The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-01

yited us aboard his ship for dinner, and
when we climbed on board he told me
it was his birthday, and he wanted to
celebrate it properly. To that end he had
invited few brother officers, and he in
troduced us to Capt. George Dewey, who
had no ship at that time, as l remem-
Der. and to Capt Taylor, Lieut.. Miller
and two or three others. We were just Sit
ting down to the table when an orderly
reported signal from the shore.
Capt. Dean went out on deck, and
when he returned told us that Commo-
dore MCGOWAN. of the revenue cutter
Service, had signaled, and a boat had
been sent ashore for him. Everybody
went on deck and the commodore was
piped over the side with all the honors.
He was seventy-four years old and pop
ular. He's dead now.
Come aboard to get something good
to eat, roared the commodore In deep
bass voice when Capt Dean and the
others had shaken hands with him. The
captain told him he couldn't have como
at better time, and told about his
birthday celebration, so the old commo-
dore was given the place of honor at the
table, and Capt Dean asked him what
he'd have to drink. He named over
everything his sideboard contained and
when he had finished Commodore Nc
GOWdA SdlQ SenCe0u0uSIy:
Gin
He filled a large water goblet half
full OF gin, then poured In some wafer
and slipped at this till the dinner was
larry under way. Then his glass was
empty, and Capt. Dean remarked:
Won't you have another, Commo-
dore?'
I didn't come here to be insulted.
Dean, shouted the commodore, his face
getting red as he jumped from the table.
Damn it, sir; what do you mean by in
sultlng me before all your guests? Its
outrageous, sir The old commodores
face was purple now.
Capt Dewey and the rest of US laid
down our knives and forks and stared In
astonishment. The old commodore had
taken an awfully stiff drink, but no one
had appeared to notice it, and certainly
his host, by all the laws of hospitalitv.
was bound to take cognizance of the fact
That his glass was empty. Dean was as
much astonished and disconnected as any
one else, and he began to make all sorts
of apologies, at the same time discIaim
Ing any intention Of insulting his guest.
capt. Dewey and some of the other officers
got around the old commodore and tried
TO mollify him. Finally he consented TO
resume his seat.
What was the matter, Commodore?
asked Capt. Dewey. What did Dean say
that was out of the way? [ didn't hear
1T, I'm sure
Dean? roared the commodore. You
ought to know better than to ask a gen
tleman if he won't take another. That's
no way to show hospitality If you want
ed to see my glass filed, why didn't you
say, Lets take little something to-
sether, commodore
That's what I should have said.
commodore, said Capt. Dean at once.
l acknowledge it. Now and he reach
ed for the bottle, let's take a little some
thing together. commodore
With pleasure, captain, grunted the
Old man, and he filled up his glass with
enother gill Of gin.
Their excitement, and when we finished
everybody was in high good humor, and
the old commodore was the jolliest Of the
lot. We all went on deck and Can't.
Dewey got a fiddle and began playing a
hoe-down.' The old commodore threw
on his coat and danced, and the way he
threw his feet around was a caution.
lie mad the fiddle player pretty we'll ex-
h2usted before he quit When the COM
modore had rested for half an hour and
taken one more drink Of gin he left us
saying, You boys are too young for me. >
we piped him over the side with all tho
honors again and then. everybody went
after Capt. Dean with the query:
Won't you take another, commo-
dore?"
1t was joke in the navy for years
Dean heard 1t wherever he went. Won
der If Admiral Dewey will ever forget
that afternoon"