The Press., 1896-09-24
w. C. T. U.
The Quaker Editor and the Bully
BY REV. G. D. COLEMAN.

A Quiet Quaker who began the publica- tion of a weekly paper in a western town, soon showed his colors by attacking the | rum interests He published the facts | about some of the worst saloons and | resorts, calling them "ulcers on the body | of the community" He was especially | marked and pointed in regard to a saloon | Ion the corner of Third and Pine streets, | whose proprietor is George w." The day after the issue of the paper big-ist- | ed saloon-keeper came into the editorial | saunctum and in domineering tones de- livered himself as follows: "Seo here. Did you write this? ?" The editor glanced quite carelessly over the column indicated, and answered in a cool voice, "Yea, did,"
 You drab-caatee-" (here hO gave vent to lot of profane adjectives). "Do you know that hurts my business 2"
 ''Yea and I am glad it does."
 "You are glad it does?"
 "Yea, friend that is what I said"
 The rumseller was too surprised by his unexpected manner to reply for moment then he swore for awhile, but as that did not seem to have the effect he expected, he said: ''Wen, Pm here just to warn you that if you print any more against the liquor business in this town we'll make 1t hot for you. Now you have had your warning and you can take it o1 not"
 "And supposing I don't take it?
 "Then look out for yourself, that's all"
 That is thee means that personal vio- lence will be used2'' Upon this the editor took some notes on page of paper that lay before him.
 ''It means that he will kick you out of the town"
 ""Kick you out of town" repeated the editor writing it down. Good and is that all 2'
 "We'n burn your shanty over your head if you ever come back again, and tar and feather you"
 "'Burn shanty, tar and feather" re- peated the editor, taking notes of the in- terview. "Go on friend anything else ?"
 The bully was somewhat mystificd, and showed some signs of weakening" The editor poised his pen and waited. There was moments silence, then the priest of Bacchus growled, "We'll make it hot for you"
 I've mean 1t, too," snarled the saloon keeper, beginning to think he had caught a tartar.
 ''I am glad to hear thee speak so frank ly," replied the editor, and turning his chair around, he looked at the angry man with pair of blue eyes that showed any thing but fear. But does the know what I Intend to do? 1 shall publish every word of this interview that thee has been pleased to give me. I shall let the good citizens know that thee has threatened me and my property with vio- fence, and if in the future any violence is done, the authorities will know upon whom they have to lay their hands More than this, shall tell more of the doings at thy place than have told yet. And more, if thee comes here again to threat en me with what thee and thy comrades in sin propose to do, will turn thee over to the authorities for trespassing on my property. Thy name is George ". Thy saloon is on the corner of Third and Pine. Now that have all the particulars thee may go, while write the article"
 There was an impressive silence. The cowed bully eyed the editor with rage and hesitancy, but the eye of the Quaker was calm as a mirror. Besides, the bully noted that he was broad shouldered weighed about one hundred and ninety pounds, and his hands looked as if he had once followed the blow or wield the sledge. The bully quietly went out, the editor began work on the interview, and naught was heard but the scratching of the editorial pen.
 Rev. John Wesley gave this burning testimony against the crime of liquor selling:
 "ThOse who sell this poison murder men by wholesale. Neither does their eye pity nor spare. They drive them to hell like sheep. And what is their gain Is it not the blood of these men Who then, would envy their large estates and sumptueus palacesP A curse is in the midst of them the curse of God cleavcs to the stones, the timber, the furniture of