Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-02-24

"Doyou know Judge Williams?" /
asked Of a rough-looking man, whom |
had observed lounging about the tav-
ern ever since my arrival there, and
who had Just turned from the bar where
he had been drinking.
III ought to know-curse his pic
ture," answered the man frowning.
He looked at me for a few moments,
evidently to see whether l meant 10
insult him by the question, and then
turned, muttered something that
could not make out, and left the bar.
room.
"No good blood in him for Judge
Williams" said man who had over
heard myquestion.
"Why not?" was my natural inqui-
ry.
"The Judge gave him year in the
State Prison. for biting off his brothers
ear in a drunken quarrel"
"Ehl that explains itl But what Of
Judge Williams? There's something
wrong about him, is there not?"
The man shrugged his shoulders.
AS he was about replying. some one
called him. He left me.
Just then a boy came in and scat
tered half-a-dozen small printed hand
bills through the bar-room.
"What are them?" grufily asked
the landlord.
There's TO be Maine Law meet
ing at the Lyceum Hall to night" re-
piled the boy, looking sideways at the
landlord as he spoke. "Won't you
come? Judge Williams is going to
speak"
There was impertinence as well as
humor in the boys manner. The
landlord hot with uncomfortable anger,
on the instant uttered wicked impre-
cation, and then hurled an empty glass
at his head. The missile passed him
within an inch, and striking the wall,
was shattered into a hundred frag-
ments. As the now frightened lad
scampered away, some of the bar-room
inmates laughed, some looked grave,
and one or two rebuked the passionate
man for an act which might have re-
suited in murder.
"Giye me them bills" said the land
lord, coming from behind the counter.
Gathering up as many of the printed
slips Of paper as he could get his hands
upon, he tore them into shreds, with
violent gestures and oaths, and then
threw them into the street. Two or
three remained in possession Of those
who, like myself, declined yielding
them up TO the incensed individual
who considered himself particularly
insultcd by their intrusion on his prem
ises.
Next came, as a very natural result,
a discussion, among the bar-room loun-
gers, Of the Maine Law question:
The landlord was too much excited 10
think clearly or talk coherently; so he
only used profane expletive. Some
ridIculed the whole movement as pre-
posterous; some cursed the leaders,
and some made themselves merry at
the expense Of the cold-water men,
Nearly all present had indulged the r
particular humor on the subject, and
conversation was beginning to flag.
when a young man whom had noticed
as sadly fallen, yet retaining traces of
better condition and higher intelligence
than any around him, arose, by ta-
bic which he had been half crouch
ing, and extending one hand in an en-
ergetic manner, said
"You may all talk as you please but
| see no hope but in the Maine Law!"
"There, now, Dick Thomas, do yoi
just hush up. Nobody asked for your
opinion, and nobody wants it,"
The man turned quickly to the land
lord, who had thus roughly Interrupt
ted him, and after fixing his eyes
sharply upon him for some moments,
retorted-
"You may rob US ofIeason and yir-
tue, but of free speech-neverl-
You've all had your say, and now I'm
going to have mine. fyou don'twish
to listen, you can retire"
you've got to retire, youngmanl"
exclaimed the landlord, his face again
hot with anger; and rs he said this, he
came hastily from behind the bar,
and advancing towards the object of
his wrath, assumed menacing atti
tnde. "Go, this instant, or | will
pitch you head foremost into the
street."
81 wish you would put hand on
me" said the o.her. in ahissing voice.
There was murder in his eye, and an
iron resolution in his tone. For sew
eral moments the two men glanced saw
agcly at each other; then the landlord
retired behind the bar.
BE content with your place there
and your work there. old fellow" said
the young man, with bitter sneer,
but don'tatlempt what is beyondyour
ability" Then. turning 10 the com.
pany, he repeated the words spoken u
little while before, and In the earnest,
aud impressive manner ct first appar-
ent.
"you may talk us you please" he
said, "but | sec no hope but in the
Maine Law And there Is no other
hope for such as me. Fen times have
taken the pledge. and God knows IL
was taken IN all sinoerilyl But with
yitialed appetite, and temptation ever
IN my path, how was TO standY-
Keep liquor out Of my sight, aud | can
do well enough; but with tavern or
grocery at every corner, the ease Is
hopeless. voted for the Maine Law
at the last election, and IL live to Wis.
Il the polls again. my ballot shall be
cast on the side OF yirlne, order and
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