Show FERVENT PRAISE OF NICOTINE Col Robert G Ingersolls Eloquent Tribute to Tobacco Four centuries ago Columbus the adventurous on tho blessed Islo at Cuba saw happy people with rolled > leaves between their lips Above their heads were little clouds of smoke Their faces wero serene and In their eyes was the autumnal look of content con-tent These people were kind Innocent Inno-cent gentle and loving The climate of Cuba Is the friendship friend-ship of the earth and the air and of this climate tho sacred leaves wore horn loaves that bred In tho mind of him who used them the cloudless happy hap-py days in which they grew These leaves make friends and cele brato with gentlo rites the vows of peace They have given consolation to tho world They are the companions of tho lonely tho friends of tho imprisoned Im-prisoned of tho exiles of workers In mines of fellers of forests of sailors on tho deep seas They are the givers of strength and calm to tho vexed and wearied minds of those who build with thought and brain tho temples of tho soul They tell of hope and rest They smooth tho wrinkled brows of care drive fear and strange misshapen dreads from out tho mind and fill tho heart with rest and peace Within their magic warp and woof some potent po-tent gracious spell Imprisoned lies that when released by fire doth softly I steal within tho fortress of the brain and bind In sloop the captured sentinels senti-nels of care and grief These leaves are the friends of tho fireside and their smokeliko incense rises from myriads of happy homes Cuba Is the smile of tho sea |