The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-04-03
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
A STRANGE STORY.

2S" - TO Danish q Strong
Craving for Liquor.
For ten days or two weeks a we'll
dressed, respectable appearing man,
apparently thirty-five to thirty-eight
years old, attracted considerable atten-
ton and aroused not little curiosity
in certain circles, by lowering around
the entrance to the Woodbridge street
police station every afternoon and
evening, and regularly attending the
early morning sessions of the police
court.
Neither at the station or at the court
has he ever been known to speak to
anyone, he hasn't been at all obtrusive
in his demeanor, and even the most
cynical old policemen have been obliged
to admit that he doesn't bear the
slightest resemblance to man con-
sumed by morbid curiosity, or look like
one planning how to smuggle anything
to persons in custody. Various theories
were advanced from day to day as to
his purpose and motives, but as one
grizzled copper pertinently remarked,
none of them would wash well. De-
termined, if possible, to solve the mys-
terry, a representative of the Free Press
approached the enigmatical individual
and urged him, in the name of a thor
oughly mystified coterie of fellow NOR
tails, to explain what occult fascination
there was to him in spending so much
of his time in localities where he was
obviously out of his element.
Closely scrutinizing his questioner a
minute or two the strange man smiled
slightly and then said: Really don't
know as my movements are of the
Tong as l behave myself, but inasmuch
as my cure is about completed, l have
no objection to enlightening you as to
my somewhat peculiar actions recently.
All, 1 noticed your eyebrows ele-
waited themselves somewhat quizzical-
ly when 1 used the word cure
Listen minute and you will
understand all. 1 am reformed,
or reclaimed if you prefer, drunkard,
that is to say, began as mere boy to
drink alcohol in all its various forms,
whisky, gin, rum, wine, ale, beer, any
thing and everything that contained the
fiery spirits. The habit grew upon me
until | became a common drunkard /
was about as low as men ever descend
in the scale of life, with paralyzed
will and an unsuitable appetite that
was fast dragging me toward the bot
tomless pit. And yet all the time my
soul rcbelled against me and cried out
for help. l loathed myself and my con-
dition and despised the besetting weak
ness that had caused my downfall To
make long story short, a faithful
friend sought me out, took me to his
country home, clothed me, fed me
nourishing food. gave me tonics to
build up my shattered system and kept
liquor out of my reach for eight
months. Then l went to sea and was
gone almost two years, never once in
all that time tasting alcohol. l re-
turned and went into business and
have prospered beyond my most sang
uine expectations. But there is
skeleton in my closet, lurking demon
ever at my heels that must constantly
keep an eye on, or utter ruin would be
my speedy fate.
about twice every year an overpow-
ering desire to drink seizes me, and it
seems as though l must saturate my
self with liquor. l fight it off and do
everything possible to Danish the tor
ment, but naught avails much until l
put myself in position where, for
number of days, sometimes more, some
times less, can see with my own eyes
just what whisky will do to men. l
place myself, therefore, where can be-
hold human beings in all stages of
drunkenness, from the unconscious
stage when they are locked up in po-
lice station to the nervous, trembling
agonized stage which follows the next
morning when they are arraigned in
court force myself to recall the days
when was in like condition and grad
cally the sight of such beastliness and
suffering affects my moral nature as an
antidote for the craving within, and l
slowly regain my normal condition,
cease to long for stimulants and am
able to again give my affairs the atten-
lion they demand until another attack
comes upon me. Tomorrow, or next
day at the outside, will find me back at
my business with clear head and
steady nerves and my most intimate
friends will know nothing of the ordeal
( have just passed through. Detroit
Free Press.