St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-09-06
STORIES TOLD OF DEWEY.
The Admirnps Traits as Seen by Fellow
Officers.

Ifyou should happen to join group
of retired naval officers at the club after
they got talking about Admiral George
Dewey, you would hear some very inter-
esting things concerning him. One feature
OF the talk cannot but attract attention.
There is not the slightest disposition to
carp at his good fortune, or to talk a
bout some people always being lucky.
While some of them may think that they
would have done just as Dewey did UNI
der similar conditions none OF them say
so. They are content to praise him, and
keep silent as to the "what | would have
done"
While Dewey has always been well
liked by those in and out OF the service
who knew him well, he has always pos
sessed a sort of reticence, that has pre-
vented him from being very popular, as
the term is generally understood. He is
cool, rather taciturn, especially when in
a company where he is not very well ac-
quainted And then, he is fastidious to
a degree. While he may swear to the ex
tent of a big big D." he never uses the
form of objuragtion which involves the
sacred name. And as for obscenity, he
detests it with loathing that cannot be
expressed in words. He was always so.
Many years ago while he was watch
officer, he happened to be serving under
an admiral who was distinguished IN his
profession for his bull dog courage and
his rough language. He was OF class
that is known as "a jacky officer" mean
ing one whose manners SAVIOR more OF
the forecastle than the quarter deck. One
dav "the old man." as the chief is known
in sailor parlance, became upset about
something, and turned loose upon every
thing in sight in his characteristic way.
Well Dewey was in sight, and after
standing it few minutes, he walked up
to the raging commander of the fleet,
and saluting said:
Admiral, | will not allow you or
any man living to address me in the
language you are using"
The captain Of the flagship and nearly
all his officers were present and heard the
conversation. The old admiral turned
red, and then purple. He did not utter
word for some minutes. Meantime Dewey
had left the group and returned to what
ever it was he had in hand.
"Tel Mr.. Dewey l wish to speak to
him." said the Admiral to an ensign.
"Dewey's going to catch it now"
whispered the officers who heard the or
der.
In moment up came Lieut.. Dewey.
You sent for me, sir p said he saluting.
eyes, did, sir" the other answered.
II wanted to say to you that was not
addressing you in my remarks few
minutes ago. That is all, SIR" And the
old terror of the seas resumed his prone
made.
And so the incident ended. But it was
noticed that A miral - treated the
quiet lieutenant with unusual respect
and courtesy all the rest of the cruise.
1t has been charged against Dewey
that he was bowling swell. In so far
as that may mean one VINO has the best
that money can buy among his personal
belongings the expression is true. He is
the most carefully tailored officer in the
United States Navy. 1t is really an oh
ject lesson in the art of dressing we'll to
observe Dewey's daily method ashore.
While Admiral Dewey always main
tains well filled sideboard and some
times takes drink when he wants one
he is not tippler. If he could nave hi.
way, when in command of ship h,
q would never have officers who habitually
drank sent to serve under him. ANY
r thing but drunkaid." said he passion
| ately once when he and some Others wer,
| talking of captain who hadjust been pu
on pledge. you can never tell wha
harm drunken man will do. | would
,. much rather be compelled to be shipmat
with a lunatic. Him | could restrain
1 but not the drunkard. If had my wa,
4 no officer in either army or navy wit
/. had been court-martialed and dismisse,
q the service for drunkenness should eve
p be restored to the active list unless hi
reformation was absolutely sure"
7 Dewey is perhaps the best small sword;
man among the senior officers of tn
= navy, indeed. the best in the service e,
e cepting possibly Lieutenant-Commande
8 Lucian Young, whose skill with the thre
g cornered duellng sword is a matter {
S note all through the service. Standin
/, about 5 feet 912 or 10, 1.-THE, and wit
n cat-like quickness, the American Admire
9 would be a dangerous antagonist wit
Il the glittering blade in his hand il /
o meant business. He has liking for tt
. sword. 1T has been the weapon par e,
,. celence of the knight and the gentlema
IF for thousand years" he once said, tall
10 ing of the arme blanche to a conrad
IF with it, kings bestowed the accolad
in 1t is the knightlest and noblest
he weapons. With it's record of chivalr
ID the white arm comes down through Il
ages, the last legacy of the dead days
N romance and beauty to the twentiet
Of century,"
as The early life of men of force and MAJ
t. is generally interesting. Admiral Dewt
If spent his younger days at Norwich, V
az All the old residents OF that placid Ne
h. England village remember the America
" Admiral. Some interesting reminiscenc
$. oil Dewey as boy are related bv the o
as Inhabitants. AS lad Dewey had a mo
te congenal companion in his sister, who
m now Mrs. Greeley. They were fine, vi
orous children, with large amount
or courage and imagination. In their pie
20 the realistic was very much in evidenc
or They particularly delighted in dangero
or adventures. They were fond OF makil
err believe that the boy was some mythc
IS warrior and the girl a iorlorn prince
re. about to be devoured by sea monst'
es They put into their play some very REL
ut istic action. \ neighbor who watch
er the scene said II saw Mary wade o
ed into the river where the water was up
nd her knees, and then George, with w
is yell, dashed out after her, brandishine
a big stick with which he beat the wat
90 in every direction. Hethrew his left al
ad around her and escorted her to the sho
When thew came IN the bank | ask