The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-06-21

How THE DEACON Cor CAuaHr.-We
have no hesitnncy in stating that among
the ble-bodied male adults of this city
the very common beverage known as
soda water" and which is dealt out 80
unsparingly at every corner during the
heated term, is considered, to use their
own language, o "thin drink" But as
this ingenious mixture OF wind and
water Is termed "thin," strong liquors.
auco as whiskies, are altogether too
.thiok" for o steady warm weather
drink, and 80 the imbiber who must
'mo1sten his hues" with some iiouid re.
freshment seeks pleasant combination
OF the two classes Of drink, which forms
happy combination that exhilarates.
yet is not Intoxicating. It is customary
among these bibulous go-betweens to-
enter drug store, call for SO do water.
name their syrup, at the same time Civ:
ing q wink to the dispenser Of .slush."
who takes the goblet, in which he places
the syrup, then stoops down beneath the
counter or retires to back room, where.
by some mysterious chemical change.
the contents are colored darkly, and the
SODA Is then let in upon the mixture,
wnlch 1s handed to the customer with a
Wink from the clerk. So much for the
T~>SSt ~" AL VA0 6eQu6l.
Saturday, venerable gentleman from
Inc country, who is respectable church
deacon, Justice of the Peace. q mem-
Der OF the "Band Of Hope" and Good
Iemplar in his native village, came to
this city to trade little in dry goods
and purchase such agricultural imple-
lnents as he needed to plant and Guilt
vate his spring crops. The deacon is
strictly temperate. and never looks upon
the vine when it is red any more than
ne does when it is any other color.
unfortunately, our old friend had suf-
Tered from opthalmia in his early days.
winch left him with an optical popularity
which caused his left upper eye-lid to
drop every few seconds, and, to those
not familiar with his infirmity, gave him
the appearance OF winkiug Intentionally.
The ''deao" is passionately fond of
soda water aud suoh light beverages.
he loves to feel the gaseous compound
coursing down his throat, and creating
internal commotions and typhoons. that.
however endurable by older persons.
throw babes into agony, and require
prompt doses of peppermint: 80 Satur
day, after he had bought a few shoyeIs.
plows, and Dolly Warden for his wife.
he thought he would fill up with soda
water and drive on toward home. He
entered drug store. inquired the price
OF the desired refreshment, then deposit
ed his scrip and awaited his mixture.
What syrup do you want?" said the
nrbane clerk, as he mopped off the mar
bic counter with the same towel he used
moment before to remove tho honest
sweat from hia brow.
"OhI give me sassaparilIy; that Is
about as healthy as anything. guess" !"
Here the deacon's eye-lid went back on
him and dropped quickly.)
IAN right" replied the fountain
tender, as he disappeared below the
counter and came up q moment later
with the drinking glass containing about
three fingers OF 'sassaparilly." to which
he added the other ingredients. and
handed it to the deacon. The latter
drained the contents to the very dregs,
then brushed the froth from his mouth,
smacked his lips. and said: "That syrup
is ieetle stronger than they generally
make it, but my blood is ont of order.
and guess Ill take another glass;" at
the Same time his eye-lid Aattered mean.
ingly as before.
The dose was repeated, and the soda
water bibber left the shop. About half
an hour later he entered another eata.
blisEment where sign ann ounced "Soda
and Mineral Water on Draught." It
was noticed the deacon walked as if he
had the string halt as he entered the
door, aud his spectacles were upside
down on his nose. he called for sCon.
gress water" at that place, saying he
did not feel quite right. and was afraid
he had used too much sy rup in his soda.
water at the other store, or else he was
bilious" His optical weakness exhibited
itself as he spoke, and returning the
wink, the clerk retired to dark closet.
then returning, filled up the glass with
plain Congress-. and gave it to our
now "tightually slight" friend, who
swallowed it without murmur.
How many ''sodas" the deacon stored
away before he left the city, we are
unable to say. but he was found late in
the day, asleep in his wagon, with q
piow point for pillow, and several yards
OF Dolly Warden calico gracefully draped
about his person for covering. He re-
vived sufficiently to inform o stranger
that he had been "drugged," and sub.
sequent visit to the localities where he
had taken soda water deyeloped the faot