A DESERTED REBUKE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1816, 29 July 1891, Page 4

A DESERTED REBUKE.

An incident which happened at a dinner-party of gentlemen recently is | worth recording for the reflection it suggests. One of the guests was known to have a strong appetite for intoxicating liquor, but, after a severe struggle, had succeeded in breaking away from the rica which he had inherited from dissolute ancestors. His only safety lay in total abstinence, and although on this occasion wine was abundant, be did not taste it. At length it occurred to the host that a practical jest would be amusing, and, by his direction, the waiter filled the tumbler of this guest with gin, instead of water. There being no difference injappearance and there being no reason for suspecting evil the djpsomaniac raised it to his lips. Tbe instant he tasted- it he compref hended what had been done, and without a word left the room. His nearest neighbour, astonished at his unceremonious departure, turned to see what was the matter, when the grins of the waiter aitracted his attention to the still full tumbler. He took it up, and mixed the contents, and understanding in turn the cruel joke that had been played, he followed tbe example of the victim, and, with oDly a glance of indignation by way of farewell to the host, he, too, left the room and house. His neighbour in tarn sought and found the explanation of this singular breach of etiquette, and the action of the others having furnished him a clue to the sharpest method of expressing the indignation any right-minded man must feel, he, in turn, contemptuously left the table. To cut tbe matter short, every guest in turn, amid a silence so impressive that the host lacked either the nerve or tbe presence of mind to break it, departed in utter silence, until the giver of the feast was left alone. , It is a satisfaction to be able to add that tbe dipsomaniac had the courage and presence of mind to get into a carriage and drive home at once, where he remained until he had conquered the cravings excited by the taste of alcohol he had unwittingly taken.