Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1900-03-22
A Visit to Admiral Dewey.

A Washington schoolgirl about l6
years Of age writes as follows concern
ing brief visit recently paid by her
and several friends to Admiral Dewey:
Precisely at 9 o'clock a. m. one sun
ny Wednesday We rang the bell of
l747 Rhode Island avenue, Washing
ton, D. c., the beautiful home Of
Americas beloved hero, Admiral
George Dewey. A butler responded
promptly to our summons.
"Is the Admiral at home p
mo, sir-that is-er-a-havs you
an engagement with him ?"
"Yes," responded one of our party
Of four, himself naval officer.
Walk in, please, said the stern
guardian of Admiral Dewey's privacy,
now bowling and smiling.
As he ush.red US along the heavily
carpeted and pOrtiered hall my atten-
ton was attracted by a huge book
bound in dark leather. 1t rested on
a marble table and was some four feet
long by two feet wide and nearly a
foot thick. Ny feminine curiosity
was aroused, and was still engaged IN
trying to conjecture what its contents
were, when We reached the second
door on the left, which the butler re-
questsd US to enter. We did so and
found ourselves in a spacious, richly
appointed apartment, separated from
the front drawing room on the south
by white marble pillars and pOrtierss
and from the dining room on the
north by folding doors.
But We had not long to wait, for,
like all naval officers, our Admiral is
prompt. a rustling Of the Portisrs
and he entered-the man whom the
whole nation delights to honor.
He is too well known to need per-
sonaI description, but let NE say here
that no picture which I have seen
does him Justice No portrait, how
ever fine, shows the genial glow Of the
kindly brown eyes. By nothing short
of personal interview can one know
the gracious, cordial manner Of Ad-
miraI Dewey.
His fellow-otficsr rose as he entered,
and, taking by the hand the little girl
Of our party, to whose enthusiastic,
outspoken admiration We owed the
visit, he said;
Admiral, thi. is Frances, an ar
dent little adnirer of yours
The Admiral, smiling, clasped the
little ones hand and spoke few
words Of graceful compliment, after
which he set me completely at ease
by his hearty handshake. After our
very informal introduction the Adj
miral led the way to the front draw
ing room. In the bay window, with
flmy lace curtains and silken draper
les as background, stood the superb
silver loving cup presented ito our
conquering Admiral by 10000 citi-
zens OF the United States
isn't that magnificent" exclaimed
Admiral Dewey, his face showing all
the pleasure he felt.
Beautiful" I replied, as l gazsd
in admiration on this latest addition
to his treasures. But think, Admi-
raj, what it represents-a tribute from
10000"
"Seventy-two thousand, correctly
speaking interposed the Admiral,
with a smile, as he proceeded to point
out to u. the beauties of this wonder
full work Of art, made Of $4,000 To-
cent pieces, collected for the purpose
by a New York paper. 1t stands
about eight feet high-a beautiful,
three handled silver cup on heavy
pedestal. Dolphins support the cup
and form the handles.
"See, said the Admiral, "how pref
ty that is. The dolpbins' scales are
made of overlapping l0-cent pieces.
Inspecting the engravings on the
bowl of the cup between the handles,
I asked
as this the Olympia, Admiral p
Yes" he answered, chat is the
Olympia as she came up by Grants
Tomb, and here, he continued, point
ing to another design, sis the Olym-
pia as she was in the battle Of Nanil-
Ia and this, calling our attention to
the third chasing, "is my birthplace,
and he colored with pleasure as he
spoke.
Surmounting the cup is figure Of
Victory holding laurel wreath, with
which Admiral Dewey was long ago
crowned by his countrymen. StOOP-
ing down, he pulled out drawer in
the pedestal on which the cup stands