The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1914-09-11
David Smith,
Able Seaman
By LOUISE B. CUMMINGS


command of one of the finest naval
stations on the New England coast.
Miss Nellie Williams was in the hey.
day Of youth. and visions Of all sorts
of pleasures danced in her head, the
principal OF which was flirting with
the young officers with whom she
would be thrown into contact. Her
mother rejoiced that she would be able
to introduce her daughter into society,
which she could not have otherwise
done because neither her husband nor
herself had any fortune, and she was
obliged to live n retired life.
But no sooner had the captain as
sumed command and his family been
Installed in the best quarters at the
station than Miss Nellie must needs
spoil II nll by cnsting to the winds the
most sacred traditions of the service.
Or all the officers at the station. In.
Guiding several midshipmen Of a suit
able age to interest girl of seven
teen, not one succeeded in sufficiently
engaging her attention TO save her
from bestowing not only It, but her
whole heart, on an enlisted man.
No one can tell what a girl between
hfteen and twenty Is going to do, and
when she does 1t no one can stop her.
The difference in the navy between an
enlisted man and an Asficer can best
be Illustrated by comparing bramble
bush with pine tree. There are in
these times many fine young men
among the United States tars, but the
grandson OF millionaire can no more
overstep this sharply defined line be-
tween officer and enlisted man than
can the cook In the galley.
A girl Of seventeen is as easily caught
ms the stupidest fish that swims. and
no one can tell who will catch her,
Miss Williams one day went aboard a
ship locked ut the yard. And there
she saw the young man who caught
her. What 1t was In him that caught
her no one could tell. True. he was a
pretty boy. but there were other pretty
boys who wore officers uniforms,
while the young man in question wore
the sailors cap, the blue flannel shirt
with broad collar and the trousers
tight about the hips and loose below
the knee Of common sailor.
Now. Captain Williams who found
10 difficulty In commanding his sta.
ton. consisting of many strong men.
found himself unable to discipline his
daughter. He threatened, IL ever she
was caught speaking to the youngster
ngain, to send her away. She made
promises. but they we've not kept. He
would nave ordered the sailor-David
Smith was the name on his ships
foster-away from the station, but
Miss Nellie's infatuation had become
known aud such action would be con.
'idered using official power to serve
private interests. End the captain was
very SENSITIVE Oh such a point More
'ver. he feareI that If he put on the
'crews" his daughter might run away
Win the tar. This would not only
le her ~, to common sailor, but a
leserter
etow, when and where the tar and
ne Captains daughter contrived to
ioM their meetings no one knew. At
least no one would tell They had
many adherents among the sailors, but
none among the officers or their fam
HES, Finally 1t became apparent to
Captain and Mrs. Williams that some
thing must be done, and one morning
Miss Nellie was informed that she was
to be taken back to the quiet home.
There was nothing to do but submit,
md what had promised to be such a
line thing for them ended In disap.
pointment. And all this on account
Of Miss Nellie's having fallen in love
with common sailor instead Of an
officer.
One day Captain williams received
rom Washington the discharge papers
II sailor named Howard Singleton.
The discharge had been granted by
he secretary Of the navy at tho re-
quest of the British Minister. The
'ase was brought to the commanders
attention by the officer having the care
If discharges because there was no
such person as Howard Singleton at
he station.
Make inquiries for him." said the
captain; he may have enlisted under
IN assumed name"
The officer retired and soon after re.
urned with David Smith, able seaman.
The captain. who knew him we'll, hav.
ns had an interview with him con.
erning his daughter, looked at him in
lis your name Singleton?' asked
captain Williams.
1T is"
Are you British subjectT
Il am. My father is Sir Charles Sim
'leton, shipbuilder on the Clyde in
He builds ships for the BRIT
sh navy. l am to enter his service,
'ut thought 1t better to learn some
hing of warships by serving awhile |
N one Of them. In the British navy
could not have preserved nv incog.
70 chose the United States service"
"Ahem! And you go from here to
to enter your fathers works2'
Il do. But after consultation with
ny father ] shall return for a Dur.