The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-31
0 WHAT'S In A NAME?
OR HOW AND WHY THE QUO vADIS
EUCHRE CLUB WAS NAMED.
Mr.. Sienlxiewicz Had No Monopoly
ON the Phrase--ExpressiOns
from the Members.

There may be something in a name, after
all. The specific name involved in the con-
troversy is that of Quo Vadis The society
world, locally speaking, is debating the
matter. Is Quo Vadis a respectable name
for highly respectable euchre club? This
is the spicy topic of absorbing interest to
clubdom, and especially does it interest the
members of an organization that recently
gave an elaborate supper at the Bates
House. This club held meeting not long
ago, when it resolved to christen itself.
What shall we call ourselves?" was the
perplexing question.
II think I have it," said one of the la
dies. Let us be known as the Quo Vadis
Club"
ooh, how beautiful! exclaimed the la
dies ecstatically.
ut is beautiful" said the gentlemen, 'but
what does it rnean?
Nobody seemed to be able to answer this
conundrum until the Latin scholar of the
party thought deeply for time and in
formed the club that, if his memory served
him correctly, it meant whittier go you?"
This Interpretation was perfectly salts
factory. To be known as the whittier Go
YOU Club was just as expressive a name
as the A, B, G., or the What Next Club
and Quo Vadis was much more euphonious
Besides, it was classical The argument of
one of the gentlemen clinched the matter
His argument, literally repeated, was
Whats in a name, anyhow"
But some people persist in believing that
there is good deal in a name. A number
of the solicitous friends of the club and
also a few literary misanthropes are to be
numbered among this class of people. These
~1,a A.
biously ever since they heard of the name,
and particularly since they heard the club
had spent evening in cards at the Bates
House. winding up with a sumptuous and
glittering feast, has this wagglng process
become accenuated. One of these literary
misanthropes gave vent to his feelings in
some strong language yesterday. 1t should
be stated. before repeating his words, that
he did not know g. single member of the
club or else he would not have thought
as he did. However, this is what he said:
There has been much said about the de-
generates of the present age, and here is
an instance right at home. One of the
Sienkewicz's novel, "Quo Vadis,'' a work
which gives most graphic description of
Nero's bacchanal orgies. And this club
has quite capped the climax by having a
banquet at the Bates House,
HOW 1T WAS SELECTED.
A stranger might think there is something
in this Islander, but the facts show that it
is utterly uncalled for. The society people
of this city and particularly the members
of the Quo Vadis Club, are beyond the
reach Of innuendo They may have adopted
a name that might seem strange to few
rank outsiders, but only those who forget
the motto, Evil be to him VINO evil thinks, -
can find anything in the name to sharpen
the tongue Of gossip. A Journal reporter
took occasion to interview several of the
members of the club, and can state au-
thoritatively that the name was adopted
without its recalling to any ones mind that
it was the title of a novel; The lady who
proposed it had heard it or saw it in print.
and, being lover of beautiful phrases, had
remembered it. The club, recognizing a good
thing, Immediately appropriated it. THE
NAME" said one of the members, lis not
the exclusive property of any author 1t is
a Latin phrase, and what need we care
whether Sienkiewicz has used it or not?"
However, the members of the club are said
to be busy now reading the book.
Whether the name will be changed de-
Ponds. Society may come to a decision that
Quo VadiS is an erotic work, and it may
not. There is wide room for discussion on
this point. The book much resembles the
church people attended that play in great
numbers last week, they may see in Quo
VadiS" nothing save what is pure, eleVat-
ing and christianizing.
This article can be aptly closed by quoting
what one member of the club said yester-
day. Whatever can be said about our
club" said he, "the Quo Vadis, or, to in
terpret, the Go Whittier Club, does not go
whittier the free Inch is, but rather it
goeth whittier the Bates House menu is to