National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-23
oyster Peddlers, Patriotism.

The George washington Oyster Peddlers AS
ISOLATION is comparatively 9 new thing. 1t was
established through the patriotic efforts Of seve-
raj Of those useful members Of society who travel
the streets with q pail Of oysters in one hand,
tin horn or cracked bugle in the other, twisting
their features into q knot in endeavorinR to dis
cover in how many different ways they can pre-
Nov thew thunder IL out with All The stress on the
first syllable, and then they slight the first and
bring out the last with boom and jerk and
ton oyster peddlers over all others in the known
In accordance with the general custom Of socIe-
ties that take the first joint OF their name from
our illustrous patriot, this association concluded
that q celebration Of some kind on the anniyer-
saTy o. MS oi6SSy m9UIG oe roe sd
into Bullhead alley and pressed up against the
door Of the association headquarters. Only q few
understood what was about to transpire and the
idea that hrst-class wife murder had been CON-
mitted in the neighborhood took possession Of the
crowd, and made those who were on the outskirts
terribly eager to force their way to the front.
Occasionally one Of the association would appear
at the door, with big rosette and G pair ofdlngy
epaHlettes, and draw out deafening applause from
which made those in the rear redouble their exer-
tons to get to the scene Of action.
marshal Of the day, with red, white and blue
sash on and smile that disclosed quarter OF q
yard Of glistening teeth, emerged, much to the
delight OF the spectators, swinging baton painted
with alternate red and yellow streaks.
After him came an interesting and melancholy
colored youth with o drum. Then the body Of
the association struggled out into the mud,
headed by man with transparency on which
was painted, "Flrst in War First in Peace, First
sented q very ereditabie appearance. Most Of
| them had on clean white shirts, and bore SEINE
emblem or their vocation. Inc association re-
GREETED their inability to procure the services OF
| band, as they are we'll aware Of the dignity de-
| rived from such an accompaniment, but owing to
Head alley band were obliged 70 deposit their
Instruments as security for arrears In the rent OF
their hall: The association marched well, con-
| slderipg the fact that the drummer had Q club
foot and adapted the music to his own peeuliari-
drummer executing astounding feats on the drum,
and two or three Of the line trying to accompany
him on their professional bugles, the enthusiasm
demonstration in that portion Of the city since
the war that has SO stirred the patriotism Of the
people. After trayersing olrcuitous line Of
| march, including all the principal points OF Muir
der Bay, the association withdrew to Its head
| quarters. The most glazing fault observable in
sionaIly, when wheeling around . corner, there
seemed to be Q doubt in the minds Of many as to
which way they were going. This fault was
who, hesitating only long enough to which way
the majority would 90, called the minority and
hustled them into place, giving refractory ones
baton.
In the evening, according to agreement, the as
i
death Of George Washington. The organisation
was demorsliZed for some time by the untimely
demonstrations Of the melancholy drummer, who
was clamoriDg for his hire. A member was dele
gated by the president to consult with him,
which he did by enticing him out into the alley
and hammering his features out Of shape with an
oyster horn.
1t was suggested that some one lead the asso-
citation in prayer, but as no one responded one Of
the members who has been sleeping in the Sen
ate gallery for the past few nights moved that
they lay II on the table.
| Some discussion arose as to whether General
Washington was dead or not, but the president
sWore that he had seen his grave at Mount Yer.
| non, and ended the debate.
| The following resolution was read by the pres
| dent, and adopted amid wild enthusiasm:
| Whereas W ashington was q great man;
Whereas he was the greatest man that evel
lived, except the president Of this association and
few others whose names have slipped our mem
| cries at present.
whereas, to the best Of our knowledge and be
| lief, he is dead:
Resolpsd, That we tender eur heartfelt symps
| thy to his bereaTed family, and earnestly recon
| mend them to the goodwill OF the fraternity o
The meeting broke up in wild tumult, and a
the last words died from the lips Of the president
| Il was impossible to control the crowd. TheI
went halloeing out into the darkness Of the alley
knocking Of one anothers hats and getting
knocked down for 1t, in perfect Whlrlwind Of dis
order.