Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1879-01-22
the BARTENDeR'S STORY.
When knowed him at first there was
suthin,

When | knowed him at first there was
suthin,
sort Of agencral air,
That was very particular plcasin'
And what You might call-,lebonair.
I'm aware that expression is Frenchy,
And highfilutln perhaps,
Which accounts that have the acquaint-
ance
OF several quality chaps.
And such is the way they convcrses,
But speakin' of this here young man,
Apparently, nature had shaped him
On "a sort of "A liberal plan.
Had guv him good looks and good language,
And all manners eXpressin' with VIM,
His belief III hi>self, and that others
Were just as good icllers as him.
Well, this chap wasn't stuck up, by no
means,
Nor inclined to bcsasy put down;
Aud was Thought to br jolly agreeable
Wherever he went around town.
He used To- come in for his beverage
Quite regular every night,
And took a considerable interest
In miXin' the thing about right.
jndiciou, indulgence in liquids
1t is natural Ton me To admire;
But | hey To admit that for some folks
They i, piI,.n complete and entire.
For rum. though pleasant companion,
A. "A buss ~ the devils own chum;
And this chap, am sorry to state il,
Was floorcd in u wrc>tlr with rum.
For he got to incrrasin' his doses.
And took EN- more often. he did,
Aud il gruwrd on hun faster aud faster,
I'LL into a hummer hc >lIl.
| was grirNrd To- observe this here irllcr
A lcttin' hi>>rlf down the rr7trt
And lrcturrd hun onto il sometimes.
At the risk of it, lnjurn' trade.
At last he got thundrrin srcdy,
Aud lost his respect for hINScli
And all high notions of honor
Was bundled away on the shelf.
But AT times he WI, dreadful rcmor>ciul-
Whenever he'd stop Tor to- think
4 Aud he'd swear to reform hl>>clt frequently
! And end thy taking drink.
What saved That young fllrr' \ woman
She done il ;hc >m-irrc>t way.
He came into the DARKROOM one rNcnIh
/ Gle hadn't been drinkin' that day.
? And lot hl>>clt down tu the table
With a terrible s"rrowtul face,
And sol there a-gruauiu' repeated,
\ calm hN>rif gone east.
lie was thinkin'. and thinkin', and thiuhiu'
/ Aud cur>in hl,>clf and hi> fate,
/ And ended his thiukin'. IT. usual.
Bv ordrrin' "huurhuu straight"
He was holdin' his glass in In, fingers,
When into the place from the street
There came youn. gal Ikea spirit,
With face that was wonderful sweet
And she glidrd right up 10 the table,
And took the glass gently away,
And she says Ia him: ''Grorsr. II Is over,
am only woman To-day.
rejected You once III my anger,
lint come to You low ly and meek.
For can't live without Nun, my dariinE.
Thought / WAS strong, but I'm weak.
.Ynu are bound in a terrible bondage,
Aud come, love, To share II with Nou:
l. there shame m the deed! | can bear II
For. AT least. to love am true.
have turned from III" huar OF my child
hood,
And come To you lover aud friend,
Lea, iug comfort. coutruimrut and honor,
And I'll stay To- the terrible end.
Is there hunger and want in the future,
III share them with YOU. and not shrub
The woes. and the dan-cr, Of drink.
Then 49, rai>rd mp the glass tirn an
steady
tBut her face was ~ pale a. the dra's-4.
Heres To wine aud the joy "t car"u>al~.
The songs, and the laughter she sad.
Then he III mp. his face like a tempest,
And took the glass ont of her hand.
And flung II away. stern and savage,
And. tell you hi~ manner was grand;
Aud h. SAYS: Il have done with IT, Nelly
And turn from the ways have trnd,
And I'll live tn h" worthy ut YOU. dear
80 help me "a incrciiui God.
, What more was remarked ii l. needles,
] for me to attempt I" relate;
II was sometime age since II happened,
But the sequel j. easy I" STATE.
| seen that same fellow last Monday.
I.uohiu' uohhy. and handsome, and gam
lie was whrcliu vehicle, gentlemen,
And baby was into the same.