The times., 1899-05-18
The Arrival of jenkins.

Dewey has escaped many dangers. al
though there is no record that he ever
tried to escape any. The peril which now
threatens him he probably never for an
instant contemplated. jenkins has ar
rived,
There is no question about jenkins.
though he brings his own credentials, not
having troubled the Admiral for letter
of introduction. He is the man who is
commissioned by Providence to protect
Dewey from the we'll meant but inconsid-
crate impositions of seventy millions of
people. He is the man who knows what
Dewey would like. and is determined that
he shall have it. This is what he says:
As regards the movement with reference to Ad-
miral Dewey which. heaven be praised! is
assuming a rational and decent shape, should
like TO make small suggestion.
The enthusiasm of the American people is in
telligible enough, and il is unquestionably cred
liable TO all of them. lie deserves much at
hands, and. if we owe him anything at all, we
are under the most binding obligations TO pay
that debt in some fashion that will not distress
and iniure him.
Observe the pious gratitude of jenkins
that matters have now taken such a form
that he can explain to the multitude what
it is that Dewey really wants. So jenkins
says:
Admiral Dewey does not want and could not use
palace. lie is alone in the world, with the
ception of son. great and gaudy mansion,
choked by luxurious accessories and lost in space
and room, would be OF no use to him whatever.
On the contrary. it would be a grievous burden,
if not, indeed, real affection. Twenty-Five or
thirty thousand dollars would secure for him
H.. L.. LIZ
the money subscribed should be invested in such
manner as TO enable him to maintain his estab-
lishment in proper style. To invest him with a
gorgeous mansion would be to make him Sinbad
with the Old Man OF the Sea permanently fixed
upon his shoulders
The tender consideration of Jenkins for
the feelings of the Admiral is almost pa
thetic in its childlike simplicity and self
forgetful thoughtfulness. His anxiety to
have everything arranged for Dewey, when
Dewey gets here, provokes sympathy and
evergreen gratitude. His intelligent de-
votion to the interests of Dewey indicates
that. whatever happens, he will protect his
hero from the unthinking and burdensome
attentions of the masses Here is his
peroration, wise in its patriotism and he
roic in its courage:
The tribute reach the point of persecution,
and we seek 10 stop il short of that.
But with all due consideration for the
motives of Jenkins, it may not be out of
place 10 make suggestion here. It is just
possible that the Jenkins anxiety is not
warranted by the facts. Dewey has always
been able to take care of himself in an
emergency, and cause people-even ignor-
ant people-to understand his meaning. 1t
is barely possible that he may not need the
eager and assiduous attentions of Jenkins,
lowering about him with clothes brush
and adoring expression. The situation re-
minds one OF a simple little story which
was current shortly after the war. Yam.
kee housekeeper had settled in the South,
and wanted maid. Several applicants pre-
sented themselves. One dusky damseI of
prepossessing appearance was asked if she
could cook. She said that Aunt Chloe al
ways did the cooking Could she wash?
No; that had been Aunt Peggy's work
Could she wait on table? Old Uncle Ben
had done that, and he never let anybody
interfere with his china closet. The mis-
tress finally asked In perplexity:
We'll, Lucinda, what did you do?"
With childlike smile the reply came:
Il use to keep de flies off oil Miss"
If Dewey needs anyone TO perform this
service for him. jenkins is ready. In fact,
he is here.