Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-05-14

ing from, perhaps, County court lawyer
away from his native C. H., We recalled an
incident Of nearly twenty years ago. Then,
with baby boy passing a candy and fruit
store the little fellow, looking into the plate
glass window, exclaimed: l want to spit
nv mouth waters" Parent hetically we
may remark that boy ought TO expectorate
considerably. But however much we
should have enjoyed the plank-shad, the
fact that a friend in the midst Of such fes-
tivities should have thought of The Old
Family Journal was more grateful to US:
DEAR GAILAmR: Let me give you some idea
of one of demonstrations of Washington which
has become as well established rs if it existed
by virtue Of an Act Of Congress. 1t is the an
nual shad-bake of the Bar Of the District Of
Columbia which occurs about the middle Of
MAY al Marshall Hall upon the Potomac.
Atl1 o'clock on last Saturday found my
self one Of a large company upon chartered
steamer gliding upon the broad bosom Of the
great river. as gay and joyous and freed from
all restraint as if they were school boys on
lark. 1 wish you could know the personnel OF
this company. Without mentioning names
let me say that the Supreme Court of the Uni
ted States was represented; the Court Of Claims
sent its tribute; while the Judiciary of the
District was present in force enough to have
held o Court of General Session. Added to
these were the Attorney General and the So
Hcitor General enthusiastic participants in the
general enjoyment The lawyers of all the
Courts were present in such numbers that they
cannot be particularzed. Old veterans and
young barristers-men gray with years Of sue
cessful forensic struggles middle-aged advo-
Gates who have made their mark and are reap
ing the rewards of anxious study and effort
Young attorneys whose shingles still shine in
original black and gold-students fresh from
the class rooms and the moot courts-all jolly,
singing, laughing, rejoicing that dull care had
been LEN behind with the abandoned pleas and
demurrers.
The rain came down with persistent rattle
upon the hurricane deck of the boat, but it
damped no ones ardor, and seniors and
juniors seemed to vie with each other in abso-
lutte indifference to the clerk of the weather
and his failure to fulfil his promise Of a fair
and laughing May morning.
But Mount Vernon has been reached and
passed and the Lady Of the Lake, with graceful
sweep. turns into the wharf at Marshall Hall.
The stately figure of Col. McKibben came to
the gansway to welcome his visitors. They
share with no'one else the charms Of this at
tractiyc place. They monopolize it for the day.
Trooping along in promiscuous companies
Judges cabinet officers. commissioners anC
other dignitaries move from the water side to
theold mansion of two centuries ago. Perhaps
they take some pause under the apple trees TO
taste the clarei punch, the old julep and some
other potables Of both milder and stronger vir-
tue Then every man for himself to the shoot
ing gallery, the ten pin alley, the quoits, the
cards upon the ancient porch every one TO his
fancy
on from the scene Of these enjoyments there
is queer fire burning in the open air fed by
cord wood stretched along for, say twenty feet
or more On either side of this burning line
are heavy planks of two or three inches thick
ness. Upon these are nailed the shad which
but am hour or two before flashed their silver
scales I'm their native Potomac. As the heat
begins 90 cook these delicious fish, the attend
ing cooks march up and down with long poles
at the end of which is a basting clcth This
is essential TO the perfection of the process.
Pans are filed with mixture of butter, pep
per- SALT cayenne lemon juice and Worcester
sauce into which the cloths are dipped and the
basting Of the fast cooking fish is kept up with-
ont a moments interruption. The grand re-
suit of AN this is plank shad.
There may be better fish, said cautious
veteran "I don't say there are not; but do
say have vet to taste them The judgment
which attests the excellence of this dish for
the gods has never been reversed. There is
no issue to be joined on that point You can
not find O traverser of the proposition.
After shad by the dozens have been cooked
they are borne piping hot TO the dining room
and there the scene becomes exhilarating TO a
degree. Cham payne corks begin TO tly and all
that follows must be left to ready fancy to
picture It, One feature of the day is that all
rank is ignored There are no marks of espe-
,ial respect TO any one. A Supreme Court
Judge OF an Attorney General must take his
chances for his seat and his neighbors One is
just as likely 10 fall into gang Of youngsters
us 70 meet his own colleagues when it comes
10 the dinner. No toasts are offered and if any
body attempted a speech he would be in dan
ger of going overheard or having a shad put
down his throat tail end foremost
And So the day goes on. No one has ever
yet kept q record of the achievements of hun
cry lawyers on occasions. Il is not considered
good form" TO refer to thei- gastronomic per- |
tormauces; but 1 would give YOU some hint
were itnot that like most stories in which fish
figure no one would believe me if told but
half the truth
But an such pleasures come to an end. The |
sun has gone down and a dash of moonlight |
makes O. faint line of silver upon the water |
The whistle sounds its shriu summons and |
soon an the boys-old and young have settled |
themselves about the decks of the Corcoran. |
song story, reminiscence mingle with the rip |
pie of The water as the smoke Of hundred ci !
CARS rises and is lost in the escaping steam for
the boat seems 90 have caught the mellow in
luence of the weed at any rate it answers the !
smokers pu8 10y pun.
I'm h1y minutes the goodly company have |
reached the wharf and are soon scattered |
,r,.,- eliza f4fr Io-,,p. or tbo ,~-eo+ ,;t,--rof /