Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1909-09-19


 brlde Of Oregon, His first official du- t!es were at Honolulu, where he was tinted States minister. King Kane lameha WHs the ruler at the time The minister Was a heroic type of man. the father of fourteen children, aud a number of his sons became distin- yuishcd men in various professions. He WaS true American, cast in an ultra patriotic mold, and many stories are told among the oldtimers of his patriotism and bravery.
 When Mcbride reached Honolulu he found there were no outward in- siSna designating the American con- sulate or minister's office, so he had a large American coat of arms cut out of wood. gilded and decorated appro- pl'iately. and this was hung over the flee door hat all the world might see t. It was naturally a conspicuous ob ct and of much interest to the pub ie.
 One day m English man-of war ame into port. The sailors and mi( shipmcn were given liberty. and. as often happens, some of them had hi ariouS times Among the then mid >hipmen were Lord Gordon and Lord BercSford who, like all midshipmen in from q bong cruise. were out for a iaA1.s tiale. Walking down the street they did Hut f.ti to notice that Yankee :o;)t of arn.s, and as Beresford Was collecting bric.A-brac and curioSiteS it occurred to him and Gordon that this would be a fine addition to their col ection. a trophy worth having. So they selected q time when the minis 'er was away and the office closed. pl'"sumably at night. and took down the coat of arms, hired q native vehi- ce to carry it down to the dock and actually succeeded iD getting it aboard without any of the ranking officers knowing anything about it.
 "tfhe next morning when the minis ter came down to the office his assist ant said:
 ''Mr Minister. your birds taken flight
 ..What do you mean:' asked his excellency.
 Your coat of arms is gone re- piled the aid.
 "'Gone where: Flown off?'
 "'Not exactly said the other. Its just disappeared.
 The minister walked out into the street and looked up. The coat of arms. which was i've or six feet across. was noticeable by its absence. I, had taken wings and flown away, Exactly what he minister said has uGt bpca chronicled.
 Tt so happened that Beresford had given the carriage driver an extra fare for his trouble. Some one discovered this and quickly reported it to he min ister. who at once made demand upon the captain of the frigate for its return The captain. who was inno' cent, denied that the thing was aboard ship. The minister sent his evidence to the captain reierating his demand and demanding an apology for the in- suit.
 The captain now began an investi- gation. and the culprits owned up and took the coat of arms on deck. when ;t was promptly sent ashore and re- turned to the office of the minister. Mcbride. who was there, refused to receive it.
 "'Tell the captain of your frigate that desire that the men who took t down bring it back. place it where they found it and apologize Back to the ship went the men with the coat of arms and reported The captain ordered the young men to go ashore, take the coat of arms to the consulate. replace it as they found it and apologize 10 the minister.
 Tt was doubtless a bitter pill. and the young midshipmen had to stand the badinage of their comrades. The two went ashore ready to comply, and took the coat of arms to the con- sulate. The American minister had not put himself out to keep the mat ter quiet, and as a fact the public was well posted. and the consulate was surrounded by a crowd of Americans. natives and others. all laughing at the predicament of the young midship- men
 '"The minister had a strong sense of humor and determined to get all there was in it. He preserved his dignity as best he could as he received the young g,en and listened to their apologies rbo ,nidrhinmpn then toOk the coat of arms from the hack and amid the l cheers of the crowd climoed. to the l front of the building and placed it in 1 position. thcn hurried dowH, followed | by laughter and cheers. ."-C. F. Holder 1 in New York Evening Post.