Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-03-11


forth to like rescue, and before we go, let US
knecl to Him in silent prayer for help and
guidance
We knelt, but the prayers were not ST.
lent There we're sobs and groans aud in
voluntary cries.
At last we sailed forth, pale, but, as de-
termined little phalsnx 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 street soon at
tracted attention. People spoke hurriedly
and excitedly together.
BY thunder, it's broke out here !"
heard one man oxclaim. Where will they
strike first ?"
Harry Hills, as you live" was an
swered, " for that's Vint. Elliott's wife a
leadin'."
The news spread fast, aud soon we had
an ample but nondescript following. Still,
the crowd was respectful. The worst man
who had caught glimpse Of Mrs. Elliott's
face could not have been otherwise.
BY turning a corner we came 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 thropged
in after us, aud, with those already there,
filed the place completely.
Mrs. Elliott advanced at once to the bar
and we grouped ourselves around her, and
such group as had never been seen in our
city before.
"Where is Mr.. Hill ?" asked our leader,
in firm voice.
The bartender stared at her a moment in
blank dismay, and then called out:
Mr. Hill, here, quick, for Gods sake !"
"Yes, tell him to come for Gods sake
and humanitys," said Mrs. Elliot, 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
coutended for the mastery. He was aorid,
low-browed, thick-set man, showily dressed,
and with hard, sinister eye. After one
glance at him, hoped little from Mrs. FL
iott's appeal turned to look at the crowd
for a moment in order to see on whose side
their sympathy would assert itself, but the
expression at this time was mainly Of eager
curiosity and excitement But imagine my
unmeasured surprise when | saw side door
open and Vinton Elliott appear overlooking
the scene, with a white, appalled, face. But
all we're too intent on the scene before them
to note his entrance, for with voice that
trembled, and yet with dignity, Mrs. Elliott
had commenced speaking.
"Mr Hill, you have the form and sem
blance 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 de-
stroying, whose hearts you are breaking.
What is life to us if our fathers, our broth
ers, our sous, our husbands (oh how her
voice thrilled at that wordl 60 down into
the darkness and infamy Of drunkard's
grave2 Can you see that such life would
be to us but living death and prolonged
agony2 And yet not for ourselves are we
pleading, but for those whom you are de-
stroying. Perhaps we may find heaven
hereafter, but they cannot. You poison
body and soul at once. We are desperate
in view of the peril of those we love.
Yesterday there was not, in all the city,
more proud and happy woman than happy
in my home happy in my husband happy
in my hopes for the future proud of his
rich promise and good name! But now
my heart is breaking; oh how it has ached
since you sent him staggering to me long
past midnight! What but hell.broth could
have so changed my noble, manly husband
Yesterday all honored him. To-day, the
finger Of the town will be pointed at him.
Oh believe me, sir, few dollars cannot
pay you for inHicting oil this shame and
misery. | beseech you, sir, promise me
that you will never sell another drop of the
accursed poison
There was a momentary and death-like
silence, and then Hill, with difficulty, found
his brazen voice.
NOW look here, madam" he began,
"I've got my rights as well 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 your
selves liable to indictment for trespass.
Besides, it ant the right thing for ladies
to 90 trampino tbrougb the streets followed
bv a rabble. and meddling with things that
don't concern them. Il isn't lady.like.
It's fapat-"
{" Hush in a word, answer me :" cried
Mrs. Elliott in n voice that went to every
heart like an arrow "Will Won mot nrom.
ise me never 10 sell NV husband anotber
glass of liouor 2"
"Noln shouted Hin. " nor anv other
woman's husband / will nromjsc m aelI
to all who'll nav"
There was sudden. boarse murmurinc on
the mart Of the crowd but in a momen, n
was hushed. for the ipsulted wife had knelt
on the aoor before the bar. We ali dron.
ned on our knees around her
40 Cod she pleaded in n tome that
must have thrilled the very soul Of the
most hardened present. /. sball human love
and human anguish plead before these in
vain Art thou not a God of mercy. and
vet cruelty ia crushing us? A., ,bou no,
n God of Justice, and vet we arc being rob.
he'd of ali that makes life endurabIs =
Thou didst stop the mouth of lions. Here
:: = fL-:.t IL : - -.