The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-30
Artist John Stanton Retires
With Some Original
Opinions.
HE FORGOT HIS FULL DRESS,
A Series Of Complications at the Red.
ding Dinner Brought Forth
Few Impressions.
Is Bohemia what it seems?

Is the true Bohemian where he belongs
when he is in the Bohemian Club? 1t will
probably be we'll to look into the case, ard
then the reader will be able to conclude to
his own satisfaction.
| 1t will be recalled that Joseph Redding,
poet, musician and lawyer, recently re-
ceived farewell dinner from the club, and
| that some 100 members gathered round
the festive board. Hereby hangs the
| Judgment of those who care to make a
study of Bohemia as she is conducted.
| When the invitations went forth to the
| children of the owl it was understood that
| the affair was to be devoid of all formali-
| ties, and that good time was to be on tap
| from to II P. NJ.
John Stanton, one of the directors,
| understood it this way, anyhow, and in
the light of the reigning impression he
left his studio at an early hour, after
wiping the paint off his brushes, and
| sauntered up to the clubrooms. whistling
| "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte
Carlo" AS he entered the regal stairway
approaching from Post street the sounds
of the intermezzo greeted his ears. ''That's
the stuff soliloquized Mr.. Stanton,
Fastening his footsteps up the marble
| pathway. "Those are the strains that
make the spirit thrill" When he arrived
at the landing the last notes were dying
away, to make room for the clink CT
glasses and the sound of gurgling that
arose from the wassail bottles.
| Mr.. Stanton was buoyant. The hallboy
| took his hat and gloves as the artist
passed him en- route for the dining-room.
| Just as he was about to enter the banquet
! hall sight met his eyes that froze his
blood and touched his Bohemian heart
with deep remorse.
The guests were logged out in full dress
Mr.. Stanton fell back into the arms of q
waiter who mopped the perspiration Off
his intellectual forehead. In moment
he regained his nerve and receded toward
the barroom. The case was serious one.
~ thought this racket was a go-as-you-
please, and / come here in my street cloth
ing and see nothing but broadcloth. Is
this what you call Bohemian? Is that the
way to bid Joe Redding farewell? -
- said Mr.. Stanton.
"Well. now look here, jack" said a
friend, consolingiy, ''you can go in just as
you are. The boys are glad to see you at
any time, with or without full dress.
Don't be ohump, Jack. Come, get onto
yourself and go in with me-"
"Not by a mill sight" retorted Mr..
Stanton, who was beyond consolation or
explanation. II do not propose to go
into the dining-room and be the
only man without a dinner coat on.
Everybody told me that this was to be an
informal affair. and it's the SWEETEST lay
out we ever had. Rats!"
In few moments the peacemaker re-
ceived re-enforcements from other quar-
tiers of the club and Mr.. Stantop's ire and
disgust were temporarily removed. "Well,
l tell you what I'll do, boys" finally con-
cluded the artist. ''I'll go home and put
on my full dress and come back. How's
that?''
Good. But say. let us have look at
the arrangement sheet in the office so you
can see where you are to sit, and then you
can come right in the moment you return
and take your place"
Mr.. Stanton stepped into the Office and
the arrangement of guests was handed to
him. He ran his finger along the edges of
the plan and looked for the undying name
of Stanton. Could it be possible that it
along the names again. "Well, that's
funny" Once more he reviewed the list.
He had made no mistake. His suspicious
were fulfilled.
J. A. Stanton was not slated for that
dinner.
"But, Mr.. Stanton" expostulated the
secretary of the club, "let me explain how
it happened. YOU"
81 don't want an explanation. signed
for this dinner and was left out. Well, |
might have expected it. 1t is the hardest
thing in the world to get decent treatment
everywhere. Don't throw away any more
time explaining it to me. l have had all
the explanation I want. Nothing in the
shape of talk will square the matter. One
of the directors brought me paper for
this blowout and I signed it. That's all 1
know about the affair." and they have seen
fit to leave me out. It's all right. don't
care denarius."
but, pardon me, Mr.. Stanton, that
paper you signed was a subscription for
the loving-cup that is to be presented to
Mr.. Redding as souvenir of his departure.
1T was not for the dinner. You have
made mistake"
MI. OltIllOu COOtcQs AlltI iiC tlOuSHt
the matter over a little he arrived at the
conclusion that it would be almost i'm
possible for the club 20 leave out inten-
tionally the man who had painted, free of
charge, the magnificent picture which was
to commemorate the occasion and which
was to have the place of honor on the wall
of the red room.
"Well, how did it come that was not
placed at the tables?" he inquired in
more modified and less impassioned tone
of voice.
Probably because you failed to sign the
list. l suppose you confused the loving
cup list with the dinner list and in conse-
ouence you were not provided for at the
table. l am sure it was no intended slight,
Mr.. Stanton. Now just select place here
that suits you and while you are home
dressing will see that chair is inserted
and that room is made for you."
"Of course, jack" chimcd in chorus OF
good fellows, at was mere oversight.
Now pick out the place you want and
slide home for your toys"
II guess you are right. boys. Give me
that list again and will make selection.
The list was handed him and he made