Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-11-24
While the renorter and the commo-

dore were looking at the commission,
which had just arrived, the orderly
stepped not more than ten feet from
the doorway on a trifing errand. Sud-
denly swish of skirts was heard di-
rectly behind the commodore's chair.
He swung around and there stood a
perturbed young woman embarrassed
as to language, but with firm purpose
in her mind.
well" said the astonished commo-
dore, with something of a seadog's
frankness.
''Will you please give me your au-
tograph?" said the young woman, ap-
parently unconscious of the fact that,
in stepping into the captains room,
she had actually invaded his bedroom
and had been as much guilty of impro-
priety as if she had marched into Com
modore Philips den in his own room
without knocking. She evidently
thought that office building etiquette
prevailed on warship, and that she
was simply stepping into an Office,
where there was nc necessity Of OBJ
serving formality.
Commodore Philips said: "Huh!" to
the young woman, and, after pause,
which did not add to the composure of
the autograph seeker, said: Young
wsman, are you alone on this ship?"
"No, sir. l have some friends there
at the door," pointing to two women
who evidently were timid about COM
ing in.
They'll want my autograph, too,
won't they?" asked the commodore,
after another pause.
ooh, [ think not" was the answer;
''but [ should like to have it."
"You would"
eyes, sir"
"Hun!"
Just then the orderly came in. He
saluted and told the commodore that
some one who had been expected was
at the door. The commodore jumped
for the door, giving the reporter Pc
culiar look, which said: "Stay where
you are" When he reached the pas
sageway he disappeared. The young
woman remained about five min
utes and then edged her way out. In
five minutes more Commodore Philip
came back, peered about cautiously,
and when he was sure that the young
woman was gone sighed and sat down
without comment.
Just before the Texas went south to
the war Capt. Philip had another pc
cUliar woman caller. 1t was only 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
said:
'Captain, may I shake your hand?"
THE pleasure is nlne," said the cap
tain, as he grasped her hand.
captain, want to tell you," said the
woman with some show Of satisfaction
and pride, Il was the last person to
shake the hand of the captain of the
Huron as he sailed from port to be
wrecked"
Capt. Philip was amazed. The Texas
had 'hoodoo' then. Pulling himself
together, he said, with some spirit:
Madam, the Texas is coming back!"
ooh, 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 swsrming with visitors on the
ship. 1t was day when they had the
run of the public parts of the vessel.
They had crowded into the captain 5
apartments during his absence. Com
modore Philip had an important en-
gagement in this borough, and he
wanted to change his uniform for citi-
zen's dress. He had only a few min
utes in which to do it. He gave some
outspoken hints in strong voice, but
the women wouldn't go. Finally, he
grew desperate. He stood in a corner
and fairly shouted:
Ladies, if you will kindly give me
possession of this room for about five
minutes while 1 change my trousers,
you will oblige me, and then you can
have the room for the rest of the day."
N. Y. Sun.