The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1872-02-08
FOLLOW YOUR LEADER.
A Renaissance Of the "Bloods" Of Old
New York.

not only q 6rst.class merchant. buta noted
humoriss. He was president ofthe Fire
Club" and 10 company With Joe Foulk,
The Curoco trader. petor Stagg, cashier Of
the City Bank, Matthias Brueu, and
others, gave roysterous supper,s TO which
were Invited distinguished strangers IN
town. The motto Of the Fire Club" was
follow your leader" which tue members
put into practicle use. 1t was explained
70 every new guest that they. as members
were bound BY 40 oath to follow at any
time during the session the leadiugs Of
their President. or forfeit thereby dozen
Of champagne. and that any stranger who
fulfilled the conditions became President
pro tempov till the adjournment Upon
one occasion cotton merchant from New
Orleans was their guest. He heard Of the
singular rule and frankly accepted il.
There was so much quiet pluck in the
strangers manner that Smith, who was q
daredevil when once aroused. determined
10 put it to the test.
It was late 10 the evening. in the dead
Of winter, and ice was floating up and down
tho East river at every turn Of the tide.
FOLLOW your leader!" shouted the pres.
ident; aud out of,he warm club.room-
rushed Smith with thirty men behind
him, down Dover street. past Water
through Front into South street, and thence
on the pier. One Of Smiths ships was
noored At the dock; lighter lay inside;
the ice was loose, and ground against the
vessel
* "Follow your leader" shouted the mad
ffolicksr sgain and plunged into the water.
Some drew back, but more followed and
twenty Of least. one after another-the
Southern merchant last--took the leap,
scrambled to The lighter, reached the dock
again, and made for the club-room. Sew.
eral Of The members waited to see the mer-
chant safe, and then loft him. Az be
walked up South Street be entered . store
where ships findings we're sold, and drank
sglasss Of grog.
do you keep gunpowder'" be asked.
"Yes.p
Get me half skeg."
It was paid for, and the Southerner,
taking thunder bis arm rs!urncd to the
club. =
Brave stranger" was tho salute be 70.
eei7ed upon entering; you passed the or.
deal safely. and the club is under your
command"
Thanks my friends, aeccp. The posi-.
ton, but shall not ask you to leave the
room to night Let US drink" and placing
the powder in the corner, be took bis seat
ct the table. After moment. laying a
bunch Of tow before bin out ofwhicb he
appeared spinning o string, be continued:
| accept the command. l will lead now.
Wait until give the word and then do as
lido"
By this time be had spun the tow into a
string that would reach from the table to
the CRATE. Placed agoblet 90 one end, to
coufne the string to the table, and then
passed the other end to the pan under the
CRATE, and mado it fast by lump Of coal.
Not word was spoken. Every eye was
fixed upon the workman and bis work.
Taking the keg from its hiding place, re.
moving the upper hoops and unloading
it, be placed the open cask on the table.
Nota soul moved be threw a handful into
The FIRE. The considerable explosion that
followed startled every one.
Powder, BY JUPITER exclaimed
Smith.
Without aoticeing the remark the
Sountheruer removed the end Of The tow
line from under the goblet and thrust it
deep into the powder.
Nov members ofthe Club" he said,
II wish you would hear what Ihave to
cay. You have tried my pluck. I came
from bot climate, aud you have made me
60 through an icy ordeal. l. is my time
now and your ordeal shall be fiery.
lfyou stand it, you will need 10 more
wine; il yoado not your dues will LAY a
Capital stock Of vine 10 your cellar. Fol.
N.lag your lesder.n The sneaker walked IA