Sharp County record., 1879-05-22
An Inebriate's Device.

An Inebriate's Device.
The Boston Commercial Bulletin tells
the following story ola young man who
was taken to home for lnebrlates Tor
treatment: "He is a bad case," said
the gentleman who handed him over to
Mr.. Coles, "and yet he has some good
in him. He is one of the most gener-
GUS of men, in drink or out OF it; but ne
is never happy except when in drink;
vet when I get him in good society, and
occupy his mind with pure things, he
seems to forget that there is such thing
as liquor in the world. Get him out OF
his present condition and give him to
me clothedin his right mind, and l think
! can manage to save him. He's tricky,
so advise you for my sake and for his
sake to watch him."
"Leave him to me-" said Mr.. Coles.
In three days Mr.. Coles had brought
the young man through all the dangers
of delirium tremens and had placed
him, as it were, upon his feet. The
danger was passed. All that was re-
euired was an effort on the young mans
part, and the cure was complete.
CHOW do you feel?n said Mr.. Coles
when his patient had recovered his
senses.
every we'll indeed, only would like
one last drink, you know, before part
company with it forever"
I" You shall have it," was the reply,
and five minutes later the young man
was regaled with a big drink of bromide
of potassia. :.
much obliged to you, Mr.. Coles, "
said the patient. "I'm all right now.
God bless you for your kindness.
Mr.. Coles gathered up the young
mans clothes in his arms, including
his boots and hat, and carried them
down stairs.
"There, my boy" said Mr.. Coles to
himself, "When you want to get out OF
this establishment you've got to sum
mon me-" and perfectly satisfied that
the young man could not get out with
out assistance, Mr.. Coles applied his
thoughts to other subjects.
The patient was determined to pro-
cure some spirits. His room was two
stories from the street, but there was
pipe that ran from the roof to the ground
a water-spout.
81 can descend by that" said ne.
He looked around for his clothes
they were gone. He found nothing but
pair of old slippers. The money he
had in his pockets when ne was brought
to the asylum was in the bureau-drawer
of his room. Mr.. Coles had not thought
to take that away. The young man
tore the sheets of his bed into strips,and
wound the strips around his legs, max
ing pair of pantaloons; then he took
comforter from his bed, cut holes in
it for his arms, and thus made tolera.
bly, nice dressing-gown. With the
dressing-gown made from the comfort
er, the pantaloons made from the strips
of his sheets, and the pair of slippers,he
thought himself well dressed. Only one
thing was wauting-a hat. Going into
the bathroom he found large sponge.
He cut slit in this with his razor, and
putting his head into the slit he had
fur hat at once. Then raising his win
dow he stepped outside, and slid down
the water, spout, with the money he had
in his possession when he came into the
institution in the crown of his sponge
hat.
Half an hour later Mr.. Coles went up
stairs to converse with his patient, but
behold! the bird was flown!
"Well," said Mr.. Coles, "he must
have gone out naked, and of course
would be Immediately arrested. will
find him at the polce-station.
But Mr.. Coles, in passing bar-room
on his way to the station, heard noise
of great hilarity. and thinking that he
recognized the voice of his patient, drop
ped in. There he was with his dressing
gown, sponge hat, and his skintight
pantaloons, the center of an admiring
circle, drinking whisky punches and
rafting off jokes at the rate of twenty
minute.
AZ give in," said Mr.. Coles.
"Take drink, old fellow" said the
inebriate, with drunken familiarity.
The offer was declined, and the gro.
tesquely clothed patient was induced to
return TO the Home.