The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-19
sMoKINs STRICTLY PRoHI sITED.
prom London Society

The we alluded TO consisted OF myselI, ION Auen,
Harry Townsend, and Frank Ellison. We con-
sidered ourselves no mean critics of the drama,
and not 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 domcil of one of its number, for the
purpose of csnvassing the spectacle over sub
stsntial supper. This latter almost invariably
presented itselfin the form OF oysters and stout
whenever that delicious mollusc was in season.
These suppers were given in rotation by each Of
us, the whole expense ofeach supper being borne
by the person at whose house the entertainment
was given.
On the present occasion was the victim. We
were ell four bachelors but Allen was engaged,
and expected TO be married before very 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 whis
ky toddy, end Harry Townsend, Frank Ellison and
myself proceed 10 light our pipes. As soon as we
had got them satisfactorily TO work. il was noticed
for the first time that Tom Allen had made no
preparation for taking his part 10 the general fu
migation. This ELECTED good deal of surprise,
for Tom Allen had always been known for an in
veterate smoker. being generally the first to com
meDce and the last to discontinue smoking n
every company Of slaves to the fragrant, pungent
weed.
Are not you going to light up, Tom?"
asked.
mo. / think not, he replied, in a tone quite
"Are MT you well?" I continued.
%, yes, l'n well enough" he said; "why
should you think otherwise? suppose | need Mt
smoke unless | choose to do so. think l am
better without it,"
| was inclined to think that this last assertion of
bis was a pleasant fiction; If it was not he had
certainly undergone marveousiy sudden con.
version, for it was fresh in the remembrance OF
all of us how, on Il very recent occasion, Tom
Allen bad carried on controversy with an anti
tobao conist. denying that the use Of tobacco was
detrimental 10 health, which he proved to his
own satisfaction by asserting that unless be 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, therefore, that he thought he
was better without smoking made Us open our
eyes with sstOnishment to the greatest extent
which the clouds Of smoke, which were rapidly
filing the room, permitted. My rooms were
small, and with three or four mouths putting Wig
oTOusly away, even the strongest eyes would oc-
cssionally smart, especially in cold weather,
when ventilation by the window was out Of the
question.
do you mean TO say you have really given up
smoking ?" asked Harry Townsend-''you, the
great champion of nicotine ~
For the present, at all events" was Toms
reply.
''Well. after that should not be surprised to
hear that you had become member of the United
Kingdom Alliance"
Il should hardly be surprised myself" said
Tom Allen, in most dependent tone.
"Why, Tom, whatever is the matter ?" we ex.
claimed. simultaneously. Have you got some
heart disease or other complaint which would be
aggravated by smoking ?"
Nothing Of the sort" he replied. "I believe
I'm as strong as bull that's the worst of it. II
l felt that smoking was injurious TO my health, /
should reconcile myself 10 doing without it but
when really believe that I'm better with it, il
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 reason ~
Before Allen could make any reply, Frank
Ellison called out: 81 have IL It's all as clear
as daylight; we all know Toms going to be mar
red it's bis lady love who has stopped his
smoking. Tom, my dear friend, be advised in
time; think well before you bind yourself hand
aud foot. With all due respect to the young
lady. whom | have never seen, | can't help say.
ing ! pity you, for think woman who can act
in so arbitrary a manner before marriage will
wear the breeches with vengeance when the
nuptial knot Is ted.m
Tom Allen heaved heavy sigh. The embargo
that had been laid on his favOTte habit evidently
measure relieved himself by the sigh Tor else
why was it performedl he proceeded to speak
as follows:
You are mistaken Frank; it is not Amy that
hss put the veto on my smoking; she, dear girl
sympatbzes with me 10 my great trial. As, how
svsr, the fact of my not smnkin9 has henome the
subject of your conversation, | will make clean
breast of it, and give you the explanation Of my
as a lesson to you all, and make you very careful
in your conduct to strangers, for you can never
tell under what circumstances you may meet them
at future time"
Before he commenced the relation of the cpl
sode in his life which had resulted in his abstinence
from tobacco we replenished our glasses in order
that we might not disturb him in his relation. Tom
then drew another deep inspiration and proceeded
Z" The incident which has resulted in my discOn
tinuing the practice of smoking for the present q
say for the present, because am in hopes that the
embargo may be removed in the future) occurred
few years ago, II my old Oxford days.
81 was proceeding TO Alma Mater, at the conclu-
sion Of one of the Vacations and had taken my place
in the train which was to bear me thither. | was
the sole occupant of the compartment and the train
was on the point OF starting when the door of the
carriage was suddenly thrown open, and an old
gentleman entered the compartment He was a
sour-lookng old fellow Of about sixty years of
age, and was evidently bent upon taking the
utmost care OF himself Re wore q long great
coat, which reached almost to his heels aud over
this was thrown short wrapper moreover, his
throat carefully sWathed in the folds of a thick
red wollen comforter. He did not appear to me
TO be at all the sort Of person with whom one
could enter into conversation at moments notice.
feltthat should have infinitely preferred the SOL
tude Of my own nominations to his society. The
result proved that my instinct had not mised me.
o, that had changed my seat? | should then
have been putting away at the present moment
with the best of you Frank, just blow a good
cloud Of smoke into my face, will you. / shall
perhaps be able to sniff up some of it; / prefer
il secondhand to not at all-1hanks.
"Tbe train moved slowly out OF the station, aud
the-old gentleman began to make his arrange
ments for the journey. He proceeded to un
lock and open a somewhat bulky travelling bag,
from which he first Of all extracted seal skin
cap, which, after having removed his hat, he
placed upon his head, drawing the feps down
over his ears and then tying them under his chin.
During the performance of this operation, |
remarked that his head wond have made a 6ne
field for the science Of a phrenologist il being
quite bald; be next produced large fur slip
per, into which he inserted his huge ungsiny
feet. Ii occurred to me, on noticing these that
bis bOOtmsker must be a man of no ordinary
genins, for how he had cOntrived to induce the
coverings of the old mans feet to accommodate
themselves TO the numerous knobs which over
spread those feet IN the most unusual places has
ever remained a mystery to me.
Having done all that he could for those two
extremites of his person, he Owed third time
into the black bag. What nextr l thought
for was watching him with great deal OF