The Press., 1895-05-30
w. C. T. U. DEPARTMENT.
A Drop of Alcohol in a M -crOscOpe.
BY J. F. CONAN.

BYJ.-F CONAN.
 "Walk right up th;o N~ ard see the wonderful magnifyirg slaes, which reveals to the as oHis' ed g.; g. olsand animal cule in ,a' e drop of water '"
 The stree, 'a&ir, L o7e cry was this, caught ny e.,e fixed " ,jor Ei,l, al q hastily dipping into vee-rl If water o"e of the little tin tubes wit .. lad inserted in it a magnifyins 'e?se, he ccf,'y placed it in front O. ny eye, proceeding with his par rot-like lecture to the audience gathered around him.
 "A drop of pure water! And yet this magic instrument discloses to your as- tonished gaze myriad infinitesimal forms , of life sporting in this tiny ocean as in a bath tub. Step right up and take look and satisfy yourselves. Then buy one to amuse the family. Only ten cents apiece Guaranteed to magnify objects a thous. andfold !'
 nodded to the man as I handed back the glass, and ventured thus far to be ia. miliar: "How would drop of beer o1 whisky look placed in there ?"
 He eyed me sharply for second, and evidently satisfied with the innocence of my intentions, seized upon the suggestion as text for new display of oratory with which to amuse and hold his crowd "Yes, ladies and gentlemen" he broke out afresh, "little drops of water are not the only things in which this miraculous invention dtscloses forms of terrible mons ters. Suppose we put drop of whisky under this powerful magnifier. What do you see? Why, ladies and gentlemen The went through the same motions of pre- tending to fill the tube and holding it be- fore his eyes see bright-faced, win some little boy on his way to school, his lunch basket in his hand. He is neatly combed and brushed, bright as a pin, fresh from his mothers hand, the warm breath of her good-by kiss upon his cheek.
 "A well-dressed gentleman beckOns to him and offers him piece of silver to run an errand. It is an easy way for him to earn what appears to him a fortune for spending money, and the gentleman seems so respectable. He darts away. There is plenty of time before the school bell rings. The note is directed to a room in a stately building on the main thorough fare. As the boy timidly enters his eye IS dazzled by the glitter of plate glass mirrors, of beautiful pictures, of polished wood and nickel and brass. It seems like a palace to him. It is filled with we'll dressed gentlemen sitting at the tables, s1pping from their glasses and chatting together.
 " Is MT. Smith here ? he asks, holding the note up to the gaze of the white uni formed attendant.
 -" 'Yonder at tkat table,
 " Ha, my boy Whats this ? A mes- sage from my partner. Good news! You shall have quarter for being the bearer of it. Wait here! You've been running fast; you must be tired; sip this. Whats the matter? Do look as though would harm you?'
 ''The boy goes on his way to school, his pulse beating double time, quickened by wine and money. The next time he passes that place he feels strange longing to taste again the sparkling stuff. He has money of his own, why not ? He enters. lie stops often after that He is noticed and encouraged and treated. He makes friends. He secures position and mon- ey. He dresses well. Has a graceful manner, develops into manly beauty, weds beautiful maiden, sets up an elegant home, leads a gay, careless life. Child ren come and the wine flows freely at their christening. It makes their hearts beat fast fires their blood There are words between the husband and wife. After that he drinks more deeply. The next day he sleeps it off; but when he arises change has come over him. He is reckless and desperate.
 "Ladles and gentlemen, I look again into this drop of liquor. I see a middle aged man, seedy and faded, with an un- steady gait, a red nose and watery eyes. lie is hurrying with nervous, unsteady steps down the street to get something to brace him up. His wife has gone to the dogs. His children are growing up vaga- bonds around him. He has nothing to live for but the intoxication of his cuns His friends are gone, his credit is gone, his ambition is gone. The windows of his house are filled with old hats and bundles of rags. His front gate is down and the roof leaks. At the door of the magnificent palace where he drank his first glass of wine he pauses. An attend ant greets him as he opens the door, with a stern, Move onr and motion of his finger toward thA noliceman an tho orno