Exploits and adventures of a soldier ashore and afloatAdams, William Llewellyn
History
Exploits and adventures of a soldier ashore and afloat
Adams, William Llewellyn
Adams, William Llewellyn; Americans -- Foreign countries; United States. Army -- Military life
The people in question are warm friends of a particular friend of
mine, a globe-trotter (address, United States of America) whose
meteoric flights cover both hemispheres, and who arranges the
destinations of her itinerary in accordance with climatic conditions;
when not basking in the sunshine along the Riviera or under the
cocoa-palms of the tropics, she is shooting the rapids of the St.
Lawrence River or ascending the precipitous slopes of Mt. Washington.
This lady of rare accomplishments and precious jewels, whose benignity
of aspect is subordinate only to her delicate finesse, is related
paradoxically to the author, through a long chain of ancestry dating
back to the tenants of Paradise; we are therefore by mutual consent
known as cousins.
Through the courtesy of Mr. Worth, the privilege of his cabin was
extended; here the party was served with ice-cold “Three Star”
mineral-water, and here my departure from the ship was planned with
great success.
After escorting the ladies to the gang-plank, promising to write, and
bidding them a farewell, I repaired to my quarters, invested myself in
a civilian suit of white duck, and was lowered over the side of the
vessel into a steam-launch, which conveyed me to a point on the beach
where, leaving the launch, I joined the trio in a large limousine of
patrician elegance, for a spin over the famous Pali Drive. “That is
going some,” I remarked, as the machine sped on. “Yes, and then some,”
exclaimed the American girl. “Well, all is fair in love and war,”
ejaculated a dashing Hawaiian. “Well, well sprinkle this event with
romance,” added the other, laughingly. “‘Love and war’ sounds good. If
I am reported, I will quote that as my defence,” I replied. “Aloho
mie,” in an Hawaiian undertone, brings forth a peal of laughter as the
party catch the sense.
Our ride included the ever-beautiful Pali Drive, a magnificent
boulevard shaded by the bowery maze of the banyan-tree, a run to
Diamond Head Beach, a spin along Fort Street, the business section,
and the “King’s Highway.” After refreshments on the roof-garden of the
Alexander Young Hotel, where I received my mail, we drove to 091 Aloho
Lane, the home of these charming people; here, surrounded by tropical
luxuriance, wide porticoes, hammocks, and reclining wicker chairs, we
remained for the afternoon. During “tiffin” a victorolo rendered
elegant operatic selections, while suspended over the dining-table a
punka inspired a gentle breeze.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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