The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-07-01
DRINKS FOR NEXT no NOTHING.
Making an Alcoholic beverage by Patent
plan out OF Sugar and Water.

Making nm Alcoholic beverage by Patent
Plan Out of Sugar and Water
The old gentleman looked like a
tramp, but his language betrayed tho
fact that he was learned in science, says
writer in the Washington Star. Sitting
in the dingy hallway Of theleast known
Of autiquated Washington hostelries,
heexpectorated occasionally at broken
down stove, which, although no fire
had been lighted in it for menths, still
served as habitual gathering center
for the conyersationally disposed. His
remarks were received with respectful
attention by four or five strange beings
"a bToken-down musician, with nose
resembling a cold sweetbread, last
survivor Of Ihe oftice-seeking brigade
that marched on the capital at the be-
ginning OF the present administration,
shabby colonel, wearing the cloak and
general aspect OF brigand, and street
fakir, whose stock in trade was in pawn
with the hotel clerk fora meal.
1.-THE chief cause of misery in this
world ia the squanderiug OF money on
rump declared the old gentleman, tilt.
ing back his wooden chair and looking
around at his auditors Tor approval Of
the sentiment. NO wonder that good
people are appalled, when they look
upon tho nations drink bill hundreds
OF millions OF dollars spent every year
for intoxicants. What horrible
wastem
"Yet what is life without whisky?"
said the broken.down musician.
liam not declaiming against alcoholic
stimulauts," replied the old gentleman,
taking fresh quid OF tobacco. "My
contention is simply that they cost too
much"
"Hearl hear" assented the Office
seeker.
"Alcohol ought to be one of the
cheapest Of manufactured products"
the speaker continued. at can be OBJ
tanned readily from almostany vegetable.
Every tribe OF sayages III the world con-
sumes some sort OF fermehted liquor.
In tropical countries certain palma and
certain varieties OF pitcher plants brew
ready-made beverages that are highly
stimulating. Why, then should We
pay such nm exorbitant price for rumW
"Why, indeed% echoed the street ia
kir in a hoarse voice.
"Whatever reason there may have
been exists no longer" said tho old gem
tleman. "The problem has engaged
my attention for years and have
solved it at last. Far from keeping my
discovery TO myself, desire to make it
public, in order that the luxury Of alco-
holic stimulation may be brought with
i ishe spS'y f'''n OF 'A' ll0'' iup0''i-
"By Jovep exclaimed the colonel,
while the others drew up their chairs
eagerly. to listen.
MY invention is process for manu-
featuring an agreeably intoxicating bev-
erage at almost no expense, raw mater
ials costing next to nothing and the
labor involved being all. In fact, the
work is all performed by a fungus. II
vegetables could only be made to do all
the toll in this world animals would be
able to take rest"
"Hear! hear!" said the office seeker.
1.-THE materials required are simply
sugar and water. Take an eight-quart
tin pail, fill it two-thirds full from the
hydrant and add three pounds OF sugar
Common brown sugar is the best be-
cause it is the cheapest. Then buy a
penny's worth OF ordinary yeast and
stir it with the mixture Fifteen cents
for the sugar and one cent for the yeast
make sixteen cents expended. All that
remains is to leave the stuff aloneto q
week; the yeast, which is fungus
plant, will do the rest"
"The rest Of what?" queried the street
fakir, anxiously.
Gas was going to say" the old gem
tleman went oil, the fungus develops
in the mixture, feeding upon the sugar
and producing the phenomenon which
is called fermentation. The result Of
the fermentation is the production OF
alcohol from the sugar The. yeast
plant sends its branches in every direc'
ton, growing with wonderful rapidity.
Finally, when it has used up the avail
able food, it dies. The fermentation
then stops"
"What happens next?" asked the
musician with the cold sweetbread nose:
1.-THE fungus sinks to the bottom and
leaves q clear liquos, winch is readily
poured off and bottled. happen to
have pint in my inside pocket, which
l will offer. each OF you taste OF. Now,
how is thatP
"Prime" said the colonel, who re-.
ceived the first sample.
"First rate!" admitted the street fakir
when his turn came.
"Inmensew declared the otfce-seek-
"ouite nm aromatic flayorm added
musician, smaclling his lips.
Precisely what say" the old gen.
tleman declared, beaming in gratitled
liquor has the flavor of an aromatic
wine. Furthermore, it is greatly i'm
proved with age. From six to seven
quarts OF it can be made for sixteen
cents, and while less intoxicating than
whisky, it is fully as much so as port.
One can produce it by the barreltul OF
in any quantities for the cost OF the
sugar and bit OF yeast. There is no
government tax on it and the process
involves no labor, being performed by
the fungus. Let this discovery of mine
become generally known and everyone
will become his own compounder Of
| alcoholic stimulants. The saloons will
ali be closed for lack OF business and the
earnings Of the workingmen will no
longer be squandered Tor rum"
'fts the greatest idea I've heard Of
since a friendof nine and meself, with
a straw apiece, worked tho jars Of fish
preserved in spirits mt the Smithson-
ian," said the street fakir, and the
others all agreed.
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