The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-06-05

you overheard | guess he'll do it,"
But is there no protection for pas.
sengers on board?'
Generally yes, returned the purser,
who seemed to enjoy the discontinue of
the tourist "but rarely against the
patriotic freaks of Captain Spencer.
Hes a hard man to handle, and would
set lire to the steamer if he was inter
tered with On the last trip down he
threw man overheard, and hewed off
the ears of two others
& The tourist returned in trepidation
to his companion There were few
whispered words between them. when
Captain Tom announced that lust one
minute remained Watching the dial
for a few seconds longer, he replaced
the watch in his pocket, loosened his
shirt collar, and began to remove his
coat.
See here, stranger, said the bolder
OF the two, rising and throwing his arm
around the deck pillar, eve don't want
TO have any difficulty with you. and
since you seem to be so sensitive on
the subject, we are willing to admit
that we spoke hastily of General Grant
and that we believe him to be an able
and trustworthy leader"
And that there is no such thing as
cowardlce on either side Of Mason and
DNons llne" added the captain, re-
hevlng himself still further of his coat.
Yes; we are even willing to admit
that also, was the hasty response.
Now, one thing more" concluded
the captain. "If l hear either of you
mentioning the name of General Grant
while on board this steamer without
taking off his hat III feed YOU both to
the sharks
The tourists were on their way to the
volcano of Kilauea, but learning that
captain Tom resided at Hilo, thev left
the steamer at Lahaina.
An account of the affair got into the
newspapers through some means, and a
very friendly letter from General Grant
made Captain Tom the proudest man
in the Hawaiian Kingdom.
thoroughly acquainted with his pee
ullarltles, his friends were in the habit
OF dropping remarks especially designed
10 draw him out Sitting on the
Veranda of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
one evening with party of friends, the
SUBJECT OF the Southern rebellion was
adroltIy introduced and the question
asked
Uncle Tom, how large an army of
European soldiers do you think it
would have taken to whip the 10000
men who marched to the sea with Sher
man ?"
hat Is not an intelligent question"
replied the captain, ''for you ought to
Know as we'll as | do that Sherman's
army could not have been whipped.
nave given the subject some thought
however, and am satisfied that it would
nave taken all the standing armies in
europe week to kill that 10000 men
IN a pitched battle. | have figured the
'hIng down, and don't believe there is
any mistake in the calculation"
Pauncefort, the actor, made the &C
quaintance of Captain Tom while visit
ing the Islands as a lecturer on English
authors. He started with Dickens.
Hold on !" roared the captain, who
was a listener "Not another word
about that scoundrel who abused forty
millions Of Gods people? and Dickens
was skipped.
At the age of about seventy the cap
tain was brought to Honolulu with the
final and almost only illness of his life,
and cared for in one Of the Hawaiian
Hotel cottages. Circulation ceased in
his lower limbs and could not be re,
stored. He was visited by his old
friends, including the members of the
royal family, and to the last was full of
quaint conceits and good humor On
a stand at his bedside perched his
bronze eagle, and a small American
flag hung over bis door The United
States Minister called frequently, very
greatly to the captains satisfaction, and
few hours before his death asked him
if he had any special requests to make.
He said he had but one, and that was
that his body might be wrapped in an
American flag, with another around the
casket, when he was laid away.
He was assured that his request
would be complied with to the letter
and that he should be spoken of as he
deserved in the announcement of his
death to the State Department.
God bless you" said the Captain,
with emotion, extending his great hand
to the Minister; "and God bless our
country and our flag l shall now die
happy
Wrapped in American flags, with two
or three knightly decorations upon the
breast, the body of Captain Tom, pre-
coded by the Royal Hawaiian band
and followed by large concourse of
mourners, was borne to its last home in
Nuuanu Cemetery. He was rough, !
reckless, great hearted man of the
world, and in life did not observe all
the Christian commandments, perhaps, !
but patriotism was the religion of Cap
tain Tom Spencer, and in no one could |
1t find a more earnest or conscientious |
deyotee. ROLLN NJ. DAGGETT.
MI nnIn l.. A.. nj .