Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-05-31
Scene IN 9 Soda shop


A REPUTATION NEARLY BLASTED ur a ''s'E-
sMAELLA sLNosa's" suAEr>Ess.
From the Cleveland LelleI.I
We have no hc-itancy in stating that
among the abc-b0diei male adults Of this
city the very common beverage known as
..soia water" and which is dealt
cut SO uusparinElyat every corner turing the
heated tenn, is considered, to use their own
language, 'thin drink But while the
ingenious mixture of wind and water is
termed "thin, strong liquors. such as
whi-kie-, are altogether too "thick' for
steady warm weather drink, and so the I'M
bl5er who must moisten his lucs with some
liquid reireshmcnt seek, pleasant clm5ina-
ti1n of the TVS classes of drink, which forms
a happy combination that cxhiaratcs yet is
not intoxicating. It's customary among
these bihul1us go-betwcens to enter drug
store. call for soda water, name the syrup, at
the same time giving wink % the dispenser
Of .'slu-h, " who takes the goblet, in which
be places the syrup, then stoops down be-
meath the counter or rctircs 10 back rom.
where. by some mysterious chemical change,
the contents arc c0lorei darkly, and the soda
Is then Jet in upon the mixture, which is
handed TO the customer with wink from the
clerk. So much for the process now for the
sequel.
Saturday a venerable gentleman from the
country, who is a respectable church deacon,
a Justice of the Peace, a member Of the
Band Of Hope, and Good Templar in his
village, came TO the city to trade little in
dry goods and purchase such agricultural
implements as he needed to plant and cult
vatc his Spring crops. The deacon Is strict
V temperate. and never looks upon wine
when it is red any more than he does wncn 1t
is any other color. Unfortunately our Old
friend had suffered from 0pthalmia in bis
earlier days, which left him with an optical
pcculiarity which caused biz left upper eye
lid to drop every few seconds, and which TO
those not familiar with his inirlnity, gave
him the Appearance of winking Intentional
ly.
The "Dcac' is passionately fond Of soda
water, and Light beverages. He loves to feel
the gaseous compound coursing down his
throat, and creating internal connections
and typho1ns, that, however cndurable by
older persons, throw babies into agony. and
require prompt doses Of peppermint; so
Saturday, after be had bought a few shovels.
ulows, hoes, rakes, and thrashing machines,
also a Dolly Warden for his wife, he thought
he would fiji up with soda water and drive
on toward home. lie entered drug store.
inquired the price Of the desired refrcshment
then deposited his scrip and awaited its mix
ture.
'.What syrup 90 you wan2' said the ur-
bane clerk, as he mopped of the marble
counter with the same towel he used a me-
nent before to remove the honest sweat from
his brow.
'sOh, give me sassparilly; that is about as
healthy as anything, | guess (llerc the
deacon's eyelii went back on him and drop
ped quickly.)
a. All right" replied the fountain tender,
as he disappeared below the counter, and
| came up moment later with the drinking
/ glass containing about three fingers Of "sas-
saparilly;'' to which he added the other in
gradients, 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 a
leetle stronger than they generally make it,
| but my blood is out Of order, and guess I'll
take another glass" at the same time his eve
| lid huttered meaningly as before.
The dose was repeated, and the soda-watel
bibber left the store. About half an hour
later he entered another establishment where
a sign announced "Soda and Mineral Water:
on draugbt." 1t was noticed that the Dea-
con walked as if he had the spring halt as be
entered the door and his spectacles were up
side down on his nose. lie called for "Con-
gress Water" at this place, saying be "diC
not feel quite right, and was afraid he haC
used too much syrup in his soda water at the
other store, or else he was bilious. lii'
optical weakness. exhibited itself as he spoke
and returning theIwink, the clerk retired t.
a dark closet, then returning filed up th'
glass with plain Congress" and gave it t.
now "tightually slight" friend, who swallow
ed it without murmur.
How many ''sodas" the deacon stored ava,
bafore be left the city we are unable to say
but he was found late in the day, asleep il
his wagon, with plow point for pillow