The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-10-02

Arthur Cathcart, now q paymaster in the
United States navy, but who went into that
branch Of the federal service as clerk to
Paymaster Jack" Merriam, is responsible
for the narration Of the following incident
involving Mr.. Merriam and the king Of Por
tugal.
When they Joined the service they were
attached to the Helena. and 1t was made a
part of the Mediterranean squadron, which
touched at Lisbon
This was before the declaration of hostili-
ties between the United States and the near
est neighbor Of the Portuguese king, and the
monarch paid his American visitors every
attention Merriam and some OF the other
officers were entertained by the king ashore
and among the sports diversions was a trap
shooting match. Mr.. Merriam, who had
perhaps, been pitted against kings in other
games, but not at the trap. was unconven-
tional enough to win the first match from
his royal highness.
While the king did not evince any dis
pleasure, beyond possibly frown of chagrin,
1t cast some depression over the festivities,
and the courtiers of the Portuguese court
sat around with frightening faces.
Merriam's companion a little older In the
service. ''wigwagged" him that 1t wasn't
good form to beat the king, and Merriam
W1gWagged' back that he wouldn't do it
again.
He did not. either. But he tied him This
wasn't so bad.
1t was proposed to shoot off the tie, each
to fire two shots
The king shot first. and got both, but as
the second one dropped Merriam, still chat
ing little under the necessity of being out
shot, even by potentate, challenged the
shot.
''It is a dead bird. your highness but it's
out of bounds. You know we're shooting
Monte Carlo rules"
1t was not out Of bounds after all, and the
king counted 1t, but Merriam's insistence on
having the affair wind up with proper
craftsmanship, made quite a chit" with the
king, who afterward narrated the incident
to the American minister, with the comment
that he liked those American naval officers.
They always treat me as though I was
one Of the boys
Judge Nethaway, Of Saltwater, did one Of
the cleverest pieces of pleading yesterday on
st. Paul & Duluth train that he has done
for many months. The judge had been at
tending the Pine county court and got on the
train at Pine City. He took seat In the
smoking car. A little later Ed St. John got
aboard. He, too, selected the smoker. His
personal baggage consisted of six pheasants.
which were in original packages Of threes.
with their backs to each other, and under
meath them he slipped the pheasants. Then
he sat down in one Of the seats.
Now Judge Nethaway can see a bird as
quickly as any man in the business, and he
caught sight of Mr.. ST. Johns bunch. As
soon as the train had got nicely under way,
the judge quietly slipped up and while the
owner OF the birds was thinking of his Sun
day dinner something else, the Judge
pulled out three of the pheasants, and re-
turning to his seat quickly deposited them in
his grip along with his law books and pa
jamas. little later st. John turned around
and glanced down between the seats to Sc
II any Of the birds had come to life. There
were only three left. He began to size up
the car to see If he could pick the winner.
The Judge stepped up and asked:
what's the matter. Ed? Have you lott
something?"
Ed told him.
The Judge couldn't see how a man would
have the nerve to take the birds with St,
John on the lookout.
ri believe you got those birds, Judge"
finally Ed remarked
Why, no Ed. I just got on the train. t"
said the judge, without blush
The judge felt sorry for Ed and Ed felt
sorry for himself.
he, but there is only half a meal left"
Pretty soon the train arrived at White
Bear, and the Saltwater people, including
Nethaway and st. John. got off to take an
other train When the Judge stepped on the
platform E. ]. Murphy, who remained in
the car, called out to the Judge:
/ am sorry I cannot take dinner with
you tomorrow. judge
The judge started and he gave the grip a.
shake It evidently struck him something
was wrong. So he put the grip upon a truck
and opened it. His three pheasants or Ed
st. Johns other three. as you please were
not there.
Then 1t was the Judges turn to worry, and
he only had a few minutes to worry In.
He returned to the car and asked Mr..
Murphy and Court Stenographer George. and
the Phiistine. and a few others in turn
If they had taken Eds birds. He made
beautiful and pathetic talk. Ed. be said.
was awful sore and thought he had the