The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-07-14
WHY QUIMBY SWORE OFF.

Jack Quimby awoke with bad head
ache. This was no new sensation to
Mr.. Quimby. It was as old as the eter-
nal hills, for Jack was o 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 a responsible position In a
Front street office-for despite his deep
and Unsuitable thirst Quimby was an ex-
cellent man of business.
ST look" said Mr.. Quimby, as he rue
fully surveyed his crimson countenance
in a hands glass, 81 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 aud silent
grave will soon claim this manly form
for its own," and Jacks eyes suffused
with tears, for the fumes of the last
round of nightcaps were by no means
dissipated."
"There never was better Christian
ruined by dissipation than the under
signed, he continued, and then, as his
eyes lit on q bottle on the bureau he said,
with deep sigh of gratitude, 'Thank
heaven, there is snifter to brace up
on"
Mr.. .Quimby's toilet was slow and pain
full this morning. He looked at the cold
water with shudder, but finally worked
himself up to washing point. He was
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 fQuimby. II must
swear off. There are only i've days left
OF December. Then the new year and
piety," and much consoled by the self
promised reform, he left his room to
make feeble apology for G breakfast.
A few hours later and Mr.. Quimby was
himself again. It had taken much arti-
hcial aid to bring his restoration about,
but Mr.. Quimby played the Good Sa-
maritan to himself with the most liberal
cheerfulness. ga hair of the dog" was
one of his most cherished maxims. 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
J. Q.
II can not imagine how you endure
that fellow, Alice" said the other. He
never comes near me without reminding
me of a spice factory. Why, he must
exist on cloves and cinnamon and that
sort of thing I am sure he drinks. l
have heard him talk so strangely. and
one night he began a 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 so finely strung thai the least thing at
fects him Jack is dear fellow, is Jack.
So good-hearted and clever. They dote
on him at the club"
"Perhaps So" reioined her friend.
''but it must take fortune to keep him
in cloves. By-by. I must get down
town to m atch that lace" And with one
of those natty little Ioye-you-for your
mother kisses the girls exchange, Bessie
Morris skipped away.
Alice put another stitch in the curl of
the J, and examined it critically. Then
she sighed, put her work aside, and fell
into a fit of detected musing. "Jack does
drink SO horribly" she said, ST wish I
was not so fond of him. / am running
fearful risk; they tell me, in marrying
him. But what can I do? can not
give him mp. I would if I could. And
alice, in true feminine fashion, began to
cry.
mean" cried a merry voice In her ear,
and tall, manly young man caught
away her hands and laughed heartily at
her look of distress. Show now, coz"
he said, soothingly, "what has gone
wrong? Are there to be no calls this
yearP Does the stern parent legislate that
the basket shall be hung on the outer
wall. and no beau allowed to taste our
cake and wine? Out with it. Tell me
all. and by yonder drowsy policeman on
the corner I swear to right your wrongs"
"Oh, Charley" said his cousin, sit is
all about Jack. You know his irregular
hsbits-that's what you men call it, be.
ieve. I must make him stop drinking.
Charley, dear, you are man; do give
me some advice"
Charley grew grave in moment.
''You are right, Alice" he said. I'VE
must put our heads together to save Jack
Ouimby, and If for your sake alone, dear
girl. shall sit awake all night thinking
how it can be done.
"If il can be done, Charley will do it, f"
said Alice cheerfuIly. "Oh. Jack. jack,
il you could but understand how much
trouble you are giving u.s."
Jack Ouimby saw the old year out and
the new year in according to the usual
fashion of such ceremonies. And he
awoke with the same old head, only IN.
tensifed by more deeper and more varied
potations. While he was deliberating
whether it was worth while getting up at
all or not, knock came at his door, I'M
mediately followed by couple OF young
fellows. fsultlessly dressed in the regula-
sion visiting costume.
''Come, come, Jack2 You're nice fell
low for calling chum. Over forty visits
to make to-day and not up yet, and
they dragged the unfortunate roysterer
from his bed, and watched his hurried