HE LET IT ALONE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue V, 3 August 1895, Page 150

HE LET IT ALONE.

Some one has been receiving a temperance lecture in a liquor saloon, a lecture, too, from the proprietor himself. It is worth passing along, for the benefit of those who have been, or who may be, tempted into such places. The proprietor quietly remarked, * I know the taste of the stuff, but I have not touched a glass of liquor for five years.’ I looked at the speaker in astonishment. He is proprietor of two large saloons, and I could have sworn that I had seen him drink many times with bis customers—more than once, lam ashamed to say, with myself. If you asked him to driuk, he would reach for a bottle and pour himself out a generous portion. I could not understand what he meant, therefore, by his present statement, but be was in a genial mood, and I felt sure that he would explain the mystery. * When I was in Ireland—G >d bless her !' said he, *1 used to drink my drop along with the rest of the boys. But when I came to this country and went to keeping bar, I looked about me a bit ; and says I to myself, “ Fat, if you’re going to succeed at this business, or indadc at any other, you must let your own poison alone.” And I made a pledge which I have always kept.’ * But I have s en you diink lots < f limrs,’ said I. * Oh, you have, have you ?’ he answered, laughing softly. • Well, have a drop with me.’ He pulled ont a hottie which looked as if it contained any ordinary liquor. It was the one he always drank from. I poured out a finger or so and drank it. Whew ! Mo'asses and water ! Nothing else. Regular stage liquor, as harmless as milk.

I thought the man would die of laughter, and I laughed with him.

4 Don’t give me away,’ he said '• No,' said I. But after I left his saloon it occurred to

me that the liquor dealer had been preaching a pretty strong temperance sermon. And yet there are hundreds of men in the same business who * never drink their own poison,’as he pleasantly put it.