Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-08-19
PRonBIfToN m vnRsioxT.
The Ingenious Devices whereby
Dealers and Drinkers
Evade the law.

In Burlington the landlord at the
hotel at which | stopped told me, ID
answer to questions, that just as much
whisky was sold in that place as ever;
he took me to a saloon and said:
"Here, will show you how it is
done here He said; Go up to the
bar and put on a knowing look, and
ask for some Langley's bitters or beef
tea.
[ did so. l saw no bottles except OF
bitters and mineral water aud pop,
etc.
| asked for a drop of bitters.
The barkeeper took me all in with
a quick glance, aud dropping a few
drops of something into a tumbler,
placed it on the counter. Then he set
an empty tumbler, and motioning TO
the usual water pitcher, said:
Pour your own water" o1
1t was an innocent looking crock
cry" pitcher on little rubber mat in
the center of the counter, but when
tipped it up found it half full of
whisky. The lest place in the room
anybody would think Of looking for it.
My friend then took me upon the
principal steet of the city, called
Church street, and at three drug
stores we were given whisky in
response to wink when asked what
syrup we wanted.
In two stores the whisky was pro-
duced from bottle under the counter,
and at the other was drawn from a
faucet uniform with the syrup cocks,
and labeled Don't care" or some
thing of that sort.
In one evening counted six
drunken men pass my hotel, and one
night the young men of the university
in the place had q banquet, which,
toward the small hours, became a
regular Bacehanalian orgy, and seve-
raj we're put to bed very drunk.
In St. Adams | was told saloon
keeper sells liquor in two, four and
six drink TASKS, labeled as though sold
in Plsttsburg, just across the lake, in
New York State, with day and month
written on the labels. For instance,
every flask sold by him to-day is
labeled, sold by j. q. Crumley.
Plattsburg, N. Y, on the 18th day of
July, 1881"
But it was in large town south of
there that was shown the sharpest
practice in ways that are dark and
tricks that are for the benefit of the
bibulous.
A gentleman whom | questioned
about the working of the liquor law,
told me, just as l was told in all other
parts OF the State, that there was 20
trouble in procuring whisky. He
said. II am in very funny secret,
which is shared by most of our citi-
zens, who like little stimulant coca
sionally. Come with me"
He took me to a cross street and we
entered room which appeared to be
cigar store with confectionery, etc
We took seats at the rear, and my
friend told me to keep my eyes open.
Within twenty minutes saw ten or
twelve gentlemen come in, some in
pairs, some singly, some in little par
ties, 90 to the water cooler, take
drink, buy cigar and go out.
My friend finally asked me if | had
seen any liquor sold, and | said No"
Nevertheless" said he, every gentle
man who came in here took a good
square drink of whisky and paid for
it."
swell" said 1, "the drink must
have been in the cooler or the cigars.
[ know it was not in the cigars, for
most of them were lighted before the
purchaser left. 1t must be in the
cooler"
"Well, 60 and draw some" said he
went to the cooler, held the glass
under the nozzle and pressed down
the button. / was rewarded for my
exertions by flow Of clear, cold water
that soon filed the tumbler. | was
puzzled and my friend and the pro-
prietor greatly enjoyed it.
My friend took the empty glass and
drew from the same fawcet half glass
of whisky. If was puzzled before, l
was now thunder and after
laughing at me while the trick was
explained. 1t was simple: Press the
thumb from below, while you appear
to press down with the forefnger, and
you get whisky; open the cooler, and
you find it ice-Water. The whisky
comes from cask in a hidden closet
up stairs, and flows through a small
pipe which descends in the partition
and passes from the wall in the bottom
Of the cooler and connects with the
faucet.
Before we left party of FIVE or six
gentlemen came in, and | was told
that they were all town and county
officials, and one of them was a justice
before whom many of the cases Of
drunkenness and violation Of the
liquor law were tried.
A gentleman told me that in st.
Johnsbury he saw poor devil sent to
the work house for liquor-selling and
drunkenness by justice and prose-
cutting attorney who were both striv-
ing to overcome an sll-night debauch,
and who we're taking drink together
within FIVE minutes after the officer
went out with his prisoner.
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