The Merry Past 



moment his master had lain down, took a position at 

 his head, and on several attempts being made to re- 

 move the senseless body into a less inconvenient place, 

 this faithful guardian rose with the utmost ferocity, 

 and, with threatening growls, frightened away all who 

 presumed to approach. In this situation the fallen 

 hero remained for three hours, when, having slept 

 off the fumes of his intoxicating libations, he awoke, 

 and, on rising, was told of the care his dog had taken of 

 him, upon which he exclaimed : *' Oh, d — n his eyes ! 

 This is not the first time he has heft watch with equal 

 fidelity." 



At that time drunkenness was not viewed with the 

 same severity as it is to-day, when very rightly it has 

 come to be regarded both as a social nuisance and a 

 destructive malady. All classes were tainted with it, 

 and a drunken sailor was considered no extraordinary 

 sight. Many of these men, once they had landed 

 from their ships, soon spent every penny they had in 

 drink, which seemed to them the highest earthly 

 pleasure attainable. 



A poor drunken sailor being asked if he was sure of 

 being gratified in three wishes, what they would be, 

 replied : " My first wish would be all the brandy in 

 the world." *' Your next. Jack ? " " All the tobacco in 

 the world." " Now for the third." " Why, d — n 

 my eyes, more brandy." 



Once his money was gone, Jack would set about to 

 convert any earthly possessions he might have into 

 the wherewithal to obtain a further supply of the 

 fiery liquor, which from early years his environment 



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