Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-01-20
AN ENLlvENED SERENADE.
How Frank Bassett SpiNng Mine on He
Honeymoon Tor mentors.
(Hammonton IN J.) Special

(Hammonton (N. J.) Special
There is very strong feeling of indigna-
tion against the Bassett family for their
reported attempt seriously to injure
number of young men who were trying to
play harmless practical joke on young
Frank Bassett, u recant benedict. AS in
other rural cities. Hammontol possesses its
Calithumpian band, an organic ition of
jolly young bachelors. whose mission is to
make the night hideous with dscordant
sounds for any one of their membership
who takes upon himself the fetters of
matrimony. Following their precedent,
when young Frank Bassett got married in
the last week of November his Fellow
Calithumpians determined to render his
honeymoon night as happy as the blowing
of horns, the banging of tin cans, the
rasping of -fiddles. and the shouting
of cat yells beneath the windows of tho
bridal-chamber could make it. Generally
on such occasions the happy bridegroom
shows himself at the window, welcomes
his jocular ex comrades, and invIt Ites tn EN-
in to par axe glass of wine in re turn for
their ssrenade; but no such kindly recep-
ton awaited the band OF Calithumpians
who carefully played their Emusic"
outside the residence last Friday
night of William Bassstt, father
OF Frank, in whose house the newly mar
ried pair had taken up their abode. On
the contrary, instead of the chicken salad
and the cup that cheers, tho IN Iscians
were regaled with q fusilade of eggs,
which had been overlaid-eggs of a per-
fume which clings and wearies the nostrils
even of men with colds, and the surprised
and disgusted Calithumpians scattered for
their homes. On the following night they
again assembled outside the Bassett man.
sion with their instruments OK vocal tor
ture, but a brick was thrown in their
midst with such force that one OF their
number, Charles Montford, was seriously
wounded in the back of the head and had
TO be carried 10 a neighboring doctor for
treatment. On Thursday evening a con-
stable guarded the Bassett premises, bus
the following night. Friday, the coast was
clear, and the thoroughly angered Cali
thumpians asssmbled in front of the house
in full numbers. determined to give their
full musical programme OF die in the at
tempt.
Some OF the band nearly realized this de-
term nation, bat remem mbering their pre-
vious unpleasant reception, instead OF
forming, as hitherto, on the sidewalk di-
rectly beside the house, they assembled on
the opposite side OF the road. It was for
tunate that they dil 80, for just az they
gave their opening howl and clstter .
sheet Of flame burst forth with terrific
report just in front OF them. and a shower
OF stones fell about their hats aud shoul-
and subsequent anxious investigation to
Gni out Il anybody was hurt. Nobody
was to any extent. bat visit 20 tue scene
the following morning revealed the fact
that a mine OF gunpowrier had been laid
beneath the sidewalk in front Of the house,
which. when lt exploded. woald probably
hsvs fatally injured several seranaders
bad they been staaIiag IN their ant.ct.
pafed condition.
THIS surprising act on the part OF the
r az &C lamiiy has raised a strong feeling
o. puhllc sentiment Young Fra 4. pre-
vioas 80 his marriage, wss one Of the fore
most Caithumfians. aud always saxev 20
10 his sbars ia their official dati~s wav
be should resent the conc srt of his frteuas
la - hossila essd da~tafdIy a manaer -
mystery. Tax - A.so eoasi.lessti.,n ho~.
ever. thai serioss ialuly 70 d . Snd liub
nj ht have ocurred threa.h th,s esplo-
sion. . eo,nnaif - .. sitiseas have 3es sr.
nainef - enrlia1ie a fund ts~sra pros4-
eatlag ths psrp@s ssers ~ the eatrs0s. ana
tas srress q s4veFsl fahsbit.ass q ~.
Bsssett ussasion wia follow q ths eoa ..
sf ssss ~s~k