Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-15

graph about the Peanut Club. 1t was
/ handle as though it was something new.
/ The club mas been in existence nearly
! twenty wears. It's first president dled
! last spring. He was Mr.. Amadee Nata-
/ bic, a weil.knOwu French shipping Her-
! chant. Mr.. Vatable was quite wealthy,
and one Of the most genial Of men. he
was Treasurer OF the Iron Pier Company,
and was represented in the Iron steam
boat Company and similar enterprises.
De was as rotund as fall pippin, but by
no means as seedy. He dressed in ex-
quisite taste, and was great faVorlte
with the ladies'. His face, tringed with
grey whiskers, was the decentralization OF
good humOr. He caught the idea OF the
Peanut Club III Marselles, where, when
young man, he was a member OF an
organization fully as unique. He organ
lied the cub in this city. Its members all
carry ivory peanuts inscribed with their
names. Whenever and wherever they
meet, If one EXHIBITS his peanut the other
must follow suit uuder penalty of 50 nne.
The fine was formerly only 81, but 80
many Wall street men became members
that five years ago it was raised to 50.
At any hour of the day or night, under
any circumstances, II one peanuts shown
all members within hailing distance must
return the compliment, The fines are
booked and COLLECTED at stated intervals,
and are spent in recherche banquets.
Such men as James B. Keene, Washington
f. Common, Frank Osborn, Charlie Bo-
moisler, Chauncey NJ, Depew, James w.
Hustled, Charles B. Low, Cashier ThorOn,
Napoleon l.. Thieblan, the wicked senator
Gibbs, Hermann Oerlchs, Rufus Hatcn,
Buck Houston, Frank Allen and q. L.
Lansing are among the members of the
club.
The Yankee members quickly proved
too smart for the CHEEKY old French gen.
tleman. For years mis- fines furnished
exquisite entertainments. All sorts OF
games were played on him. He went to
Washington in 1876 to secure legislation
In favor Of commercial scheme. At /
a. m. he was quietly sleeping in Wizards
Hotel, when there was ringing cry OF
fire at his door. He bounced into the cor
ridor in his night shirt. There stood foxy
Rufus Hatch arrayed in evening dress.
With charming grace and nonchalance
he showed an ivory peanut under the nose
OF Vatable. The French gentleman of
course could not respond, and submitted
to his fine with Christian resignation.
One day Charles E. Low invited Mr..
Vatable to ride. He had a spanking team
of trotters. Vatable was as crazy over
fine horses as Gen. Grant. He took the
ribbons, and the spaD sped along at two
minute gait. AT the height of their speed
they took fright at Jerseyman. Vatable
braced himself against the dashboard
and sesawed right gallantiy. AT the acne
OF his tribulations, however, the inevi-
table peanut appeared under his nose.
He dared not drop the reins, ana his
Christian resignation again came into
play. The fine ooZed from his pocket
without murmur.
Wash. Conner once took him on a short
cruise on his Yacht. Vatable was in &C.
stacy. In an evil hour, however, he was
inveIgled alOft. The dancing mists swung
him hither and thither over the foaming
waves. He chung to the rigging like a
coon in a hurricane. At this awful mo-
ment Conner placed peanut before his
eyes. 1t was effective. Vatable dared
not lose his hold tor second, and after
wards paid his fine with silent regret.
On Evacuation day Mr.. Vatable got
caught in a crowd in Broadway. He
was wedged In so tight that his feet scarce
touched the pavement. His hands were
pinned TO his side. He could hardly
breathe, much less move. In this predica-
ment he was discovered by Jake Hess. In
an instant Hess produced his peanut,
with sarcastic smile. The old French
man struggled in vain. He was forced to
nod his head in acknowledgment of the
fine, which was booked with remorsele IS
yigor.
Five years ago Mr.. Vatable was spend
ing hot summer day at Long Branch.
Warren Leland persuaded him to 20 In
swimming. The temperature of the water
was delightful. The Frenchman swan
hand over hand, tried it dog and frog
fashion, and finally turned upon his back
and drlfted toward Sandy Hook in dreamy
languor. Suddenly he heard a noise
like the spoutlng of a pOrpoise. 1t was
no porpOise. 1t WAS Warren Leland. His
fat hand flourished a peanut IN the air
within a foot OF Natable's head. Warren
had carried his own ivory pod in his
mouth, and had swan out to Vatable with
the express purpose of i'm posing a fine,
The genial Gaul exercised his usual
Christian resignation, and was locked as
usual.
That night the Frenchman returned to
rest Tiled with good cheer and virtuous
resolutions. At midnight there was a
knock at his door. A telegram of I'M
usual impor lance was announced. The
messenger was shown into the parlOr.
Within twenty seconds Vatable appeared
clad in flannel night cap and a Critten-
den chemse. the telegram was pro-
duced. Ii was bogus. But there was
nothing bogus about the peanut. That
called for 50, and 1t got it. The amiable
ubdDlS again lGticu, btlb ulS Cu6SI III
temper and yirtuous resolutions had
vanis shed.
Some years ago there was a jam at the
elevated railroad station near Hanover
square. The cars, station, stairs, street
ticket agents and conductors were full
Vatable stood at the foot OF the stairs
Within two hours be reached the plat.
| form. He caught the railing OF the hand
| car, and moved toward Franklin square
suspended between Heaven and Pearl
street. The Hon. James Oliver saw his
situation, and whipped out his peanut
! AT the same moment the conductor asked
! for the Frenchman's ticket. Vatable &C
! knowledged the coin in both cases. The
ticket was collected and the fine recorded
One day, however, he saw real trouble
! A Job was put up, and he was robbed Of
his peanut by an expert pickpocket. The
news was quickly spread among the
members OF the club. He was waylaid al
every corner. BY provision of the by.
laws, on losing his peanut no member car
secure another ere the lapse Of forty-eigh
! hours. That day the club became richer
by hundreds OF dollars. Toward night
fall, however, Vatable fled TO Hoboken
aud went into exile. Two days after
wards his friends paid him the amende
honorable by giving him a gold peanut
studded with diamonds. At his death hi
willed il 10 Cashier Thoron, who carries
it TO this day. AMOS j. CUMMINGS.