The Washington herald., 1912-12-14
By THE DOwAGER.

Curious how big people make much OF
small things or what seems to the casual
looker-on small things. Nine. Bakhmeten
had more pleasure in presenting silver
loving cup to the Beale. the torpedo boat
destroyer named for her father, the other
day than in any ceremony she ever at
tended, yet she has been stationed at i'm
portant courts and participated in his
toric functions. All Of the late Gen. Ed
ward Beale's children have ever had an
especial pride in their fathers service In
the navy. The interest the late Mrs.
John r. Mclean took in the midshipmen
and the hospitality she showed them
were inspired by her fathers brilliant II
brief, career in the service they repre-
sent
Gen. Bealgs grandfather, Commodore
Thomas Truxtun, was one OF the SIX
captains appointed by Washington to
guard the commerce OF the young re-
public. Stephen Decatur served under
him as midshipman and lieutenant. and
was his petted favorite. Everybody
knows Decatur's romantic and thrllllng
life story. II was Decatur's history and
his grandfather's gallant career that
prompted young Beale to go into tho
navy. From the time he entered the
service until he died Decatur was his
hero.
Beale was graduated from the naval
school in Philadelphia in 1872 and resigned
at the close of the Mexican war. in which
he won glory and a sword, the gift OF
his shipmates, by forcing his way through
the enemy's lines to procure relief for
Kearney. He was serving then under
Commodore Stockton. the same Stockton
who helped found the colony at Liberia
built and commanded the famous Prince
ton, and finally represented his State
New Jersey-in the Senate. 1t was glo-
rlous period in Edward Beale's life. that
brief experience aflOat, but he left II to
win spurs ashore and TO found a great
fortune by successful investments in Cal
ifornla.
When he made his pile Gen. Beale came
back to Washington. his native city. to
live. The first thing he did on arriving
here was TO buy the house that had been
built by his hero. Commodore Decatur.
with the prize money he received for cap
lures and TO which he was carried after
his fatal duel with Barron. With a rev.
erence as admirable as II was unusual at
that time. Gen. Beale did not make
single change in the house, and it stands
to-day. an admirable example Of diEnified
French architecture at the beginning NJ
builder. Gen. Beale's only son. TruXtun,
che time Minister to Greece, Is its pres
ent owner. On his death II will descend
to his only son. the grandson OF James
G. Blaine
The war involving the Balkan states
brings to mind Mr.. BakhmetCfT's service
there as MuscOvIte Minister more than a
decade ago. I say minister. but he was
actually dictator. No diplomat stationed
h.l
cr. No move was made in bulgarian pol
itics. no policy inauguratcd that was not
first submitted to and approved by tho
Russian minister. lie was there to keep
the Balkan states within the sphere OF
Russian Influence and he kept them
there, but with such cloverness and sub
tlety that he was looked upon as friend
and benefactor.
1t was while the Bakhmeteffs were at
Sofia that Miss Stone was kidnapped
Both he and Mine. Rakhmeten took the
greatest interest in her case and sent, on
their own accord and at their own eN-
pense, messengers {" arrange terms with
the bandits Had it not been for their
her fate would doubtless
have been quite different.
AS to Nine. Bakhmeteff the BulGarians
have canOnized her. Everywhere in the !
she is looked upon as a saint. !
ana Win reason. one introduced the ked |
Cross into Bulgaria. established a hos
pitaI in Sofia. and made such a success |
full propaganda in Russia for the humane |
work she had undertaken that the Car |
ina, at her own expense. sent a corps 81 |
nurses from one of the state hospitals |
and gave other important aid
The sick ami wounded OF the present |
war have her to thank for their comforts !
and the s5Omcn now working in the fields !
and hospitals Of the Balkans are simply |
carrying on the work she started.
Nine Bakhm"teff also planned and es- !
tablished in the Bulgarian capital a |