The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-19
MINOR FACTS AND fANclEs.


The celebrated Clover club last night
held one Of its no less celebrated banquets.
All Philadelphia was there-that is to say,
all OF 1t that represents the quntessence
Of brain and skill In the Quaker City
while among those present from elsewhere
were several personages lustrous in con-
temporary annals. Not all Of those who
received invitations were able to be there
in the flesh; but each corporally absent
one was hilariously present in spirit and
good fellowship. Among those who didn't
show up except in regretfn sense was
Henry Guy Carleton, the journalist, auth.
or playwright. In letter to Charles Il,
Deacon, the clubs affable secretary, Mr..
Carleton satisfactorily explains why.
900
And this is the wherefore of the where.
as: "I would like TO have an explanation
as to why an invitation to dine with yonr
esteemed club always arrives when am
out of town: or why l am always out OF
town when tho invitation arrives. 1t is
not apparent TO me that take a long and
expensive journey at the risk of my life
and limb, and with only partial insurance,
to avoid getting an invitation to dine with
the Clover club, and IL is equally incom-
prehensibie to me why the Clover club
sHOuli hcltGJ az llb plOptI IlIH6 TO IOfWAr0
a dining invitation to me, the exact date
when I am in Hohokus or Podunk, Boston
or Peoria. / have tried to reason it ont
beginning at either end Of the argument
and failing to arrive at any conclusion
flattering TO my sanity or your hospitality;
have begun In the middle aud worked on
both theo ries at once-all without extract.
ing even grain Of rational probability.
am ther etoTe obliged to set down this re
curing coincidence as one Of those acts of
merciful but inscrutable Providence for
which we annually fill ourselves with
gratitude and cranberry sauce! or to as
cribe it to the same general cussedness
winch evolved Mckinley vaccination
Cleveland and the grip.
900
Permit me, however, to observe that |
sha il not be able to be at the Clover club
dinner on the 18th, partly for other reasons
and partly because am compelled to be
in Chicago. III you really meant to send
me an invitation with the idea that
would be present, ! am under deep obliaa.
tions, and will keep my lamp of gratitude
burning brightly until hear from YOU
again. IL you clandestinely ascertaineh
beforehand that | was to be In Chicago.
and only sent the invit alton to make inc
feel badly, you may con slider that some.
body In a heated manner is giving you his
full permission TO 20 TO the deuce. | mean
business, | have been getting fthese Clo-
yer club invitations Off and on, particu.
larly off, for seven years, and they have
always hung fire. am peaCeable man,
stay at home nine.tenths Of the year, and
during any portion OF that time, | will
travel long way over razor back road
to attend one of the meetings of your club,
but never receive bidding until par
feet cyclone of business sweeps me bodily
out OF thestate. Then promptly hear from
you. My patience is exhausted. do not
believe you intend giving a dinner on that
evening; do not believe you ever had A
dinner. The Glover club Is myth"