A good many of the young aristocrats of Detroit have belonged to the Naval Reserve, among them Mr. Truman H. Newberry, former Secretary of the Navy, about whom I heard an amusing story.
According to this tale, as it was told me in Detroit, Mr. Newberry was some years ago a common seaman in the Reserve. It seems that on the occasion of the annual cruise of this body on the Great Lakes, a regular naval officer is sent out to take command of the training ship. One day, when common seaman Newberry was engaged in the maritime occupation of swabbing down the decks abaft the bridge, a large yacht passed majestically by.
"My man," said the regular naval officer on the bridge to common seaman Newberry below, "do you know what yacht that is?"
Newberry saluted. "The Truant, sir," he said respectfully, and resumed his work.
"Who owns her?" asked the officer.
Again Newberry straightened and saluted.