Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-03-03
The Sailors Return

There Is nothing TO 90 IN TINS story
to turn fact into fiction but to select
one or two fictitious names. The names
are all the fiction there is in it.
| One morning young man appear
ed at the Brooklyn navy yard and ship
ped as a machinist. The cruiser he
was assigned to steamed across the
Atlantic. through the Mediterranean
| and the Suez canal for the China sta
| ton.
| Young Wheelock. as we shall call
him. was skilled mechanic. Though
he had been all over the world. he said
very little about his wanderings or
himself He had left girl at home,
| and possibly this is why he was so
| quiet. Men in love either like to talk
all the while about their sweethearts
or do lot of thinking about them.
| Wheelock 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 wheelock's enlistment was
nearly expired. Indeed. when the ship
left Japan just three weeks of it were
unexpired. He was privileged to stop
off at any port the vessel stopped ct
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 TO leave the ship in those far
away islands. but If he did be couldn't
unless II remained among them for the
remainder Of his term. He showed no
anxiety to do SO. and as at his enlist
ment he had given San Francisco as
his birthplace his shipmates supposed
he would remain aboard until that city
was reached.
Four days were consumed In coaiins
at Honolulu. and the cruiser was ready
to continue her voyage across the Pa
cific on the very day that Wheelock
was free to leave the navy. SIN. he
said nothing about remaining in the
Sandwich Islands and outwartlly 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 to make q short
cruise among the Islands recently ac-
quired by the United States. On the
morning the vessel weighed anchor for
this cruise Wheelock's term in the
navy expired. He remained on board.
however. and that afternoon when they
reached the port of Labaena. on the
island Of Mani. he went on deck. Aft
er looking awhile at the quiet little
port set in a very beautiful country
with a pair of eyes lit with pleasure
he went to the officer of the deck and
asked TO see the captain. The CON-
mander came out of his cabin and ask
ed the man what he could do for him.
my enlistment is expired. Ia like
my discharge" replied wheelock
What, here? Don't you wish to go
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 so back with us to Homo
!uluf"
40. sir; I'd rather go ashore here"
The captain looked puzzled. Pres !
entity he asked. Would you mind tell
ing me why2"
Certainly not. There" pointing to
the island. lis 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 Franciscow
Il was, but when was q little child
my father came here. with his family,
to take the position Of engineer Of
sugar plantation"
The captain was too astonished to
reply at once. When he did he said:
do you mean to tell mel know it
you don't need to tell me-that after q
three years cruise from New York
you bring up here at your home on the
very day of the expiration Of your en-
listment?"
"A singular coincidence, captain
81 should think so! And you-didn't
you feel some emotion at the prospect
Of 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 shall have
| your discharge"
That evening the young sailor enter
ed the village of Spreckelsville and
made his way to his home. That he
| was in the navy his relatives knew.
but If they had any idea of his where
abouts they supposed him to be 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
| miliar figure coming toward her she
trembled, fearing that it was his
| wrath. On he came, his features be-
coming more distinct at every step.
\ That he did not speak at first gave