New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-09-06

the old Duke Of Devonshire one night at
Brookes' The Duke bad introduced the
custom of taking broiled blade-bone of
mutton for supper, followed by champagne
or punch. Sheridan came in late, and
found the only blade-bone Just ordered
| by the Duke. The wicked wit said nothing
for some time ; then sidled toward the
Dukes table, aud began to tell OF a
recent adventure of his to Mr.. Hare, who
sat by the Duke. Having fallen into a
puddle, he said, on his way from the
House, he had gone to dry his stockings in
| the club kitchen. While there he had seen
hungry Irish chairman come in and
gnaw prime blade-bone he had found on
the table. All at once a cook sprang at
him, and snatching the blade-bone, threw
it on the gridiron, cursing the Irishman,
and telling him it was the only one in the
house, and was meant for the Duke of Dew
onshire II was resolved" said Sheridan,
"to tell his Grace of this, in case the de-
licious norcedu should be served up; and,
by Jove yes, by Jove! here it is
The Duke made face, pushed away the
tray, and called for glass of brandy.
Sheridan at once followed the waiter,
ordered two bottles of champagne, and
secured the savory bone in an unobserved
| corner.
That clustering and ferooious rascal,
| Fighting Fitzgerald, who was introduced
| to Louis WI. as an Irishman of good de-
scent, who had fought no less than eight
cen duels, and always killed his man, once
forced his way into Brookess, and tried to
cove the club. The impudent scoundrel
who, it was afterwards found, wore steel
cuirasses, and coats quilted with paper,
had requested Admiral Keith Stewart, who
dare not refuse, to put him up at Brookes's.
The ballot was soon over, but not even
one white ball was found in the box. The
Admiral refused to carry the news to such
a desperate mailman, and tremulous Mr..
Brookes was at last sent to inform Mr..
Fitzgerald that unfortunately there had
been one black ball in the box and that
there could not be new election for
another month.
Fitzgerald was delighted he shook Mr.
Brookes's damp hand !: "I'm chose, I'm
chose" he cried, "and give We Jog; shall
be the best customer ye ever had f; but as
there has been slight mistake of one ball.
just step up and make my compliments to
the gentlemen, and ask them to waive all
ceremony and re-elect their humble ser,
want while he is finishing his Coffee"
The members were panic struck; some
horrible catastrophe was impending. At
last the Earl of March (afterward Duke of
Queensburyl said Z; e his Irish impu-
dence, let's try two balls this time"
On Mr.. Brookes informing the dangerous
intruder of the result of the second ballot
ing, Fitzgerald sent up and told them to
try it again, but bedad to make no
more mistakes, as it was getting late.
A third time Mr.. Brookes descended, at
the request of General Fitzpatrick, and told
the duelist that this time he was black
balled all over, and it was, therefore, hoped
by the club that he would not persist in
thrusting himself into society that begged
to decline his company.
81 see it's a mistake altogether, Mr..
Brookes," Fitzgerald said "and there's
nothing like daling with principles. I'll
step up at once and put the thing to
rights"
In vain Brookes, "the man who blushed
to be repaid" protested against the sub
version of all etiquette. Fitzgerald threat
ened to4throw him over the bannisters for
daring to stop Gentleman He strobe
into the room, and made bow, when the
members rose Indignantly.
"Your servant, jontlemen. beg ye will
be sated.n
He first walked up to the fire, and ad-
dressed poor Admiral Stewart " So, my
dear Admiral, Mr.. Brooks informs me that
have been elected three times "
"You have been ballotted for, Mr.. Fitz.
gerald, three times, but l am sorry to say
you have not been chosen
Well, then, did you black-ball me ;"
dared out the duelist.
/" My good sir, how could you suppose
such thing2"
so, suppose no such thing, my dear
fellow l only want to know who it was
who dropped in the black balls-by acct
dent, of course"
Fitzgerald then went up to each indi-
yidual, and put the same ordeal question,
seriatim.
" Did you black-ball me. sir ~
In every case the Admirals courteous
and jesuitieal answer was returned. Every
one was silent as Fitzgerald stood in the
midst and addressed them as if they had
been frightened children.
You see, jontlemen, as none of We
blaek-balled me, must be chose, and it's
Misther Brookes that has made the mistake.
was convinced of it from the beginning.
and I'm only sorry so much time has been
lost. Waither, come here, you rashcal, and
bring me bottle of champagne till drink
long-life to the club, and wish them Joy of
their unanimous election of raal jontle-
man by father and mother, there every
one laughed, and jontleman that never
missed bis man" Here every one grew
more serious than before.]
There was but one remedy-to send the
scoundrel to that quiet, cool place, Coven-
try, and so every one did. Admiral Stew
art stole off as soon as he could. The rest
sat down to their whisttables and made no
reply TO FItzgerald's observations and mods
and toasts, over his three bottles of wine.
AT last the rufian rose, made low bow,
and took his leave.
"Jontlemen," he said,r I bid you all
good night, and l am very glad to find We
so sooiable. I'll take care to come earlier
next night, and we'll have little more of
it, phase God"
The moment the vaporing bully and as
sassln lett, 1t was unanimously agreed that
halt dozen strong-armed eonstables should
be in ambush on the next evening to lay
the Irishman by the heels and bear him off
70 the watchhotlse II be intruded. He never
showed himself again; but he boosted
everywhere in town that he had been
1A-A-lAnoNcAJ cnOhon IntuOtI Ol DfOOkets
some years after that Fitzgerald became a
dreaded desperate in Ireland, shooting and
telling whoever offended him. He carried
on deadly war against an attorney
named Macdonnel. who had been en-
ployed by his father during some family
disputes. He first wounded him from an
ambuscade, and then, breaking into bis
house, shot him and one Of Bis friends.
The murderer was tried for this found