Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-08-13
BNLraHTEN1Na A STRANGER.

tOWn-h ldf western IOWn. III IL
also a strictly temperance town
wherein strong drink is not al
lowed.
What is that knot Of men en-
gagged in discussing over there2 Is
it political caucus or a self-con-
stituted Democratic convention2
o, no; they are merely perfecting a
scheme to obtain some inferior
whisky. They have already spent
two hours in discussing this ele-
waiting topic and have not yet
decided the all important point.
But see; they are beginning to
move. Let us observe their
actions. They have entered a
building close by. What are they
going to do now2 / will tell you.
That is an establishment at which
is retailed an acidulated liquor
almost as harmless as vitrol. It
is called "hard;" probably because
it is hard on the drinker. You
notice they have filled their glasses
with this enticing fluid and look as
though they were about to undergo
a self imposed torture. What is
that powder they are shaking into
the drink? That is red pepper
the hottest obtainable. This
mixed with the acid is supposed
to produce such a resemblance to
The choicest Missouri black jack
that even connoiseurs are unable
to detect the difference. Great
Scottl they have drunk il and
writhe with agony. Why this
spontaneous insanity? l will en-
Tighten you. Owing to the peculiar
laws governing the place
prohibiting the sale of any
thing stronger than circus
lemonade, a morbid craving
for intoxicants has seized the citi-
zens, in consequence of which they
neglect their several avocations
while attempting to satisfy it. Who
is this swarthy gentleman coming
down the street followed by an
admiring throng? Surely lie is
some great chieftain. You are
wrong again. He has secreted on
his person a flask of cheap alcohol
which the crowd is anxious to
share with him. Hence his pres
ent popularity There goes a body
of men evidently having the ac-
complishment of some great de-
sign before them. There is deter
mination on every brow eacn
carrying himself with serious
demeanor. What meaneth this?
You are again "of your basel
the center of the group is the
proud possessor Of three bottles of
Jamaica ginger and with his friends
has set out to imbibe it in secrecy
Night covereth the city with her
sable mantle; the sidewalks are
frequented by a number of indi-
viduals evidently suffering from
severe bilious attacks. What is
the cause? The combined inhu.
ences of various horrible
decoctions which they have been
pouring into themselves since we
first met them. Do they not
heartily repent of their voluntary
inAiction. ONO; you are mistaken
they imagine they are intoxicated
and when they revive will refer to
their present misery as ga good
time" thus illustrating the theory
Of the influence of mind over
matter. Step softly; we are enter
ing the chamber of death; that
poor wretch, the sole support of
wife and two helpless children,
is breathing his last; congestive
chills have laid him low. What is
the doctor saying? Merely that a
thimbleful Of alcoholic stimulant
might have saved him, but as none
can be Obtained he cannot save
him. AhIhe is gone and his help
less family thrown upon the world.
Verify this is a glorious country
and this species of prohibition
should be prohibited.