Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1907-12-19
The Sailors Return
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are all the fiction there Is III 1t,
One morning 4 young man appear
ed at the Broollyii navy yard and ship
ned as plachinist The cruiser be-
was assigned To steamed across the
Atlantic. through the Mediterranean
and the Suez canal for the China sta
ton.
Young Wheeock. as we shall call
him. was a skilled mechanic. Though
he had been all over the world, he said
very little about his wanderings or
himself. He had left a girl ut home,
and possibly this is why he was 50
quiet. Men in love either like TO talk
all the while about their sweethearts
or do II lot of thinking about them
Wheelocl was of The thinking Kind.
For three years the cruiser was
steaming about in Chinese and Japa-
nese waters, then was ordered home.
The term of Wheclock's enlistment was
nearly expired Indeed. when the ship
left japan lust three weeks of 1t were
unexpired. lie was privileged 10 stop
off at any port the vessel stopped at
after the expiration of his term or to
go on with the ship TO the place of his
enlistment When he reached Homo
lulu Wheelock had just FIVE days to
serve. No one supposed he would
wish 10 leave the ship in those far
away islands. but If he did he couldn't
unless II remained among them for the
remainder of his term. lie showed no
anxiety 10 do So. AND as at his enlist
ment he hal given san Francisco as
his birthplace his shipmates supposed
he would remain aboard until that city
was reached.
Four days We're consumed in coaling
ut Honolulu, and the cruiser was ready
to continue her ru!age across the Pa
cifc on the very day that Wheelock
was free to leave the navy. STILL he
said nothing about remaining in the
Sandwich Islands and outwardly at
least showed no concern whether the
vessel left two hours after or before
the expiration of his term. Before re-
turning to America, however the
commander decided 10 make short
cruise among The Islands recently ac-
CURED by the United States. On the
morning the vessel weighed anchor for
this cruise Whcclock's term in the
navy expired. He remained on board.
however. ant that afternoon when they
reached the port of Iahaena. on the
island of Maui. he went on deck Aft
er looking awhile at the quiet little
port set IN Il yCry beautiful country
with a pair OF cEcs lit with pleasure
lie went TO the officer Of the deck and
asked to zee hr raptu9. The com
mander came out of his cabin and ask
ed the man what he could do for him.
MY enlistment Is expired I'd like
my discharge" replied Wheelock
What, here; Don't you wish to 20
to Brooklyn, where you enlisted?"
NO. sir
But surely YOU don't want to get
off at this out of the way place. Hadn't
you better go back with us to Homo
lulu?"
mo, sir; III rather go ashore here
The captain looked puzzled. Pres
emily he asked. "Would you mind tell
ing me whyW
Certainly not. There" pointing TO
the island, "is my home My father
and mother. my brothers and sisters,
are there. They live at Spreckelsville,
not far from that port There, too. is
my sweetheart"
But said the captain. "were you
not born in San Francisco"
II was, but when ! was little child
my father came here, with his family.
to take the position of engineer of n
sugar plantation
The captain WAS too astonished to
reply at once. When he did he said
do you mean tc tell mel know it.
you don't need Ia tell me-that after a
three years cruise from New York
You bring up here at your home on the
very day of the expiration of your en-
listment?"
~ singular coincidence, captain.''
Il should think so, And you-didn't
YOU feel some emotion at the prospect
or going past all those you love with
out seeing them
Il didn't intend to do so. | waited"
And said nothing. It's pity there
are not more silent people in the world
They're rare, All right; you shah have
YOUR discharge"
That evening the young sailor enter
ed the village of Spreckeisville and
mace his way to his home. That be
was in the navy his relatives knew.
but II they had any idea of his where
abouts they supposed him to he on the
sea OF Japan. Not even the girl who
had been so long waiting for him
dreamed that he was on the island.
When she saw in the distance the IA
mlIlar Inquire coming toward her she
tremoled, fearing that II was his
wrath On he came. his features be-
coming more distinct nj every step.
nat he did not speak at first gave
color TO her fear that he was not in the
flesh, but she remembered that he was
OF the silent kind and whei. smile
broke on his lips she was reassured.
but she caught at The gate by which
she was standing, aud when he darted
forward and took her in his arms she
was ready TO fan
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