Why He Quit Drinking

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 19, 1903

Why He Quit Drinking

A PROFESSIONAL gentleman, who was accustomed to take his morning glass, stepped into a saloon, and, going up to the bar, called for whisky. A seedy-looking individual stepped up to him and said:

“I say, squire, can’t you ask an unfortunate fellow to join you?”

He was annoyed by the man’s familiarity, and roughly told him: “I am not in the habit of drinking with tramps.”

The tramp replied: “You need not be so cranky and high-minded, my friend. I venture to say that I am of just as good a family as you are, have just as good an education, and, before I took to drink, was just as respectable as you are. What is more, I always knew how to act the gentleman. Take my word for it, you stick to John Barleycorn, and he will bring you to just the same place that I am in.”

Struck with his words, the gentleman set down his glass, and turned to look at him. His eyes were bloodshot, his face bloated, his boots mismated, his clothing filthy.

“Then was it drinking that made you like this?”

“Yes, it was, and it will bring you to the same if you stick to it.”

Picking up his untouched glass, he poured its contents on the floor, and said: “Then it’s time I quit,” and left the saloon, never to enter it again.—Selected.