Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-02-02

1 oHiy LWO mugs Oh cluer, AIDED TO he had
| taken with his dinner, farmer Williams COM
posed himself for his regular afternoons nap.
| His flushed face and hard breathing, told,
/ pretty plainly, that IN both eating and drink
ing the farmer had INDUCED rather freely
The afternoon nap occupied a couple of
hours; and it took half an hour, after sleep
had departed, for the farmer to get his eyes
fairly open, and throw off his sluggish feel
ings. He always wondered why he felt so
heavy after dinner; but it never occurred to
him that the two or three mugs of cider that
were poured down to dilute his food, might be
the real cause
Farmer Williams was industrious, prudent,
and In the judgment of his neighbors, very
temperate man. Of course, he was thrifty.
His lands, well TILED, yielded annually a rich
harvest, and he was becoming every year
better and better off in the world. But, there
was danger of all this prosperity being check
ed in its growth. The farmer had large or
chard of fire apples, and he had made good
deal of excellent cider, few barrels of the
best of which he always kept for his own USE
There was always large pitcher of this bev-
erage on The dinner table, and the farmer used
1t freely with his food. He drank mug of
cider at eleven o'clock; also with his pipe
after dinner; and before going to bed at night.
Regularly every day from a half gallon to
three quarts of cider found its way into the
stomach of the farmer. 1t was no wonder,
therefore, that those who saw the effects of
all this upon the farmer, began to prophecy
that he would go to the dogs, as they said.
Now we don't mean to say that farmer VIII
liams ever got tipsy, as it is called. That is,
ever drank SO freely as to stagger about, and
attract the attention of his neighbors. But no
man can drink as much cider every day as he
did, without its reddening his face, or bloat-
ing him up, or in some other way, showing
It's injurious effects upon his health. His
neighbors knew that he had good cider, and
that he drank of it freely, and when they saw
It's effect upon him, they knew that he was
drinking more freely than was good for him.
SO they talked among themselves about him,
and some made bold to say that he would be-
come sot In few years if he didn't take
care. Nobody ventured to tell him this; and
| don't know that it would have done any
good if they had. Men like him rarely think
themselves in danger, and are very apt to be
offended if any one hints at the truth.
Farmer Williams had neighbor named
Gambril, who was poor degraded sot. He
had once been in good circumstances but
drink had ruined him, and brought his family
towant. \ 0 one respected Gambril. Thought
less and cruel boys hooted at or threw mud
upon him, as he went staggering along the
road; and men, when they spoke to him, did
so rudely. He was byewoTd, and an object
Of contempt or pity through the whole neigh
berhood.
few days after Mr.. Williams had rernar-
ked upon the strange reluctance shown by
Mary when asked to draw a mug of cider,
Gambril went staggering past, just as the ia
mily were leaving the dinner table.
oh dear,' said Mrs. Williams, as she
looked from the window, there goes that
miserable creature. What an object to 60
homo 70 biS 7 don't dor that moor
Mrs. Gambril is heart broken
And she sighed she turned away.
He's d worthless, drunken fellow said
the farmer. No good to himself or any body
else. If had nay way with such men, [
would send them all to work house
What hopeless life she mss,t lead re-
marked Mrs. Williams, alludift to the wife
of Gambril.
Yes hopeless enough, no doubt
And, to all the suffering and toll she has
to bear, to have this disgrace laid upon her.
self and children. Itseems as if it would kill
mel
While Mrs. Williams was speaking, little
Mary came and stood III front Of her, and
/ looked earnestly in her face.
Little Maggy cries SO, sometimes said
the child.
Does she?' said Mrs Williams, laying
her hand on Mary's head. What makes her
cry?'
She cries when her father comes home,
staggering, as he went along just now. Oh!
know she will cry when she sees him.
Poor Maggy! Amt you sorry for her!'
'Oh yes And Mary laid her face. with
sober air, down in her mothers lap. While
she stood thus, her father called to her and
said,
Come Molly! I want you to get me mug
of cider He had already lighted his pipe.
Mary lifted her face, and turning, went
slowly towards her father, evlncing the same
reluctance to execute his wishes that she had
before shown. As she reached out her hand
to take the mug, her father saw that tears
were in her blue eyes.
What's the matter, dear 2 said he, kindly
putting an arm around his child, and drawing
her to his side As he did so, she laid her
face down upon his knee and sobbed.
Why, Mary, child, what ais you! 2 in
CURED the farmer, feeling surprised You
need Mt draw the cider if you don't want to, [
can 90 and get 1t MYSELF
Mary sobbed little while and then her
feelings became quiet.
Never mind DEAR said her father, making
a motion to arise. l will 90 into the cellar
and get the cider
AS he said this, Mary caught suddenly and
eagerly hold of his hand, and drew him down
hard, saying as she did So
'Oh no--no. Don't GO and get it, father
Farmer Williams was COMPOUNDED by SO I'M
expected an appeal from little Mary. He
could not understand her.
Not get 1t, Child said he. Why what
do you meant
sOh no don't drink any more of it, re-
turned the child, earnestly. Mr.. Chester says
you are nothing but a cider barrel now, and
will be as bad as Mr.. Gambril before FIVE
years
Who said that?' asked the farmer in a.
mazement. -
Mr.. Chester, replied the child, Innocent