Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-03-11
AN ExcHANcE PROPOSED

"A
wAYrEp.--To exchange good Brandy for a
neat Cottage and Lot in desirable part of the
city, suitable for small family.
4Ths above appeared in a morning paper and
furnishes text for extensive comment and
much reflection. These changes ara going on
daily, and not only are cottages and lots being
exchanged for brandy, but farms, ranches, mi
ming claims, fortunes, constitutions, reputa-
tions, and lives, are all daily being exchanged
for brandy. We leave the reader to follow the
subject in his own Imagination and ask him to
rcfiect.''-Pacifc, San Francisco.
Exchanges of the kind spoken of by our Cal
ifornia contemporary, are almost common
hereabouts as in the Golden State. There are
hundreds of establishments along our streets.
which are opened for and sustained by this bu-
siness. They are called Coffee Houses, Sa-
looms, Restaurants, etc., but these names, like
the curtains and blinds which they keep over
the windows and before the doors, are used to
hide from the public the real nature OF their
transactions. They should be compelled to
hang out sign, proclaming what they really
do. 1t would run somewhat as follows =
"Wnted-the health of young men-their
their prospects for this life and the life to come
-Wantcd-the homes of happy families, the
hearts of wives to be broken, children to be
reduced to beggary and rags-W Wanted-the
property, the reputation, the happiness, the
bodies and the souls of men. In exchange we
will give rum, fiery rum, sweetened with su-
gar, favored with lemon and nutmeg-rum in
all it's forms, and under all its various names.
eOur terms are most liberal. for we will give
glass of rum as long as our customer has half
dime to pay, or a rag of clothing to pawn
we will take the wife's garments or the chill
dren's bread--anything that we can turn into
money we will receive for rum. Our attention
to business is unintermtted. Late at night,
and all day Sunday We are ready to attend TO
the wants of our customers. Even while their
families are left shivering and starving at mid
night, we will stay in our dens TO crafty those
who wish to deal with us-to fire up their pas
sions. and send them home in a fine demoniac
frenzy.
"As an evidence OF the thorough and salts
factory manner in which we do our business
permit us to add, that those who commence
exchanging with us, seldom leave us as long
as they have strength to call at our counter, OF
anything to spend when they get there. i
you could see the palsied, tottering, bleareyed
ragged, shivering wretches, who have barteret
to u, verythIng-farms, stores, homes, health
food. clothing, character, and their hopes o
heaven, and who still come to US wheneve
they can buy, borrow, or steal a few pennies
You would not doubt for moment, that W.
are among the most popular of brokers'
Thousands have dealt with us in spite of al
the entreaties and efforts of ministers, lectu
rers on temperance, friends, wives, children
nothing but death could keep them from tn,
fascinations of our exchange.
"Come, then, ye who have land, houses, do
mestic happiness, peace of conscience, hopes
of heaven-anythi that is precious-com,
to our counter and we will take it from you
and give you rum"
Such bulletin should be placed before tht
door of each of our drinking houses. 1t woult
be a fair statement of the business done with
in.-C. c. Herald.