The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-06-13

moment mumbled out:
"It's not in man to resist you, madam
| promise / will not sell any more to you
he wants it. I think it's pity he cam
stand up for himself without sending hi.
wife around praying and beseeching fol-
him.
"Give way there" cried Vinton Elliott
voice, and he sprang down from the raised
doorstep and struggling toward his wife
There were murmurs and CALCULATIONS o.
intense excitement on the part of the crowG
as this new element entered into the drama
and all gave way before him. Mrs. Elliott
started and trembled violently at his voice
and the moment he reached her, chung tc
his arm and hid her face sobbingly on his
selfcontro seemed gone. In a clear, ring
ing tone Elliott said:
"Mr. Hill, you have spoken some true
words this evening. This is no place-this
is no action for ladies like my wife and
other honored women that l see here; and
believe me, they would not be here if you
and l, and our like, had not driven them
to desperation. God knows you have
enough to answer for, but you only are not
to blame. You can't force us to throw
away our money and manhood here. If
half is true what l read concerning myself
in the morning paper, wonder that my
1 10
gust. Instead of that with woman's faith
fulness, she comes here to plead for my
safety. But she will never be called upon
to pass through such an ordeal again. l
thought l could drink in moderation at
your bar as l had for years, but you have
taught me better, sir. Vinton Elliott can
stand alone, but he will stand aloof from
you and your kind. God and you, fellow
citizens, be witness that l will drink no
more, and may He palsy my hand if it ever
raises another glass of liquor to my lips''
Mrs. Elliott gave low glad cry.
81 make no apology for what occurred
last night" he continued "The case
admits of none. deserve your contempt,
but it cannot exceed that which l have for
myself. Were it not for my wife, and the
hope of retrieving my character, l would
gladly de-
"Hurrah three cheers for Elliott, who
faces the matter like man ~ cried voice
from the crowd, and they were given with
good will
Mrs. Judge Ashman now came forward
and said:
"Mr. Hill, this wont answer. My son is
as dear to me as Mrs. Elliott's husband to
her. We all represent some imperilled
member of our households. You must
promise to quit the business altogether in
our city"
"Do you see that ?" asked pale thin
woman, a mechanics wife, and she lifted
her hand and then showed an ugly scar
across her temple. "My own husband,
once so kind and good, gave me that blow.
1t went deep. 1t nearly cost my life. But
it made deeper scar on my heart. People
must stop selling rum to my husband, or l
can't live. l feel that I would do some
thing desperate"
ooh, please do promise, Mr. Hill,"
pleaded meek-looking little woman, with
streaming eyes. "My only son has come
home drunk twice of late and he says he
got his liquor here"
"Ncw look here ladies'" said Hill trying
to work himself into passion, Cuisines
is business. A map must live. I've stood
this longer now than
"Mr. HILL" said Mrs. Judge Ashman,
we propose to stay here until you make a
promise, unless you thrust US forth with
violence"
"Let him try that if he dares," cried
dozen voices from the crowd
Hill considered few moments and then
said: "Well, madam, I've thought it over
indeed, | thought it over before you came,
l expected this internal movement would
break out here. l have an establishment
in New York State, and they'll stand good
liquor, such as l sell, there, to the end of
the chapter. I'll go there for the present
and stop selling here till the thunder gust
blows over. This is the best promise I'll
make if you stay here month. &c. please
vacate and I'll put up my shutters"
After brief consultation, the ladies
concluded it was the best they could do,
and there were those of their number who
wished to visit other saloons.
BY this time the strain upon Mrs. Eli
otis delicate frame had been too long and
severe and she grew very white and faint.
Her husband had urged her to go home
with him at once, but she had refused to
leave her companions after having gained
her own point. But now she sank help
adjacent drug store, sent for carriage, and
were soon in the blessed refuge of our home.
But before an hour passed her pulse grew
quick and her cheeks fervsh. The hus-
band hung about her in an agony of solicit
tude
After doing what l could, left them,
thinking they were better alone.
When the evening shadows gathered as
L was SIbtluS III NY luC lSHI VI
the fire, Mr.. Elliott entered unannounced
and said:
go, Mrs. NJ, l fear Nellie is going to be
SICK" and gave away to such an agony of
grief as never saw convulse mans frame
before.
1 came and put my hand on his shoulder,
but only said:
"God help you both"
At last he said, CHOW, I'm better, please
stay with her while 60 for the doctor"
For week Ninton and | have watched
at Nellie's bed -side. Her mind has wan
dered all the time, and night and day she
is pleading for and with her husband.
He scarcely slept or ate. His raven hair
is becoming streaked with gray; his ruddy
checks are growing pale and wan, and his
every breath almost is a prayer:
"God spare my darling"
What the end will be, God knows
Hearth and Home.
The Oil Deposits of the Great West.