Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1874-04-11

/ NAAN NAOoA " az NNAAAs
But the tragedy went forward
without a moments pause. Mrs.
Elliott took step nearer the rum
seller, pointed up with an impressive
GESTURE, and bent upon him look
such as l never saw on a wOman's
face before, for a mirror in the bar
opposite revealed her form and fea-
lures perfectly, and gave her back
to the audience as startling pic
ture Hill tried to meet her eve,
but he could not, for he sank guilt
lily to the floor.
''Alr. Hill, she said in low, gen
! tie voice, and yet it reminded me of
'the still small voice of Cod" it was
so penetrating and awe-inspiring,
once more l ask you, l beseech you,
answer me as you will wish you had
answered when you stand before His
Judgment seat, will you not cease
this dreadful business 2"
"a death-like hush followed. Hill
was evidently cOwed and overcome,
and after a moment mumbled out:
dts not in man to resist you,
madam. l promise l will not sell
any more to your husband, though
he will get it elsewhere if he wants
it. think it's pity he can'tst
up for himself without sending his
wife around praying and beseeching
for him."
Give way there, cried Vinton Ell
llott's voice, and he sprang down
from his raised doorstep and strug-
gled towards his wife. There were
murmurs and CALCULATIONS of intense
excitement on the part of the crowd
as this new element entered into the
drama, and all gave way before him.
Mrs Elliott started and trembling vi
olently at his voice, and the moment
reached her, clung to his arm and
hid her face sobingly on his shoul-
der. All her wonderful nerve and
self-contrOl seemed gone. In clear
ringing tone, Elliott said:
''Mr. Hill, you have spoken some
very true words this evening. This
is no place-this is no action for
ladies like nv wife and other hon
ored women that | see here; and be-
lievc me they would not be here if
you and | 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 of what l have read
concerning myself in the morning
paper, | wonder that my wife did
not leave me forever in ut
ter disgust. Instead of that, with
womGn's faithfulness, she came here
to plead foI my safety. But she
will never be called upon to pass
through such and ordeal again. l
thought | could drink in moderation
at your bar, as l had for years, but
you have taught me better, sir. Vim
ton Elliott can stand alone, but he
will stand a loof from you and your
kind. God and you, fellow citizens,
be my 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 a low, glad cry.
Il make no apOlgv for what oc-
Cured last night" he continued
''The case admits of none. Ideserve
your contempt, but it cannot ex-
ceed that which | have for myself.
Were it not for my wife, and the
hope of retrieving my character, l
would gladly die"
"IIurrahl three cheers for Elliott,
who faces the matter like a mani"
cried a voice from the crowd, and
they were given with good will.
Mrs. Judge Ashman now came
forward and said:
"AIr. Hill, this won't answer
Nv son is as dear to me as Mrs. Ell
liott's husband TO her. We all rep
resent some imperilled member of
our households. You must promise
to quit the business altogether in
our city"
"Do you see that ?" asked a pale,
thin woman, mechanics wife, as she
lifted her hair and showed her ugly
scar across her temple. ''My own
husband, once so kind and good,
gave me that blow. 1t went deep.
Ii nearly cost me life. But 1t made
a deeper scar on my heart. People
must stop selling rum to my hus-
band. or | can't live. | feel that l
will do something desperate"
'Oh. please to promise, Mr.. Hill"
pleaded a meek-lOoking little woman
with streaming eyes. ''My only son
has come home drunk twice of late,
and he says he got liquor here"
'Now look here, ladies'" said
NIr. Hill, trying to work himself in
to passion, cuisines is business.
\ man must live. I've stood this
longer now than"
He was interrupted by tall, gaunt
woman, who strangely reminded me
OF the stern old prophets. Without
a word of prelude, she stepped for
ward and commenced singing in a
weird minor key;
o, Thou who for humanity
WepI blood al every pore,
We come in kindred agony
Thy mercy To implore.
Must we, for aye. sigh hopelessly,
In worse than Egyprs bonds?
Must we, despairing, helplessly
Endure destroying woGndSf
Most fearful is our enemy,
For when he StrikrS blow,
Two hearts are pierced and perlshlnS-
4 household stricken low
On give to us thy sympathy,
Awake thine arm Ol power,
snake off The nations apathy,
PrncIaim the battle hour
.N[r. HILL" said Mrs. Judge Ash
man. " we propose to stay here until
Won make us this 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, | have
Thought it over-indeed, | thought
it over before YOU came, for expect