Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-12

something better turnsup. lcan't afford
to give you more than hundred year,
but you will, Of course, live ut free
quarters, and there is really some good
fishing. Promise me- only not to tipple,
and-Come, is it bargain ?" The
doctor stretched.'ut his hand aud looked
bright on the human ruin before him.
He tried to seem as though he were ask
ing favor, instead of comforting one
Clifford moved upeasily in his chair,
but made no motion to take the DOCTORS
proiiered hand. Presently, however, he
turned his head away, aud began speak
ing in vague, manner, as though he
talked to himself,
"You all Of you fancy it is drink which
is the root and organ of mischief in my
case," he muttered. AS q matter Of
fact, it is only graft upon what is a
deadlior, because a fat moro subtitle and
invisible maIady. SncecllildhOod have
been given to Il habit of drealning-of
completely withdrawing myself from
my surroundings. and retiring into a
world of my own creation. What
Coleridge required opium TO effect, l
could do without extraneous aid, for a
time, but | soon found out that
stimulant would rouse my .jaded i'm.
agination when it Tagged. First tea and
coffee were enough then, as these lost
their effect from constant use, | resorted
to wine; and as wine was slow in it's
effect, to spirits. The more dreamed
the moro insignificant appeared to me
Tho realities of life, and the more
irresistible the temptation TO dream
The doctor, who was not devoid Of hu :
NOR, here laid bis hand on ClitfOrd's arm,
and said, demurely: my aunt has IA old
pony who has habit of slyiug at un-
considered tritles. He is also wrong
headed pony, and she will not hear of
his being whipped. Whenever these fits
come on you take her out for drive,
and your attention will DO fully occu-
pied. For the rest cold water shower
baths, fresh fruit, iudcxins books any
thing that will keep your mind occupied;
and--well, if that wont do, birch your
body we'll with singing nettles' 1t is
very ancient remedy, and | think
might answer as a mental diversion in
your case. At all events, forswear the
bottle"
"I'ho bottle " answered Clifford sadly.
slow shall ] convince yon that do not
caro- for IL! Up to yesterday even l had
fought for some time pretty successfully
against the dreom demon, as you call it,
aud had only drank moderately of wine
at my brothers. table. 1t was the after
noon, that troublesome time towards
four o'clock, when our vitality is said to
be at tho lowest-mine certainly is. I
thought,a glass of absinthe would revive
no, but it then occurred to me that tho
absinthe would not give me- the slight
est pleasure or solace if could not
dream ever it. Ill had to think on the
past and present after drinking it, it
would only intensity my feelings and
make them more terrible. So l did
not drink, and turned my steps towards
home, sorrowful and detected. 1t was
then that tho enchanted castle arose DO
fore me in all its allurements. l was
drawn, or went, if you will, towards its
portals, and once l enter there my will
is gone. Anything to stay in it few
minutes longer. That means drink.
Anything to delay for few seconds the
return to actual lifc. That means drink.
TO resume sume-primary. Graft upon
it, drink"
Grouse yourself man." replied the
physician with affectionate earnestness.
"Your case is in your avn hands. Think
of all the wise hold dear in life--ot
mans esteem, of woman's affection, and
of the worlds honor"
"Supposing that like my world bet
tor than yours p replied tho dreamer.
"Who knows which is tho better, the
world of facts or that OF fancy! Here,
l am a shabby outcast; the very child.
rcu in your streets cry out on me. There,
not royal Israel in his glory was arrayed
with more magniticeuce than |. feast
off sumptuous fare served to me by Nu-
bian maids on golden alvors. l drink
rich wines from jowelled goblets, cooled
by mountain snow. My abodes are ivory
palaces, built 10y pleasant watersnwhere
the white cygnet wooos the lily queen
and there am made glad. In my gar
dens the tall cedar spreads her ample
canopy againsd the monday sun. Flow.