The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-04-21
POOR HARRY.

"Peach and honey?"

please. Now two tablespoonfuls of the
strained honey in the amber jug. There;
now the decanter. Prime old peach
brandy-soft and oily. See it cut the
honey? Ahp'
sThere must be alcohol in it, said
Birdie, with soft wondering tones.
Judge Aston chuckled audibly.
"Undoubtedly, he answered. stBut
there is no strychnine or fusel oil, or
other injurious mixture. Pure peach
brandy, taken in moderate quantity,
mixed with fine honey, makes drink fit
for the gods, and is wholesome delicious
stimulant."
'.Let me taste it." said the young girl,
who had replaced the cut,glass decanter
upon the sideEoard, and was watching
her uncle slowly stir the beverage she
had mingled for him. She ladled some
crushed ice into q champagne glass and
held it out to her uncle, who responded
to her invitation by pouring few tea
spoonfuls of his beverage into her glass.
'sIt is delicious" she said, slowly sip
ping the diluted tipple. II could be-
come very fond of it, am sure-ln
time. Perhaps l could even accustom
myself to drinking it as You do yours,
with only dash of ice to intensity the
flavor"
Judge Alston glanced at his pretty
niece as he set down the goblet he had
leisurely drained. Something. in her
tones, rather than her words attracted
his attention. The fine, thoughtful
face was turned slightly. revealing the
delicate profile of oval cheek, dropping
eyelid and blue-veined temple over
which the glossy brown hair waved in
soft folds. The short upper lip betok-
ened the quick wit of the owner, while
its sweet, sad. down-drooping curve gave
q pathetic expression to countenance
wholly fair"
Judge Aston, as he scanned the quiet
face, was conscious of vague sense OF
wonder as to whether or not he fully
comprehended its fair owner. Being an
astute man he did not attempt to inter.
pref unspoken thoughts. He contented
himself with answering the expressed
word.
''Yes, it is delicious" he said. and,
moreover, strengthening
.'For the present time, suppose you
mean" replied his niece. "All alcoholic
stimulants, have heard, are like bank
able notes-they discount the future.
Perhaps, perhaps" assented Judge
Aston, conscious again of vague sense
of mystifcation. "a mans note of hand
for ninety days is great strengthened
when money must be forthcoming
whether or no. It tides one over, as we
say--and so, when a man is run down
or hard pressed, mentally or phy sically
draught of good spirits steadies his
nerves and stimulates him to an activity
that he could not have exercised without
It's influence"
eyes" said the young girl, her eyes
still fixed on the dissolving mixture il
the glass, with which she toyed absent
ly, and from which she took an occasion
al sip. II remember to have heard
Uncle Aleck say something like that. He
once thought it wise I'D well to take 6
glass of brandy just before beginning
any important operation. He fancieo
the unusual stimulant steadied his nerves
and increased his energies. But he hard
ly understood how to regulate this re-
markable influence, and once it failed tC
serve him. It mastered him. Under it's
influence he committed an error of iudg
ment that cost the life of his patient.
think Uncle Aleck has never been the
same man since. am very certain that
he has changed his views in regard to
the beneficial influence of alcoholic stim.
ulants. He refuses to use them himself,
and he will never prescribe them"
The judge moved uneasily in his easy
chair.
EYES," he answered, 'stlat was an un-
fortunate affair of Alexis. And it has
had bad effect upon the fellow-made
him fanatic on the subject. He runs
to extremes"
"He has burden on his conscience, y
said the young girl, lifting her eyes from
the glass and letting their wide open gaze
fall straight into her uncle's face. The
judge was uncomfortable. How very
unpleasant his pretty niece was making
his sitter dinDer leisure hour. And al
the while without saying anything tha
he could gainsay or refute. In spite O
himself he was forced to give assent Il
all her words.
"Yes, yes; most unlucky affair i
was, he said, lin more ways than one
M0re's the pity"
Jessie slowly tilted her glass over and
drained the last drop into the teaspoon
''It is very nice indeed she said, Of
she raised the spoon to her lips.
Her uncle seemed much relieved anf
laughed aloud.
II see he hasn't inoculated you with
his teetotal fanaticism, he said. You sip
the beverage with the dainty gusto of q
connoisseur."
Yet am not a conncisseur, uncle. y
replied his niece. 'tI am only tyro.
This is my FIRST glass-and my last-so
help me God, she added. with solemn
ity of voice and manner that startled the
judge, used as he was to the familiar
phrase.
"Why, bless me, Birdie, what ails
you?" he asked. with slight shade OF
asperity in his tone. "You seemed tc
enjoy your glass nightly
TT was very enjoyable" answered
Jessie. 'sPeach and honey is certainly de.
licious to the taste. I understand nov
why Harry is SO crazy after il"
Harry" exclaimed the Judge, in tones
of surprise Harry"
''Yes. sir; he has often coaxed me tt
mix some peach and honey for him. Ht
says he likes brandy very much bettel
than wine. -
Harry my Harry" asked the Judge,
incredulously.
Yes. sir; my cousin Harry. sup
pose you know that he has his glass o.
wine with his governess at dessert"
Yes; allow that. It is light wine
There is no harm in il. In fact, it assist.
digestion. But what does the boy know
of brandy3"
He says be has often drank from your
giass after you have left it.