The Baltimore County union., 1881-10-15
LONG TINE BETWEEN DRINKS"
What tho Governor OF s. @. Said TO the
Governor OF ". @.

A great many years ago the Governor Of North
Carolina received n friendly visit from the Gov
ernor OF South Carolina. After q real North Car
slina dinner Of bacon and hams, tho two Gover.
nors III pipes and sat In the shade Of the back
veranda with demijohn Of real North Carolina
corn whisky, copper distilled, within easy reach
There was nothing stuck mp about these Gov
ernors, says . North Carolina State historian. In
the hornsiy but vigorous language Of his section.
"There they sot and smoked and sot and smok-
cd, every once In n while taking a mutual pull at
the demijohn with tho aid Of q gourd which they
used as Democratic goblet. The conversation
between the Governors was on tho subject Of tur-
pentine and rice, the staples Of their respective
States, and the further they got into the subject
the lover down they 70, in.o The jug and the
ernor Of South Carolina got, who was . square
drinker and warm man with about o million
pores 70 every square inch Of his hide, which en-
abled him TO histe in likely share Of corn juice
or other beverage, and keep his carca's at the
time well ventilated, and generally always ready
for more. while the Governor Of North Carolina
was more cautious drinker, but was mighty sure
10 strike bottom at about the twelfth drink, like
as u nature had measured him by the gourdfui.-
weil they sot and smoked and argued, and the
Governor of North Carolina was as hospitabie rs
any real Southern gentleman could be, for he
ladled out tho whisky In tho most liberal manner.
being particular TO give his distinguished guest
three drinks TO his one, gauging his dose with
great care for fear that u he didn't he nigh, lose
tho thread OF his argument and the demijohn
might run dry before the Governer Of South Car
olina should be ready 10 dust out for homc. in
which case Il would look like he hal not property
observed the laws Of hospitality. which would have
been lfinaictci thorn in his side for years 10
come. and no amount Of apology could ease his
mind enable him to feel warranted in showing
his coantenance TO his fellow linen, especially in
his home district. where for generations IL had
been main point with every gentleman to keep
his visitor well supplied with creature comforts,
and TO hand him n gourdfui a n stirfup cup when
about To take his departure for the bosom Of his
family. Singular 10 relate. the cautiousncss Of
the Governor Of North Carolina Of no avail,
for nj one and the same moment the jug went dry
and the Governor OF North Carolina, much 10 his
subsequent modification when he learned the fact
afterward dropped oG into quie, sleep, ~hile the
Governor of South Carolina continued 10 keep on
with his argument. holding the empty gourd in
his hand in close agiousncss to the deinjo
and wondering at the apparent absent -mindedncss
OF his hitherto attentive host, TO whom, after a
minute and a-haif Of painful silence, he made use
Of but one remark: Governor, don't you think Il
is . long time between drinks ? the remark being
overheard by George, the body servant Of the Gov
ernor Of North Carolina, who, knowing that there
was something wrong. took TO the woods. where
he remained 10 seciusion for three days. But the
Governor Of South Carolina, receiving no reply
from the Governor of North Carolina, mounted
his horse and rode sadly homeward with an ire.
pressble feeling at his heart that there was CON-
ing to be hoilowne In friendship, and that hu-
man nature was in danger Of drifting into 4 con-
dition Of chaotic noekcry. Ever since the occur
renee so touchngiy described by the conscientious
historian, \ common form Of Invitation TO Join in
. social glass has been "As the Governor Of
South Carolina said to the Governor Of North
Carolina, It's long time between drinks" The
form 10 edicaeious used by the itinerant min.
lister when called upon TO turn two into one at short
noticc-"Jine hands"