Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-04-28
MISCELLANY.
FIGHrI,G FIrZGERALD AT RReaAs..

This notorious person, George Rob
ert Fitzgerald, though nearly related to
one of the first families in Ireland din
ster) VAS executed In 1855, for a muir
der which he chad cOOllY premeditated
aud had peFpetrated IN a most cruel and
cowardIy manner. His dueling pro-
pensities had kept him ont of all the
first clubs in London. He once ap-
piled to Admiral Keith Stewart to pro-
pose him as a candidate for BrOokes' /;
when the Admiral, knowing that he
must either fight or comply with his re-
Quest, chose the latter. Accordingly,
on the night when the ballot was to
take place (which was only a mere form
in this case. for even Keith Stewart had
resolved to bIackHSli him.. the duelist
accompanied the Admiral to st. James
street, and waited in the room below
while the ballot was taken. This was
done; for, without hesitation, each mem
Der threw black-ball; and when the
scrutiny came, the company were not
little amazed to ind not even one white
ball among the number. However, the
T lection being carried mem con-, the
question was, which Of the members
had the hardiheOd to announce the re-
suit to the expectant candidate. No
one would undertake the Office, for the
announcement was thought sure to pro-
duce a challenge; and duel with FItz-
gerald had. in most cases, been fatal to
his opponent. The general opinion was
that the prOposer, Admiral Stewart,
should convey the intelligence. FOL
gentlemen" SAID he, Il proposed the
fellow because knew you would not
admit him; bur, by Jove; have no in
clination to risk my life against that of a
mailman"
ssBut. Admiral, replied the Duke of
Devonshire, ''there being no white ball
In the box, he must know that you have
black-baIled him as well as the rest, and
he is sure to call you out at all events.
This posed the Admiral, who after
some hesitation, proposed that the wait
er should tell Fitzgerald that there was
one black-balI, aud that his name must
be put up again if he wished it. All
concurred in the propIiety Of this plan,
and the waiter was dispatched on the
mission. Iu the meantime, Fitzgerald
had frequently rung the bell to inquire
the Estate of the poll" and had sent
each waiter TO ascertain, but neither
burst return, when Mr.. BroOkes took
the message from the waiter who was
descending the staircase, and boldly en-
tered the room, with a coffee equipage
In his hand.
Did Won call for coffee, sir?" said Mr..
Brookes, smaTtly.
"D-n your coffee, sir" and you,
too" answered Mr.. Fitzgerald, in a
voice which made the hosts blood run
cold. s1 want to know, sir, aud that
without one moments delay, sir, If am
chose yet?"
"Oh, sir?'' replied Mr.. Brookes, at
tempting to smile away the appearance
of fear, II beg your pardon, SIR, but L
was Just coming tn announce to you, SIR,
with Admiral Stewards compliments,
sir, that unfortunately there was one
black ball in the box, sir; and cOnse-
ouentlv, by the rules Of the clubs, sir,
no candidate can be admitted without
new election, sir; which cannot take
place, by the standing regulations of
the club, until one month from this
time, sir
During this address, Fitzgerald's iras-
cibility appeared to undergo consider
able notification; and at Its close he
crasped BroOkes' hand, saying, my
dear Brookes, I'm chose; but there must
be a small matter of mistake in my cleo
tion; he then persuaded Brookes to go
M stairs, aud make his compliments to
the gentlemen, and say, as 1t was only
a mistake of one black ball, they would
be so good as TO waive all ceremony on
his account, and proceed to re-elect their
humble servant without any more delay
at all"
Many of the members were panic
struck. foreseeing a disagreeable finale
to the farce which had been played
Mr.. Brookes stood silent, waiting for
the answer. At length the Earl of March
afterwards Duke of Queensberry) said
sloud. tsTrv the effect of two balls; d-n
his Irish impudunce, if two balls don't
take effect upon him, don't know what
will" -
This proposition was agreed 10. and
Brookes was ordered to aconmnnicate
the same. On re-enteriRg the waiting
room, Mr.. FITZGERALD eagerly inquired
Have they elected me al right now,
Mr.. BrOOkes?" -: 49, =
The reply was. X
"SCrry to inform ycHs-tbat- tse result
of the second balloting is-that two
black balls were dropped, sir.
aTben.p exclaimed Fitzgerald
there's now two mistakes, instead Of
one" He then persuaded BrOOkei
again to proceed up stairs, and tell the
honorable members to TRY again, anC
make no more mistakes.
Gen. Fitzgerald proposed that Brooke
sbould Teply-"His cause was all hope
less for that he was black-balled al
over. from head to foot, and il was hoped
bv all the members that Mr.. Fitzgerald
would not persist in thrustlng himsel
into society where his company was de
clined."
This message was of no avail; no soon
err had Fitzgerald heard it than he ez
claimed
COB. L perceive at is a mistake alto
gether Nj. Brookes, and must see t
the rectifying of it myself there's nc
thing like dashing with principals; sc
mi step up at once and put this thin
to rights, without any moreunnecessar
delay"
rce that his entrance into the clu
room was against all rule aud etquett'
Fitzrerald few up stairs and entere
the room without any further GER
monv than bow, saying to the men
hers, who Indignantly rose stthe Intr'
sion;