The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-05-20
Experience With Tobacco.
BY G. b. SHERRON.

! AS' ~ NASo OAAS"3 hOAANTNN
Spit, Expectorate Cor something to
that cffecD2
recollcct very well how it came
about that l was never to use tobacco
in any form. The:lesson was forcibly
impressed upon my memory.
1t was cold day and all of us
children were grouped in the sitting
room of the house, 1--WE called it sit
ting room, parlor, and dining-room,a as
occasion required,) and for wonder
my paternal relative was there.
"Boys," said he, 81 don't want to
ketch any of yer ever usin' tobacco in
any shape; it's a very poor practice, it
don't do yer any good, and it's dis
gustin' teo"-here he stopped long
enough to take aim at an old clay spit
toon in one corner; ejecting terrible
mouthful he then resumed. Eyes, it's
a bad practice, boys, and hope no son
of mine will descend to it, cause if yer
do"-here he became excited, "I'll gin
yer the darndest lickin' yer ever had.
"What makes you use tobacco. pa
pa p said little Annie Louisa.
For an instant my sire hesitated, but
only for moment then he said:
"Cause my father made me when /
was small"
"Well, you must hare had mean
old daddy" said 1.
81 had darned sight better one
than you've gotw responded my UNI
worthy progenitor.
l didn' argue the case, but it broke
up the advice about tobacco.
But disregarded the governors
advice, and learned to smoke. Yes,
| remember it well. 'Twas in July, a
hot, clsudless day, with the sun pour
ing down on the DEVOTED heads of my
friend Charley Aleck any myself, as
we strolIed out towards the woods
where some OF our crowd were in pic
mic.
We had but just started when he
said:
''Lefs have segar!'
Now, l had never smoked, but then,
I did not like to say SO to him !;
so he went in and bought the cheapest
they had-got ten for twenty-five
cents. He gave me one with the re-
mark: "These are very common,
George, and can't hurt you."
lit it, and drew in my breath. Why,
how easy it was. l blew out the
smoke and took another "drsw," and
| drew with my utmost power, and at
each "pug" emitted enough smoke
10 blind my companion. Hsw proud
| felt as l passed the house OF girl
friend, and saw her at the window. l
was as good as her big BROTHER, for l
smoked.
That first cigar was no soner burn
cd away than the second one was lit,
but somehow didn't anticipate so
much fun out in the woods as l had
been doing. Then l concluded l
would have a picnic of my own, sOtus,
and sitting down on the grass, L told
Charley to GO Oh, and let HE die here !;
it's about as good as any spot. But
Charley said, "I'll be hanged if you
die"-and would not leave me. Prob
ably he was afraid they would accuse
him of my death, as he gave me the
cigar.
And there lay, and groaned, and
sighed, and rendering up my accounts,
and wanted to die, and was sorry l
could not, and was afraid should, and
well, 1 realized the most conflicting
emotions possible.
Finally drink of water, clear and
cool, made me feel better, and l jour-
neyed on, eventually reaching the
designated grove. Then we boys
went off for swim, and after that l
felt all right.
knew how to smoke, but my faith
er didn't know that l knew.
Idon't believe in the general diff
fusion of knowledge, so 1 kept my
sickness( p to myself with heroic for
titude.
How did l commence to chew Oh
yes; well, it wasn't from choice.
was selling tobacco for a house on
Market street, and was trying to work
up a local trade. having a full line o.
samples at reasonable rates. praised
my tobaccos, and other men praised
theirs.
"Try this" one man would say. giy