Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-20
DRINKING UP ALL THE LIQUOR
Praiseworthy Efforts OF n Misguided
Person to Consume All the Alcohol in
the World.
Ven York Irt6VHt.


You must have seen hiD-a large,
smOOth-faced, notwithstanding man,
generally standing III front of some gin-
mill. and formerly dressed in fashionable
cut, later with vestiges Of the gentleman,
but somewhat run down. He needed no
introduction, spoke to you from mutual
sympathy, and gave YOU all his confidence
at once. 1t is now nine years since he be-
trayed to me the great purpose Of his life
Ito drink up all the liquor in the city and
keep it from doing any further harm. AS
he said it | saw the fire Of a great moral
intent in his eye. Said /: ooh! you cam
not drink all that" Il VIII do it," said
be, ''or perish! Don't underestimate me.
| belong to a family Of great Will. My
father has died and left me a hundred
thousand, all in cash. | have no wife.
This thing is doing harm. The law can
not put a stop to it; ] intend to drink it
all up"
He was then perhaps %, weighed 17j
pounds, and had peculiarly aifable yet
cTedui0us something in his look. He never
was drunk; physical cons tuition alone
that kept him tough and ford. From year
to year | saw him, always just going in
or just coming out of a bar-rOom. He
knew me and gave his head the shake.
''Oh, I'm doing it. ] have got away with
almost half Of it. y fear you will fail"
said /, las there is so much Ofit.' Keep
your eye on me- he said; s'this evil shall
be drunk OIL the face of the earth"' Some
times | would miss him for year or two,
and it panied me to observe after these
intervals that some havoc had been made
in his fine physique, and he would now
and then cough little. Don't discourage
me- he would say; somebody has to do
it, and / accepted the great trust.' Then
he would dive into a saloon and apply
himself sincerely TO the self-appointed
work. More than once | reasoned with
him, taking the privilege OF a friend,
though | never knew his name. "DiVide
the labor up" l said; lit is too much even
for YOU" NO" he answered. lit might
hurt another man, but | shall get away
with it. From statistics l must have
drunk nearly Uwo-thirds Of it up nOw.'
At last | saw him come out of place
and lean against the pillar at the gilded
door. His dress was shabby, his COM
pleXiOn muddy, little remained but the
old childlike credulity and the reformer's
proud flash of the bloOdshot eyes. lit
Will Kill me-" he said. IL hardly think |
can survive it. But it is almost gone now.
1t is a matter of only few gallons left.
Haven'tI hung to it like a man? If
should fall trying to get away with the
small quantity remaining. won't YOU do
justice TO my mOtivesE' His hand trem-
bled on the shattered nerves as he spoke,
ana tears came to his eyes. "Ihey ought
not to say hard things Of me-" he faltered,
because l have put all my father left me
into TINS great work. You know what my
health was; have l spared it? Love,
books, rows of houses, everything l have
let slide TO carry out this noble endeavor
Do you think l will fail?r He borrowed
the first quarter from me he had ever
asked, saying, "That is my only weak
point. If my money had lasted | think
my health would" SaidI: 'Tell me now,
have you met no person that you thought
was competing with you in this original
enterprise?" He whispered from his fe-
verish lungs as he disappeared into the
dive: "They all started at it from noble
purpose. Do justice to the motives OF
every one of them. Charity, charity to
ALL" he said and disappeared.