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. Id like to see any drunken man ride her.) . And yet—how shall I say?—I was lighted up I was feeling good I was pleasantly jingled. . When the women get the ballot they will vote for prohibition I said. It is the wives and sisters and mothers and they only who will drive the nails into the coffin of John Barleycorn—— . But I thought you were a friend to John Barleycorn Charmian interpolated. . This edition includes:- A complete biography of Jack London- Table of contents with directs links to chapters.