The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-09-09
DAELY JOURNAL
SMOKING sTRICTLY PROHIBITED

ness the performance of a drama
which was at that time creating some
sensation in London, and were dis
cussing the merits of the play and the
c0nteats of barrel of oysters at my
cham bers In Gray's Inn. The we
alluded to consisted of myself, Tom
Allen, Harry Townsend and Frank
Ellison. We considered ourselves no
mean critics of the drama, and not a
new piece was placed on the boards
of any of the leading theatres without
being visited by our quartette. At
the conclusion Of each performance.
our party adjourned to the domicile of
one Of its number, for the purpose of
canvassing the spectacle over a sub
stautial supper. This latter almost
invariably presented itself In the form
of oysters and stout, whenever that
delicious molluc was in the season.
These suppers were given in rotation
by each OF US, the whole expense of
each supper being borne by the per-
son at whose house the entertainment
was given.
On the present occasion l was the
victim. We were all four bachelors,
but Allen was engaged, and expected
TO be married before long. When we
had slaughtered as many oysters as
we cared to devour, spirit decanters
were placed upon the table, and pipes
and cigars produced. Each of us
mixed for himself q steaming glass of
whisky tOddy, and Harry Townsend,
Frank Ellison, and myself proceeded
to light our pipes. As soon az we had
got them satisfactorily to work, it was
noticed for the first time that Tom
Allen had made no preparation for
taking his part in the general fumi-
CATION. This elected a good deal of
surprise, for Tom Allen had always
been known for an inveterate smoker,
being generally the first to commence
and the last to discontinue smoking
in every company of slaves to the
fragrant, pungent weed.
Are not you going to light up,
Tom?" asked.
No, thinkSnot, he replied, in
tone quite melancholy to hear.
Aren't you well2" | continued.
20, yes; I'm well enough" he
said; why should you think other
wise? | suppose L need mt smoke
unless 4 choose to do so. [ think
4 am better without it"
L was inclined to think that this
last assertion of his was a pleasant
fiction; if it was not, he had certainly
undergone a marvellously sudden
conversion, for it was fresh in the
remembrance of all of us, how, on
verv recent occasion, Tom Allen had
carried on a controversy with an
antt-to bacconist, denying that the use
OF tobacco was detrimental to health,
which he proved to his own satisfac-
ton by asserting that unless he
smoked after his dinner. he could not
digest what he had eaten. [ know,
on that occasion, we considered his
arguments sound, and entirely shared
his views. To hear him say, there
fore, that he thought he was better
without smoking, made us open
our eyes with astonishment to
the greatest extent which the
clouds Of smoke, which were rapidly
filling the room, permitted My
rooms we're small, and with three or
four mouths putting vigorously away,
even the strongest eyes would occa-
aiOnally smart, especially in cold
weather. when ventilation by the
window was out of the question.
10 you mean to say you have re-
ally given up smoking2" asked Harry
Townsend you, the great champion
Of nIcOtine2"
For the present, at all events,
was Toms reply.
Well, after that / should not be
surprised to hear that you had be-
come member Of the United King
dom Alliance"
| should hardly be surprised my
self, said Tom Allen, in a most de-
spondent tone.
Why, Tom, whatever Is the mat
ter2" we exclaimed simultaneously.
Have you got some heart disease or
other complaint, which would be ag-
gravated by smeking2"
Nothing of the sort, he replied.
" | believe I'm as strong as bull;
that's the worst of it. IF / felt that
smoking was injurious to my health, /
should reconcile myself to doing
without it; but when / really believe
IN better with it, it does seem rather
too bad to have to give it up"
Then you're not disseminating it
Voluntarily asked, with some
surprise. What can be your rea-
sOnP
Before Allen could make any re-
ply Frank Ellison called out: I
have i'll It's all as clear as daylight;
we all know Toms going to be mar
ried; it's his lady love who has stop
ped his smoking. Tom, my dear
friend, be advised in time; think well
before you bind yourself hand and
foot. With all due respect to the
young lady, whom / have never seen,
| can't help saying L pity you, for
think woman who can act in so ar
bitrary manner before marriage,
will wear the brooches with ven
geanoe when the nuptial knot is tied. y
Tom Allen heaved deep sigh. The
embargo that had been laid on his
favorite habit evidently depressed
him. Having, / suppose, in some
measura relieved himself by the sigh
(or else why was it perpetrated?) he
proceeded to speak as follows:
Y on are mistaken, Frank; it is
not Amy that has put the veto on my
smoking; she, dear girl, sympathizes
with me in my great trial. As, how
ever, tie fact of my not smoking has
become the subject of your co>versa-
ton. L will make clean breast of it,
aud give you the explanation of my
wretched position. / hope my sad
story may act as lesson to you all,
and make you very careful in your
conduct to strangers, for You never
can tell under what circumstances you
may meet them at future time.
Before he commenced the relation
Of the episode In his life which had
resulted in his abstinence from to-
baccO We replenished out glasses, in
order that we might not disturb him
In his relation. Tom them drew an.
other deep inspiration, and proceeded