The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-29

souls came down the street arm In arm
toward Tadford's store, some did laugh,
but it was soft, like you would at babies;
and some just cried, and some said,
"Lord bless 'em and help 'em'' andla
good many went down to Tadford's
along with 'em to see what would come
oft.
Tom Tadford stands at his store calm
and solemn-like, and sees 'em coming
down slow and steady, with their good
faces all turned toward him; and he just
says nothing, but steps back and let's
'em pass him.
"Are you the proprietor Of this store,
sirW says one OF the ladies'.
eyes, ma'am," says he. ~ am; Pm
Thomas Tadford."
Says she, "We,ve come hereto ask the
Lord to strengthen you to give up the
wicked trade OF liquor-selling; to show
you how wrong it is and how you lose
your soul and the soul OF others by it..
We've come here to pray Satan out Of
this house, if we can"
sGo on,o says Tom. "Pray as much
as you like, only remember this: rum
selling may be crime, but it is all that
gives me bread for my children. Rum
drinking brings some to sorrow, but
they'd drink it somewhere, and why not
fiere2 L can't tell my wife 70 60 to the
babes with her. i can't do that. It's my
do it IL you cam"
He pcrched himself up on the counter
then, and folded his arms, and down
tncy went ON their knees, and how they
prayed! Even the old loaters at the
store kept still; and when one old lady
lifted up her voice high and shrill over
the resi-, and said:
"On, God Let One who has sons plead
for uhe sons OF other women. Save them
from the drunkard's lite and the drunk
ards grave"
/ heard old Timothy Hagan, who
wasn't sober once q year, sob like o
baby.
Pray, pray, pray. OH they meant it,
Spirit of the Lord came down amongst
'em, it seemed to grow so Eoly all about
them. =
All of sudden there was another wo-
man kneeling there with baby in her
arms, ior all the world like picture OF
Mary, the mother, with the holy child on
her breast. Aud above all the voices
rose her voice sweet and strong.
s'God look down in mercy" said she,
"and wash our hands Of this crime. Let
us starve II we must, but don't let us
hurry others to worse than death; don't
let us be drunkard makers. Save usl
save us | save usW
1t was Fanny Tadford, and knew by
the look that came into her husbands
face that the praying band would 60
away happy from Tadiord's.
He rose up to his feet, Tadfor6 did.
"Lord help mew said he, "pll sell
liquor no longer. II perish, perish,
but I'll do right. Get up, Fanny, unless
You are kneeling there to thank Him, for
You've got your way at last. My men,
help me, viii you, to pitch the liquor
ME lie did it, Tadford did, and every one
helped him, loafers and ali. 10 be sure,
some Of 'em went of with bottles in their
pockets, and old Hagan Iilled his greasy
nat with gin,. but out the liquor went,
these women thanking God all the time
until they came to the old barrel OF hard
cider.
1t took two men to shoulder that, for it
was full. Tad1ord was one. AS he lifted
it. the big veins started out on his fore
head, and he staggered, but out it went
like the rest, ana down the yellow stuff
poured into the gutter, and one old pray
ing lady gave scream Of joy.
And Fanny Tadford she gave another
scream, and 1 saw her run toward the
spot where the barrel had stood and
pick something up.
"Uncle Riggan," she says to me, "catch
hold OF nle-I'm turning faint. I've
found it'll Pye found itp
And 10! and behold, there was old Tad
lords oil silk bag in herhands, and in it
the coupon bonds, all sound and safe.
They were ten thousand dollars the
ricner for>the emptyiny OF that old bar
rel, for the bag was just beginning to
rot, and in little more the coupon
ponds would have been destroyed.
The praying band found out what. had
happened, and there never were such
glad folks before. They are good women
no doubt about it.
Yes;o course, the old man hid the bag
where it was found, just before he died;
no doubt about it. And that's Tadford's
over there. No liquor IN his shop now,
l tell you. And Fanny has grown
young and pretty again in this little
while; for the mortgage is paid, and the
miserable drinking she hated 30 is
stopped, and she's a happy woman.
Three cheers for the praying band,
say L.
/u.aN Naxyo ,oaa-k