The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-12
Dimes WITH. WHITE
RAT ON SHOULDER
Mrs. Mortimer Hancock. Wife
of British Officer, Causes
Stir in New York.

| r lf .
New York. Juno 1l.-Mrs. Mortimer
Hancock, wifo of Captain Mortimer
DAWSON Hancock, of the British Army,
stationed at Bombay. India. daughter
OF DR.. 5. NJ. Battle. U. S. NJ, of ,Asne-
Vile, n. C., and cousin OF former eAs-
ststant District Attorney George dot.-
don Baltic, mas been creating commo-
tion in Hobbies and dining rooms of big
hotels for the past three days. Twice
she has appeared in different hotels
with a sleek. fat, white rat which
answers to the name OF James, cavort-
ing about her neck.
III spite OF Mrs. Hancock's attractive
personality. 1t is the rat that has been
the cynosure of curious eyes In fact,
II James were not q rat, one might say
he had been the lion OF the occasions
on which his mistress has appeared
with him. a
just u Few squenls Greet Them.
The latest appearance In public of
Mrs. Hancock and the rat was at the
Waldorf yesterday shortly after noon.
At the Waldorf they are SO accus-
toned to the unusual that beyond a
few squcals of delighted surprise and
the gathering of gaping ere wd the
social routine of the hotel was dis
turbed very little,
But at the first public appearance
OF the two-at the Plaza, Thursday
night-there came near being small
feminine riot For at the Plaza there
seldom happens an event to break the
calm OF the marble corridors.
That night, Mrs. Hancock swept
into the Plaza about O'clock, asked
for friend, and sauntered into the
tee room. She was CARRIED in con-
ventional decollete dinner gown.
Ahrlghtcd Women Flee.
Hardly had Mrs. Hancock taken her
seat In the tea room than the usual
quiet of the main hall was broken by
the screams OF a score of women. Out
of the room they tumbled. each clutch
ing her skirts in tbs d-time Mercy.
theresa mouse" fashion .
The floor officials of the hotel hast
ened to the scene. They found the
tea room deserted except for Mrs.
Hancock. reclining in wicker chair.
Then they spotted the cause OF tho
tunult.
Around Mrs. Hancock's cleaning
white shoulders the rat James was
sporting. Mrs. Hancock Ind ordered
tea and crackers, and every now and
then she handed UP a morsel to James,
who sat up on his launches and
munched it.
While the officials were looking. Mrs.
Hancock arose. and. with James still
maintaining his perch went to the
phone. where tho rat took up a posi-
lion close to her ear
There was a hurried conference of
motel officials. and 1t was decided that
Mrs. Hancock must be requested 70
Keep her rat out OF sight IL she were
to remain in the hotel Mrs. Hancock
seemed hurt when this news was CON
Heyed to her. and with the greatest
reluctance she secreted James In her
bag.
When her friends came downstairs
she went in TO dinner with them, car
rying the imprisoned rat watch
was placed at the door TO see that Mrs.
Hancock did not again give James his.
freedom. Those on guard noticed tina
several times Mrs. Hancock furtively
slowed dainties into the retlcule, which
We're no doubt gratefully received by
the rodent.
Friday night Mrs. Hancock again APP
peared at the Plaza. but with James
slowed out OF sight in the retcuie
Yesterday. when Mrs Hancock an.
peared at the Waldorf, friend rat was
exercising merrily about her shoulders.
She asked the clerk IL her father. Dr..
Battle, had arrived h
james Shares Her Luncheon.
The captains wife seemed uncon-
sciols that her comrade was fast draw
ing crowd. and when she learned her
father was not there. she registered
and took a room. On coming down
stairs she went to the rose room and
look luncheon. James was allowed
10 share her meal in public
Mrs. Hancock's career has been a
romantic one. Reared In Ashevil!e as
Madelon Battle. she was regarded as
the towns belle. She was feted on all
s.des Often She was a guest of the
Vanderbilts at Biltmore. Suddenly she
abandoned her life OF social pleasure
came TO New York and enrolled as a
nurse n,, IN the Presbyterian Hospital
Ihen came rumors that she was to
marry Cecil Graham, wealthy YOUNG
Ehglishman. These rumors were de-
nied. Finally on July 2, 1908, she was
married at Bitmore to Captain Ham