The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-27
PIPE-sMcKING CONTESTS.
Chicago Tribune. J

! Chicago Tribune
1.-The queerest thing in all Europe, !"
said Chicago man just back from
abroad to reporter, "the queerest thing
in Europe, and I say it with the certainty
of firm conviction, is the Rockers club of
Bruges. In the vulgar parlance of the
streets, it's worth going miles to see.'
Its members meet at stated intervals
and hold smoking contests 1t has no
parallel as far as know in this country
or anywhere else. The contest is UNIQUE.
the palm of victory being awarded to the
one who takes the most time in smoking
certain amount of tobacco without let.
ting his light once go out.
"The Rockers Club holds its session at
the Cafe Craenenburg in the Grande pal
ace. Here gather the contestants and
common smokers, who puff contentedly
at their pipes while. they watch the con-
test for supremacy. The cafe Is open to
all. 1t contains tables and a bar topped
with white marble. On one of the tables
and in front of the club is pair of scales
for the weighing of the tobacco. Here
too. are arranged the books and archives
of the society and bell with which the
president governs the smokers. The room
in addition, contains number of costly
and rare pipes, some of them
of great age, which are the most
precious possessions of the singular club.
when all the contestants are mbled
the secretary Of the club announces the
conditions of the contest, and states the
rule governing it. Each man is to Q
given an amount ct tobacco that is deter
mined by weight by the president, and
that one is to be declared the victor who
takes up the most time while smoking
the tobacco given him. When u pipe goes
out the smoker is out of the race.
1.-THE contestants carsfully examine
their pipes, while the president performs
the important function of weighing out
the necessary quantities of tobacco. Mean
while the spectators discuss the respective
merits of the smokers and lay wagers on
the result.
up, says the president. Zone minute
half minute-a quarter of minute-four
seconds" and then at the sound of the
bell each contestant lights his pipe at the
same time and they ARE off.
1.-THE first few puffs are sharp and Wig
orous, for the hole success of the contest
depends upon the manner in which the
pipe Is started. Then each man settles
down comfortably into his chair and
gives his whole attention to the race
1.-THE president, who acts as referee
keeps his eyes fixed on the pipes, ready at
any moment to strike the bell that de-
clares one of the smokers out of ethe run
ming. Not word, or even smile escapes
the smokers, for such diversions would be
OF tho ovparco of cavoral grains of the
fuel of their pipes.
1.-THE race l saw had scarcely been
started when the sound of the bell warned
the crowd some one was out of it. 1t
proved to be the proprietor of the Cafe
Craenen burg. who had previously boosted
of his yalor in former contests.
" My pipe pulled too hard, was his ex.
PLANTATION.
"a general laugh went up at the ex-
pense of the discounted proprietor and
most of the contestants caught the infec.
tion and were merry at the expense OF two
or three grains of their tobacco. Only
two, big man and Somewhat smaller
thus gained lead on their more suscep-
tible competitors, which was never over
come.
"The strugglers for supremacy became
more and more watchful as the time az
preached and passed the half-hour mark.
The second man to lose control of his pipe
and so be declared out of the running was
discovered by the vigilant presiding officer
at the end of the Seth minute.
During the next four minutes the bell
sounded necessarily and numerous con-
testnnts were jeeringly advised to go get
light At the end Of 90 minutes only
seven smokers remained. Ten minutes
later four were left. When the waite
showed eight minutes after the hour there
were only two the bip and little man
who had not laughed when the proprietor
of the cafe hau been ruled out.
Excitement ran as high as at cooking
main. Thesmembers of tine Rockers Club
crowded around the two who remained.
The different phases of the race were dis
cussed and words of encouragement were
addressed to the two smokers by their adj
herentS.
"Both smoked on for time undisturbed
and apparently unheedful of the remarks
being made all around them. At last the
big man looked nervous and gave evidence
of having come 60 the end Of his string.
He tried to keep in the race, but IN vain,
and was ruled out at the conclusion OF 10
minutes continued smoking.
1.-THE little mar continued to puff con-
tentedly at his pipe. He was out after
the record sand, as the crowd understood
this, the interest became more marked
than ever. Would he equal or surpass it?
the spectators asked each other. No. At
the SSth minute his pips, too. went out,
and he was forced to be satisfied with
having approached within three minutes
of the reoord.''
Racing to Get the News Ashore.
Racing was necessary business, and
preparations for such events on the Kama
| nal a w of For in.