The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-12-23

Finished In Good Form.
Say that am old and sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me,
Say I'm poor, but also add
HobSOn kissed mel
Ballad of an Ancient Dame, A. D. 1850.
Lieutenant Richmond p Hobson,
promoter of the gentle art of kissing,
was kissed just 1913 times the other
night on the stage of the Auditorium
in Chicago. A cold blooded man kept
tab and volunteered the further infor
NATION that several women scored
twice. This lip exercise occupied three
quarters of an hour and was witnessed
by 1000 persons. Lieutenant Hobson
finished in good form, though the same
cannot be said for several of the women.
The kissing climax came at the end
of Lieutenant Hobson's desultory talk
on naval affairs off Santiago during the
recent war. He talked under the auspices
of the naval reserve and the Press club.
AT the conclusion an invitation was ex-
tended to all who wished to meet the
hero to walk in line upon the stage. AL
most the whole audience formed in line.
The first woman to place her lips be-
meath the mustache was Mrs. Thomas
Dewerson knight, the second her sister.
They are daughters of Ex-Governor
Towle of North Carolina. Hobson look
ed down the long line and saw it thick
with women. He braced himself into
an easy position, where his equilibrium
was safe in case of an unexpected or
forcible attack from heavy craft, and
dealt out his good things in quick,
business like manner.
The lieutenant was quiet and gentle
manly in action. The women extended
their right hands, which he grasped
with the right hand that sent the Mer-
rimac to the bottom. Back would 60 a
woman's head, her eyes would look into
his and then he would bend over and
plant smack directly on her lips. Then
a goodby shake of the little hand and
the little woman passed along murmur-
ing, "Oh, isn't he lovelyp'
The eccentricity of headgear inter-
fered somewhat with the success of the
business. The lieutenant was occasion
ally compelled to dive low and bob up
beneath the widespreading hats. Again,
the agitation of the women precluded
the possibility of exercising the tactical
knowledge he possesses. They waited
not, but rushed in, striking him on the
nose, between the eyes and in the mouth
with the protruding front of their elab-
crate millinery creations. Once or twice
ne was noticed to halt an enthusiastic
worshiper, gently tilt her hat backward,
kiss her, place the hat back in place
and send her on her way rejoicing.
Lieutenant Hobson appears to be
thoroughly drilled in his part He loses
no time. There are no lingering oscula-
tions-just plain, brotherly kisses. He
knows his duty, and he does it like a
man. He cuts off mushy conversation
by speeding the parting and welcoming
the coming. He does not say Next, I"
but means it.
Occasionally women shook hands
with him who had determined not to
kiss him, but temptation overcame
them, and at the last moment they fur
snished amusement by relenting, turn
ing back and taking what was theirs
without the asking. The general saluta-
aion was: Lieutenant, I have read so
much about you. Oh, I'm happy to
meet your and the naval hero was
ready for the next. Meanwhile the
crowd of men shouted cheers of encour-
;agemeut-" Don't weaken, lieutenant!"
80 Kiss them to standstillr' and other
alike remarks, punctuated with yeIls
and shrill whistling.
Lieutenant Hobson in his talk did not
dwell at any length on his own exploit
in sinking the Merrimac. He told how
well the Spanish treated him, how he
was released and how he hoped the war
vwould result in great and powerful
Enavy for the United States. He compli-
smented the Spanish on their bravery
and Illinois upon the record of her sons
son land and sea. His voice was not
quite strong enough to be heard with
advantage in the big Auditorium, but
me acquitted himself with much credit
Special New York World