The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-07-30
MESG.EI,.I,A.A,TT,
From he Msnaehusstts Casaruet.
Ben Harding, Or How the Maine
Law Worked.

ness, and by long practice having got rid
of that troublesome monitor, conscience,
he had accumulated quite a respectable
"pile." The cries of the famishing, and
the entreaties of wretched wives and mo-
thers, touched no chord in his heart. Mo
ney was the God he wOrshipped. The rim
of the round dollar was the circumference
of his sympathies; and its ring was the
music TO which his soul danced. His work
had been for twenty years the manufacture
of drunkards. None, who looked upon the
famished specimens Of his skill, could
doubt his competency as a master work
man. And, by the action of certain law
of mind, the spirit of his business had re-
acted on himself. He became a living,
walking advertisement of his profession
Sunken below the respect of the virtuous.
his chief delight-that which his shriveled
soul reveled in-arose from dogged deter.
mination to thwart all efforts at reform. If
a victim of his avarice resolved to break
the ehains Of appetite, and assert his man
hood, the willy tempter was by his side, and
few of such had power to break the en-.
chantment. Kind entreaty and legal pen
atty were alike unavailing. He would
"sall rum as long as the tide ebbed and
flowed" Many considered it settled fact
"a matter to be endured until death shall
close it up-that no human influence could
stop this tide of destruction. 1t was at
this particular period in his history, when
he seemed given over to hardness of heart,
both by God and man, that the Maine Lii
quor Law evoked power peculiarly calcu-
lated to grapple with such demonized hu-
mauity.
Uncle Ben, one day, was much surprised
bv an unceremOniOus visit from that "pOw-
err" He found him harder customer than
he had ever dealt with before. He was
called to account for some of the sins of
his past life, in the form of a warrant,
charging him with selling liquid poison,
contrary to the law, and against the peace
of the State The Court, after a patient
hearing of the witnesses, adjudged him
guilty of the came, and fined him ten dol
lars and the costs of prosecution. Uncle
Ben loved money better than beloved char
acter or liberty, except that liberty would
allow him to make money, and he groaned
in spirit when he thought of the fifteen
hard dollars lac must lose.
"Mr. H" said the Justice, twill you pay
the 6neT'
"I've got no money" answered Ben.
"You can appeal, if you choose to carry
the cause to higher court, returned the
Justice.
This idea of appealing struck him as a
chance of escaping the payment of the fine,
and he Immediately exclaimed, "Ill + cal,
Mr.. Justice"
"Very well. You will file your bond in
the sum of one hundred dollars, signed by
two good sureties, that you will prosecute
your appeal at the next term of the Dis
trict Court and you will also file another
bond in the sun Of one hundred dollars
that YOU will not sell any spirituous liquor
while your appeal is pending"
This was altogether new view of tn
subject. He looked around upon the CON
many to find some respectable men as sure
lies 10 his bonds, well knowing that non
but such would be received. Turning to
well dressed, red faced man, who had bee
ouite thick with him during the trial, ours
ing The Justice because he had allowed on
of Ben's victims to testify against him, h
called out, "Mr. Justice, I'll take this gen
tleman, Mr.. K, as one of my sureties, ant
if any other gentleman in the hall will hell
poor fellow, hope he'll come forward"
But no gentleman appeared, and Mr. X.
though he could swear at the liquor law
begged to be excused Mr.. Harding coulc
get some other gentleman. This was
mortal stab. Such falling off of friends
Uncle Ben's countenance fell. But luck
Thought struck him, He didn't believe tn
Justice would dare to commit him 10 jail
"Well, your honor, you see l can't g
bail. I'll go to Jail"
The Justice asked, & Do you both refu'
to pay the fine and to appeal 2"
"Yes, your honor"
"Very we'll Mr.. Constable, he is
your hands. I'll axe out mittimus, an
shall commit Mr.. Harding to the Count
iail for sixty days, but will give him unit
morning to pay the fine if he chooses"
The morning came, but Ben said he coul
got no money, and must go to jail if the
we're so hard hearted as to put him in. Tt
Constable had known him for years, an
he read him in this instance 'lke book
He knew that he had money enough, and
was determined that the old sinner sh0ul
have the full benefit of the act in such case
made and provided.
" Come, Uncle Ben, you've fooled lon
enough, pay over the money, or you shal
90 to the stone house to board this blessed
hour"
"Hain't got red cent Mac" this wal
the name the Constable usually bore.
well, come along, then" and Mac
seized him by the collar. Ben knew it YVES
useless to resist, so he followed on out into
the street, and on about half way to the jail
Now, he had 10 intention of going to Jail
for he had large number of men at worE
in his ship.yard, and he couldn't afford Il
board away from home. He meant to bluf
off the matter
Mac" said he, al will give you m.
note"
ono stree. The money down, ever
cent, according to the Justices bill, or tn
stone Jug" ,r,
Well let us 90 back, and I'll borrow it,
said Be. who found the joke had gone to
far. The old fellow fumbled in his pockets
found the money, and paid it over Wit
an oath, he was about turning away fro
the officer, when Mac pulled out que
looking paper from his pocket, and taPPllr
Uncle Ben on the shoulder, signlfied tn
he had further business with him.
whats in the wind now2 Amt yc
through 7"
No" says Mac. "Pve lot NOR" an
he read another warrant commanding hi
to bring the said Major before the said Ju
tice. -, ~
Cuss that committee, they'll ruin m
Who's the witness, Mac Z"
"Jack B"
"What, that miserable old hulk? "