Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-05-14
Banquet at WatertOwn JHnctlOn House,

with w. ID. Sproesser, Adjt, Of the Post
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Banquet at Watertown JHnctlOn House,
Another year has come and gone, bringing to
some joy, sorrow and trouble to many, but to us.
members Of Shakespearean Reading Club, there
are only pleasant happy memories of the sea-
son of 1888 and 'S4. Our final meeting was held
Thursday evening, May 9Th, 1884, at the Water
town Junction House, and was made the occa-
sion of grand banquet, given by the gentle
men members of the club. A more perfect
evening conld not be imagined, the moon and
stars rivaling one another in brilliancy and
beauty. Assembling at the home of the Misses
Chadwick, motion was made to adjourn and
take stroll instead of spending the evening in
doors; as this met with second, and was car
ried by vote, we could only comply, The end of
our stroll was the place mentioned above; all
the plans for the evening had been kept q pro-
found secret from the ladies-although a faint
suspicion hal been waited to our ears that all
was not being executed as was planned at our
preceding meeting still none knew of any diff
ferent programme-only the gentlemen having
the affair in charge. and they kept most pro-
voking,y silent, thus proving the old adage
IL,
can keep a secret. At ten o'clock we were ush
cred into thedining room, where a feast fit for
the gods had been laid the table fairly groaned
with the good things it held, flowers in profu
sion, fruit, creams, ices, and delicate cakes
fitting and beautiful accompaniment to the
more substantial viands. With the very apt quo
tation from MIR. Flavin may good digestion
wait on appetite, and health ON BOTH" we took
our seats ami did ample justice to the coed
things provided. We have q membership of
twenty-three his season; of this number only
two were absent, Miss Ida Sprague and NJ r.
Schwab: words fail to tell how sorry We were to
see their empty chairs, as we would have wished
to meet an unbroken band on this might of
nights" Before leaving the table our Plesi-
dent, A. j. Whiting, as POSTMASTER, offered first
Our Club" and called upon Mr.. Flavin to re-
spond which ne did in his usual easy, happy
manner. At the close he read a letter from J. NJ,
Turner, whom We remember as a former mem
Der, and actual founder of our Club, as it was
due to his efforts that we first organized. He
was our President for two seasons, and we were
very sorry he could not accept the invitation
extended and be with us on this occasion. The
second toast was shakespeare, to which Prof
Sadtler responded in a few apt, well chosen
words wish might give the responses to all
these toasts. out have not space even could l
remember them. The third one, "Our Lottery
responded to by Mr. Anderson, am fortunate
i'll being able to give. Ladies and Gentlemen:
1t seems 10 be the prevailing fashion nova
days to decry games of chance of all sorts and
to speak of them as if they were the invention
of Il gentleman whose fame has reached us all,
but whose name somehow we cannot remem-
Der. But there is peculiar fascination about
lotteries and kindred games of chance which it
is almost impossible to resist. 1t may be that
this unknown gentlemans name has something
to do with the attraction, am not sure. This
do know, however, that no matter how sceptical
man may be, as soon as he sees the pleasant,
practical and altogether charming way our
shakeSpearean lotteries carried on, he en-
braces new faith with an humble spirit and an
enraptured heart The Shakespearean lottery, 1
am told. was inaugurated during the present
year. and the first play we read this year is s'The
Merchant OF Venice" in whose glowing pages Is
laid bare one of the most consummate and bril-
liant lottery schemes the world has ever known.
Holy men at their death have good inspira-
tion." Portals father knowing too well the pc
culiar tri ais and temptations to which she would
be subjected to in her choice of husband and
so he left it all to chance. And happy thing it
Club that every difficulty of choosing has been
takes frem them in the same way. AS they
stretch their eager hands for the tiny slips of
paper, they whisper with Bassanio "here choose
sequence. "He is well paid that is satisfied"
Tor every slip seems to bear the inscription Of
Portals golden casket who chooseth me
it with the ladies? we sincerely trust that they
do not say with Porla go me, the word choose.
may neither choose whom would, nor refuse
whom dislike. Is it not hard Nerissa that
cannot choose one, nor refuse none?" And now
NAV suggest q name for this original institu-
ton Of our Shakespeare Club? We have all
heard of the great Louisiana lottery. Let us
have Virginia lottery whose fame shall be-
come worldwide. No blanks, every man draws
q prize. Long life to the new lottery, and may
its prizes ever retain their present WORTH beauty
and prIliancy."
This toast was considered of sufficient breadth
to admit of more than one Interpretation or Of
being s.buttered Oh both Sides" and Miss 2. Voss
was called upon and She replied in the quick
impulsive vivacious manner we all know and
like so well. Then the toast, "Our Ladies" was
offered and to this J. G. Conway responded in
manner pleasing and complimentary as to call
forth rounds OF applause from all. Last, but
not least, "Our Host and Hostess was. proposed,
and to this Mr.. Whiting replied and all drank
heartily OF the beverage which cheers but
the parlors and passed the remainder of the
evening-night had well nigh said-in accor-
dance with the following programme: First an
instrumental SOLO, Song of Spring, Miss Maggie
Norton. The Secretary was next asked to read
the minutes OF the preceding meeting; which
request was AS oWIy needed. At the close OF the
formidable box in handmade neat little
speech and in behalf of the gentlemen mem
bers, presentea to Miss Mary Chadwick COM
plete set OF shakespeare's works; consisting of
three volumes, the Riverside edition by Rich
ardlGrant White, To the recipient it was a
most complete surprise, and it is so often the
case with us women, "Words fail where deepest
feelings govern" so very few were the words of
thanks uttered, but those few were heartfelt; the
little have been able to do was hardly worthy
so grand q gi1t; but in the years to come the
brance. IF music be the food of love, play on"
| and Miss Ella Rogan played the instrumental
| solo, Witches Dance. Mrs. Schwab next gave
| saying that women could talk-indeed, had
| been noted for doing so-but usually were not
speech makers" l cannot give it all, but it
| .'Our way across the Sea" by Messrs Terbrueg-
gen and Whiting. Recitation Lost in the
storm"-Miss Nettie Chadwick. instrumental
duet Fsvorite by Rosellen-Misses Rose and
| Ellai Rogan. decentralization an original
| poem-by Mr., Anderson. Recitation darius
Green and his Flying Machine" by Mr.. Flavin.
| "a Boys composition on the Horse read by
| Mig Minnie VOSs Instr,1mental snla Vale