Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-02-10
gaIss s shettbes.
"ONLY ONE GLASS;
BY CYBIL DUNsTON,

BY CYBIL DUNsToN.
Why, nonsense, James Blackburn :;
what has come over you ? am good sccuri-
ty, think LII take all the responsibility
in this case, at least. Come step in, l
shall only ask you to take one glass
james Blackburn stood irresolutely a
moment, then, with forced smile, follow
ed his companions into the fashionable
saloon, where glittering glasses and decan-
ters, snowy mirrors, meretricious prints
and oil paintings, and gilded wall paper.
tempted the uniformed and unrenecting.
Not without secret dread did the young
man re-enter the Ocean, The last visit
there, six months prior, cost him a wears,
savings and the bitterness experience his
life. 1t had well nigh ruined him, had not
true friend intCrposed with the discretion
and Judgment of ripe aye to protect him
in measure from the legitimate results of
beastly carousal.
He remembered also his pledge to his
wlte-his solemn pledge never to enter the
ocean saloon again never to touch, taste
or handle the accursed liquid again-iust
when 1t was too late, for his friend had
ordered Whisky, straight, for three and
and already the deianter was in the hand
of the third member of the party.
Here, Blackburn exclaimed this indi-
viduai, in a tone of vulgar familiarity
Here's to independence if there's one
thing l like above another it's independ-
encc.'
Yes chmed in the second 'indepen-
dence is what our iorefathers fought and
died for. Fill up your glass, Blackburn.
Pooh, man there's scarce enough to mois-
ten midge's wing. There that's more
like the thing. Well,' smacking his lips,
now that's what call devlish good liquor. )
The bar-keeper was bending over the
slop-tub; yet Blackburn flnccd he detect
ed Il sneer upon the mans lips. His better
angel urged him to Withdraw Immediately;
but one OF the party was a total stranger
to him, and Blackburn was afraid lest he
! should attribute the desertion to quit anoth-
er motive. He was sensitive upon this
point-and just here we may remark that
many good ship has foundered on the
same rock.
The devil pride is Unsuitable, exacting
and remorseless.
Yes; and that was good toast, but let
me give better. Here, fill these glasses
again. added Blackburn, indicating the
water tumbers as he produced his pocket
book. His good angel again whispered it
were wiser to retreat from danger while ii
the victory as q fresh group entered the
| saloon. ..
Hello Blackburn Thought you'd
sworn otf-glad TO see you take drink
with-O excuse mel see, and nodding,
the acquaintance passed on.
Here said Blackburn, eevating his
glass and looking towards his companions,
here is to the great Republican party
That's a foolish toast said his friend,
setting down his glass suddenly.
the Republican party p exclaimed
] the third, with an oath.
Whoever damns the Republican party
damns me, retorted Blackburn hotly.
'Nonsense-of course you didn't know
Gill was Democrat-drop politics, l sayl
And /, too replied Blackburn, ashamed
of himself, Il thought Gill was along with
us, ,Brown-of course that's apology enough
for him.
Il want none-but want my whisky,
replied that individual, with an attempt al
pleasantly.
The whisky was swallowed in total ST.
lence.
Come y said Gill, as the others made @
movement towards the door, it's my trea
but, l say, shall it be whisky
of course = responded Brown. BY this
time the blood coursed freely in the veins
of the abstinent member of the party.
Let us set down to it, Brown-I'm tiret
standing
Il was just on the point of proposing it,
rejoined Brown, whereupon the trio seated
themselves. f.
The waiter attended them at the table
A plate of soup was ordered, together Will
more liquor. In discussing these, it wa
impossible to remain silent. The conver
sation finally veered into politics again
there was a bitter quarrel, which was wit
messed by more than score of men, whose
testimony at subsequent period reflected
severely upon the conduct of Blackburn
1t required ali the strategy fthe proprietor
of the SO loon to quiet the belligerents-whei
they were persuaded to leave the house, h
deliberately closed the door.
Unfortunately, Blackburn was the las
TO leave the house. He conceived the actor
of the landlord was deliberate insult. Ill
flung the door open rudely, and re-enterin
> strode up TO the proprietor in menacin!
manner.
,, Did you catch my coat purposely, sir I
You had better 60 OUT retorted th
proprietor, with threatening movement
You can't put me out was the las