The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-03-08
PRINCE OF PLEASURE.

How James Gordon Bennett Mhiled Away
the Weary Hours Aboard His Floating
Palace-A Generous nost with Pro-
pensity TO Practical Joking-The Ne
mouna Not Good Sea Boat-A Olsen
ohanted Russian.
The New YORK World says: While visit
ing several days ago a steamship that has
recently been chartered for the West India
trade by prominent firm in this city, IA re-
porter happened to learn that the steward
employed on board had been first cook on
James Gordon Benefits famous steam
yacht Namouna. Surprising that he might
be able to relate some interesting expert
ences on board that vessel he sought HIM
out.
"oh, yes, sir" said the man, in reply to
a question, 81 was first cook on board Mr.
Benefits yacht TO- long time, and had
five men under me. too. There was lively
times, you bet lie used TO keep us all
pretty busy serving up fancy dishes and en-
tertaininE his friends"
Did Mr. Bennett entertain much on
board his yacht?" was innocently asked.
Did Mr., Bennett entertain muchp'
echoed the steward, with an expression of
mingled surprise and pity, "Well | should
say he did. Why, he did nothing else but
entertain all the time, When he started
out he had big party of friends on board.
Then AS soon as he reached the other side
they scattered and he took new ones on,
and 80 it was all the time-changing at
| every place we went to"
Where did you cruise in the Namouna?''
"ln the Mediterranean while was aboard
other. The great time began at Gibraltar.
There was big band on board, but they
couldn't play much to tell the truth. Well,
as we went into the harbor some of the men.
o'-war there saluted us and we returned it,
and then the German band began to play
Marching Through Georgia. Pretty sick
music 1t was, too, and when they got tired
of 1t on one of the war ships they played
Yankee Doodle Came to Town. That
evening Mr., Bennett entertained at dinner
II number OF officers, and before we had left
Gibraltar he came mighty near to enter.
tanning the whole garrison, officers, men
and ALL
Were the dinners lively and merry ?"
asked the reporter innoCently.
WHAT exclaimed the worthy steward
with astonishment. "Were they lively and
merry Well, you can bet they were pretty
high times and loud, too. Sometimes as
many as twenty gentlemen would SIT down
TO table OF an evening and, while that same
German band was a playing airs on the
deck till 1t made you sick, they down in the
cabin were eating and drinking. Each dav
there would be new bull of fare, and as
many as ten courSeS--sOmetlmeS more, &C
eording to the occasion and company. Be-
fore they got down to the coffee they were a
pretty lively set, cutting UP all sorts of
capers. Then they would come up ON deck
and sing some more. Mr.. Bennett used to
have all the men called up on deck and
nave them dance u sailors hornpipe.
Then when they got through he had
champagne served to them like q prince.
All the Time we were at Gibraltar
had mighty hard time getting any sleep
at all, what with the cooking and the rest
OF 1t. Then Mr.. Bennett was all the time
playing tricks like u student. One night,
very laJe, he went down in the hold and
filled biz pan full OF some sort of burning
stun and set it alire. There was Il big flame
and great deal of smoke at once, and he
was delighted. and sent boy rushing
around the ship shouting Fire! Fire = at
the top of his voice, like Il mailman The
guests down in the saloon and the sailors
and all on board came up on deck terribly
frightened, and most of them only hail
dressed. Some of them jumped overheard,
and boats had to be lowered to pick them
up They were very sheepish when Mr.
Bennett told them it was only joke. He
only wanted to get them up so that they
might have some more fun with him. Now
| tell you, most OF those fellows were pretty
mad, but you see they didn't say WORD
because they were all his guests and didn't
want to offend him. He ordered I'D liz;
ana polly, and they sat there laughing and
talking in their shirts and nightgoWns till
morning.
"Another time, after big dinner, about
one O'clock in the morning. Mr.. Bennett
came no on deck alone, and, calling one o
| the men on watch, told him he wanted
hose. The man fetched it to him, not sus
| pectlng anything, and taking the nozzle il
his hands he stumbled down stairs, openel
the s.ate-room doors, and, quicker than
| flash, poured big stream OF cold waite
into all the beds where the men were sleep
| ing, That time they were hopping mac
and did some tall swearing but in tn,
morning nothing more was said about il.
Were there ever any ladies on the zach
on these occasions ?''
mo, sir; we scarcely ever had any ladie
on board, and then only for short space,
AFTER leaving Gibraltar where did Mr.
Bennett so with his yacht
I'VE crulsed through the Mediterranean
stopping at all the nice places ON the way
lie must have lots of friends, for whereye
we stopped great numbers of gentlemen
came out TO see him, and he always enter
tanned them handsomely. We went L
Alexandria just before the bombardmen
to leave couple of Herald correspondent
there. Before entering the harbor we re
ceivcd message from the admiral advising
Mr.. Bennett TO keep outside, because tn
firing might begin at any time. So the tw
gentlemen had to be sent ashore ia tn
launch, and we waited outside until sh
came back with two others that we took +
Malta. After that we went back to Havre
where the Namouna was laid up, and MI
Bennett went to Paris"
You were on board the Namouna 70
some time and saw her under all circum
stances, What kind of boat is she?"
WELL sir she's mighty handsome insid
and out, and about as convenient as an
craft ever saw and got into; but as u SEES
boat she amt worth anything. You Sc
she is too short for two waves aud too lon
for one, and so she cant right herself PROF
erly and rolls like the deuce. Mr.. Bennett
was pretty disguised with her before he 20
through, He offered her for sale to
young Russian prince, who liked her looks
went down TO Havre with aparty OF friend
aud took short cruise in her. When h
got back he said he didn't think she wou
do him. Since then she has been laid u
at u private dock that Mr., Bennett ha
built for her."
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