St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-12-19

mont, !. E. Ripley, of Burlington; vice
president for New Hampshire, ]. E.
Robinson, of Concord; vice president for
Massachusetts,, 0. H. Dickinson, of
Springfield vice president for Maine, 0.
r. Bean, of Lewiston; vice-president for
Connecticut, W. H. Wright, of Glatson-
bury; vice-president for Rhode Island,
H. c. Rawson, of Abbott Run.
Promptly at $50 Landlord Hale an
nounced the banquet and the following
appetizing menu was thoroughly enjoyed
by the rs guests:
Oyster Cocktail
Cream of Chicken
Boiled Rock Cod Egg Sauce
Parisienne Potatoes
Steamed Wild Turkey, Oyster Sauce
Roast Venison, Cider Jelly
Mashed Potatoes Early June Peas
Fat Mems Ice
Pigeon Pie
Vegetable Salad
Vanilla Ice Cream Fruit Jelly
Fruit Assorted Cake
Roquefort and Dairy Cheese
Coffee Cigars
Madam Brooks orchestra furnished
music throughout the banquet and gave
fine concert program. Every number
elected an encore and after the banquet
was over the orchestra favored the
guests with another concert and received
words of praise on all sides for their
artistic work.
In the absence of Representative Finn,
who was detained at Montpelier by
legislative duties, Arthur F. Stone Off
ciated as POSTMASTER. These responses
were given: Vermont, ex-Gov. Charles
]. Bell; "Our Club and It's History"
Jerome F. Hale, of Wells River; "Our
Club and It's Mission, ]. E. Robinson.
of Concord; "Our Club Intellectually
and Physically" Rev. ]. E. Belanger,
Wells River; 1.-TWO Banquets," poem,
James E. Ripley, of Burlington; "Our
Host and Hostess" President Wilkie;
"The Ladies" B. M. Wentworth, of
Somersworth, n H.
The retiring president read letters of
regret from Col. c. W. Scarf of Burling-
ton, who contributed a poem, c. K.
Manning of Worcester and a letter from
]. H. Hammond of Seattle. The latter
wanted to join the club and contributed
a very humorous epistle on fat men in
general and fat mems clubs in particular.
InIthe course of Mr.. Hale's remarks he
said in the II years that he had been the
landlord of Hale's Tavern there had been
94,8S1 guests and that when the hotel
register showed that the 100, 000th guest
had arrived that fortunate person
would receive box of cigars if he was a
man and some long gloves if lady. He
then added that a member of the Fat
Mems Club was the lucky man and on
today's register was the name of DR..
Eastman of Woodsville. The announce
ment of this gift was received with APP
plause.
The literary feature of the evening was
Mr.. Rpley's poem which is here given:
Centuries ago a King stood,
In banquet room,
Where the air was filled
With sweet perfume.
Golden bowls and tankards were there
OF antique mould
Filled with strong red wine,
OF vintage rare and old.
| The King stretched forth jeweled hand,
| And said, All things now are at my com
| lmand
am your King of great repute.
My VIII on earth is absolute"
Then he raised his eyes,
And overlooked his listeners all,
And 10! there were the fingers of hand,
Writing on the distant wall.
Then was the King Mortified,
For moment he stood dismayed
Then sank down helpless,
And was sore afraid.
He feebly called for his wise men,
To interpret the meaning of the word.
At last they could only tell him.
| 1t was an unknown message from tn
Lord
Then he sent for Gods prophet,
| He was poor and by the King despised
The King said, TEL me the meaning
My gift, a scarlet robe, and thou shalt no
Lbe criticised.
Then spake the prophets:
Take thy gifts unto thyself, o King,
Yet tell unto you the meaning,
of this dreadful thing"
Thy Kingdom and thy Majesty,
Unto thee was given,
And thou hast lifted up myself
Against the Lord of Heaven"
g Behold the end of a worthless reign,
There is no recanting.
Thou art weighed in the balance of Omnipo
And found wanting"
From this hour thy kingdom,
Shall divided be,
And soon thou must appear before thy God
In eternity"
How different this gathering here,
Where fellowship and heavyweight appear
We gladly leave the history of ancient day,
To enjoy our banquet this better way
The history of the selfish King,
Is lesson. when fully learned
A life membership in this association,
We shall have nobly earned.