The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-11-02
The Author S Own
Fascinating Story
of His Long But
Losing Battle
For Freedom
and Health


people are making their own these
days, but most Of them make a
botch OF 1t. This smells like the
real thing
Mildred endeavor4d to fill a
small glass pitcher from the five
gallon bottle. but 1t was awkward,
and Montgomery helped her.
Then we all went into the din-
ing room where the electric fan
was running. and sat down at
the table. declined TO drink,
saying would try il later Mill
dred slipped little from her
glass. Montgomery drank
tumbIer full, then second one.
While dinner was cooking Mil
ared came out onto the front
porch and sat with us She lad
changed to 8 blue dress, and
looked charming. felt proud of
her During the half hour or so
we sat there Montgomery excused
himself several times and went
inside. / thought nothing 4
this until Mildred, after going IN
to inspect things on the stove
called for me to come in. Soiite-
thing in her tone appraised me.
that she was upset. and / asked
Montgomery to excuse me. Mildred
beck0ned to me as / approached
the kitchen and placed her finger
on her lips.
Stock Of Liquor Reduced
.sWhat kind of man have you
brought here?' she whispered.
ssIook here
she led the way to the pantry
ana pointed to the five-gallon
bottle OF brew.
It was nearly one-third gone.
He's been at it half a dozen
times already, she continued.
what are we going to do2'
was in quandary. knew
MONTGOMERY capacity. and also
that streak Of meanness de-
veloped in him after he reached q
certain stage OF intoxication.
Can he get drunk on the
stuff2 / asked.
sCan he2's she replied. scorn-
fully. sOf course he can; It's
powerful. I told you It was good
stuff
I'VE can't very well hide it,
said. That wouldn't look well.
The only thing see Is to hurry
up with dinner: maybe that viii
get his mind off It
But why did you bring him
here?s she complained.
because / never dreamed you
had anything like this on hand. 8
interrupted, half angrily. Don't
blame meI didn't know
While speaking ! had poured
small drink into q glass. and when
finished drank 1t. Mildred 3
big gray eyes took on a look or
apprehension as / did so.
1T is powerful. declared. It's
really good. No wonder he can't
leave it alone I wish you hadn't
made it,"
..Oh, Don,' she pleaded. laying
her hand on my arm. I just did
1t for fun. Don't you get started
please don't
sI've never drunk around the
house yet, have IT. retorted.
Don't you worry about me-
Just wanted to see what It tasted
ike.
As matter Of fact. the stuff
tasted like varnisln, but didn
say so. I remembered that Mil
dred was proud Of her achieve
ment in producing it. There was
no sense In hurting her unneces-
sarily.
Il could knock the bottle off
the shelf accidentally, sug-
eested. THAT would settle it.
For g second her eyes sparkled
IN what seemed to be admiration
at my resourcefuIness, and then
she pouted.
After all my trouble in maxi
Ing it?n she asked. I should
say not. It this mans a pig.
I'm not going to destroy perfect
~ good liquor just to stop him.
You'll have to go out and talk
to him, that's all.
Ultimatum Delivered
When I got back on the front
porch I found Donnie trying to
get away from Montgomery's in
sistent caresses, and the sight set
me on fire. grabbed the. boy
In my arms.
No more of that home brew
Tor you, Montgomery, I said,
angrily. II don't stand for heavy
drinking here, and the sooner
you know it, the better"
He looked up at me with bleary
eyes. To my establishment and
CONSERVATION, I saw he was al
ready drunk.
So thash the music. hey?" he
said. thickly. "I sphose you for
get how / pulled you sober at
Abilene. and now you're In.
shutting me. when
/ went over and seized his arm,
fearful that his loud tones would
be heard by Mildred, and that she
would learn OF my lapse while I
had been away. knew she
would not try to oyerhear what
was said. It was disttnctiveIy
characteristic Of Mildred that she
never eayesdropped, nor was she
inquisitive. In all the time we
had been married ] had never
known her to show the slightest
& inclination to do anything sly.
She was open and frank at all
times. That was one Of her most
lovable traits. But Montgomery's
voice, though thick, was raucous
and penetrating. II he kept on,
she could not help hearing what
he said.
Warning is Given
Don't be dirty stooIpigeon% ]
warned. beside myself with sud.
den rage. Say another word
about Abilene and I'll throw you
out into the gutter
was trembling. Ny intensity
must have Impressed him.
oh. thash all right" he mum
bled. ST won't sd1eal. But let
have another little drink"
All right. and TIL call a tax
for you.% said grimly. "I'll brine
the drink out for you. Just sii
nTi15,ed ,,ofo.a 1,a.. ;at.an,,.a,,-,