Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-16
BULLIED THE CLUB.
A London Duelist Who Forced His
Way Into Brooks.

fined club as a place where women
cease from troubling and the weary
are at rest" Another amusing detni-
ton was that given by George Au-
gustus Sala. "A club" said he. lis
weapon used by sayages TO keep the
white woman ut 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 1885. 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 having
belonged to the club. BE was. how
ever, in it only once. though it was his
boast that he had been unanimously
chosen a member.
Owing to Fitzgerald's we'll known
dueling propensities no first class
London club would admit him. Never
theless he got Admiral Keith Stewart.
who knew that he must fight Fitz-
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 Icing 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 candidature had failed.
Thrusting aside Brooks. who pro-
tested that nonmembers might not en-
! ter the clubrooms. Fitzgerald few up
stairs and entered the room. Walk
| ing up to the fireplace. he thus ad-
dressed Admiral Stewart
so, my dear admiral. Mr. Brooks in
forms me that l have been elected
three times"
"You have been balloted for. Mr..
Fitzgerald, but 1 am sorry to say you
have not been chosen" said Stewart.
well. then" replied the duelist, did
you blackball me?"
MY good sir answered the admiral,
how could you suppose such thing?"
"Oh. supposed no such thing, my
dear fellow. only want to know who
1t 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 black
ball me, sir?" until he made the round
Of the whole club and In each case he
received a 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 blackballed me l
must be elected. 1t is Mr.. Brooks who
has made the mistake"
After this nothing more was said by
the members. who determined to ig-
more 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 1t was agreed
that half a dozen stout constables
should be in waiting the next evening
to bear him off TO the watch house II
he attempted again to intrude. but
Mr. Fitzgerald aware probably of the
reception he might get, never did"
Apropos of blackballing. Mr.. Nevill
mentions the greatest instance of
blackballing ptobably ever known,
which took place some years ago at a
ladies' club. where one candidate re-
ceived three more black balls than the
number of members present-a case
of excessive zeal indeed.
The practical joker is naturally not
unknown in the most solemn of clubs
and some irrepressible jokers have
, paid for their love of fun by having
to resign their membership. One of
them. whose escapades were notorious
, in London twenty years ago, sitting
, half asleep in q certain bohemian
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. darling up and seiz