The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-24
HOBSON AS A BOY

New York, June 22.-Ito the military
academy at West Point there goes today
a young man of twenty-one years, cor
teous quiet, steady-eyed and with a chin
modelled like the Prov Of a battleshtp.
His name is Hobson-James Marcellus
Hobson-and he is the brother of that
Hobson who needs neither adjectives nor
further description. He spent Saturday
night a the Gilsey House and a part of
yesterday in seeing the city-only a part
of the day, however, for, like his brother.
this younger Hobson is a punctual and
regular attendant at church.
Take from the face of the elder Hobson
his beard and something of the gravity
which has come with years and RESPONSE
bility and you have the younger brother.
The likeness is startling. Those who know
go further, and say that the resemblance
extends to methods of thought, speech and
action. The younger Hobson has the
aplomb and dignity which belong to more
years than are his. He has quite way of
considering his opinions before he gives
them. He answers all questions, but he
does not make conversation. The speak
when you are spoken to- training of his
earlier boyhood seems to persist. He is
the sort of boy any one would trust, on
sight, and he looks unspoilableL There
is nothing self-important about him. All
the adulation that has been lavished on
his brother and all the fame into which the
HObson family has found itself suddenly
drawn have passed yards over his head.
ct am not prouder Of my brother now
than before" he says, in answer to a
question. 81 have always been proud Of
him; always believed in him.
MY brother, Richmond, is six-nearly
seven--years my senior. you know. He was
only fourteen when he went away from
home, but he was my playmate and my
hero when a boy, and I think he is likely
TO remain the later all his life"
That seems to be the keynote to the re-
Iation between the two. The NOR young
Hobson talks tn more il shows He seems
to have looked up to his elder brother
with that reverence that none but the
small boy knows. This boy James has
modelled himself upon his brother Rich
mond-and he seems to have picked out a
man worthy of imitation.
There was nothing cold about Rich"
he says of his brother. while he talks
about the affairs of Annapolis. That was
the first time in all his life that he was not
popular with all he met Il hurt him
more than any one ever knew. He used
TO make light Of it TO US, but I knew he
felt the injustice Of that ostracism. and I
doubt whether ne ever quite got over It.
1t threw him back upon himself so much
You know that was really but a part
OF the trouble. He had been constantly
opposed in the navy ever since he entered
1t. The opposition has come from the
line. Ny brother has always wanted to
know as much of his profession as he
could and he knows IL pretty thoroughly
The subject Of modern warfare as it ap-
pliHI to the big ships of today has been
his especial study, and for this reason as
soon as the war between China and Japan
broke out he asked the naval authorities
for permission 20 SO and report upon the
fighting for the Tui.ed States government
His application was endorsed by the chief
constructor. and Rich was appointed read
lily enough by the secretary Of the navy
Immediately there was objection by the
line officers. They said they thought IL
manifestly improper that a mere construc-
tor should he sent TO report upon the fight
Ing. although Rich wos % be only one Of
q lot Of men who were going
We'll Rich heard about the objections.
bat he didn't take any notice and JUS
went right ahead with his packing and
other preparations for the journey. He
was all ready to start when 6ispa.cr
came from the navy department saving
that the appointment had been revoked.
The secretary Of The navy made no rlys-
terry about me matter; he told nv brother
frankly enough that THE appointment had
been revoked because the line objected
- a constructor being detailed TO the mis-
sion.
'Of course ne has had his friends-men
who have believed in aim and trusted
him Some OF them have wanted % push
him forward. but he would neve-. accent
that kind 81 promotion. Only a Etclc while
ago he wrote 10 one OF these friends ,hat
he preferred promotion 10 come as the re-
SUI of service
Tell me something about your brothers
boyho0d- What sart OF boy was he7
What was he fond of" said young Hob
sons visitor
We'll do YOU know. that's a little Diff
cult" saidHobs0u, IT. 1T isH't .ah, I
don't remember. for I believe can recol-
lect everything thai Rich ever did. but
then. he did such lot OF things.
Was he popular wi;h his p.aymates?
He was just the most popular boy IN
Greensboro, answered Hobsoa's brother