Butte record., 1856-12-13
Meeting of the Boorders at de Lep0,es

taueous meeting of the boarders at the
:. Shades held at o'clock yesterday morn.
ing.
The object of the meeting, (Which had
been kept strictly secret all over town. was
to present our esteemed fellow townsman.
J ohm Smith, Esq, Secretary Of the order Of
E Clampsus Vitus, with an oyster knife.
that gentleman having subscribed his pro.
portion of the expenses incident to the oeca-
sion.
The presiding officer L" Bolley," being per.
fectly familiar with all sorts of epicurean
and culinary rules, seemed to fully appreci.
ate the dignity of his position, and the ne
cessity of denying 90 trust " to any of the
boarders, and every delicate Individual pres
ent seemed to take such conclusion as
matter of course.
The time having arrived for the COM
mencement of the ceremonies, the ebjeet Of
the meeting was whisper ed to the unsuspect-
ing Smith (who bal accidentally happened
into the Shades,) whereupon he, (Smith,)
overcome by his emotions, swooned quite
away into box of oyster shells, but was
speedily revived by teaspoonful of pepper
sauce and good, fair smell of the fried liv-
er and tripe, so aptly chosen for the oeca-
sion Being sufficiently revived to stand
the raise" a committee of six escorted
the blushing recipient of bis fellow board
ers' concentrations 10 seat in front Of
the Presidents oyster stand, who arose
and in the most bland manner, made the fol-
lowing opening speech;
hold in my hand on instrument, which
has been purchased by yourself and the bal
ancc of the committee, to hand over to you.
sir, as token of your self-esteem, and their
appreciation of your remarkable appetite.
This little article, sir, is an oyster knife,
more mighty in its influence than the keen
est putty knife or the largest gimlet. Its
endless as the bivalves which it is expected
60 open, and its openings of to-day may last
until to- morrow if the weather holds good.
and its capability of doing good or evil, de-
pends very much on the promptness of your
customers in settling up Receive il then,
sir, with our best wishes, use it as becomes
an oysterman, and a member in good stand
ing cf the T. c. ", and may every shellfsh
opened by it in your FIST, not only bring you
at least fifty cents dozen, bat remind you
not to run in opposition TO me q being in
the same business) and to keep up the pri-
ces. loud and prolonged cheers from all
six of the eommittee)
t, which Mr.. Smith responded briefly, as
follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT, AND BUMMERs:
The eloquent and feeling remarks
that accompanied this magnif. and appropri-
ate token of your and my ability to buy
such things. lights on my overpowered feel
ings like a lunch eater on a square meal. If
during the two weeks that have served as
the secretary Of our order, have done any,
thing to show that l aint mean, why let her
rip. My modesty compressed laughterl
tells me that the amount of my kale seed
falls short Of the rather urgent demands of
your natural inclination to ''t take some
thing but think can possibly negotiate
a cred. at Ham Lights keg house, and if you
want to take the chances we will walk over
and try our luck.
Your present is decidedly in the oyster line
and | hope some day to be able to trust all
who call upon me to use it. Before it should
ever be used by me for anything else than
the purpose for which it is intended, may
my oysters give out, and the point Of this
invaluable instrument be as dull as your un-
derstandings. tSensation
With every desire for your custom, alId
hoping you may each and all live as long as
you can raise any money and shall sell
oysters, bid you good bye, (and they babe
him good byer.l
Immediately after the presentation was
concluded, they repaired to the nearest bit
house where they and their respective
healths were very speedily drunk.