Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-05

Old Dame Rumor is busily engaged con-
Meeting Admiral Dewey's name with that
of several eligible women in washiug gton.
Tho hero Of Manila bay is not accused Of
harboring matrimonial intentions but the
match makers insist that the admiral cam
not fulfill the social obligations Of his lofty
station without the assistance of some
charming woman. Besides he has been
given a home OF his own, and what is home
without wife?
Gossip has 1t that the prospective Mrs.
Dewey Is Mrs, Hazen, widow OF General
Hazen, and daughter OF Mrs, Washington
Mclean, at whose residence at the national
capital the admiral is stopping. Mrs, Hazen
is wealthy and one of the society leaders of
Washington. Her sister three years ago,
who was then Mrs Bugher and very wealthy,
married Captain Nicoll Ludlow, of the navy,
1t was at one time reported that Mr.. Her
bert, when secretary of the navy, was en-.
gagged to her. Mrs. Bugher was not only
rich, but very attractive personally Cap
tain Ludlow was an officer Of striking ap-
pearance and, like Admiral Dewey, a Wild
over.
During his residence in Washington the
admiral was closely identified with the eX-
elusive circles of society, but not until after
the battle OF Manila bay we're rumors
started that he might marry again. The ad-
mral has been a widowcr now for twenty
years. As admiral of the navy Dewey holds
a position scarcely second to any except the
president 1t is one, too, of leisure and as
sured service always in Washington, with
little more to do than make an annual re-
port to the secretary. At least that is what
Admiral Porter did.
With a fine house presented to him by
the people of the country and a salary ap-
preaching $4,000, Admiral Dewey may be
regarded as catch and a man that per
haps few widows no matter how eligible,
would decline. He is not quite 62 years of
age, fnc-looking, vigorous and accustomed
to polite society.
Various explanations have been offered
for the enlistment of some 200 members
OF the Kansas regiment when the regiment
started for Manila bound for home. 1t was
supposed the Funston fighters had not had
enough and that those who remained were
anxious to be in at the finish. These patri-
otic motives do not tally with advices from
Manila. One of the warm papers
of that warm town insinuates that
a hustling recruiting officer spoiled their
longing for home by reading to the
assembled troopers the resolve of club OF
Kansas girls to marry a member of the
regiment or remain single for life That
was q proposition some OF the lighters did
not care to go against. They preferred to
hustle free footed in Luzon.
Admiral Dewey, though not unaCquainted
with the strong language OF the sea, fire.
quently finds milder mode of speech more
effective. When in the Mediterranean four
teen years ago as captain Of the Pensacola
some sailors bungled their work and nearly
lost spar during hard squall. The ex-
pectation was that hard words would be
used. Dewey called out will you kindly
tell me what was the matter just now with
the agricultural population on the main top
sail yard?"
THE girls of Honolulu are handsome
black eyed damsels," writes a returned vol
| unteer 'but they hardly compare with the
young ladies at home in refinement and ed
| ucation. l am speaking now of the native
girls. They are accomplished swimmers,
| however, and for a nickel will dive into the
| water at any time. 1t does not take them
| long to undress, for what garments they
| wear are very light and short at both ends.
| If you throw silver dime into the water
where 1t is twenty feet deep they will dive
in head first and bring it up. One of them
asked the boys II the American girls made
much money diving after nickes."