Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-03-24
THE FIRST CIGAR.

a gentleman critically takes up that
small, seductive roll Of tobacco and
scrutinizes it with the eye of a con
noisseur, weighs it in his hand, rolls it
between finger and thumb, then, with
that air of perfect satisfaction and non
chalance, deity ships off the point, in
that patent machine so accommodating
to the artifcially equipped or toothless
individual. Having done this, match
is secured with becoming dignity, or
more often with a studied unconscious
ness, while the gifted smoker, with a
Wel-feigned satisfaction and genteel
polSe Of the cigar, sends forth the smoke
with leisurely, accomplished grace.
was a boy. How often had this sight
allured me.
All, what a charm divine must rest
III that brown-wrapped parcel What
fantastic imaginings, what romantic
dreamy, seductive, enhancing raptures
must move the soul of man and take
shape within a brain fed upon such
nectar. | was far from home. 1t was
a calm, beautiful Sabbath morning.
Nature thrilled me in fashion
Gently filled me with passion,
Like the lovliest red wine.
1t was upon me.
An irresistible, longing desire NV
whole being was void with an almost
infinite longing, yet all this longing was
bounded by single desire-a feverish,
agonizing, consuming desire. Yes! l
u ,asI los
school teachers and a kindred coterie
should no longer dominate me. Yes.
| would rise up in my strength and
be a man, a gentleman, and put to
shame all the effeminacy of my child
hood.
AS l look back to it now, through the
maze Of years, it seems like the view
through reversed opera glass, but
then it was big with destiny
Do not impute me with fear because
| trembled when the huckster gave me
the coveted prize in exchange for the
half dime / had treasured so long.
No, it was not fear.
1t was the excited vibrations of the
mind sobbing through my frame, the
caused my heart to beat and fiutter,
my knees to knock together and hand
nervOuSly to clutch the match. / re-
peat it. 1t was not fear, because l
was the bravest, most determined boy
that ever intoxicated the soul with
hope.
Nervously / struck the match and
a 10 fho %
no smoke came-the sweat poured down
my forehead in agonizing drops-mo-
mentarily l grew more nervous-the
match went out and the dealer, who
had been watching me said, with a
grin: Better bite off the end fore
you light it; reckon you amt used to
smOkin'." How that did cut my pride.
l was too mortified to speak, but tried
it again and went out putting the cigar
in q vigorous manner that soon made
me forget the humiliating experience of
moment before.
Down toward the livery barn I stroll
ed, where there was always q crowd
of boys collected on morning like
this, but before I reached there q sud
den faintness stole over me. A vibrat.
ing thrill seemed to chase up and down
my spine. My! but it was acting funny
[ could hardly walk in the narrow path.
My eyes seemed to have ii double Wis
sion, my head to expand. l did not
wish to see any one now. / must enjoy
the luxury of my cigar alone, so l pass
ed around the barn by q friendly fence
and took shelter in an unoccupied shed.
l felt strange. Vague, unnatural
thoughts whirled through my brain, but
still l puffed away. My legs grew weak
the smoke choked me and filled my
eyes and [ burned my finger, but still
it was sublime. Strangely my thoughts
FLASHED and whirled, like contending
demons. I fancied madness had seized
me but did not care. Pains racked my
brain. Faint and dizzy, I now threw
the stump away with curse. I longed
to die. Words of prayer were NUT
tered, darkness came over me, my stOm
ach sank within me and deep despair
brooded over my form.
Never! never! never! would / smoke
again, if this did not kill me- Then
turned over and and with less
in my stomach, much weaker, more
fearful, and wiser boy, rose from that
bed Of agony half an hour later, still
strong in the determination never to
smoke again; firmly believing that old
maids knew something and that men
who smoked were fools.
Yes, and I am one Of them.
Madison, Wis. March 13.