The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-02-06
Women and Wine in Washington.


ago. said a retired naval officer TO Wash
ington star reporter, brings to my mind
several sad cases that have come to my
knowledge whore the wives of officers OF
both branches Of the service have become
addicted to the excessive use of liquor. In
some instances the habit has been cured
while in others the appetite became too
strong to be resisted and the unhappy vic
Tins died from over-indulgence. OF course
other causes for death were given out, such
as pneumonia, heart disease, rheumatism
etc, but those who were acquainted with all
the circumstances knew that the women died
from whisky. Why, knew one who, when
she had no liquor in the house, would go to
her dressing case and drink the cologne that
she used as perfume
"Why should officers wives acquire this
habit any more than other ladies in societys
asked the Star man.
"The cases are not confined to army and
naval circles, 10y good deal" was the reply;
but | happen TO know more about that
class | remember sad case that hap
pened in this city some years ago. The
wife of an army officer and a lady friend
went down to the marine barracks one Mon
day morning TO witness the guard mount.
After this was over they were entertained
by a champagne lunch, at which the officers
wife drank more than was good for her. She
did not realize il at the time, nor until she
got ready to 20 home. Then she found that
though her head was comparatively clear she
was TtHily very u1unk III nef ntlUS SNut
could not walk straight She called one of
the officers to her and plainly told him her
condition, relying, of course upon his honor
as gentleman not to betray her confidence.
He called carriage and took the lady and
her friend home That was all right, but
unfortunately about week afterward the
young officer himself got under the influence
of liquor at a quiet little gathering, and told
the whole story. In the party was n man
who knew the lady very well, and was per.
sonal friend of her husband. He lmmedi
ately administered rebuke TO the intoNi-
Gated young man which sobored him at once
and then the others were put upon their
honor not to repeat the story. He told me
that If the husband ever found out that the
young man had told the story there would
have been n personal encounter.
Two years ago had a singular expert
ence myself. l was going along f street and
stepped into large Vestibule to light cigar,
as the wind was quite high. As | struck
match l was surprised TO find n woman sit
ting on the lower step. She was richly
attired, wearing n sealskin sacque, a silk
dress, and everything about her betoEened
wealth and refinement. | went to her and
found that she was badly intoxicated. just
then the watchman of the building came up,
and we took this woman between us and
walked her around the square for three
quarters of an hour until she got compare
lively sober. Then she took out her card
case to give me her address, ana l was sur
IIlreu sJlll lilOIt 10 lutlJ was Nllt
of an officer whom had known very well.
| called a carriage and said | would take her
home. After we got in she begged me to
drive around for a while until she was
little more composed. | did so, and finally
left her at her own door about midnight.
She told me that she feared at first l was go
ing to take her to the police station, and that
the idea of being disgraced in that way had
good deal to do with bringing her to her
senses.n
"Do you think the habit is on the increase,n
mo, l do not. On the contrary | don't
think there are so many women who drink
wine habitually now ms there were ten years
ago, and l think the number is lessening
every year. Wine and liquor are not so ex-
tensively use in society as they were years
ago, and the number of houses at which wine
and even stronger liquors can be had by
guests ad libitum is now very small You
notice that every New Year the majority OF
people who keep open house now provide
coffee and chocolate for their callers instead
of wine and punch, as was formerly the Gus
tom This is a very encouraging sign, for it
keeps temptation away from young men and
young women All, l have known young
girls who acquired the appetite for strong
drink from accepting the hospitalitieS of their
friends, and some of them from the free use
of wine at their own fathers table | re-
member being at a reception several years
ago at which there was the greatest pro!u-
sion of wine, while bowls of good stiff punch
were Ill EVERY dult-IOOul. Allt YOUNG Elit
noticed lowering about the punch bowls and
drank good deal. ! saw her dancing after
ward and came to the conclusion that she
would work off any effect of the stimu-
liant in that way. Later III the even
ing, however, her mother came to
me and asked me if | wouldn't 80 and attend
her daughter who had tainted and was lying
on a bed in one of the chambers. 1 went up
stairs and found one of the servants and a
lady friend chatting the Young girls hands and
u sl. L. 8, l,...1
and at once recognized that she was beastly
drunk.
Her mother did not seem to realize the
condition of things, and didn't have it in
my heart to tell her, so / said she must have
been overcome by the heat We loosened
her clothes and let her lie there until the party
! broke up Then she was sufficiently re
covered to be taken to her carriage and sent
home. That poor girl is dead now, but am
firmly convinced that if she had never drank
a glass of wine she would be alive to-day.
Oh / could go on for an hour giving sad in
! stances that have come under my observa
tion, but it wouldn't do any good. As | have
said, / am glad that the sentiment OF society
us changing in regard TO the use OF wines al
large gatherings.
How TO Make Home Attractive.
Let there lie one room where the children
| may pop corn, make candy, crack nuts, play
| hide and seek, fruit basket upset, charades,
/ ETC., without any interference, and where
they may get healthful exercise on stormy
| days and long cold winter evenings. An un'
carpoted kitchen is grand place, and moth
/ er can afford TO smile indulgently at the
| merry pranks, knowing her little ones viii
remember these glorious playtimes even
| when they are old and weary and caTeworn,
| and love TO think how much grace and for
! bearance mother had in those dear old care
| less days gone never TO return
Provide good bright reading, Read aloud
some bright story full of wit or valor
Give the best and brightest Of yourself to
your home circle.
Help them sing sweet songs; if the voices
fail toget the right pitch, no matter, do not
| chide; too much chiding results in discour
agement. Have an organ if possible, and 4
| violin for the children TO test their talents on
Give the evenings to the children. Hay,
less rutiles, perhaps, but more pleasant wordi
and smiles.
Let the little ones crowd around your kne,
for help and comfort
Tell them the sweet story of the Saviour
life on earth.
Let them kneel in the warm room and say
their quaint prayers; 1t Will not disturb
fathers reading, and he will have a tendere
love for the wife who tries to do her who'll
duty.
Train and educate for the higher life an,
the enduring home in heaven and the lowll
earthly home will become a supremely happl
place.
From such a home young manhood will g
forth with no taint OF whisky or tobacco o
his breath, Yirtuous ana resolute, 10 battl
A. 10 d. Ffn1a in Ftas.u sl1