The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1865-10-10
LOCAL.

he
last. for the purpose of opposing the contem-
nlated scheme of supplying the city of Norfolk
With water from that Lake.
Thomas Frisky Polecat, Esq, called the meet
;no 70 order, and nominated Swamp Bear, Esq,
a. Chairman. Mr.. Bear unanimously elected
% preside, and was escorted to a stump by Mr..
THOMAS Frisky Polecat. A-minnow-dab Bullfrog
was then appointed Secretary.
The venerable chairman opened the meeting by
saving, that ''rumors had reached that section
that the people of Norfolk, in their wild race
after water, intended to drain the home of the
most of his hearers-Lake Drummond-to supply
that little fishing hamlet with water. He con-
,inued i: Fellow-denizens of Lake and Forest
the frosts of seventy winters have whitened my
head since settled here; have seen fires and
foods, railroads, free niggers and hunters pass
through this swamp, and over this lake, to catch,
kill and annoy us, but never have heard of such
on outrage as that which the white man is about
tn perpetrate If this Lake is to be tapped by
Parks Sangster, Lockhart & Co., we are goners.
fCheers and cries of go it old Bruin.l l have but
a few more years, at best, to be with you, but
sooner than see my home thus disturbed, I'll take
I'M arms and call upon you to join me in driving
hack these water rats. Tremendous applause,
and cries of 90 on, during which Jim Skunk vo-
ciferously Joined, and while carried away with
the eloquence, whisked his tail around, striking
Thomas Squirrel under the chin with such force
as to cause him to faint Squirrel was carried
out and order restored.
Joseph Catfish, ESQ.,, was then called on to ad-
dress the meeting, and from his Henry Clay-like
mouth, and the Websterian size of his head, was
expected to be eloquent He said:
.Fellow-fshes, and brother denizens," las he
said this he wiggled his tail in graceful saluta-
tion,) 81 was in hopes that oldfogyism and rip
yan-winkleism would forever prevail in the little
town of Norfolk, and | was almost confirmed in
this belief when l thought the immense
amount of talk, and the small quantity of action
that has characterised that obscure village for the
past thousand years; but now sirs, they appear to
be awake! they appear to be determined to do
something, and my liveliest fears are awakened
Yes sir, they tell me that John Standstill is Dead
and that old Sam Fogyism is to be drowned in
juniper water. (Groans.) If these are facts, then
it becomes US to look to homes and little ones,
to guard our interests and hearth-stones; and in
war" Yes, gentlemen, soar without the ter
Why sir, why cannot these troublesome people of
Norfolk be satisfied with brandy tits a most ex-
celent beverage, and am informed can be had
in any shape at Marston & Meeks, in their village.
Ave sir, am also informed that you get into
a ste,p, or rather that you get stew into you
in Marston's thatll astonish your vitals, Zap
plause) and have no doubt of it. L know Mar
ston he has deprecated upon the fish tribe and on
the terrepin tribe, and the whole genus of wild
game until there's no installing his rotundlty,
and have an idea that he'll stand by us in oppo-
sing this scheme, for if you allow this lake to be
drained his supply will be reduced, and Wen be
left in the mud (Groans.) Yes gentlemen, tap
this lake and they'll run us dry in six weeks, and
we'll be left houndering in the mud (Cries of
they can't come it, It's horrible idea, per-
fectly horrible that respectable member OF the
Catfish family is to be converted into founder
Yes my fellow denizens of the lake, you'll all be
founders (Groans and cries of never. Fellow
denizens, will you fight this scheme? viii you
protect your honest (Cries of yes, yes, and
tremendous cheering, during which Mr.. Joseph
Catfish subsided.)
LONG John Crane then got the floor and COM
menced speech in vndication of the gentlemen,
whose names had been so uncerimoniously used,
and in favor of tapping the lake, but the noise and
uproar was so great that our reporter could not
hear what he said He was finally hooted off the
stand and took quiet seat ON the limb of tree
that oyerhung the scene. One asthmetic little
wigple-tail limited that Mr.. Crane would like to
see the lake drained that he might catch all the
minnows.
Phiander Bull-Frog was then called out, and
with a bound, took the stump. He commenced
BY saving, ssblood en- GUNS, can such things bt
and We stand still Are We still slaves, that W
stand tamely here2 Have you not heard Of thu
general emancipation proclamation? Fie on you
rub up your fire-locks, dry your powder, and ge
ready for action, for sooner than this lak'
drained by the people of Norfolk, would sacri
fee the last tad-pole and every wiggle-tail, ant
all the funds my friends possess Never since st
Patrick advised us to emgrate to this place, hav'
heard of anything half so outrageous. (Pro
longed applause.) As you know, have but re
Gently returned from the great convention of ou
tribe in the city of New York. and while there hat
opportunity of testing the quality of their noet
"Croton," and can truly say that it can no mor
compare to the 'juniper," in which we reve
than '.tangle root to Dawson's best champagne
Shall we tamely give up rich an inheritance
(Cries of never, never.) Fellow,denizens, tn
Crackers of Norfolk with us-l know then
well; they belong to my family, and can voucl
for them they'll Stand shoulder to shoulder will
you. Are you ready for the fght2 (Cries Q
yes, yes, and tremendous cheering, amid which
he pitched kur-chug into the lake..
Patrick O'Possum called on to express hi
views, which he did briefly. He did not care