Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-13

The ,roTi: Of sorting. calculating and
reckoning mp uenf on buSfiy.
ence, delivering as he did SO long and
humorous argument in favor Of alcoholic
drinks. So they went away in despair
and disgust. OF course they might have
summoned the law against him. but he
had shown all of them too many gene--
Gus favcrs for them 70 do that.
But now the ladies had their chance.
They knocked at the frCnt door Of the
tavern. and Mrs. Higgins received them.
She gave them a cordial welcome. but
Was somewhat overcome with dismay
when the six tiled in. She showed them
into the parlor. and they took chairs
about tie room in priIn dignity. Mrs.
Higgins was overcome. and remained
silent. Miss Mary Ferguson, a maiden
lady Of GO, who devoted herself 70 man
aging town affairs as much rs she was
permitted. was spokesman. and began:
Mis- Higgins. we como to express
our deep sympathy for your loss. He
had his good qualities, and was a gen.
| rous hearted mau. Nobody ever said
be want. We hope you hear up under
the grief rs well as could be expected.
YES, Joe was a good man, and as
kind to his family as there ever was"
| replied Mrs. Higgins. melting in tears.
but he had his shor;comin' g." said
Miss Ferguson promptly as soon as she
| saw the tears.
I'VE all have" assented Mrs. Higgins,
checking her tears, for she perceived
that they were coming to the heart Of
the mystery.
And one Of them" went on the good
| lady, Twas feedin the devil in his own
lair. lyon can't deny. Mis- Higgins,
| that he did that most scandalous.
| II won't hear nothin agin Joe." pro-
| tested his spouse, weeping afresh.
''You can't deny that he made drunk
ards, went On Miss Ferguson, little
maliciously.
| lyon know. Mis- Higgins, we did
everything we could to stop him. and
he wouldn't stop a Bit" put in a very
fat matron at her right. He drunk
glass Of cider right in my face one time
and I sh ID think you d be so 'shamed Of
it you wouldn't know what to do. You
was always q churchgoin woman. even
after you merried him."
| Mrs. higgins was now weeping conf
ously, and the visitors remained grimly
silent. As Miss Ferguson was about to
break it by some further remark, Lis.
beth pushed open the door aud stared ut
them all in amszerent. She had come
in quite accidentally and had not known
before of their presence. She looked
sweepiDgly about the room and saw the
stern features Of Miss Ferguson and the
tears Of her mother.
"What have you been saying to moth
err" sine demanded a triae f,ercely.
"Oh, don't say anything rash," pro-
tested Mrs. Higgins. They I've been ac-
cusin your fathe- after he's dead and
gene"
Eve didn't come TO say no,hin about
joe higgins that you didn't know your
self already" put in Mrs. Farley, who
was tender hearted little woman. I'VE
only wanted to s=y we expected you, as
a church member and bein woman. to
stop the iniuitqy that we couldn't make
him stop. Joa Higgins wan { no church
member and that made difference.
| Eut 'Lisbsth was reused. She
wouldn I be forced to do anything by
anybody. and she declared that if she
was as good as her father she guessed
she d be good enough for anybody.
As matter Of fact 'Lisbeth siefested
the liquor selling as much as any Of her
visitors did. and possibly more, and had
determined from the first to do away
with the small stock that remained. She
had even contemplated that very day
taking 1t all oct into the back yard and
pouring it out On the ground. But she
wouldn't be forced to do anything.
The contest was fierce and long, and
was finally ended by 'Lisbeth bursting
violently into tears and rushing ont of
the room. The strain upon her mind Of
the last few days had been too heavy.
When Alec came home soon after, Inc
found the visitors taking q frigid leave
of Mrs. Higgins. He went into the store
as they came out the tavern door, and
not finding 'Lisbeth went to the kitchen
In search OF her. He found her sitting
at the Kitchen table. her head resting
on her ou;streiched arms, and she wal
sobbing. He went TO her in surprise,
and resting his hand on her shoulders
asked anxiously:
whats the matter:',
go way" said 'Lisbeth brokenly,
and he took a step back. She raised her
head and wiped away the tears, and a,
last controlling herself by great effort
told him Whist had happened. since he
knew her own views and previous in
tentions he could not help smiling. Th.
moment he smiled she perceived her in
consistency. and smiled family too. Bu'
she Immediately rose ~ if to dismis,
the subject. opened the oven door and
closed 1t with \ slam, and set to wori
to get supper.
"fou're all used up. and you oueh
to take vacation" said Alec.
"Hcw can I:i' She iuouirsa . i,s,i<