Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-12-21
VOL. l.. NEW SCI


BAR-RooMs.
Monsieur y" writes thus in the New
York Sun
Physicians say that nearly twO-thlrds o.
their male patients suffer in one way or an
other from alcoholic poison. No close OBJ
server will be disposed to doubt this. From
the low shops on South and West streets
along the line of more fashionable saloons or
and near Broadway, in the vicinity of the
old postoffice, in the gilded retreats that
grid the Astor house, in the several places
of note on Printing House square, in the
cozy bOudoirs of Union square, and IN the
magnificent marble palaces that fringe Mad
ison square, not omitting the frescoed club
room and the dingy slop-shops of the extreme
east side-from the first tn the last, and IN
them all, the same story of intemperance
may be learned.
| went into the basement OF one OF Goth
am 5 greatest architectural piles this morn
ing. and stood at the end of the counter
half an hour. to see what was done. There
were four bar tenders, all busily engaged.
In that brief time they sold to all sorts and
conditions of men 200 beers, 81 whiskies,
10 lemonades plain settlers and gin
cocktails. Ii was an exceptionally busy
half hour, TO be sure but as | took my seat
at little table near the counter, | noticed
| in the next half hour, and made memoran-
| dunn to guard against mistakes, a sale of 1870
beers, 30 whiskies and G gin cocktails. The
men who drank them were not "bums.
Very many of them are known to the world
of politics, several are noted writers, the
city hall furnished its quota, some do busi-
ness in the swamp, and not one seemed IN
the least degree affected by what he drank.
Leaving this place We went to another
saloon, equally well known, whose proprie-
tors pay an annual rent OF 500 900 Tor the
premises. which are kept open from eight
O'Clock in the morning until seven O'Clock
in the evening. Standing BY little cigar
case which is placed at one side OF the room,
| devoted half an hour to a close count of
the drinks and drinkers There were three
bar keepers, and they had all they could do
to attend promptly to the customers. One
company of six young men drank six times
in less than fifteen minutes, and each took
his whiskey straight. Ia half an hours
time that bar sold 9s whiskies, four ginger
ales, three elders, and II gin cocktails. As
went out | said to one of the six young
men who drank six times, What are you
drinking so much for to-day ?" "Oh, moth
ing" he replied Il didn't intend to.
Charley and went in for an oyster, and
were ordering when those four fellows from
Albany came along. Charley asked EN- to
drink, and one followed the other" That's
the history of many spree. The spree
doesn't intend to go off, but meeting friend
the one tempts the other.
Returning to the saloon | visited first, |
ordered lunch, and was soon joined-l al
ways am-by an acquaintance, who, OF
course, said, What II you take - Being
in a taking mood. said | would try glass
OF rye. lie took the same. Having said
How and emptied our glasses, | said,
"Ruie, what did you drink that whiskey for
Do you like it,
'No, don't like it. I'm drinking too
much, too. Guess I'll pull up
"Well, tell me what did you order 1t
for
why, for sociability's sake, | suppose.
What did YOU drink it for?
because wanted to ask Just this ques-
ton. I've been looking at the fellows drink
there, and believe that eight out of ten
drink just because they don't like to say
'nol'''
"Does it make your head ache to drink
whiskey?"
YES
$50 it does mine | swore of whiskey
and took to beer, but beer makes me BIZ
ious 9"
why drink anything? -
Hanged if know, but We all do drink.
We were Joined by an actor. Being an
actor, and in the company of newspaper
man, there was, he thought, but one thing
to do.
Said he, What Il you take ?"
We took whiskey. 30 did he.
We each said, "How, and then said /,
Dan, do you like whiskey9"
81 hate it,
"Why do you drink ~
81 don't often. | generally take gin but
they both upset me give me fearful head
ache. But what are you going to do Must
drink something"
In that way have spoken to not less than
20 men this very day. OF the 20, Is said
that drink always gave them headache +;
one owned that be "loyed the taste :" one
said he drank because he was "blue," and
one confessed he was ION tear. and he
didn t care who knew it," 1t stands to rea-
son that this sort Of thing must produce
some impression on the human form ulvlne
The doctors say it induces paralysis, indiges-
tion. headache, rheumatism, and weakness
of many kinds. Not being doctor, don't
attempt to endorse their opinion, hut this |
will say, that among all the hundreds reg
ular topers, not drunkards-to be found in
the frst-class saloons of New York to-day,
it would be impossible to find a dozed men
who will say that they drink because they
are fond of liquor. They drink because it
seems to be the thing to do.