The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-06

skirmish with an Autograph Huntel
Farewell OF Hoedoo woman.


shirmish with an Ausesrsph Hunter.
Farewell Of Hosdse woman.
Among the trials which the officers
OF Admiral SIMPSONS feet have en-
countered since they returned from
the var is the persistent young woman
who means well, but doesn't know. This
young woman has been much in evi-
dence In the Brooklyn navy yard. and
the officers are becoming used to her.
An Illustration of her persistency &C.
CURED on board the Texas a day or
two after Commodore Philip had re-
ceived his new commission.
A Sun reporter whose acquaintance
with Commodore Philip was OF sever
al years standing was sitting with
him in his cabin looking over the new
~ arrived parchment. The ship was
quite crowded with visitors. Commo-
dore Philips cabin-he was still cap
tain OF the vessel-had been stripped Of
furniture and hangings. but an or
derby at the door of his private apart
ments kept those out who were not
callers. This orderly was kept pretty
busy and occasionally the door to the
captains room was left ungarded. At
such times v~icitors roaming o the
ship would stop to look into the room
but beyond staring at Commodore Phil
ip caused him little annoyance.
Nulit ~ TtpOIttI anu INC oDlu1O-
dore were looking at the commission,
which had just arrived. the orderly
stepped not more than 10 feet from
the doorway on a trifling errand. Sud-
denly a swish OF skirts was heard d.
rectly behind the commodore's chair.
He swung around and there stood a
~perturbed young woman. embarrassed
as TO language. but with a firm pur-
pose in her mind.
WELL said the astonished commo-
dore. with something Of a seadog's
frankness.
"WiIl you please give me your auto
graph" said the young woman, appar-
emily unconscious Of the fact that, In
stepping into the captains room, she
had actually invaded his bedroom N
had been as much guilty Of impropri-
ETY. as IL she had marched into Commo-
dore Philips den in his own room with
out knocking. She evidently thought
that ofice-buliding etiquette prevailed
in a warship n that she was simply
stepping into al office. where there was
10 necessity OF observing formality.
Commodore Philip said ''Huh!" to
the young woman. and. after a pause.
which did not d to the composure
of the autograph seeker, said: Young
woman, are you alone on this ship"
mo. sir. I have some friends there
at the door, pointing to w women
who evidently were timid about COM
ing in.
They'll want my autograph. too.
won't they?" asked the commodore aft
er another pause.
"Oh. / think not was the answer;
but I should like to have it,"
You would?"
Yes, sir"
HUH"
Just then the orderly came in. He sa-
lufad and told the anpnn,a1ara thai
some one who had been expected was
at the door. The commodore jumped
for the door, giving the reporter a pc
culiar look. which said. stay where
you are" When he reached the pass
ageway he disappeared. The young
woman remained about five minutes
and then edged her way out. In five
minutes more Com modore Philip came
back. peered about cautiously. and
when he was sure that the young wo-
man was gone, sighed and sat down
without comment.
Just before the Texas went south TO
the wal Captain Philip had another
peculiar woman caller. II was only a
few moments before the Texas started.
There was some confusion on board.
and a woman entered his cabin unan-
nounced. She slipped up to him and
aid
Captain. may I shake your hand?"
THE pleasure is NINE" said the cap
tain as he grasped her hand.
Captain, i want to tell you said
the woman with some show Of salts
faction and pride. Il was the last per-
son to shake the hand of the captain
of the Huron as she sailed from port
to be wrecked"
Captain Philip was amazed. The
Texas had a "hoodoo' then. Pulling
himself together, he said with some
spirit:
Madam. the Texas Is coming back"
"Oh, is she?" responded the caller.
listlessly. and then she went out.
Just before Commodore Philip left
the Texas for the New York he found
his cabin swarming with visitors on
the ship. 1t was a day when they had
the run of the public parts OF the ves-
sci. They had crowded into the cap
tain's apartments during his absence.
Commodore Philip had an important
engagement in this borough, and he
wanted to change his uniform for cit
izen's dress. He had only a few min
utes in which to do 1t. He gave out
spoken hints in a strong voice, but the
women wouldn't go. Finally he grew
desperate. He stood In a corner and
fairly shouted:
Ladies. IL you will kindly give me
possession OF this room for about FIVE
mute while j change my trousers.
you will oblige me. and then you can
have the room for the rest of the day."