The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-04-14
BANoUETINo EXPERIENCE.
The experience man draws from one


 The experience a man draws from one banquet never assists him when he at- tends another. He knows that he will not take another glass of wine after he attains certain point of good feeling. but when he reaches that certain point he is beyond the control of enfeebled ef- fort He drinks regardless sf conse- quences, and feels egreat desire to rush forward. He thinks of what fool he was for ever trying 10 smother eonyivial inclinations and. leaning over. he says to his neighber: Well, sir, it's strange, but the wine have taken hasn't hurt me particle. Hitherto 1t has always gone to my head, but to night I'm all right Rhyme, by George." And the two men laugh heartily. The speeches grow more and more interesting. Men noted for pro- siness become brilliant orators. The con sivialists laugh a, everything that is said, and finally laugh whether ar no, anything has been uttered. When the convisi dist goes home. he feels perfectly sober. Be- fore he Jeff the hall the lights danced and the bottles looked as though they were unsteady: but the cool air braces him, and he thinks seriously of how silly he must have been 10 laugh so boisterously at an attempted joke, or applaud 50 en- ,husiasticaliy maudlin sentiment, He congratulates himself that he goes home sober. and thinks we'll of his capacityfor drinking When he reaches home he sits down and. in rational manner. tells his wife, who sits up and leans back agains, the head board of the bed. all about the banquet. and how, in respect to her, he refrained from drinking too much. :" was uneasy all the time" he says, for l was afraid that you might think that would get drunk. It is difficult thing for | man to mee; such gay company and leave without drinking too much and le, me tell you that il requires the strongest self-will, together with stimulated re- spec,ability. to keep within bounds
 He turns the cat out of the dining room, and moves chair. draped with soft white clothes, back from the stove goes his nightly rounds 10 see tha, the doors are locked. and takes the lamp and goes to the kitchen to get a tn-eup of water to be distributed among the children during the night. He can't shut the door while holding the water and the lamp, and he sets the cup en chair shuts the door. and goes into the bed room. Shortly after he lies down. he sinks to sleep. One of the children be- gins to whine. turns over. and calls for water. The wife reaches ou, and feels along the floor.
 What did you do with tha, water 7"
 Huh.
 What didyou do with the cup of water"
 Dwant ny water.
 "Oh. can't find the water What did you do with i, :" and she shakes him. "Wha, did you do with the WI, r: :"
 Aint it there by the bed :"
 No"
 Have you looked under the bed " he asks. and begins to doze again. The 1 child squalls" and his wife shakes him. | Then he remembers tha, he lief, the cup setting on the chair, and. explaining he | gets out of bed. This Is unfortunate. [ He makes one step. runs across the room. and barks his shins asains, d E trunk. Then he stumbles over the little i char. and steps on conch shell. Alter continuous and unprecedented dives, he tndS the cup. and, returning 10 the room. approa hes the bed. and. with another lange, pours the water on his wife. Further concealment is impossible. and here his recollection is lost, Il would be cruel 10 attempt description of his ncx, days feelings. IL would be almost inhu- man to speak of his head. and an un- steady stomach. con stantly on the burn ing alert of choking down " w-o-o-r-k.,"
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 A SOCIAL SURPRISE.