Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-07-18
An Unprinclpled Revenge.

Revenge is nearly always cruel. for
the spirit which prompts it sanctions
the act of carrying u%njustly tar the per
Torrance of reprisal. Our friend Skit-
| ties is inclined to drink more than IL
good for him, and like every man who
| drinks, he does not believe he is com
hitting an indiscretion. He can point
out men who are throwing themselves
away, but it has never occurred to Sklt-
ties that he is in as much danger as
those to whom he points with tie finger
of warning.
Several days ago MI. Blathgrale, Pres
ident of the bank and a deacon in the
church, met Skittles and demonstrated
with him concerning his growing habit
Of drinking. Skittles did not regard the
action of MI. Blathgrale as a kindness.
On the contrary, the unappreciative
wretch meditated revenge. He wrote
the following letter, a copy of which he
sent to every saloon-keeper in the city:
"MY DEAR SIR: You will confer a great
favor upon one who has the right to
make such a demand, if you will not in
the future allow Mr.. Blathgrale to drink
at your bar. l can not think that it is
your desire to see a respected citizen
throw himself away"
No one had ever seen Mr.. Blathgrale
enter a saloon, but all the saloon-keep-
ers, supposing that the old gentleman
was drinking himself to DEATH"
decided not to allow him 70 take any
whisky at their bars. Pretty soon it be-
gan to be ..noised around'' that the
saloon-keepers had all agreed no. to
give Mr.. Blathgrale any more whisky.
Every one was astonished, for no one
supposed that the old gentleman drank
Intoxicating liquors. The report gained
such circulation that the heaviest
depositors of the bank became alarmed
and drew out their money. MI. Blath-
grale could not understand this, for no
one felt it his duty to give an explana-
ton. Another letter from Skittles,
without signature, caused the following
to be posted on the walls of every saloon
in the city:
"Mr. Blathgra.e is hereby forbidden
to drink any more at this bar"
The minister of Blathgrale's church,
hearing of this, sought the old gentle
man and said:
II am advised bv a committee of our
churchmen to say that you must either
stop drinking at once or withdraw from
the congregation"
"What!!" exclaimed the old man.
"You heard what 1 said," replied the
minister.
Il heard what you said, but I don't
understand you."
Il can make my meaning very plain,
Brother B%lathgrale. You are throwing
yourself away; you have become a sot. y
"Why, this is the vilest assumption I
ever heard Of" vociferated the bank
President. Throwing myself away. in
deed. I never entered a saloon in my
life, andI never did take a drop of whisky
except it was in case of Sickness"
ooh, yes, brother, but you see you are
becoming sick very often of late. You
no longer have a regard for yourself or
friends"
sect out of here!" exclaimed the
president.
"You are not only a sot, but you have
become violent"
"You are an old liar"
"Of course having degraded yourself
in every other way. you will become
abusive. Good day"
The poor gentleman satdOwn to medi-
tate W the strange turns affairs had
taken, when the following note was
handed him.
''We, the directors of this bank, hay
ing in view the interests of our patrons,
have held a meeting and hereby notify
you that we have removed you from the
Presidency Of .this institution. '-Arkan-
saW Traveller.