John Barleycorn

It all came to me one election day. It was on a warm California afternoon and I had ridden down into the Valley of the Moon from the ranch to the little village to vote Yes and No to a host of proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of California. Because of the warmth of the day I had had several drinks before casting my ballot and divers drinks after casting it. Then I had ridden up through the vine-clad hills and rolling pastures of the ranch and arrived at the farm-house in time for another drink and supper. How did you vote on the suffrage amendment? Charmian asked. I voted for it. She uttered an exclamation of surprise. For be it known in my younger days despite my ardent democracy I had been opposed to woman suffrage. In my later and more tolerant years I had been unenthusiastic in my acceptance of it as an inevitable social phenomenon. Now just why did you vote for it? Charmian asked. I answered. I answered at length. I answered indignantly. The more I answered the more indignant I became. (No; I was not drunk. The horse I had ridden was well named The Outlaw. I'd like to see any drunken man ride her.)