The morning times., 1895-12-01
Society Woman's
Temperance Union
THREATENED RETURN OF THE
THREE BOTTLE MAN.
Banding Together to Meet Dan
ger Menacing the Fashion,
able World.

NO. said a positive little person in
a pretty French frock. putting her hand
over the glass, mo champagne, If you
please, but I'll take some apoliinaris.
thanks and when the hostess tried per-
suasion from such very temperate tastes.
! she blushed bit and admitted that she be-
( ionged TO d society.
! Its not a secret society, as its meIn-
bers are all women. Besides, the pledge
| is very simple and any one can take it
I quite openly I've promised on my sol
/ emn word noI 20 serve anything stronger
! than "a light white wine and mineral
I water at my table nor to take anything
I stronger myself"
| Perhaps you have noticed a painful
! tendency OF late" continued the first
( speaker, that has caused many hos
! pitable soul serious uneasiness."
Indeed 1 have" replied a sympathetic
voice from the lower end OF the table.
Il give you my word one can scarcely
20 dint.ig now but what a majority of
the masculine guests turn Up after that
brief post t-prandial alienation from the
women, wearing a most peculiar appear
ancc."
Once. twice. thrice even, Imprudences
OF the sort may he forgiven said the
society member. ''but when the butler
is obliged to help one guest into his over
coat and walk him vigorously about the
block i'll the cold air before he is able to
present himself to the women after dinner.
the matter assumes Il serious aspect foc
even blaze women on the world.
AT first we refused to believe things
could be SO bad. yet We are now Obliged
10 confess that II looks like return OF
the old three bottle men within society's
domain. At this point we women called
a meeting and acted. There was "A rapid
and unanimous consent given to an ap-
peal for putting down the growing bicnish
on society. When the move was made
TO meet the evil with cold, clear mineral
water. and such wines as could give Ill
required SAVIOR to meal without any
intoxicating effects not q dissenting voice
was raised
After n vote the members took very
solemn pledge, Not only to serve tenn
perately when entertaining, but to alb
stain when at the house of others, for you
see," continued the little woman. with q
bright pink spot of eloqucnce in either cheek,
Its the only way to set the right example
and To remove the cause. The pledge lasts
for n year when 1t can be taken again and
the members wear this pin. little white
enamel rosette set with diamonds. Wo
thought the diamonds typical oi our mineral
water pledge. and Ii Gouid really surprise
you To- know the work we have already
done, while the objects uf our work really
don't know what we are about Perhaps
they may think 1t a trifle curious that u
sparing glass OF Rhinish, with the inevitable
mineral liquids, is all the hostess npw
offers, but nobody has heard complaint
so far and"
why l believe III join remarked the
head of the table, passing the pretty pin
on for inspection with 4 lingering look Of
admiration
And SO viii - added she of the SYM
pathetic voice, in chorus with the rest of
the table. "Of course we have noticed Just
as you have and set 1t down to the influence
men are under at their clubs"
Blu. perhaps this is the worst influ-
ence of all broke in the head of the table
with characteristic impulsivenesS. Please
Hawkins, remove thusc decanters and
glasses Dear me. l never thought how
] tried 10 get votes for closing the saloons
on Sunday and offered equal temptations
myself every day on the plea of hospitality.
Hawkins, we will have only the coffee in
the drawing roum, you may have the liquor
yourself. Besides hnw very cunning that
pin will he. and l do ST. like to belong to
4 union for the reformation of mankind"
FRANCES ELLERTON