Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-02-09
A MEN|AL DIPLOMAT
sy NATHAN HARDY.

last century q French deet had been
In q storm OF Sokotra and
put into Alden, British port, for re-
pairs. Now. the British lion has al
ways been used to providing about look
ing for bone with plenty Of marrow
In It, and II he observes another anil
NAL going in an unexplained direction
he Immediately scents feast In 9th
er words. Englishmen have occupied
every desirable vacant point on the
face Of the earth.
Naturally when the governor at Alden
saw &C formidable neet he wondered
what was its object He asked the
French admiral, and the admiral aver
red that the ships were making an or
binary cruise. but the Britisher knew
very well that vessels In those days
did not make ordinary cruises In fleets,
and his curiosity was sharpened BY the
evasive reply. Believing that some
move Of Importance politically was on
foot, be gave orders that the repairs
on the vessels should be dragged along
as far a. possible and in order to avert
any suspicion as to the cause Of the
delay that might arise In the minds Of
the French officers arranged for Sc
ries of functions for their entertain
ment.
For q couple Of weeks the French
and British officers fraternized while
the work on the vessels was pursued
with a pretense of activity, but with
little accomplished. During this pc
riod the Britishers made every effort
to learn the Frenchmen's secret. The
French are not q secretive people, but
for once the mouths Of the French Of
fcers on the subject Of their intentions
were shut like clam shells.
And so long as men alone had the
matter In hand the secret might have
been kept forever. Wheeling infor-
nation Is a province especially be-
longing to women. The governor, de-
spairing Of inducing the Frenchmen
to speak. asked his wife to help him.
He was met by the simple reply, "Why
didn't you ask me before?"
"Katie! she called.
A trim serving maid whose pink and
white complexion denoted that she
hailed from Ireland came into the
room.
Katie" said her mistress, what
are your intentions with reference to
that young French sailor who is at
tentiye to your"
"Please, MN. it's only sparkin'."
do you love him better than your
government
"Oi don't love him at all, MN.
Leastaways it's only French love be-
tune US, and that's no love at all, at
ALL"
His excellency is anxious, Katie, to
learn to what point the French feet
will sail after leaving Alden. Do you
think you could find out from the
sailor?"
"Oill thry, m'm."
We'll, try, and if you succeed I'll
have something handsome for you"
In day or two the French sailor,
who was petty officer on board one
of the French ships, came to see Katie.
During his visits he had been used to
taking an occasional kiss. This time
he was refused.
Dye think" said Katie, that ORR
be givin' We kisses and We goin' away
to Madagascar or some other haythen
place and never see me again?"
Il not go so far as Eat" the French
man protested.
How far We goin', theni"
"Oh, we go west"
ITO FranceT
Mon"
"To AmerikyT
'Non. l don't know"
"Then yen get no kiss"
"Why you wish to known
"Oi don't let a fella kiss me an thin
20 to the other side o. the worruld."
The banter was kept up for some
time. Katy's red lips being very near
those Of the Frenchman. At last, hun
cry for the kiss. he gave up the secret.
As soon as he had gone Katy sought
her mistress. The governor was pres
ent
He towld me, nm"
where do they got" asked the gov
ernor eagerly.
"It's q place called Parim."
"Parimw
"Yis. sor; Parim."
"You mean Perrin"
"Yis. sor; Parim."
The governor opened his eyes. De
Lesseps had Just completed his ar
rangements for building the Suez canal.
and when II was finished Perrin island
would be of great importance a. com
manding the southern entrance TO the
Red sen, q part Of the waterway con-
Meeting two hemispheres. 1t was. of
course. the intention of the French ad-
miral to occupy II and hoist on II the
tricolor of France.
Secretly giving orders for gunboat
to Immediately sail with detachment
Of British soldiers under cover Of the
night and occupy the island, the gov
ernor invited the French officers (who