The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-01-12
Smiths Experiment.


A New Way to ousneh Thirst sos Strong Drink.
Smith," said we'll known Chicago
merchant to bis cashier, '.you are going
to the devil"
Sir"
'.Now. there's no use denying It. I
see 1t In your face. You were drunk
last night and the night before last. and
you're bracing up on whisky to-day. It
won't do, sir; 1t won't do. You can't
stand 1t. and II you could-why, I
well, sir" replied Smith, II admit
I have been going 1t little too strong
"A littlel Well. I should think you
had-a little. Look here, Smith; you're
. good cashier and an honest one. be-
lieve, and l don't want to lose you.
Now. tell me, why do you drink"
II am sorry to say, sir, that 1t seems
to be q genuine love Of liquor. ! am
always thirsty for whisky"
THAT'S bad, very bad, but not incur
able. I was one Of the boys myself once,
and got over 1t. You try my plan and
/ think it will work with you"
"What is your plan, sirp"
I'm tell you. When I was . sales
man, about fifteen years ago, got to
running around nights and drinking and
carousing until began to look just as
you do now. My employer came to me
one day and demonstrated. This thing
has got to STOP said he. You must
either let somebody else do your drink
ing for you or have somebody else do
your work. That gave me an idea, and
I acted upon it. Stepping into the near
est saloon. invited all hands up to
drink. They responded with alacrity.
I picked out the toughest customer in
the lot and asked him what he did for .
living. Nothing he replied. How
much will you charge week to do my
drinking for mee' 'Wot dye meane'
he asked. explained that had per-
petual thirst, and that whisky unified
me for business, so wanted him to do
my drinking for me. I'll do it fur $5
week and found he replied. That
ID found in whisky!' Yes, that's 1t,
boss Well, it's q bargain said I. and
we shook hands on it. took him to
the store with me and sat him down in
Q corner out Of sight. When began to
feel thirsty took him out and made
him drink a.good big glass Of whisky.
Somehow I felt better after seeing him
drink. Well, I had to take him out sew
eral times that day and before night he
was pretty full. By bed time he was
helplessly drunk. I had been out with
the boys and taken him along. They
kicked at first 1t having such a measly
looking tramp along, but when ! OK.
planned they thought 1t a good Joke. /
got the fellow drunk every day for .
month and then he threw up the Job.
Ny appetite for drink was too strong
for him. hired another drinker and
he stayed by mo for three weeks. Then
I caught him throwing a glass of whisky
over his shoulder and I discharged him.
Well. I used up nine abls-bodied drunk
ards before ! absolutely quenched my
thirst; but quenched it at last I never
think of taking drink now"
Il believe I'll try your PLAN" said
Smith. :.
"Do." said the merchant I am sure
1t will work. It may take . long time
"a year, perhaps-but you stick to it.
and you'll down your appetite to dead
certainty. II you find that it Is costing
you more than you can stand. I'll in.
crease your salary"
People who are not intimately ac-
quainted with Smith think he is going
TO the dogs at lightning express speed.
They Judge so because he Is always seen
In the company Of q drunken hummer
of the worst possible description. But
Smiths friends know that he has not
drank adrop since he had that talk with
his employer. He has already used up
three drunkards. and Is looking around
for fourth. Chicago Herald.