Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1881-04-23
RAYVILLE LOUISIANA SATURDAY, APRIL 23 1881
DIR. ]. l.. VArTIHR, of Cincinnati. who

Dh. d. IL. NArTIER, OF CINCINNATI, who
died not long ago, was the "last man
OF party of seven men who, on Sun.
day, Sept. 30, 1892, the dreadful chol.
era year, formed the "Society Of the
Last Man." On the day mentioned Jo-
seph II. Mason, prominent young
artist, DR.. Waiter, DR.. James NJ. Ma
son, Henry L. Tatem, FentOn Lawson,
William Disney, Jr., and William STAN
berry sat in the artists studio conversing
upon the plague and the havoc it was
causing. One of the number in a spirit
of levity suggested the formation of so
ciety TO be known as the Society of the
Last Man, and proposed that on each
recurring anniversary banquet should
he held, ut which the survivors were to
attend, but invariably covers should be
provided for seven. 1t was further ar-
ranged that when but one living repre-
sentative remained to attend the feast
he was to open and drink bottle of
wine that had been provided at
the first meal. They came togeth-
cr for the first time on Oct. 6, 1882,
and on that occasion bottle of wine,
with tightly closed cork, was produced
and placed i'll o casket of mahogany
made expressly for the purpose. The
repository for the sacred keeping of this
"wine Of wines was shaped like Bun
ker Hill monument. In the base the
records of the society we're preserved,
and in the shaft was lowered the bottle,
only to be reached by unlocking and
lifting the lid. The lid was closed and
locked, after which the keyhole was filed
with seaIing-wax in quantity that ad-
mitted Of the seal of the society being
impressed upon the outside. Death
spared the little band for the first four
years, and when next they met there
was one vacant chair-Dr. Mason had
died. Five only were found at the table
in 1888, William Stanbery having died.
The artist, Mason, followed in 1842, and
four sat at the table. William Disney
died in 1s49, and to the banquet provid-
ed for seven but three sat down. This
number remained intact until 1856, when
Henry l.. Tatem and DR.. Waiter alone
remained. Fenton Lawson was missing.
The casket was now in the possession Of
Tatem. Two months later he fell sick,
and, in his delirium, he cried "Break
open that casket, and pour out the wine.
1t haunts me-" The next year DR.. Vat
tier was alone at banquet get for seven,
and he performed the sacred obligation
that might have ended then. but did
not, as he continued honoring the anni-
versaries in solitude and secrecy.
TEACH THEM TO BE POLITE.
Train your children to be polite at
home, and you will never have cause to
blush at their rudeness abroad. The
rosy-cheeked boy and girl and the strong
'--->~ 'AFoCAOS yOuhE man wiz cAt IL
their comfortable seats in crowded cars,
while gray-headed grandfathers and
grandmOthers tug at the straps, are poor
on home training. Moth
ing is cheaper than politeness, and
nothing pays better. 1t should not be
taught because it pays, but from prin.
ciple. The young man who is negli-
gent of his mother and sister at home,
Or the sister who is selfish and un-
thoughtful, will be no blessing to any |
other home into which they are en-
grated, until "they unlearn what they |
have learned amiss." This is often diff
cult and annoying, and robs life of its
sweetest hours and its richest gifts.
Train your children in politencss and
in all little things, and the
greater will come without an effort
Inter Ocean.