The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-25
PROPER MEN AS EVER TRoD.
by EDITH LANIGAN.

Copyright, 1909 by Edith LanIgan.
The Vandals was a club for men who
had nothing to do and penty of time and
money TO do It, To belong to il was all
most as difficult as to see the Indian wo-
man behind the screen. First. one must
have done something 10 earn admission
written a book, or a play, or explored, or
hunted In dark lands, or been prominent
in politics. or something that showed one
was not the common run; and next, one
must be brave enough 10 admire IN ones
own way, not to groyel before something
one heard was great unsess one felt It was
really so. One must have the strength 10
stand by the right In art or politics. no
maj ter If it were unpopular ana held up to
FidicuIe. One must demand purity In every
thing; set high standard ana never low
The membership Of this club was limited
TO 1ifty ana to become a member required
a unanimous vote. Many OF the clubs fol-
lowers Were scattered over the globe, and
an applicant was kept waiting untl votes
came IN from Alaska and Egypt and India,
or wherever q Nandai might happen TO be-
The members were all bachelors and upon
marriage were forced 10 resign Not that
the club discouraged matrimony, far from
il; indeed, II was a common story how
one OF It's members having eloped, brought
his iiancee 10 the club, ana they were mar
red then and there, and having In his
haste not provided himself with money, the
groom was sent on his wedding trip with
purse filled with contributions from the
club. The club turned out en- masse for the
wedding of any one OF their number, ana
with the same breath that deplored its
loss, wished the groom joy.
II a man were so fortunate as TO OBJ
tain the forty-nine yotes--for there was
never more than one vacancy--and became
Initiated into this IDEAL club, his happiness
was assured All that was demanded was
that every member should be present az
the biennial dinner; 1t kepi them in touch
and was besides an institution OF he
club To it gathered all the clubs sons,
keen-eyed politicians from Vienna Lon
Con and Washington, broWn-skinned
hunters from Africa and India, stolid ex-
porers from the far North, giib-tongued
novelists from New York and Paris, nerv-
Gus, high-strung actors, or again, men
VINO were busy doing nothing.
Once every two years they came to-
eether and discussed subjects dear TO all.
After the evening had nassed and be-
fore the members dispersed, al gathered
in the library and silence reigned, as the
Chief VandaI produced a silver loYing-cup,
and filing il said soiemnly: The Vandals
here assembled, do promise, upon their
honor to assist each other in every trial,
perpiexiiy or trouble. We shall be closer
than friends have ever been before, most
,of us have been tried ana tested. our
llanection shall pass the love OF brothers
l Drink" AS each members drank the
toast he pledged himself anew IN his de-
yOtion to his brother members.
great man, so Is the Car OF Russia, but
IN the eyes of the Nandals their CHIEF sur
passed any dlgnitary on earth. TO be a
Vandal was a great thing; 70 BE- Chief
Vaudai, "a term that lasted during mem-
bership, was the highest honor one could
AZ his time The Chief Vandal was Phil
isanav Derric of Maryland. He was dis
tingulshcd inasmuch as he had been sent
twice 10 the Senate and was considered
mo host orator in tie United States.
philisamay was adOred by the Nandals;
thew fairly made a god out Of him. He
vas honest sincere, enthusiastic. patient
~ stupld.ty, and tolerant OF c.everness.
lie had been Chief Yandai for eight years
and no Vandal Chief had ever been 30
nopular and now-now. Il was whispered
ihsf he had become engaged.
re had spent the summer In Brittany,
where ne had met some people and where
he had paid much attention 20 a certain
Icuqenie Hughlet, a young girl from New
9rleans Of good family and standing. True
M Enhancement had not been announced
az yef Dut-well, u was worth while 10
have ones congratulations ready.
Eugene once seen was some hing not
soon 10 be forgotten. Her debut created
a fiirore through The South, her winter
In New York had heen much that OF q
Princess in a most loyal city. Her por
trait was exhibited in ali picture galleries.
ii showed tall, thin girl, with masses Of