Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-23

that crowd. Wives of officers and of able
seamen were side by side. Mothers of
were on the same level Old soldiers from
the government home hobbled in and out.
Mere spectators out for the holiday
pushed and elbowed and suffered patiently
in the pitiless rain.
1t was noon before the Connecticut
doomed slowly out of the mist. Her course
carried her within few hundred yards
of the pier. Then frantic ecstasy let
loose. The black mass of umbrellas
swayed and tossed In salute.
Thousands of voices swelled a chorus
of cheers. There were shouts and cries
of names-Billy, Fred. Jack and Tom
tered and scarfs waved from every win
dow in the hotel. as if the men aboard
ship could recognize the fair one behind
each salutation.
Then, too, was 1t that q sentimental
band struck up There Is no place like
home" and from the forecastle of the
Connecticut came the guarded refrain,
But we're afraid to go home In the
dark" The men did not look it.
The instant the last gun Of salute
doomed and the Mayf1ower was under way
the reunion with wives and sweethearts
that had been awaited so impatiently for
so many days. Every officer in the fleet
save five for each ship was allowed to go
ashore Launches darted back and forth
with them to the Old Point Comfort build
ing.
On the dock were dozens of women and
girls scanning every arriving boatload.
There were ecstatic cries of welcome and
seen before. 1t was an indistinct blur OF
excited humanity, a man for each woman
and woman for each man.
Arm In arm. calculating uncompleted
sentences of joy and greeting, they has
tened UP the walk to the big hotel. where
warmth and cheer and bright lights and
gay scenes were prepared. If the rain
Time here was fresh display. Every
woman had gowned herself In most gor-
geOus ralment.
During all the long months of waiting
she had planned and worked to make
herself this night the most beautiful and
attractive of her whole life. For most of
them there was little need OF stunning
gowns and gorgeous jewels to make them
radiant. Their beauty shone in eyes IL
lumined with pleasure. In cheeks that
burned with flush of crimson. in lips that
parted in constant ripples Of smiles.
They promenaded the long corridors,
filled every nook and corner of the spa
cious parlors. The dining room was
spread with tempting feasts that had
been ordered long I'm advance. Wine
glasses were at right and left hand.
again and again.
In one of the first launches to come
ashore was Midshipman Alfred G. Mar
tin of the Connecticut. Waiting for him
was Miss Gladys Halle of Jacksonville,
Fla, and her father. With scarcely a
moments delay they rushed over to the
post chapel in Fort Monroe and We're
married by the chaplain.
In the center of the lobby at one mo-
ment was rosy-faced midshipman sur
rounded by his mother and two aunts.
They alternately Rugged and kissed him
so that he blushed and tried to steal
away. But the three women surrounded
him with a Gordon Of arms. One patted
his face. another patted his shoulders
and the third strove merely to touch his
sleeve.
There were lovers on every side who
strove to maintain decorum and Toasted
on each others eyes.
The older officers and their wives, eX-
perfenced in many long separation,
behaved more sedately. They dined calm
ly, but well. They sauntered about greet
ing acQuaintances and discussing plans
for the future. which few know as yet,
for final orders concerning dispersal of
the fleet and new assignments of duty
have not been issued.
Around the edges of the navy crowd
hung the civilians and army men. They
counted for nothing. Only a navy uni
form caught the eye of the women. The
man not clad in blue might as we'll have
been a thousand miles away. His very
presence was ignored.
Senator's and representatives from
Washington were outranked by the young
est midshipmen of the fleet Million
aires who own yachts and palaces count
ed for nothing compared with the MILDLY
struggling along on his meager pay. The
navy man has his innings now.
Out on the ships last night there were
1900 prisoners, the sailors of the fleet
Not q man of them was allowed ashore
The first night is for the officers alone
Jacks turn comes later. Receptions, well
comes and hospitality await him with
lavish hand during the week.
The fog and the rain drifted away in
the evening hours. The feasting and
midnight. The banqueting hall held hun
dreds of officers listening to formal
speeches. and Admiral Sperry was mod
estly responding to the toast of welcome.
TIE ships were brightly illuminated:
thei' thousands Of lights twinkling in the
far distance.
And that is how the globe girdling fleet
came home.