New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-09-03
"Mr. TIton," asked, "what do YOU
knou about liquor around this part
of The country"

Well, you know how it u.s. When II co,nss
as easy as that you lose some of the senssos
urgency. You get into the old state of NINA
the pre- prohibition state of mind. You Inov
it's there when you want it, and so YOU DOM
think of it more than once or twice a day.
Instead OF placing my order with the livery
stable man, went On to new research Once
more | became the cool investigator rather
than the man ridden by his appetite for
strong drink. / went right in to see the pres-
dent of the Chamber of Commerce Oh yes
little town has modern tendencies. We
haven't any chamber for our commerce. lint
president is as wideawake as you could
wish for.
/ asked him my stock question, but should
have asked him how Vermont's liquor industry
was getting along.
"No prohibition here he said briskly and
proudly.
"Well, them" said, chow do / get it AMI
where?"
"Just a minute said he, getting out ct
his chair. He went into closet in the rear
of his office and returned shortly with small
white pitcher. Now, that | think of it. Il
wasn't such small pitcher either, and it was
half full of golden brown liquid
Try some" he suggested. "If YOU like Il
| can get you all you want at three and
half quart My bootlegger comes down from
the hills twice week. If you place your
order to-day you can have it on Saturday"
1t didn't have another errand would like
to expatiate on this incident as an example
CT the spirit of hustle that has made America
what she is to-day. Where there is a demand,
there you will find snappy American bust
ness man supplying it. I salute the distiIler
of Vermont and his agents, but l hope he'll
improve the flavor as time goes on. Not vet
can he compete with Haig & Haig. l remem
bered the advice of the livery stable proprietor
and closed off my nose for moment while
sampled the liquid in the pitcher No, Yer
mont has a goal to aspire to. Much can be
done to refine the taste. But, boy, howdy;
the kick is in i'll Up in those high green
hills they've learned as much about the manu-
facture of lightnin' as Mr. Steinmetz
Excuse my emotion" l said huskily
These are tears of wonder and admiration
What wonderful constitutions you must have
up here In these open spaces
When | have been hit squarely between tie
eyes two or three times ! lose some of nv
cocksureness, but I'm not necessarily licked,
My preconceived theories about prohibition
had received some stiff jolts, but wasn't en-
tlrely through. The investigation had been
too narrow III its scope, decided The VII
lage is half-breed. 1t has most of the vices
and none OF the virtues of the country. Way
DacK IN the remote places I'd hear difssrent
story, perhaps. So hired strong nountain-
climbing horse from the liveryman and point
ed him toward the hills. For two hours We
climbed steadily and then came out into a
clearing and the habitation / sought
True the village was not more than eight
mlles distant, but the silence through which
had ridden had never been shattered by a
back-fre. Only horse could make his way
up these narrow, stony trails ] was only
eight miles, but many years, away from civ
liization and its vices. So refined the horse
up to the blackened frame house and addressed
the lean man in faded blue overails who was
Just coming out OF the kitchen We talked
about the weather and about crop prospects
and the view down the valley from his front
porch Then / came to the subject nearest
my heart
Any place around here where | can get
a drink" ] asked
"Buttermilk, or something's" he queried.
Something / said
Well he said, after moment of looEing
me over, I'VE generally lay in about zour
barr'ls of cider every fall, but last year the
apple crop was bad and we're sort of crimred
right now. Might fix you up with little
likker''
Thanks / said. 81 was thinking about
some home made cherry wine or, say, some
grape wine"
We don't go in much for that sort of sass
ne explained. 1T don't go fur enough Might
get you little cider"
So we had a pitcher of the precious cider
and smacked cur lips and talked of crops and
weather. again.
Then came around to the subject again.
just what do You think of prohibition,
anyway" ! asked.
Don't see why you city folks ever passed
the law" he said
AS my horse picked his way slowly down
the stony trail toward the village had plenty
Of opportunity FOR reflection. Just who.
asked myself. did pass that law, anyway