Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-21
A BOTTLES sOLILOQUY

A member of the w. G.. T. U. who
wieIds the artists brush for decorating
her own home thought flat bottle
would, when decorated, with some
artistic sketch make very pretty little
ornament; without much difficulty
succeeded in obtaining one and forth
with proceeded to paint it. She had
nearly painted the first coat when her
attention was arrested by soft sigh she
thought it might be the wind whistling
down the chimney, and continued her
work. Soon she heard another, this
time louder than before; while her ear
detects a voice proceeding from the
mouth of the bottle soliloquizing thus:
Well, what is this, here [ am covered
with paint so that [ can no longer look
out on the world and see what is going
on, besides being empty, this is some
thing new to me, from the time 1 left
the factory in company with others of
my kind, my experience has been a
strange one, [ think if should take the
brush and paint on my sides what |
have seen / would not be an ornament
to any ones house such scenes as these
| could paint with truth. Men with
trembling hands holding me to their
lips until [ shook with fear lest they
drop me and | should be broken in
pieces. The room too where was kept
though dingy and loathsome was usually
filled with company who to pass away
the time played with bits of pasteboard
with fierce kings and silly queens
besides other elegant designs painted
on them, while the air would get SO
blue with oaths that it would be hard
sometimes to see the players. |
remember distinctly a man, who came
to my owner saying in kind of apollo
getic way, " | would like something to
take often I feel faintness in my stom-
ach and am going to try some bitters,
you know what l want, that bottle, y
pointing to me. ''is about the right size,
| will return it again" l was filled
with the article desired and went home
with the man and placed on shelf. /
wondered what kind of place l had
come into. The house was different
from the one from which | came, there
were carpets on the floor and lace cur
tains at the windows, in the place OF
painted windows where l had come
from. Pretty little children clustered
around fair sweet faced women they
called Mamma, and it was so pleasant
and cheerful that l felt sorry to think ]
had brought the company / had into
such home. The husband was pleased
with me, however, for he came to me
for relief half dozen times Gay and
when [ was empty he had me filled
saying ''that was just what he needed tc
brace him up"
was emptied again sooner thar
before for his calls on my contents were
more frequent. | heard his wife say as
[ was taken off the shelf for my visit te
my old haunt. Don't! Don'tI l beg o
you George let that stuff alone, am 81
unhappy since you brought that bottle
here and she cIung to him and criec
while the little ones looked wonderingl,
on. 1t made me feel so queer I slunl
farther down in his pocket to get out o
sight of such unhappiness. I heart
him say "Mary your tears are too pre-
cious to be wasted over whiskey bot
tie, will take it back and leave it."
was back in my old quarters where
did duty for quite while helping mel
to make beasts of themselves, until on
night a man that had come in quite lat
and was talking to the bartender sait
before leaving, II want bottle that
can carry in my pocket guess that on
will do" Well, he bought me and
went home with him it was dark whel
we arrived, but when morning came
looked around to see my new surround
ings.
/ was in home where wealth reigne,