The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-05-31
HOW WOMEN oUrw1rrED A nunsE1LEn.

It was toward the close of the war, The
boys from the front were coming home to
Moore's Hill, Ind. The college halls that
had been deserted at the first call:6ft bu-
gle were to be peopled again. The towns
life was to be taken DIP again where it had
been LETT off, and the people had turned face
expectantly to the future, says correspond
ent of the Commercial Gazette.
Quick to see that the growth Of the college
meant business opportunity to the town, at
this very time man established saloon IN
the place. The news spread through the
village, "a grog-shop hes been opened" You
may imagine the sensation that it stirred-a
grog-shop in Moore's Hill-and the worthy
old president Of the college in his catalogue
referring to the community as moral one,
where "such thing as saloon would not be
tolerated for an instant" The problems OF
the dark days of the war, the struggles with
poverty at the hearthside, equalled only by
those other struggles where cannon roared.
had sharpened the wits and quickened the
wills Of the women OF Moore's Hill. In IS
with them to hear was 70 think, to think was
to act and the first customer had scarcely
entered Moore's Hills new 'Caloon before the
door was darkened by woman's figure.
She was the spokesman for her neighbors-
come to buy out the shop, and In her hand
she held the purchase money.
buC a1u Z uGT0 u beu OuL i We ECL W
make living. and I'm goingto make it. I've
got as much right IN Moore's Hill as you
have, and money won't make me get out"
Thus spoke the keeper. If the potency Of
money had failed to oust him, one would
conclude that the attempt was over. BY no
means! A private meeting was held, where
was evolved the most novel method ,of war
'ars ever. WaSed by woman against man.
Next morning, before the astonished bar
keeper could interpose, file OF solemn
faced, determined women passed through the
door of the saloon, end having arranged
themselves deliberately about the room,
drew out their work bag, and adjusted their
Sewing caps. A customer now an then straS-
gled in al the door, He glanced sEeep;shly
along the walls at the awful sight that stared
lin in the face, ,funbled out q fow remarks
about the weather, the crops, and darted out
into the fresh air. The village doctor peered
through the door, and fed over the hills so
fast that, tradition says, the boys might have
played nine-pins upon his coat tails Thus
it went-rather, one should say, thus went
the customers. At noon not dram OF liquor
had been sold. The women had determined
to knit the saloon out OF town! Twelve
brought fresh relay OF knitting
women, but the saloon keeper, poor man,
had no relief force, and he stood at his post
all day long, unassisted. At six in the even
ing the throng Of the morning appeared
again and the next morning the keeper saw
once more his friends ofthe afternoon. Twice
he tried to smoke his unwelcome visitors
away. thrice he tried to lock them in but he
always failed. For days the unequal conflict
ragged. Meantime, no customer dared run
the gauntlet business was at a standstill.
The needles flew INCREASINGLY: the wtSlen
stockings grew and grew, and the saloon
owner Internationally surrendered. The
knitting needle is mightier than the deIni-
John, or words to that effect Now to make
this narrative Of 4 local legend romantic, one
need only add that the despised and persecu
ted, the outwitted and outknitted vendor OF
liquors became one Of the best known snd
most liked citizens of the community and
such is the fact