The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-11-30
People Who Drink.
OBSERVATIONS IN FIRST CLASS BARRooMs.

OBSERVATIONS IN FIRST CLASS BARRooMs.
Monsieur X" thus writes to the New
York Sun.
Physicians say that nearly two thirds of
their male patients suffer in one way or an.
other from alcoholic poison.
No close observer will be disposed to doubt
this.
From the low shops on South and West
streets, along the line of more fashionable
saloons on and uear Broadway, in the vicin-
ity of the old post office, in the gilded re-
treats that grid the Astor house, in the sew
eral places of note on Printing House square,
in the cozy boudoirs Of Union square, and
iu the magnificent marble palaces that
fringe Madison square, not emitting the
frescoed club room and the dingy slup shops
of the extreme east side-irom the first to
the last, aud in them all, the same story of
intemperance may be learsed.
went into the basement of one of Go
tham's greatest architectural piles this morn
ing, and stood at the end of the counter hal
al uouI, W see WnaI WAS uOUe,
There were four bartenders, all busily en-
gagged,
In that brief time they sold to all sorts
| and conditions of men two hundred beers,
thirty-two whiskies, ten lemonades, two
plain settlers, and three gin cocktails.
1t was an exceptionally busy half hour, to
be sure but as took my seat at a little
table near the counter, | noticed in the
next half hour, and made memorandum TO
guard against mistakes, sale of one nun
dred and thirty beers, fifty WHISTLES aId six
gin cocktails.
The men who drank were not "bums."
Very many of them are known to the
| world ofpoiitics several are noted writers,
the city hall furnished its quota, some do
business in the swamp, and uot one seemed
in the least degree affected by what he
drank.
Leaving this place we went to another sa-
loon, equally well known, whose proprietors
pay an annual rent of 100000 for the prem.
ises, which are kept open from eight O'Clock
in the morning until seven in the even
ing
Standing by little cigar case which is
placed at one side of the room, l devoted
half an hour to close count OF the drinks
and drinkers.
There were three barkeepers, 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 whisky straight.
In half an hours time that bar sold nine.
ty-eight whiskies, four ginger ales, three ci-
ders, and fourteen gin-cocktails.
As went out | said to one of the six
young men who drank six times What ar,
you drinking 50 much for to-day?';
/ "Oh, nothing" he replied Il didn't in
tend to. Charley and [ went in for an oys
ter, and were ordering when those four tel
lows from Albany came along. Charley
asked 'em to drink, and one followed th
other"
That's the history of many a spree. Th
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-I al
am-by an acquaintance, who, of course
said, "What'll you take ?"
Being IN a taking mood, | said | woul
try glass of rye. He took the same. HAY
ing said, How" and emitted our glasses,
said, "Rufe, what did You drink that whis
ky for? DO you like 2"
"No, don't like it. I'm drinking to-
much, too. Guess III pull up"
well, tell me, what did you order
for ?"
why, for sociablity's sake, suppose,
What did you drink It for2"
Because l wanted to ask just this ques
tion. I've been looking at the fellows drinl
there, and believe that eight out of tel
drink just because they don't like to sa
'no!'
"Does it make your head ache to drin
whisky I"
"Yes"
$50 it does mine l swore off whisk
and took to beer, but beer makes me bill
lious."
why drink snything"
changed if know, but we all drink"
We were joined by an actor. Being a
actor, and in the company of newspape
man, there was, he thought, but one thin
to do.
Said he, "What'll you takes"
We took whisky.
So did he.
We each said, "How," and then said
"Dan, do you like whisky :"
II hate it,"
"Why doyou drink itS"
81 don't often. l generally take gin bl
they both upset me; give me a fearful heaC
ache. But what are you going to dof Mui
drink something"
In that way | have spoken to not le
; than twenty men this very day. OF IL
twenty, fifteen said that drink always gay
them headache; one owned that he "love
the taste" one said he drank because he WI
blue" and one confessed he was ION
tear" and he didn't care who knew it,"
1t stands to reason that this sort of thir
must produce some impression on the HI
! man form divine.
|, The doctors say it induces paralysis, il
digestion, headache, rheumatism and weal
ness of many kinds.
Not being doctor, don't attempt to e.
dorse their opinion; but this will say ,th
: among all the hundreds of drinkers-reg
lar topers, not drunkards-to be found
the first class saloons of New York to-da
: it would be impossible to find dozen mt
:, who will say that they drink because tn,
are fond of liquor