Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1895-08-02

cnance tnat she would reach Liverpool
before the next one was due.
Capt Rice had little social problem
to solve at the outset, but he smoothed
that out with the tact which is charac-
teristic of him. Two Washington
ladies--official ladies--were on board,
and the captain, old British seadog
that he was, always had trouble In the
matter OF precedence with Washington
ladies'. Capt. Rice never had any
bother with the British aristocracy,
because precedence is all set down in
the bulky volume of "Burke's Peer
age" which the captain kept in his
cabin, and so there was no difficulty.
But republican country is supposed
not to meddle with precedence. It
wouldn't, either, If it weren't for the
women.
So 1t happened that Mrs. Assistant
Attorney to the Senate Browning came
to the steward and said that, ranking
all others on board, she must sit at the
right hand Of the captain. Afterward
Mrs. Second Adjutant to the War De-
partment Digby came to the same per-
picked official and said she must sit al
the captains right hand because in
Washington she took precedence over
everybody else. on board. The bewil-
dered steward confded his woes to the
captain, and the captain said he would
attend to the matter. So he put Mrs
War Department on his right hand and
then walked down the deck with Mrs.
Assistant Attorney and said to her:
II want to ask favor, Mrs Brown
rig. Unfortunately, am little deaf
IN the right ear, caused, presume, by
listening SO much with that ear to the
fog horn year in and year out. Now,
l always place the lady whose con-
versation ! wish most to enjoy on my
left hand at table Would you oblige
me by taking that seat this voyage?
have heard Of you, you see, Mrs.
Browning, although you have never
crossed with me before"
"Why, certainly, captain" replied
Mrs. Browning. AZ feel especially
complimented"
"And | assure you, madam" said the
polite captain, that would not for
the world miss single word that" etc.
And thus 1t was amicably arranged
between these two ladies. All this
has nothing whatever to do with the
story. tits merely an incident given
to show. what born diplomat Capt.
Rice was and is to this day. Idon't
know any captain more popular with
the ladies than he, and besides he is
as good sailor as crosses the ocean.
Day by day the good ship plowed her
way toward the east, and the passen-
gers were unanimous in saying that
they never had pleasanter voyage
for that time Of the year. It was SO
warm on deck that many steamer
chairs were out, and below it was so
mild that person might think he was
journeying in the tropics. Yet they
had left New York in snowstorm
with the thermometer away below
zero.
Such said young Spinner, who
knew everything, "such is the infiu-
ence Of the gulf stream"
Nevertheless when Capt Rice came
down to lunch the fourth day out his
face was haggard and he looked furtive
and anxious.
Why, captain" said Mrs. Assistant
Attorney, you look as If you hadn't
slept wink last night"
II slept very well, thank you. mad
am" replied the captain. II always
do"
well, hope your room was more
comfortable than mine. It seemed to
me too hot for anything. Didn't you
find 1t SO, Mrs Digby?"
II thought it very nice,' replied the
lady at the captains right, who gener-
ally found it necessary to take an OPP
posite view from the lady at the left.
you see." said the captain, tive
have many delicate women and chill