Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-08-15
why QUIMBY sWORE OFF.

Jack Quimby awoke with a bad head
ache. This was no new sensation to Mr..
Quimby. 1t was as old as the eternal
hills, for Jack was a bibulous soul, and
his head was not proportionate to his in
clination 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
office-for despite his deep and insatia-
BILE thirst Quimby was an excellent man
business.
CT look" said Mr.. Quimby, as he
ruefully surveyed his CRIMSON counte-
nance In q handglass, 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 of, or the cold and
silent grave will soon claim this manly
form for its own" and Jacks eyes suf-
fused with tears, for the fumes of the
last round of nightcaps were yno means
dissipated.
"There never was better Christian
ruined by dissipation than the under
signed" he continued, and then, as his
eyes Lit on a 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 a shudder, but finally
worked himself up to washing point.
He was long time getting his collar un-
buttoned, he dared not shave, though
he usually performed that Office every
day, and he marked with groan that
new pimple had taken its place on his
forehead.
''ClearIy," said Quimby, ct must
swear off. There are only five 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 breakfast.
A few hours later and Mr.. Quimby was
himself again. 1t had taken much ar
tificial aid to bring his restoration about,
but Mr.. Quimby played the good samar-
itan 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
hide. Two young and pretty girls sat
IN a handsome mansion on California
Street. 1t was not Mob hill, but near
enough to breathe the aristocratic at
mosphere of that locality. One, a
blonde, was making mouchoir cast for
New Years present, and on the lid her
fair fingers were embroidering the mi
tials j. o.
s. I cannot 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. [ am sure he drinks. I
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
I am sure it was whisky or some horrid
drink"
Nonsense" said Alice Benton.
g Jack is so finely strung that the least
thing affects him. Jack is a dear fell
low, is Jack. So good-hearted and
clever. They dote on him at the club. ("
Perhaps So" rejoined her friend,
. but it must take fortune TO keep him
IN clothes. By-by. [ must get down
town to match that lace." And with
one of those natty little love- ou-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 fit of detected musing. :" I wish I
was not so fond of MIN. I am running
fearful risk, they tell me, In marrying
him. But what can l do? I cannot
give him up. would if [ could And
Alice, in true feminine fashion, began to
cry.
Tears, idle tears, know not what
ye mean, . cried merry voice in her ear,
and tall, manly young man caught
away her hands and laughed heartily at
her look of distress. How now, coz,
he said, soothingly, "what has gone
wrong? Are there to be no calls this
year? 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 l swear to right your
wrongs"
con, Charley" said his cousin, sit
Is all about Jack. You know his irreeu-
lar habits that's what you men call it.
I believe [ must make him stop drink
ing. Charley, dear, you are man; do
give me some advice.
Charley grew grave in a moment.
9 You are right, Alice, said he. owe
must put our heads together to save Jack
Quimby, and if for your sake alone, dear
girl, / shall sit awake all night thinking
how it can be DONE"
elf it can be done, Charley will do it. "
said Alice cheerfully. sob, Jack, Jack,
If you could but understand how much
trouble you are giving us.