The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-08-08
COMMODORE BRAlNE AS A JOKER,


trhc Trlbune.l
"what you don't mean Braine 'of the old force
do You ~ was the response made by old ofcer OF
group who were indulgipg in little naval gossip, rs
Is customary when officers meet In the wardroom,
the cabin, pr the lyceum al the Navy Yard. The
dorc Daniel L. Braine was designated "a member Of
me old forcc and u is only among he older officers
s known. 1t Is impossible to make the story read In
the exceedingly humorous way that old Captain Bar-
,e Houiu ,el, H. Win all me gestures and quaint
stance In the presence OF the dIgnined Commodore
never fails to cause him to burst out with laughter
even IN MS serious moments. II Ia safe TO say that
u ne were reading the sentence OF general court
martial TO "biue Jacket on the quarterback, and
one should hint at the story, he would abruptly
break on and Tor the moment forget his Official
position.
Those whose memory goes back to is,, viii 70.
| izlng the police department. when Mayor Wood
refused TO obey the statute thai abolished the "Muni-
police. Then followed outbreaks and rIoipUs ala.
turbances caused by the "Dead Rabbits" and WIow.
cry Boys gaDgs OF row'lies organized for piundcr,
tutbcd the town.
| Lieut.. Brane had been on n cruise on the coas, OF
Africa when he returned home In 1851. and afer re-
Yard started for his home In this city. Not wishing
TO appear too conspicuous he removed his shoulder
strngs from his uniform coat hut neglected to put
the cloth covers his brass buttons as ia the Gus.
tom, aud with his double breasted coat buttoned up
|
Ferry he jumped into one OF the stages, then we'll
ded with passengers, and took the only vacant
seat at the sdc OF well known merchant, who had
surveyed Brane from head 10 foot, blurred out ihls
question u9, IN hi Il; 81, blum n, and brusgue way;
Braine, always credited with having good share
OF hnmor, and not go dienincd as thirty years more
OF service with gold lace and gilt buttons naturally
make man, determined to have his Joke, and with
ahopc OF leading the old merchant along, despite
Inc fact that ne was lltlle aniioyed at Delng
live. ~ r''''' ''''''' ''f'''" Ill ''' "'''"''
.IIamph.,' Hroslcd the merchant "And do you
dare .ISc wear IT. ne n UNIFORM Slr''
SAna 90 you think yourself entitled to wear the
"Ycs, sir, and hope to continue to wear It,,
Growing wrathfu, the merchant almost shouted
You 40, slr! You are very prcsumptuous, sir!'
n ls my uniform, sr. aud 20 long as remain 10
shall continue TO wear It,"
"And you draw your pay too, do YOU sir 2" becom-
marks by the dancing OF his eyes and rapping hls
cane on the floor Of the stage.
sometimes moi III, the iirst OF the month, anu never
sRss,' n. AS D" you say due sr'"
by this time the thermometer OF the old NOR
chants anger had been wrought up TIL the mercury
was nearly to the point Of boiling. The fellow pas
sengers anxlously and excitediy looked on with
anticipation OF drubblug with the old mans cane
upon the officers head, aud one, woman, concluded
The next question OF the merchant was: "Do you
know Mayor Wood, sir7"
"Yes, cir. may say I am very well acquainted
with MIR. Fernando Wood. have visited MIN often
In fact, am frequent guest at his house, and an
to spend the evening with him." was the answer II
| calm and modest tone, which made Lieut.. Drainei
inlerloctt0r still more wrathiul.
| IA guest at his House! A member Of the old fOrcI
AMI guest Mt Mayor Wood's hOuse?"
"1cs, pir and usually 60 there In uniform, sir.
"Do you mean To tell me that you 20 there In uni
i0rm7 That you are guest OF his In uniform
Where was your last precinct, slr7"
ION the coast Of Africa"
"Why, man you're fool or you're crazy Do YOU
know what precinct is-a p-r-e-c-t ne t, sir?"
"Yes, sir, know what n precinct Is, AMI l repea
That my last one wda on the coast OF Africa"
I'M, no, ydn SILLY goose! Where was youf las
bea,?" giving emphasis to each wotd
"Un the coast OF Africa"
"Fire and furles, man! Are you trying to enrag,
me by telling me that your last duty was on III,
coast OF African"
Il am not trying 10 anger you, but have Just re
turned from the coast OF Africa"
"Whnt IN - have police officers to do on tb,
coast of African"
~ am not police officer. but am a navy ofiecr
and this Is the navy unifurd worn by members o
the old force"
"Why didn't you tell me you were navy officer
sirr''
"Why didn't You ask er"
AT this there was an Outburst of laughter among
rage his face was flushed TO a dark REDS he pOuntle,
his cane with Increased emphasis. aud then pulling
the driver nearly from his seat with the strap, HI
rushed out Of the stage AMI into the hotel at Broad
way AMI Canal streets. Lieut.. Braine and the ol,
merchant afterwards became intimate friends, an,
were frequently guests at receptions and other sOca
entertainments together.