Osage Valley banner. (Tuscumbia, Miller County, Mo.) 1879-1881, 1880-02-12
TEA DRINKERS BETRAYED.
New York Truth


A drug clerk, late of williamsburg. but
who has been employed for q couple of
weeks in a Broadway drug store of the
first class, has made some revelations of
q startling character to a reporter of
Truth.
Being asked how il was that he came
10 leave snug berth in a Williamsburg
pharmacy, in which he had been employ
cd for years, he replied laconically:
Because | couldn't keep my mouth
shut"
"Why," asked the astonished reporter,
lis there anything 10 very peculiar in
the retail drug business that 1t il neces-
sary for an employe to keep his mouth
closer shut than in any other business7n
You don't tumble | see, young man."
said the man Of the mortar and pestle
II couldn't keep secrets close enough
That was the matter"
Secrets in drug store?"
Yes, secrets that affected the peace Of
mind Of many of the best families"
but pardon me-" ventured the repor-
ter, 81 can't exactly understand this mix
ture of drugs and sentimentalty.
Let me explain said the clerk, and
with that he proceeded 10 unfold the fol,
lowing astonishing story:
Twas employed in one of the bos
drug stores in the 'burg'--that is TO say,
in one of the most popular pharmacies
in the Eastern District of Brooklyn. We
had all the trade Of the best people of
Bedford avenue-especially of that part
known as Fountain Square
There is a big fountain there and the
people are very proud Of it. 1t issort Of
temperance guarantee of the neighbor-
hood. But in doesn't always run wat
en-"
"What does it run then?"
Gin"
"You don't say gin?'
"Yes; fguratively, gin; for know that
most OF the ladies who live in the neigh
borhood drink it. Not from the fountain
but from the store, over which | presided.
They came regularly 90 me to get their
bitters every day, They used 70 come in
and ask for soda water in u very loud
voice, and then get me TO run through
list Of syrups. Then they would select
in whisper, gin"
How big a dose would you give
themf
"A large wine glass in little soda wa
ter. And they used to repeat II five or
six times a day. | had this secret of
halfthe ladies Ofthe neighborhood, and
didn't know enough to keep my mouth
shut. On ladies' day, party of them
started out in carriage to make calls,
and began as usual with q preliminary
nip at our store. They were in good
humor, and insisted that | should take
drink with them, which did.
zone ofthese ladies, who is mar,ied
to one of the richest men who
resides in the vicinity of Bedford and
Division avenues, was recognized AS she
was leaving the store that day hy de-
tective who frequents the place and who
had grown very familiar with Ifie He
told lne little story about her that in
terested me. H0 said she had been fa-
nous several years back in New York
az a confidence woman, and lad been
under espionage for several little trick,
on susceptible and wealthy old mer-
chants, who had been Obliged TO pay
oundly 20 get rid of her.
"She suddenly moved over 20 Will
liamsburg however and became very
deveut, joining fashionable church in
Bedford avenue, and attending all the
services, social and devotional. The re-
suit was she married one ofthe wealth.
est men of Williamsburg not 80 very
long ago, and still lives with him"
But how did you come to betray this
story2
"f'll tell you, That lady's day this
lady with the party she took out In her
coach got into some trouble in Brooklyn.
They took in too muchwine, and called
at too many drug stores, believe.
AT any rate policeman interfered
with their hilarious course, and threat
ened to arrest one ofthem. They offer
ed him bribe of $50, and managed 10
get away on telling their names and
residence. The officer had them follow
ed home, and, satisfying himself that
they had told the truth, took no further
action. He told the story, however,
among certain friends, and 1t reached
my ears. was thrown of my guard,