The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1872-08-09
I.earnlns % Sn.she.

Bob Phast was telling me the other
day, how hugely he enjoyed Ills first
smoke, and said mmybe il would
write II piece about il aud print ii in
the paper, it might prove Il warning
to some rash youth, who believes he
never can become Il man without first
becom;nga finnig,ting bipcd. "But
don't use my lmme," he enioilieG.
Aud | don't Intend to. will ca!l
him Smylhe.
Bob mcaa Smvtlm-smoked his
first cigar when be- WAS OF Il very ten
der age. One Of the first moral les
soas mslilled Into his youthful mind
by Il loving parriit WAS about never
putting oil till tomorrow what vTln
lie d0ne 10 day. 80, when three Of
his companions, Oh Saturday after
nooa suggested that They learn to
smoke.
Bob-Smytlle at once that il
wonld he worse than folly to defer ull-
til Sunday.
There were four Of t!iem-Jin, Eli,
Joe and B--Slnythe.
Il wish | hadn't promised Bob not
to melition bis name, because ! expect
| will get 1t in the piece before it Is
finished.
Bill was the happy possessor of
cent, ard, surfing oil to Il tobacco
foundry, lie soon returned with four
cigars. Pennies were ni,lsh larger in
those days, you know, than latteriy.
Are they siXcrs." asked Joe.
NO" replied Bill, Il guess they're ,
fourlers. got four for cent, any
how"
Then each lad took cigar, mount
ed fence under the shade of Il cherry |
tree, light was passed around, alld--
They smoked,
The robbins sang mcrrily in the
tree; the lambs skipped and g:lmboled
in an adjacent meadow, and
They smoked.
'The esun'Sscorclliilg rays cau,eddrops
of perspiration to oole from the hon
est brow of the husbandmnn tOiiing
in Il neighboring field, whilst the
measured strokes of his swinging
scythe fell gently upon the ear, and
Snythe didn't smoke.
He had consumed only about one
inch OF his cigar, when his eoulte-
nance suddenly grew pale, rs if he
had seen ghost or something, and he
looked very much discouraged, jll,t as
il he would rather stop wrestling with
that cigar, and lie down u spell.
"rhere you have dropped yUur ci-
gar" said Bill.
Its OUT
'Come and get another light"
No said Bob Ph--Smyllie. I'm
save this till tomorrow. picking up
the ''stump,"''l must go home now.'
But he didn't go home. lie was
fearful lest the smell of tobacco smoke !
would unfold u compulsory strap with
which his mother sometimes vatcillat-
ed him.
lie was sick--tllat's what allied him. I
The penny that purchased the cigar /
must have been Ind one. lie felt,
he said, rs ii he had swallowed u live I
lobster, and it was trying to find It's
way out. He staggered down to the
rivers brink and crawled under sonie
alder bushes.
Ever and anon a b0atnlau OH the
opposite side of the stream would sell
"lie;lye tool
And the young smOki>t "heayed."
Smytlle thought maybe he WAS 60
ing TO make "a subject for y funeral.
alpl wondered how long his body
would remain in the bushes before il
was discovered. Then he thought
great many things and great MANY
things he didn't think Of. At last he
managed to get upon his feet and
started for honle--tirst taking the half /
cigar from his pocket and hurling it
into the river.
On entering the door his strength
failed him, and he fell to the floor,
exclaiming, Il am Sick
''Wlmt made You sick?' asked his
running TO him.
Il don't know. Maybe it WAS
some green apples | eat.
lie was put TO bed and doctor
When he arrived llc felt
Bob's pulse and told him t. put ont
his tongue. What is the matter
with him, Doctor" anxiously asked
.le mother.
Nothing serious. Hes been smok-
ng cigar. t
When this announcement was made,
Bob-Smytln, ! nle;lil,--s.i,l he felt as
{ 1t would have done him heap of
,ood IL he could have died right away.
And this feeling was augmented when
lis mother 0nlniO,lsly remarked:
Smoking y cigar-elI? Ill smoke
lin when I've gets better, the young
campm
Aid size did. She just brought into
equisition that compulsory Vaccina-
ion strap, and made Bob promise
hat he would never smoke Ole OF
llose disgusting things again as long
Is he lived.
The lesson was severe one, and
Bob never forgot it. Ile has not smOk-
d "a common" cigar since. lie pays
i've and ten cents apiece for 'em now.
lie says they are not so disgusting.
Yours,
u. BADD.
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