The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1908-07-03
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THE WHALES BANQUET.
Story of an interesting Social Func-
ton of the Sea.

How the pillows are rolling to-
night" said Mrs. Pickerel.
THE Stormy Petrol is taking his
revenge for the slight given his fam
IL" replied Mrs. Pike.
Il wonder If this will interfere with
The Whales carnival?"
hope not, for we are all ready,
sthe disappointment would be
st."
But / heard Mr. Whale spouting
all he was worth this morning be-
cause the Sword Fishes had been in
Fited."
What objection should he have to
the keen-witted Sword Fishes, when
ne himself invited the Goldfish aris-
tocracy?" Indignantly replied Mrs.
Pike.
They claim the distinction of de-
scending from the family King Fish,
and the ancient Indian Saw FISH" said
The demure little Miss Perch, who
had been quietly listening to the
squabble.
THE Devil Fish, more likely" re-
torted Miss Shell Fish.
Count Oyster remarked the other
evening"" whispered Mrs. Bass to Mrs
Pickerel, "thst Mrs. Blue Fish and
her family were of the Gold Fish arts
tocracy"
20, yes" rejoined Mrs. Mackerel,
and they only succeeded in securing
An invitation to the Whales reception
by reason of their children attending
school. You no doubt have heard Of
the great School of Whales?"
20, yes; my children attended the
Whale School, replied Mrs. Bass.
Mrs. Sturgeon rushed in, exclaim-
ing: THE Sea Horses are ready"
What a primitive way to go to the
great ball of the Whales" said Mrs.
Stickleback. The Walrus family is
going by cable, but 1 suppose we
should be pleased to get there any
way"
When they arrived at the gorgeous
submarine palace of the Zeophites,
where the Whales were holding their
wonderful reception, they beheld
scene that dazzled the eye.
The brilliant Chetoclors and Bales
TINA, the beauties of the tropical zone,
were receiving with the host, while
King Grab and the Butterflies of the
ocean held forth with the luminous
Pholodes and the Shark. The Elec-
trio Eel and Phosphorescent Agar
added to the brilliancy of the scene
During the night of the festivities
Count Oyster invited the hosts daugh-
ter to take a stroll through Oyster
Park. There he presented her with
beautiful pearl. Miss Whale was
cverjoyed; but the act caused a feel
ing of jealousy in the Fish family
They resented the attentions of the
count, and the way he monopolized
the belle of the evening
The Annelides. Sea Snails and Star
Fishes were sworn enemies of the
Oyster family and succeeded in draw
ing his fair companion away.
There ensued battle never to be
forgotten. Count Oyster met death
bravely. The news of the tragedy
spread rapidly through the banquet
hall, and instantly the festivities
ceased.
The Sea Fish and Sword Fish family
attacked the host and hostess, who
were trying to throw oil on the trou-
bled waters
King Crab, followed by the Pixies,
Pickerels and Mackerels, made their
escape, as did the celebrated Fish
family. The only one left to witness
the affair was Mrs Stickleback.
She, with her hostess, stood talking
to Miss Perch when the trouble start
ed. Miss Perch slipped in with the
Pixies, but poor little Mrs Stickleback
crawled into a crevice and remained
there till chance came to escape.
Mrs. Stickleback returned home sat
isfied with her means of conveyance,
and vowed never more to leave the
dwelling place Of her ancestors among
the seaweed.
To-day the Stickleback family can
be seen ruling over the sea grass and
vegetation of the ocean If you are
near the shore at the close of day,
listen attentively and you can hear
a. whizzing, and see the sea grasses
moving.
1t is the time when the elder Sickle
backs are relating the story of Mrs.
Stickleback's remarkable escape from
that famous Whales banquet-Cor-
nelia Gaffney, in Boston Globe.