Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-04-02

! protection, and Virginia and Rachel
| were always under the protection of
| Rollin or DR.. West. Rachel's power in
song had not diminished. Rather with
each night it seemed to add to the in
tensity and reality Of the Spirits pres
! ence.
| Gray had at first hesitated about
| having a meeting that night, but he
had a simple rule of action and was al
ways guided by it. The Spirit seemed
to lead them to continue the meeting,
and so Saturday night he went on. as
usual
The excitement all over the city had
reached it's climax when the polls closed
at clock. Never had there been such
a contest in Raymond. The issue of
license or no license had never been an
issue under such circumstances. Never
before had such elements in the city
been arrayed against each other. It was
an unheard of thing that the president
of Lincoln college, the pastor of the
First church, the dean Of the cathedral,
the professional men living in the fine
houses on the boulevard, should come
personally into the wards and by their
presence and their example represent
the Christian conscience of the place
The ward politicians were astonished
at the sight. However, their astonish-
ment did not prevent their activity.
The fight grew hotter every hour, and
when o'clock came neither side could
have guessed at the result with any GER
tainty. Every one agreed that never
had there been such an election in Ray
mond, and both sides awaited the an
nouncement of the result with the
greatest interest
It was after 10 o'clock when the
meeting at the tent was closed It had
been strange and in some respects a
remarkable meeting. Henry Maxwell
had come down again at Gray's request.
He was completely worn out by the
days work, but the appeal from Gray
came to him in such form that he did
not feel able to resist it, Donald Marsh
was also present. He had never been to
the Rectangle, and his curiosity was
aroused from what he had noticed Of
the influence Of the evangelist in the
worst part Of the city. DR.. West and
Rollin had come with Rachel and Vir-
ginia, and Loreen, who had staid with
in her right mind, sober, with humil-
ity and dread of herself that kept her
as close to Virginia as faithful dog.
All through the service Loreen sat with
bowed head, weeping part of the
time, sobbing when Rachel sang the
song, 81 was a wandering sheep"
clinging with almost visible, tangible
yearning to the one hope she had found,
listening to prayer and appeal and con-
fession all about her like one who was
a part of a new creation, yet fearful Of
her right to share in it fully.
The tent had been crowded AS on
some other occasions, there was more
or less disturbance on the outside of the
tent. This had increased as the night
advanced, and Gray thought it wise
not to prolong the service. Once in
awhile a shout as from a large crowd
swept into the tent The returns from
the election were beginning to come in,
and the RectanGle had emptied every
lodging house, den and howell into the
streets.
In spite of the distractions, Rachel's
singing kept the crowd in the tent from
dissolving. There were @ dozen or more
COllN cIS1O1lS 1LIdI1J liIc C1ONu DcCttILt
restless, and Gray closed the service,
remaining a little while with the con
vertS.
Rachel, Virginia, Loreen, ROllin and
the doctor, President Marsh ana Henry
Maxwell went out together, intending
to go down to their usual waitin; place
for their car AS they came out Of the
tent they at once were aware that the
Rectangle was trembling on the edge of
a drunken riot, and as they pr he'd
through the gathering mobs in the mar
row streets they began to realize that
they themselves were objects of great
attention.
s'There he is the bloke in the tall
hat. He's the leaderl'' shouted rough
voice President Marsh, with his erect
commanding figure, was conspicuous in
the little company.
Chow has the election gone? 1t is
too early to know the result yet, isn't
it2" 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 Godl hope it is true" ex-
claimed Henry Maxwell "Marsh. we
are in danger here. Do you realize our
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