The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-03-17
THIRTEEN TO DINNER.

Mr.. Boomer was not the sort OF
man to hide his light under bushel.
He did not, of course, stoop to self
advertisement, but he recognized
that he was an interesting individu-
ality and he permitted in no churIish
spirit the legitimate curiosity
of the public in regard to himself and
his doings to be gratihed. When
reporters Of his acquaintance who
were hard up TOR copy asked him
what he was doing or was about to
do, he was never known to refuse
Information. And when the infor-
nation appeared in the personal
column OF the evening papers, he
was never known to express annoy
ance that his private affairs should
be referred to in the press,
Such being MIR. Boomers dispo-
stion it naturally follows that when
he took it into his head to run a tilt
at prevalent superstitions the public
heard a good deal about the crusade.
AS usual toe. the public was deeply
interested. 1t greedily read the
paragraph which informed the world
thsfthe project was taking the form
of Thirteen Club, which was to
consist of thirteen gentlemen, who
were to dine together on the thir
teenth of each month at thirteen
minutes past seven. 1t had hardly
time to digest this information when
further paragraphs announced that
the dinner was to consist of thirteen
courses to be followed by thirteen
toasts-the last one being Prosperity
to good Old Thirteen-that each
diner was to begin the dinner by
spilling salt; that his knives were to
be placed crossed upon his plate,
and that the walters were all to be
cross.eyed.
These statements were rapidly
followed by paragraphs announcing
who Mr.. Boomers colleagues in the
club would be. Great names were
mentioned in this connection-those
of distinguished literary men, such
as Mr.. Studd and Mr.. Besome, and
those of notable noblemen like the
Marquis Ballyhooley and Lord Frank
Sillbois-sometimes with the result
of drawing out an official denial, and
sometimes with no result at all. 1t
is greatly to the credit of Mr.. Boomers
discretion that. even on the very eve
OF the first dinner of the club, the
world did not know for certain who
was or who was not a member Of the
great Thirteen. Perhaps if it had
known, it would not have been
greatly impressed.
Mr.. Boomer as founder OF the club
took the chief part in organizing the
first dinner. He had little difficulty
in getting suitable restaurant. He
had as little in ordering a suitable
dinner. Even drawing up the menu
card-which was black and coffin
shaped, with a red deaths head at
the top-and setting the list of toasts
which besides the final "Good Old
Thirteen,'' contained such gems of
anti superstitious wit as Friday
Forever" Prosperity to Undertakers
&c.-gave him comparatively little
trouble. 1t was only when he began
to seek for his cross eyed waters
that he experienced the real difficult
ties of the business before him.
When he approached the manager
OF the restaurant on the subject tia,
official gravely shook his head.
Cross eyed walters ain in demand
sir, he said.
Haven't you one in the placer asked
Mr.. Boomer.
No, sir, | haven't. answered the
manager, shortly.
And can't you get one or two tol
me?
No, I'm afraid cant.
Well, you know l must have them
we can't do without EN-, SAID Mr.
Boomer. little disconnected.
Well, then, you must get en-
yourself, sir, said the manager.
MIR. Boomer made inquiries a
half dozen other restaurants ant
as many hotels, but none of then
had single cross eyed waiter. Evi-
IDENTIFY the manager was right; the,
were not in demand. Mr.. Boone