The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-04-28

"LEr's HAVE A DRINK"-iSou,ethanq About a
abused american Custom.-A temperance paper get
off the following:
The ridiculous absurd American custom Of aasking
is responsible for seventh eighs-mnd, we say seven
eights and mean too-of all the LIQUOR consumed II
this country Abolish that custom to-day and where
there but eight barrels of liquor drank now there
would be but We believe this and believe j
can't be gansayed. We appeal to any number O
drinkers for their opinion in this matter We think
they will agree with and corroborate our statement in
the matter 10 this custom "drnkina
between drinksn which some wag with more truth
than poetry in bis soul, said the only thing that
hurt, words to that effect What ridiculous piece
OF folly it is TO go into place if in mood for liquor
and to ask five six acquantances I'D to drink with
you; yet it is done all the time and by parties who
perhaps want the money for stockings but not to do
1t when your acquaintance about is to be looked
upon q small potatoes" and few in hill Take
the following an illustration of delightful g fix"
liable to arise from this absurd custom.
You feel in mood for glass. You go for it. You
have perhaps, dollar about you. Meet friend Just
as you are about to enter gin-m, and you Task
him.. Enter, and he comes upon a group of four or
five OF his friends who have just entered and con-
yersing for moment You are introduced all around
Joy your friend. Where are you now? With dol
Jar in your pocket and five or six fellows on your
hands, only one of whom you before, and
morally bound by custom and impeled by false pride
to ask them to join you in social glass You can't
get out Of it, They know you came in for liquor and
as your friend introduced you and didn't invite why
ToH mast do the honors, and you YOU glad to
see them ian internal lie, by the way) and ask them
up.
IF you are known at .he bar all right If not you
have to borrow of your friend Hows that Per-
haps of the party might ask you some other time
but the chances are they wouldn't know you from
baked apple most absurd dead fraud this - asking"
in connection with qnor. Do ask, coax, prevail
acqnaintances to 60 in and haVe necktes, gloves,
or boots with us? "Come ia and take tottle of
wine with me, men will say, and take you by the arm
and in you 60. Do they say: " Come in and
have hat with me?" Are you continually urged to
eat things? Do they ask you to take pocketknives
lead pencils hair dye, tooth powder, paper collars or
umbrellas with them? No, this asking" business is
confined to liquor 1t is liquor beraity, a custom
rather that extends itself to no other article if
cept oysters and cigars but in these it is limited
Take party of six Germans who 90 in for their Ia
ger. They sit down, aud each one drinks what lie |
wants, and pays for what he drinks. He isn't forced
and bantered because he don't drink more. The same
with EngIisbmcu, Frenehmen and all other people on
the face Of the globe except Americans. You know
how it would be with six of the latter did they 60 in
for lager There would be.hirty-sx glasses drank
paid for if not all drank because each must ask the
others. Humbpg Folly!
Imagine case ike this, did the asking" business
extend beyond the confines of liquor. Two gentle
men walking up Broadway. One is attracted by a
fine display Of boitles-no, boots shoes, etc, in win
dow. " Bob, let's 90 in and have some boots" In
they 20. Take hold, Bob. What's your fancy ?"
"Thank you, Tom but I'm not taking boots Just now"
" Oh, get in Take hold. One pair won't burt you"
"No, excuse me, Tom" Take something Bob
Have pair Of shoes, boot jack CATERS. Take home
pair Of shoes for your wife Don't see me do this
thing alone" Bob comes down and takes pair of
boots. It's no use. Who could withstand Toms APP
peal?