Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-09-18
"a M,lntoroms Sketch.
A STORY WITH SPICE IN IT.

| nad mortal natred OF liquor anu tnouSu
Tom often INDUCED on the sly with his
conviviA companions, he took care always
to be "rght side up'' on going home. He
would not have his wife find him in such
state, for all the gold in the universe and
yet he could not sign the pledge of total
| abstinence, from the fact of being the vice
president of club of jolly fellows, all of
whom believed in grape juice. For at
least six months after his marriage, in the
presence of his "5etter half,' he was as
'sstraight as pin," and she had set it down
that blessing in the shape of strictly
sober husband had fortunately fallen to her
lot.
"Tom," one morning, said she, lovingly,
"we have now been a welded couple half
year, and never once have l had the
slightest occasion to reproach you.'
OF course Tom was deligted to hear his
dear little wife talk SO encouragngly' and
express happiness at his behavior; and he
he repeated assurances of his determine
tion always to be all attentive, sober hus-
band.
But in the ocean Of lie how little we
can foresee the breakers OF temptation -
Tom had to dine that very evening with
the "Owls'' the ornithological title of his
ciub,) and he felt in admirable spirits, and
his health was drunk warmly and frequent
ly after the removal OF the cloth the con-
sequence was that by time the company
separated he was in happy state of eleva-
ton with vivid notion of men, women,
and all things terrestrial.
"Hic-c-c-, r-r-ealy believe Pm d-d-
runk" scliloquized Tom, posing himself
on his heels, with his arm clasped endear-
ingly around lamppost "W-w-hat the
d-d-evil's to be done? Am l d-d-reamng,
or am l d-d-runk-which is it Will
somebody tell me?"
A knot of wags passing at the moment,
hearing his voice, roared in combined tones
you're drunx-beastly drunk"
"There, now, it's out, and no more than
| s-suspected," continued Tom, mournfuIly,
in Inaudlin voice. "What will Clara
say, ugh Curse that last julip, l say--if
it hadn't been for that I'd have passed mus.
ter; but now she can tell It by my eyes
f-t-feei as if I had dozen pair of eyes
and as for ton-tongue, Pve sot score all
Waggln' away ior dear hte."
Tom here losing proper and important
equilibrium, his heels suddenly flew higher
in the air than is necessary for every day
cases of pedestranism, and, per conse-
quence, he was the next moment in a
most ungracious position in the gutter.
"Hic, hic, this is r-rich, must say
'Spose Clara should s-see me now-'twas
only TO day she praised my in-in-tergrity.
Tom, Tom, you're b-b--yes you are, SC
don't deny it-you're b-beast !"
By dint OF series OF vast efforts he sue
ceeded in gaining his feet, and proceeded
towards home, reeling, and talking to him
) self all the way. Aeer mistaking the
house next door, the door front of which
was the same, for his own, he had an un.
decided search OF at least an hour for hi'
latch key, which he at length found in hi
boot, it having slipped down his trouser lee
through hole in his pocket.
Now in the hall, he leaned up agains
the wall and undertook cogitation. Hi
could sufficiently gather his senses 10 re-
member the clock in his wife's room wa
out OF repair, and as she had retired, she
would not be able TO tell the time he hae
got II. That was grand point gained.
81 know what I'll do Tll 90 to bed il
the dark, and then she won't notice my
eyes," ruminated Tom. "But hold on-Pt
like to forget it-she'll smell my breath
how can fix that 2"
He puzzled for few moments, and il
the end concluded to seek the kitchen, an,
: NEEDLE slightly with the spice box. Dowl
: the stone stairs he went, and after putin;
t his hand into half dozen various fluids
: feeling into row of pans, jugs and dshe
= at length he found handful OF cloves
: which he thrust into his mouth as if the,
: had been so many sugar plums.
n "T-t-they're d-devlSh hot," spluttere
Tom, with his face all aglow "but the
d answered the purpose. How wish Bo
e Stiles was here to tell me whether tn
= brandy is sufficiently disguised ?''
e Satisfied that the fragrance of the Glove
e had out ordoured the scent OF the ''ardent,
II he mounted the stairs, and, with the e1
d ception of couple of small stumble
gained the chamber IN safety. Now
1t would have been happy had his wife nc
g been wide awake.
7. "Why, Thomas, how late you are" sal
d she "where's the candle I"
d "Oh, never mind the candle," said h
II in as steady tone as he could assume
Il "It's not late"
! 81 should judge it was very late" sal
re she "dear me, must have that cloc
T. fixed"
!, "Y-e-s, so we must" said Tom, viii
miraculous delberaiion, for one soltar
t, hiccup would have betrayed him. AS
ID the clocks uncertain condition, it was
" phenomenon of good luck for him.
o. "Does it look like rain, dear !" kind
ly inquired Clara.
snow, il Tom had been put on his oa
as he could no more have answered correct
or in regard to the appearance of the wealth
ot than the man in the moon, and not half
a much, for it is fair to suppose that if the
nd be man in the moon, he is not addict
TO the practice of drinking, and, therefor
Keeps bright look out on things below.
IS He replied gradually my word
al don't know, but I'll look" and, feeling
cay 10 the window, he threw aside 4