The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-02-27
How They Cured Him,

HOODS was idu Ol StTONb dueCllOHb
and great abilities, which seemed to con-
centrate in an abnormal though not un-
common love fer whisky. His wife and
mother-ln-law had tried various plans to
stop him, but Hobbs, putting it all to
the credit of that disposition to tyran-
nize which wife when backed by her
mother always entertains, resOlutely re-
fused to be conquered. Alter many fail
ures they succeeded, however, in finally
bringing him to terms.
Mrs. Hobbs was sort of domestic
conoclast-putting the bottle in the light
of Hobbs' idol-and every day made a
crusade among all the hiding places in
the house. Wherever she found her bet
ter halfs stimulant concealed, she forth
with poured out the liquor and broke the
bottle.
After consultation with her mamma
flask among number of old medicine
bottles in the cellar. 1t was only the
work Of u moment to empty box of
pills into its contents, and await the re-
suit.
Hobbs came home as usual with a
somewhat anxious expression in his eye,
and looking at the fire in vacant, ab-
sent way, remarked he guessed he'd 60
down into the cellar and see how the
coal was. He did 10 down, and the con-
spirators up stairs kept exchanging
smiles until he came up. When he was
seated and singular complacency min
gIed with the least shadow OF doubt had
settled on his brow, his mother and wife
began conversing.
"But it seems 80 strange, mother"
said Mrs. Hobbs, "that whisky mixed
with arsenic could kill vermin, Pm al
most sorry I bought it. Besides, it's
very dangerous to have around the
house."
Hobbs was eating very earnestly at the
time, but the clatter of his knife and fork
ceased somewhat as his wife spoke.
"You know, mother, anybody could be
deceived in it," she continued, sIor
there's not the least difference between
it and whisky, except the horrible death
it causes"
The victim listened and, whether it
was Imagination or not, he felt slight
uneas mess underneath his waistcoat.
"Oh! yes" replied the mother, Mrs.
Cooney says her husband was going to
drink it for the real stuff yesterday, and
would, if she hadn't caught him. But
then it kills 'em beautifully, she says.
The rats take to 1t just like human be-
ings, and in about halt an hour afterward
tney bust"
Hobbs face gradually became more
hovrifed, and he stared blankly across
the table and moved uneasily in the
chair, But neither Of the women seemed
to notice him.
"But for. all that it's too dangerous.
pn 20 this minute and take it from the
medicine bottles in the cellar and lock
it up"
"What is it" gasped poor Hobbs, gaz-
ing imploringly al the women, who look
ed very much surprised. "W hat In the
name Of goodness are you talking
about~
"Why," answered his wife coolly. "we
bought some rat poison from peddler
yesterday, which he called the alcoholic
Bane;' it kills any thing that takes it in
half an hour"
"Where did you put it," ne groaned,
growing weak.
"DoWn among the medicine bottles in
the cellar"
81 am dead man, 1 drank 1t every
DROP" shrieked the agonized Hobbs, and
down he went under the table, where he
topped around, rumpled the carpet and
yelled for armies oil doctors and myriaus
| of stomach pumps to bail him out.
The women dosed the poor fellow with
| warm water and tickled his throat with
| a feather until it seemed to him that
everything he had ever eaten showed IT.
self. But their efforts to save him were
successful. and the worst was over-for
| the most part. While he was recovering
from the exhausting effects OF the whisky
and its contents, out of gratitude foI
preserving his lie he promised them he
| would drink no more, and he didn't.