The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-02-07

a little more, au aged and highly respect,
ed physician departed this life in one oi
the counties of Massachusetts. In fact
this worthy gentleman had reached the
extraordinary age OF one hundred and
Eve years.
No little interest, as may be imagined
had hovercd around his slowly declining
days, and we all naturally looked up to
him as our father and guide. The period
Of bis death was one of great excitement
IA regard to the temperance question, and
1t was felt that some important lessons
for the benefit Of the cause could be de-
rived from an investigation Of the ordi-
nary habits of gentleman of education
and scientific attainments whose life had
been protracted to such an advanced pc
riod, doubtless owing TO the rigorous ad-
herence to the laws of health, and promul-
gated and enforced by the total abstinence
advocates of the day
Accordingly alter the lapse of due
season, u committee was deputed, on the
part Of the temperance societies, 10 wait
upon some near relative of the old gen
tIeman deceased, in order to learn posi-
lively what had been the course of his
life, and by what means he had so long
preserved an existence in the possession
of mental and physical vigor, until at
length he yielded to absolute decay of
bodily powers, without the Intervention of
any acute disease.
The deputation had proceeded to- the
sncient physicians late place of residence,
and waited upon gentleman who was his
grandson, obtaining from him ali the par
ticuiars. concerning his aged relative.
After due sentiments Of coincidence had
been expressed, the suitable inquiries
were propounded.
"DOubtless," said the chief intcrlocu-
tor, ''your grandfather enjoying such
remarkable span OF existence. was strict
observer of the rules of temperance we
Eeed not express our confidence that he in
duiged to no excess in the use of any
hurtful kind of drink"
ooh no, sir" said the person elquired
of, fyou may be sure Of that Ny grand
father was person of very regular ha5-
It's"
"But, we would ike to know, if you
please" pursued the questioner, "some-
thing in particular regarding his mode of
life; how, for instance, he began, and
passed, and ended the day."
"Well, sir, when he first rose in the
morning, he took about half a glass of
pure Jamaica rum; my grandfather was
a person of very regular habits this was
his uniform custom"
"This, [ suppose" said the inquirer,
"was to give sort of flip TO his system
after the lethargy Of heightened repose,
made requisite as an exceptional case, by
his very advanced period of life. Please
tell Us what his practice was during the
rest of the day 7'
"0Iy grandfather was a person of very
regular habits, and took nothing else of
that sort until one O'clock, and, then, only
a glass of Jamaica rum
''Indeed ! did he drink anything with
his meals ?"
"Not-exactly with his meals about half
an hour before dinner, he drank mixture
to which he was partial, consisting of hall
and half of cider and rum. But after
drinking that, it was his custom to 90 out
for short walk and return to dinner.
When dinner was half through, he would
then drink, say glass Of rum or whisky,
as the case might 6e, and another when
dinner was over. Dinner was always on
the table at one O'Clock he took no more
until four o'clock, and after that a small
quantity in his tea. His practice was not
to drink anything else until near bed
time, which was always nine o'clock, when
he mad glass or two of whisky or rum
unless, indeed, some neighbor or friend
came in to join him. lie was very hospita-
bic always, and, as | have remarked, ex-
tremely regular in his habits"
The committee looked at one another,
and hesitated about pursuing tie inquiry
any further. 1t occurred to them, how
ever, that it would be we'll to save them
selves, if possible, in regard to the use of
tobacco.
"Did DR.. - - ever smoke 20 ask
ed the chairman.
Chat" said the host, twas one Of his
most regular habits. He was not often
without pipe in his mouth, when not
engaged professionally. He did not smoke
IN bed"
Surely, then, be used tobacco in no
other way 2" suggested the interrogation
"4Iy grandfather, every Saturday after
noon, gentlemen, purchased a certain
quantity of pigtail tobacco, say from
twenty-one to twenty-five inches in length;
this he cut into seven different portions,
one of which per day, and no more, he
used for chewing in the course of the
seven days of the week. My grand
fathers habits, as [ have obseIved-."
COB, confound your grandfather and his
habits y broke in the qUestioner, out of
all patience. 81 beg your pardon, s.r;
but II is not necessary to pursue this silb.