The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-06-09

call for drink.
| The words ratified in his throat: he
coughed, and it seemed as if the heavy
phlegm would choke him; he sneezed
and rush of discolored blood poured
out through his nostrils; his finger:
were ciotted with it, and when he
pressed them on his forehead we saw
how high, wide and ample was the
temple of Intelligence thus strained
and ruined by the violence of appetite
learned on inquiry from the land
lord, that Mr.. Carson was Barrister,
occupying rooms close to my own in
Lincoln's Inn; that he had the repu-
tation OF great talent; and was now, or
had been lately, the master spirit of
one of our best and most witty periodi-
Gals.
In general he was perfectly sober,
knowing his own weakness. and abs.
taining altogether from strong drink
but twice before, during the past year,
he had broken through his resolution
and twice before, though never so to-
tally, he had been reduced TO the posi-
tion in which he now groaned and gas
ped before me. 0 there are many Car
sons in the world and many landlords,
who, while they pity him, never think
that the trade by which they profit, is
the poison by which he dies.
Arising slowly from his seat and tot
tering to the bar, he now rested his ell
bows on the brass rod and muttered
through his set teeth" Drink GIMP
The bar-maid, pretty girl and one
who would have shrunk from the com
mission of an open homicide handed
him tumbler nearly full He gulped
il down. though an innate loathing con-
vulsed his face, and it was evident that
the stomach sought to reject the I'M
welcome drug with which it was al
ready saturated and corroded.
He paused for a moment, and grim
smile crept over his besotted features,
as he felt the invigorating stimulus
Bitter Clint = more! !" said he
hoarsely, handing back his tumbler to
be filled; and the girls who prayed
each Sunday in Christian Church.
and heard the command Thou shalt
not killi' gave him what he asked.
Why enter into the mlnutie of a pic
ture. the far more dreadful reality Of
which is to be seen every day and hour
IN every tavern throughout the world 2
Suffice it, that a few more glasses of
gin and brandy restored the victim to
! nls senses. He was in high spirits and
| jukod with On the wreIcneuneSs or
| his own condition. He told me that
| he had heard every word of my con-
versation with the landlord but was
at the time unable TO think or speak.
not having had his comforter" and
he smiled as he drained another glass
asked him home to nv chambers
and as we walked down Chancery Lane
saw that men, the first and uost res
pected in our profession, bowed and
smiled sadly az him as they passed.
Coming into my rooms he called for
brandy.
Why wilis you take more of this,
when you have just told me that you
know it is killing you 2"
"Pshaw. don't preach now, there's
good fellow" he replied, alet me
have Just another glass; and then I'll
dress myself, and come out and talk to
you like judge, wiser than three
fourths OF them into the bargain, for
have not only the letter of the law, but
the spirit in me-"
showed him into the bedroom, and
as.h he washed washed himself he told
me that he had neither washed no
combed his hair for the past week, "nor
would now" said he, "only that you
happened TO stumble on me in there.
Some friends pressed me to join them
IN champagne about ten days ago;
pleaded that | never drank, but they
were old college chums, and insisted !:
they laughed at me, SO drank: and
here am now, sober by excess of bran
dy, restored TO my reason by that which
would make three other men insane"
There was a bitter sarcasm, vain
regret, dreadful mockery of his own
weakness and misery in his tone, though
a smile curled his handsome features.
Yes! handsome, despite their fever and
their pallor, despite their blood-shot
eye, and the bloated cheek.
Now that he had removed the blood
and dirt which difgured him, thought
that | had never seen finer face, or
one so intellectual. The forehead was
broad and massive, the eyes large, dark
deep set and with long rich lashes
placed wide apart under the brow
His nose, though somewhat thick, was
purely Grecian, and regularly shaped:
the lips, contrary to the received doc
trine of physiognomists, were finely
arched and flexible: had much of the
old Apollo in it, much of the morning
star hurled down from its height, but
still conscious of its lnstre.
Why don't you shave 9n said +;
"there are my razors then we'll go
out for walk, and the cool air will re-
vive you."
"Ha! hap he laughed; " is this
hand to shave witha isit steady enough
lis the brain steady? would you de-
sire coroner's in your room, or a sui
eide committed before your face !? No,
no: come across the sqnare to nv
chambers-l've not been there for a
l. y-ll