The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-07
'GOV. ALLEN OF PUERTO RICO.
INTERESTING CAREER OF THE
ISLANDS NEW EXECUTIVE.
Was a Marked Figure Even in His
College Duys-Hfs Wit Never De-
serted Him-Defeated by Will
liam Il. Russell for Governor.

Charles II. Allen, Of Lowell, Mas, who
is to be the first American civil governor
Of Puerto Rico, has had an interesting
career. He has served in the Massacna-
setts Legislature. in congress. where he hrss
met President Mckinley. and "a assistant
secretary Of the navy Mr. Allen is presi
dent of a bank and actively engaged IN
several business ventures. For the To-
lowing anecdotes the World is indebted TO
a recent article by A. Maurice Low in the
Philadelphia Saturday Evening Post.
Allen" said man who was intimate
with the assistant secretary OF the navy
when they were classmates at Amherst,
could funk with more grace and charm
than any other man / have known. and
funk he often did doubt, however.
whether his teachers thought any the less
Of him for IT,"
Leader I'm College.
This sentence perhaps best character
izes the man on whose shoulders rested
so much OF the work OF the navy during
the Spanish war-a magnetism and per-
soral charm which captivates every one
with whom he comes in contact What
most vivdly remember OF him. this
classmate added. was his striking per-
sonai appearance. In those far-off days
he not only had a good physique but
fine presence, he was genial and fond of
a story. but unconventional as he was
he none the less had a marked dignity
which on occasion stood him in good
stead. His capacity for conducting bus'-
ness was easily recognized. and we elect
ed him president OF the class. a dtstinc-
ton which was then, and | fancy Is now,
esteemed a high honor in College. We in
stinctively felt that he had the quality
OF leadership. ane were glad on many oc.
80 ~ pal 1H
fact. considering that nigh scholarship has
been irnTnemoraby attached to leadership
in small colleges"
When Allen frs; went to college he was
a fine sketchcr. though without much
technical raining. His talents soon at
tracted general attention He was an en-
thusiastic amateur photographer, and ne
was one OF the first to attash the photo
graphic heads Of prominent persons 10
bodies OF his own invention and create
conlical environments for them One Of HIS
first pictures, and one which his casa
mates remember TO this day, was of a
billiard room attached to bar The VEN
cradle president OF the college and the
professor Of Latin were playing billiards
while the professor Of Greek loiled in a
huge chair. drinking brandy and soda
Allen photographed this picture and capes
of ii were handed about with great secrecy
for fear the college authorities would set
1OlQ OF them. Inc existence OF lnl& WOfk
leaked out and the faculty finally obtained
copies and enjoyed the eood-natured carl
cature quite as much as did the students
Criticises Professors Drawing.
Aliens readiness Of wit was proverbial
and was always emphasizing itself at I'M
expected times In Prof, Smells recitation
room navigation was being studied. Prof
Smell. who prided himself on his draughts-
manship had drawn on the blackboard an
Of alrs Inv haA -
angtlated II and on the lines OF triangila-
ton had drawn a very creditable ship un-
der fun sail. Allen was called up TO the
board
Allen" said Prof. Smell. what would
be the course of this ship under these
circumstances ?"
Allen stood up and put his glasses on
his nose.
What ship? see no ship"
The professor, a little nettled. took n
pointer and laid 1t rather sharply on the
blackboard and said. That ship"
"Ah. yes" replied Allen; you call that
a shin. do your
Certainly" replied the professor, en-
tirciy taken back.
We'll" answered Allen. without NOV
ing a muscle. IL that is a ship. I don't
know what her course would be"
That ended the recitation for the time
being. so far as he was concerned.
Here is another instance Of his agil-
ity In getting out of a tight place. The
class was being examined in comic sec
tions-perhaps In some mysterious man
ner. and perhaps IT is best that the mys-
terry should not be solved at this late
day. Allen had succeeded In covering
the blackboard with the symbols OF a
problem worked ont Called on to ex-
plain. he began gravely;
p equals large arc; p equals small
arc. Then we have = p into casino
A.
stop Allen" exclaimed Prof. Esty.
Explain as II I knew not hing about IT,"
Certainly, sir" said Allen. p equals
large arc; equals small arc Then we
have z multiplied suppose you know
how 90 multiply, sir; don't your" he broke
on turning 10 his instructor.
Develops Into an Orator.
when Allen came back 10 the class
reunion tn 1878" said Or. &. Winchester
Donald. the distinguished pastor Of Trim
Uy church, Boston, I'VE discovered that
he was an orator. IL was a great sur
prise. as he had shown no oratorical
ability whatever during college life hut
a speech ne made In 1879 showed unmis-
taxable power as a speaker. And last
summer. al our thirtieth reunion. he
spoke IN an informal way for half an