The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-02-06

about Mrs, Bcwser-but. all things con
sidAred, he got through very well
There were no roars OF laughter Al
about him was silence and dignity
The Gay Old Boys have never vet for
gotten what Is due to themselves.
"Mr. Bowser was then posed on q
beer keg standing ON end and was
draped as Julius Caesar, while -four
members Of the club. provided with
potatoes, retired to the other side Of
the hall and threw ut him, He OBJ,
jected at first but finally announced
that he would 80 through with It 70
spite Mrs, Bowser.
"He was then draped as Napoleon
and was given glass Of sour butter
milk to drink. He drank II or with
the observation that there were no flies
on him.
HE was then seated ON the keg,
with each bare foot in pail OF Ice
water, and told TO look like Washing"
ton crossing the Delaware. In the
course Of FIVE minutes Mr.. Bowser as.
sumed twenty different express
sions OF countenance, but be finally
struck the right one at last and held
1t like eonqueror. There was no
cheering, however, The Gay Old Boys
never cheer. They show their appre-
citation by their dignity and silence.
AS the next step Mr., Bowser was
asked to name three different school.
ma'ams he had fallen IN love with be-
fore he was twenty years old. He
promptly named seven, but followed
1t by an impassioned appeal that We
should not say anything to Mrs. Bow
ser. Upon being asked II he was
afraid Of her he denied that he was,
but explained that she had little
way of making him uncomfortable at
times.
las the last step In Mr.. Bowser's In
itiation he was required to lie at full
length on his back on the hoor while
forty members marched over him. This
was to show proper humiliation Of
spirit. Each Of the forty halted for
few seconds and stood on the candl-
dates stomach. Mr.. Bowser was about
to protest, but when told that James
X. Polk had submitted to the same
thing he remained silent.
Hailed as a Brother.
The initiation thus concluded, Mr..
Bowser was taken by the arms and
run four times around the room and
then hailed as a brother and bottle
of champagne placed before him. In u
few minutes and without any prompt
ing from a member he arose and sang
Old Black joe 1t was different
Old Black joe from any that We had
ever heard. and 1t was somewhat
mixed with Annie Laurie and John
Brown, but no criticisms were made.
The Gay Old Boys never criticise.
"a few minutes later Mr.. Bowser
asked permission to deliver an Grafton
In Latin. He was not encouraged and
not refused, and he went ahead. In
delivering his Grafton the name of Mrs
Bowser was frequently used, but We
could not exactly make out what he
was driving at. The Gay Old Boys
never interfere In family matters.
ut was noticed in a casual way that
Mr.. Bowser had got hold of second
quart of champagne, but no remarks
were made. The Gay Old Boys never
I'VE were about to sing Aud Lang
Syne' and disperse when Mr.. Bowser
rose up and said that he would like to
put the gloves on with some one for
couple Of rounds.
The remark was laid on the. table.
Then the newborn member an
lounced that he was the champion
runner of the United States and that
he would run any member Of the club
/ distance of thirty miles for any
wager named.
THE remark was laid under the Ia
ole.
Mr. Bowser then asked the privilege
If making a few remarks on the death
of Cicero, but the meeting adjourned
listening to him. though not
before appointing two members to see
aim home and unlock the front door.
That they did their hrotherly duty by
lim there is no cause for doubt. He
was received at the door by Mrs. Bow.
Ter, and as far as the members could
satisfy themselves he was not dragged
lpstairs feet first.
$50 far as this club is concerned, not
/ word would have been said to the
outside world had not Mr.. Bowser, by
lis explanations to Mrs. Bowser, forced
is into the attitude taken.
sc. QUILL,
Secretary Gay Old Boys Club"
Per NJ. Quad.