Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-09-07
AWA !: | / SALu7E
Naval Powder, Pomp and Sp|en.
dor and a Fizzie.
A SURPRISE FOR FARRAGUT.

A SURPRISE FOR FARRAGUT.
The Admiral, With HE Assembled
STAFF, Was Under tho Impression
That He Was About to Greet a Mill
tary Guest, but Hs Was Mistaken.
A group Of officers were swapping
stories at the Army and Navy club in
Washington one night when one was
reminded Of an amusing incident that
occurred In connection With the stay
Of the flagship Monongaheia at Pensa-
cola bay when Farragut was on board.
The old fighter had been very busy
the week before paying official calls on
the mainland. and among those who
had entertained him was General Can
by. When. therefore, word was re-
ceived that the general would visit the
ship the next day the admiral was de-
termined to have everything in readi'
ness to receive him in style becoming
his rank. = ~
The old boat was scrubbed and holy.
stoned from stem to stern, the brass
work was given an extra rub, and
things generally were put into the best
Of order. The captain Of the marines
had special inspection Of his com.
pany, and not spot Of rust or q dull
helmet spike escaped bis notice. When
night closed In darkness settled down
over a very clean ship and very tired
ships company.
Bright and early the next morning
the admiral's launch was sent of to
bring the general aboard. At the last
moment it was discovered that there
was no fruit for luncheon. and Pomp,
the admiral's cook. was sent in the din.
ghy to get some.
Pomp was a character in his way
and had been with the admiral for
many years. He was very proud Of
what he called his military bearing and
wore his beard carefully trimmed to
point. His hair and beard were nearly
white. and. although he was sixty
years old, be ruled the other negroes
with q rod Of iron.
By 10 o'clock every one was standing
by in full dress. when the quartermas-
ter came aft and reported that the ad-
miral's launch was returning. The
officer Of the deck walked to the rail
and took a squint at the boat through
his glasses. A man clad in blue uni.
form was seated In the admiral's cane
chair in the stern. but as the gunwale
struck him Just below bis shoulder and
the awning hid his head the officer Of
the deck was not certain that it was
General Candy until as the wind lifted
the edge Of the awning he caught a
glimpse Of gray beard.
Word was passed that the general
was coming. The crew were beat to
quarters. the marine guard paraded,
and the gun squad, detailed to fire the
salute, took their stations. Everything !
was In readiness, and the admiral and
1is staff stood at the head Of the gang
way to receive the guest A hush Of
settled over the ship.
The boat drew nearer. Just as the
aunch scraped alongside. boom. boom.
:ame the salute from the guns.
present arms!'' came the command
o the guard. and at sign from the
lag officer the band struck up Hail
70 the Chief"
Amid all this military pomp and
,plendor the occupant Of the launch
vas slowly clambering. feet foremost.
md Just as the last gun was fred he
'tood erect at the top Of the gaugway.
It was the admiral's cook with bag
# fruit in each hand! The honors IN
ended for general had been rendered
o old Pomp! As the situation dawned
N the men even discipline could not
heck a general shout Of laughter. The
I'D admiral himself laughed until he
Gould laugh no longer.
It seemed that in some way the
Iinghy had gone of and left the old
,egro and that he managed to con.
'ince the coxswain that "Marse Farra.
nut was Jest bound to have dat fruit
VETO the general came"
Pomp wanted to land at the port
,angway, but the coxswain insisted
hat the admirars launch never went
o the port side and that the old man
would have to land on the starboard
ide. aft. Had the awning been a
title higher the mistake In identified
ion would not have occurred. As
Kings were. no one could be blamed,
md the affair was treated as a joke,
While the old cook was nicknamed the +
General"
When an hour later General Candy
lid come he was received with all
lue ceremony and on being told the
tory laughed until the tears rolled
lown his cheeks and demanded to see
he man who had stolen bis salute
Jew York Press.