Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-12-15

than before. "Have you all shut up
shop--turned pious, and joined the
church,"
The tavern keeper spu,,ered an oath,
as he drew in his head, and closed the
sash with heavy jar. ....
Joe Barker was mystified worse than
ever. What could it all mean!
Somebody mus. be dead" He
looked for strip of Grape; but the old
iron latch.guard was guil,less of the dra-
pery of mourning. A wooden block
stood by the door, and upon this Barker
sat down to think, if his mental process.
ses could thus be dignified.
"The Diamond and Sprigg's both
shu, up! Can't make it out. Is The
world coming TO an end' May be some
body's murdered; and they've been shut
up by The police! Shouldn't wonder!--
They say Sprigg is bad fellow; and
that Gilbert was once tried for his life.
That's it, as sure as gunl Ill go right
off 10 Paul Dixon's. They'll know all
about il, there" a-....
Paul Dixon was another grog-seller,
whose bar room was close by, around
the corner. Thi,her Joe directed his
steps, impelled as much by an awakened
curiosity, as by an all consuming thirst.
Wonder Of wonders! All was dark and
silent In the neighborhood Of Paul Dix
on's. Even the great lamp, with stain.
ed glass sides, and vanegrted letters. had
been taken down, and the bare lamp
post, as it stood sharp agains; the sky,
added TO the deserted aspec, Of things, so
new, and strange, and unaccountable.
"Something's wrong" murmuredJ ] oe
Barker, in a subdued voice. "Some-
things to pay" He looked at the lamp
post, at the closed windows and door of
Paul Dixon's tavern, and sighed. He
really felt melancholy.
IL wish | had drink" he said, a.
rousing himself. 81 never was so dry
in my life. wonder if all the taverns
are closed. Gilbert, Sprigg and Dixon
shu, up! Csn't make i. oul, no how"
Thus talking with himself. Joe com
menced retracins his steps, his eyes cast
down to the pavement. So lost was he
in bewildering maze of doubt and sug-
gestion, that, ere aware of an obs,ruc-
uon in his path, he came suddenly, and
with quite shock, against very sober,
old fashioned pump, that signifed its
consciousness of the assault, by rafting
somewhat noisily the chain Of its iron
ladle.
"Hi, hf! what's The matter nou!" e.
jaculated Barker, moving back pace
or two, and trying 10 relink the broken
chain of MS thoughts. Only the old
pump! Aha! I've had many cool
drink here, in my time. both as boy and
man; and it never cost me cent nor
made me more of fool than some peo-
pie say am by nature. Good evening.
Mr.. Pump! Let US shake hands. or
handle, just as you please, for old ac-
quainiance sake. I've been trying to
get drink for this half hour. But, not
a drop is TO be had for love or money
The rum sellers have all shut up shop, il
seems. hope you're not on strike,
too. Let's seep'
Joe Barker lifted the handle. putting
the iron ladle under the spout as he did
so. and brought it down with strong
jerk. Out gushed the crystal water.
looking clear and beautiful even in the
feeble starlight. II filled the ladle, over.
run its sides, and went splashing down
upon the pavement. Theirs was some
thing pleasant in the sound, even to the
dull ears Of Barker; and there was a
feeble awakening in his mind Of dear old
memories about boyhood, and the early
times when he was better man than
now.
To his mouth he placed the brimming
ladle. and drank pure draught of nec-
tar. just as he had removed the vessel
from his lips, and taken a deep inspi
ration, a hand was laid on his shoulder
famiiiarly.and friendly voice said
"Chesper drinking :ha., neighbor Bar
ker. than ever was found at The Dia.
mond,' across yonder, and a thousand
times better into the bargain, I'm glad
TO see you returning to your old friend
again. and hope you may never have
occasiod 10 deser, him. Friend Pump
is worth score Of your Spriggs, Dixons
and Gilber,s. What a blessed thing
that you are for ever rid of their friendly
offices!"
"For ever rid of ,hem!" said Barker.
"What does il all mean, neighbor!
What have they done! Has any one
been murdered!"
Murdered! No. not exactly that; but,
didn'. you know that the old villain
Alcohol died last night"
"Died? What! don't understand. !"
And poor Joe Barker looked more be-
wildered than ever. "Died-how!"
"Why. Joe Barker! Is it possible
you don't know that the Maine Law
wen, into operation in our State to-dayr'
"rhe Maine Law!" Joe took off his
old hat, and laid one of his broad hands
upon his forehead. "The Maine Law!
! heard 'em talking about ton last elec-
tion. They said it was dreadful out
rage upon our liberties. over at The
Diamond and so | voted against il.
What does it do. neighbor! Will i, shut
up all the taverns!"
"Ihat's lust what il has dome .'raady