Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-03-11
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| NONuluB nuNu udIltutui ho uiS
ccughed. Met some friends at Harry
Hill's-took little too much-thats all"
Harry Hills, Harry Hills" she NUT
tered, as if some new light was dawninl
upon her.
| have dwelt too long upon these painful
scenes, but they seem burnt in upon my
memory and my mind will revert to them
even though to think Of them is torture
lie was not violent, though somewhat OBJ
stinate and prolane. AZ last she got him
to bed, and he fell into heavy stupor. As
she returned to me in the dinng.room,
where there was a fire, | said
| will not leave you tonight"
She thanked me by a silent pressure Of
the hand and we sat down to watch to.
gether as before, but with the awful Ger.
tainty Of evil instead Of its expectation
In the depths Of my soul ! trembled for
her. She might stand one or two such
shocks, but the moment she lost faith in her
husbands will or power to refrain from the
cause Of his present condition, she would
die. Her hold upon life was too fragile as
it was.
She stepped to her husbands side from
time to time, and then came aud sat down.
Her brows were contracted, as if in deep
thought or the formation Of purpose. Her
eyes had a Fixed, solemn look that contrasted
strangely with her fair young face. AT
last she asked suddenly
Where is this Harry llilrs2"
told her.
Morning came, after a seeming age. We
had cleansed and righted the parlor as well
as we could. The cook got breakfast as
usual and was told that her master was
sick. tried to anticipate Mrs. Elliott in
obtaining the morning paper from the news
boy but she was too quick for me. With
dilating eyes she scanned the columns then,
with a cry of anguish, dropped the paper.
"Its all here" she groaned, and she
writhed and wrung her hands as if in in.
tense bodily anguish.
1t was, true enough, and with an edito-
rial paragraph Of comment upon it. A re-
porter of the paper was in the habit Of fee
ing some Of the night guardians Of the city
for any item Of interest that came to their
knowledge. The policeman knew that this
scandal Of Vinton Elliott would be well
paid for, and he was not the man to lose
several dollars on any sentimental grounds
Even the night editors sensibilities seemed
shocked over the affair, for he had written
Things have come to a sad pass when
such men as Elliott get down in the
streets. If the praying and singing women
can do US any good, they had better come
at once. Harry Hills establishment, with
all it's style, is one Of the most mischiev'
Gus places in town." etc.
After few moments she again siezed
the paper.
"Oh, leave it alone" !" Icried. You've
had more than you can endure now"
am not child Z" she answered
almost fercely 81 intend TO know and
face the worst of this matter, and with 0
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 look of fixed pur
pose and asked
How long do you think be will sleep2 p
"Seyeral hours"
Then come with me-
Where2"
ITO Mrs. Judge Ashmans."
The judges family was just sitting down
to breakfast when we arrived.
why, Mrs. Elliott, and Mrs. NJ
too !" exclaimed that good lady, in unfeigDed
surprise What is the natter Surely
this is not social call"
mo" said Mrs Elliott impetuously, d" il
is not. Mrs. Ashman, take back all
said about ladies going to liquor saloons, in
order to break them up if they can. am
going to Harry Hills to-day, il | 20 alone
He about the same as murdered my hus
band last night" and she briefly told her
story. am going there this very morn
ing she continued. lie must resist q
wife's prayers aud wife's curses if he sell,
my husband one drop more. viii you &C
with met"
Mrs. Ashman's features were working
with deep emotion, but the stately judge
now joined US from the dining.room, anC
demonstrated
Really, Mrs. Elliott, greatly sym
pathize with you, for | have read the pain
full account in the morning paper, but
hope you will do nothing rash. You viii
only expose yourself to insult, and accom-
plish nothing. Perhaps you may Obtain
some legal redress
With a dignity aud impressveness which
even he had never possessed upon the bench
the aroused wife silenced him with gesture
You are mot equal to this matter, Judge
Asbman," she said, "nor are your lega
forms. During the past night | have seer
my own grave open, and in it buried life
youth, happiness. What is far worse,
have seen the yawning grave of my husband
and know it to be the mouth of hell
And do you ask me to go to law about such
matters Harry Hill and his kind are dig
ging these graves. | never realized it be-
fore. Surely he does not. Unless he is q
fend, he will cease his vile traffic when !
tell him the truth. | tell you aoiH 90, il
| 60 alone You may as well ask the light
ming not to strike when the storm is at III
height! "
George" cried Mrs Ashman in voice
of anguish, "how often has your own sor
been drunk at that same Harry Hills ? "
The judge turned pale and abruptly left
the room.
"Y You shall not 90 alone" continued
Mrs. Ashman, sobbing on Mrs Elliott
shoulder "a score of women that know
of, smltten by this terrible curse, will q
with you, if you will lead the way. Som'
are rich and somc ara noor hut we alI hav,