The morning news., 1899-11-25
FIGHTING FITZGERALD.
How He Forced His way Into a
swell London Club.
From the New York Press.


membership in a certain swell club not far
from the heart of the city last week, and
/ his announced determination TO thrash the
chappies who cast the fatal spheres, re-
calls the time when Fighting F1tzgeraldp
was proposed at Brookes', one of Lon
don's famous ancient social institutions
This fellow, though nearly related 90 one
Of the first families in Ireland, and de-
scendant Of king, as all Fitzgeralds sup
pose themselves to be, was hanged for
murder. His duelling propensities had
kept him out of all the leading clubs but
finally he prevailed upon Admiral Keith
Stewart to propose him at Brookes'.
The Admiral, knowing that he must pro-
pose Fitzgerald or fight chose the former
alternative, and on tha night when the
ballot was to take place Fitz accompanied
him to the club, waiting in a room below
while the vote was taken. Each member
without fesita lion, threw in a black ball.
Then arose the all-important question
Which had the hardihood to announce the
result to Fitzgerald? No one volunteered
| for this Office, for the announcement was
thought sure to produce a challenge and
duel with F'itz had in most cases, been
fatal to ilis opponent.
The general opinion was that the pro-
poser should convey the intelligence, but
Admiral Stewart said: ''No. gentlemen,
| proposed the fellow because l knew YOU
would not admit him; but, by Jove, I have
no inclination to risk my life against that
of a madman." "But, Admiral" replied
the grandfather of the present Duke Of
DeVonshire, there being no white ball in
the box he must know that you have
blackballed him as well as the rest, and he
I - coll ~
posed the Admiral, who finally sent word
by Brookes himself that one black ball had
been cast against Fitzgerald, and that IL
| he wished 1t his name would be put up
again.
Meanwhile, Fitzgerald had frequently
rung the beH to inquire the state Of the
poll" and had sent each waiter to ascer-
tain. but none dared return. Brookes bold
ly entered the room. Ibid you call for
coffee, sir2" Damn your coffee. sirl and
you, tool" answered F'itz In a voice that
caused the proprietors blood to run cold
IL want to know sir, and that without
one moments delay If l am chosen YETI"
Brooks stammered: "Oh-er--I was just
coming to announce, sir, with the Admir-
ais compliments, that-er-that there was
one black ball--er-cast against you, sir,
and that under the rules, sir, no candidate
can be admitted without new election,
which, sir, cannot lake place until one
month from this time, sir"
my dear Brookes," said the duellist,
molliied, II am chose, but there must be
a small matter of mistake in my election .
He then required Brookes TO go upstairs
and say to the gentlemen that as there
was a mistake of only one black ball, they
would profeed to waive all ceremony on
that accodnt and re-elect their humble
servant without any more delay at ALL
Many of the members We're panic struck,
but the Duke of Queensberry said: TRY
| the effect of two balls; damn his Irish
! impudence If two won't take effect on
him ] don't know what will" This being
agreed to, Brookes was sent down with
the message.
Have they elected me right now. Mr.
Brookes?" Fitzgerald eagerly inquired
! The reply was: Sorry TO inform you, sir,
| that the result Of the second balloting is
that two black balls were dropped,
sir" Then there's now two mistakes
| instead of one. Go upstairs and tell the
! honorable gentleman to try again and
make no more mistakes" Gen. Fltzpat-
rick proposed that Broolxes should carry
back this message, Mr.. Fitzgerald is
black baled all over. from head to- foot
and it was hoped by members that the
candidate would not persist in thrusting
! himself into society where his company
was declined" No sooner had Fitzgerald
heard it than he said: "Oh, 1 perceive
that II Is a mistake altogether Mr.
| Brookes, and l must see to the rectify-
ing of il myself. There's nothing like dali
ing with principals; so I'll step up at once
and put this thing 10 rights without any
more delay at ALL"
! In spite of an rule and etiquette Fitz-
gerald flew up stairs and entered the room
without more ceremony than a low bow
saying, Your servant, gentlemen: / beg
we will be ated." He thus addressed Adj
miral Stewart: 80, my dear Admiral Mr.
lr.sgsf inf cf,aa flaaN 7
ed three times" You nave been balloted
for, Mr.. Fitzgerald, but 1 am sorry to say
you have not been chosen" replied Stew
art. "Dd you blackball me?" INQUIRED
the duellist. My coed sir" returned the
Admiral, how c5u d you suppose such a
/ thing?" Oh, l suppos5 no such III ng
my dear fellow; l only wanted 10 know
who dropped the back balls in by aeci-
dent, as it were" Fitzgerald now went up
to each member and put The same ques-
tion, seliadm-'Did YOU backball me?"
until he had made the round of the whole
club in each case receiving a reply similar
u that Of the Admiral.
Having finished his inqulsition, Fitz-
gerald thus addressed the whole body;
You see, gentlemen, that as none of We
have black-balled me, 1 must be chose.
and ii IS Mr.. Brooches that has made the
! mistake" He then desired a walter 20
bring bottle of champa gne in order that
he might drink long life to the club and
wish it joy f tie un8n,mous election Of a
"raeI gentleman by father and mother.
and who never missed his man." Admiral
Stewart slipped out as soon as possible,
ard the members formed themselves into
card parties. leaving Fitzgerald out by
tacit agreement No one replied his obser-
Vations, nor even nodded 10 the toas s and
| healths which ne drank in three bottles
OF champagne which the terrified
waiter placed before him In sue
cession. At last he took his
leave promis .ng to come earlier next
night and have a httle more Of H." A cor
don of Police was On hand the following
evening, but Fizgerald must have heen
tipped off, as he never showed himself at
BroolAes, main LLoneh he hna SOD ..,.or..-