The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-10-08
BY HUGH WILSON AND W. G. BENET.
"Of course you may get intoxicated
whenever do"


whenever do"
II am not in fun," she replied; :"
seriously mean what I say; and I wan
you also seriously to agree to it; other
wise | will not promise to marry you.
g agree to your conditions" he said
though they do seem to me to be a pre-
cious piece of absurdity."
He was tempted to laugh, but looking
at her serious face, his own became sober
and he folded her to his heart. as he said
very solemnly." Loolie, dear, you shal
never have cause to repent that 20,
trusted me-"
They were married not long after
ward. and Loolie became mistress of {
splendid home. There was little to'
much Of California lavishness in thei
arrangements; but they did not sho
their horses with gold, or stud the dog
collar with diamonds; moderation
which ought to be set down to thei
credit, considering the intoxicating ef
fects of sudden wealth.
\ beautiful little boy came to then
abouta year after their marriage; ant
as Loolie was naturally very affectionatt
her babe proved more satisfactory OBJ
iect of interest than bracelets and ear
rings. Robert was very proud of hi'
handsome lively wife, and the babe was
her only rival in his affections. Every
body remarked what a wonderfully do.
mestic man he had become. Thus three
years glided happily away, and nc
shadow of the old fear crossed his wife's
imagination. But one day he went to q
public dinner, where there was riotous
eating and drinking. Amid the con.
tagious merrimcnt he forgot his promise
to Loolie. After hours of senseless revel,
he was brought home in state of stupor
and deposited in bed. There he slept a
long leaden sleep, and awoke at noon
with throbbing headache. At first, he
was bewildered; but finding that lie had
not been undressen, the remembrance OF
the dinner par y returned to him, and
he felt heartily ashamed. He had such
q dread Of Loolie's reproaches that his
first impulse was to escape. He
rose to his feet, but staggered
and upset a chair. Loolie. who had
been on the watch to guard him
from the observation of the domestics,
led him to their room and helped him to
get into bed. She rung the bell and Or
dered coffee to be brought. Then she
proceeded to bathe his forehead with
cologne. He looked up piteously, cried
out, "Oh, Looliew covered his face
with his hands and sobbed. Her eyes
were swimming. but she crowded back
the tears and said gently: Drink the
coffee; it will do you good" Nota word
of reproach did size utter, and the cause
of unhappiness was not alluded to by
either. Except for a Slightly perceptible
degree Of constraint on both sides, things
were restored to their usual condition,
and all appeared to 60 on smoothly for
few weeks. At the end Of that lime,
Mr.. Norton said he had invited several
gentlemen to dine, for whom he wished
to have very handsome dinner provided.
No objection was made, and, at the ap-
pointed time, the guests arrived, expect
ing to fare luxuriously and to be agree;
ably entertained by their bright and
handsome hostess. But, to the sur
prise of ALL. and the dismay of her
husband, she came in at the same
moment with reeling steps and an undue
amount Of foolish expression on her face.
She kept saying: Pleased to see you,
gemmens" Seated at the table, she Or
dered decanter of wine to be placed
near her. poured out some, and, with n
silly simper, said: "Take drink, gem
mrnsm Then she began to sing: "Fill
high the towl." The servant in attend
anre looked on with astonishment. Mr..
Norton, who had bcen hanging his head
with shame, rose presently, and. draw
Ing her arm within his, said: "You arc
not we'll, my dear. You had better 60
tc your ROOM" She leaned upon him,
staggering, and laughed idiotically, say
ing, -.
II b'lieve I'm-tipsy-tipsy!"
Robert assisted his wife to their bed
room and then returned to his friends,
who soop after left, marveling much at
what the had seen. The next morning
he met his wife at the breakfast table.
He took his seat with an averted face.
loolie smiled as she said:
II believe I was intoxicated last
night. Well, you must remember our
AGREEMENT was that every time you got
intoxicated I should have similar
privilege, and I have only availed my
self of it. That is fair, is it notp"
The tears sprang into Roberts eyes as
hr replied:
All! Loolie, I little thought that my
weakness would ever again overpower
me. And far less did 1 think it would
also cause my blave little wife to stum-
bl"."
Since you have discovered my fond
ness for winc," she responded, there is
but one remedy. Keep all liquor out of
the house, and the temptation to drink
b' ing removed, shall not be so likely
t. give way 10 it."
But you know nearly every one here
drinks wine; and what shall I say to my
friends when I bring them to dinner,
and they find their customary beverage
conspicuous by its absence?"
Robert, you are a brave man in most
things" she replied. "Have you not the
courage to say, am conscious of weak
ness about wine, and I am resolved
neither to be tempted myself, nor to
tempt others, by having it aboutp 1t
spect the manly frankness of such an
avowal; and as for those who seek your
company for the sake of your wine, the
loss of their intimacy would be rather
gain. Nobody will suspect you Of mig
gardly motives, for you are known to be
generous even to lavishness. Besides,
you can prove your hospitality in other
and better ways. And, Robert, by pur-
suing this course you may be the means
Of saving others from the snare which
proves SO dangerous to yourself. You
may not only save your own wife and
child from shame and ruin, but other
women and children may have reason to
bless you. Oh, Robert, only think how
dreadful it would be for our dear boy to
be- ashamed of his father"
She paused, and he said. with a good
DIAL of emotion, "Loolie, I have prom
and this time will keep my promise, so
help me God!"
He will be more sure to help you, if
you never have it in the house." she re-
Joined.
As he remained silent and downcast,
she stopped and peeped up into his face.
as she said playfully, "They will lay all
the blame on me. dear. They will say
that you are afraid to trust your wife in
the house with it; and I am willing to
be the scape-goat.
He looked up with smile, as he an
swered. You have conquered. Every
thing that intoxicates shall henceforth
be banished from the house. But.
Loolie, that was a dreadful lesson you
gave me. 1t would be awfully hazard
ous for you to carry out that pledge OF
yours" liam glad you are aware ofthe
hazard of beginnings" she replied; for
the hazard is much greater to you than
it would be to me because you like the
mischievous stuff. and l do not" She