Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-05-25
lFrom the Temperance Advocate
An Absurd Custom.

Inc Iidlculous absurd American custom
oil asking" is responsible for seven-eighth.
mind, we say seven-eighths, and mean it,
too-ot 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
lhis, and believe 1t can't be gainsaid. We
| appeal to any number of drinkers for their
opinion In the matter To this custom we
owe one drinking between drinks. u which
some wag, with more truth than poetry in
MS soul, said was the only thing that hurt
or words to that effect What a ridiculous
piece OF folly it is 10 go into place if in the
MOOD Tor liquor, and to ask five or six ae-
qualntanees up to drink with you; set 1t rs
done all the time, and by parties who per.
maps want the money for stockings. But
not 10 90 II when your acquaintances are
about Is to be looked upon as "small pota-
toes and few in the hill Take the fol.
lowing as an Illustration ola delightful "hx"
liable to arise from this absurd custom.
gu leel IN mood for glass. You go for
1t. Meet friend just as you are about TO
enter gin mill, and you task him. En-
leri ana he comes upon group OF five or
SIX oil his friends who have Just entered, and
are conVersing for moment. You are IN
troduced all round by your friend. Where
are you now, with dollar in your pocket
and hYe or SIX fellows on your hands, only
one OF whom you ever saw before, and
morally bound by custom and impeled by
ialse PRIDE to ask them TO Join you In a social
glassF lou can get out oi ii; they know
you come IN for liquor, and as your friend
introduced you and didn't invite, why YOU
must do The honors, and say you are glad to
see them Can internal lie, by the way) and |
ASK Them up. If you are known at the bar
an right II not, you have to borrow of your |
iFIend. how's that? Perhaps some oil the
party might ask you some other time, but
ire chances are they wouldn't know YOU
lfom baked apple most absurd, dead
iEaud, this asking in connection with
liquor NO We ask, coax, prevail on acquain-
tA<Vss 70 "n IN aud have neckties, gloves or
u1ols WIZ iiig Come in and take bottle
~ u WIZ n''p me, men will say, and take
gsa ny Ms arm and in you 90. Do they
ever say. Come in and have a hat with
lasF" Aff you continually urged 10 eat
llngsf no they ask you 10 take pocket
AalFes. lead nencils, hair dye, tooth powder,
asIfsf collars or umbrellas with them? No,
hip "ashlng" business Is confined TO liouor.
u IS liquor liherality, or a custom, rather,
HAT extends itself TO no other article, il we
except oysters and cigars, bul in these il is
limited. Take party of six Germans, who
90 IN lor their lager. They sit down, and
'eeh oAiS uiluh9 Mu1l ne wants, anu pays
or what lie drinks. He isn't forced and
Dantered because lie don't drink more. The
same with Enghsllmen, Frenchmen, and ali
'ther people on the face of the globe, ex-
'ept Americans. You know how il would
DC WIN SIX OF The latter, did they go in for
sger. There would be thirty Six glasses
frank, or paid for, il not all drank, because
zach must "ask" the Others Humbugl
foliyl Imagine q case like this, did the
asking business extend beyond the con.
Ines OF liquor Two gentlemen are walking
long the street. One is attracted by fine
display OF botlles-no, boots, shoes, &C., in
window. Bob, let's go in and have some
'oots." In they go. take hold, Bob;
what's your iancy2'' THANK you, Tom
'ut I'm p taking boots Just now" @0h, /.
'ou." "No, excuse me, Tom. y "Take
omething, Bob. Take home pair OF boots
or your wife. Don't sec me do this thing
lone" Bob comes down and takes pair
If boots. It's no use Who could with.
tand Toms appealP