Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-03-11

ence, delivering as he did go 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 gener-
GUS favors for them to do that
But now the ladies had their chance
They knocked at the front door Of the
tavern, and Mrs. Higgins received them.
She gave them a cordial welcome, but
was somewhat overcome with dismay
when the six filed in. She showed them
into the parlor, and they took chairs
about the room in prim dignity. Mrs.
Higgins was overcome, and remained
silent Miss Mary Ferguson, maiden
lady of 60, who devoted herself to man
aging town affairs as much as she was
permitted, was spokesman, and began;
"Mis' Higgins, we come to express
our deep sympathy for your loss. He
had his good qualities, and was gen.
rous hearted man. Nobody ever said
he want. We hope you bear up under
the grief as well as could be expected. y
ayes, 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 Shortcomings, said
Miss Ferguson promptly as soon as she
saw the tears.
"We 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. "You can't deny, Mis- Higgins,
that he did that most scandalous.
II won't hear nothin agin Joe" pro-
tested his spouse, weeping afresh.
lyon cant deny that he made drunk
ards" went on Miss Ferguson, little
maliciously.
"You 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 a
glass of cider right in my face one time
and sh Id think you'd be SO shamed OF
il You wouldn't know what to do. You
was always a churchgoin woman, even
after you merried him. "
Mrs, Higgins was now weeping copl'
ously, and the visitors remained grimly
silent. AS Miss Ferguson was about tt
break it by some further remark, LIS
beth pushed open the door and stared al
them all in amazement, She had CONT
in quite accidentally and had not know
before of their presence She looked
sweepingly about the room and saw tn
stern features Of Miss Ferguson and TIN
tears Of her mother.
"What nave you been saying to moth
sri' she demanded a tride fercely.
"oh, don't say anything rash,' pre-
tested Mrs. Higgins. They've been &c
cusin your father after he's dead an
gone.
1--WE didn't come to say ncthin abou
Joe Higgins that you didn't know youl
self already" put in Mrs. Farley, VIII
was tender hearted little woman. Nv
only wanted to say we expected you,
a church member and bein woman,
stop the iniuitqy that we couldn't mai
, him stop. Joe Higgins want no churc
, member and that made difference. "
!, But 'Lisbeth was reused. 81
I wouldn't be forced to do anything /
! anybody, and she declared that if 81
was as good as her father she guesse
!. she'd be good enough for anybody.
9 As a matter Of fact Lisbeth detestt
. the liquor selling as much as any Of h
visitors did, and possibly more, and hi
determined from the first to do avn
: with the small stock that remained. 81
: had even contemplated that very d'
\ taking it all out into the back yard al
q pouring 1t out on the ground. But 81
: wouldn't be forced to do anything.
" The contest was fierce and long, al
:, was finally ended by 'Lisbeth burstil
:, | violently into tears and rushing out
: the room. The strain upon her mind
!" the last few days had been too heavy.
When Alan cama home soon after.