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

"In the main you are strangers to me,
she said, "but our common danger an,
our common wrong, knit our souls togethe
as one.s The evil which threatens our live
and homes has grown so desperate that i
seems to require desperate remedy.
is a terrible cross for us weak, timid womel
to go on this mission. 1t brings back to u
the days of martyrdom. Yesterday
thought l would die rather than do this
Now feel that would die if did not go
for a dearer life than mine is in peril.
believe that but imperfectly express thu
feeling of each one here. God seems to bt
enabling our sisters in other places to say,
their dear ones. In His name let US e
forth to like rescuse, and before we go lie
us kneel to Him in silent prayer for hell
and guidance"
We knelt, but the prayer was not silent
There were sobs and groans and involun
tary cries.
At last we sailed forth, pale, but a!
determined little phalanx as ever assaulted
death swept breach. 1t was sleeting, but
we carried no umbrellas. This was not a
pleasure excursion. We marched as sol
diers do.
Our appearance upon the streets soon
attracted attention. People spoke hur.
riedly and excitedly together.
"By thunder, it's broke out here ~
heard one man exclaim: "Where will they
strike first? ?"
"Harry Hills, as you live," was answer
ed, "for that's Vint Elliott's wife a lead
i'm"
The news spread fast, and soon we had
an ample but nondescript following. Still
the crowd was respectful. The worst man
who had caught glimpse of Mrs. Elliott
face, could not have been otherwise.
BY turning corner we were suddenly
upon the entrance of Hills saloon. There
was hustle within as if they would lock
the door against US, but we were too
prompt for them, and entered. The crowd
thronged in after us, and with these already
there, filled the place completely.
Mrs. Elliott advanced at once to the bar
and We grouped ourselves around her, and
were such group as had never been seen
in our city before
"Where is Mr.. Hll?' asked our leader
in a firm voice.
The bar tender stared at her moment in
blank dismay, and then called out:
MIR. Hill, here quick, for Gods sake ~
eyes tell him to come for Gods sake
and humanity's," said Mrs Elliott, giving
deep meaning to the fellows profanity.
"What the devil does this mean % asked
Mr.. Hill, appearing from an inner room
with face on which surprise and anger
contended for the mastery. But imagine
my unmeasured surprise when l saw side
door open and Vinten Elliott appearing on
the scene, with a white, appalled, face.
But all were too intent upon the scene
before them to note his enterance, for with
voice that trembled, and yet with dignity,
Mrs. Elliott commenced speaking
MIR. Hill, you have the form and SEM
bance of man, and we give you the credit
OF possessing the heart of one. You can
not realize the results of your traffic as we
poor women can, whose homes you are
destroying, whose hearts you are breaking.
What is life to us if our fathers, our broth
ers, our sons, our husbands (oh how her
voice thrilled at that word 60 down into
the darkness and infamy of drunkard's
grave? Can you not see that such life
would be to us but living death and pro-
longed agony? And yet not for ourselves
are we pleading, but for those you are
destroying. l beseech you, sir, promise
me that you will never sell another drop of
this accursed poison"
There was momentary and death like
silence, and then Hill with difficulty, found
his brazen voice.
"Now look here, madam" he began,
"Ive got my rights as we'll as you and
other people. This is my business
You've no right here interfering with it.
These are my premises. You've no right
here without my consent. You all make
yourselves liable to Indictment for trespass.
Besides it amt the right thing for ladies to
go tramping through the streets followed
by rabble, and meddling with things that
do not concern them. 1t isn't lady-like.
It's fanat-''
"Hush ! word answer me ." cried Mrs.
Elliott, in voice that went to every heart
like an arrow. "Will you not promise me
never to sell my husband another glass of
liquor?''
"No!' shouted Hill, "nor any other
woman's husband. will promise to sell
to all who pay"
There was a sudden hoarse murmuring
on the part of the crowd, but in a moment
it was hushed, for the insulted wife had
knelt on the floor before the bar. We all
dropped on our knees around her.
go, Cod" she pleaded in tone that
must have thrilled the very soul of the
most hardened present, "shall human love
and human anguish plead before thee in
vain? Art thou God of mercy, and yet
cruelty is crushing us? Art thou not, oh,
Heavenly Father, God of justice, and
yet are we not robbed of all that makes life
endurable? Thou didst stop the mouth of
lions. Here in our Christian land are
human hearts more savage. Thou didst
preserve in the furnace seven times heated.
Beneath our church spires burns the more
remorseless and destructive passion of
avarice. Wilt thou not break the stony
heart before us, and bend his stubborn will
to thine? Thou knowest that because of
our love we could die for our dear ones, but
we believe thou dost love them even more.
Wilt thou not in mercy change their de-
stroyers into men? Wilt thou not take this
awful soul killing temptation out of their
path? We plead in the name of thy dear
Son, who gave His life fer us all. Amen"
Strange to say there was a responsive
Amen" from the crowd that would have
done honor to Methodist "class meet
ing" and as looked around on rising,
saw many eyes wet with tears where had
expected only looks of scorn. l did not
dare meet Mr.. Elliott's eye, though he
III ] Al.