Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1872-09-05
The Social Glass.

"Your face is unusually red, Alonzo
are you i'll ?''
''Not at all; on the contrary feel
exceedingly well. I was wholly un-
conscious that my face indicated an
uncommon glow" replied tue person
addressed.
Look in the mirror; that will tell
you whether l have spoken correctly
Your face is certainly flushed and
feverish. 1 really hope you are not
going to be sick,' added the lady.
''Do not perpleX yourself about it,
wife; it is a phenomenon for which l
can probably accotlht To be frank,
l took a glass of brandy with William
Carroll, whom met in the street
short time ago; so that the flush you
have noticed IS nothing serious, you
see.'
did you take but one glass ?''
asked the lady.
''If the truth must be told, after we
had sat and talked awhile, we drank
again" replied the husband.
care you sure you did not drink
but twice p resumed the wife with a
smile.
81 never knew you to be so inquisi-
tive, Frances. We had not met for a
long time, and the occasion was not
"a common one; so after conversing
for fifteen or twenty minutes upon in
teresting subjects, We indnlged again"
''Do you think it right to make use
of Intoxicating drinks ?" inquired the
lady, after pause.
Il can see no great harm in occasion
ally taking a glass. A little good
spirits calls the social feelings into
action it stimulates the thoughts and
gives keener enjoyment to conversa-
ton. If person has the blues, and
don't feel very well generally, there is
nothing in the world that will arouse him
to a more genial life, than a moderate
glass of good liquor. Why, it will
make him feel like a new man l as
sure you, am in much better condi-
ton, both mentally and physically,
than was an hour ago." was there
ply of Mr.. Ackerman
But is there not danger" remon-
strated his wife, "of producing an ap-
petite for intoxicating drinks, which
cannot be conquered without Sc
we're conflict? How often is it the
case that one indulgence leads to
another, and so on, until the unTfSppy
subject has no longer any command
over himself"
drinking with a friend, you know,
is a different affair." added Mr.. Acker-
man. 81 by no means approve of
drinking every day but only on spe-
cial occasions, when old friends meet,
etc. The temperance cause has few
more earnest advocates than myself
Upon my word, Alongo, l cannot
see the business of your conclusions =
Your philosophy does not appear to
be of general application. Why
should liquid that produces so much
misery be used at all? Why not dis
card it an to'o? If it is good when
old friends meet, why is it not equally
as good on any social occasion? Old
friends are continually meeting they
meet at all places they meet at the
domestic circle; at places of amuse-
ment; at the gaming table; at the
bowling alley; in the saloons of the
fashionable at church, and at places
of national legislation. Now tell me
Alonzo, if you really think that these
.'old friends" should drink brandy, o1
any other stfmulant, on all these occa
sions Is not liquor continua
prompter to crime-the constan
friend Of dissipation-the energetic
coadjutor Of all that is low, vile ant
reprehensible ? Does it not, when i
has once asserted its sway over tn
human character, become the mos
tyrannical of masters, and make it
victim one of the most cringing an,
abject of slaves? 1t may stimulat
the social feelings, for a moment, bu
it ends by crushing all the mortal vii
tues. 1t may awaken for the tim
being, q warm excitement at the hear
and a sensation of pleasure in tn
brain; but it is a fictitious glow
delusive delight"
"Mrs. Askerman, believe you al
: sermonizing," exclaimed the gentle
" man. do you entertain the idea, 70
! a moment, that I could ever fall t
Z the degradation of an inebriate ?-eve
providing that I have an appetite fo
stimulating beverages, do you nc
think that I have manhood also?
trust l have a mind somewhat disc
e plined, and hope you will give n
~ credit for some self government. N
is pride of character will forever prevel
# # any of the evils which you may |
disposed to fear or anticipate. I ca
stand up in my moral might and sa
''thus far will 1 go and no farther
Wn bauo ham