Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-10-14
mercy don't tell any one what you have

mercy don't tell any one what you have
seen"
The man made no promise as he de-
parted, and L shut the door. ra
"Mrs. Nj, [ am even sorry you
are here. I would hide this from all
the world. Would that could hide it
from heaven But / know that [ can
trust you. What shall I do with him p
This horrid, unexpected scene at the
door had found us both too bewildered
to act, and for moment longer We
looked helplessly at each other
Then her husband muttered, 'sWhat' s
the use standing here ?" And he stag
gered into the parlor.
Near the door stood dainty little
table with Mrs. Elliott's bridal wreath
and bouquet upon it, encased in a glass
cover. He stumbled against this, and
fell with it crashing to the floor. The
warmth of the room, with the excess of
liquor that he had drunk, now produced
nausea, and sickening to behold, the
flowers that had crowned his bride S
brow were now fouled literally, even as
his action had stained her fair, pure
name.
1t was awful, it was horrible, even to
me, beyond the power of words to ex-
press, to see that proud, refined gentle
man groveling helplessly, like a vile
beast in his own filth, in that sweet lit
tie parlor, that dainty casket of his
priceless Jewel. But what must it have
been to his wife?
She did not faint, as I feared, or be-
come hysterical, but the anguish of her
look would melt finty heart. With
clasped hands she stood above her hus-
band till be became somewhat quiet, as
plying angel might. Oh the con-
trast she made to him! Oh! the
mighty triumph of love, that she did
not turn away in disgust.
AS soon as she could, she took his
head in her lap, and said in low, firm
voice: .5 II s#... ..
"Vinton, how did it happen? Tell
me ALL ?"
"Nothing much's happened, he hic-
coughed. "Met some friends at Harry
Hill's-took little too much-that's ALL D
" Harry Hills, Harry Hills" she
muttered, rs if some new light was
dawning upon her.
[ have dwelt too long upon those
painful scenes, but they seem burnt in
upon my memory, and my mind will re-
vert to them, even though to think of
them is torture. He was not violent,
though somewhat obstinate and pro-
fame. At last she got him to bed, and
he fell into heavy stupor. AS she re-
turned to me in the dining-room, where
there was fire, [ said:
"I will not leave you tonight.
She thanked me by silent pressure
of my hand, and we sat down to watch
tog ether as before, but with the awful
certainty OF evil instead of it's expecta-
ton. In the depths of my soul trem-
bled for her.
She stepped to her husbands side
from time to time, and them came and
sat down. Her brows were contracted,
as if in deep thought or the formation
of purpose Her eyes had fixed,
solemn look that contrasted strangely
with her fair young face. At last she
asked suddenly: .:a ...
where is this Harry Hill's?"
told her. .-..... .....
Morning came, after seeming an age.
I tried to anticipate Mrs. Elliott in OBJ
tanning the morning paper from the
newsboy, but she was too quick for me.
With dilating eyes she scanned the col
umns, then, with a cry of anguish,
dropped the paper. t..
sits all here" she groaned, and she
writhed and wrung her hands as if in
intense bodily anguish. $50
After few moments, she again seized
the paper. #sa
. ooh! leave it alone" I cried.
you've had more than you can endure
now" 80 -+
q 'sI am not child % she answered,
almost fercely. 81 intend to know and
face the worst of this NATTER And
with a white, stern face, she read every
word, and then sat for few moments
with the old thoughtful contraction Of
brow. Suddenly she started up, with a
look Of fixed purpose, and asked:
Ill" Howlong do you think he will sleep?'
'sSeveral hours a .1Aa
'"Then come with me-"
"Where?" r..a
'sssTo Mrs. Judge Ashman's.'' aaI
The Judges family was sitting down
to breakfast when we arrived. s7 -a
" WHY, NILS. .ElllOCG, anu NILS. Nj,
tool" exclaimed that good lady, in I'm
feigned surprise. "Whatis the matter =?
Surely this is not social call. ol sa
te" No. said Mrs. Elliott impetuously,
cit is not. Mrs. Ashman, I take back
all I said about ladies going to liquor
saloons, in order to break them up if
they can. [ am going to Harry Hills
to-day, if [ go alone. He about the same
as murdered my husband last night. y
And she briefly told her story. "Iam
going there thisvery morning." she con-
tinued. ''He must resist wife's
prayers and wife's curses, if he sells
my husband one drop more. Will you
go with me?"
Mrs. Ashman's features were working
with deep emotion, but thestately Judge
now joined us from the dining room,
and demonstrated: ..-.....7.
" Really, Mrs. Elliott, I greatly sym
pathize with you, for I have read the
painful account in the morning paper;
but [ hope you will do nothing rash.
You will only expose yourself to insult,
a