CROWDED DAYS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 121, 23 April 1936, Page 10

CROWDED DAYS.

IN THE LIFE OF A SAILOR. A bridegroom of a few days is languishing in Long Bay gaol, Sydney, awaiting a ship to take him back to America. His bride may see him only on visiting days. . This is the climax to 10 hectic days in the life of an American galley boy, in which he crammed a whirlwind courtship, marriage, and a honeymoon which caused him to miss his ship—a dash to Brisbane, a “hike” half way back to Sydney, arrest, and deportation order. The youth, who is about 20 years of age, arrived in Sydney by the City of Rayville. He met a girl at a dance hall, and the swift courtship culminated in marriage a day later. The time of the wedding ceremony, however, coincided with the departure of his ship for Brisbane, and the City of Rayville sailed without him. A day’s honeymoon was followed by a rush to catch the Brisbane express, but lie arrived at Brisbane wharf in time to I sec iris ship steaming down the stream on its return voyage to America. Penniless, the erstwhile galley boy decided to walk back to Sydney and liis bride. He wore the soles off his shoes when Sydney was still far off, and he then set about walking back to Brisbane. On the outskirts of the city, however, he was accosted by a policeman, and was taken in charge as a deserter. A deportation order followed. Another ship of the lin<e, the Jeff Davis, arrived in Brisbane a few days later, and the youth was plpced aboard. He arrived back in Sydney hut, instead of his bride, found several Water Police awaiting him. He was taken out to Long Bay gaol, to await the return of the Jeff Davis to Sydney, several days hence.