Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-08-06

upright upon MS lounBe' was ~ hoNh
chaffing? His tone and his manner
had been perfectly grave. He glanced
half-fearfully around the room. There
was not a smile upon the face OF any
man there.
Perhaps you did not even know Of
our existence? Lord Dynock con-
tinued. Few people do. Nevertheless
we do exist and the rolls OF our mem
bership are being continually added to.
II you wish TO know the principles ol
our foundation and justification, there
Is a small but carefully selected libra
ry in yonder ante-room which think
will be of service to you. All that !
can say is this, We are men Of The
world philosophers UP to a certain
point and with special bias toward
the philosophy OF indiyidualism. We
say that If there should come into our
lives a crisis, whether o. our own maxi
ing or not, which, as IL were, cuts
clean line OF demareaton through our
/ careers, dividing all that is to come
( from all that is gone; that il by reason
4 OF financial ruin, or social disgrace, or
crime. we are confronted with dishOnor
or degradation-we say then, that we
are justified In refusing to continue our
4 lives upon an altered and lower level.
! Life comes to us not at our own bid
ding and often remains with US without
our desire. Therefore we see no sin
nor any shame In having some voice
ourselves as to its continuance. Mind,
I the text Of our justification is hopeless
7 ness. II retrieYal Of name or fortune
/ be possible we do not sanction suicide.
ANY member proposing to take this
/ final step must state his case to three
members of the club, and only with
I their consent must he take his life.
/ Fufther, we do not accept as members
married men except under special cir
cumstances. or men having families or
\ relatives dependent upon them. Our
\ object il simply to prevent moral and
physical retrogression. We say that
we owe it to ourselves to die in the
same status as we have lived The
natural bent Of all our lives should be
development. When circumstances de-
cree that development must cease and
retrogression commence, then comes
the time when we sanction and, in fact
advocate suicide That is our position,
as clearly as am able 10 state it on
the spur of the moment and in few
words. AS to the more material part
Of the business, the entrance fee and
subscription of our club Is triile high
Massnger can tell you the figures. IF
you wish to join us you can be pro-
posed tonight and there are enough
here to elect you, but you are not al
lowed to avail yourself OF any OF the
4 privileges of the club for at least
twenty-four hours Have | left out
anything, Grmshaw?'
The barrister shook his head
You have spoken like an oracle" he
declared, You should explain to Lord
Marlborough though that we are prop
erly registered as a private club under
the name of the Epicureans.
That is so, Lord Dynock assented.
I'VE are in reality secret society, but
outwardly we are orthodox and have
recognized existence. Is there any
question You would like to ask"
4 Lord Marlborough stood up. His
eyes were yes bright and his cheeks
were flushed.
DO you often have suicides in con-
nection with this club?' he asked.
His klnsman shook his head.
Not very often. There has been one
this year You remember Capt Black
more's AFFAIR."
"Of course"
He was a member. Three of us sat
on his case and authorized the extreme
measure. He came for our decision
gave Il princely dinner here, took a
hanson home and blew his brains out
\ Of course we 10 not allow anything OF
the sort upon the club premises"
I And supposing a member commits
suicide without consulting any one?"
Lord Marlborough asked
Dyneck shrugged his shoulders.
"Of course we can't prevent 1t. The
rule exists so that the thing may not
become abused, but naturally no one
is bound by it,
/ And can | be elected tonight"
Certainly 30 YOU wish to join us?"
Lord Marlborough drew deep breath.
Yes
Kindly turn your face the other way
a moment then Dynock SAID Our
manner 81 election Is simple but ef-
fectual Gentlemen, are You unani-
/ nous in voting for Lord Harborough's
election? A nod is quite sufficient.
I Thanks. Marlborough. congratulate
You. You are elected i member 81
club the most unique | believe. in Eu-
rope, Stay and have . deyiled bone
and bottle of wine"
Lord Marlborough shook his head.
Not tonight he said I must re-
I turn the day after tomorrow in all
probability and will sup with you"
Chapter NJ