Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-05-26
MlisttIIanp.
TAKING TOLL.

Mr.. Smith kepta drug shop in the
little village Of O., which was
situated a few miles from Lancaster.
Ii was his custom to visit the latter
places every week or two, in order to
purchase sucn articles as were needed
in his business. One day. he drove
off towards Lancaster. in his wagon.
in which. among other thing es was a
gallon demijohn. On reaching the
town. he called first at a grocer's with
the inquiry
"Haye you any common wIney"
Chow common?" asked the gro
Ger.
About a dollar gallon. want
it for antimonial wine."
"Yes. | have some just ct for that,
and not much else, which | can sell at
dollar"
Very well. Give me gallon"
said Mr.. Smith.
The demJohn was brought in from
the wagon and filed. AnI then Mr.
Smith drove off to attenl 70 other
business. Among Other things to be
done ON that day, WAS TO see man
who lived half mile from Lancaster.
Before going out on this erran |, Nc.
s.. sioppsd at thehouse or flts f1,l--
ticular friend. Mr.. Jones. Mr. jones
happened not To be in. but Mrs. Jones
WAS a pleasant woman, and he chat,ed
with her for ten minutes or 50. As
he stepped into his wagon, il struck
him that the gallon denIjohn was q
little in the way. and 50. lifting it out.
he said TO Mrs. Jones'
81 wish you would take this until |
come back
%, certainly said Mrs. Jones. with
the greate-t pleasure
And SO the demiohn was left in the
good ladys care.
Some time Afterwards. Mr.. Jones
came ia, and among the FIRST things
that attracted his attention was the
strange demijohn.
What is this?' was the natural in
quiry.
Something that Mr.. S. left.
Mr.. s. from O.
Yes
Il wonder what be has here?' said
Mr.. Jones. taking hold of the demi-
john. 'ltfeels very heavy
The cork was unhesita'ingly re-
moved, and the mouth of the vessel
brought in contact with the smelling
organ of Mr. Jones.
Wine, as live' fell from his lips
Bring me a glass
'0h mol Mr.. Jones. | wouldn't
touch his wine, said Mrs. Jones.
Bring me glass. Do you think
I'm going to let gallon of wine pass
my way without exacting toll? Mo-
mol Bring me a glass.
The glass. u half-pint tumbler. was
produced, and nearly filled with the
execrable stua--as guiltess of the
grape juice as dyer's vst--which
was poured down the throat OF Mr..
Jones.
Pretty fair wine. that; only little
rough, said Mr.. Jones, smacking his
lips.
It's shame, remarked Mrs. Jones.
warmly, for you to do So
i only took toll. said the hus-
band, laughing. No harm in that, I'm
sure
Rather heavy toll. it strikes me,
replied Mrs. Jones.
Meantime, Mr s.. having COM
pleted most OF his business for that
day; stopped a. store where he
wished two or three articles put up.
While these were in preparation, he
said TO the keeper of the store
Il wish you wonld let your lad Tom
step over 10 Mr.. Jones's. left dem
John of commoH wine there. which |
bought for the purpose OF making an
limonial.wine.'
%. certainly replied tho store
Keeper Here Iom! and he called
for his boy.
Tom came. and the store-keeper said
TO him-
Run over to Mr.. Jones's and get
a jug of antimonisl wine which Ar.
s. left there. Go quickly for Mr..
s. is in a hurry
Yes. sir replied the lad and away,
he ran.
Alter Mr.. Jones had disposed OF his
halI.pint Of wine, be thought his stom-
ach had rather curious sensation.
which was not much 10 be wondered
At, considering the sIud with which he
had burdened it.
i wonder ii that really is wine?'
said he. turning from the window n
which he had seated himself; and To.