The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-03-23
STORY OF a HARD LIE ssoN.
Death from the Dram ShOp-HOw a
Voter Came 10 The Conclusion that
the saloons Must be Closed.


"Of course You intend to vote the pro-
hibition ticket Henry?"
"0f course | DON'T
''You DON'T Not vote the temperance
ticket?''
"No.''
'You astonish mel a temperance man,
too. thought you had more interest in
the matter than to let that CO.
81 have too much in my business to do
it. Now see here, Mary, don't look at me
like that am no worse than other men
You know | am temperance man, but |
must consider my business, and it hurts a
man to be too strong temperance man. ;"
"Well then, would be hurt; would do
right and take the consequences"
ooh, that's very easy for you to say, bnt
it's another thing for me to do. I'm will
ing to do everything in reason, but | can't
be saint"
$50 yon'll vote with the whisky menr'
81 shall vote with the same party I've
voted with for years"
Eyes, the party that has licensed these
saloons. think you will have to answer
for your share in the business then
Nonsense, Mary, don't be so extreme. :"
And Mr.. Lane, influential and official
member of his church, went to his store in
slightly rufled state. He met lady on
the way who babe him good morning.
Its terrible, isn't it ?' she said making
slight gesture toward the saloon close
beside them, where a man was sweeping
out the accumulated filth. These places
all along the best streets, too, where one
can't avoid them. hope the new party
will be strong enough to do away with the
whole business before long. That is your
party, suppose, Mr.. Lane?"
''You ladies seem to be going into pol
itics in earnest" he answered, evasively;
my wife talked nothing else at break
fast, . and he raised his hat and passed on.
But he did not feel altogether comfortable.
He had known this lady, Mrs Lewis since
she was a child--her husband, too, fine
man; but he would drink, sometimes Mr.
Lane wondered il he was at it now. He
remembered that Mrs Lewis had come
ont of drug store; she looked pale, too,
and it was strange, her being out so early
in the morning. He had thought of 1T be-
fore, but he had not seen Lewis for some
days. That must be the trouble. Why
couldn't man be a man and let liquor
alone, he asked himself, impatiently
Then, like fash, there came the remem-
brance of pale face, and he seemed to
hear the words, you don't know what a
struggle have every day of my life. Oh,
il the saloons were only closedw He
hurried on to his store. and put aside all
thought of the matter in attention to his
business.
In the afternoon, as he was passing along
the street, he came Suddenly upon knot
of excited people. Two policemen stood
speaking in low, quick tones.
Giles deadt' said one; ''1'm sure of it,
The bullet went through his brain, they
said" A young man stood in the door
way motioning the people back from the
closed door His face was deathly white,
and there was blood on his hands, and on
the piece of goods lie still held mechanic
ally Mr.. Lane started when he saw him;
was Lewis store; he had not seen that be-
fore
"What is it? What is 2" he asked
excitedly. The young man opened his
lips, but made no sound. Lewis has
shot himself, said man at his elbow in
a low tone; "he's been on a spree for
week, and he got away from home and
came here and shot himself | beg par
don for being so blunt about it, did not
know you were friend of his; come in
here and sit down a minute" and he drew
him toward the next door, for he had
grown SO white it frightened the man.
But Mr.. Lane shook his head.
Lewis shot HIMSELF" he said slowly;
he could not make it ont. Why, he had
been almost like a son to this middle aged
man standing there half paralyzed by the
terrible news; Lewis shot.
1t could not be. Nj en- did shoot them
selves; he saw it every day i'm the papers,
but not like this. Why, he knew this man
such smart, handsome young fellow.
aud now he had shot himselfl
''You don't know what struggle have
every day of my life. OH il the saloons
were only closed" The words flashed
through his mind. lie looked around at
the wagons rafting up and down the street,
the people hurrying along the sidewalk,
the grim policemen the white faced young
man with the blood on his hands, and the
hot sun glaring down on them all, and over
across the street a big white sign, .'Wines
and liquors."
He felt a sickening feeling of terror.
'You had better come in here and sit
down a minute, said the man at his ell,
bow again. He, shook his head. His
father and were friends, you see, and
I've known him since he was boy" be
said, by way of explanation. then he walk
ed slowly along down the street.
An acquaintance met him, rushing ex-
t.