The Detroit times., 1910-05-19

few drinks. Those who were glad the
world didn't come TO an end cele-
brated likewise. And those who had
the hardihood TO pass up both excuses
simply couldn resist a chance 10
sneeze TO bar-boy that he wanted
"syzygy" cocktail. There were GER
tainiy- Some tall downings In New
York in the wee sma' hours OF today,
while the earth was supposed to De
plunging recklessly through the tail
OF Mr.. Haliey's comet. New Year
eve was outdone In the reyelry Of the
cometites.
Some OF our leading souses celebra.'
ed joyously. some tearfully; 1t was
simply the way a syZygy cocktail or
cyanogen highball affected the par
ticular inebriate.
New Workers. had been told they
couldn't see the comet; not even get
a glimpse of its gaseous tail But a
little thing like that couldn't prevent
them from having a party. They had
several parties. Every hotel roof was
packed with parties. Every fiat build.
ing roof was crowded with young
spooning couples.
II was funny the number OF people
wiz III tutlObcu lOuSNVi
palaces TO. see the comet" Men In
evening dress and the women in gowns
as fllmy as The comets tail were all
members of the Excuse Club" Even
Brooklyn, which usually retires at 8
o'clock, Joined with the outfit
The Manhattan hotel had a fifteen
foot telescope for the benefit OF its
guests and tables loaded with eats
and drink. The Waldorf Astoria, too,
had telescope and a lot OF amateur
astronomers-who didn't see the
comet. The Plaza roof was loaded
with diners. All the hotels served
coffee and tea-and other things-to
keep their guests from becoming
chilled.
A special comet dinner was served
In the rooms OF the Italian National
club. There were dishes "A la comet"
and other things, and then the
guests climbed TO the roof to see what
they could. They had an excellent
view of the sky. The comet was visi-
BILE In Japan only.
The Hotel Savoy roof held many
comet parties. while in one of the
dining rooms OF the Gotham, Capt
Gilbert Cotton, U. s. A., retired, en-.
tertained 100 guests at a comet din
ner.
The Hotel Buckingham roof was
crowded with guests who had an I'M
impaired view OF the sky, but not OF
the comet. Uncle Joe Cannon knew
he couldn't see the comet, but he led
90 Of the delegates 10 the National
Association of Manufacturers from
the banquet table TO the roof OF the
Waldorf II is reported Uncle Joe ex-
pressed regrets that he had not a few
OF the insurgent leaders there to
throw of
Riverside Drive was alive with star
gazers all night, and the Keep off
the grass" signs were totally disre-
garded.
Edward Walsh. a coachman, and
William Meehan, a contractor, placed
six beer bottles end to end and wrap
ped them in black pasteboard, mount
ing the whole thing on a tripod. which
resembled a telescope They set up
their 'phony" at Third-ave., and Fifty
first-st., and alternately gazed at the
comet" They were so stingy. that
the impatient crowd gathered about
them and took the telescope" from
them. When the crowd discovered the
hoax the jokers had TO fee for their
lives. A waggish marine In the
Brooklyn navy yard turned a search
light skyward and the glare was TAX.
en- by thousands as the tail of the
comet. All in all II was some party"
The Excuse clubs secretary Is work
ing overtime enrolling new members.