Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-10-14
other woman's husband. Twill promise

IuOLueIlG LII WAS uuSucu, lOI VIC 1uSUlUoO
wife had knelt on the foor before the
bar. We all dropped on our knees
around her .'''sl 5--
go God!" she pleaded in IL voice
that must have thrilled the very soul of
the most hardened present, i" shall hui
man love and human anguish plead be-
| fore thee in vain? Art thou not q God
of mercy, and yet cruelty is crushing us?
Art thou not God Of justice, and vet
we are robbed of all that makes life en-
durable? 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 destruc-
! tive passion of avarice. Wilt thou not
break the stony heart before us, and
| bend his stubborn will to thine? Thou
knowst that because of our love we
could die for our dear ones, but we be-
Heve that thou dost love them even
more. Wilt thou not in thy mercy
change their destroyers 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 for us all. Amen" .s
Strange to say, there was a responsive
"Amen" from the rough crowd that
would have done honor to q Methodist
on rising, L saw many eyes wet with
tears where I had expected only looks
of scorn / did not dare meet Mr.. FL
liott's eye, though he remained stand
ing spell-bound in the doorway still.
But the tragedy went forward with
out a moments pause. Mrs. Elliott
took step nearer the rumseller. pointed
up with an impressive gesture, and
bent upon him look such as I never
saw on woman's face before; for a mir
ror in the bar opposite revealed her
form and features perfectly, and gave
her back to the audience as a startling
picture. Hill tried to meet her eye, but
could not, for his sank guiltily and con-
fusedly to the floor. ..r .... .....a0
"Mr. HILL" she said in low, gentle
voice, it was SO penetrating and awe-in-
spring, "once more I ask you, [ be-
seech you, answer me as you will wish
you had answered when we 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: as
"It'snot in man to resist you, madam.
[ promise [ will not sell any more to
your husband, though he will get it else
/ where, if he wantsit. Think it's pity
he can't stand up for himself without
sending his wife around a-praying and
beseeching for him. t..... ..-... So. j..
"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 ell
ement entered into the drama, and all
gave way before him. Mrs. Elliott
started and trembled violently at his
voice, and, the moment he reached her,
chung to his arm, and hid her face sob
bingly on his shoulder. All her wonder
full nerve and self-eontrol seemed gone.
In a clear ringing tone, Elliott said:
'sMr. Hill, you have spoken some
true words this morning. This is no
place, this is no action, for ladies like
my wife and other honored women that
I see here; and, believe me, they would
not be here if you and I, 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 [ have read concerning myself in
the morning paper, l wonder that my
wife did not leave me forever in utter
disgust. Instead of that, with woman's
faithfulness, 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 mod
Grafton at your bar, as I 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 citizens, be my
witnesses that [ 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.
=" make no apology for what oc-
CURED last night, he continued. "The
case admits of none. L deserve your
contempt, but it cannot exceed that
which I have for myself. We're. it not
for my wife and the hope of retrieving
my character, L would gladly die
"Hurrah !! Three cheers for Elliott,
who faces the matter like a man p cried
a voice from the crowd, and they were
given with good will.
Mrs. Judge Ashman now came for
ward, and said: s~ a.si~aa
"Mr., Hill, this won't answer. My
son is as dear to me as Mrs. Elliott
husband to her. We all represent some
imperilled member Of our households.
You must promise to quit the business
altogether in our city h -
edo you see that?" asked pale. thin
woman, a mechanics wife, and she Lifted
her hair and showed an LILY
scar acrsss her temple. My own nus
band, once SO kind and good, gave me
that blow. 1t went in deep. It nearly
cost me my life. But it made deeper
scar ON my heart. People must stop sell
ing rum to my husband, or I can't live.
l feel that [ will do. something desper-
| ate" - @t@"'