Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1893-05-16
A PAIR OF KIDS.
How Two Children Turned the
Tide of Battle on Election Day.
(Copyrighted.)
WRITTEN by TALLIE MoRGAH.

The liquor men had confidently pre-
dicted victory of two to one for Oil
cense."
The liquor league had never been so
thoroughly organized. and it was well
known that an unlimited amount of
money had been at its command.
1t had carried on a vigorous war of
falsehood and intimidation. Business
men had been coerced into silence or
open advocacy of License.
The day of battle had arrived.
LICENSE Or No LICENSE" was the
question.
Bands of children paraded the streets,
singing gospel songs. Women we're at
work at the polls pleading with the
voters to vote for No License.
Mothers entreated for the sake Of
their wayward boys.
Wives implored for the sake of desc
late homes and starving children.
Daughters labored for the sake of
onoe loving, but now cruel fathers.
A little after the noon hour a great
crowd was gathered around the polling
place.
The manager of the liquor forces was
heard to say:
"Boys, we're all right. There amt
enough temperance people in this whole
town to defeat us now. We have the
stuff an money goes; see? Prayin'
an preachin' is all right in church, but
when it comes to votin'. its business.
See that fellow over there? Well, he is
big gun down in that there church,
but to-day he voted for License. Why?
Business, of course. The business men
of this town dare not oppose us, for
they know that we'd turn on the screws:
see?"
The speech was received with mani
festations of approval by those who
heard it, for they well knew that a
License" victory meant an open bar
and free beer for some days to come.
Just at this point, two little children,
boy and girl, We're crowding their
way up to the voting booth.
The boy was absut 9 years old, bare
footed, and with vagged clothes The
little girl was about years old. thinly
clad, with little toes peeping out through
well-worn shoes. The boy had firm
hold of the little girls hand, and they
seemed determined to reach the voting
booth
As they persistently pushed their
way through the crowd, a great. big
fisted rough looking fellow called out
in rasping voice:
''What do you want
eve WANT TO VOTE" firmly answered
the boy.
''Oh, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha-a-a-h! Ho,
BOYS. see here; here's two kids that
wants to vote! Oh, ha, ha, ha, ha,
hah!"
''Who are they? Put them on that
box, shouted voice.
Instantly the two child rem were
lifted on to the box so that they We're
in full view of the crowd.
What do you want to vote for,
young uns?" asked the big-fisted fellow.
1--WE want to vote TO close the drunk
shops" said the little girl. Mamma
said if there was more votes for local
local-local-"
'Option," added the boy,
Yes, local option. the drunk shops
would be shut up and papa would not
get drunk any more, an never whip
mamma an me an Jack, but bring all
his money home an we would get lots
of new clothes"
''And," added the little fellow, wed
have new things in the house; carpets
an chairs an dishes an a rocking horse
an would get new suit of clothes
an shoes an lots of things, SOS l could
go to school,"
Yes" broke in the little girl, an
mamma said if there was no drunk
shops, Santa Claus would come to our
house and bring Jack books and toys,
and me big doll, like the saloon mans
little girl has, And the bright eyes of
the little tot fairly sparkled as she
drew the picture.
and" she continued, me an Jack
come here to vote. Can we?"
What's the matter with the crowd?
Why so many handkerchiefs out 80
suddenly and why the snutfiing and
coughing and wiping of eyes?
The big-f1sted fellow is actually cry
ing! Great big tears are coursing down
his cheeks!
Jerusalem, boys" said he, 'TM
GOING To VOTE FOR THE BOY; WHO'LL
VOTE FOR THE GIRL?'
From scores of throats came the
prompt reply, II WILL
"Well. then, get in line here, and
we'll vote out the drunk shops yet.
These kids are goin' to vote good
many times to-day"
How quickly 1.-The boys got in line.
The news of the sudden change
spread through the town like wildfire.
Easy-going and faint-hearted temper
ance and Christian men, whose cry of
''you can't do it," had discouraged
many a worker, fully expected a liquor
victory, and therefore did not consider
it worth while to GO to the polls, heard
"the story of the kids and were at
once aroused.
Business men, who from various rea-
sons had decided not to commit them
selves either way were moved to action,
and there was a great hocking to the
polls.
As every voter arrived, he was at
once taken possession of by the boys
and asked to ''vote for the kids" who
were now sitting ON box watching
with wonder the long line of voters.
The liquor managers tried to turn
back the tide, but without avail. The
little children S pathetic appeal had gone
down deep into the hearts OF that crowd,
and no power on earth could induce any
of them to vote for the drunk shops.
that had made life so dark and miser-
able and wretchsd for those innocent
children. 55s
When the result was made known,
mo License" had carried the day by a
big majority.
The church bells rang out their notes
Of Joy and thankfulness.
Bonfires were kindled in the public
streets.
That night a grand union meeting
was held In one of the largest churches.
The kids were on the platform and
The. story of the days battle and how
the'victory had been won was again re-
lated.
Every heart was touched.
n - 81 tad