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A very agreeable and kindly little man was "Ruffle-shirt" Tomlins so Fred said the sort of a little man whose philosophy of life was based on the possibility of catching more innocent, unwary flies with honey than he could with vinegar, and who, in consequence, always said nice things about everybody sometimes in a loud tone enough for everybody to hear.
The irreproachable, immaculate young person, with eyes half-closed, lying back in the arm-chair one which he had brought from his own room was "Ruffle-shirt" Tomlins. He was the only member who dressed every day for dinner, whether he was going out afterward or not spike-tailed coat, white tie and all.
This amendment being accepted, McFudd announced in a sepulchral tone that, owing to the severity of the calamity and to the peculiarly painful circumstances which surrounded their esteemed fellow-skylarker, the Honorable Sylvester Ruffle-shirt Tomlins, his fellow-members would wear crape on their left arms for thirty days.
Of this motley gathering "Ruffle-shirt" Tomlins, the swell; "Fog-horn" Cranch, the auctioneer; "Walrus" Waller, the sheep-painter; "My Lord" Cockburn, the Englishman; Fred Stone and Cornelius McFudd, not only occupied the bedrooms, but had seats at Miss Teetum's table, four flights below. Bianchi and the others were the guests of the evening.
This also was carried unanimously, every man except Ruffle-shirt Tomlins breaking out into the "Dead Man's Chorus" a song, McFudd explained, admirably fitted to the occasion. When the auspicious night arrived, the several dress-suits of the members were duly laid out on the piano and hung over the chairs, and each gentleman proceeded to array himself in costume befitting the occasion.
The lull before the hurricane the stagnation in commercial circles became so ominous that soon the outside members and guests of the club ceased coming, being diligently occupied in earning their bread, and then Simmons sent the piano home it had been loaned to him by reason of his profession and position and only Fog-horn Cranch, Waller, Fred, Oliver, and Ruffle-shirt Tomlins were left.
This was carried unanimously, and a committee of two, consisting of "Ruffle-shirt" Tomlins and Waller, were forthwith appointed to acquaint the said member, who stood three feet away, of his election, and to escort him to Tomlins's chair the largest and most imposing-looking one in the room.
Should more than two tickets be enclosed, Mrs. Van T. would, perhaps, invite. Mr. Ruffle-shirt Tomlins, or some other properly attired person, to accompany her never Miss Ann or the little hunchback, who dearly loved the play, but who could seldom afford to go never anybody, in fact, who wore plain clothes or looked a compromising acquaintance.
Men of a more flamboyant sort, such as M.W. Philips, contemning such "ruffle-shirt cant," would christen their strains with attractive names, publish their virtues as best they might, and offer their fancy seed for sale at fancy prices. Thus in 1837 the Twin-seed or Okra cotton was in vogue, selling at many places for five dollars a quart.
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