OF 
 
 EE'CKLESSNESS; 
 
 OR, 
 
 PERSON AL R EMTNTSC 'EX( 'ES 
 
 OF A LIFE PURSUED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO 
 
 THE INTOXICATING BOWL. 
 
 ^;iie on. Cotes ; you're all right now !" PAGK 42. 
 AVITII APPENDED 
 
 UNDER THE TYRANT RUM. 
 
 BY 
 
 W.-C. COTES. 
 
 PRICE TWENTY-FIVE CENTS. 
 
 SYCAMORE, ILLINOIS. 
 ARNOLD BROTHERS, PRINTERS 
 
 1878. 
 
OF 
 
 RECKLESSNESS; 
 
 OR. 
 
 PERSONAL KEMIXISC 'KXCES 
 
 Of a Life pursued in close proximity to 
 
 THE INTOXICATING HOWL. 
 
 Drawn entirely from a full vocabulary of facts, 
 
 Shoiving liow easy to become a drunkard, remain one, and hoio t& 
 
 Reform; Loss of Home and Friends an Outcast; 
 
 Exciting Scenes ; flair-breadth Escapes ; 
 
 with 
 
 Under the "Tyrant 
 
 TJ3VL 5 
 
 Detailing how obtained, and some of the laughable incidents enacted, 
 and more nearly disastrous results, und>:r its pernicious influence. 
 
 BY 
 
 W. C. COTES. 
 
 PRICE TWENTV-PIVE CENTS. 
 
 SYCAMORE, ILLINOIS. 
 ARNOLD BROTHERS, PRINTERS. 
 
 1878. 
 
To my friend Capt. Ed. Went, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who 
 formed the first Red Ribbon Temperance Reform Club in the State 
 of Illinois, and was instrumental through that effort in bringing 
 ab out my attempted reformation, and by which means an aimless 
 and useless life has been turned to one of usefulness, is his little 
 volume most respectfully dedicated by THE AUTHOR. 
 
" Come on, Cotes, you're all right now 
 
Having, through the persistent use of intoxicating stimulants for 
 many years, lost property, money, position, and friends of influence, 
 I willingly begin at the bottom of labor's ladder to ascend to, at least, 
 respectability. Being a printer, andj formerly an editor, I commence 
 in my more natural element to accomplish this end. Having person- 
 ally performed the practical part of the work in this narrative, I now 
 place it before a generous public, hoping that it may be the means of 
 doing good, and at the same time enable me to retrieve at least some 
 portion of a scattered fortune. Very Respectfully, &c., 
 
 W. C. COTES. 
 
CHAPTER 1. 
 
 DEAR READER : Did you ever consider how many persons have 
 been ruined, soul and body; persons whose souls have been literally 
 burned out of their bodies by the fire-fiend rum, and have taken 
 flight for eternity to appear before that God whose mandate has 
 gone forth that no drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of heaven? 
 Go visit the prisons of our cities and states, and in their dreary 
 cells behold the outlaw who neither fears the law of God or man. 
 What brought these poor felons to their present condition ? I an- 
 swer that in nine cases out of every ten it was a fondness for the 
 intoxicating bowl. 
 
 In the winter of 1876 those persons opposed to the now stringent 
 law controlling the liquor traffic in the state of Illinois drew up a 
 petition to the state legislature invoking that body to re peal or mod- 
 ify the said laws. Remonstrances were also put in circulation, and 
 among others one from the prison at Joliet that was signed by up- 
 wards of one thousand convicts, asking that the legislators "do not 
 repeal, modify, " etc. Is not this alone sufficient to convince the 
 skeptical ones of the undeniable facts as here set forth? 
 
 Go visit the hospitals, and among the inmates you will there find 
 three-fourths of those afflicted with paralysis, dropsy, convulsions, 
 and that most terrible calamity that can befall man, insanity, are 
 the victims of intemperance. Visit the rum holes that so frequent- 
 ly abound in our midst, and among their patrons observe the blear- 
 e} r ed, the bloated countenance, the palsied and tottering frame, the 
 staggering gait, the poverty-stricken, the general wretchedness, and 
 the most detestable deeds of violence and vice everywhere appa- 
 rent; and hear the oaths and curses, and the vile and loathsome Ian- 
 
6 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 guage continually issuing from these licensed dens of iniquity ; and 
 when your soul sickens at the sight of such human misery and deg- 
 redation, remember this is the work of a legalized system. Great 
 God ! whither are we drifting ? See the thousands and tens of thou- 
 sands of wretched beings who daily drink the fiery fluid that far- 
 ther and farther removes them from God and mercy. 
 
 Behold the drunkard as he has just arisen from the gutter, reel- 
 ing homeward, his eyes inflamed, his face swollen and bruised, and 
 his entire being indicating the most extreme wretchedness. You 
 can see nothing about him that evinces the feelings of the inner 
 man, but be assured the mind of that man, ruined as it is, suffers 
 inexpressible anguish. He knows and feels his condition; he imag- 
 ines he can never again be received into society as he was wont to 
 be; he compares his former condition to his present, and the 
 thoughts so harrass him that he hastens to the cup to bury them in 
 the insanity of alcohol. 
 
 I cannot urge that I am not prepared to say something in regard 
 to these consequences that must inevitably fall to the lot of those 
 who worship at the shrine of Bacchus, for the sad fate that a long- 
 experience has given has had a tendency to seriously prejudice 
 myself against this evil, and to induce me to use every honorable 
 method to stay the progress of this the world's greatest known 
 curse. I do not propose to offer anything probably new upon the 
 subject, for it is the same old, old story. Call it threadbare, if you 
 please ; but you must agree in the conclusion that the evil influen- 
 ces and tendencies are to-day as deleterious and destructive as they 
 were twenty, or even fifty years ago. The same old story of drunk- 
 en debauchery, misery, crime, filling of jails, alms-houses, peniten- 
 tiaries, etc., will all bear repeating; and I would to God that they 
 might be indelibl} 7 imprinted upon the brow and in the bosom of 
 every human being in the land till the last vestige of strong drink 
 is banished from off the face of the globe. 
 
 Having for eighteen or twenty years suffered the fate of an ine- 
 briate, I consider myself priveleged to so loudly denounce the traffic; 
 and however humiliating it may be to make such an acknowledg- 
 ment to the world of myself, yet, if by it or through any other 
 effort of mine, in this so recently espoused cause, it may have the 
 effect of saving a single person who is, or may be on this down- 
 ward road to disgrace and ruin, I am amply repaid. We say dis- 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 7 
 
 grace and ruin not only in the world through which we are passing, 
 but eventually bringing about the loss of the soul in the world of 
 which we are all soon to know and feel the realities. 
 
 When in these pages the word "drunkard" is used, I hope the so- 
 called moderate drinker will not censure me if he is classed in the 
 same category, simply because there is no designated place at which 
 to draw the dividing line ; and I may as well here relate how I be- 
 came aware that I had crossed the unknown parallel, and was fully 
 known as a debauchee : 
 
 While living in Chicago, a friend of mine had promised to en- 
 deavor to find employment for me. Being a wealthy and influen- 
 tial man I felt positive he would be successful in doing so ; and you 
 may well imagine how pleased I was when he left word at my home 
 for me to call at his residence upon a certain evening. I can as- 
 sure you that the distance was stepped oft* briskly to hear of the 
 long wished for engagement. When I met him and inquired if he 
 had been successful he replied, "I have not, and cannot be, for you 
 are not to be depended upon." I remonstrated, when he suddenly 
 stopped me with the words : 
 
 "Do you not know that you are a drunkard C' 
 
 "What, me ! why no ; you are mistaken ; I know I take an occa- 
 sional drink, but moderate drinking is not being a drunkard." 
 
 "But," replied he, "you have crossed the line, and all who know 
 you are aware of it." 
 
 I felt serious tears came to eyes unused to weep, and when I 
 told my wife how cruelly I had been accused she only solaced my 
 new found affliction by adding : 
 
 "And you did not know it. Now tell me how you came into the 
 house evening before last, and with whom ?" 
 
 I reflected for a considerable length of time, but could come to no 
 definite conclusion, and my surprise and dismay may be imagined 
 when I was told that some friend had brought me to the house at a 
 late hour of the night in such a state that he was obliged to take 
 my night-key from my pocket and let me in that I then fell 
 against and broke a mirror in the hall hat-rack, and finally reach- 
 ing the parlor fell heavily to the floor. 
 
 This evidence was such as to induce a good resolve, but how well 
 I was living up to it may be evinced by the transpiring of an inci- 
 dent shortly after ; it was a remark made to me by my daughter,. 
 
8 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 then a little girl only five years of age. The little one, as was 
 her wont, was waiting at the gate for my arrival. I came, but was 
 ''half-seas over." As she approached me in tears she lisped out the 
 word "papa," and that was all that was discernable, for her little 
 heart was nearly broken. But her troubles were soon.made known. 
 "I cannot plav with that nice little girl next door, for her ma said 
 
 l */ 
 
 so." 
 
 It was some time before I received the reason assigned, but final- 
 ly it came : 
 
 "Her ma said, because my pa was a drunkard," and the tears con- 
 tinued to roll down her little red cheeks. I staggered into the 
 house with the sorrowing one in my arms, but felt so badly 
 that I hastened to my room. When I came out both little girls 
 for I had one two years older put their tiny arms about my neck 
 kissed me, and said : 
 
 "Don't feel sad, papa, for we are going to pray to God to-night 
 that people may not have occasion to call you such a hard name 
 again ; ma told us to; and she is now in her room praying all about 
 it." 
 
 With all this preponderance of guilt and evidence I could not yet 
 but consider these conclusions overdrawn, but felt again that the 
 habit must be subdued e'er I became a drunkard as I understood it. 
 But it was even now too late for, imsuspicioned by me, I had form- 
 ed the accursed appetite. And I wou'd ask you, moderate dram- 
 taker, are you not unconsciously floating upon the same sea ? If 
 you argue that you can drink or let it alone, just try abstinence for 
 a single month, and my word for it many of you will find yourselves 
 in the unenviable position of the inebriate ; and after once there 
 the desire created is so strong that everything in your power to give 
 would be offered a willing sacrifice for release. 
 
 This latter fact was fully demonstrated in a single instance that 
 occurred in my home at Sycamore, Illinois, in the spring of 1877. 
 One of the former best and most worthy citizens, and one who re- 
 tained a large property died from indiscretion in the use of strong 
 drink; and only a short time previous to his last illness he remarked 
 to a friend that if he would never crave another drink he would wil- 
 lingly and gratuitously part with his long established business, his 
 farm in fact everything he possessed, and then with a half spent 
 life commence anew the struggles incident to such a course. That 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 9 
 
 his fate was hourly being sealed no kind friends need apprise him, for 
 it -was known and realized till the angel Death summoned the 
 soul from a body racked with the pains of a life sacrificed to the 
 uncontrolled appetite of strong drink. 
 
 One conclusion we may safely arrive at, and that is every drink of 
 alcoholic mixture the consumer of intoxicants puts into his stom- 
 ach only hastens the day when the sods of the valley will cover over 
 the remains of a drunkard. What a thought ! to die a drunkard, 
 and live a drunkards' eternity ! And then when the person is buri- 
 ed out of human sight, what are the most ordinary remarks made 
 in respect to this last earthly career : 
 
 "Well he is gone ; he was of no use to the community only a 
 detriment, and it would have been better for his now fatherless 
 children that the wife had long ago put on the mourning weeds of 
 the widow." Are these not realities as they occur to us every day ? 
 Indeed the}' are true too true dread realities. 
 
 Notice, if you please, the haggard, pale face of the wife of such a 
 man as we have described. Can you not read there that she who 
 was once loved and respected is now heart broken, and that her 
 steps are fast hastening to that bourne from which no traveler e'er 
 returns. At last, worn by the cares of life weary of her strug- 
 gles, she willingly and happily closes her eyes to us forever. She 
 was a good wife and mother, and most probably a woman adorned 
 with Christian graces one who had offered up hundreds of prayers 
 for that husband's reform,but trusting in God, could wait no longer 
 to see it, and in all probability her last prayer was breathed in his 
 behalf. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 ONES' personal experience in this long life of alcoholic disease, or 
 if you please, a life led after the appetite for the to-be-dreaded 
 dram is created, differs probably but little in the main features ; but 
 that such a life is most direful and to be shunned you may become 
 more fully aware even by some of the simple personal experiences 
 related, or to be presented in the pages of this little volume. 
 
 We notice that after a man has for a number of years used his 
 stomach as an alcoholic, copper-lined distillery, it is quite seldom 
 he finds rest short of the grave; and I consider the cases most rare 
 where a genuine reformation is accomplished by the will of man 
 alone no matter how strong, but that the help of the Being who 
 holds the Universe in His hands must be invoked and retained. 
 
 Good resolutions once formed are too frequently broken, and thus 
 it has been in my case. Old Time with his relentless Sythe passed 
 on, cutting from the right and the left, but left me swaying back- 
 ward and forward with the human tide drunk and sober, but to 
 my shame be it said, with a large predominance of the former. 
 
 For the past many years, I reiterate, whisky and sugar was mine, 
 but more latterly preferring the crude state, the taste for sweetness 
 having been eradicated by the devouring selfishness of the stronger. 
 
 I was acquainted with a hard drinking lawyer in Chicago who 
 absorbed many drinks during the day, and whose drams would al- 
 ternately be whisky and sugar, and whisky and lemon juice. I 
 asked him his reasons for drinking in this manner, and was inrormed 
 that the two were antagonistical to each other and that while they 
 were contending for supremacy in the stomach they bothered him 
 less for more. 
 
 After many months and years of this wavering, I was induced to 
 discontinue the evil practices I had so long disgraced myself by fol- 
 lowing, and in my attempt to live up to the solemnity of the pledge 
 felt happy in the sacrifice that was concededly essential. Not only 
 was the new life a personal pride, but one mutually enjoyed by a 
 once more happy household. But alas for the uncertainty of man's 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 11 
 
 calculations poor weak man, so easily forgetful of the God who 
 only can support the poor loathing inebriate. 
 
 There's never a day so sunny 
 But a little cloud appears ; 
 There's never a life so happy 
 
 But has had its time of tears ; 
 Yet the sun shines out the brighter 
 When the stormy tempest clears. 
 
 Could one of you, dear readers, conceive that the pleasures of so- 
 briety and domestic happiness could be of only a short duration ? 
 Yet in this case it was so, and so too it will be more or less 
 through a drunkards' career unless the most indomitable will and 
 perseverance is brought into action. In an evil hour, and in a most 
 subtle, quiet manner, the demon destruction threw a decoy upon 
 the bright path that was now seemingly so pleasant. I slipped 
 stumbled, and fell once more into the depravity of wretchedness. 
 An unexpected doom was now in store, for shortly after, upon en- 
 tering that late home of peace and quiet, the countenance of that 
 long-loving wife suddenly fell. Her words were simple, indignant, 
 but full of meaning: 
 
 "The glass has again touched those lips ; 'tis too much ; my cup of 
 sorrow is now full to overflowing. O God ! have my prayers fallen 
 barren to the ground just as their fruits were beginning to be felt? 
 and am I a lamenting Rachel ? 
 
 "My husband, when you last pledged yourself to total abstinence 
 I took a vow that if again I was deceived I could never after call 
 you by the endearing name that under other circumstances would be 
 your due. Go ! go my word has gone forth ; and may God help you." 
 What ! Great God ! I reel stagger, and and nearly fall. Yes, 
 'tis true, too true no idly drawn picture of fancy. Turned from a 
 home of years, abandoned, and thrown once again upon the waves 
 of a terrible maelstrom to be drawn into the vortex of temptation 
 and sin alone, unaided, uncared for, an outcast for the few short 
 days yet to be spared. 
 
 Only a drunkard ! staggering by ; 
 See that he comes not our door too nigh; 
 Clothes tattered and mangled, 
 Hair matted and tangled, 
 A sneer on his lip and a leer in his eye ; 
 Only a drunkard ! dirty and torn, 
 Forsaken and helpless, bereft and forlorn ! 
 
12 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 But once more a change came. A great tidal wave of temper- 
 ance reform recently swept over the land. The reformed Murphy 
 gathered in his tens of thousands ; the evangelist, Moody did the 
 same. The reformed men and organizations of ladies and hundreds 
 of other mediums kept the ball in motion ; and but a short time ago 
 Dr. Reynolds kindled a little fire in Michigan that was christened 
 the "Red Ribbon" movement, and which from the small organiza- 
 tion of six members we soon learned attained to the enormous 
 membership of two hundred thousand in that state alone. It was 
 a besom of destruction to its opponents ; and this great fire in that 
 state was only subdued when the combustible matter to be devour- 
 ed was about consumed. From this great heat sparks flew abroad, 
 and in the month of May '77 one accidentally fell down in Syca- 
 more. It was a still burning ember from this distant fire. From 
 this, the first beginning in Illinois, the flame spread is still spread- 
 ing, and would our prayer prevail it would sweep over this and ev- 
 ery other state in the Union as it did over the one of its origin. 
 
 Your humble servant was one of its victims, and one of the first 
 to be swallowed up by it. What effect had. the movement in this 
 little town of four or five thousand inhabitants ? It was to crush 
 out the whisky element beat down their strong barriers, and to- 
 day sways its giant legal grip over those who would see the downfall 
 of you and I that their coffers might be filled with lucre from the 
 devil's tills. And as a monument of its fame and perpetuity, can 
 there be a more enduring one than the finely furnished and well 
 stocked free library and reading rooms established and control- 
 ed by the red ribbon club, and such as follow in the wake of these 
 organizations? Visit these reading rooms at almost any hour and 
 see the numbers that would otherwise spend their time in saloons. 
 
 It is not in such places that the germ of intemperance originates. 
 My own experience tells too plainly of this fact. Had there been 
 such a place in my native boyhood town, I could, in all probability 
 have been spared the recitals herein set forth ; for it was in those 
 days that was inculcated the evils that have since proved so detri- 
 mental. 
 
 How I became a drunkard was from one of the most simple com- 
 mencements possible. It was not by quaffing lager beer, nor was 
 it by drinking cider. It was while learning my trade as a printer, 
 er in printer's parlance, acting as office devil, 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 13: 
 
 It was the custom to visit a bar-room in the evening for the pur- 
 pose of witnessing the game of billiards. After a time I, with 
 others of my class, thought it quite manly to walk up to the bar 
 and take a glass of lemonade simple lemonade. Upon a certain 
 occasion one of the lads of a little more advanced set remarked 
 to me : 
 
 "Why don't you take a decent drink like us fellows? put a fly 
 in your glass." 
 
 Upon interrogating as to the meaning of "fly," and being 
 informed that it was the addition of port wine, I took it for awhile 
 with the fly ; later with a little more "fly," until I finally took it 
 all "fly." I was then already on the straight broad road to a drunk- 
 ards grave, and as the sequel has shown, came very near reaching it. 
 
 The turn m the lane was by the red ribbon and its motto "dare 
 to do right" not that by the external there is any particular 
 saving power in it, but in the sentiment of the motto which must em- 
 anate from the heart. I found this change so sudden that I could 
 scarcely realize the fact. While a drinking man I would not, if I 
 could help it, look a respectable member of society in the face, so guilty 
 was a conscience of wrong-doing, while subsequently it was only enjoy- 
 able to seek that class of associations ; and I cm assure the reader 
 that nothing can more cheer up and encourage the drinking or reform- 
 ing man than a kind word, or the cheerful hand-shake from the heart 
 of sympathy. Though 
 
 Only a drunkard, Oh pity him still ! 
 Awaken his courage : reform his will. 
 
 Pluck him from ruin's ledge : 
 
 Hold him by honor's pledge. 
 The hopes of his life he shall yet fulfill ; 
 
 Only a drunkard ! there's One who will savo 
 
 Our own brother-man from a drundard'a grave. 
 
 For parts, at least, of many years, an affectionate wife, who though 
 in middle life, has her head silvered o'er with grey, caused by sorrow, 
 has during my drunkenness supported not only myself but the family, 
 and she too, seeming frequently upon the verge of the grave. Like 
 most others similarly situated, she still stood true and unswerving, even 
 though often advised that health and even life depended upon a sep- 
 aration. Yes, and she a drunkard's wife, yet in her disgrace stood 
 by when all others had forsaken ; when no other cheering voice or 
 welcome hand was near to sympathize or comfort. Why did she do it ? 
 
14 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 Her own words were, that from chilhood up she had placed her trust in 
 God, and she felt that He would answer her petitions, that she 
 would yet live to see her husband, not only a reformed man, but a 
 Christian. 
 
 How thankful was she that I was not deserted to perish in the high, 
 ways of sin and disgrace. By her returned affection was I not in that 
 alone amply repaid for the effort at reform ? When informed that I 
 had exerted what influence, for good, I could at home, it was at her 
 earnest solicitation that I made a tour of lecturing. "Go," said she, 
 "to other towns and cities, and save others from such a doom ; save some 
 poor wife from suffering as I have suffered ; go on your mission of love 
 to your fellow men ; I am not afraid to trust you the tempter will not 
 make you fall ; God is with you, who can be against you." 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 A drunken man is not only very sensitive but very shrewd, and 
 endeavors by every means at his command to keep his habits from the 
 prying public eye, as most of my readers are undoubtedly aware ; and 
 in more ways than one he is peculiar- very peculiar. In years 
 gone by, my wife would look for my regular return home, and watch- 
 ing from the gate tell when she saw me turn the corner, half a block 
 away, just about what my condition was by the way my hat was worn. 
 When it was in the proper place upon the head I was about as sober as 
 I generally ever pretended to be ; when it was cocked upon one side, I 
 was about three sheets in the wind, and in my individual extended 
 imagination, was the only gentleman in Chicago that was considered 
 unusually wise ; but when the tile was thrown back, the lamp-posts 
 were attempting awkward and unsteady pedestrianism, and myself 
 seriously contemplating petitioning the city council in regard to 
 widening the sidewalks. 
 
 Did you ever notice how a staggering man walks straight ? that, 
 too, is peculiar, but in his own estimation he is all right and. making 
 a direct bee-line for his destination. When I have been only suffici- 
 ently bamboozled as to realize the fact of irregular navigation, I have 
 feigned lameness to deceive as to my true position. 
 
 As I before remarked, the drunken man needs sympathy, not abuse ; 
 for it is morally certain that a person cannot be made to reform by 
 force ; coersion is the wrong horn of the dilemma. I may illustrate 
 this by a little personal experience in my own domestic life, as the 
 circumstances only tended to add to a then considerable drunk : In a 
 rather worse than usual condition I entered my home in Chicago, and 
 upon visiting the dining-room, my wife made the true remark : 
 
 "Drunk again ! " 
 
 " What of it ?" was the reply. 
 
 Noticing at tne same time a chair standing near the door leading a 
 step or two down into the kitchen, with the exclamation one, two, 
 three, out went the chair, and something or somebody more of the 
 something with it. Upon attempting to resume a perpendicular 
 position I ascertained that for once, at least, with my wife, " forbear- 
 ance ceased to be a virtue." 
 
16 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 Another peculiarity of the drunkai'd is that he is the earliest riser in 
 the city. I have often gone out at day-light, after having waited long 
 for that time to arrive, and taken a position where I could watch for 
 the first opening of one of several saloons that I could procure what 
 was termed in drinking men's parlance an "eye-opener;" and as the 
 welcome door swung on its hinges I, with others, rushed in. Upon 
 such occasions the hands were all of a tremble, and the first attempt to 
 raise the poisoned glass was often ineffectual ; then both hands were 
 resorted to, and when this proved useless, the handkerchief was the 
 only available means left. This latter is accomplished by throwing 
 the "wipe" back of the neck, and pulling with the right han 1 one cor- 
 ner, while the left is attached to the glass and other end of the 'ker- 
 chief. It was necessary to procure this stimulant to stop the awful 
 fluttering, beating and gnawing in the stomach, owing to the numerous 
 potations taken into that recepttacle the day or night previous. One 
 drink was not sufficient to quiet this feeling and steady the norves, but 
 frequently it required from five to seven before breakfast to accom- 
 plish the object. 
 
 I attempted to avoid this running out mornings, as it was i.ot only 
 unpleasant but displeased my wife, who seemed to doubt the correct- 
 ness of 'the statement that I could have no appetite for breakfast until 
 I had taken a walk in the fresh morning air. The way this was done, 
 or attempted to be done, was by filling a bottle and carrying it home 
 at night, so that it would be in readiness the following morning ; but 
 it was not always certain that it would be found all right when looked 
 for, as that life-partner of mine soon suspicioned the act, and caused 
 the destruction of everything of that kind that came in her way. I 
 would resort to every conceivable device to secrete it safely from her 
 observation under board?, in the wood-pile, in oM stove pipe, etc. 
 I remember well upon one occasion when 1 had hidden the precious 
 fluid under a stone-crock turned bottom side up on a shelf. I remem- 
 ber, too, how well pleased I was in the morning to find it stifl there 
 how eagerlv I grasped the bottle and after two or three swallows 
 ascertained that it was only the harmless beverage of COLD TEA. 
 
 When possible, of late years, I have kept this decoction under my 
 pillow so that the regular dram could be taken at night as well as during 
 the day, only not quite so often ; and by thus doing I proved the 
 truthfulness of the old toper's adage, that it was not the regular drinks 
 but "the drinks between drinks" that did the damage. 
 
CH AFTER IV. 
 
 I have already spoken of the difference in the feelings of the drunk- 
 ard after he has commenced to reform. When I put my name to the 
 total-abstinence pledge as an attempted finality, I felt confident that 
 by so doing I had saved a life that was about passing away, for I had 
 been drinking over a quart of the fiery fluid daily for almost two 
 weeks, and was very nearly in readiness for an attack of delirium tre- 
 mena. 
 
 When I became sober enough to realize my position, I seemed to 
 have been standing upon the brink ot a very high precipice, from 
 which position I could view below the bottomless pit, where were 
 writhing the victims of sin in the utmost agony ; that, as it were, I 
 was already leaning forward bending slowly over it, being drawn by 
 a mysterious and irresistible power, until at last my feet were slipping 
 to carry me off, off, down, down, where forever there could be no 
 insight into the realms of never-ending bliss, when suddenly I was 
 rescuei by strong hands, and saved from the terrible doom that seemed 
 so imminent. Need I add that the strong and willing hands were only 
 the adoption and perseverance in resolutions which should be heeded 
 by every absorber of stimulants in the land ? You know, full well, 
 there are many in every community who are approaching, and some 
 who are even bending over this fearful abyss. My advice to any such 
 is to take the same remedy I did. May God put it in their hearts to so 
 determine ; then by asking and receiving His assistance, they are 
 saved and not till then. 
 
 It is easier to start at the present time in this pleasant life than in 
 the future. 
 
 How much money a drinking man squanders, he scarcely knows > 
 neither has he the least idea of the amount of whisky he con- 
 sumes. Having looked into the matter a little, figures show that a 
 hard drinker, at middle ge; has consumed about forty-five or fifty 
 barrels of this pleasant, "life-giving tonic" alone, to say nothing of 
 wagon loads of beer, ale, wine, &c., to which might be added many 
 gallons of that now-a-days temperance beverage cider ; the latter of 
 
18 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 which produces the best fighting drunk of anything that could be rec- 
 ommended. Besides this, after it is thought to have passed off that 
 is the effect a man can get up in the morning, and he will be apt to 
 reach his arms up and out at full length to find in imagination the 
 boundaries of a swelled head ; and it is not at all improbable that 
 it was from the effect of this that a colored citizen explained to a 
 companion : 
 
 " I 'toxticated once, and dat's enuff for dis chile. Why, de Lor' 
 bress you, my head felt as if was a wood-shed, an' all de darkies in 
 de worl' was a splittin' wood in it ! " 
 
 That any habit persisted in will grow upon the victim, none will for 
 a moment doubt, and there is no other one more fully up to the 
 standard than this one of drink. At the commencement of a drink- 
 ing career the cost is comparatively small, but as the poor dupe 
 advances, the expense increases in a ratio almost beyond belief. 
 It finally calls for the all of its devotees, the all of the laborer, the 
 mechanic, the clerk, the merchant, the banker, and even the all of 
 the millionaire has been sacrified as the price demanded. None who 
 follow closely in the wake of the intoxicating bowl have anything to 
 spare. King Alcohol must have his tribute, and to that end he 
 demands the last farthing then sends his subjects perigrinating for 
 more, and so resolute is the demand that dishonest means are sought 
 
 * O 
 
 out wherein to replenish the exhausted exchequer, and the poor, 
 deluded imbecile too frequently finds only the felon's cell as a 
 return for his assiduous devotions to the requirements of an 
 unscrupulous tyrant. 
 
 But prison walls confine but a small proportion, for very many 
 are hidden in other and more remote recesses, and in such a man- 
 ner that they will only be visible when the last trumpet shall call 
 from the graves their slumbering millions. 
 
 The ciruinstances under which these graves were occupied will 
 then appear more vividly than at any other or former period ; then 
 will be felt with conscientious dread the sequel of a former life's 
 disipations. While the horrors of such a life as the drunkard per- 
 sues here are daily portrayed to our view, we will not attempt to 
 follow farther, but draw a veil between his present sufferings and 
 what God in his judment may see proper to inflict hereafter. 
 
 I remember while drinking at a bar in Chicago with a number of 
 acquaintances, that a person, at that time unknown to me, came in 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 19 
 
 and called for a glass of whisky. It was given to him, and wit 
 trembling hands he raised the poisoned glass to his lips, when sud- 
 denly it and its contents fell with a crash to the floor. A look of 
 consternation was visible upon the countenances of all present, as 
 they gazed in astonishment at the victim of the mishap. With 
 eyes protruding from their sockets, and mouth .distended to its 
 fullest capacity, as soon as he could articulate he exclaimed: 
 
 "Did you not see it ?" 
 
 But none knew to what he had reference. 
 
 "Why, that awful reptile that snake ; you all must have seen it. 
 It leaped from the glass to my face, and endeavored to enter into 
 my mouth." 
 
 He was subsequently assisted to his home where he suffered in 
 terrible agony for a few days, when he died declaring that thousands 
 of devils were dragging him off to their home. 
 
 This case is by no means an isolated one, for just such scenes are 
 occurring every day. I have witnessed others; and my wife in my 
 own home has on more than one occasion become acquainted with 
 horrors of a similar nature. 
 
 When we realize that countless thousands are daily suffering- 
 these torments, does it not seem that greater effort should be put 
 forth to stay the destroyer ? There are none but know of acquaint- 
 ances, and many even friends near and dear, who are now traveling; 
 this road, or having passed over it, have terminated their lives ii> 
 the pursuit of rum, despite its tendencies and positive results. 
 
 I spoke ina former chapter of a lecturing tour. While absent 
 from home on that occasion, I took the liberty of visiting a village in 
 which I had resided about twenty-two years before. Almost my 
 first inquiries upon my arrival there was in regard to the where- 
 abouts of old friends, and more particular!}' those who were mj 
 most intimate associates; and as at the time alluded to I was iii 
 the habit of indulging in the wine glass I very naturally inquired 
 after the group of six persons who were my boon companions iis 
 the pernicious vice of dram-taking. 
 
 "Where," said I, "is F., the genial landlord of years gone by, with 
 whom I so often associated at the bar ''" 
 
 " Poor F., he's gone ; drink killed him, and his body lies in yonder 
 hill-side cemetery. The green sod that now covers him conceals the 
 remains of a drunkard/' 
 
1<> EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 "And S., whose bright countenance and winning smiles were so 
 much coveted, where is he?" 
 
 " Poor S., he too, lies there; whisky cost him his life." 
 
 " Well, there is G., whose fast beams it was always a pleasure to 
 ride behind, and who was always so ready to join in the social glass ; 
 what of him ?" 
 
 ." He lies there too ; delirium tremens carried him to the hill-side 
 home." 
 
 "Now, there is H., the talented young lawyer, with whom I played 
 ,so many games of billiards in those years long gone by; he was not 
 a hard drinker, and must be all right, for his prospects were, so 
 very bright. " 
 
 " Yes, but he's gone ; he fills a drunkard's grave out in the new 
 State of Kansas." 
 
 So here was the destiny explained of four of our company of 
 seven, and I remember how thankful I felt that though I had 
 passed through a terrible ordeal, I was spared the sad, sad fate 
 of my once genial and loved associates. There were two left, but 
 I found them both drunkards ; and the fate of those just alluded to, 
 and all the entreaties I could urge were insufficient to halt them in 
 their fast hastening steps to occupy a place with those, and under 
 similar circumstances, that were lying in that little village cem- 
 etery. As I insisted with one of them upon the necessity of 
 changing his course, he remarked that he expected to die in the 
 condition he then was, and that the only favor he had to ask was 
 that he might die drunk, so drunk that he would not know when he 
 was passing away. When the future was alluded to he remarked 
 that there were no bright anticipations in it for him ; he would 
 like to go to heaven to meet a once loved wife who was there, but 
 no, he could not ; he would never see her, and then the tears stole 
 unbidden down his swollen cheeks. 
 
 The remaining one would not acknowledge! that he was yet a 
 drunkard, and thought it still time enough to reform ; but in all 
 probability, e'er this reaches the reader, he too, lies among the tomb 
 stones, and his epitaph could only be written in words of warning 
 to those who are yet left,^and liable to be claimed as victims of the 
 abhorring, soul:-destroying creature Rum. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 t 
 
 Were I to say that this evil extends to a great extent anionglthe 
 
 fairer sex, I might be considered as exaggerating, but facts from 
 official statements cannot be denied, and from these we are made 
 fully aware of the spread of intemperance in this direction. In 
 Europe it is probably largely in excess of our own country, or at 
 least the fact has become more publicly established, 
 
 At a meeting recently held in London under the direction of the 
 Mayor, called with a view of establishing homes for the reforma- 
 tion of women who are habitual drunkards, some startling facts- 
 were promulgated. They were, that an alarming increase of drunk- 
 enness was perceptible in that metropolis, as rnuchj among woinen. 
 as men. 
 
 An examination of statistics showed that in 1874, 4,480 women, 
 were committed to one prison for drunkenness, and that every one- 
 of them had been repeatedly committed and punished for the same 
 offense. Eighty per cent, of the general committals to English 
 prisons were caused by drink. A report of the keeper of another 
 jail showed that out of 10,000 committals to the prison for drunk- 
 enness within a given period, 8,000 were females. The person in 
 charge of Newgate stated that out of twelve persons convicted of 
 murder within a year, only one case was unconnected with drink. 
 It is said that you can find more examples of intoxication in one 
 evening's walk in the back slums of London than you will even 
 find in New York in a month, but we may only consider that this 
 is because in London there is more publicity than in this country, 
 for here the drinking to excess, particularly in females, is very much 
 within doors, while there no such secret is made of it. Gin and 
 whisky are as freely drank there as beer is here, and the result is. 
 an augmentation of disease and crime fearful to contemplate. The 
 increase of restaurants, gin- palaces, bars, and all kinds of spirit and 
 wine stores, is simply enormous. Since the scattering of wine 
 licenses broadcast over the country tippling on the part of ladies 
 has largely increased. They drink at the confectioneries at candy 
 
22 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 shops, and at the grocery stores. The law-makers thought that if 
 drink could be got easily everywhere, the temptation to use it 
 would diminish. They attempted to check the growing sin of 
 drunkenness, but the giant evil inarches on through the breadth of 
 that land a national blight, ruining more people than fall in a com- 
 anercial crisis, slaying more people than a pestilence. 
 
 That ladies much nearer home become intoxicated, I was made 
 aware a long time since. Years ago my wife, through the advice 
 of attending physicians, used London porter, ale, beer and wine, for 
 ibe purpose of recuperating wasted strength. At this date it was 
 jay custom to frequently supply the dinner table with lager beer 
 for my own use, and there was no particular objection to it by any 
 iirectly interested. 
 
 Upon a particular occasion it occurred to me that I would like 
 very much to observe how intoxication would affect my better half; 
 and to accomplish this I urged the drinking to excess upon her part. 
 I had not long to wait, for soon the eyes and countenance betokened 
 that the gratification of my desires were closely at hand. Soon 
 after making the, then happy, discovery, she left the seat she had 
 l)een occupying, arid approached a toilet stand upon which rested a 
 new hat, that had been purchased a few days previous for herself, 
 and at no inconsiderable expense. Taking this in her hands it was 
 remarked that a certain flower did not seem to be just the thing, 
 and with a jerk it was off the hat and upon the floor; then another, 
 and another followed for the same reason, until only the straw 
 l>ody of the hat remained. Putting this upon her head and view- 
 Ing the appearance in a mirror, she exclaimed : 
 
 "0, 'pshaw ! this don't become me ; I wont have it !" 
 
 It was soon in tatters and lying with the trimmings. Without 
 uttering a word, she left the room, but soon appeared with a dust- 
 pan and broom, and carefully sweeping up the debris deposited it in 
 the ash-box, an utterly useless article. 
 
 I never repeated this experiment, as once convinced me that if in 
 no other way detrimental, she would prove a too extravagant sub- 
 ject to be farther initiated. 
 
 I was well aquainted, in my native city, with a prominent news- 
 dealer whose wife, at one time, was an ornament to society, an affec- 
 tionate wife and mother, but who, from the simple means of using 
 strong drink at the table became an outcast. 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 23 
 
 In passing at one time so that the back-yard of their place was 
 exposed to view, I discovered lying there upon the damp earth the 
 prostrate form of an unconsious female. I immediately entered 
 the premises, and made Mr. F. acquainted with my discovery, when 
 to my amazement he leisurly remarked : 
 
 ''Why, it's my wife, is it not? " 
 
 ,,Your wife," I exclaimed ; "What has happened, that she lies 
 there ?" 
 
 "Oh, she's only on one of her drunken sprees, that's all." 
 
 Then he told me how she would obtain whisky, and drink until 
 she could no longer stand and then lie just where she happened to 
 fall. He said that he had done all he could for her, but she had 
 become so disgusting that he only pretended to keep her out of the 
 street, and that in that he was not always successful. 
 
 There is in Chicago an institution known as the Washingtonian 
 Home, an asylum for the reformation of those who drink to excess. 
 A branch of this Home was established for the treatment of females. 
 To this asylum the woman was finally taken, but with all the care 
 and surveillance that was there observed Mrs. F. would succeed in 
 making her escape, and quite often be found in the streets in a 
 state of stupid intoxication. 
 
 In visiting this place I have seen there those whose features still 
 bore traces of former beauty ; those possessed by nature with true 
 womanly virtues intellectual eyes, and those who were once a 
 husband's pride, and the little prattler's darling mother; yet in all 
 was discernable the ruinous effects of dissipation. What a spec- 
 tacle this was to me ; and then to add stil greater horror to the 
 situation was to ascertain from their own lips that many of them 
 still possessed indulgent husbands and affectionate children, whose 
 only disgrace was, that the wife and mother who had given her 
 offspring birth, and should protect and counsel them, was but a poor 
 imprisoned inebriate. 
 
 But do not think for a moment that the inmates here were prin- 
 cipally gathered from the slums, the high-ways, the alleys, and 
 from the lower or middle ranks of society, for this would be a mis- 
 take. There were those there who had left palatial mansions sit- 
 uated upon the fashionable avenues, and whose homes were sur- 
 rounded with all the evidences of luxury, comfort and wealth. 
 These patients were not visible to the prying eyes of the vis- 
 
24 EIGHTEEN YEAttS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 itor, and even their intimate friends were led to believe that they 
 were enjoying the societ}*" of friends at a distance, while in reality 
 they were imprisoned, and being restrictedin their appetite using 
 physicians' remedies to overcome this apparently uncontrollable 
 gigantic evil this unprecedented destroyer of happiness, of per- 
 sons, and of homes. 
 
 It is said the reformation of females is even more doubtful and 
 hazardous than that of men, but be that as it may, none of 
 either sex are so far depraved as to be beyond the hope of reforma- 
 tion, yet we often hear it remarked that such and such an one is too 
 far gone to be worth saving. And though sometimes it seems really as 
 if there might be some truthfulness in the remark so far as some 
 individuals are concerned, still it should be remembered that while 
 life remains, hope exists. 
 
 Probably there are but few who have arrived at years of maturity 
 who cannot recall some one as a former old drunkard, who is now 
 an exemplary member of society. 
 
 There are so many ways of divesting the destroyer of his charm 
 that no stone should be left unturned to accomplish the object. 
 
 I remember of an eminent divine, well known at the East many 
 years ago, whose downfall and rise will fully illustrate the point we 
 are attempting to establish. He was a clergyman of fortune, posi 
 tion and reputation when he lost his only daughter by a violent 
 death, and began to drink to drown his sorrow. It was in vain 
 that his wife and friends opposed, remonstrated, implored, and per- 
 suaded ; he drank 011, the appetite steadily increasing, until he 
 became its slave. His congregation dismissed him ; his wife died of 
 a broken heart ; he squandered his fortune, lost his friends, and at 
 last became in some capacity connected with a low city paper through 
 means of which he gained a precarious livelihood. From bad to worse 
 he swept down rapidly, and for some offense, committed while drunk, 
 was sent at last for six months to State Prison. On getting out and 
 returning to New York city he became a fish peddler, drinking des- 
 perately all the time. One day while drunk he was injured and 
 taken to the hospital, where he was recognized by the attending doc- 
 tor, and finally sent to an inebriate asylum. He remained there six 
 months, went away, relapsed, and was returned by his friend. 
 
 A year later he came to the West to begin life anew. Beginning 
 in a small church in Iowa as pastor, he became in a few years one 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 25 
 
 of the leading men, and finally President of a college. Last year 
 he died; a man renowned and regarded as the ablest divine of the 
 section in which lived. Among his papers were found some of the 
 facts concerning his early struggles, in which he gratefully acknowl- 
 edged the wisdom of his old friend, in forcibly removing him from 
 temptation, which was seemingly to him the only possible way in 
 which he could escape. 
 
 This is but an isolated case out of many in which a worthless life 
 has been turned to one of usefulness, and that, too, by the very simple 
 means employed by an old friend of former years. It has been 
 truly remarked that even in the heart of an inebriate there is a 
 tender spot, and that though obscured by cobwebs, the proper search 
 will be successful in ferreting it out. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 It is not alone in the saloon that drinking is done, nor is it upon 
 this class of vendors alone that the curse of the community should 
 fall. There are other resorts, and those, too, that are palaces com- 
 pared to the dives that are the haunts of the lower class of drink- 
 ers ; and where the more fashionable of the present day drain the 
 cup's dregs to their hearts' content. It is where under its cover of 
 innocence is flaunted to the breeze, the guilded device of '"drugs and 
 medicines." There it is that millions, unsuspicioned, become 
 trained for, and remain servants of, that abhorring and tyranical mas- 
 ter. These falsely named palaces of corruption are, by our wise 
 legislators, given permission to sell distilled spirits for sacramental, 
 culinary, and medical purposes ; and what a wide scope this covers. 
 The first may very nearly be reckoned as a relic of by gone days, and 
 should only be remembered and characterized as of mythological 
 origin, for God-loving and fearing people have learned not to tempt 
 at the altar with that from the effects of which they seek to save. 
 The second has its thousands of votaries, for culinary means, as 
 used for home consumption, and to be sold and purchased by the 
 pint, quart, etc,, to be kept in a convenient place for cooking most 
 particularly the vitals of tbe lord of the household. But the medic- 
 inal is by far the most to be apprehended', for this is a provision for 
 those who are ill; and it would surprise those not initiated, especially 
 in no-license towns, to see the number of invalids, and to know the 
 intricate diseases for which whisky is the sovereign panacea. Those 
 little prescriptions are the only one thing necessary; and then how 
 easily the physician can be persuaded to prescribe, allowing the 
 patient to do the diagnosing and with positiveness recommend the 
 remedy. 
 
 I remember while living in Iowa, in a town where the ardent 
 could only be had through the medium just alluded to, and as an 
 extreme resort, I was obliged to feign sickness to secure the remedy 
 I stood so much in need of. It became tedious, unpleasant, and 
 expensive to get a prescription for a pint of "medicine" daily the 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF BECKLE5SXESS. 27 
 
 price for each being the same sol concluded to take a different tack. 
 I summoned up all the courage and brazen effrontry I could com- 
 mand, and visited my physician ; and to him I confided rny troubles, 
 by detailing how inconvenient to myself as well as annoying to him 
 it was to be obliged to get a prescription so often ; and I told him 
 that to save both, if he would give me a document for a pint of 
 whisky, good daily, for a year, at the drug store, I would pay him 
 for his services in advance, or at least I would pay him five dollars 
 for doing so This, of course, he could do, as he knew my ailment, 
 and the remedy. After meditating for a few moments, and glancing 
 at the money which I was shrewd enough to expose to his grasping 
 gaze, he wrote and handed me the following : 
 
 "W. & B., Druggists and Apothecaries, 
 
 Prescription No. 22314. 
 
 For W. C. Cotes, 
 
 Spts. Frumenti, - - - 0. 
 
 Once daily for a year. 
 
 H B , M. D. 
 
 With this in my possession, I was, perhaps, one of the happiest 
 individuals in that little hawkeye village, being now enabled to keep 
 saturated without inconvenience or the risk of exposure. Of course 
 the druggists were elated, for they were positive that so much more 
 business was assured, and the sum of one hundred and eighty -two dol- 
 lars during the year from one old toper was a matter of no small con- 
 sideration. 
 
 Speaking of of this class of community, I am reminded that it is a 
 fact that a drink indulging-man must very often resort to them, or 
 their phraseology, as necessary companions. It is a fact well estab- 
 lished that they and the druggist should be "stood in with," for their 
 mutual enmity would frequently prove very disastrous to man's 
 attempt at demoralization. 
 
 I remember well that while, a few years ago, I was traveling through 
 the State just referred to, writing the histories of small and new towns, 
 the frequent "liberality" of doctors was a source of great comfort to 
 myself. The law of Iowa did then, and does still, prohibit the sale of 
 the stronger stimulants, and only wine, beer, and cider, when the 
 officers of corporations saw proper to allow it. As a consequence 
 in many places no minor drinks, even, were to be had, which tended 
 to place the thirsting individual in rather a bad predicament. In one 
 
28 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 small town, that of Mitchell, in the central part of the State, I found 
 not only a temperance town, but in it a temperance drug store. The 
 only way in which the proprietor could remain in the place was by 
 selling his whisky to the citizens, and then pouring it into the street; 
 I seemed to very suddenly conclude that the atmosphere of the town 
 was of such a nature that it would not be agreeable for me to remain 
 there, so returning to the hotel I pumped the host as to his private 
 bottle. Having ascertained that he did not keep such accommoda- 
 tions, I inquired : 
 
 "When does the next train leave ?" 
 
 "Which way ?" 
 
 "Either." 
 
 "Well, 'lem me see ; it's now quarter till twelve, 'an it'l be nearly 
 six to-night." 
 
 "Is there no way of getting to the little town we passed a short dis- 
 tance east, where I saw a large number of beer kegs near tne depot ?" 
 
 "Only one that I can think on : I pee the section boss and his men 
 near the depot; they go there to dinner.". 
 
 "Think he would let me ride ?" 
 
 "Reckon not ; it's agin the rules," 
 
 Taking up my satchel, I was soon at the depot, and accosting that 
 august individual, the "section boss," I inquired as to the possibilities 
 of a passage. 
 
 He said, too, that it was "agin the rules." 
 
 I pleaded sickness, the loss of my pocket book, and used every 
 plea I could think of to soften his hard heart, but all was unavailing 
 until I slipped three dollars into the palm of his hand. Then he said : 
 
 "'Spose if you git on I dassent throw you off." 
 
 I arrived all right, and it seemed to me that at no time in my life 
 was my happiness so complete as when upon that occasion I stood upon 
 the threshold of a rum hole. 
 
 In another town that I visited I ascertained that the dram could be 
 had only at the drug store, and that it was very difficult to get it even 
 there, as no doctor in the place would unnecessarily give a prescrip- 
 tion. I was again put to my wits' end, but finally taking a piece ot 
 paper wrote the regular frumentum formula, signing my own 
 name, with the appendage of M. D. The druggist took it, read it, 
 and then casting a knowing glance at my whisky-speaking counten- 
 ance said: 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 29 
 
 "Are you a practicing physician ? 
 
 "lam a physician." 
 
 "Are you not the gentleman that is talking of writing up our little 
 town ?" 
 
 "Yes sir, I am more latterly acting in the capacity of a literary 
 character, as it seems to be better adapted to my nature." 
 
 "I would not be so inquisitive, but we must be ve*y particular, as I 
 have been taken in by such means, and do not intend to be again." 
 
 "Ah," said I, "I see, some one has personated the role of M. D. 
 who was not entitled to." 
 
 "That's it exactly, and I have resolved to be on my guard in the 
 future." 
 
 "Well air, I think that a man who would so deceive is unworthy of 
 credence, and hanging would be none too good for him ; and to convince 
 you that 7am no such ingrate, I will just step over to the hotel and 
 bring you my diploma from "old Rush." I always carry it with me, 
 for I frequently find opportunities for relieving distress in my travels, 
 and I can assure you that nothing gives me more pleasure than to 
 arrive just at the opportune moment to render that relief, which quite 
 often proves even unthanked-for assistance. I will go over and get it, 
 so you may know that, at least, Jam honest ! ' ' 
 
 "Oh, never mind ; I am satisfied from your conversation and gen- 
 tlemanly deportment that you are not practicing deception." 
 
 My "honesty" overcame his scruples, and I left with the coveted 
 prize. 
 
 I can conceive of only one thing that a person would resort to so 
 many subterfuges to obtain as whisky, and that is food, when the 
 gnawings of hunger have continued for a period almost beyond endu- 
 rance. It is the one thing only, for which, Esau-like, a man would sell 
 his birthright. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 " Birds of a feather, flock together," is an old and very true adage 
 and I think the truth is nowhere more discernable than with the class 
 who use stimulants. This has already been alluded to in my individ- 
 ual case. Many incidents might be related to illustrate this, but one 
 or two will be sufficient for the purpose of showing, not only this, but 
 that we conform to the company we keep. 
 
 While living in one of the smaller towns in the Sucker State it was 
 a custom to take Sunday for an especial drinking day, not but that 
 the six days were fully appropriated, but that more attention could be 
 given to the matter for a whole day, and that "witb. none to molest or 
 make afraid." 
 
 Upon a certain first day of the week, myself and three others, sim- 
 ilarly inclined, procured the necessary filled hnttlos. and concluded to 
 hie away to the woods for a carnival occasion. Drinking, singing, 
 spinning yarns, etc., consumed the time till one of our number 
 happened to discover a cheese factory, an institution that numerously 
 abounds in many sections of the West. It was proposed, discussed 
 and resolved, that cheese curd would be an excellent article with 
 which to make a grand lunch. Accordingly the precincts of the lacteal- 
 fluid-compressing establishment were duly invaded, and in a short 
 time four individuals were filled with the desired "curd." After quit- 
 ting the place, and walking a short distance, it was discovered that the 
 mixing of the ingredients, for some nnassigned reason, established the 
 fact in our minds that we were very uncomfortable, and that the mat- 
 ter of navigation was becoming so much impeded, that further pro- 
 gress was a matter fast assuming positiveness. 
 
 Reaching a main traveled road, it was decided to take the only alter- 
 native, and lying down beside a fence, concluded to let time remove 
 the obstacle that forced us to succumb. 
 
 How long we lay there enjoying a drunken sleep we never knew, 
 neither is it positive how much longer we would have slumbered on had 
 we remained undisturbed. But this was not our good fortune. 
 
 I was aroused by a vigorous pecking at my face and mouth, and as in 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 31 
 
 my nap I had dreamed of being a prisoner among Indians, and they 
 were extratcing my moustache, a hair at a time, I was anxious as to 
 the possible reality. But the discovery made was that hens and tur- 
 keys from the neighboring farm house were busy at our faces, and a 
 more close observation made it apparent that cheese curd, though taken 
 second-handed, was a luxury appreciated, even by fowls. The mat- 
 ter might have passed off as a good joke among ourselves, but to iy 
 great chagrin, attention was attracted by laughing and tittering, which, 
 it was discovered, proceeded from a party of ladies and gentlemen on 
 the opposite side of the road, who, as they were passing home from 
 church were made innocent spectators to our unfortunate predic- 
 ament. 
 
 At another time and place, and when I was not under the influence 
 of drink, I was passing leisurely along through a piece of timber, more 
 for a pasttime than for any particular object, when my attention was 
 attracted by a party of three young men a short distance in advance of 
 me in the road. At this then distance their actions were unaccounta- 
 bly strange, and a nearer approach influenced the belief that they were- 
 lunatics escaped from some asylum. As I finally reached the spot I 
 perceived that the trio were personal friends, but their acting in the 
 manner in which they did was a problem, the solution of which was 
 beyond my comprehension. 
 
 In the road was a literal mud-hole filled at least to the depth of 
 eighteen inches. Into and through this they were passing back and 
 forth. Upon inquiry as to the cause of such demonstrations, I was 
 informed that they were having a jolly good time more sport than 
 they had enjoyed for a long time. 
 
 This performance, however, was more easily accounted for when- 
 came to me the interrogatory : 
 
 'Take a smile, Cotes ? " 
 
 As it was in accordance with a long established precedent not to 
 refuse such an offer, I readily acceded. The beverage was taken from, 
 a gallon jug which for obvious reasons was secreted in the roots of an 
 old tree. After the "smile" had circulated through my system and 
 began its effects upon the brain, I was so much infatuated witk the con- 
 tinued ludicrous performance as to countenance it. 
 
 After a second invitation to "liquor-up" had been accepted, I really 
 became so interested as to give a smiling approval. 
 
 The third round was sufficient to make me very enthusiastic in the- 
 
32 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 business of mud splashing and bedaubing; but the fourth "dig" at 
 "the little brown jug," was too much to allow me longer to remain an 
 idle spectator, and seeing through eyes whose actuated vision was 
 influenced by the same agency as theirs, I was soon a willing partici- 
 pant, running through this pool until completely covered from head to 
 feot. When we could no longer wade on account of the influence 
 exerted by the jug's contents, we laid in it rolled over in it, and 
 finally lay down and slept near the spot which, to a drunkard, would 
 be commemorative of a grand festive occasion. 
 
 Many scenes passed through under similar circumstances to this, do 
 not turn out as harmlass in the results, but produce consequences 
 frequently much more disastrous in their nature or effects. 
 
 At one time I had been from home for several days upon the legiti- 
 mate business I was then following, when, as the day approached for 
 my return home, after finishing up my business in a small town, I 
 betook myself to the "filling up" which was usual under such circum- 
 stances. I drank hard (or rather easy, for it was no difficult task for 
 me) during the day, and as the time in the afternoon came for the train 
 to leave, I was pretty well saturated. But as I attempted to abstain 
 for the day or two that I would remain at home, it was my conviction 
 that I should absorb sufficient to last for that length of time. Being 
 then in a condition that may be imagined, I secured a flask of whisky 
 to use on my homeward journey. As the locomotive sounded the sig- 
 nal that we were approaching my home, I ascertained that I had still 
 left in my bottle, one or two good drin ks ; and as it was too precious 
 to be lost I concluded to use it up to the dregs, and did so. 
 
 It was in the month of December, and most fearfully cold, with a 
 high wind blowing that added much to the severity of the weather. I 
 remember, as I alighted from the cars, that I was surprised at finding 
 that I did not appear intoxicated, and how with rapid strides, I under- 
 took, by going "cross lots" to reach my residence. All at once, as 
 suddenly almost as an electric shock, I found myself staggering my 
 head whirling, and getting hold of a friendly fence tried to make my 
 way forward by utilizing that, but my limbs utterly refused to perform 
 their functions. 
 
 I appreciated in these awful moments my exact condition that I 
 could stand even "By the aid of the fence but a few moments longer 
 that it was late at night, and that finally I would freeze to death. A 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 33 
 
 street of the town was but a short distance otf, and the last I remem- 
 ber was attempting to reach it that I fell from the fence, and real- 
 izing my position, was endeavoring to crawl on my hands and 
 knees to the sidewalk in hopes of being spared the death that seem- 
 ed so imminent 
 
 Between twelve and one o'clock of that dreadful night I was 
 awakened, as if from a sound slumber ; but it was long before I 
 could understand the seeming confusion of voices about me, and the 
 attempt of persons to interfere with my rest Suddenly a fan: 
 voice called my name, and upon opening my eyes that same voice 
 was heard to exclaim in ringing accents : 
 
 "He's saved ! He's saved !" 
 
 I was in the business place of a friend who, as he was going home 
 late at night, found ine lying across his path, and summoning help 
 had me taken where I found myself. He, a physician, and others, 
 had restored me to life, even after it had been declared the vital 
 spark had taken flight. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 In the summer of 1862 the most patriotic appeals were made for 
 men to fill up the depleted ranks of the regiments of those who so 
 nobly were contending for that perfect freedom wisely guaran- 
 teed by the constitution of the country, and for which, under the 
 same nag, our forefathers had "fought bled and died to preserve." 
 
 At this period of my life I had become so dissipated that I was 
 neither ornamental nor useful ; and enthused either with patriotism^ 
 love of romance, or the more positive assurance of bread and butter, 
 (hard- tack and bacon), I was one to endorse the call for "three hun- 
 dred thousand more." Accordingly on the 22d day of August of 
 that year, I subscribed to the muster roll of the Chicago Mercantile 
 Battery. The only objection made to this proceeding by some of 
 my staunchest friends was that if the bullets of the Confederates 
 did not kill me, commissary whisky would. How near their prog- 
 nostications came to being truthful, the sequel will more fully show. 
 
 With the dying out of the year of '62 and the ushering in of the 
 one to succeed, the company to which I was attached, retreated 
 from the Yazoo Swamps in Mississippi, after making the first, 
 though unsuccessful assault, on that citadel of rebel strongholds 
 Vicksburg. Orders were received from the commanding General, 
 W. T. Sherman, to move as noiselessly as possible not even a word 
 to be spoken above a whisper. 
 
 The retreat was made through dense woods, in utter darkness, 
 in mud to the depth of a foot, and in many places much deeper. 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 35 
 
 It was a hard nights' work for the initiation of the Batteiy into 
 the service of Uncle Sam, we often being obliged to double teams, 
 it requiring sixteen horses to draw out a "stuck" gun or caisson. 
 It took up the time till daylight next morning to reach the Missis- 
 sippi river, a distance of seven miles. When we arrived there the 
 'boys" were very much fatigued, and though wounds had been 
 escaped, a general feeling prevailed among many that it would be 
 agreeable then to be "shot in the neck." 
 
 At this point the troops were to take transports, and the one 
 assigned our company happened to be a commissary boat, which, 
 among other of its stores, carried whisky for the sick, and the- 
 officers. 
 
 It was a solid consolation to exhausted nature to find on board 
 a bar in full blast. But not many potations were had before our 
 Captain ordered it closed. Then a barrel, the contents of which 
 was suspicioned, and belonging to the bar, was made a target of, 
 which practice soon caused its removal. Enough, however, of the 
 ardent had been imbibed to produce longing for more, but where or 
 how to get it was as yet an unsolved mystery. 
 
 It was subsequently discovered that a tarpaulin in the cabin cov- 
 ered a row of forty or fifty barrels of whisky, that extended nearly 
 the entire length of the deck ; but how to get at their contents 
 was what seemed to puzzle the brains of the would be absorbers ; 
 but as perseverance accomplishes wonders, it was not in this case 
 allowed to be made an exception. 
 
 Quite late in the evening, as I was standing upon the guards of 
 the boat, an inividual. hailing from the Badger State, and known 
 in the company as "Chinese," approached me with the information 
 that he had news to communicate. I remarked to him that his 
 tell-tale breath had already convinced me of the fact. 
 
 "Come with me," he said, "and you shall have all the drink you 
 wish for." 
 
 I followed to the cabin where the innocent members were then 
 lying asleep upon the floor, their heads being to the side of the boat, 
 with army boots for a pillow, and their feet towards the barrels. 
 But "Chinese" had reversed this state of things, and with a knowing 
 wink requested me to "bunk" with him. 
 
 We lay down on his spread blanket, heads to the barrels, when he 
 carefully pulled the tarpaulin over our faces. 
 
86 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 "Now then," he whispered to me, "there is a rubber tube near 
 your head with the end tied ; the other end is in the barrel ; just 
 loosen the string, put the rubber into your mouth, and let it run !" 
 
 it would be useless to spend time to add that I implicitly obeyed, 
 and "let it run." 
 
 I found that he had taken his water-filterer, and by doing as I 
 have described converted it into a perfect siphon. This spot was 
 occupied at different times during the night by the majority of the 
 soakers on board ; and as a consequence the Captain was surprised 
 the next morning to find that his coripany were too tired to stand 
 "eyes to the right" at roll-call. But how it was that the drinking 
 was kept up during the day was a puzzler. The fact, however, was, 
 that one who will figure somewhat conspicuous hereafter as promi- 
 nent in this kind of business, and who was known as "Bobby," our 
 blacksmith, had taken the precaution during the night to fill a 
 couple of rubber buckets. 
 
 As this business of demoralization was not in accordance with 
 military rules or discipline, or agreeable to the more refined tastes of 
 our commanding officer, he "rounded to" a passing steamer loaded 
 with Infantry, from which he secured a guard of four men for the 
 purpose of securing greater safety, not to those under him, but 
 to the barrels. 
 
 As night approached he placed the guard, giving them strict 
 orders for a detail of two, one on each side of the matter in contro- 
 versy, to walk their "beat" faithfully, musket at a shoulder arms, 
 and under no circumstances to allow an approach to the coveted 
 government property. 
 
 This all went well for a time, but it was not long before the can- 
 teen was offered those who were to do duty from 12 o'clock till day- 
 light ; this offer was an acceptable one, and these two were well 
 plied with liquid from the stock they were soon to protect. The 
 last drink they took was, to them, the straw that broke the cam- 
 el's back. They took their positions, but were asleep as soon as the 
 ones they had relieved, who had also imbibed freely. The sequel 
 may be told in few words, for as day dawned it broke in upon four 
 drunken borrowed Infantry soldiers, minus their muskets^ and the 
 'boys" in the condition they so much desired. 
 
 This was too much for the patience of our Commander, and at a 
 landing soon effected, a picked guard was detached from a Minne- 
 
KICHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 37 
 
 sota regiment. These men could not be tampered with ; no induce- 
 ment could be offered to make them accede to our Dishes. Ascer- 
 taining this, it was soon understood that otner means must be 
 resorted to by which to secure that which though "so near, was yet 
 so far." 
 
 The night following, "Bobby" called for assistance as, to use his 
 own expression, he had "found an opening." He led the way to the 
 boiler deck, where, as the boat was then "lying up," all was 
 quiet. Climbing up among the machinery he asked for three rub- 
 ber pails that were in readiness. This done they were soon handed 
 down filled with whisky. The getting of this was by simply bore- 
 ing a two-inch auger hole through the cabin floor, and then another 
 smaller one into the barrel above ; then a plug only was needed to 
 consummate the object and outdo the guard who were busy patroll 
 ing upon their beat. Whether the demand of the boat for pay for 
 two barrels of whisky was honored or not I never learned. 
 
 Through that winter everything in camp was dismal and gloomy, 
 but with the opening of Spring the campaign against Yicksburg 
 began in earnest. 
 
 I remember that while going up in the rear of that city, as we 
 had routed the "rebs" from a town named Port Gibson, we looked 
 in vain for "something to take." In a drug store that was visited 
 everything in the spirit line was gone, with the exception of a few 
 dozen bottles of Perry Davis' Pain Killer. This being the nearest 
 to whisky of anything we had seen for a longtime, it was concluded 
 to try for a drunk on it. Myself and three others diluted four bot- 
 tles with water and drank it. At roll-call the next morning we 
 were absent and reported as beinu' upon the sick list. In making 
 his rounds, the brigade Surgeon called into our tent. The cause of 
 our trouble was explained, and after the usual tongue-looking at and 
 pulse-feeling, he put away the regular pill and powder dose that 
 was usually prescribed for all diseases the soldier was heir to, and 
 simply said : 
 
 " Quick pulse ; tongue furred ; considerable indications of fever. 
 The diet for these men for two days may be purgatives and salts." 
 
 I do not hesitate to say that this surgeon, or his remedy upon that 
 occasion, will never be forgotten by his four unfortunate patients. 
 
 While Gen'l. John A. McClernand, of Illinois, commanded the 
 13th Army Corps, a ration of whisky, called a "jigger," (a gill) was 
 
38 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 issued to our company every morning, but when he was superseded 
 by Gen. 0. E. C. Ord, this was cut off, and during the forty-seven 
 days of the siege of Vicksburg, we were without whisky, until the 
 4th of July, when, as it was the anniversary of our nation's birth- 
 day, the Captain made arrangements for, and procured the "jiggei\" 
 
 This taste only caused a desire for more, but how to secure it 
 was not so easy to decide. This day, however, the city capitulated, 
 and when the white flag was raised opposite the cotton bale breast- 
 works that had afforded us protection, the members of the company 
 were the first to scale the works and enter the town. 
 
 As I emerged from an unoccupied store building which I had vis- 
 ited upon a private foraging expedition, my attention was attracted 
 by an unusual commotion among a group of Union soldiers. Upon 
 visiting the scene of excitement, I found a number of soldiers busy 
 in getting a ban;el out of a cellar. As soon as they had succeeded 
 and knocked the head in, the welcome shout went up long and loud, 
 
 "Whisky, boys, whisky!" 
 
 Into the barrel went caps, hats, canteens, cups, and everything 
 available, and out they came filled with whisky. Remembering 
 that I had noticed a tin wash basin in the building I had just left, I 
 returned, procured, and filled it. 
 
 Returning to our camp at evening it was found that the company 
 had received marching order-, and were on their way to Jackson, 
 the capital of the state. At this place, after the retreat of the rebel 
 general, Joe Johnston, across Pearl river, the same scenes were 
 enacted that had disgraced the troops in the place we had just 
 vacated. Liquors and tobacco were found and confiscated by indi- 
 viduals, to a very great extent, and men by the score became intox- 
 icated, and in such condition were returned to camp outside the 
 trenches. The dissipation had not probably reached the extent that 
 it would have done, had the stay in town been of longer duration ; 
 but it being ascertained that the streets were filled with torpedoes, 
 buried near the surface, a stampede was caused. 
 
 Upon our arrival at Vicksburg again, we were quartered on the 
 levee in the lower part of the city, for a few days, previous to being 
 transferred to the Army of the Southwest underGen'l Banks. Du- 
 ring this stay word -was brought into camp that a commissary boat 
 had arrived at the wharf, and that it had brought a quantity of sup- 
 plies for the members of the company. This was welcome news 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. t 3D 
 
 for nothing was as much appreciated as those packages sent by kind 
 friends at home. A squad was immediately detailed to go to the 
 boat for these goods. A wagon and the requisite four mules were 
 soon in readiness. Arriving at our destination, myself and Lew,. 
 who, by the way was an admirable companion for me, were very 
 much surprised as well as elated by discovering near the boxes we 
 were to get, a large number of packages upon which in glowing let- 
 ters upon a tinted label were plainly printed the words: "2 dozen, 
 bottles old bourbon whisky." 
 
 Here again was a position that might lead many to .be tempted 
 to almost forget their scruples as to honesty. In reply to the ques- 
 tion as to the propriety of confiscation, I replied that I could only 
 order the men to carry off what was marked for the Company, but 
 that I had noticed a marking pot in the front part of the boat. It 
 must have been found, for two boxes of this '^cordial" marked on the 
 bottom with a fictitious name, passed the argus-eyed check clerk, and 
 were snugly ensconced in the wagon. 
 
 In going to camp the team was halted at a bakery, where the two 
 boxes were taken in, and hurried through into a back apartment. 
 This place was a resort that answered the purpose admirably. Upon 
 knocking off the cover of one, and drawing a cork, the commissary 
 was pronounced excellent, and the work of sampling did not sub- 
 side until six bottles were successfully emptied. We then left for 
 camp, but were so full that we were obliged to take many more 
 steps to reach it than would have been necessary under other cir- 
 cumstances. Finally our destiny was reached, and by a back way, 
 we endeavored to get in so that our condition might not be known. 
 I had been but a short time lying down on my bunk when an order- 
 ly appeared at the door with the peremptory order : 
 
 "Come with me, under arrest, to headquarters ? " 
 
 This I was hardly prepared for, as my position was such that I 
 had uniformly escaped punishment for my reckless acts, but with 
 my bewildered mind fully prepared for a term at extra duty, as a 
 punishment for staggering into camp, I left to have sentence passed. 
 
 Arriving in the presence of the officer who had summoned me, he 
 said : 
 
 "So you are drunk, 'eh ? " 
 
 "Not that I am aware of." 
 
 "Well, it's a fact, nevertheless ; you staggered into camp half an 
 
40 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 Lcur ago in a fearful state of intoxication. Where di 1 you get 
 your liquor ? " 
 
 "At the boat I got a little." 
 
 "And drank it up like a hog ?,' 
 
 "Yes sir, I drank it." 
 
 'Well sir you seem to have got so low as not to recognize these 
 headquarters as having either heart or soul. You know that under 
 our circumstances here, what you have made a beast of yourself 
 with, would have done much good, properly distributed. As long 
 as you have no more charity or feeling for others than this comes 
 to, you may have ten days extra police duty." 
 
 I remarked by way of an excuse, that I had become in posses- 
 sion of two quart bottles of Old Bourbon, and had drank but one, 
 and that the other was in my tent. 
 
 "Then," said he, "go and bring it here." 
 
 I did so, and had the satisfaction of seeing it disappear. After 
 about the third drink the officer again addressed me : 
 
 "Cotes, learn always to be charitable, especially to your superior 
 officers. I know ^ou intended all right, only you were forgetful. 
 I'll suspend that extra duty arrangment." 
 
 When the bottle had been drained, and as I was about leaving, I 
 was saluted with the exclamation : 
 
 "Say, was two bottles all you got ? " 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Taking steamboats for New Orleans, little of note in our particular 
 branch transpired until reaching that city. Upon visiting the 
 saloons it was soon ascertained that orders were strict in regard to 
 selling strong beverages to "privates," and it could only be done by 
 an officer vouching to the bar tender. This was easily overcome, 
 as one of the boys would put on a pair of shoulder straps, and then 
 with half a dozen or more go to the saloon take a drink alone, 
 with all the dignity imaginable, and then stand off. One of the 
 party would then approach and address him in a manner becoming 
 his assumed position, and ask him if he would vouch for the crowd, 
 when, after a little parleying, he would advance to the bar and sim- 
 ply say : 
 
 "These men are all right; let them have what they want." 
 
 Thecampof the company at this time was located at Greenville, 
 three miles above the city, and the excursions to town were very 
 frequent, especially about pay day. These visits but seldom result- 
 ed in benefit to those who made them, but often proved more detri- 
 mental than otherwise. 
 
 On one occasion never to be forgotten by me, a comrade and 
 myself sought permission to "go down to town" upon a certain 
 evening ; but our request was not received with favor by the officer 
 of the day, and finally we were flatly refused. Not proposing to 
 be disappointed in our anticipated pleasure, it was agreed to take 
 our horses from the stable after dark, and go without consent or 
 pass, taking our chances for success. We did so, and upon arriving 
 in the city spent the time in drinking at saloons, for now as we had 
 become acquainted, it was no difficult task to get all the drink we 
 had money to pay for. Late at night, in a condition rather worse 
 for what we had taken, we visited the home of a private family 
 where we sent out for what was wanted and indulged dissipating 
 until after midnight. About 1 o'clock, when we started for camp, 
 Mike, my partner, who for some reason, was not as much intoxicated 
 
42 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 as myself, was obliged to assist rue to mount rny horse. After going 
 a few squares, we struck the turnpike, a road elevated about three 
 or four feet and constructed of broken shells, but the speed of the 
 animals on this easy-going road was too much for me, and I was 
 obliged to affectionately embrace the neck of my horse. My friend 
 who was in the lead became disgusted with this mode of mine, and 
 reining in his horse until I came up, angrily gave me a push, which, 
 however unintentional, resulted in rolling me off, and down the 
 embankment. All efforts to right myself proved unavailing, and 
 Mike tying the horses to an adjoining fence, came to my relief. By 
 dint of great exertion he got me again astride of my horse, and 
 leading the animals to the pike again, gave spurs to his steed, and 
 exclaimed : 
 
 "Come on, Cotes, you're all right now ! " 
 
 It seemed to rne even more natural than before to lean for that 
 embrace. I felt for the mane, but did not seem to reach it ; the place 
 where it should be, appeared smooth and decidedly out of the proper 
 location, and I was almost persuaded that the cruel wind had rob- 
 bed the horse of an ornament and me of a kind protection. The 
 explanation finally came that I was riding "face to the rear." 
 
 The words that next erected me during that fearful ride were 
 
 < o 
 
 "dodge your head." 
 
 We had reached the stable door, but the hint was unnecessary as 
 the caution had been properly observed during the ride of the last 
 two miles. 
 
 In the morning when I was awakened, I was lying beside my 
 horse, my head being not more than ten or twelve inches from his 
 feet. He stood there with his equipments on, as he had come in, 
 and as I, poor drunken sot, scrambled up, his noble nature seemed 
 to shame me, and the intelligent eye to as much as say, "Were it not 
 for the instinct with which I am gifted, a troupe marching to the 
 music of a funeral dirge, and muskets reversed, would to-day have 
 followed a drunkard's remains to a disgraced soldier's grave." 
 
 I was not long in this department before I was put upon detached 
 service, being ordered to report for duty as clerk at "Headquarters 
 Defenses of New Orleans." While in this position, the matter of 
 managing drink was easily performed, not only for myself, but for 
 the less fortunate members of my company who came from the camp 
 at Greenville. 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 43 
 
 At one time a high private whom I shall designate by the name 
 of Benson, called upon me, and urged that I should go out with him 
 to get some oysters and a drink. After considerable persuasion I 
 left my business and accompanied him. We entered a saloon, and 
 passing through to a rear room, my friend ordered the refreshments. 
 Soon the bivalves, bottle of whisky and two glasses were before us. 
 We ate and drank to our fill, for it was an unusual thing for B. to 
 be so generous, he generally spending his cash in procuring his own 
 stimulant. Finally taking the bottle, after a last round, he remarked 
 that he would go into the bar and set) le his bill, and return in a few 
 minutes. His minutes were so Ion/* that I went in pursuit of him, 
 but I found he had gone. As I was about to leave, I was asked by 
 the person in charge whether I was going off without first settling 
 my bill. Explanations were of no use, as my partner had informed 
 him I was to pa} . To dispute would have only involved me in 
 trouble, so the bill was settled I was again upon the threshold when 
 this personage, after returning from the room we had occupied, came 
 and collared me, demanding "that bottle of whisky." Again remon- 
 strance was useless, and a search proving my innocence, I was only 
 allowed to go after paying for it, as the person interested declared 
 it was a put up job between us. 
 
 This B. was the same person that played succesefully the role of 
 Gen, Banks' servant, and visiting tobacco warehouses obtained sam- 
 ples of the narcotic from which the Gen. could select to order in quan- 
 tities from. In this he was so successful as never to be out, and could 
 often supply others, for a consideration. 
 
 After remaining at headquarters for some time, I was ordered to 
 proceed to Fort Gentilly and take in charge the ordnance and ord- 
 nance stores at that place. This Fort was located two miles from New 
 Orleans, and midway between that place and Lake Pontchartrain. 
 While here my duties were simple and occupied but an hour each 
 morning. The most of the time not occupied at the fort was spent at 
 a French saloon, about half a mile distant. It was the custom of my- 
 self and the officers who commanded the colored soldiers stationed 
 there, to fill up at this place, the intervening time being spent at 
 cards, rolette, etc. At one time I had remained during the afternoon 
 and until late in the evening, when upon attempting to start for camp, 
 I ascertained that I was very much intoxicated. Upon ascertaining 
 this fact, I used the drunkard's general remedy, and taking another 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 drink, left on the railroad track for my tent at the Fort. I remember 
 the effort I mude in staggering along to proceed, as I found it almost 
 impossible to do so. 
 
 At about 4 o'clock tlie next morning I was suddenly awakened from 
 a sound sleep by a loud shrill scream near me. So startling was it that 
 I attempted to rise, but was unable, and raising my head the bright 
 reflection of a locomotive's head light flashed into my face. A train 
 was approaching at full speed and was within a few rods of me. 
 Almost unconsciousy and instantly I rolled to the side, and off the 
 track, the wheels, of the engine taking the heel from off my boot ! 
 
 As the holidays approached, the Battery received marching orders, 
 and those on detached service were ordered to report to their respective 
 commands for duty. 
 
 Returning to camp I found considerable dissatisfaction manifested 
 in regard to a prolonged absence of "Bobby". He was wanted to 
 shoe the horses preparatory to our anticipated departure. In the after- 
 noon he was found by those who hal been sent in search, and was 
 brought into camp in a partial state of inebriety. As it was essential 
 he should remain, the Captain ordered that he be chained under 
 his forge, that he might sober off, and get into condition to perform 
 the labor that was awaiting his attention. He was accordingly set 
 upon the ground beneath the forge, which was upon a wagon shaped 
 running gear, and a chain was fastened around both ancles and to the 
 coupling pole above. For greater security, pad-locks were used with 
 which to make his presence more sure. 
 
 Towards evening, the camp was in great consternation, the cause of 
 which seemed to emanate from the locality where "Bobby" had been 
 confined. As the members of the company surrounded the late place 
 of confinement, what was their amazement to find that the fractious 
 blacksmith was represented only by his boots, the legs having been 
 withdrawn and taken the body to more congenial quarters. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 A few days before Christmas, the steamship St. Mary left her dock 
 at the city of New Orleans, loaded with the members, horses, and 
 equipments of our company. After a tedious and rough voyage over 
 the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, we were landed more dead than 
 alive from sea sickness, upon a sand peninsula formed between the 
 Gulf and Mategorda Bay. At this place, the first night we were 
 visited with what in Texas is known as a "Norther." Our tents were 
 blown down, and we were drenched with a cold chilly rain. Our 
 breakfast was so highly seasoned with sand as to be very unsavory, yet 
 this was Christmas morning. 
 
 D. and myself concluded that a more necessary time than this one 
 to celebrate had never dawned, under the circumstances, but how to 
 secure the necessary stimulant for the occasion was more than we 
 could conjecture. Fresh water could only be had by making shallow 
 holes in the sand, and immediately dipping out before it became salt, 
 but as to whisky, there was not a drop to be had in camp, and the 
 Battery had no suttler. But an effort must be made, so we traveled 
 through wind and rain to the suttler's store of a regiment in our 
 brigade, and made arragement for credit by giving an order on the pay- 
 master. Our disappointment, however, was great when informed that 
 beer or whisky were not to had, and that the nearest approach to it was 
 Hostetter's Stomach Bitters. This being the best to be had, under 
 the circumstances, three bottles were purchased and drank ; 
 then with one each in our pockets, we wended our way towards camp. 
 On the way we became very "tired," and sat down in the sand to rest; 
 here we took another drink or two. 
 
 It was probably an hour, or v, might have bee:i two, after this, that 
 a party from camp passing near the spot noticed the apparently lifeless 
 bodies of two soldiers, nearly buried in the drifted sand. They were 
 
46 EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 taken out, carried to camp, and when resussitated, recognized as myself 
 and my friend D. 
 
 Although this came near proving our last Christmas, the day did 
 not end our suffering, for that useful medicinal remedy's effect was 
 something similar to the cider drunk heretofore described, and lasted 
 two or three days. Whatever else may have been gained by this 
 spree it was solemnly vowed that in the future when a drunk-producer 
 was needed a wide berth would be given Hostetter's Bitters. 
 
 A few days after this occurrence I received an order from General 
 Banks' headquarters in New Orleans to report in that city for the pur- 
 pose of being examined as to my qualifications for an officer in the 
 Corps d'Afrique. Upon reporting I was ordered to make headquar- 
 ters at the Soldier's Home, and when prepared, to report to Schuyler 
 Crosby, of the Commanding General's staff. At this time a friend 
 and chum named Torn, also came over, and was my companion at the 
 Home, where for a while we remained, lonesome and homesick as well 
 as penniless. 
 
 On a Sabbath morning not long after our arrival, and as we entered 
 the street after leaving thejjbreakfast table, Tom said to me : 
 
 "Now, you haven't a cent;*have you?" 
 
 I answered him as he well knew I only could. 
 
 "Well," continued he, "this will never do ; we can't get along this 
 way. I have been thinking the matter over this morning, and have 
 resolved upon a good plan to make a raise. Will you go into it with 
 me ? " 
 
 " If it is honest and honorable, I will." 
 
 "Well, come with me and I will explain more fully." 
 
 We went along down to the canal, and then walked up that, until 
 meeting a resident Tom inquired of him where the pastor of the col- 
 ored church lived. We were informed, and went to the house indi- 
 cated. Here we found the person who officiated as preacher to a 
 large congregation. To him Tom introduced himself as an army 
 chaplain, and as taking great interest in the welfare of the poor down- 
 trodden blacks, winding up by offering to preach for him at the morn- 
 ing service. The whites of the darky's eyes seemed to enlarge as he 
 accepted the offer, probably because it was seldom that white ministers 
 did him such honor. 
 
EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 47 
 
 At the appointed hour for service, we, with the family wended our 
 way to the house of God. Tom and the preacher occupied the pulpit 
 and myself the pew, honored by the presence of the sable wife and two 
 daughters. The preacher gave out a hymn and led in prayer ; mean- 
 time Tom had opened the Bible at the place from which his text was 
 to be read. I was happy in the thought of being in so limited a man- 
 ner connected with this ludicrous and wicked proceeding, when a whis- 
 per from Tom to the preacher brought the colored divine to my side 
 with an imperative order for me take a seat in the pulpit. This I very 
 respectfully declined. But a second time he came and was more deter- 
 mined. 
 
 Upon this occasion the demand for my presence in the rostrum was 
 couched in this strain : 
 
 "Now look a heah, my dear brodder, I know dat it's askin' a heap, 
 but de odder chaplin dun gone gwine to preach, an he say you's got 
 to exhort to dis congregashion." 
 
 I was not persuaded. 
 
 My comrade, finding his attempted joke on me, a failure assumed an 
 expression of reverence and dignity, and taking a text preached a ser- 
 mon that would, had the proper spirit prompted it, have done credit to 
 many who have spent years in theological observations. 
 
 At the conclusion of the service, the "Army Chaplain" explained 
 to the large assembly that he was connected with an institution located 
 at a town named Rockford, in Northern Illinois, that had for 
 its objects the alleviation of the colored race ; that as they were lib- 
 erated from the chains of slavery by the advance of the Union Army, 
 they were sent to this place, where they were fed and clothed until 
 good situations could be procured for them among the neighboring 
 farmers. He also told them that all this cost money, and the funds in 
 the hands of the trustees had become so low, on account of the late 
 increase, that he had been sent South to secure what little the colored 
 folks who had been relieved from the yoke of oppression, might feel 
 inclined to give. 
 
 After a telling and fervent appeal had been made, a contribution 
 for the purpose alluded to was taken up, the proceeds taken in charge, 
 the audience dismissed, and Tom and myself on our way home, having 
 declined an invitation to dine with the minister and family. 
 
48 j EIGHTEEN YEARS OF RECKLESSNESS. 
 
 As we approached the first saloon, Tom cried out : 
 "Come in Cotes, get a drink, and let's divide." 
 His brazen eloquence, apparent fervency and piety, had brought to 
 our exhausted exchequer the sum of nine dollars and forty-five cents. 
 
 Our narrative might appear incomplete should it close without fur- 
 ther remark concerning our refractory, though good-hearted black- 
 smith. He returned with the company to Chicago, and was properly 
 mustered out of the service. Sometime afterwards as he was riding 
 on the state street cars, under the influence of drink, he fell from the 
 car and was killed. 
 
 Tom, also, must not be passed unnoticed, for after his return from 
 the service, I have been informed, he occasionally occupied the pulpit, 
 and subsequently studied, and practiced medicine to good advantage, 
 at least to himself. 
 
 Those represented as Lew and D. are identically the same, and the 
 individual still remains in the South where his abilities are exerted for 
 the accomplishment of the same object he labored so assiduously for 
 while in the army. 
 
 Benson returned to Chicago attempted to reform, and secured a 
 good situation as traveling salesman for a wholesale house. On one 
 of his trips, while in a country town, he got on a spree, and in a fit of 
 delirium tremens jumped from an upper story window of a mill, but 
 fortunately escaped becoming a self-mm derer. 
 

 Kf