The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-06-15
A PAIR OHHkIDS.,
An Election Day Story of the Triumph oi
Temperance.

The excitement was intense.
The contest had been a long and
6erce one.
The liquor men had confidently pre-
dicted victory of two to one for ''li-
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
II 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 ques-
ton.
Bands of children paraded the streets,
singing gospel songs Women were at
work at the polls, pleading with the
voters to vote for no-license
Mothers entreated for the sake of
their hayward boys
Wives implored for the sake of DESC
late homes and starving children.
Daughters labored for the sake of
once 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 and money goes, see?
Prayin an preachin' is all right in
church, but when it comes to votin',
it's 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, fer 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
"license" victory meant an open bar
and free beer for some days to come.
Just at this point two little children,
boy and girl, were crowding their
way up to the voting booth.
Fhe boy was about nine years old,
barefooted, and with ragged clothes.
The little girl was about six 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
listed, rough-looking fellow called out
in rasping voice:
''What do you want?"
'We want to VOTE" firmly answered
the boy.
"Oh, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha-a-h! Ho, boys,
Gee here; here's too kids that wants to
votel Oh, ha, ha, ha, ha hah!"
"Who are they? Put them on that
box" shouted voice.
Instantly the two children were lift
ed on to the box SO that they were IN
full view of the crowd
''What do you want to vote for, young
uns?" asked the big-fsted fellow.
1--WE want to vote to close the drunk
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, ''we'd
have new things in the house; carpets
an chairs an dishes an a rocking
horse, an l would get new suit of
clothes an shoes an lots of things, SOS
could go to school"
Eyes, 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,
little girl has" And the bright eyes
of the little tot fairly sparkled as she
drew the picture.
'And," she continued, "me and Jack
come here to vote. Can we?'
What's the matter with the crowd?
Why so many handkerchiefs out so
suddenly. and why the snufiiing and
coughing and wiping of eyes? The
big-fisted fellow is actually crying!
Great big tears are coursing down his
cheeks
Jerusalem, boys" said he, I'm
going to vote for the boy; who'll vote
for the girl?''
From scores of Threats came the
prompt reply, Il will!'
''Wel, 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 the boys" got into line.
The news of the sudden change spread
through the town like wildfire.
Easy-going and faint-hearted tenn
perance and Christian men, whose cry
of "You can't do it," had discouraged
many worker, fully expected liquor
victory, and therefore did not consider
it worth while to go to the polls, heard
the story of 1.-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