Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-04-09
New Series-Vol II. No: -

these graves. 1 never realized it b
fore. Surely, he does not. Unless
is fiend, he will cease this vile traff
when tell him the truth. l tell YOU
aciH go, ii 60 alone? You may as we
ask the lightning not to strike whe
the storm is at its height!'
George cried Mrs. Ashman, in
voice of anguish, how often has yoa
o,cn son been drunk at Harry Hill's?'
The Judge turned pale and abrubtl
left the room.
You shall not go alone,' continue
Mrs. Ashman, sObbing on Mrs. Elliott
shoulder; "a score of women that
know of, smitten by this terrible curse
will go with you, if you will lead tn
way. Some are rich and some ar
poor, but we all have common groun,
in this matter. will send them word
After little consultation it was ar
ranged that she would start from Mrs
Judge Ashman's at eleven. Much a
shrank from the undertaking, l de
termined to remain at the side of m,
beloved Mrs. Elliott. We called OF
a few personal friends and stated oul
purpose, but so far from joining us they
seemed dismayed at the very idea.
Mrs. Elliott then returned to her un.
conscious husband. One look at him
seemed to turn her delicate frame int
steel, and at little before eleven she
walked to Mrs. Ashman's with as firm
a tread as ever soldier marched into
battle.
shall never forget the group that
we found assembled in the judges par
lor. There were young faces present
besides that of Mrs. Elliot. But all
were pale and lined with care-all
were solemn with an earnest purpose,
and touched with the pathos of suffer-
ing.
Ladies, this is Mrs. Elliot said Mrs.
Ashman, simply.
All rose to receive their leader, and
she assumed control with the simplici-
ty and dignity which only noble ma
lures can attain.
In the main you are strangers to
me- She said, but our common dam
ger and our common wrong knit our
souls together as one; The evil which
threatens our lives and homes has
grown SO desperate that it seems to re-
quire desperate remedy. 1t is a terri
ole cross for US weak, timid women to
go on this mission. 1t brings back to
US the days of martyrdom. Yester-
day thought would die rather than
do this. Now feel that would die if
did not go, for dearer life than mine
is i'm peril. / believe that but imper-
fectly express the feelings of each one
here. God seems to be enabling our
sisters in other places to save their dear
)neS. In His naue let us go forth to
ike rescue, and before we 20, let us
kneel to him in silent prayer for help
md guidance
We knelt, but the prayer was not
silent. There were sobs and groans
md involuntary cries.
AT last we sailed forth, pale, but as
determined little phalanX as ever as
aulted death-swept breach. 1t was
'leeling, but we carried no umbrellas.
rhis was not pleasure excursion. We
as soldiers do.
Our appearance upon the street soon
attracted attention. People spoke hur-
'iedly and excitedly together.
BY thunder, it's broke out herer 1
heard one man exclaim. where will
hey strike frst@
Harry Hills, as sou live,' was an
iwered, 'fnr that's Vint. ETliotts wife
/ leadin'.'
The news spread fast, and soon we
lad an ample but nondescript follow
ng. Still the crowd was respectful.
The worst man who had caught a
glimpse of Mrs. Elliott's face could not |
lave been otherwise.
By turning corner we came sud-
lenly upon the entrance of HIPS sa-
DON. There WAS a hustle within as
f they would lock the door against US,
,ut we were too prompt for them, and
The crowd thronged in after
Is, and with those already there, filled
he place completely.
Mrs. Elliott advanced at once to the !
,ar and we grouped ourselves around
Ter, such a group as had never been |
cen in our city before.
Where is Mr.. Hill? asked our lead
#, in a firm voice.
The bartender stared at her mo-
nept ii blank dismay, and then called |
tut:
'Mr. Hill, here, quick, for Gods
ake' -.
Yes, tell him to come for Gods sake,
md humanity's,' said Mfrs.t Elliot, |
irving deep meaning to the fellows
What the devil does this mean? ?'
sked Mr. Hill, appearing from an in
Ter room witfi'a face ON which surprise |
md anger conte:ded for the mastery. |
He was forid, low-browed, thick-set |
nan, showily dressed, and with a hard |
mister eye. Alter one glance at him,
hoped little from Mrs. Elliottt's APP |
zeal. l turned to look at the crowd for |
moment in order to see on whose side |
heir sympathy would assert itself, but |
he expression at this time was mainly |
me of eager curiosity and excitement. |
But imagine my unmeaSured surprise |
vhen l saw side door open and VIM
Gene, with white, appalled, face. But
III were too intent on the scene before |
hem to note his entrance, for with a |
-oice that trem5led, and yet with dig
lity, Mrs. Elliott had commenced |
peaking.
'Mr. Hill, you have the form and
of man, and we give you |
he credit of possessing the heart of
ne. You can not realize the results of |
our traffic as we poor women can
whose homes you are destroying,
vhose hearts you are breaking. What
J life to us if our fathers, our brothers,
ur sons, our husbands (oh how her
'oice thrilled at that word) go down
nto the darkness and infamy of o
Irunkard's grave! Can you not see
hat such life would be to us but living |
Ieath and prolonged agony? At yet
lot for ourselves are we pleading, but
or those whom you are destroying.
Perhaps we may find q heaven here
fter, but they cannot. You poison
'ody and soul at once. We are desper-
te in view of the peril of those we
owe. Yesterday there was not, in all
he city, more proud and happy wo-
nan than L /! happy in my home hap !
" in my husband happy in my hopes
or the future proud Of his rich prom
Sc and good name! But now my heart
l. .I-., I L %.