WHEN IS A MAN DRUNK.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 150, 27 August 1880, Page 4

WHEN IS A MAN DRUNK.

So many definitions of the various stages of the “ besetting sin ” are given almost daily in the Police Courts, and Magistrates are so often called upon to decide when a man is, or rather was, drunk, that anything which may help them in future to decide the knotty point ought to be gratefully received. Hence our reason for giving the following little incident as observed by Mark Twain at the table d’hote at Leukerbad, and told by him:—“A very grave man—in fact, his gravity amounted to solemnity, and almost to austerity—sat opposite us, and lie was ‘ tight,’ but doing his best to appear sober. He took up a corked bottle of wine, tilted it over his glass awhile, then set it out of the way with a contented look, and went on with his dinner. Presently he put his glass to his mouth, and, of course, found it eibpty. He looked puzzled, and glanced furtively and suspiciously out of the corner of his eye at a benignant and unconscious old lady who sat at 'his right. Shook his head, as much as to say, ‘ He, she couldn’t have done it.’ He tilted the corked bottle over his glass again, meantime searching around with his watery eye to see if anybody was watching him. He ate a few mouthfuls, raised his glass to his lips, and of course it was still empty. He bent an injured and accusing sideglance upon that un-

conscious old lady whicli was a study to see. She went on eating, and gave no sign. He took up his glass and his bottle, with a wise private nod of his head, and set them gravely on the left-hand side of his plate—poured himself another imaginary drink—went to work with his knife and fork once more presently lifted his glass with good confidence, and found it empty as usual. This was almost a petrifyingsurprise. He straietned himself up in his chair, and deliberately and sorrowfully inspected the busy old ladies at his elbows, first one and then the other. At last he softly jerked his plate away, set his glass directly in front of him, held on to it with his left hand, and proceeded to pour with his right. This time he observed that nothing came. He turned the bottle clear upside down ; still nothing issued from it; a plaintive look came into his face, and he said, as if to himself, ‘ ’ic ! They’ve got it all !’ Then 1m set the bottle down, resignedly, and took the rest of his dinner dry.’