Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-02-01

and numbers until 1t Is one Oh the
strongest in the city.
In connection with the charity
and benevolent features OF the order
there is one thing that's possessed by
no other, and that is its social
feature. The Elks is the only order
that keeps what might be known as
an "open parlor" where strangers
are ut all times made welcome,
where they may go and read the
papers, write letters and spend a
pleasant hour
In connection with the social
feature the lodge holds monthly
what is known as an open social
session. This feature was last even
ing, for the first time inaugurated
by the Pine Bluff lodge, and it is
safe to say that this feature will
make the order more popular than
ever
The open social session is organ
/ lied by the election OF a chairman
and secretary for the evening. The
chairman is selected for his ability to
create amusement and to preside
over the evenings entertainment.
During the session he is an absolute
monarch, and his orders must be
J obeyed by all members present, and
I If they decline he has the right to i'm
pose such fines on them as he may
deem proper. To assist him and see
that his orders are o5eyed a member
is appointed to serve as policeman
and it is the duty of this officer to
collect all fines imposed by the chair
man.
Last evening Mr.. r. H. Cokefair,
of Henderson, Ind, was elected chair
man, and it would indeed have been
hard to make better selection, for
he filled the position in mastery
manner. Mr.. D. c. Bell was the sec
rotary and Mr.. A. A. LeLaurin the
policeman.
The session was novel and
delightful one There were songs
SING, stories told, speeches made and
"A banquet enjoyed, and during all
eonviviality the chairman was the
critic and if the story was too long
or too short, or if the song was not
properly sung, a fine was entered
against the victim; thus the police
man was kept constantly busy col
lecling the fines, which ranged from
80 cents to $1.50.
The GRAPHIC reporter noted among
those fined the following gentlemen:
Gen. H. King White was fined for
not making a speech when called on
for one
Circuit Clerk H. A. Mccoy did not
sing well enough to suit the critical
ear of the chairman and he was fined
and admonished to do better next
time.
Mr.. w. A. Lee, secretary OF the Pine
Bluff Water and Light Company.
was fined for the poor gas the lodge
was compelled to use.
Hugh Westbrook was aned for
carrying Parsons Sermon in his
pocket and refusing to read 1t when
called upon.
Mr. Clarence Phllpot paid fine for
laughing at solemn moment
jeff Hicks refused to sing and the
policeman collected fine from him.
The stories by Mr.. A. B. Grace
were too long to suit the chairman
and fine was entered against the
story-teller.
Secretary Bell was fined for tak-ss
Ing while on duty.
Lew Owen could not sing, at least
he said so. He was fined for not
allowing the audience to be the
Judge.
Mr.. A. A. Miller arrived late and
this together with the fact that he
parts his hair with towel, caused
the chairman to fine him.
The chairman was fined for at
tempting to serve refreshments.
Capt. Sam Hilzheim was fined for
helping himself to refreshments in
stead of waiting to be served by
committee.
Judge w. d. Jones was fined for
assuming an awkward position
while telling a long story.
Messrs. Owen, Sanders, Westbrook,
White, Philpot and Flies, of the re-
freshment committee, were fined for
irregularities in serving refreshments.
The policeman was fined for insub-
ordination.
1t was a late hour before the ses-
sion closed and all present say that
it was the most pleasant social af-
fair ever given by the EIks of Pine
Bluff.
Complimentary German.
On Friday evening, the 4th, inst,
/ I,a o,.Tf4