Life — January 17, 1889 — page 11: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

*LI PART OF A DIARY. UESDAY, JANUARY 1.—The first day of another year, and this time I am going to keep my good resolutions. Wish I'd gone to the de Teacup house-party yesterday, even if they do live on Long Island. I'd feel better than I do after seeing the old year out and the new year in with Tom Von Tank at two or three clubs and a chop-house. My exchequer would be in a better condition, too, if I'd been farther away from a faro game last night. Well, that’s all over, anyway. I've got through playing the races in summer to improve the breed of horses, and faro and roulette in winter to improve the r breed of gamblers. HEREFORE <decid- ed not to pursue the customary New Year's avocation of going a- round to the hotels and viewing the spreads, since that entailed the necessity of buying drinks, and stayed at * home until four o'clock. Needed some exercise then, and so I took a stroll up to the club. Met Tom Von Tank and Percy Golddust. Percy had only got back from Europe that morning, and he had brought anew drink from Paris that he said the Prince of Wales invented for the Jockey Club. Told the boys I’d sworn off for 188, Von Tank said that he was going to swear off the next day. Told him I wanted to begin with the new year. He said I couldn't, because I had had several drinks after twelve o'clock the night before. A FRANK CONFESSION. OLLECTOR: I have called six sir, for the amount of this bill already. CITIZEN: Wha-at, six times? Is it possible you have been put to all that annoyance? Now, I'll tell you what I'll do: when I feel like paying the amount 1 will call on you myself. It’s outrageous to give a man the trouble I have uncon- sciously given you. THERE’S CHARYBDIS YET TO PASS. E had declared his passion, and the answer was a favorable one, but a look of fear crept over the girl’s face as she gave it. “ Darling,” he said, “1 suppose I ought to speak to your father at once.” “Yes, yes, George,” the girl nervously replied, “ but you do it at your own risk.” FE: 39 Decided, as it seemed a trifle inhospitable to refuse to drink with Percy the day he got back to his own town, to swear. off on the 2d with Von Tank, so as to start even with him, We tried Percy's new drink, but he had forgotten several of the ingredients, and the recipe was in his trunk. Decided to go over to hotels and see the spreads. Queer crowd! Men you never see any other day—clerks and those sort of fellows, I suppose, who had crawled out of their boarding- houses and come round to pretend they were bloods, Decided not to go home to dinner, and dined at Del’s. Had a great deal more champagne than we intended at first, but, as this was my last dissi- pation, it don't make much difference, Von Tank and I went to the theatre; but stage was a trifle dim and he suggested faro. Told him I'd sworn off faro, but would go around and mascot for him. Decided, as I was not going to swear off drinking until 2d, not to swear off faro until ad, and begin even, Luck was bad and had to give a check. * * EDNESDAY, JANUARY 2,—So there's to be a whole year before I take a drink again! Who would have thought it was so easy to swear off? Time I did it, too! Well, every fellow sows his wild-oats some time, and I’m glad I'm done with mine. Believe I will take up some study to occupy my spare time, Spent day at office and went to family theatre party in the evening. Am glad my wild life is a thing of the past. Got to bed early. * * HURSDAY, JANUARY 3.—Spent day at office, and came right home afterward. The Governor laughed when I refused wine at dinner. That’s a nice way for a father to assist his son in a struggle to be virtuous, Rather dull in the evening. Must get some books to-morrow. Got to bed early, but did not sleep well. * * * * * ONDAY, JANUARY 7.—Not a drink for five days. Felt im- mense this morning. Believe I could lick Sullivan. Tom Von Tank came into office in afternoon and reminded me of a petite souper that we had made arrangements for two weeks ago for after the thea- tre to-night. Was sorry about it at first, but thought afterward it might be just as well to have one little affair of the kind as a wind-up Hii Younc Dicry was TOLD TO TRY A CHINESE BARBER IN MOTT STREET, AND HE DID, (N.B.—He ts to lead a “german” in the evening.) comicbooks.com