Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-06-09
A WASTED SALUTE.
Naval Powder, Pomp and SpIen-
dor and a FizzIe.
A SURPRISE FOR FARRAGUT.

The Admiral, With His Assembled
3, Staff, Was Under the Impression
That He Was About to Greet Mill
tary Guest, but He 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 a special inspection Of his COM
pany, and not spot of rust or dull
helmet spike escaped his 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 off 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 q 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, he 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 his shoulder and
the awning hid his head the officer of
the deck was not certain that 1t 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
his staff stood at the head Of the gang
way to receive the guest. A hush of
expectancy settled over the ship.
The boat drew nearer. Just as the
launch scraped alongside, boom, boom,
came the salute from the guns.
present arms" came the command
to the guard. and at sign from the
flag officer the band struck up HAL
to the Chief"
Amid all this military pomp and
splendor the occupant Of the launch
was slowly clambering, feet foremost,
and just as the last gun was fired he
stood erect at the top Of the gangWay.
1t was the admira's cook with bag
of fruit in each hand! The honors In
tended for general had been rendered
TO old Pomp! AS the situation dawned
on the men even discipline could not
check a general shout of laughter. The
old admiral himself laughed until he
could laugh no longer.
It seemed that in some way the
dinghy had gone off and left the old
negro and that he managed to con-
vince the coxswain that "Marse Farra-
gut was jest bound to have dat fruit
befo' the general came"
Pomp wanted to land at the port
gangway, but the coxswain insisted
that the admirars launch never went
to the port side and that the old man
would have to land on the starboard
side, aft. Had the awning been a
little higher the mistake In identified
tion would not have occurred. AS
things were, no one could be blamed,
and the affair was treated rs a joke,
while the old cook was nicknamed the
General"
When all hour later General Candy
did come he was received with all
due ceremony and on being told the
story laughed until the tears rolled
down his cheeks and demanded to see
the man who had stolen his salute
New York Press.