St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-06-08
financier, with headquarters in New
York, and doesn't use all his names.
Schley as n Joker.

financier, with headquarters in New
York, and doesn't use all his names.
Schley as Joker.
Several anecdotes are told Of Commo-
dore Schley during his younger years
which convey q good idea of his sportive,
jovial character and his keen enjoyment
of joke He was on the Niagara in
1860, when it conveyed the members Of
the japanese embassy to their home.
The vessel, on her way around Good
Hope, stopped on the coast of Africa,
where the Japanese laid in stock Of
monkeys. Old Captain Mexican and the
officers did not object, for it was public
policy then to crafty every wish Of the
Japanese. 1t was only M::Sshipman
Schley and his deck scrubbers who OBJ
jected. The monkeys were allowed to
roam about the ship as they pleased.
There were all kinds Of monkeys, big
and little. Several huge ringtails would
almost live in the rigging, making fly
ing leaps from footrope to backstay, al
ways catching firmly by their tails. The
monkeys were not pleasant creatures
about the decks and were a subject Of
especial aversion to Midshipman Schley.
One morning Schley had the early
watch, and with gang Of men was
scrubbing down. The monkeys were
full of mischief and were making the
rigging ring with their chattering mock
cry.
Bring me bucket Of slush," said
Schley to captain Of top, and to an
other he gave orders that two Of the big
monkeys should be caught
1t was in the China sea, and the big
ship was making 10 knots. Schley took
the two captive monkeys and carefully
creased their tails, then with savage
whoop at them struck both with rope
end. Both monkeys broke for the fore
weather rigging and made wild leap
for the lower studding sail sheet, which
was over the water and 30 feet from the
ships side. Swish went the tails around
the quivering sheet. Alas, the tails
slipped, and two sons Of Africa went
shrieking into the sea- The Japs ran
screaming from their cabins, but the Of
ficer of the watch told them the ship
could not be put about or her sail short
ened in time to save the monkeys; so
there was mourning in the Japanese
cabin.
Captain Versus Lieutenant.
Another story is told Of him which
tends to show the completely and many
sidedness of his character, his youthful
ambition, his love of fun and his alert
ness in taking advantage of circum-
stances and adopting expedients to suit
the occasion.
After Commodore Schley left the Nj
agara he was promptly promoted to a
lieutenancy and assigned as executive
officer of one Of the 80 day gunboats,
the Owasco Of the gulf squadron. Her
commanding officer was devotee Of
John Barleycorn, and periodically he !
to retire to his cabin for repairs, where
he usually staid week. The Owas>
was stationed off Mobile and was one
of a small squadron Of which Captain
James Alden of the Richmond was sen,
ior officer.
One day quartermaster Of the Rich
mond reported to Captain Alden thai
the captain S gig Of the Owasco was ap
preaching, the captains pennant flying
Supposing his visitor to be the captain
Of the Owasco, Alden put on his uni
form coat, the side boys were ordered
and the boatswain's mate made ready
for his three pipes at the gangway
When the Owasco's gig came alongside
the man who sprang up the ladder was
Lieutenant Schley
II expected to see Captain - Of
the Owasco," said Alden, with slight
sarcasm.
II am commander of the Owasco
SIR" said Schley.
"Since when?" asked Alden.
"An hour ago, sir, )" said Schley.
"Where is Captain -?'
LOCKED up in his cabin, sir, drunk.
"Who locked him in?" asked Alden
II did. | first put him under arres
and then shut him up in his cabin
Then took command Of the ship, ant
here ! am to report for orders.
Alden was fond of joke, and he wa
at first dispc sed to laugh at the young
mans sunni. Try action, but he said:
"Well, the first order I'll give you il
for you to lower that pennant in the
gig, go back to your ship sir, unlock thai
cabin door and restore Captain - tt
duty. Then report to me in writing il
the captains illness still incapacitates
him and l v IL know what to do. DOM
be in too great hurry to get command
Of ship, Mr.. Schleyi"