The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-11-15
The Cigar He Did Not Smoke.

and Germany, Prince Bismarck, "the
man of blood and iron," was the actor in
an incident of most suggestive nature.
The prince is said to be smoker, ardent
ly attached to the ''weed." He is re-
ported to have said, "the value of cigar
is best understood when tits the last you
POSSESS, and there is no chance of getting
another" Most devOtees of tobacco in
any form seem to delight in their bond
age to it, and to be miserable if deprived
of it. 1t is said that Bismarck had cher
ished his last cigar all through battle,
in glad anticipation of the luxury in
store for him, when he suddenly and
gladly deprived himself of the smoke
giving solace. In his own words, 81
painted in glowing colors in my mind
the happy hour when should enjoy it
after the victory. But had miscalcu-
lated the chances. A poor dragon lay
helpless, with both arms crushed, MUIR
muring for something to refresh him. !
felt in my pockets, and found that l had
only gold, and that would be of no use
to him. But stay, had still my treas
ured cigar! lighted this for him and
placed it between his teeth. You should
have seen the poor fellows grateful
smile. l never enjoyed cigar so much
as that one l did not smoke"
This is a charming little story, and re-
minds one Of the still finer unselfishness
of Sir Philip Sidney, who, at the battle
of Zutphen, gave the water brought to
him, parched with thirst though he was,
to poor wounded soldier. Both illus
trate the great truth of the "luxury of
doing good''-a phrase as true as it is
beautiful. 1t is luxury within the
reach of all, even the poorest and hum
blest, and is one, too, which does not lose
its charm by repetition, but increases the
more it is INDUCED in.
Sir Philip Sidney denied himself the
draught of water, almost necessary of
life, to his humble companion in arms.
Bismarck surrendered luxury that per-
haps cost him nearly as much self-denial
as that of Sir Philip Sidney. Both knew
pleasure that was greater than the one
they had foregone, for eternally true are
the sacred words, sit is more blessed to
give than to receive"
81 never enjoyed cigar so much as
that one did not smoke" Might not
this sentiment be uttered by many a man
who has relinquished his daily wine or
beer for the sake of others. The new
found pleasure of Bismarck is one that
has gladdened the hearts of thousands of
unknown men and women, who have dis
cerned that teetotalism has yielded them
a JOY intellectually greater and more last
ing than the one 'glass" ever gave. AT
| first, perhaps, they experience physical
discomfort and social inconvenience, but
as they saw lost men and women rescued;
ragged and half-starved children clothed
and fed; aching hearts made glad; and
wretched homes made joyous, and have
traced this human prosperity and glad
ness to their own teetotalism, they have
borne about their hearts quiet but
genuine satisfaction which has repaid
them hundred fold for the sacrifice"
they have at first.
"That cigar l did not smoke" How
many, looking back upon the time when,
after hesitating between two opinions,
they decided for the safe and noble side,
and left untouched the glass that waited
their lifted hand, can say that that glass
they ."did not" take was the most joy
giving glass they ever knewa In almost
every town and village there are men and
women whose hearts are gladdened by
the sight or the memory of the good
work done. In the quiet church-yard
rests one man, once a nuisance to the
neighborhood and curse to his home,
and an outcast from society. A brave
man tried to rescue him, and by the glass
Of wine he ibid not take" reached his
heart, and won him to sobriety and god
illness, till his wife and children well
coined him they had once dreaded; the
wretched home became bright with plen-
ty and love, and the neighborhoOd found
that the man who was its disgrace and
annoyance had become a respectable and
useful citizen.
In pulpit in great town stands
wise and Christian preacher, whose influ-
ence is mighty on the side of Christ and
humanity. Years ago he was in danger.
His personal attractiveness, his talent and
geniality were perilous gifts, for the
"glass" was his growing resort In aid of
sociality, endurance, and brilliance. A
wise and womanly woman saw it and
trembled for him. She stood we'll in So
ciety-her table was the resort of the
culture Of the neighborhood, and the elo-
qucnt preacher was one of her most well
come guests. To save him, she not only
uttered words of tender warning, but set
the example Of personal abstinence. By
reason of her entreaties and example, he
became an abstainer. He sees the peril
he 90 narrowly escaped. He sees men