The Washingtonian., 1845-09-27
POPULAR sELEcTIoNs.
From grave 10 gay, from lively to severe
.... From The Western Cataract.
THE LANDLORDS PET.
I BY O. W. BuSfAY.

.H.## \ E - u hF A
able watering place, not long since, when a
smiling faced landlord, with his thumbs in h,s
vest pockets and shabby hat slouched over
his eyes, was walking up anddown on piazza
in front Of a respectable and commodious hotel
He was whisting tune for his own amuse.
ment, and gazing with apparent nonchalance
at train Of cars that had just arrived, Direct
" opposite was magnificent rum-palace, fur
nished in princely style. The floors were COW
cred with rich carpets, the walls ornalnented
with costly portraits, and the rooms supplied
with splendid furniture. In large front room,
behind mahogany counter, in all the pomp Of
piglny grandeur, stood a bustling fellow with
his sleeves rolled up and his hair brushed
smooth as the wing Of bird. He was mixing
ioddy, making mint julips, preparing stone
fence, and putting strong sticks into the gentler
drinks Of those who had just commenced their
apprenticeship to intemperance. .r sa,,.ga ~
."There,"' said the good looking and good
natured landlord, I" that pale faced man in black
made an elegant temperance speech in neigh
boring town the other night; | listened with
intense pleasure to his appropriate remarks,
but his practice quarrels with his profession.
He frequently visits this place, and be knows
that keep Temperance House. but he pat.
ronzes the liquor-selling establishment, and
turns cold shoulder on my house" ..f,. ar
That man." continued the talkalive land
lord, ".who looks as lean as an Arab, and almost
as dark, came here for the benefit Of bis health,
and he. expects tocure himself BY looking at
the water and drinking brandy. That plain
but intellectual man conversing witt. group
!, of poiticianson the corner yonder, is member
of Congress J; he always makes my house his
home, when business Or pleasure calls him to
this section Of The country. The man who is
saving and splitting wood for me came to this
town " th an ample fortune few years since,
but he soon squandered it by drinking and
gambling in that gold pastered railcar to ruin
By the bye, 1 must tell you how became a
teetoaller." 0 D~ @T ".=H "r,Ea3AAt@
"It will afford me pleaaure to hear your
story" was my responses. <a ~ t|
"WeIl," said he, 81 never attended a tenn
perance meeting, until after had signed the
pledge kept tavern for several years, and
was constant consumer at my own bar. One
| night went to bed drunk, as usual. Well,
early in the morning that little haired
b,y bounded from his trundle. bed, and ran into
my room, shouting-'I signed the pledge last
night, pa! signed the pledge last night, pal.
His eyes were bright as stars, and the tinge Of
health was on his cheek, and the tones of his
voice clear and rich as the tonea of bird,
whilst my voice was husky, my mouth filled
with cobwebs my eyes spotted with blood, and
my head appeared as light and large and hollow
as drum. crawled from my couch, put on
my clothes, walked down stairs, and ordered
| he bartender 10 plug up the kegs and barrels
and turn them out of the house. Poor Bill
thought | was crazy, and at first refused to
comply with my request. He inquired if |
was i'll, and have no doubt he began to think
about shaving heads, fixing on straight jacket,
and preparing room in a lunatic asylum. In
fact, he did not hesitate to ask me il was mad.
told him no, but that if went TO the poor
house would 60 sober; that my child had
taught me lesson, and conscience was lashing
me with scorpion sings, and had determined
never to sell or use another drop Of fermented
or distilled liquor. was doing considerable
business, and had sent to the city of New York
for large supply Of liquors; countermanded
tie order Immediately, sacrificed most cheer
fully the liquors | had on hand, although
could i'll afford il, for was deeply involved in
pecuniary embarrassment and knew many Of
my friends would not only forsake me, but
those to whom was indebted would push me
for their dues. paced that room hour after
hour, exclaiming-" 60 to the poor-house,
will 90 sober. II | go to the poor-house, will
go sober!!' | met with opposition enough,
and had to run against wind and tide. What
cut me to the quick was, frequently temper
ance men would treat me with that cold indif.
ference which is but one step from contempt.
opened temperance house, waded through
the deep water that threatened to overwhelm
me--disentangled myself from my pecuniary
difficulties; temperance men of principle pat
ronized my house, and have been doing a
pleasant and profitable business ever since"
This man is proud Of his pledge, and prouder
If hie noble hov He Lepna mod fo m n~rance