MRS. PARTINGTON ON INTEMPERANCE.
“Intemperance!” said Mrs. Partington, solemnly, with
a rich emotion in her tone, like an after-dinner speech,
at the same time bringing her hand, containing the
snuff she had just brought from the box, down upon
her knee, while Lion, with a violent sneeze, walked
away to another part of the room, — “Intemperance is a
monster with a good many heads, and creeps into the
bosoms of families like any conda or an allegator, and
destroys its peace and happiness forever. But, thank
Heaven! a new Erie has dawned on the world, and
soon the hydrant-headed monster will be overturned.
Is n't it strange that men will put enemies into their
mouths to steal away their heads?” — “Don't you regard
taking snuff a vice?” one asked, innocently. — “If
it is,” she replied, with the same old argument, “it is so
small a one that Providence won't take no notice of it;
and, besides, my oil-factories would miss it so.” Ah!
kind old heart, the drunkard's argument! He who
casts stones at his frail brother must first see if there
be not something at home to correct, before he presumes
upon his own infallibility. Ike all the while was
watching Lion, as he lay growling in his sleep, and
wondering if he was dreaming about him.
