The Washington herald., 1908-05-18
THE SAILOR BOY
TELLS OF FROLIC

AS an example or the truly royal vel
come our sailor boys are receiving in
California, the following described esea-
pade OF a mere yeoman, James MePher-
son by name. and from the battle ship
NeI Jersey, as coafded 70 Richard Barry
and published in the San Francisco Ex-
aminer, should be of interest TO every
Tive" American.
Mr.. Joseph F. Evans, Of Oakland. Cal.
who is now sojourning in Washington,
feels that the case should be brought 10
the attention Of the President. and says
that in his opinion no naval officer. how
ever high his rank. during all the ban
quets being given on the Pacific Coast in
honor Of the navy viii equal the compli-
ment Of this sailor boy from Missouri in
its earnest expression. 1T carries real
conviction" says Mr. Evans. for its
genuineness and absolute appreciation.
His experience is valuable 20 the navy
from its influence upon other men in the
navy. Discipline may demand some pun
ishment, but Mcpherson should also be
slated for promotion. Such men as he can
be trusted in any emergency"
Mcpherson tells a most marvellous story
.of a glorious liberty" turing his two
week stay ashore. The exact penalty
for the crime will probably be six months
confinement 10 his ship and the loss of
rating, which means IS a month but the
woman says the time he had was worth
all of that
I went ashore at Z o'clock the morning
Of April IS, in San Diego" said AIePher-
son TO the interviewer. with a twenty
foUr-hours' liberty party, and fully ex-
pected to return to the ships in that time.
All day We had lovely party around the
town. and coming evening my head felt
bit big, with the stun we had eaten
and drank, so thought I'd walk into the
country and stratghten up.
Well sir. you can imagine my delight
in getting into the country, far away
from the town, just walking out free.
swinging my arms and legs, shouting
loud, and picking flowers 10 put in my
blouse. I made up my mind I'd walk FIVE
hours out, right through the T light, and
then have five hours back in time 10
catch the : o'clock steamer in he morn
ing.
About midnight I saw a lantern In a
farm house. and concluded I'd ask for a
drink, which same 7 did. The farmer was
mighty nice. saw my sailor blouse and
read my cap ribbon. got out some milk
and cheese for me, and then something
bit stronger. We sat there and talked
& long while, and I found he'd come
from the next county TO where I'd come
from In Missouri and knew some Of the
folks I'd known. After a while ne took
me upstairs and showed me a fine bed
with feather pillows, and told me 10
stay Now, Ia not slept in a bed for
nearly five years, and I just couldn't
resist that. I lay down there, and when
woke up it was long after eight bells.
"I was in for It then. so I stayed right
on with the farmer for two days. thinking
I'd go up TO Los Angeles and join the ship
there. But when / got to Los Angeles
things were so good / thought I'd take
another day When they got 10 Santa
Barbara I went up by train, got in one
Of those free parties the postmaster
rounded up and forwarded. There It was
the same story over again. I lay low.
kept respectable when the patrol came
around. and stood in for all the meal pen
nants that few handout soup
when the fleet left I started to walk
10 Santa Cruz. slept in a barn the first
night and the second DAY on the road
was hailed by a passing automobile con-
tanning a fellow in goggles and two la
dies They took me in, put me on the
front seat and hiked me over the country
and up into the mountains TO one Of them
fine places where flowers grow like in
show. I gorged and lay down TO sleep
way past the bos'n whistle to charters
got up and lit a black cigar that must
have cost about a dollar and a half. got
under a real bath, and.
Well. that was the time Of my life. Il
was worth all Of rate or two. These
people out here on the Coast seem 10
want to see US. Taint like the Atlantic
side. where they keep US out Of theaters
and post signs to put US back with Mig
gers and Cinnamon. No, sir; they treat
US Ike men out here.
And that's the reason I came back and
gave UP to-day. They treat US like men
and guess it's up to US to rise to it and
be men. I've had my time now I'm will
ing to pay for IL