The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1881-07-28

The tree shaded lawn was scattered
over with seats, with here and there Il
bright colorcd Persian rug for the
special benefit of any guests who object
to open air amusements on account of
"damp grass.
To some minds grass * always damp
1t was carly in the afternoon, and the
only tenants in the garden were the
servants, who were arranging refresh
ments upon some tables under the
trees. They seemed full Of mods and
becks, aud whispers Of apparently
mysterious import passed among
them. a carriage drives up to the
gate, and two ladies entering, look
around 70" their hostess. The servant
who has admitted them goes in search
of his mistress, and few moments
afterward a young and beautifully
dressed woman issues from the house,
her face deeply flushed, her eyes half
closed and her gait uncertain.
Just at this moment another car
rage drives up, gentleman and lady
being tho occupants. They. too, enter
thc garden gate, and advance toward
the house across the lawn. As they
approach the uncertain, swaying figure
of their hostess they look at each other
ignifcantly, and the ady says in Il
low voice: Il was afraid of this
Where can Mr.. X, be 70 allow her to
be seen in this state?" The interpre-
tation of those Wild looks, that disor-
dcred hair, and those meaningless
words. is that Mrs. X is intoxicated,
though not sufficiently so t i, be quite
helpless.
She wanders about among her
i guests in her condition, however, he
ing so palpable, 50 unmistakablc, that
the majority laugh and litter, while
the friendly few pity, though they con-
denim her. The painful scene was
ended by the arrival Of her husband,
whose look Of misery, as he led bis
wife on his arm through the groups OF
gaily dressed people into the house,
touched even the laughters with pity.
This is no cxaggeration Of facts Ii
is, unfortunately, a scene from real
life, and, l fear, not an uncommon
one. The love of strong drinks ap
pears increasing among the educated
women of our day. During the sea
son just passed instances Of this were
so frequent as to lead 10 the conjecture
that kind OF epidemic Of drink wa:
pervading those classes of society il
which culture, position and the pos
session of every comfort of lie would
appear to be sufficient guarantc,
against so degrading a vice. "Socie
ty" ladies, in fact, live too much uror
excitement not to suffer from the in
evitable reaction For few month.
A., in the year they endure continued ia
tigue in trekdiug the social mill, anc
for the remainder they are prey Il
cnnui.
They try the first dose Of chleraI a
an experiment. ''DIy eyes look 50 ciul
and heavy this morning. So-and-s
says chloral is such capital thing;
+ think I'll try it. . In this case, as il
rouge, IL is not the first step that costs
:. 1t is easy enough. But, from beini
an experiment it becomes a practice
I. and from practice it developes into
i necessity. II is no longer servant, bu
master. Ny lady has her half pint q
$ champagne about an hour after break
y fast, another AZ luncheon, a glass {
= LIQUOR instead of afternoon tea, Il REG
+ ular sequence Of wines ut dinner, an
/. brandy in her postprandiai coffee
!. Her chl0ral in her dressing room iS.a
a, permanent and Indispensable 81
ait arrangement as her bath, and muc
sooner missed from its usual positio
ST than her bible.