The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1871-09-07
A BASKET OF CHAMPAGNE.
BY SOPHIE MAY.

dashing editor of a western newspaper.
If he should ever see this little story, he
will not deny that it is perfectly true,
with the exception OF names.
At the time I knew him he was a
handsome young man, with genial man.
ners and an occasional redn ess Of the
eyes. He had long been exceedingly
popular with that class of young gentle
men who tarry long at the wine. His
chief fault was infirmity of purpose. He
laughingly said it was certain he was
easily influenced, for the "gentle power
of one little woman carried him five
hundred miles over q horrid road In the
spring of the year."
Yet believe he acknowledged it was
the most profitable journey he ever
made. The five hundred miles which
lay between him and Miss Lizzie Gray
had been very good friends to him, for
they had kept her from knowledge OF
his convivial habits. A years corre-
spondence had given her no hint OF
wine-parties and midnight revels; for
love-letters, like dead men, "tell no
tales"
Lizzie had been married nearly q year
before she even suspected her husbands
weakness. He had resisted temptation
manfully for her sake, and might have
fought the battle still longer if New
Years calls" had not overtaken him
like thief III the night.
"Ah now," said Mrs. Smiley, the &C.
knowledged leader of fashionable socie-
ty, "you don't refuse to drink glass OF
vino with me, Mr.. Preston? Refuse a
lady! I shall begin to believe what all
the world says-that that pretty little
Northern wife of yours is q tyrant.
You used to be a man Of gallantry.
Seriously, Mr.. Preston, l shall take it as
a personal atftont if you decline"
That night poor Hamilton staggered
home in a very confused state of mind.
"Poor Lizzie," said he, wiping his
maudIin tears an the tablecloth, "Sorry
for you, Lizzie, but you'll be 'bliged to
scuze me. Everybody made me dlink
suthin-so cold-said my wife wouldn't
low me to drink suthin-Everybody
said! S'pose Use goin to-to-stand that,
Lizzie?"
Poor Mrs. Preston! She could not
have been more dismayed if the stars
had dropped out of the heavens like
paper spangles! But the gentle little
woman did not fold her hands, close her
eyes and die; as she thought at first she
would be'very glad to do. On the con-
trary she rallied her forces and made NO
sign.
Next morning Mr.. Preston was 81
sorely ashamed that he humbly confess
ed his misdemeanors, from his first
glass of whisky up to the choice Madeira
he had drank the day before in Mrs.
Smiley's parlor.
Now, l suppose said he with q
melancholy smile" you have lost all
respect for me, Lizzie?'
II have come to this conclusion,
Hamilton" replied his wife, fixing her
clear blue eyes affectionately upon him,
my husband has not the moral
strength to manage himself, and it Is
my duty to-take care of him."
agreed, my dear" said the lord OF
creation with sheepish glance at the
carpet.
There was no regularly organized
temperance society in town, temperance
being as much out Of favor there al
chills and fever, and not half as preva
lent, 80 Mrs. Preston watched her vacil-
lating husband with sleepless vigilance
zone day he gave dinner party iu
his own house to some old friends. The
beautiful young wife presided with 8
gentle grace which won all hearts. AT
ter the oysters had been discussed, 6
servant entered the room, saying if Mrt
Preston pleased there was boy at thu
door with basket Of bottles.
What does he think we want of bot
! ties? Go back and tell him lie may
carry them home:'
But he says he was sent here, a'am,
persisted Bridget, and he says the bot
ties is just champagne
"Then Of course it is a mistake
Bridget. He has come to the wrong
house" mo mistake, madam" inter
posed Mr.. Fling, one of the guests; ii
is my boy Ben. left orders for him t.
bring the basket about this time. W.
will drink social glass together my
friends, in memory of auld lang syne."
mot in my house, Mr.. Fling!" salt
Mrs. Preston, firmly. Bridget, yo'
may do as l bade you;-tell the boy Il
take back the basket, and 1 am yer.
sorry for the mistake"
"Mrs. Preston, Lizzie, what do yo'
mean ?" said the head of the house will
extreme displcasure.
II mean, my dear Hamilton, that yo'
shall not be tempted back to your win
If l can prevent it. Gentlemen" sh
added turning to her husbands guests
with sweet dignity, "he cannot resis
temptation, you know he cannot!
ask you as his good friends, don't b
stumbling blocks for Hamilton Pres
tonu'
Mr.. Fling, who had been looking q
pointed daggers as politeness woul'
allow, was little Modified by the lady
persuasive tones.
You are a bit of Puritan, my dea
! Mrs praston Don't take a trifiin
matter so seriously"
II will smile, Mr.. Fling, if you vii
say you are not offended"
"Offended? No madam, l admir-
your heroism."
And you forgive my apparent rude