The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-02-12

about Mrs. Rowser-but. all things coy
siGeied, lie got through very wei.
There were no roars Of laughter. All
o him was silence and dignity.
The Gay Old Boys have never yet for
gotten what is due t. themselves.
Mr.. Bo"se was then posed on Il
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 at him. He OBJ
jected at first. but finally announced
that he would go through with it to
spite Mrs. Bowser.
"He was then draped as Napoleon
n was given a glass of sour butter
milk to drink. He drank it off with
the observation that there were no flies
on him.
"He was then seated on the keg.
with each bare foot in a 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-seven different express
sions Of countenance, but he finally
struck the right II at last and held
1t liz a conquerVr. There was no
cheering, however. The Gay Old Boys
never cheer. They show their appre-
citation by their dignity and silence.
LAS 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
it by an imprisoned appeal that we
should not say anything to Mrs. Bow
ser. Upon being asked IL he was
afraid of her he denied that he was,
but explained that she had a 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 floor while
forty members marched over him. This
was to show 4 proper humiliation of
spirit. Each Of the forty halted for a
few seconds and stood on the candi-
dates stomach. Mr.. Bowser was about
to protest, but when told hat 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 a bottle
Of champagne placed before him. In a
few minutes and without any prompt
ing from Il member he arose and sang
Old Black joe 1t was a 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 lever 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 a second
quart Of champagne, but no remarks
were made. The Gay Old Boys never
remark.
1--WE We're about to sing Aud Lang
Syne' and dispense when Mr.. Bowser
rose up and said that he would like TO
put the gloves on with some one for a
couple of rounds.
1.-THE remark was laid On the table.
"'Then the newborn member an
bounced that he was the champion
runner of the United States and that
he would run any member Of the club
a distance of thirty miles for any
wager named.
1.-THE remark was laid under the ia
BILE.
"Mr. Bowser then asked the privilege
of making a few remarks on the death
Of Cicero, but the meeting adjourned
without listening to him, though not
before appointing two members to see
him home and unlock the front door.
That they did their b%rotherly duty by
him there is no for doubt. He
was received at the door by Mrs. Bow
ser, and as far as the members could
! satisfy themselves he was not dragged
upstairs feet first.
$50 far as this club is concerned, not
a word would have been said to the
outside world had not Mr.. Bowser, by
his explanations to Mrs. Bowser. forced
US into the attitude taken.
&c. QUILL,
Secretary Gay Old Boys Club"
Per NJ. Quad.