Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-09-21
they themselves were objects of great

they themselves were objects of great
attention.
"There he is, the bloke in the tall
hat. He's the leaderi" shouted rough
voice. President Marsh, with his erect,
commanding figure, was conspicuous in
the little company
"How has tho election gomez It is
too early to know the result yet, isn't
itT" He asked the question aloud and
man answered: "They say second
and third wards have gone almost solid
for no license. If that is so, the whisky
men have been beaten.
THANK God hope it is true, ex-
claimed Henry Maxwell "Marsh we
situation? We ought to get the ladies
to place Of safety. "
"That is true" said Marsh gravely.
At that moment shower of stones and
other missiles fell over them. The mar
row street and sidewalk in front Of them
were completely choked with the worst
elements of the Rectangle.
"This looks serious" said Maxwell
| With Marsh and Rollin and DR.. West
he started to go forward through the
small opening. Virginia, Rachel and
/ Loreen following close and sheltered by
the men, who now realized something
| of their danger. The Rectange was
drunk and enraged. 1t saw in Daniel
Marsh and Henry Maxwell two of the
leaders in the election contest who had
perhaps robbed them of their beloved
saloon.
Down with the aristocratsl" shout
ed a shrill voice, more like woman s
! than mans.
A shower Of mud and stones followed.
| Rachel remembered afterward that
Rollin jumped directly in front of her
and received on his head and chest
number of blows that would probably
have struck her if he had not shielded
her from them.
And Just then, before the police
reached them, Loreen darted forward
at the side of Virginia and pushed her
aside looking up and screaming. 1t
was so sudden that no one had time to
catch the face Of the one who did it.
But ont of the upper window Of room
over the very saloon where Loreen had
come out q week befora some one had
thrown heavy bottle, 1t struck Loreen
on the head and she fell TO the ground.
Virginia turned and instantly kneeled
down by her The police officers by that
time had reached the little company.
Donald Marsh raised his arm and
shouted over the howl that was begin
ming to rise from the wild beast in the
mob.
"Stopl You've killed a womanl'
The announcement partly sobered the
crowd.
"Is it true?" Henry Maxwell asked
as Dr. West kneeled on tho other side Of
Loreen. supporting her.
"She's dyingl' said DR.. West briefly.
Loreen opened her eyes and smiled at
Virginia. Virginia wiped the blood
from her face and then bent over and
kissed her. Loreen smiled again, and
the next moment her soul was in para
disc.
And yet this is only one woman out
Of. thousands killed by this drink devil
Crowd back now, ye sinful men and
women in this filthy street Let this
august dead form be borne through
your stupefed sobered ranks She was
one of your own children. The Rectan-
gle had stamped the image of the beast
on her. Thank him who died for sin
ners that the other image of a new soul
now shines out of her pale clay. Crowd
back Give them rooml Let her pass
reverently, followed and surrounded by
the weeping, awestruck company of
Christians Ye killed her, ye drunken
murderers! And yet, and yet, o Chris
tan America who killed this woman
Stand back Silence therel A woman
has been killed. Who? Loreen, child OF
the streets-poor drunken vile sinner
O Lord God, how long? Yes; the saloon
killed her-that is, the voters III Chris
tian America who license the saloon.
And the Judgment day only snail de
clare who was the murderer Of Loreen,
| TO RE OONTINI-ED