The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-20

the wine and fully bring out its bouquet and
favor.
We had just finished the sort of dinner I con-
clear soup, a sole and brace of woodcocks.
That is, to my mind, as nice dinner as can be
devised; and one which, having eaten. you have
no occasion to reproach yourself with high feed
ing or gluttony Others may devour huge cuts
from sirloin, leg or saddle, but am always
sontented with humble menu like the above
'"Thirty four. of course,"I said, after tasting
The port again.
John nodded, and continued nursing his glass.
"Where did you buy it, John2" l inquired.
"Didn't buy it," replied John; "you can't buy
mch wine as that now"
IA gift from a grateful client, presume"
said. reflling my glass
''Not bit of it. Clients amt 50 generous
nowadays. If we can get our costs we are con-
lent"
SWELL, how did you get itl"
"Stole it," replied John, shortly.
"What do you meanl"
ST mean stole that wine, as much as ever
thief stole watch. planned, plotted. and at
last succeeded in effecting the theft You would
have done the same, would you nota''
II don't know. 1t depends upon the risk of
conviction and Imprisonment; bat tell me all
about it."
John placed all the bottles fairly between US
and began:
You knew my old uncle, William Slagg-at
any rate you have heard of him. Well, he made
a good bit of money dry salting and what is
more, made it when he was a youngsh man. He
must have been well brought up, or mixed with
the right sort of people, for he developed a
wonderful taste for wine and instead of doing
what lots of people do now-more shame to
them-send out to their grocers for half-a- dozen
rs they want it, used to buy pipe or butt at
SINE and lay it down. He reaped the reward of
his sensible conduct, for when he retired from
dry sailing he found himself with cellar not
only amply stocked, but without drop of bad
wine in il. So, he settled down to live comfort
ably on his investments, and to drink his wine
in peace. Poor old boy! 1t was beautiful to see
him and amusing to hear him with the decanters
in front of him. He knew the history of each
wine he gave you, and nearly all had tender
"Reminiscences for him. He would sip drop of
sherry and look across at me and say call
this more than wine, John. 1t is poem; some
thing to enjoy and think over" Then he would
turn to the port. II bought that pipe, John,
when made wonderful hit in talow;' or that
claret, John, laid down when logwood went up
TO such prce'-aud so on"
The old man by no means a wine bibber,
but he would take his four or five glasses after
dinner and enjoy them. He suffered little
1.c..
many elderly gentlemen with rubicund faces
lie lived good many years enjoying the fruit
Of his labors and the juice in his cellars, and at
last slipped away quietly and peacefully. His
last words were to me-
''Give them the Al and the green seal sherry
ut the funeral john there's more body more
solemnity in those wines than some of the
others" And then old William Slagg went off,
and have no doubt is now the best Judge Of
nectar in the upper regions.
He left me his executor, and I am happy to
say the reversion of considerable sum when
his widow dies. But it was not without feel
ing of disappointment I found all the contents
of his house. including the cellar of wines, were
hers absolutely
1t seemed absurd for splendid lot of wines
like that to belong to woman who would be ut
terly unable to appreciate them, and whose ideas
Of wine were bounded after the manner of wom-
ankind by sweet champagne on one side and
family port on the other. l had never expected
TO be left SO much money, but had always cher
shed the hope that Uncle Slagg, who had great
y approved of the way in which I discussed his
liquor, would have left me those wines
However, I thought very likely the widow
would prefer good sum of money to the full
bins, so l intended to offer to buy them after a
Recent interval.
My Aunt Slagg has very different ideas to
those of her latelamented husband remem-
Der her, however, as a sensible woman, and
having good eye to the main chance, she had
been capital vile to William Slagg. But,
about twelve month before his DEATH she had
attended some revival meetings, love-feast, OF
something of that sort. and been converted 1
.ant TELL of course but l feel sure that nothing
AN be more annoying to ordinary man than
10 find the wife of his bosom, who has logged
along with him very comfortably in a give and
lake style for many years, suddenly turn
round and lecture him upon his amiable little
weaknesses. l am convinced the shock of her
conversion fastened poor cid Williams death
He had been so accustomed to look upon drink
Ing good wine as the duty of a Christian that
when his wife made new departure, and be-
same rabid teetotaller the thing was too much
for him, and he died trying to solve the problem.
She would quote Sir Wilfrij Lawson, Dr. Rich
lrdson, and other authorities, all dinner time,
md when the decanters were placed upon the
table walk away with look of chastened sorrow
upon her face. Nothing, of course. could wean
Uncle Sagg from his wine pots, as she called
bis little Weaknesses but / know after Trades
She liquor had lost some of its flavor for him,
and did not taste the same as in the old days
before her awakening, when she would fill his
glass and even press him to take an extra one
for the sake Of his health ! wonder he did not
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