The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-04-11
A GREAT SOCIAL SESSION.
The "Best People On Earth' Turn
Out.

How the Portland Lodge of Elks Enter
tanned Their Guests Last Evening.
"The best people on earth," the Elks,
gathered at their rooms on Congress
street last night, and had for special
guests members of the Midnight Belp'
company. 1t was a notable occasion, and
brilliant gathering of bright men.
An elegant COLLATION. was served In the
banquet room, Robinson being the ca
terer. An adjournment was then had to
the hall above where George P. Dewey
raped to order and spoke regretfully of
the enforced absence of Exalted Ruler
Edwin Parsons, who is sick at home.
Mr.. Dewey then introduced as the presid-
ing officer Elliott G. Mitchell. On taking
the chair Mr.. Mitchell spoke Of the social
sessions of the Elks and then referred to
the beautiful custom of the rule Of
drinking the toast "for Absent Breth-
ren'-those who can return no more
At a signal from the presiding officer the
lights were turned off and the members
of the order rose and sang Shall Old
Acquaintance B e Forgot"
The first toast was "The City of Port
land, the home we lovegand the home as
we hope and trust of the next President
of heUnited States. {"
x-Alderman Randall responded,
speaking of the olty, and especially of
the Elks. Sidney Smith said that if you
make a man happy today he will be hap
pier for it 30 years hence. He believed
that the Elks must have taken this for
| their motto.
Mr.. A. R. Hall gave fine solo, ''The
| Lost Chord"
. AT this point one of the taking hits of
| the social session was made, the appear
ance of two little oolored boys wearing
patrolmen's hats, they were the police
men of the nook session, a position COM
monty filled by two of the most stalwart
members of the order.
| Digby Bell was introduced as being
at once "a royal good fellow, and royal
good Elk" He said he was more than
pleased to be in Portland, and shall
take pleasure in repeating to Lodge No.
/, the good things he.could say of the
Portland lodge. He gave fine rceita-
tion of "The Tough Boy on the Right
Field Fence"
Joe Soule and Robert Noyes Were then
| introduced as Corbett and Fitzsimmons,
and gave lively sparring exhibition
which served to show once more the won
derfnl rapid work of Joe Soule. However
Noyes stood mp well, and made fine
showing. Professor Lee was master OF
ceremonies. At the close there was a
cry of Police" and the "kids' ap-
peared and took charge Of the two men.
"Must you take them2" said the chair
man, and the smallest of the kids
said: 'tWe want en-" and the chair.
man sadly said: "Take them out. /"
| Mr.. A. G. Deltwyn of the Midnight
BelP' company, gave bright recitation.
Councilman Mayberry made witty
speech, but then he always does that. He
responded to the toast "The Politician
| There is no brighter after dinner speak
or in Portland than he, and his hits were
! greatly enjoyed. After referring to his
own election, he spoke of the national,
state and ward politician. Each mar
who is elected to any office hopes in time
| to be President. and to have his life lone
| grand sweet song" His speech was
constantly interrupted by shouts Of
laughter.
/ Gsorge Clark of the Midnight Bell'
company gave a recitation, "The Old
Confed crate Colonel
"The press" was responded to by Mr.
o. R. Wish of the Argus. He spoke O.
the order as one OF the best in the city
and told good story in bright way
joni P. WEIGH was obliged to declin,
to sing.
EdN ard Roadway of the Midnight
Bell" company, spoke Of his high appre
citation of the order. He was followed
by Mr.. Charles W. Mayors of the "Mid
night Bell" company, who gave series
of end jokes.
Of course there WAS no end of fun ant
of enjoyable side features. There neyel
was dull social session of the Portland
lodge of Elks, and that of last nigh
was not only no exception to the genera
rule, but was the best of all the Ions
series.