The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-12-06
rEA-rABLR POLITICS.
fPeeks Sun.l

fPeeks Sun.l
 Mrs. Pugmire was taking tea at the house of her neigbor, Mrs. Tarbox, a few evenings after the election, and naturally the conversation drifted on to the allab- sorbing topic.
 "Your husband voted for Cleveland, didn't he P asked the widow.
 Mo-" replied Mrs Pugmire, 1" he wanted to, but 1 told him if he did l wouldn't sew a button on his clothes for six months, and finally got him to promise he would vote for St. John ; but men is such deceivin' critters that like as not he voted for Cleveland after all"
 "Why, didn't think you were in favor of St. John," said the widow "I im- agined by what you said awhile ago about womans rights, that you were in favor of Mrs Lockwood, and your hus- band of Cleveland"
 "So am in favor of woman's rights up to a certain pint" was the reply, " but 1 don't believe no woman has the right to be seftin' herself up as a candi- date for president, and go trapezin' or bicycin' around the country making speeches, when she might known she had no more chance than have of goin' to France"
 |" But St. John didn't have much bet ter chance, did he ?
 "Yes, indeed; should say he did and even if he didn't every vote for him was vote for principle" said Mrs. Pug mire. Then waxing eloquent she con- tinued: "I tell you, Mrs. Tarbox, some thing must be done 10 stop this traffica- ton in iquor-this hydrogen-headed monster that is daily sweeping into it's apex the best and noblest men of our land; a reform is needed much more in this direction than in wpman's rights, which ain't so very wrong after al, when you come right down to solid facts. And do think the burning of St. Jshn in 6li- outrageous thing I've read of since Presi- dent Garfield was surreptitiously shot by that wretch, Guiteau. It's always the way with reformers, though, from the time when St Paul was prosecuted for preechin' the gospel to now. But let me tell you that the time is coming-you and may not live to see 1t, Mrs. Tarbox- when the sale of liquor, except for medi- eated purposes, will be entirely tabooed. The stun that keeps rolling will gather no moss,' you know, and the prohibition ists will yet sweep away the cursed stuff as with the bosom of destruction" And Mrs. Pugmire in her excitement passed her cup and had it filled for the fourth time, and swallowed a mouthful so hot that she burned her throat quite badly.
 "I had DO idea you were so eloquent, Mrs. Pugmire," said the widow; really shall not be surprised to hear of your lecturing on temperance yet"
 You never will, Mrs. Tarbox 1; if can convert Pugmire 1 shall do quite well ;" and here the poor woman heaved a sigh to windward. Besides, never could talk in public with lot of people staring at me. It is only with a friend like you, Mrs. Tarbox, over cup of tea (by the way, this is splendid tea-where did you ge. it } that can talk, though Pugmire sometimes tells me, when he has drank too much beer, that my tongue is hung in the middle, which is better, tell him, Ian having 1t soaked in beer half the time Well, really, Mrs. Tarbox, must be going; and do think Pugmire will come out all light yet He is doing much better lately and don't drink anything stronger than beer, really think And he kept straight on eiection-day, which is good sign, I take it Come over and take tea with me Sunday evening, won't you, and tell him your experience with your dear husband before he died. It does me gcsd to hear you talk"
 Docs it, indeed !" said Mrs. Pugmire " well, Pm sure it's a relief to me to talk to such a neighbor as you are, Mrs. Tar box; it is not everybody that is so kind to worrited woman as you are. Good bye. Kiss Johnnie for me when he comes in, and tell him to come over and play with my boys" And she went home full of emotion and gunpowder tea.