Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-11

81 say, Walter, am getting tired of these
smokers You know 1 did not want to come
to this one and only consented to please you.
The thing is fat, stale and Improbable, and,
after this, shall cut the whole concern
Nonsense, man! What possible objection
can you have? You're a prime favorite with
the whole club and when you attend you are
always voted to the chair or the vice chair.
'Oh. yes. that's all right enough. It's the
club itself I'm disappointed in. When you
asked me to join Ii erary and artistic club
expected was going to associate myself with
very different class of people. l expected TO
meet with men of wit and wisdom: instead of
which, with the exception of yourself and one
or two others, they the veriest lot of buffers
ever came across. II literature and art can't
produce something higher and better than the
fellows we meet at these smokers l pity the
two professions they are supposed to rep
resent"
''Pshaw! NY dear fellow. you can't expect
men always to be riding the high horse: they
must unbend sometimes. I'm sure Tho Ca
naries are as jolly a lot OF fellows as you can
meet In days march,
''Oh, yes, jolly enough, but so dreadfully
vulgar. I'm sick Of the whole concern. These
concerts are nothing better than drunken Or
gies, and am surprised that you do not feel
as much Disguised as do"
Now, Joel" replied the elder man, "don't be
sticking yourself mp a pedestal as though
you were wiser and better than all the rest of
mankind. At any rate, if you want to give one
OF your high moral lectures. just select a more
appropriate time and more congenial audi
ence.'
'All right. old fellow" replied Joe, "only
understand that this is my last appearance
among The Canaries:' but here we are"
The two passed into brilliantly lighted tav-
ern. assembled a broad flight of stairs and en-
tered a large room on the first floor. In this
were assembled some forty or fifty individuals,
and asthe two young men entered the room
there was a considerable amount of applause,
and after a good deal OF shaking of hands and
warm welcome from the assembled company.
Mr.. Walter, Neame was voted 10 the chair and
Mr.. Joseph Gregson to the vice chair and the
business OF the evening commenced.
As the concert progressed Joe Gregson did
not feel inclined to alter his opinion of the
musical abilities of The Canaries." Some
English ballads were fairly well sung. but the
comic portion was mediocre and vulgar and
being himself fairly well-educated musician
Joe Gregson's soul rebelled against it,
As the evening progressed the ibations of
the party were of rather extensiye character
and, unfortunately. Mr.. Oregon though not
approaching bad music. seemed 10 fnllv under
stand the value of good LIQUOR. and his orders
for another whisky were frequent. Walter
Neame noticed this with satisfaction: he did
not want this young fellow to clip through his
fingers.
1t was also noted by one of Mr.. Neame's sup
porters, who whispered Your friend Greg
son = going it rather fast. When do Won pro-
pose to admit him into the inner circie?'
"All in good time. replied Mr.. Neame. IF
matters are pushed too sharp shall lose him
altogether"
hight You are. INV 10y. I'm not the one to
spoil sport by precipitation, only I've set my
heart on the bank business. If we were to sue
coed what a swag there would be.''
Just so" replied Neame; but I'm afraid
that's a long way Off He talked about cutting
the club altogether tonight as we came along,
SO we must be extra cautious"
He d better not try that game" replied the
other. THE Cana-ies' are not likely 20 stand
that sort o thing. However, he knows nothing,
SO he can't peach
And he wouldn't if he did," replied Nealne
III we once get hold of him he Ii be as stanch
and true az the best of u.s.