Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-06-05
l)IgIB THElCTY. aaT

An Elegant aud Complete Surprise.
A little affair occurred al the Maxwell
House last night which viii hive long in ihe
memory Of the participants and Witnesses.
To have been in strict accordance with the
chronicles Of old father Tine. Il shonld
have happened to-day, but tins being the
Sabbath, it was anticipated.
The officers of the establishment having
learned that this was the birth day of Mr.
Kean determined to- present him with a
cane, accompanied with expressions
of their esteem for him as the
manager Of Hotel and rs
man. About nine O'Clock they quietly
assembled IN the ladies ordinary. having
prepared themselves with sclid ebony
cane, from the, jewelTy establishment Of
Davies 4 Bro, richly mounted with ele-
gaatly chased gold. A few friends were
notified of what was on hand and lent their
presence to the scene George, the ehiet
porter, was let into, the secret, and tOldetO
inform Mr.. Kean that something was going
on in the ladies' ordinary that required his
attention. Upon receiving the informa-
ton, Mr.. K. came to the room and found
himself surrounded by his faithful assist
ants in the management Of the hotel,
backed by a few friends. When be en-
tered, Mr. James Fulton, the accomplished
cashier of the house, approached Kim and
said: E.tg al. s..,- .e.- 20
Mr. KEAN-The employees here assenl-
bled on this-th ffty-ffth anniversary OF
your birth, have selected meto present to
You this cane as token OF the high re-
spect they have for You a. an employer,
and the sincere regard they entertain for
you rs a man. At the opening Of the Max
well House you came amongst us an entire
stranger, but by the universal kindness e1-
tended to al, you. have succeeded in in
spring 1s with sincere attachment, which
we feel assured, viii last to the grave.
Connected as we are with this house. TO
| enter into a eulogy upon its merits, wouA
| not be appropriate. l will say, however,
| as hotel it ranks amongst the first in the
| land and whatever of success IL may haze
attained, or popularity it may now enjoy.
| we, who are best capable of knowing.
ascribe it all to your tireless energy and
| unhagging zeal. To enumerate, as is Usual
| on such occasions, the many noble quail
| ties that adorn your character as q hostend
as man, would, to you, know from your
| great modesty, be altogether distasteful;
| therefore I forbear, and only say dhC
/ marked success that has uniformly attend
1 ed your past life, has been richly deserved,
and we honestly hope still greater prosper
| ity awaits your future career. Accept,
4 then, from Us this cane. That a long and
1 useful life NAV your lot, and that a course
of uninterrupted happiness may ever attend
you and yours, is the sincere wish OF all
present.
prise, and replied: E
Young Gentlemen-I am taken all absck.
This is a surprise to me. don't know
what to say You overcome me with yOUr
expressions Of regard. I am not a speaker
at any time-nevcr less 80 than now. But
this is magnificent cane, and thank yOn
sincerely for it. / shall keep it in remem-
| branee Of you and this occasion, because Of
its elegance, but far more because of the
grateful and gratifying sentiments with
| which it is presented wish could say
more, but fcannot.
AS Mr.. Kean was about to sit down, a
thought suggested itself to him, aud he
| again arose and said .
i Young gentlemen. you have made q
mistake. You said was ffty-fve years
old. wish it distinctly understood that
am only thirty nine, and never expect 10
be any older. .
II After taking his seat, Mr.. X suggeste-
, | to Mr. Somerbse, the assistant steward,
that he, perhaps, could entertain the gen
} tlemen Mr.. S. took the hint aud inme
diately brought in dozen Of chspfagne
{ The corks popped, the wine eferyeseed
I | the toasts and the wit followed, and nj
: went merrly. a-s r. L
III The cane has the following engraycd ~
the gold mounting
Presented to NJ Kean, June ;, 1870, b,
link, WIFI, L &C, w NJ B, I NJ G, !
K S, J II T, G. --s--.-.-,..-
2 The donors are Messrs. L r Kean, W
I Fisher, L @ Coleman, w N Bowles, I
/ Somcrbee. j Il Fulton, j Carr