The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-03-04
Follow Your LEADER.

The New York correspondent OF a
Western paper is trying his hand at tic.
ton with astonishing success. One OF
his latest efforts is the following One
Of the Astor's great competitors, 10 years
ago, was Thomas H. Smith, not only a
Rrst.class merchant, but noted humor.
ist. He WIS President OF the " Fire
Club, and in company with Joe Foulk,
the Cuncoa trader, Peter Stagg, cashier
Of the City Bank, Matthias Bruen, and
others, gave roysterous suppers, to which
we're invited distinguished strangers in
town. The motto of the Fire Club
wis Follow your Leader which the
members put into practical use. II was
explained to every new guest that they
Us members, were bound by an oath Ia
follow at any time during the session the
leadings Of their President, or forfeit a
dozen Of champagne and that any
stranger, who fulfilled the conditions,
became President pro tsapore till the
adjournment. Upon one occasion n cot
ton merchant from New Orleans was
their guest. He heard Of the singular
rule and frankly accepted it. There wis
so much quiet pluck in the strangers
manner that Smith, who was daredevil
when aroused, determined to put it to
the test.
II was late in the evening, in the dead
OF winter, and ice WIS floating up and
down the East river at every turn Of the
tide.
"Follow your leader y shouted the
President; and out OF the warm club.
room-hatless, gloveless, and top.coat.
less-rushed Smith with thirty men be-
hind him, down Dover street, past Water,
through FreEt into South street, and
thence on the pier. 0aeoi Smiths ships
was moored at the dock lighter lay
inside ; the ice WIS loose, and ground
against the vessel.
Follow your leader !! shouted the
mad frolicker again, and plunged into
the water. Some drew back, but more
followed, and twenty at least, one after
another-the Southern merchant last -
took the leap, scrambled to the lighter,
reached the dock again, and made for
tue clnb.roons. Several OF the members
waited to see the stranger safe, and then
left him. As he walked up South street
he entered a store whem ships findings
were sold, and drank glass Of grog.
"Do you keep gmpoNderH" he asked.
ayes"
Get me n half keg."
1t was paid for, and the Southerner,
taking It under his arm, returned to the
club.
Brave stranger" WIS the salute he
received upon entering, lyon have
passed the ordeal safely, and the club is
under your command"
THANKS, my friends, / accept the
position, but shall not ask You to leave
fboroom again tonight. Let us drink !"
aud, placing the powder.keg in a corner,
he took his seat at the table. After a
moment, laying a bunch Of tow before
him, out of which he appeared spinning
u string, lie continued :" Hccept the
command. | will lead now. Wait until
/ give the word, and then do as l DO"
BY this time he had spun the tow into
a string that would reach from the table
to the CRATE. He placed goblet on one
end to conhne tile string to the table,
anu then passed the other end to the pan
under the grate, and made it fast by Il
lump Of coal. Not word was spoken.
Every eye was fixed upon the workman
and his work. Taking the kGg from its
hiding place, removing the upper hoop
and unloading it, he placed the open
cask on the table. Not soul moved.
He threw handful Of It's contents into
theiire. The considerable explosion that
followed startled every one.
Powder, by Jupiter r. exclaimed
Smith.
Without noticing the remark, the
Southerner removed the end of the tow
line from under the goblet and thrust it
deep into the powder.
",Now, members Of the club" he said,
al wish you to hear what have to say {:
You have tried my pluck. 1 came from
n hot climate, and you have made me go
through an icy ordeal. II is my time
now, aud your ordeal shall be fiery. If
you stand it, you will need no more
wine IL you do not, your fines will lay
n capital stock Of wine in my cellar.
Follow your leader" The speaker walked
to the CRATE, pushed away the lump Of
coal, and placed the end OF the line in
the fire. Then he walked back, and
bringing his fist firmly on the table, said