The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-09
Let's Have a Drink.

. Let's Haye a Drink.
The ridiculous, absurd American GUS
tom of "asking" is responsible for seven |
eights-mind, we say seven-eights, and
mean it, too-,of all the liquor consumed
in this country. Abolish that custom to-
day, and where there are eight barrels of
liquor drank now, there would be but
one. We believe this, and believe it
can't be gainsayed. We appeal to any
number of drinkers for their opinion in
the matter. To this custom we owe one
drinking between drinks, which some
wag, with more truth than poetry in his
soul, said was the only tLins that hurt,
or words to that effect.
:. What o ridiculous piece Of folly it is
to go into place, if in the mood for
liquor, and TO ask iis0 or six acquaint-
ances mp to- drink with you; yet it is
done all the time, and by parties who
want the money for stockings. But not
fo' do it when your acquaintances ard
about is to be looked upon as ''small po.
tatoes," and few in the hill. Take the
following as an illustration of n delight
full "fx," liable to arise from this absurd
custom.
You feel in n mood for glass. You
go for it. Meet q friend just as you are
about to enter gin mill, and you ''ask
ulIp. u0U uS comes upon IL
group Of four or five of his friends who
have just entered and are conversipg for
moment. You are introduced oil
round by your friend. Where are you
now, with dollar in your pocket and
five or six fellows on your hands, only
one of whom you ever saw before, and
morally bound by custom and impelled
by false pride to ask them to Join you in
q social glass.
You can't get out of it; they know you
come in for liquor, and rs your friend
introduced you and didn't invite, why
you must do the honors and you are glad
to see them IAN internal lie, by the way,
and ask them up. If you are known al
the bar, all right; if not, you have to
borrow Of your friend. How's that2
Perhaps some of the party might ask
you some other time, but the chances
are they wouldn't know you from u
baked apple. A most absurd, dead fraud
this 'asking" in connection with liquor.
Do we ask, coax, prevail on acquaint-
ances to go in and have neckties, gloves
or boots with us? Come in and take a
bottle of wine with me, men will say.
and take you by the arm, and in you 60
Do they ever say, "Come in and have
hat with mel" Are you continually Y u . ro,i
to eat things! Do they asll you 10 Ia. a
pocket knives, lead pencils ba., lyoa
tooth powder, paperJ collars, or SQhfof
las with them? No, this "askina. bus
ness is confined to liquor. 1t is Hliquor
liberality, or custPm rather. that CA
tends itself to no other article, if we ex-
cept oysters and seginrs, but in these il is
limited.
Take party of six Germans, who 60
in for their lager. They sit down, and
each one drinks what he wants, and pays
for what he drinks. He isn't forced aud
bantered because Ae dJn't drink more.
The same with Englishmen, Frenchmen
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 go in for lager. There would
be thirty-six glasses drank, or paid for,
if not all drank, because each must task"
the others. Humbug. Folly!
Imagine case like this, did the "ask-
ing" business extend beyond the con-
fines OF liquor. Two gentlemen walking
up Broadway. One is attracted By fine
display of bottles--no boots, shoes, &C.,
Z in window. bob. let's go in and have
some boots" In they go, ''Take hold,
Bob. What's your fancy9" "Thank
you, Tom, but am not taking boots
Just now" "Oh, get in. Take hold.
One pair won't hurt YOU" "No, excuse
me, Tom" ''Take something, Bob.
Take home pair of boots for your wife.
Don't see me do this thing alone"
Bob comes down and takes q pair of
boots It's no use, who could withstand
Toms appeal. Temperance Atlrocate.