The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-07-24
DueIist Forced
 Himself On Club
 Despite vetoes

It was a witty bishop who once de- med a club as a place ''where women
 cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.'' Another amusing defi- hilton was that given by George Au- sustus Sala. "A club" said he, lis a weapon used by savages to keep the white woman at distance" Nova days, however, as Ralph Neyill 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 MT. Nevill tells regarding Brooks club is that concerning the famous duelist, George Robert Fitz- gerald, who was executed for murder in 1786. No first class London club would admit him. His name does not appear in the club list though he must In sort of way be regarded as hav- ing belonged to the club He was, however, in it only once, though it was his boast that he had been unani- mously chosen a member.
 Owing to Fftzgerald's we'll known dueling propensities no first class London club would admit him. Ney- ertheless he got Admiral Keith Stew art, who knew that he must fight Fitzgerald 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 pro- gress.
 The result, a foregone conclusion. was unfavorable to the candidate, not even one white ball being among the black, the admiral having been among the first to deposit his. Mr. Brooks eventually went to tell Fitzgerald, who was waiting in the hall, that there was one black ball and that therefore his candidatdre had failed.
 Thrusting aside Brooks who pro- tested that non mem bers might not enter the clubrooms, Fitzgerald flew upstairs and entered the room. Walk ing up to the fireplace, he thus ad- dressed Admiral Stewart.
 Sc, my dear admiral MT. Brooks informs me that I have been elected. three times.''
 You have been balloted for, MT Fitzgerald, but I am sorry to say you have not been chosen,'' said Stewart.
 Well. then,' replied the duelist, "did you blackball me?'
 My good sfr,'' answered the admir- al, how could you suppose such a thing?"
 "Oh, I supposed no such thing, my dear fellow. I only want to know who it was that dropped the black ball in by accident, as it were"
 Fitzgerald now went up to each in- dividual member and put the same question to all in turn. Did you blackball me, sir?" until he made the round of the whole club, and in each case he received reply similar to that of the admiral.
 When he had finished his investiga- tions he thus addressed the whole body: You see, gentlemen, that as none of you have. blakballed me l must be elected It is MT. Brooks who has made the mistake.''
 After this nothing more was said by the members, who determined to ignore the presence of their dangerous visitor, who drank three bottles of champagne in enforced silence, for no one would answer him when he spoke.
 When he had gone it was agreed that half dozen stout constables should be in waiting the next evening to bear him off to the watch house if he attempted again to intrude, hut MT Fitzgerald aware probably of the reception he might get, never did,
 Apropos of blackballing, MT. Nevill mentions the greatest instance of probably ever known | which took place some years ago at l a ladies' club. where one candidate received three more black balls than | the number of members present-a case of excessive zeal indeedi
 The practical joker is naturally not 1 unknown in the most solemn of clubs, 1 and "some irresponsible jokers have paid for their love of fun by having l to resign their membership. One of | them, whose escapades were notorious | in London twenty years ago, sitting | half asleep in certain bohemian l club, became annoyed at very red | headed waiter who kept buzzing about | his chair. The sight of the fiery locks | was eventually too much for this wild | spirit, and darting up and seizing the | man, he emptied a bottle of black ink | over his head before he could escape. l The result of course, was expulsion | from the club. besides which very compensation was rightly | paid to the waiter.''
 Roger Bresnahan smoked a Nugget while in town. a* |