Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-06

mond. The boatSwain's whistle called all
hands to weigh anchor, and in a very short
time the Perry commenced to move up the
river Boats were sent out in advance. As the
old ship made progress up the stream, little
chip was seen floating on the water. 1t was
q torpedo float The boat crews went to
work cutting lines and wires until the in
fernal box was brought to the surface, the
can cut open and the contents spilled INTO
the river: In this way fifty-one torpedos
were removed and the James opened to nayi-
cation.
When the Perry reached Fort Darling she
Ian aground on Instructions placed across
the river. Orders were given the chief en-
gineer to pay no attention to the engine bells,
but to force the vessel forward and back
ward as hard as possible until she was worked
off There we were, working away, when
the United States steamship Malvern. which
was Admiral Porter's flagship, came up
as.ern Of US We then learned for the first
first time that President Lincoln was on
board, and had made his arrangements to
accompany the fleet to Richmond 1t being
impossible for the admiraPs vessel to go by
us he determined to take the president to
Richmond in his barge. The boat was low
cred, the president and admiral taking seats
in the stern sheets, while Lieut.. Barnes, with
a body guard Of marines, followed in the
Malvern's first cutter.
Between the Perry and the shore was a
very narrow channel Of deep water, and
through which the admiral intended the boats
TO pass The place, however was fou- too
narrow to use the oars, and so, back
ing water q little, the crew pulled
hard, thinking by the power thus obtained
the boat would pass through. The admiral
did not take into account the current, how
ever, and those in the boat were surprised TO
find themselves drifting in the direction OF
the steamers immense wheel Just at this
moment the engineer turned the lever, and
in . moment the engines were churning up
the sea to the alarm Of the boats crew.
The president shouted "Stop her" and the
admiral followed suit The uproar immedi-
ately reached the ears OF Capt Foster, who,
with one bound, reached the engine-room
hatch and shouted to the engineer to reverse.
In a moment this was done and the boat was
safe When the barge had backed out of her
perilous situation the admiral, rising and
blowing the water out Of his mouth, called
out: Where is the captain Of the vessel"
"Here l am" said Capt Foster, leaning
over the ship rail
well, SIR said the admiral Indignantly,
Nucu w uoSA oh AioLh hciO o'l w
attempt to go to Richmond, but anchor
down below and allow the other vessels to 20
up before you"
Without a moments hesitation the CAP
tain, in his usual tone of voice, responded,
AYE, aye, SIR" and in moment more the
boats went on. After working the engine
for some time without avail the captain
squeezed the three tugs which he had used
-, ,,lo he v,x fhro,11h the oh
A large hawssr was then attached to the
Perry from each of the tugs and the captain
gave the order that when he waved his
handkerchief the tugs should go ahead at
full speed. The handkerchief dropped,
the tugs started, and the old
Perry, putting on steam, crashed
through the distinctions, and in a moment
more was floating on the broad stream.
Continuing the journey under full head Of
steam Richmond was reached, and the Com
modore Perry was the first ship bearing ma
tional colors to drop anchor before. the city.
A few hours after the Malvern hove in sight.
and dropped anchor near us.
At evening the admiral in company with
the president, who had passed the afternoon
in the rebel capital, returned on board his
vessel, and the greatest ordeal OF the whole
campaign was now before Capt Foster, as
he was obliged to go on board the flagship
and report the presence Of his vessel to the
admiral As he left in the gig his face looked
a trifle paler than usual, but ais great
dark eyes showed determination to
face the music like the man that
he was Going on board bs was
met by feet Capt Bruce, who whispered in
his ear, You'll get h-n, old fellow, for
coming up here" His presence was com
municated to the orderly at the cabin door,
who announced to the admiral that Capt
Foster had come aboard to resort." He was
accordingly asked into the cabin, where he
saw the president, and the admiral seated at
a small center table Se<ing both, Capt
Foster said: Admiral, J. have the honor to
report the arrival Of the United States
steamship Commodore Perry. at Richmond
Tho admiral, in very stern voice, re-
piled: Capt Foster. thought L told you
not to come up to Richmond
The captain answered: Sir, I did not un-
derstand you so. thought you told me that
when l backed of not to attempt to como MP
here"
stern voiee, "what of itl'
In the same measured accents which char.
acterized the whole conversation. the cap
tain answered: "Sir. did not back of,
ran her over bow first
The admiral turned all shades OF red, but
before he could utter an accent "Old Aba"
saw the joke, and laughingly arose AMI
offered his heartisst congratulations to Capt
Foster. The admiral Immediately cooled OF,
and rising said: -Sir, you can now go on
board your vessel; will see you concerning
this matter in the morning. That was thu
last that ever came Of it
He Wanted a Trial
THE Graphicl
Chanfrau never destroyed a letter, how
ever trivial and the consequence is that he
left an immense number Here is one of a
number of like applications to Chanfrau for
a chance to enter the theatrical profession.
He seems not to have encouraged the ambi-
tiouS applicant 1t is so curious and charac-
ter site document that it is worth printing
verbatim ct literatim:
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 16.-MR CHANFRAU:
would like to know whether you would like
to engage good colorei man to perform on
the stage will you be 50 kind a. give him
trial tonight and let him show you what he
can do | am an Imtator of steamboat whis-
ties and can perform well there is lot of
money in this Niger if l had only had some
one to bring me out and let me travel with
them any one could make a fortune out of
me in a short time | can initiate any steam
boat in the U. S. Locomotive engine. brass
band horn, bugle horn, Roll CALL white folks
when they blow the horn for to run a
Niger with the Blood hounds when they run
a Niger through the cane break, Dog & Cat
fight, sea Lion, Circus Caliope, he can get
down on his knees with his face in a certain
position and turn his body times keeping
hi face looking in the same direction hope
ing that you will conde send to take notice Of
this & give me a trial l remain your humble
servant ALEXANDER Brown.
How Chanfrau managed to resist such an
application by SO useful an actor it is difficult
to understand The qualifications are ss
varied as those Of many Of the most versatile
of Standard sctorr Of the day.