St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-04-08
EVERYBODY CHEW GUM.
A Fad That Is Growing Rapidly Into
Favor in Society.
IT IS THE STATESMAN'S CUD.
Philetus Sawyer Has Set the Fashion
in the Halls Of the National
Legislature.

Chewing spruce gum, fashion which
seems to have had its origin in the
West, is very popular fad, and this is
especially true since learned physicians
have declared that the practice is one
that will promote digestion. Probably
this is the reason why a leading West
ern senator is such much sought after
companion since very fine article OF
gum is produced in his Wisconsin
forests.
Senator Philetus Sawyer appeared
one day on the floor of the senate cham
Der, chewing vigorously on some soft
substance and shortly after his arrival
he held briet conversation with his
colleage, Mr. SpoOner. when the two
gentlemen separated it was observed
that the Junior senator was engaged in
the same occupation as the rotund and
Jolly PhiletuS.
1t was not long before it was wills
pered among the less fortunate mOrtalS
who sat in the vicinity of the Wisconsin
senators that they were not chewing to-
bacco. but pure article of spruce gum,
that was not only pleasanter than the
weed, but did not require constant eX-
pectoratiOn into the pOrcelain-lined
cuspidors Both the Western senators
were besieged for pieces Of the gum,
and the fad thus inaugurated has per
meated every branch of society at the
capitol.
FOUND IN \ CAFE.
In a leading cafe in st. Paul, one day
last week, lady and gentleman were
seated at table awaiting an order to be
served, and the gum-chewing craze was
referred to.
Il would not he surprised if we found
traces of gum at this table, remarked
the young lady, ''and to prove what |
say will you eXcuse-me if | lift the edge
of the table-cloth for minute"
Her escort, an Eastern importation to
the Sanity City, who had not yet ac-
CURED the habit, acquiesced, and when
the cloth was lifted an interesting eX-
hibitiOn was revealed.
Near the outer edge of the mahogany
table. sticking closer to the material
than a brother, were a number of what
appeared to be little round pellets OF
some wax-like substance.
"What did Say?' was the triumphant
ejaculation of the young lady, look at
this array of evidence against chewing
gum"
s'But how did it get there%' was the
question asked. Certainly it was not
one party used all these pieces of
spruce?'
'sHardIy as bad as that" returned his
companion, ''but l think can solve
the problem"
"You see doubtless many people have
come in here for lunch or dinner like
ourselves. and the young ladies and
gentlemen had spruce gum in their
mouths when they sat down. Very
likely the supply had been laid in be-
fore they left home. and they did not
have any to take its place if they threw
away what they were using. 1t was
the easiest matter in the world to stick
the gum along the edge of the table un-
til dinner was finished, and then use il
again, but in the hurry and confusion
of leaving it was probably forgotten,
and so these numerous particles are
mute witnesses against probably score
of victims"
1t was surely novel sight to the tour
| iSt from the etfete East and furnished
another instance of the capacity of the
wide-aWake WeSternerS to adapt them
selves readily to circumstances and was
convincing proof of frugality. even in
such small matter as gum. Incident
| ally it was ascertained that many young
ladies, with q view to keeping them
selves supplied with what has become
| almost an article of necessity. had
adopted the plan of carrying in their
pOcketboOkS small box, lined with
silk, in which small squares of spruce
gum are concealed, and when tired of
one piece, it is an easy matter to obtain
| a fresh dainty.