The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-23

from the habit till after was So Nothing
In the world saved me but the splendid con-
stitutiOn | was endowed with. | smoked
the vile things continually. At night " hen
/ went 70 bed ID was with lighted cigar
cite in my mouth. Often during the night
! would wake craving the deadly narcotic.
and could not sleep again till had lit an
other cigarette. In the morning | lit a cigar
cite before dressing, aud smoked several
before breakfast. Finally my brain and
nerves began to fail, but for a long time yet
l c.ung To my worst enemy, hugging il
blindly and wildly. l could not live with
out the cigarette. 1t was terrible expert
ence. Now that habit fastened upon me
when boy. Had | been unable or had |
even found it difficult TO secure cigarettes,
the habit would never have fastened upon
ME as il did.
tl''l can thank THE CALL from the bottom
or my heart for its stand In this matter, as
only Que who has suffered as / have can. |
am almost inclined 10 think that THE CALL
has boys OF its own, IL has taken hold Of the
thing so vigorously | was only too glad TO
get my name on the agreement when they
called on me this morning. II seems al
though the dealers were thoroughly wax
ened up on the subject TIE CALL has
started a grand work.
L know three men who are on the verge
OF the grave with consumption caused by
nothing in the world but the excessive use
Of cigarettes. The habit fastened upon
them when they were boys. The CALLS
crusade will save the lives OF thousands CT
boys IN this city or | am much mista ken.
You can count on me for all the aid / can
give" This also from one Of the signers of
the agreement.
Our boys are being cursed by the cigar
cite. said Charles l.. Seemau of 539 Cali
forBia street. at is high time that some
such active steps as THE CALL has inau-
gurated were taken. THE CALL has started
a crusade that has already shown rich re-
suits. Do you know that not more than an
hour ago placed my signature to an agree
ment that had already been signed by many
dealers, promising not TO sell cigarettes TO
boys and to post In q conspicuous place
sign TO be furnished us, warning our Gus
toners that in the future the law will be
obeyed to the letter? 1t is fact. From
what L can learn the cigar-dealers are
thoroughly aroused and have taken action
already. l am with them. 1t is a good
movement"
NJ. q. Berk Of 304 California street W as
so enthused when he read THE CALLS arti-
Gle yesterday morning that he did not walt
Tor the committee 10 come to him for his
signature. He came to THE CALL office at
once and offered every assistance in his
power to further the cause. Later in the
day lie met other tobacconists. talked over
ways and means OF aiding the movement.
and did not little toward placing it on the
advanced ground it now occupies.
Il have been in the business twenty years
now" said Mr.. Berk to TIE CALL reporter.
land have had ample opportunity to study
the evil effects of cigarettes on young boys.
It's fearful thing, this cigarette evil. Time
ard again have seen boys ruined for life
by the use of the deadly things. | want to
congratulate The CALL upon the grand
light it has inaugurated. Its crusade will
result in more good 10 the rising generation
than can be easily calculated now. | am
sure HE CALL Will have the Endorsement
aud goodwill in this great work OF every
rlght-mlnded man and woman in the land"
1t is needless to add that Mr. Brrk was
one of the first to sign the agreement The
fact ls he was one of the promoters of that
excellent movement and worked hard to
secure signatures to IT,