The Beano
duties, which was accorded with acclamation. A collection was made for the waiters and the three waitresses, which amounted to eleven shillings, for which the host returned thanks on behalf of the recipients, who were all smiles.
Then Mr Rushton requested the landlord to serve drinks and cigars all round. Some had cigarettes and the teetotallers had lemonade or ginger beer. Those who did not smoke themselves took the cigar all the same and gave it to someone else who did. When all were supplied there suddenly arose loud cries of 'Order!' and it was seen that Hunter was upon his feet.
As soon as silence was obtained Misery said that he believed that everyone there present would agree with him when he said that they should not let that occasion pass without drinking the 'ealth of their esteemed and respected employer, Mr Rushton (hear, hear!). Some of them had worked for Mr Rushton hon and hoff for many years, and as far as they was concerned it was not necessary for him (Hunter) to say much in praise of Mr Rushton (hear, hear!). They knew Mr Rushton as well as he did himself, and to know him was to esteem him (cheers). As for the new hands, although they did not know Mr Rushton as well as the old hands did, he felt sure that they would agree as no one could wish for a better master (loud applause). He had much pleasure in asking them to drink Mr Rushton's 'ealth.
Everyone rose.
'Musical honours, chaps,' shouted Crass, waving his glass and leading off the singing, which was immediately joined in with great enthusiasm by most of the men, the Semi-Drunk conducting the music with a table knife:
'For he's a jolly good fellow,
For he's a jolly good fellow,
For he's a jolly good fell-ell-o
And so say all of us.
So 'ip, 'ip, 'ip 'ooray!
So 'ip, 'ip, 'ip 'ooray!
For 'e's a jolly good fellow,
For 'e's a jolly good fellow,
For 'e's a jolly good fel-ell-o
And so say all of us.'
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