Daily globe., 1883-08-04
Won The Bet.

: "No, SIR" said man who had been
arralgned before court, having been
arrested on account of drunkenness, 81
never intended to get drunk again"
Il suppose not," replied the Judge.
don't suppose that any man intends to
make beast of himself. No use, sir,
in trying to offer excuses. There is no
excuse for drunkenness. Don't say that
you met convivial party, and could
not get away. Don't say that you drank
to drown sorrow. Don't say anything,
sir, but quietly submit to the fine which
shall impose upon you"
Judge, were you ever drunk"
That makes no difference. You can't
move me to sympathy in that way"
IF you had ever been drinking
man, [ would bet you SO that YOU
would not fine me after hearing my tes-
timony."
Il was once drunkard," the Judge
replied, "and I'll take the bet"
All right. Some time ago I took a
solemn oath that I would never drink
again. L was firm; I could not be in
tiuenced. A gentleman presented me
with flask of very fine whisky, and T
took 1t home, but never drank drop of
1t. L bought quart of brandy, and did
not taste it. [ withstood all of these
temptations, and during the time nv
determination grew stronger, but finally
I fell"
You have lost the bet," exclaimed
the Judge, "and shall fine you"
Hold on! [ withstood, you under
stand, temptation, but just as I con-
cluded that I was perfectly safe, I
found bottle of whisky where some
fellow had hidden it. Now, sir, want
to know if there is man in this court
room who could refrain from drinking
when he finds bottle?"
The Judge trembled.
q want to know, your Honor, if
there is man anywhere who could
suddenly slip up on bottle and not
drink?"
The Judge shook.
"a man may even be sent from a
country dance after fddle-string and
come back sober, but when he gets
back and finds bottle sitting in the
corner of the fence, covered BY an up
right piece of bark and an old back
band, won't he drink?"
The Judge quaked.
This IS my excuse, your Honor, and
L hope you will take sensible view of
the matter"
young man." said the Judge, in
tremulous voice, "let me tell you that
your excuse overcomes me. When I
was young man, joined the temper
ance cause and soon became known as
one of its leaders in Arkansaw. made
thrilling speeches, and brought many a
man to the altar of sobriety. I had new
er tasted drop of the vile stuff, having
been born its enemy, and my influence
was great. One night, while going
keep an appointment, my stirr1p leath
er broke and, while trying to secure a
strip of hickory bark in the woods, [
found bottle near tree. Itook it up
and looked at it. I was surprised to
find myself so close to the enemy. I
don't know why, but I turned up the
bottle and took long pull. I hitched
my horse and pulled again and again.
About an hour afterwardI walked into
the church swinging stirrup and yell
ing like panther. I cut baldheaded
man on the summit Of the Uranium.
Fired by deviltry, [ rolled the log steps
away from the door, climbed in at the
window and drove the congregation out.
People tumbled over each other in a
shameful manner, and baldheads
cleaned in the moonlight. After this
l reformed, and did not take another
drink until about three weeks ago.
when [ found another bottle. It was
alcohol, but I gulpedit down; Il couldn't
help it. You have won the bet. Here's
your $40. ."-ArkG11sa1U Irq6eler.