Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-04-28
OUR NICKLESVILLE LET
TER.
NICKLESVILLE, VA.
...,I sg-g 1914

y.
April -, 1874.
MR. EDITOR:
Our section of country has been Wis
tied by several heavy frosts within
the past two weeks, which has some
what injured the peach crop; though
The prospect for fruit is still good.
Wheat was never more promising
thnn now, aud should the season con-
tinue favorable our farmers will be
rewarded by the largest yield that
Ina been harvested for many years.
With the future thus bright. we are
hut slightly annoyed by tile frequent
reports of defalcations, volcanic erup-
lions, and new Railroad schemes that
are flooding our country.
On the contrary, our farmers are of
THAI rapidly Increasing class, who
Ineddle but little with politics, aud
expect but little from politicians; con-
sequently they pay but little attention
10 the political chess board.
The war waged so violently against
king Alcohol has been regarded 10y
them with more interest, and has
been watched 10y portion at least
with considerable anxiety. All feel
and freely admit that intemperauce is
the arch enemy of our race. and that
IL Ia the source Of many of those evils.
which winged, and multiform, are
leaving their blight all over our land.
Mt the same time many, who thus
aNow their position, are so tenacious
OF their personal liberty that they look
with but little toleranca upon the
movement inaugurated by our women
aud piUusly Intimate that Gods holy
III a weapon of warfare against the
vendors of apple jack. Whether
these are logical deductions or come
from the love of "wee drop" can be
determined only 10y the circEmstan-
res governing ca,h particular case;
though of one thing we are fully as
sured, and that is that We occupy
rather an anomalous position upon
the temperance question. Under our
present county regulations, it would
toe almost impossible for any one to
procure license To sell the creature"
Yet there is no county of the State
that Cousums more liquors in proper
ton to population. Whilst we have
no legallZed vendors in our midst,
t..ere can be found perambnlating kegs
and jugs, all over our country from
Which our moderate, immoderate and
cummodious drinkers draw their sup
plies, regardless alike of temperance
crusaders and revenue officials.
The secrecy that at one time charac-
terized this traffic has been thrown off
aud il Is now quite common specta-
Gle To behold these illicit dealers lii
public places openly plying their vo-
cation. m fact it has become so COM
mon that the better class Of our citi-
zens, realizing the injury done to So
cicty, are seriously contemplating the
remedy offered by the law of our coun-
try, and ere long some of the boldest
NIolators will be brought to justice. To
illustrate its workings i'm our OVID vi
cinity, | will introduce to the readers
OF the NeICS AN important parsonage of
our place. who glOries in the euphoni-
Gus appreciation Of Pet" Every
town has its "hand easel and Nickels-
vnle Justly claims "Pet.n He wants
hat little here below, but wants that
little st, oRJ. AT the same time he
renders himself useful to our citizens
;is their man of all work, and is cspe-
Cially serviceable To our merchants, TO
whom ne furnishes cut straw to pack
the twenty-five thousand dozen of
eggs which they annually ship. The
turce of habit has somewhat shaken
his total abstinence principles, SO il
frequently happens that Pet succumbs
10 the willy temptcr The only fea-
lures OF the temperance crusade that
he admircs is Mrs. Wards pluck and
The prospect of cheap whiskey.
a few weeks ago the proprietor of a
jug, made his appearance at the regu-
lar time, with the usual quantity of
mountain dew.n Pet hearing of his |
arrival and establishment in trade, |
immediately called OH him and made
known his wants. 1t SO happened !
that Pet was caught upon change"
short, and would probably have suffer
cd sore disappointment, had he not
thought of the financial pressure, the
indefinite posponrment of work upon
the Cumberland Gap & Ky, II II. and
The consequent advance in coffee. He
proposed coffee and the owner being
lountifully supplied with that charity. |
easily entreated made Pet glad by ac-
cepling the proposal. Pet proceeded
Immediately To a store where he pro-
cured three pounds Of dried beans,
which being nicely done up il. paper,
was placed IN the rapaciOus paw If the
dealer, who safely stored il away in a
large bag prepared for the spOils.
Since that time there has been no
trains run upon that branch Of the
Dead River Railway and the mi
nuriIy report is that beams are more
effective than revenue officers.
Il ri SgN