sidewalk
"Drifted into = cross current ans.
struck the g;cl il,aile there"
"Oh, seer
The next day Midshipman Merrett