The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-04
A LETTER FROM A CLUB MAN

GRAVE AND REVEREND EDITOR: It
is proper that you, who regulate the
morals and politics of the Old Dominion,
should occasionally be cheered by few
words of kindly commentator from the
Old Bay State, and you have them now,
in spite of the cynical toast that John
Randolph gave morosely at the Club
dinner after the victory of Eclipse over
Henry. He said 'the North, respect
her, gentlemen; but damn her lobsters."
always cherished certain spite against
the illustrious John for this insult to the
delicious product of our bay; and should
not have relented, had not the tables
beer lately turned and the honors
become easy between our bay and your
b,,y. Said mine host of the Partisan
res taurant, at his own table, the other
day. when informed that he had lost
twenty bottles of his best burgundy and
claret. on bet, damn canvas back
ducks. ! nepdir wish to hear the name
again. Poor Mons Blanc, we drank
| the very b est that hts excellent cellnr af-
| forded. nor did we spare him. Winter
place rang with the echos of convivial
| laughter as hi6 generous wines thawed
out the phlegnr Of puritan acerbity, and
reused sparkles Of true gallic wit. Blanc
| little knew that he had become the
| champion of our cause, and saved the
honor of our Holsters by his bitter re-
EQUIPMENT OH your canvas backs.
Beecher's rife and Quincey's bileintel-
lectually fade before he nlOtof our cham
pion. Shall tell you how it was? A
party of your old friends-army, repub.
iican and copperhead--dining as usual
ut mo. A." grew lackrvmOse over the
high price of canvas backs-s,fne dollars
q pair. Blanc, who knows as much
about ducks as he does of the distinction
between old and new school presbyte
rians, but who, in quality of landlord
was appealed to for information, replied
that lIe had bought them for less than
two dollars pair this winter. 0oubls
were expressed and tile subject dropped.
were on our bill of fare, and the question
came up. Blanc stated that he had
bought them for less than two dollars 4
pair, of Lawrence, the gaine-dealer, and
that Lawrence had told him that he
could bet fifty dollars they were genuine
canvas backs, and he would guarantee
him; that his cook also said they Were
genuine and not red-he,sds, nor any
other kind of duck and finally, to con
firm tile statement, he brought in pal
which bad not been picked, and Offered
to bet on the price and the bird. You
are aware that Blanc's guests are mel
of rare gastronomic taste and Of consid
cradle achievements as spoktsmen, ant
several of the table d'hotel party hav'
lived long enough OIL the chesapeake
and its waters, to have a govt for he
ducks and terrapins. In short, fha
they are judges expert on game. Dir
Blanc held up his ducks with triumph
aud pointed admiringly to the greer
head and white ring of the drake
"Why, Blanc, those ere Dsdudrds!'
burst from several lips. Blanc lifted III
head grandly and confi.5ently-"I vii
bet what you pleased" In poured tn
offers-burgundy, claret some OF bot
ties, some of half a dozen, and some
fifty dollars worth of wine -on the poo
Blanc-whO took all the lets, and salt
he would continue to bet all night. Blu
the guests, seeing that the poor fellow
was probably cheated, spared him, ant
finally reduced the bets to twenty bot
ties Of the very best-Blanc, thinking
| thew cut down the bets because the,
were scared. 1t was finally agreed
that Captain d. should go, on Monda.
morning, to Robbins, the other gam
dealer, with the ducks. aud that Rob
bins and Captain ID. should decide
Early ON Monday morning, Blanc, D.
l anticipation. fastened 10 the marKe
and accosted his dealer "Welt, MT
Lawrence, would like to buy SOM
canvas backs" Dealer-'We have no
had any this winter" BLanc-"Wby
what did you sell me-, Saturday 2" :"
l sold YOU some mallards." "'Let me Sc
the book where you set down and charg
4 him to me-" Blanc looked blanke
\ than his name; there was tine entry
"half dozen mallard ducks" The deale
reminded him Of his guarantee, "tha
he (Blanc) might bet his pile they wer
mallards." Poor Blanc bets lost an
guarantee worthless! He marched o
{, Captain DIS apartments, in Trenor
street, caught him just issuing from h
chamber for the duck expedition. I'M
d., you need not go to Robbins anoI
those ducks, have lost, i fregit til
sacre name, / get confuse. 1t was 'nra
Iard.' / fregit and think it all same {
canvass back; by gar, l will pay all th
wine, because was such fool. 1t shal
make me remember next time. DAM
canvas back ducks. 1 shall nevai
| wauf A., hoor rat m anna ON corx, s,o,,o;s.e ,,