The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-06-09

w 4os 4s4C. DN AIle0-
After the war the fort gradually fell
into ruins.
Bogus British oficer.
NEW. YORK, May 22.-"Mai. A. C.
P. Berdie MeGreal, commanding 9TH
Dragon Guards, his majesty's ser
vice. departed from the Hotel Knick-
erboeker yesterday by request of the
management.
simultaneously with that incident, or
shortly thereafter, there was an cpl
demic of self administered kicks among
the hospitable United States Army of
fers stationed on Governors Island.
Likewise, an epidemic of laughter and
funpoking among certain other officers
at the same post
For the "major Berdie of the
| Guahds' they viii always call him on
the island-had turned out, after hav-
ing been wined and dined and saluted
for week or so, to be no major what
ever, but an umbrella salesman with a
| passion for military honors.
It was early last week when a tall,
MISUNDERSTANDING parsonage, with
an erect carriage, 6 monocle and the
Lunnonest of accents, stepped upon
Governors Island and asked for the of
! icer Of the day. Lieut.. G. A. Janney
| of the 18th Infantry responded to the
sentry word that lie was wanted, and
met the stranger.
my card, sir volunteered the per
| sonage. He extended a pasteboard
reading "Major A. C. P. Berdie-M Ne
Greal, Cavalry Club, London
Delighted, major, responded Lieut..
Janney, introducing himself in return.
| Berdie McGreal explained his pres
senee. He was just ovah from Canter
! 'ry-the cathedral town, y'know-
where his 9TH Dragon Guahds were sta
! toned. He'd had jolly lot of social
attentions paid to him here, but chap
| Y know, likes to get about among his
own soht. He would take it as ripping
good of the Yankee officers if they d
| show him about a bit.
/ He was at the Knickerboeker. with
his man and his car and his driver, he
travelling companion his good old friend
Commander Majoribanks Of his males
| tvs navy, who was similarly inspect
| ing naval posts, and at this very mo
| ment was over in Brooklyn.
| Lieut. Janney warmed TO the imp0s-
ing stranger at once. He presented hin
/ to a dozen officers of various ranks i'm
| mediately, and took him on an inspec
ton tour of the island.
They had luncheon at the club, and
more officers were presented to the Brit
ish major. He was apt at service talk
and narrated Interestingly his expert
ences with dear old Viseount Gen
Wolseley in the Boxer troubles anC
with Gen. Sir John French in Soutl
Africa
Thereafter "Berdie of the Guahds ,
was a delightful daily visitor Maj
John S. Mallory of the 18th and Capt
Halstead-Dorey, who is Gen. Wood
aid, got together and gave an elaborat'
semi-efficial dinner in his honor. Capt
E. B. Smith kept him overnight in hi
home. So did Lieut.. Leo Dewey
young officer to whom the Britishe
took an especial fawncy.
The beginning of the end came Thurs
!. day night. Berdie MeGreal struck tn,
island rather hilariously. Not too mucl
so-not any more than an officer an'
gentleman might successfully get ava.
with on a furlough He sought nj
young ehum. Lieut.. Dewey. The lieu
tenant put him to bed and then phone'
the Knickerbocker to allay any worn
ment that might be felt there at tn
absence of such distinguished guest
''All our interest in Berdle Nc
Greal. was the response that f1oate'
over the wires, sis that he owes u
S52 Send his ear? We don t know
of any car. No. nor man, nor friend
Commander Maioribanks. We II SEN
our detectives over in the morning Z
| interview this major.
The house detectives visited Lieut.
Dewey's quarters yesterday morning
: and with them and the lieutenant, as es
! corts, Berdie MeGreal journeyed bael
/ TO the Knickerbocker. Meanwhile hi
7 room-a very small one-had been en-
q tered. and search Of his bag Shove
| that be was connected with pafen
E umbrella company Of Niagara Falls
+ He phoned to a young woman ffieh
lin Brooklyn and eventually secure
800. paid his bill and departed
As for Lieut.. Dewey. all he had I
say was. ''Stung.'' This. later IN Ia
dav. was echoed by the Governors l.
! land officers who had entertained " Be
! die and gleefuIly by all those VII
q hadn t.