The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-17

LIE - -. ". Us HAf h A OLpW OCT
A MYSTERIOUS ORGANIZATION WITHOUT A
VISIBLE OBJECT "A WINTER NIGHTS
TALE
"If there be treason Ia this max the most Of it,
Whee-u. but what q night was that of
Saturday. The air was thick with myriads
of snowhakes, whirling, falling, frisking,
and frollicking, at the will Of old Boreas,
who blew his breath steadily and vigor-
ously, though not rudely and the peled face
of Nature reflected in the darkness dull
light, making things visible in mysterious
doings and undertakings. Seated in our
sanctum, by warm stove, we felt comfort
able, and gave ourselves to the enjoyment
of Goldy's" pure and charmingly simple
English. The merry jingling of the last
sleigh-bells was growing faint unto
dying. Our eyelids grew heavy. Tony
Lumpkin, Hardcastle, and the rest,
had made their final speeches, and had
doubtless put out the footlights and gone
to bed and we concluded to do the same.
We were proceeding to do SO, when sud
denly there came tapping, as Of some one
gently rapping; rapping at our chamber
door," Pausing, fearing, feeling sickly e;
the tap we heard twice-three times
more. Then, taking courage, and rushing
quickly. we opened wide the chamber door.
A" Darkness there, and nothing more"-
save worthy freedman. Quoth the freed
man: ode B. G. C.'s now send you greet
ing. 'Tis snowin' fast de wind doth roar.
Attend at once dar secret meeting, or hold
your peace forevermore." Said we :
"To rest our limbs is now our choosing !;
so freedman Carter tell us more. Is
there, OH is there no refusing; this sum-
mons, never sent before?' Quoth the
freedman Nary time."
Finding further resistance vain, we sub
mitted, together with our worthy contempo-
rary of the Enquirer and Examiner, to be
placed. in hack and driven to another
portion Of the city. Soon we were ushered
into the hall of neatly fitted up dwell
ing-house. Within the door just before
US were the "B. G. C.'s, prefacing their
solemn conclave with Well do you no
harm "a popular and ancient chorus, sup
posed to have been sung by the Druids.
We knew not what or who the members
of this mysterious organization were, but
upon hearing this, felt re;issured. Pre-
scntly we were shown into the solemn
presence and, gracious heavens we were
with old and tried friends on all sides. In
the centre Of the floor, forming q ring, into
which we entered, was j., and c., and
T., and A, and W, and j, and a
dozen more Of as good fellows as ever
breathed; to our left was N, the presi-
ding officer, and to the right was-a friend
in need-a huge bowl of that ancient
beverage denominated "Bonum Squin-
tum," better known as apple toddy. AS
we entered the ring glass Of the last men
toned liquid was handed each of US, and
the chorus, "We'll do thee no harm,' was
repeated. This done, the presiding officer
called the meeting to order, and announced
that the organization would proceed to
business. Then, addressing himself to us,
Ire said Gentlemen Of the city press
Many months ago we formed this associa-
tion with the following objects:
So we'll have we succeeded in carrying
out these objects that we have deter
mined to extend our organization through
the State, deeming such especially al
vantageous at this present time. Knowing
that you, gentlemen, were warmly ntf-
rested in these objects, ard wishing 10
gain the weight Of your influence MS mem
bers of the press, We have taken the llber
ty of summoning you hither so unccremo-
niously. Gentlemen, are you with us, upon
your honor !
We replied: We are !"
You are then constituted honorary
members, and we will proceed with the
business of this evening which is as fol-
lows:
The business being over, the president
informed us that the anniversary OF the
Association was about to be celebrated by
a big blowout" and the Association
would now enter into the festive part OF
its organization. He then announced the
order CT our going in to the table. The
W. NJ. S. was to occupy the head OF the
board, the L. NJ. G. was to sit at his right,
and the S. G. R. was to sit at his lett;
next to the right, the DtSpatchj and next
to the left, the Enquirer md Examiner. 10
the foot of the table would sit the u. r.
C. The table rules Of the Association be-
ing read, pair OF magical doors flew open
at the other end Of the room, and another
room was disclosed, in which an elegant
supper was laid out. The company were
soon seated and at work.
The first course being over, the preSl-
dent said " Gentlemen, we will soon have
one Of the finest turkeys in Richmond,
and -
Unruly member interrupting him " Mr.
President, l move we lay that turkey on
the table," Carried.
The president had it done, but re-
pretted to have to fine the mover ten dol
lars for violation of rule of the ASsocla-
ton in interrupting a gentleman while
speaking. The S. G. R. offered resolu-
tion striking out ten dollars and inserting
FIVE cents. Carried.
The feast being finished, toasts were de-
clared in order. At which juncture a
messenger rushed in and announced that
it was showing like the devil outside
whereupon, on motion of Id Ny, IT
was resolved that it be allowed to snow.
The first, "To the members of the press
present" was drank and duly responded
to. A chorus was called for, and CON-
menced as follows: " Here's health 10
General -" Messenger running IN,
Hold on, fellows, Terrys comm Terry's
comm :" Silence reigns. Second mes
senger comes in: "Go on 'Twant Terry
He's gone out West" Chorus goes on
"Here's health to General Lee drink ii
down. etc. Chorus No. lair Mabe
Waltz "Mary had q little lamb, its fleece
was white as snow," etc. No. 3 10y re-
quest), "Picayune Buffers. coming
coming" Echo, "Butler's coming !"
Sensation among spoons and forks 81
much so that the chorus had to be discon'
tinued. Toast to "Jonah White, the
caterer Of this occasion"
Thus the affair went on-songs, jokes
and toasts-"in the most promiscuouses