The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-18

sence of the merriment and gaiety that
have always characterized the previous
meetings of the club. Fat Bill left his
smile outside, but that fact occasioned no
surprise, as he has not worn il much since
he was admitted to the bar. His dignity
has been overw ne Inning for a week.
The Presidents usually beam:ng visage,
too, didn't beam for cent. HIS smi.e
was of n deeper and more penetrating ma
ture tonight than the one which usually
adorns his face-hs breath was fairly
weighted with il. Lean Bill is always Dig
nifled and fully maintained his reputation
this evening. He was as staid and stern
as a deacon. The bald head OF The Pro-
lessor did not shine with its usual luster.
lie whispered to The Scribe that he had
rubbed il with chamois skin before COM
ing IN. out of respect to The President.
Tue Scr be was too subdued to be natural.
II bosom friend was soon to depart and
he was inconsolable. Even n share in Tho
Presidents odorous smile had failed 10
rouse his dropping spirits. he was sad.
Another feature of the meeting made II
unusually quiet. Tho Secretary was not
there. He was in New York and the dis
turbance which his trousers usually Gre
ate was lacking.
t>OIeIllniN iOSO
to open the meeting. His voice faltered
as he said, I'VE cannot sing Molly and j
and the Baby tonight. / could not en-
dure it. In few brief days we will not be
living as happy as happy can be- for l
shall be far from here. We will, how
ever. open the meeting tonight by sing
ing i Am Going Far Away"
The voices that joined in the opening
lines we're quavering and, before the first
verso had been completed, the tears from
The Professors eyes gummed up tue
piano keys SO that they wouldn't work.
So the music was abandoned. Fat Bill
then rose and in feeling terms babe The
President farewell. The brief address
was full of tenderness and appreciation
of the valuable aid which The President
has rendered the club. Tho closing re-
marks were especially touching. Fat
Bill. as he ended his speech, sad:
"And, now, Mr.. President, bid you, in
the name of the Mandolin club. farewell.
| assure you that you will leave behind
you many aching hearts. Fond eyes will
watch for you in your accustomed places
and, seeing you not, will fill with tears.
Hearts that have beaten in warm SYM
pathy with yours, will throb no longer in
response TO your voice. There will be an
aching void, which no one but you can
fiji. i can say with truth that you will TO
sadly missed. ! know of no one who can
take your place. And now, on behalf of
the members of tho Mandolin club, beg
To present you with this sight testimonial
of their esteem. trust that you will use
1t frequently and think of us as often"
lat Bill then han led to The President
a richly engraved silver pocket fl SIX,
n ,,F ,thi rh no 70 lpvViu
nscr puon: Presented to rhe Pres dent
by tho members of The Mandolin cub.
Miss puia, Feb II, 1895. Leb.n Sic Wuhl.
On the other side was the following
stanza, composed by Lean Bill:
whenever you take
From This drink
] hone that YOU
O. us will think. "
The President arose to express his
tha ks. lie read the presentation III
/ scr,ptiol an n IS heart sweiled with pride.
1t was he prnulcst moment OF has life.
! Then he turned the present over in his
! hand and read Lean Bll's verse. That
/ broke him all up. lie sank into his chair
/ ami cou,dn't saw a word. lie simply
! PASSED tho flask around aud all took n
| drink i'm silence. 1t was an Impressive
/ scene. No one who was present wall for
/ get ia, least un,Il the headaches ease
/ up a bit.
To break tac mournful silince, The
4 Scribe attempted to sing "rhe Vacant
/ Char" II 5 good intentions were m,scon-
/ strucl and his voice was out of order, So
| ms alleged singing reused the mourniul
/ maudohners to wrath They jumped on
| INN. Bur he sang the sorrowful song to
the sad end and then the club ali Iurned.
! The last that was seen of TIE President
was as he walked home at a late hour to-
| night, teuderly carcssng the Il ,sk and
occasionally stopping and holding it up
as if he was trying to look through the
/ bottom of il.