The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1911-08-10
BULLIED THE CLUB
4 London Duelist Who Forced His
Way Into Brooks.
VETOED HIS OWN REJECTION.

VETOED HIS OWN REJECTION.
Aseer Havine Been ealietsd For and
Unanimously elaekballsd He Made
Every Member Deny His Vote and
Thsn Declared Himself Elected.
1t was a witty bishop who once de-
fined a club a. a place where women
cease from troubling and the weary
are at rest" Another amusing detini.
ton was that given by George Au-
gustus Sala. "A club" said he. ''is
weapon used by savages to keep the
white woman at a distance" Nova
days. however. as Ralph Nevill re-
marks In his book. London Clubs.
things are different. within the last
twenty five years or so the spirit Of
London club life has entirely changed.
The old fashioned clubman. whose
whole life was bound up with one or
other Of these institutions. is now
practically extinct"
Perhaps the most striking story
which Mr.. Nevill tells regarding
Brooks club Is that concerning the
famous duelist. George Robert Fitz-
gerald. who was executed for murder
In 1856 No 6rst class London club
would admit him. His name does not
appear in the club list. though he must
In sort Of way he regarded rs having
| belonged to the clnb He was. how
ever. in It only once. though It was his
boast that he had been unanimously
chosen member.
Owing to Fitzgernld's well known
dueiIng pfopensities no firs' class
Loutlon club would admit him Never
thcipss be got Admiral Keith Stewart.
who knew that he must fight F'itZ-
gerald or comply. to propose him for
Brooks.
Accordingly the duelist went with
the admiral on the day Of the election
to the clubhouse and waited down.
stairs while. the ballot was In progress.
The result. - fOregone conclusion.
was unfavorable TO the candidate. not
even one white ball being among the
black. the admiral having been among
the drst to deposit his. Mr.. Brooks
eventually went to tell Fitzgerald. WI"
was waiting In he hall. that there
was one black hall md that therefore
bis candidature had failed.
Thrusting aside Brooks. who pro-
tested that DonmemiRrs might not en-
ter the clubrooms. Fitzgerald flew up
stairs aud entered The room Walk
Ing up to the fireplace. he thus ;ld
dressed Admiral Stewart.
80, my dear admiral. Mr.. Br"aks in
forms me that l have bee, elected
three times"
You have been baIlotcd for. Mr.
Fitzgerald. but ! am sorry To say y"u
, have not been chosen" said Stewart.
"Well. then" replied the duelis'. ibid
, you blackball me?"
my good sir" answered the admiral
how could you suppose such thing!'
"Oh. l supposed no such thing. my
dear fellow. only want to know whe
. It was that dropped the black ball In
BY accident. as 1t were"
. l EVVZEer0lU UOW Wcui up ~ VuNu sAA
!. diyidual member and put the same
question to all In turn. did you black
;, ball me, sir?" until he made the roune
!, Of the whole club. and In each case ~
. received a reply similar to that OF tn
i, admiral
N When be had finished his investiga
=. lions he thus addressed the who'll
:. body: "You see. gentlemen. that a
10 none of you have blaekballed me
r. must be. elected. 1t is Mr.. Brooks VIII
~ has made the mistake"
o. After this nothing more was said b
II the members. who determined to l;
r more the presence Of their dangerou
Il visitor. who drank three bottles
r. champagne in enforced silence. for
Is one would answer him when he sl'ok
e. When be had gone 1t was agree
~ ..that half dozen stout constable
should be In waiting the next evefiI
in to bear him OF to the watch house
~ he attempted again to intrude. b.
yc Mr. Fitzgerald. aware probably OF II
ny reception he might get. never did
ed Apropos Of blackballing. Mr. Ney
ile mentions the greatest instance
ed blackbaliiny probably ever know
10, which took place some years ago at
.es ladies' club. where one candidate
m ceived three more black balls than
lat number Of members present-a ca
nd Of excessive real indeed:
me The practical joker is naturally
emf unknown In the most solemn Of clu
ars and .'some irrepressible iokers hi;
Irs paid for their love of fun by havl
in tc resign their membership One
ace them. whose escapades were noiori'
are In Loudon twenty years ago. slit
.or half asleep In a certain bohem
Of club became annoyed at very
dis headed waiter who kept bnzzing nh
cul his chair The sight Of the tery 10
9TH was eventually too much for =
BILE wild spirit. and. darling up and
zap ing the man. be emptied n bottle
ully black ink over his head before
age. could e~rnpe. The result. Of con
l is was expulsion from the clnb. i"'s
MT which very substantial cumpens;l
was rightly paid to the waiter"
Bir- Sauce.
per- THE impotence Of that young br
E Of er Of mine" exclaimed Mrs Nar
ense .He Just told me was no chit
the when ! married you"