Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-06-25
OLD GLORY GOT THERE.

"A British Steamship Captains Oft-Re-
peated Excuse for NegIecting TO Sing
''The Star Spangled Banner" Called
Down by a Disguised American, and
''Old Glory" Took an Enthusiastic Inning
A Sharp Lesson on International
Amenities.
LIVERPOOL. June 2O.-A very sensa-
tional incident, which, like most sensa-
tional incidents, had its ridiculous side,
occurred on board the Inman steamship
CITY of New York on the evening of
June Is as she was on her voyage to this
country. As is usual and very praise
worthy, a concert was gotten up in the
saloon. and collection made for two
most estimable charities, the Seaman's
Orphanage of Liverpool and the Blue
Anchor society of New York. The
entertainment was emphatically sue
cessful, and the receipts amount
ed to the considerable sum of
SOS. At the conclusion of the pro-
gramme the passengers passed unan-
imous vote of thanks to Capt. Lewis,
the commander of the ship. for the ex-
cellent manner in which he had worked
up the affair. Capt. Lewis. in return
ing thanks, announced that the even
ing entertainment would conclude by
the singing Of the national airs, s'God
Save the Queen" and The Star
Spangled Banner" then checking him
self, he added in the next breath: s'Oh,
1 forgot: 1 regret to say that there are
no copies of 'The.Star-Spangled Banner
aboard this ship; so we shall omit it on
this occasion"
A murmur of disapproval echoed
through the saloon. The entente
cordiale appeared in imminent danger
of being broken. Nobody started the
British national air, and menacing ST.
lence ensued. At last a certain Mr..
Henry Emerich, of San Francisco, arose
in his wrath and said: Il protest
against this; | have crossed the Allan
tic in this vessel twenty times, and on
each trip that same excuse for not
singing our American national air has
been made by the captain. l think
that even if it be true that there are
no copies of the song aboard
there is a sufficient number of
Americans present who know the
song to sing it; and if, indeed.
there are no copies on board, here are
$40 to start fund to buy some, so that
the ship shall be no longer left in such
adestitute condition"
At the same time Mr.. Emerich threw
down on the table a $50 gold piece.
Enthusiastic cries of Bravo, Emerich.'
''Bravo Emerich,' Good for you"
''Set 'em up again. arose in the tu-
multuous volume among the assembled
crowd of passengers, in which it was
noticed that the English contingent
Joined most heartily. The patriotic
example of Mr.. Emerieh was enthu-
siastically followed till the cabin table
resembled Tranby Croft baccarat lay
out.
One gentleman in particular, Mr.. A.
Curtis Bond, who wore the rosette of
the American Order of the Sons of the
Revolution in his buttonhole exclaimed
vehemently, as he threw down his
money, 1.-The man who would let a Brit
iSh ship go destitute of the greatest
song on earth is a wretch whom 'twere
base fiattery to call bowling idiot"
This sentiment was re-echoed with
cheers on both sides, under the fire of
which Capt. Lewis retreated in confu-
sion, leaving the money behind him.
His departure was soundly Kissed by
the Americans. and the bone of conten-
tion-''The Star Spangled Banner
was sung by the Englishmen and Amer
leans alike, if not in the same key, at
least in the same bunch of keys, and
followed by choral performance of
''God Save the Queen" which equaled
If it did not exceed the other in vigor
and divergence of harmony.
Capt. Lewis took this reproof in such
high dudgeon that he did not favor the
saloon with his presence during the rest
of the day. 1t is safe to say he will
not repeat his excuse the next time Mr..
Emerich crosses with him.