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[Type face indicates Austin Reveille, clearly late December, probably 1883.]

ANNUAL SWEAR-OFF.

This is about the time of year when every other man you meet has resolved to swear off on the 1st of January and never, no, never, drink, swear, use tobacco, etc., again. Great is the resolution, the promise, and strict the vows that from New Year the resolver will be a model. Past experience and observation teach us that this is about the way it will be. Of course, we must not county New Year's, "Holiday, you know, and must have a little fun with the boys." Next day a "little hair of the dog" to taper off on, and a few swear off drinks with the boys, prepariatory to the great revormation. On the third or fourth day, however, the resolves begin to take shape and the victim beings to feel good, entirely too angelic for this wicked world, and he begins to feel to see if his wings have begun to sprout, and he wants take lessons on the harp. But in a week's time he begins to be longing for the boys once more and goes down to hear the news. But you know how it is yourself, and it will be history repeating itself again this year.