The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-06-06
TAXING TOLL.
BY +. s. ARTHUR.

Mr.. Smith kept drug shop in the little vii.
lage Of O., which was situated 4 few mile,
from Lancaster. It was his custom to visit the
latter place every week or two, in order TO pur
chase such articles as were needed from time sc
time in his business. One day, he drove on TO-
wards Lancaster in his wagon, in which, among
other things was gallon demijohn. On reach.
ing the town he called frs, at grocer's with the
inquiry
slave you any common wine!'
How commonn
about dollar gallon. want il for anti.
monial wine.'
sYes; / have some Just fit for that, and no,
much else, which will sell at dollar.'
very well, give me a galon,' said Mr.. Smith
The demijohn was brought in from the wsg.
on, and filed. And then Mr.. S. drove off to at
tend to scme other business. Among the things
to be done on that day was 10 see man who liv.
ed hall mile from lancaster. Before going on
his etrand, Mr.. Smith stopped at the house oI
hi. particular friend, Mr.. Jones. Mr.. Jones ha D.
pened not TO be in, bu, Mrs. Jones was pleas
ant woman, and he chat.cd with her for ter
mi,utes or so As he was about stepping int,
his wagon, il struck him that the gallon delni.
john was in his way, and 20 lifting il out, he
said TO Mrs. Jones'
! wish you would take caro- Of this until
come back
.Oh certainly, with the greatest pleasure
And SO the demjohn was left in the lady'a
care.
S,me hours afterwards, Mr.. Jones came in
and among the first things that attracted his at.
teniion was the strange demijohn.
what is shs' was his natural inouiry.
Something ,ha, Mr.. NTH left'
Mr.. Smith from Q-!'
sYes.'
Il wonder wha, he has theren said Jones, IA.
king hold Of the demijohn. sIt feels hesvy'
The cork was unhesitatingly removed, and
the mouth Of the vessel bronah. in close contact
with the smelling organ of Mr.. Jones.
sWine, a. sure as livey fell from his Iipc,
Bring me glass;
sOa, no, Mr.. Jones, l wouldn't touch his wine,'
said Mrs. Jones.
Bring me a glass. d. you think I'm going
to let . gallon OF wine pass my way without cx.
acting toll. No, no, bring ms glass;
The glass, a half pint tumbler, was produced
and nearly filled with the execrable stuf-as
guil,lcss Of grape-juice a. dyer's yat-which
was poured down The throat Of Mr.. Jones.
sPretiy fair wine thnt-only little rough, !,
said Mr.. Jones, smncking his lips
"It's shame y remarked Mrs. J. warmly, Sol
you 10 do so.'
u only took TOLL said the husband laughing.
No harm in thar, am snre.'
Rather heavy Toll, il strikes me- replied Mrs
Jones.
Meantime, Mr.. Smith, having completed mos
Of his business for that day, stop} ed al store
where he Wished two or three articles put up
While these were in preparation, he said to shs
/ eeper OF the store
Il wish YOU would let your lad Tom sep ovel
to Mr.. Jones' for me. left demijohn Of com
mon wins there, which bought for the purpose
Of making into antmonial winc.'
sOh, certainly replied the store-keeper.-
sHere Tom,' and he called for his boy.
Tom came, and the store-keeper said to him
sRun over to Mr.. Jones' and get q jug of anti
monial wine which Mr.. Smith left there. &C
quickly, for Mr.. 8. 10 in hurry.'
sYes sir,' responded the lad and away he rar
Aftcr MIR. Jones had disposed Of his half pin
Of wine, he though, his stomach had rather ,
curious sensation, which is not much to be won
dered at, considering the stuff with which he hat
bnrdened il.
.Iwonder If ,ha, really is wne!' said he, turn
ing from the window IT which he had seatet
himself, and tRking up the demiJohn again.
The cork &aSfemoved and his lose applied 4
the mouth Of the huge bottle.
lce, it's vino; but I'll vow it's not much Il
brag Of And the cork was once more rcpla
ced.
Just then came n knock at the door. Mr
Jones opened it and the stofs-koepcr's lad up
pcared.
.Ms. Smith says, please let him have the jul
Of antimonial wine he left here'
'Antmonial wine!' exclaimed Mr.. Jones; hi
chin falling, and paleness instantly owe fsprea.
his face.
'Yes sir said the lad, taking up the demijohr
to which Ms. Jones pointed " i,h her finger, ant
departing without observing the efec, his ap
pearance had produced.
+ sAntimoniai winen fell again, but huskily
from the lips Of Mr.. Jones. sSend for the doctor
Kitty, quick! On, how dreadful sick | feel
Send for the doctor, or I'll be dead man i,
half an hour!'
.Antimpnial wine! Dreadful. exclaimed Mrs
Jones, now ~ pale and frightened as her hue