The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-10-27
S E L E G I E d :.
Taking Toll.

T. S. Arthur.
Mr.. Smith kept a drug store in tht
little village of @, which was sit
uated few miles from Lancaster. I
was his custom to visit the latter place
every week or two, in order TO purchase
such articles as were needed from time
to time in his business One day, he
drove off towards Lancaster, in his wag.
on, in which, among other things, was
a gallon demijohn. On reaching the
town, he called first at a grocer's with
the inquiry
"Have you any common wine 2"
How common p asked the grocer.
"About dollar gallon. | want it
for antimonial wine"
ayes; have some just fit for that,
and not much else, which will sell at
a dollar"
every well. Give me a gallon,n
said Mr.. Smith.
The demjohn was brought in from
the wagon and filled. And then Mr.
Smith drove off 10 attend to other busi-
ness. Among the things to be done on
that day, was TO see man who lived
half mile fIom Lancaster. Before
going on his errand, Mr.. Smith stopped
at the honse of his particular friend,
Mr.. Jones. Mr.. Jones happened not
to be in, but Mrs. Jones was pleasant
woman, and he chatted with her for
ten minutes or so. As he stepped into
his wagsn, il struck him that the gal
Ion demijohn was little in his way,
and SO, lifting it out, he said to Mrs
Jones
Il wish You would take care of this
until | come back
"Oh! certainly" replied Mrs. Jones,
"with the greatest pleasure"
And so the demijohn was left in the
lady's care.
Some time afterwards Mr. Jones came
in, and among the first things that at
tracted his attention, was the strange
demijohn.
What is this?" was the natural in
quiry.
Something that Mr.. Smith left.n
Mr.. Smith from Q-w
Yes"
Il wonder what he has here2" said
Mr.. Jones, taking hold of the demijohn.
at feels very heavy"
The cork was unhesitatingIy re-
moved. and the mouth of the vessel |
brought in contact with the smelling |
organ of Mr.. Jones.
Wine, as live Y fell from his lips. |
Bring me a glass;
'.Oh no, Mr.. Jones. wouldn't touch |
his wine," said Mrs. Jones.
I" Bring me a glass. Do you think |
Pm going 10 let gallon of wine pass
my way without exacting toll No
no. Bring me glass;
The glass, half-pint tnm bier, was
procured. and nearly filled with the ex-
ecrable stuf-as guiltless of The grape
Juice as dyefs vat-which was poured |
down the throat of Mr. Jones.
pretty fair wine, that; only little
rough" said Mr.. Jones, smacking his
lips,
"lts shamem remarked Mrs Jones,
warmly, " for you TO do So"
I" only took toll" said the husband,
laughing. I. No harm in that, I'm
Sdre.o
Rather heavy toll, it strikes me,7
replied Mrs. Jones.
Meantime Mr.. Smith, having COM
pleted mostof his business for that day,
stopped at store where he wished
Two or three articles put up. While
these were in preparation he said to
the keeper of the store
"I wish you would let your lad Tom
step over for me to Mr.. Jones's. left
a demijohn of common wine there.
which | bought for the purpose of
making into antimonial wine" |
"0hi certainly" replied the store
keeper. "Here, Toni" and he called
Eor his boy.
Tom came, and the store-keeper said a
70 him
"Run over to Mr.. Jones's and get a
ug of antimonial wine which MIR. Smith
eft there. Go quickly, for Mr.. Smith
S in a hurry"
~ Yes, sir" replied the lad, and away a
le ran. n
After Mr.. Jones had disposed of his
lalf-pint of wine, he thought his stom- d
lch had rather curious sensation, J
which is not to be wondered at, consid-
ring the stuff with which he had bur
lened it. O
"I wonder if that really is wine n
aid he, turning from the window at W
which he had seated himself, and taking
p the demijohn again, the cork was W
emoved, and his nose applied to the 81
Mouth Of fhe huge bottle. p
Yes, it's wine; but I'll vow its not
lueh to brag OFF And the cork was j
nee more replaced. CT
Just then came a knock at the door th
frs. Jones opened it, and the store W
eeper's lad appeared. HI
!" Mr.. Smith says, please let me have tn
Ie ing OF antimonial wine he left here.s
/" "Antimonial winew exclaimed Mr.. 81
mes, his chin falling, and paleness he
lstantly overspread his face. "
/" Yes, sir, J" said the lad.
"Antimonial wine p fell once more,
1t hnskily, from the quiyering lips of
II. jonas. "Send for the doctor, Kitty, II
nll T. foaf | -,