Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-10-13
Wy FIrst Cigar.

I'm almost afraid to say how long it is
ago, but IL must be far on toward forty
years, since set aside money that, in an
ordinary way, would have been devoted to
the succulent tofTee, the crisp hardbake,
the aciduslted lemon rock, or the ginger
bread parliament, 10 the purchase OF my
first cigar.
Pm afraid that my moral feelings must
have been at very low ebb just then, for
went to the shop quite prepared to say
that it was for an uncle; but as was not
asked any questions by The dealer, who
contented himself with wrapping the roll
of leaf most carefully in paper, was
spared the untruth, spent throe-pence for
the coarsely made, dark-hued Bengal
cheroot, and struggled 1t to the school,
feeling all the while as If had committed
some awful crime for the sake of attaining
an unknown joy, which was to be all beau
tiful ecstacy, delight, and dreamy, delicious
delirium.
1t was.
That half holiday l went about with my
jacket tightly buttoned up, stealing one
hand inside every now and then to feel the
end of the roll of paper, deep down in its
seclusion, and make sure that it was still
there. Not schoolfellow approached me
whom did not mentally accuse OF know
ing of its existence, and harboring designs
to obtain it.
"Lend us your knife, Jonesp said
Tompkins Prmus, about three o'clock.
Haven't got one," said, shortly.
hav uai1 Tom MI nC-ulhnrp
in your jacket pocket"
He made snatch at tia horrible snatch /;
but eluded it by ducking down under his
arm, and running to The other end of the
playground. But it was an awful escape,
and he nearly broke my brittle treasure
right in half.
1 think it must have been about six
o'clock, when it was growing dusk, that
slipped away, got over The fence into Barn
by's field, and down behind the big elms,
where, afler listening for few minutes lest
should have been seen or heard, pulled
out the cheroot, and skinned It by taking
off the paper.
Then 1 had to pause for few moments,
in doubt as to whether ought TO put the
thin or the thick end into my mouth, de-
Gliding at last in favor of the thin, and pop
ping It between my lips.
Ugh! But 1t was nasty-simply horrible
10 my fresh young nature.
But 1t was manly TO smoke, and II 1t had
been Ten times as unsatisfactory of flavor,
should not have flinched so 1 took out
my box of matches, and struck several,
blowing them out in turn as as tried to
puff at the cigar, and feeling all the time
as II II we're the fifth o: November, and I
were about 10 start a squib.
1 managed it, though, last, and had the
end well alight, the smoke drawing through
freely, so that obtained good mouthfuls,
and worked away.
1t was rather hot aud strong, certainly,
uG-draw-puff-how old and
manly did feel How drew myself up,
and leaned my shoulder against the fence,
glorying in the pungent incense, which
would make me choke little now and
then, and get into my nose in rather awk-
ward manner.
But then, 1 was smoking, aud the citation
/ felt was delightful.
have since come to the conclusion that
the elaltion was due to my natural excite
ment, consequent upon this glorious step
out of bounds, moral and physical, and moi
from any great potency in the tobacco leaf.
The cigar kept well alight, and 1 was
about one-thlrd through it. 1t was very
dark, and there was sort of furious Joy
in the whole transaction. 1 felt like one OF
the old heroes OF historical romance-a Sir
Francis Drake-a Captain Kidd-a Paul
Jones-a jolly free booter; and, in imag-
ination, clothed myself In buckskin and
tights, wore secret armor, and was ready
TO do any deed of daring.
Iquailed once had my name been call
ed in the school-room, where the boys were
learning to-morrow's lessonsf Had been
missed or asked for by any of my school
fellowsH 1 hoped not. could see their
shadow on tho blinds, as they went TO and
fro In the room, and could see the light in
the DOCTORS study, where I believed he
smoked aud here was 1 smoking too-as
good man as he, and
Ughi
That was a curious shudder that passed
through me, accompanied by strange sens-
alton, as II some one had suddenly lilled Oh