Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-11

Making an Alcoholic Beverage by Pssen
Plan Out of Sugar and Water.


T'HE OLD GENTLEMAN LOOKED LIKE A
Il tramp, but his language betrayed the fact
that he was learned in science. Sitting in the
dingy hallway Of the lesst-known Of ANTICIPATED
Washington hostelries, he expectorsted occa-
sionally at broken-down stove which, al
though no fire had been lighted in it for
months, still served as an habitual gathering
center for the conversationally disposed. His
remarks were received with respectful atten-
tion by four or five strange beings broken
down musician, with a nose resembling cold
sweetbread. last survivor Of the office-seeking
brigade that marched on the capital at the be-
ginning of the present administration, a shabby
colonel, wearing the cloak and general aspect Of
q brigand, and q street fakir, whose stock in
trade was in pawn with the hotel clerk for q
meal.
The chief cause Of misery in this world is
the squandering Of money on rdmr' declared
the old gentleman, fitting back his wooden
Chair and looking around at his auditors for ap-
proval Of the sentiment. 'No wonder that
good people are appalled, when they look upon
the nations drink bill-hundreds Of millions of
dollars spent every year for into1icants. What
a horrible WASTE
Yet, what is life without whisky?' said the
II am not declaiming against alcoholic stimu-
iants, replied the old gentleman, taking q
fresh quid of tobacco. MY contention is
simply that they cost too much"
Hear heart assented the Office seeker.
"Alcohol ought to be one of the cheapest of
manufactured products" the speaker continued.
1T can be obtained readily from almost any,
thing vegetable. Every tribe Of savages in the
world consumes some sort of fermented liquor.
In tropical countries certain palms and several
varieties Of pitcher plants brew ready-made
beverages that are highly stimulating Why,
then, should we pay such an exorbitant price
for rum?'
"why, indeed?" echoed the street fakir in q
hoarse voice.
Whatever reason there may have been ex-
lists no longer" said the old gentleman. ''The
problem has engaged nv attention for years
and have solved it at last. Far from keeping
my discovery to myself. l desire to make it
stimulation may be brought within easy reach
OF the most impoverished"
by Jover' exclaimed the colonel. while the
Others drew up their chairs eagerly to listen.
Ny invention is process for manufactur-
ing an agreeably intoxicating beverage at
almost no expense raw materials costing next
to nothing and the labor involved being nil In
fact, the work is all performed by fungus If
vegetables could only be made to do all the toll
in this world animals would be able to enjoy a
rest"
Hear, hearr' said the Office seeker.
The materials required are simply sugar
and water. Take an eight-quart tin pail. fill il
two-thirds full from the hydrant and add three
pounds Of sugar. Common brown sugar is best
because 1t Is cheapest. Then buy a penny's
worth Of ordinary yeast and stir it in with the
mixture. Fifteen cents for the sugar and
cent for the yeast make l6 cents expended All
that remains is to leave the stuff alone for a
week; the yeast, which is a fungus plant, will do
the rest
The rest of what?'' queried the street fakir
anxiously.
As was going to say" the old gentleman
went on, 1.-The fungus develops in the mixture,
feeding upon the sugar and producing the
phenomenon which is called fermentation. A
result of the fermentation is the production of
alcohol from the sugar. The yeast plant sends
Its branches in every direction. growing with
wonderful rapidity. Finally, when it has used
up the available food. it dies. The fermenta-
ton then stops"
with the cold sweetbread nose
The fungus sinks to the bottom and leaves
a clear liquor, which IL readily poured of and
bottled. happen to have pint in my inside
pocket. which win offer each Of you q taste Of.
Now. how is that.''
Prime said the colonel who received the
first sample.
''First-rater' admitted the street fakir when
his turn came.
Immense" declared the office seeker
Quite an aromatic davor,' added the mu-
stefan. srnacking his lips.
Precisely what 1 say the old gentleman
declared, beaming in a gratifed manner upon
his auditors. This 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 16 cents, and, while less in
toxicating than whisky, it is fully Us much SO a.
port. One can produce it by the barrel full or
In any quantities for the cost Of the sugar and a
bit of yeast. There is no government tax on it
and the 'cess involves no labor. being per-
formed b. ne fungus. Let this discovery Of
mine once become generally known and every
one will become his own compounder of alco-
holic stimUlants. The saloons will all be closed
for lack Of BUSINESS and the earnings of the
workingman will no longer be squandered for
rum"
Its the greatest idea I've heard Of since a
friend of mine ard meself. with a straw apiece,
worked the jars of fish preserved in spirits at
the Smithsonian" said the street fakir. And
the others ali agreed.