Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-01-02
TESTS OF ROOSEVELT
Incidents That Illustrate thu
Presidents Sense of Humor.
GRANTED AREQUEsT1NNovELwAY

N~Sn ~ ~ "a WY " I'D 4N INV Ill w n
Why He Gave the Vixen, a War ves-
sci. It's Namc-IKOw He Trihed with
the Thirst Of Some High Navy ON
cers-Case Of the Unfortunate Mr..
Blank.
President Roosevelt possesses char
actcrstic sense Of humOr. 1t Is vigor-
Gus 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 prejudice
in the navy against giving woman's
name to a war vessel of any type. 1t
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.
1T won't do" he said. II would
like to crafty your wife. but wo-
mans name won't do"
Then a thouset occurred to him, and
he relented. II 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, but 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-
~ 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 Spanish ship. All
save Mr.. Roosevelt had begun to weary
Of this topic They found it dry, and
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 clearing Of threats and sig
nificant exchange of Chances. Mr..
Roosevelt's eyes, following those of his
guests, caught the angle of the sun to
the fo'yard.
Twill you step into the cabin and
have some tear 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-
tanecus. There, in the center of great
table, rested punch bowl of magnifi-
cent proportions filled nearly to the
brim with liquid shade deeper than
amber of the richest hue. In it's center
t1oated an island Of ice. Sprays of mint
were scattered at its base and extend
ed their slender leaves over it's brim,
while pieces Of lemon and other fruit
foated on the surface of the cool and
food. 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 he'd his glass,
filed to the brim, between il.s eye and
the sunlight that came with Il burning
glow through the cabin window, and
the clatter and clink Of glasses sounded
through the cabin as each officer filled
10 the occasion. With an air of con
sentiment and anticipated joy he
brought the glass to his lips. Then, as
Ill lifted their glasses to follow his ex-
ample, a look of horror passed over his
face, his hand trembled, and the glass
almost fell to the ia Bile.
"Be id If it amt tea" he @asped.
Shortly after Mr.. Roosevelt entered
he White House politician called
lpon him with reference to appoint
nents. After the preliminary express
ions of high esteem, unbounded admi-
alton and eternal loyalty the polit
ian began to disclose his business.
II want to speak to you about Mr..
Blank, who holds small Office down
q my district
The politician didn't finish his sem
ence.