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

3 around praying and beseeching for him"
q "Give way there" cried Vinton Elliott's
voice, and he sprang down from the raised
: doorstep and struggled toward 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 trembed violently at bis voice,
! and the moment he reached her, clung to
: his arm, and hid her face sobbngly on his
shoulder. All her wonderful nerve and
self-control seemed gone. In clear, ring.
! ing tone, Elliott said
"Mr. Hill, you have spoken some true
words this morning. This is no place
this is no work for ladies like my wife and
other honored women that | see here; and
believe me, they would not be here il you
and /, aud 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 | have read concerning myself
in the morning paper, | wonder that my
7 wife did not leave me forever in utter dis
gust, Instead Of that, with woman's faith
fulness, she comes here to plead for my
safety. But she will never be called to
pass through such an ordeal again. /
, thought could drink in moderation at your
bar, as | 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 citi.
zens, be my witness that will drink no
, more, and may lie palsy my hand if it ever
raises another glass Of liquor to my lips
Mrs. Elliot gave a low, glad cry.
Il make no apology for what occurred
last night" be continued. "The case ad.
, mits Of none. deserve your contempt,
] but it can not exceed that which | have
for myself Were it not for my wife, and
the hope Of retrieving my character, |
, would gladly die"
7 "Hurrah three cheers for Elliot, who
+, faces the matter like mani" cried voice
, from the crowd, and they were given with
good will.
Mrs. Judge Ashman now came forward
aud said
6 "Mr. Hill, this won't answer. My son
e is as dear to me as Mrs. Elliott's husband
to her. We all represent some imperiled
' member of our households. You must
r promise to quit the business altogether in
3 our CITY,"
t "Do you see that7" asked pale thin
4 woman, and she lifted her hair and showed
t an ugly scar across her temple. "My own
t husband, once SO kind and good, gave me
that blow. 1t went in deep. 1t nearly
: cost me my life. But it made deeper
I scar on my heart. People must stop sell
: ing rum to my husband, or | can't live. |
feel that will do something desperate"
: 80 please do promise, Mr.. Hill, pleaded
, meek looking little woman, with stream.
: ing eyes. "My only son has come home
r drunk twice of late, and he says he got the
0 liquor here"
s "Now look here, ladies'" said Mr. Hill,
q trying to work himself into a passion,
d business is business. A man must live,
Q I've stood this longer now than"
= He was interrupted by tall, gaunt
n woman who strangely reminded me Of the
n stern old prophets. Without a word Of
Q prelude, she stepped forward and commenced
b singing in weird minor key
. 0 Thou who for humanity
Y Wept blood st every pore,
Thy mercy to implore.
Must we, for aye, sigh hopeessly
In worse than Egypts bonds
Must we, despairing, holplessly
Endure destroying wounds
Most fearful il our enemy,
. For when he strikes a blow,
I Two hearts are pierced and perlshlng
household stricken low.
oh rive 10 us thy sympathv
Awake thine arm Of power,
shake off the nations apathy,
4 Proclaim the battle hour
G "Mr. Hill," said Mrs. Judge Ashman,
Q we propose to stay here till you make us
this promise, unless you thrust us forth
G with violence"
Let him try that if he dares," cried a
dozen voices from the crowd.
!, Hill considered few moments and then
d said "Well, madam, I've thought it over
G indeed, | thought it over before you came,
Q for l expected this internal movement
e would break out here. have an estab.
: lishment in New York state, and they'll
J. stand good liquor such as sell, there, to
$ the end Of the chapter. I'll 60 there FOR
1 the present and stop selling here till this
I thunder gust blows over. This is the best
!. promise I'll make if you stay here month.
So please vacate and I'll put up my shutters"
After brief consultation the ladies con-
y cluded it was the best they could do, and
: there were those Of their number who
r wished to visit other saloons.
BY this time the strain upon Mrs. Eliots
r delicate frame had been too long and severe,
| and she grew very white and faint. Her
husband had urged her to go home with
n him at once, but she had refused to leave
I her companions after having gained her
I own point. But now she sank helplessly
i in his arms and he carried her to an adj
jacent drugstore, sent for carriage, and
I we were soon in the blessed refuge Of her
Q home.
e But before an hour passed her pulse
n grew quick and her cheeks feverish. The
4 husband hung about her in an agony Of So
I licitude.
: After doing what | could | left them,
= thinking they were better alone.
Q When the evening shadows gathered, as
8 | was sitting in my room by the light Of
o the fire, Mr.. Elliott entered unannounced
+ and said
$ 30 Mrs. NJ, fear Nellie is going to
I be sick" aud he gave way to such an agony
J, of grief as | never saw conyulse mans
u frame before
d | came and put my hand on his shoulder,
I but only said:
u "God help you both"
o At last, he said " Now, I'm better. Please
i stay with her while 60 for the Doctor"
o For week Vinton and | have watched