St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-01-14
NE WPORT.
The BanefuI Cigarette

Lads and some older children, adj
dicted to cigarettes, have had a re-
cent object lesson, giving them ample
ground for reflection. The habit has
become general among all classes
down to the boy of ten or twelve.
Cigarettes have been freely and open
ly sold and as freely used: Quite a
number of boys daily seen upon our
streets show unmistakable signs of
indulgence. One, a lad of about thir-
teen, was taken violently i'll a few
days ago with all the symptoms of
delirium tremens, seeing snakes and
wildly crying to be protected from
them. The case baff1ed physicians
for time, it even being thought the
boy was suffering from hydrophobia
as it was remembered he was several
years ago scratched by dog. This
slight theory was soon abandoned
as the boy began after a time to i'm
prove, and it is now thought he
will recover 1t is without doubt a
case of nicotine poisoning. The case
is a sad one, but will prove valua-
BILE object lesson to many of our
boys. Some have sworn off, others
have frankly owned up to their par
ents. Many parents have been
greatly surprised that their boys had
contracted the pernicious, dangerous
habit. The prevalence of the habit
is now more fully known, and par
ents will be apt to watch their boys
a little more carefully. 1t is hoped
that the voice Of public sentiment
will also reach the dealers, and if no
other argument will prevail, that the
fines indicated by the law may be
faithfully applied until the profits of
the business will thus be so reduced
as to render the miserable traffic I'M
profitable. There are still, and prob
ably will be. as in the liquor business,
men mean enough to continue the
sale, for mere profit bringing loss,
disease, misery and death to count
less numbers of youth and children.
What is true of this village is true
also of every village throughout the
state and country. 1t is the crying
evil of the day, and yet how shall it
be stopped when the majority of
adult men are aiding and strength
ening it by their own daily example !?
Isn't it possible for men to abandon
a filthy, hurtful habit, to save the
life, character and destiny of the
boys, perhaps their own boys?
Many are III.
A good many in this section are
still sick. Mrs. Theophilus Grout,
who has been in critical condition
for some weeks, is thought to be
slowly Improving; A. A. Earle, who
has been confined to the house for
nearly three months with heart diff
Guilty and severe nervous troubles,
now appears more comfortable and
has been out of doors a little. 1t is
hoped he is on the way to recovery;
S. 6. Bean, life long resident of the
county and for some twenty years
living in this village, is said to be
seriously i'll with complication Of
diseases, and doubts of recovery are
expressed. His health has not been
firm for several years, he having had
shock of paralysis or something
similar
Plenty of Good Music.
The County Musical association
opened it's 32d annual festival here
Tuesday, continuing through Friday
evening. Grand concerts Thursday
afternoon and evening and Friday
evening. H. @. Blaisdell, conductor;
Mrs. Martha Dana Shepard, pianist;
Miss Florence ]. Lee, Chicago, So
prano; ]. c. Bartlette, Boston, tenor;
Miss Julia King, Boston, reader, and
Blaisdell's Quintette club constitute
the foreign artists. At this writing
it is impossible to predict the success
of the convention. Want of good
sleighing and the prevalence of colds,
grip and kindred diseases, it is feared,
will diminish the usual large attend
ance.
With few inches more of snow,
the winter would be all the most
particular could wish