The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-07-26
WHY QUIMBY SwORE OFF.

WHY QUIMBY SWORE OFF.
Jack Quimby awoke with q bad head
ache. This was no new sensation to
Mr.. Quimby. 1t was as old as the eter-
nal hills, for Jack was bibulous soul,
and his head was not proportionate to
his inclination for strong waters. He
loved drink, not for its sake, but for the
mad merriment the bowl provoked, the
song, the jest, and the anecdote, the
maudlin fraternal embrace, and the
pledges of everlasting friendship. He
occupied responsible position in a
Front street ofice-for despite his deep
and Unsuitable thirst Quimb was an ex-
cellent man of business.
II look" said Mr.. Quimby, as he rue
fully surveyed his crimson countenance
In handglass, II look like billed owl;
or the last run OF shad; or the breaking
up of hard winter; this won't do; I'll
have to swear off, or the cold and silent
grave will soon claim this manly form
for its own" and Jacks eyes suffuscd
with tears, for the fumes of the last
round of nightcaps were by no means
dissipated."
"There never was a better Christian
ruined by dissipation than the under
signed, he continued, and then, as his
eyes lit on bottle on the bureau, he said, ,
with deep sigh of gratitude, "Thank
heaven, there is q snifter to brace up
on"
Mr.. Quimby's toilet was slow and pain
full this morning. He looked at the cold
water with a shudder but finally worked
himself up to washing point. he was a
long time getting his collar unbuttoned.
he dared not shave, though he usually
performed that office every day, and he
marked with groan that new pimple
had taken it place on his forehead.
CLEARLY" said Quimby. II must
swear off. There are only five days left
OF December. Then the new year and
piety," and much coneoled by the self
promised reform, he left his room to
make feeble apology for breakfast.
A few hours later and Mr.. Quimby was
himself again. It had taken much srti-
fetal aid to bring his restoration about.
but Mr.. Quimby played the Good ga.
marian to himself with the most liberal
cheerfulness. "a hair of the dog" was
one of his most cherished naxims. The
trouble was that he began with the hair
and usually concluded with the whole
hide. Two young and pretty girls sat
in Q handsome mansion on California
street. It was not Mob hill, but near
enough to breath the aristocratic atmos-
phere of that locality. One, Q blonde,
was making mouchoir cast for . New
Years present, and on the lid her fair
fingers were embroidering the initials
II can not imagine how you endure
that fellow, Alice" said the other. He
never comes near me without reminding
me Of q spice factory. Why, he must
exist on cloves and cinnamon and that
sort Of thing. am sure he drinks.
have heard him talk SO strangely. and
one night he began . song and burst out
crying in the middle of It. Bob had to
take him into the hall. He could hardly
walk. Bob said it was his emotions, but
am sure it was whisky or some horrid
drink"
''Nonsense, said Alice Benton. "Jack
is 30 finely strung that the least thing af-
fects him. JACK is dear fellow, 10 Jack.
So gooN-heafted and clever. They dote
on him at the Club"
perhaps So" rejoined her friend.
''but il must take fortune TO keep him
in Gloves. By-by. / must get down
town to match that lace" And with one
OF those natty little iove-you-for your
mother kisses the girls exchange, Bessie
Morris skipped away.
Alice put another stitch in the curl Of
the ], and examined it critically. Then
she sighed. put her work aside, and fell
into at OF detected musing. Jack does
drink 90 horribly" she said. II wish i
vas not 90 fond Of him. l am running .
fearful risk; they tell me. in marrying
him. But what can ! do? / can not
give him up. would il could. And
Alice, in true feminine fashion, began TO
CRY.
s'Tsars, idle tears. know not what 70
mean" cried . merry voice in her ear,
and . tall, manly young man caught
away her hands and laughed heartily ct
her look Of distress. "How now, co.,"
be aid, soothingly, "what has gone
wrong? Arc there 70 be no calls this
yearf Does the stern parent leeislats that
The basket shall Be hung on the outsr
vall, and NO bean all6wsd 70 laste our
cake and vinsi Out with Il. Tell ne