Douglas Island news., 1900-11-21
THE BANQUET.
THE MEMBERS OF THE DOUGLAS ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ENJOY A
 SoCIABLE EVENING.

LaSJ pFludy eNSulLS "ds JAoO AlhS
 other evenings in many respects, but
 Odd Fellows Hall was the scene of an
 entertainment that was q departure
 from anything ever attempted in this
 city before. The Douglas Island Cham
 Der of Commerce did on that occasion
 lay aside all business cares. It was a time of merriment and good fellowship
 and no thought of a dismal care cloud
 ed the joyous skies. The members of the committee had done their duty and
 promptly at 9;30 the board was filled.
 And then the fun began. A dignified
 and austere Judge whose eyes had
 caught the array of good things and
 whose nostris enhaled the aroma from
 the kitchen, attempted to invoke a
 blessing. CIasping his hands around
 an imaginary extension of his dinner
 basket he let one of his eyes roll to the ceiling while the other remained glued to the catsup bottle, and began: "Oh Lord, we thank Thee for capacity of enjoyment"-and then he broke down, and that part of the ceremony had to be dispensed with.
 A cheery waiter came tripping in with bivalves stewed, and the Irishman near the end Of the table, waiving all cere- mony, seized a large spoon and consum- ed two bowls of the delicious fluid in exactly three seconds. The astonished waiter suggested "Coffee?" ''Nom "Water?" "No-I never drink" "Must have juicy mouth" came the quick reply. It was case of Greek meeting Greek.
 After this Aggression silence reigned for fully half an hour, broken only by the chatter of knives and forks. Sud denly gurgling, choking sound star tied the assembly. It was found that Skookum Gus, the butcher, had been endeavoring to outdo the lrishman and in his haste had neglected to separate the bones from the meat. Some one called frantieally for democratic screw driver. Several were immedi- ately produced. A bottle of medicine was selected from the many which orn amented the table and the sufferer was relieved. But the disease was conta- geous and before the evening was over the supply of medicine was we'll nigh exhausted The Third street market man, with the name of distinguished | statesman disguised with an Irish pre- fix and young Fox became involved in a disgracefuI struggle for a wish bone. A reciprocity plank was added to their platform and peace reigned.
 One gentleman was asked by friend, | how he was getting along. "Oh," said | be, with satisfied grunt, q am not getting long, am getting wide"
 A speech was called for and, begin ming with Mir. A. Murray, who started in with "reminiscences, of pioneer days, each one present contributed to the general enjoyment. One speaker, whose name we will not mention, became so eloquent that two members fell back ward on the floor in amazement.
 Now some of our readers may think from the above that spirit of boyish- ness prevailed; we only mention these incidents out of many that transpired l to show the happy atmosphere that fill ed the banquet hall.
 After the interesting anecdotes of ] early days on Douglas Island, the flu ture prospects of Douglas, its resources, location and ultimate occupied the time until late, or rather an early, hour.
 After marching seven times around the then denuded table, and singing a medly of songs which sounded like or God Save the Queen, the members wended their way home to tell their wives what good time they had.
 The Douglas Island Chamber of Com merce will never regret that they ban quoted on this evening, and a new inn petus is added to their work. And we can say that the next year will bring many good results. Each and every cit izens, who is interested in Douglas Is land should become a member The needs your help and you need the help md influence of this little or ganization.
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