Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-01-04


Williams is going to speak,
There was impertinance as well as hu-
NOR in the boys manner. The landlord,
hot with uncomfortable anger, ON the in
slant uttered wicked imprecatiOn, and
hurled an empty glass at his head. The
missile passed him within an inch, and
striking the wall, was shattered into a
hundred fragments. As the 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 resulted
!, in murder
"Giye me them bills" said the land
lord, coming hastily from behind the bar
Gathering up as many of the printed
slips of paper as he could get his hands
upon, he tore them into shreds, with Yio-
: lent gestures and oaths, and then threw
them into the street. Two Or three re-
manned in possession of those who, ike
myself, declined yielding them up to the
licensed individual who considered him
self particularly insulted by the intrusion
on his premises.
Next came, as a very natural result, q
discussion, among the bar room loupgers,
on the Maine Law question. The land
lord was too much excited to think clear
ly or talk coherently; so he only used
profane expletives. Some ridicuIed the
whole movement as preposterous. Some
cursed the leaders; and some made
themselves merry at the expense Of cold
water men. Nearly all present had in
dulged their particular Aumor on the
subject, and conversation was beginning
to flag, when a young man whom I had
noticed as sadly fallen, yet retaining ira
ces of better condition and higher intel
ligence than any around him, arose by a
table at which he had been half crouch
ing, and extending one hand in an ener-
getic manner, said
You may all talk as you please, but
L see no hope but in the Maine Law"
!, "There, now, Dick Thomas DO you
Just hush up. Nobody asked for your
opinion, and nobody wants it.
The man turned quickly to the land
lord, who had thus roughly interrupted
him; and after fixing his eyes sharply
II;a2on ;a52son MIN for some moments, retorted-
"Yoa may rob US of reason and viz
tue; but of free speech-never! You
have all had your say, and now I am
going to have mine. If you don't wish
to listen, you can retire"
you've got to retire, young man p
exclaimed the landlord, his face again
hot with anger; and as he said this, he
came hastily from behind the bar, and
advancing towards the object of his
wrath, assumed a menacing altitude
" Go this instant, or I viii pitch you
head foremost into the street"
u wish you would put a hand on me- p
said the other, in a kissing voice. There
was murder in his eyes, and an iron res
olution in his tone. For several mo-
ments the two men glanced sayagely at
each other. Then the landlord retired
behind the bar.
" Be content with your place there,
and your work there, old fellow p said
the young man, with a bitter sneer, bat
don't attempt what is beyond your aJiI-
ity." Then turning to the company, he
repeated the words spoken little while
before, and in the earnest impressive
manner, at first apparent.
" You may all talk as you please he
said, " but | see no hope but in the
Maine Law. And there is no other
hope for such as me. Ten times have 7
taken the pledge, and God knows it vas
taken in all sincerity! Rut with vita
ted appetite, and temptation ever in my
path, how was L to stand? Keep liquor
out Of my sight, and | can do well
enough; but with tavern or GROCERY
at every corner, the case is hopeless. l
voted for the Maine Law at last election.
Ny ballot shall be cast on the side Of
virtue, order and sobriety. What a cur
sed infatuation-what binding folly
this drinking is! Are you, Or you, Or
you, any the better for Z" turning quick
ly from one to another, as he uttered
these words. II viii not pause for your
answer, 'no'-your faces give a feeble
negative; but your whole appearance
responds, trumpet-tongued, 'No-no.'-
Ah, my friends / know how it Is with
you. While this man trap Is ever in the
way. our feet must stumble. What hope
for US is there here! None-noae.-
There sis the great lazy spider, his web
nicely spread abroad, and we, poor vie
tins, cannot pass without getting hope