Goldsboro weekly argus., 1902-11-13

why He Gave the Vixen, q War Yes
sci, It's Name-Hovv He Trified With
the Thirst of Some High Navy Om-
cers-Case of the Unfortunate Mr.
Blank.
acteristic sense of humor. It is vigor-
ous and sometimes almost grotesque,
says the Baltimore Sun. When he was
assistant secretary Of the navy. during
the preparation for the Spanish war
the government was buying a number
of yachts to be converted into torpedo
boats, dispatch boats, scouts, etc. Con-
siderable intimacy existed between the
family Of President Roosevelt and that
of one of the officers Of the navy in the
department. The wife Of this officer
got a fancy that she would like to
have one Of these beautiful little boats
bear her name. There is a prejudice
in the navy against giving a woman's
name to war vessel OF any type. It
is believed to be unlucky. But the off,
Ger. who found it easier to face official
prejudice than to resist the importuni-
ties Of his better half, made the re-
quest Of Mr.. Roosevelt.
The assistant secretary Of the navy
hesitated.
TT won't do," he said. "eI would
like to crafty your wife. but a wo-
mans name won't do"
Then thought occurred to him, and
he relented. Il will fix it," he said.
''Tell your wife it will be all right"
The next day the boat was named
the Vixen.
II am going to put you in command
Of her." said Mr.. Roosevelt when he
announced the name, bat he didn't.
The sun was over the fo'yard. and ev-
cry old officer was licking his lips. The
squadron had been out for two days at
target practice, and on that day the
chief officers Of the several ships had
been invited on board the flagship.
where they were to be entertained by
Theodore Roosevelt, assistant secreta-
ry of the navy. The guests and Mr.
Roosevelt talked about the feats OF
gunnery and speculated upon how such
and sucL shot would have counted
had the target been a Spanish ship. All
save Mr.. Roosevelt had begun to weary
y,
conversation had begun to lag by the
time luncheon was announced. Men
who had been long on salt water were
conscious Of something lacking in the
entertainment. For some time there
had been a clearing of throats and sig
nlfcant exchange of glances. Mr..
eyes. following those of his
guests, caught the angle of the sun to
the fo'yard.
''Win you step into the cabin and
have some ea?' 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 throats~ The /
movement toward the cabin was spon- |
taneous. There, in the center of great /
table, rested a punch bowl Of magnifi- |
cent proportions filed nearly to the /
brim with liquid a shade deeper than /
amber of the richest hue. In it's center i
foated an island of ice. Sprays Of mint |
were scattered at it's base and extend |!
ed their slender leaves over it's brim, |
while pieces of lemon and other fruit |;
doated on the surface Of the cool and |
tempting flood. A generous ladle was |
dipped into it's mysterious depths and |
glasses were marShaled around.
The old commodore, with the color Of |
the sun upon his face and the dryness !
of the desert in his throat, turned ca !.
gerly toward this oasis. He stirred the .
ladle lovingly in the bowl, while others /
gathered about him. He held his glass, I
filed to the brf1n, between his eye and !
the sunlight that came with a burning
glow through the cabin window, and |
the clatter and clink of glasses sounded .
the cabin as each officer filled |
to the occasion. With an air of con-
tentment and anticipated joy he |
brought the glass to his lips. Then, as
al lifted their glasses to follow his ex-
ample, look of horror passed over his |
face. his hand trembled and the glass
almost fell to the table.
BE ID if it amt tear ne gasped.
Shortly after Mr.. Roosevelt entered
the White House a politician called /
upon him with reference to appoint
ments. After the preliminary express
sions of high esteem, unbounded admi-
ration and eternal loyalty the politi-
clan began to disclose his business.
81 want to speak to you about Mr..
Blank. who holds a small Office down
IN my district
The politician didn't finish his SEN
bence
"WhatT exclaimed Roosevelt, inter-
rupting him. els that Internal scoun-
drel still in that place? 1 had some
knowledge Of him when I was civil
service commissioner
The politician acknowledged that Mr..
Blank was still there and then turned
the subject.