Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29

Presently the fire bell changed throughout
the hall. The officer in charge rushed from
his Office to discover the cause of the alarm.
figure climbed nin1bly through the Office win
dow, recovered certain "commandeered goods"
and silently was gone
ut is recorded that the O. c. blew off con-
siderable steam about the false alarm. The
class stood up" as usual until somebody INC
GiffnS roommate, suppoSe) confessed to
accidentally setting it of.
But not word was said of the forbidden
spoils. Perhaps the O. c. in his annoyance
over the false alarm, had failed to note its
absence. Or forgot about It, However that
may be, at least two youngsters were in far too
good spirits to bother their heads over such
trif1eS as the ways of an o. c."
Perhaps the most famous story recounted
with ever-increasing relish by this group of the
sos is that which involves the late King Ed
ward, then H. r. H. the Prince of Wales.
at was during the cruise of the class Of '83
on the Nays PRIDE the U. S. s. Trenton" re-
calls member Of that class. I'm those days,
you know, we took a two-year cruise around
the world after our graduation, then returned
for re-examination and commissions.
well, there was old British salt on our
ship-he must have been born on the sea, that
One-whose favorite tale was about Me an tn
Prince of Wales
Me an the Prince of Wales wuz once ship
mates, we wuz' p. c. as he was called would
recount whenever listening ear stood by IN
remember, e SEE t. me. when e left our Ship
stickin' out Is and seq e, Put 'er there, p c.
old man." SEE e. "Ill not forget me old ship
mates" seq e; :" N any time I'm in port want
you to come right aboard an see me-" SEE e.
$50 often did p. G. repeat this tale that he
almost believed 1t himself. One day the Trer-
ton put into British port while the Prince of
Wales was there with his feet, in command, of
course. Naval courtesy requires that when q
foreign feet comes into port the first in COM
mand Of the home fleet shall go aboard and
pay his respects to the visiting commander Of
the flagship Of the incoming feet So H r. H
came to call upon the Trentons skipper, one
Admiral Davis, who, it happens, had met the
prince before and knew something of his sense
Of humor.
so, over their highballs he recounted to his
highness the tale of P. G. The heir to the Brit
s-h throne laughed heartily and then, with a
twinkling eye requested that his old seafaring
friend be presented to him.
upon hearing of the princes impending
visit, old p. G. had stirred his stumps and dis
appeared mysteriously below-as far below as he
could 60 But an orderly sought him out mean
while spreading the news among the crew that
the prince had called for him.
Tremblingly, P. G. donned his best and pre-
Sented himself at the captains cabin, standing
stifhly at salute
H, R. H. had his back turned, gazing out the
portfolio.
I" Come in, P. g. said the admiral cordially
"As P. G. advanced the royal visitor turned
and, taking step forward, extended his hand
with a hearty grin.
We'll, well. p G., old friend" said he, IT'S
been long time since we've met but don't
forget my old shipmates,' said he. And any
time I'm in port want you to come aboard
and visit me, said he.
"Speechlessly P. G. shook the royal hand.
grinned, stammered and withdrew Then. his
chest expanding with every step, he stalked
below. passing wondering comrades with ele-
waited nose
What did he say P. G.?'
But p. @. gave no sign of hearing; with
silent dignity he sought his hammock to be
alone
THE crew followed and clamored to be told.
"'Wot did e say?' finally roared p G.
Wot d y think e said? e says, Put er there
old friend" SEE 'e-"I don't forget that we wllz
once shipmates, we wuz," seq e. en- any time
I'm in port want you to come right aboard an
see me, p g. SEE e. That's wot e said"
II remember good laugh we had when I
was at the academy" reminisces Admiral S. s.
Wood who was of that group of so years
ago. We paid for it, too, If my memory serves
me right, but it worth stand-up"
He leaned back in his comfortable chair and
twiddled his thumbs rehectively while twinkle
lighted keen blue eyes and the shadow Of
boyish smile spread to the corners of his mouth
beneath its dgnifed mustache.
IT recall this occasion particularly" he sighed
FOR had been boning hard all evening and
needed sleep. But I not destined to get
much of it that night Shortly after Taps" when
I'd just dropped off to sleep, was awakened
by rear Of laughter. 1t seemed to come from
the hall outside my door. OF course, I wasn't
curious at ALL but, well, thought might lust