OCR Text |
Show HOW TF1E PROHIBITORY HQ,-I'Oll HQ,-I'Oll LAW WOH.K.S IS UA1KE- The Portland Argus, of the 3J irjst., Say The principal tiieme of local gossip yesterday was the rigid enforcemerit of the last liquor law. The sheriff has notified nearly every dealer in town, and they promptly "shut down." MaDy amuiing scenes occurred, and some of thoe gentlemen who have been in faror of the law, but opposed to its execution were obliged to go thirsty. "Fancy roast and glass of lager, .said a customer in an oyster hoase. "No lager, sir" "Well, therj, make it ale." "No ale, sir sheriff notified us today. to-day. ' ' . "iWvc-r miml p'wp mft a tflass of cider." "Can't do it, sir not allowed." "What! not allowed to sell so innocent in-nocent a beverage as a glass of cider? the harmless product of thousands of good honest Maine farmers!'' "Them's the orders, sir, and they say it's the law," "Well, then," says the customer coolly, "if I can't have a glass of eider, nor lager, nor ale with my oysters, I wouldn't give a lor them," and he stalks away, with prayers pray-ers for the repose of the souls of the authors of the present law. Another says: "Well, let them go it. I can get what rum I wnut at home. 1 shall order some from Boston to-morrow, but I don't like to take my grog in the house." i One of the most suggcelirc pevnes' occurred at one of the principal hotels. I An eastern trader arrived washed I himself, and ordered a hot supper, and, being weary, thought a little whisky and water would agree with his constitution. consti-tution. "Can't have it," said the clerk. "What!" The situation was explained. "What time docs the uest train leave Portland ?" "Pullman train goes west at midnight." mid-night." "Put me down for a carriage for that train, please." A man C3tues into an apothecary store "A pint of your best brandy." "Can't sell it to you." "Rut. 1 must have it." "Go to the city agency," "That is closed." "Wait 'ill to-morrow." "Can't do it my little girl is terribly terri-bly sick with typhoid lever, and Dr. , who is now at tho house, told me she must have brandy to keep her alive." "Go and get her a prescription from your physician," replies the man of medicine, "and I will let you have it: but I am violating the law, and shall be liable to go to jail for it." Such are some of the practical results of legislation upon the temperance question. In the meantime mean-time it can be said in its favor that it is closing many miserable groggerics and tippling shops; but then arises the question, will not the wretches who keep such places find plenty of ways to avoid the penalties, as they have done heretofore? The problem is evidently working itself out. |