The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-12-15
ROOSEVELT AS HUMoRIsr.
How He Triaed with the Thirst Of
High Navy Omeers.
From the Baltimore sun.

From the Baltimore Sun.
President Roosevelt possesses a char
acteristic sense Of humor 1t is Wig
orous. and sometimes almost gro
tesque.
When he was Assistant Secretary Of
the Navy during the preparation for
the Spanish war the government was
buying number Of yachts to be con-
verted into toFpedo-boats. dispatch,
beats, scouts. etc. Considerable inti-
macy existed between the family OF
President Roosevelt and that of one of
the officers of the navy in the depart
ment- The wife Of this officer got a
fancy she would like to have one OF
these beautiful little boats bear hef
name. There is a prejudice in the
navy against giving a woman's name
to war-yessel of any type. 1t is be-
heyed to be unlucky. But the officer,
prejudice than to resist the importu-
mites of his better half, made the re-
quest Of Mr.. Roosevelt.
The Assistant Secretary Of the Navy
hesitated.
1T won't do" he said. II would like
to crafty your wife, but woman's
name won't do"
Then a thought occurred to him, and
he relented. 81 will fix it." ne said.
Tell your wife 1t will be all right"
The next day the boat was named:
THE Vixen"
Il am going to put you in command
OF her. said Mr.. Roosevelt when he
announced the name.
The sun was over the fo'yard and
every old officer was licking his lips.
The squadron had been out for TWO
days at target practice, ana on that
day the chief officers of the several
ships had been invited on board the
flagship, where they were TO be enter
tained by Theodore Roosevelt, assist
ant Secreatry of the Navy. The guests
and Mr.. Roosevelt talked about the
feats of gunnery and specuiated upon
how such and such a shot would have
counted had the target been a Spanish
ship. All save Mr.. Roosevelt had be-
gun to weary of this topic. They found
| 1t dry. and conversation had begun to
lag by the time luncheon was announc-
ed. Men who had been long on salt
water were conscious of something
lacking in the entertainment. For
some time there had been clearing Of
threats and significant exchange Of
| glances. Mr.. Roosevelt's eyes, follow
Ing those of his guests, caught the an
gle of the sun to the fo'yard.
'Will you step into the cabin and
have some tea?" he said, with an ex-
preston which might be significant of
most anything, but which received but
one Interpretation by those who felt
| the salt spray in their threats. The
movement toward the cabin was spon-
taneous. There, In the center of a
great table, rested a punch bowl Of
| magnificent proportions, filled nearly
! to the brim with a liquid a shade deep
| err than amber of the richest hue. In
| it's center fioated an island of ice;
sprays of mint were scattered at its
base and extended their slender leaves
| over its brim, while pieces of lemon
| and other fruit fioated on the surface
of the cool and tempting flood. A gem
erous ladle was dipped into its mys-
terious depths and glasses were mar
shalled around.
The old Commodore, with the color
! of the sun upon his face and the dry
ness of the desert in his throat, turned
eagerly toward this oasis. He stirred
the ladle lovingly in the bowl. while
others gathered about him. He held
| his glass filled to the brim, between
| his eve and the sunlight that came
with a burning glow through the cab
in window, and the clatter and clink
of glasses sounded through the cabin
as each officer filled to the occasion.
With an air of contentment and antic-
ipated JOY he brought the glass to his
lips. Then, as all lifted their glasses
to follow his example, look of hor-
ror passed over his face. his hand
trembled, and the glass almost fell to
| the table.
BE d If 1t amt teal" he gasped
Shortly after Mr.. Roosevelt entered
! the White House a politician called
upon him with reference to appoint
ments. After the preliminary expires
sions of high esteem, unbounded ad.
miration, and eternal loyalty. the pol
itician began to disclose his business.
IT want to speak to you about Mr..
Blank, who holds small office dowr
in my district"
The politician didn't finish his SEN
tence.
What" exclaimed Roosevelt. inter.
rupting him. rs that Internal scoun-
drel stu in that place? l had some
| knowledge OF him when / was Civi
Service Commissioner"
The politician acknowledged that Mr.
Blank was still there and then turned
the subject.