The Bossier banner., 1882-04-06
woman is mads to seem to exist without

"oindu iS iuaCtS 10 seem 10 exist without
any appendage of trunk. The smokers
chatted about all sorts of things. and mar
rated their experiences with opium with
out the slightest restraint There was a
man from Chicago who had been travel
ing In Pennsylvania, and who carried a
toothbrush in his waistcoat pocket. He
had not been able to find smoking accom-
modations in his wanderings, and as a
substitute for opium he had taken NOR
phine pills, a handful of which he exhib-
tied. They constituted part of his nee
essary luggage, and were carried loose
and handy, in the same manner as his
toothbrush.
Ihe stories that We're told would
make book. The. latest news from
the different branches were discussed.
A new branch was about to be opened
IN connection with the Cremorne
Garden. The night before, in branch
across the street, two of the female smok-
ers had become intoxicated with liquor,
and had fought savagely hand to hand.
The story was graphically told, and I
could fancy them at it in the smoke
There is always somebody lying abouta
branch, who is ready to act as messenger
or to cook. His reward is an occasional
supply OF the opium which the stringency
OF his own finances does not permit him
to purchase outright. He brings in beer.
wine, tobacco, or whatever individual
smokers desire. 1t is not unusual for a
gambler who has been successful to
make champagne flow like water in d
branch. / heard of a king among the
bunco men who only a few nights before
had spent 500 in champagne and intox-
icated whole crowded branch. Iswas
forced myself to- drink a glass of beer
which skilled telegraph operator who
had lntermitted his smoking long enough
to become very drunk, and whose heart
beat, to the best Of my Judgment Che in
sisted on my feeling it), 200 times to the
minute, insisted upon /" setting up 'hJust
after this episode handsome young
fellow, who could scarcely have reached
his manhood, came in He wore hand
some clothes and what resembled q tlia
mond pin In his scarf learned that he
was skilled pickpocket and thief. ,sts. /
J Sh ortiy afterward 1 Experienced a slight
feeling of nauseau, which increased mo-.
mently. until a cold perspiration broke
oue uh osCI lily UOoy, ana my lanQ
trembled SO that it was difficult to hold
the cigar that I was smoking. NY com
panion advised me t o take cup Of tea.
which he said would sicken and relieve
me. tried the tea. It was weak and
lukewarm, and wonder that ii. did not
produce the effect promised. But it
did not, and, my distress continuing, T,
made break for the open air. This al
most immediately restored me- The rain
was still falling, and the pavements were
shining in the light of the gas 1amps.
The illuminated windows of Mott Street
were blinking vaguely through the fog.
Cinnamon popped OUT of doorways and
uttered queer little songs, such as barr
barrie cuckoos might emit, in token that
the gambling games We're opened. Other
Cinnamon momently popped in, and the /.
street, under the darkness and the rain
and the fog, was alive with bewildering
heathen life. And then I turned into
Chatham Square, amid the bounding
horse cars and the great square hacks of
Christian civilization. IN Y.sSan. safi