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+The Project Gutenberg Etext of Ten Nights in a Bar Room, by T. S. Arthur
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+Title: Ten Nights in a Bar Room
+
+Author: T. S. Arthur
+
+Release Date: December, 2003 [Etext #4744]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on March 12, 2002]
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+Edition: 10
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+Language: English
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+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT TEN NIGHTS IN A BAR ROOM ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Robert Rowe, Charles Franks
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+TEN NIGHTS IN A BAR ROOM
+
+BY T. S. ARTHUR
+
+
+
+
+
+NIGHT THE FIRST.
+
+THE "SICKLE AND SHEAF."
+
+
+Ten years ago, business required me to pass a day in Cedarville.
+It was late in the afternoon when the stage set me down at the
+"Sickle and Sheaf," a new tavern, just opened by a new landlord,
+in a new house, built with the special end of providing
+"accommodations for man and beast." As I stepped from the dusty
+old vehicle in which I had been jolted along a rough road for some
+thirty miles, feeling tired and hungry, the good-natured face of
+Simon Slade, the landlord, beaming as it did with a hearty
+welcome, was really a pleasant sight to see, and the grasp of his
+hand was like that of a true friend.
+
+I felt as I entered the new and neatly furnished sitting-room
+adjoining the bar, that I had indeed found a comfortable resting-
+place after my wearisome journey.
+
+"All as nice as a new pin," said I, approvingly, as I glanced
+around the room, up to the ceiling--white as the driven snow--and
+over the handsomely carpeted floor. "Haven't seen anything so
+inviting as this. How long have you been open?"
+
+"Only a few months," answered the gratified landlord. "But we are
+not yet in good going order. It takes time, you know, to bring
+everything into the right shape. Have you dined yet?"
+
+"No. Everything looked so dirty at the stage-house, where we
+stopped to get dinner, that I couldn't venture upon the experiment
+of eating. How long before your supper will be ready?"
+
+"In an hour," replied the landlord.
+
+"That will do. Let me have a nice piece of tender steak, and the
+loss of dinner will soon be forgotten."
+
+"You shall have that, cooked fit for an alderman," said the
+landlord. "I call my wife the best cook in Cedarville."
+
+As he spoke, a neatly dressed girl, about sixteen years of age,
+with rather an attractive countenance, passed through the room.
+
+"My daughter," said the landlord, as she vanished through the
+door. There was a sparkle of pride in the father's eyes, and a
+certain tenderness in the tones of his voice, as he said "My
+daughter" that told me she was very dear to him.
+
+"You are a happy man to have so fair a child," said I, speaking
+more in compliment than with a careful choice of words.
+
+"I am a happy man," was the landlord's smiling answer; his fair,
+round face, unwrinkled by a line of care or trouble, beaming with
+self-satisfaction. "I have always been a happy man, and always
+expect to be. Simon Slade takes the world as it comes, and takes
+it easy. My son, sir," he added, as a boy, in his twelfth year,
+came in. "Speak to the gentleman."
+
+The boy lifted to mine a pair of deep blue eyes, from which
+innocence beamed, as he offered me his hand, and said,
+respectfully--"How do you do, sir?" I could not but remark the
+girl-like beauty of his face, in which the hardier firmness of the
+boy's character was already visible.
+
+"What is your name?" I asked.
+
+"Frank, sir."
+
+"Frank is his name," said the landlord--"we called him after his
+uncle. Frank and Flora--the names sound pleasant to the ears. But
+you know parents are apt to be a little partial and over fond."
+
+"Better that extreme than its opposite," I remarked.
+
+"Just what I always say. Frank, my son,"--the landlord spoke to
+the boy--"there's some one in the bar. You can wait on him as well
+as I can."
+
+The lad glided from the room in ready obedience.
+
+"A handy boy that, sir; a very handy boy. Almost as good, in the
+bar as a man. He mixes a toddy or a punch just as well as I can."
+
+"But," I suggested, "are you not a little afraid of placing one so
+young in the way of temptation?"
+
+"Temptation!" The open brows of Simon Slade contracted a little.
+"No, sir!" he replied, emphatically. "The till is safer under his
+care than it would be in that of one man in ten. The boy comes,
+sir, of honest parents. Simon Slade never wronged anybody out of a
+farthing."
+
+"Oh," said I, quickly, "you altogether misapprehend me. I had no
+reference to the till, but to the bottle."
+
+The landlord's brows were instantly unbent, and a broad smile
+circled over his good-humored face.
+
+"Is that all? Nothing to fear, I can assure you. Frank has no
+taste for liquor, and might pour it out for mouths without a drop
+finding its way to his lips. Nothing to apprehend there, sir--
+nothing."
+
+I saw that further suggestions of danger would be useless, and so
+remained silent. The arrival of a traveler called away the
+landlord, and I was left alone for observation and reflection. The
+bar adjoined the neat sitting-room, and I could see, through the
+open door, the customer upon whom the lad was attending. He was a
+well-dressed young man--or rather boy, for he did not appear to be
+over nineteen years of age--with a fine, intelligent face, that
+was already slightly marred by sensual indulgence. He raised the
+glass to his lips, with a quick, almost eager motion, and drained
+it at a single draught.
+
+"Just right," said he, tossing a sixpence to the young bar-tender.
+"You are first rate at a brandy-toddy. Never drank a better in my
+life."
+
+The lad's smiling face told that he was gratified by the
+compliment. To me the sight was painful, for I saw that this
+youthful tippler was on dangerous ground.
+
+"Who is that young man in the bar?" I asked, a few minutes
+afterward, on being rejoined by the landlord.
+
+Simon Slade stepped to the door and looked into the bar for a
+moment.
+
+Two or three men were there by this time; but he was at no loss in
+answering my question.
+
+"Oh, that's a son of Judge Hammond, who lives in the large brick
+house as you enter the village. Willy Hammond, as everybody
+familiarly calls him, is about the finest young man in our
+neighborhood. There is nothing proud or put-on about him--nothing
+--even if his father is a judge, and rich into the bargain. Every
+one, gentle or simple, likes Willy Hammond. And then he is such
+good company. Always so cheerful, and always with a pleasant story
+on his tongue. And he's so high-spirited withal, and so honorable.
+Willy Hammond would lose his right hand rather than be guilty of a
+mean action."
+
+"Landlord!" The voice came loud from the road in front of the
+house, and Simon Slade again left me to answer the demands of some
+new-comer. I went into the bar-room, in order to take a closer
+observation of Willy Hammond, in whom an interest, not unmingled
+with concern, had already been awakened in my mind. I found him
+engaged in a pleasant conversation with a plain-looking farmer,
+whose homely, terse, common sense was quite as conspicuous as his
+fine play of words and lively fancy. The farmer was a substantial
+conservative, and young Hammond a warm admirer of new ideas and
+the quicker adaptation of means to ends. I soon saw that his
+mental powers were developed beyond his years, while his personal
+qualities were strongly attractive. I understood better, after
+being a silent listener and observer for ten minutes, why the
+landlord had spoken of him so warmly.
+
+"Take a brandy-toddy, Mr. H--?" said Hammond, after the discussion
+closed, good humoredly. "Frank, our junior bar-keeper here, beats
+his father, in that line."
+
+"I don't care if I do," returned the farmer; and the two passed up
+to the bar.
+
+"Now, Frank, my boy, don't belie my praises," said the young man;
+"do your handsomest."
+
+"Two brandy-toddies, did you say?" Frank made inquiry with quite a
+professional air.
+
+"Just what I did say; and let them be equal to Jove's nectar."
+
+Pleased at this familiarity, the boy went briskly to his work of
+mixing the tempting compound, while Hammond looked on with an
+approving smile.
+
+"There," said the latter, as Frank passed the glasses across the
+counter, "if you don't call that first-rate, you're no judge." And
+he handed one of them to the farmer, who tasted the agreeable
+draught, and praised its flavor. As before, I noticed that Hammond
+drank eagerly, like one athirst--emptying his glass without once
+taking it from his lips.
+
+Soon after the bar-room was empty; and then I walked around the
+premises, in company with the landlord, and listened to his praise
+of everything and his plans and purposes for the future. The
+house, yard, garden, and out-buildings were in the most perfect
+order; presenting, in the whole, a model of a village tavern.
+
+"Whatever I do, sir," said the talkative Simon Slade, "I like to
+do well. I wasn't just raised to tavern-keeping, you must know;
+but I am one who can turn his hand to almost any thing."
+
+"What was your business?" I inquired.
+
+"I'm a miller, sir, by trade," he answered--"and a better miller,
+though I say it myself, is not to be found in Bolton county. I've
+followed milling these twenty years, and made some little money.
+But I got tired of hard work, and determined to lead an easier
+life. So I sold my mill, and built this house with the money. I
+always thought I'd like tavern-keeping. It's an easy life; and, if
+rightly seen after, one in which a man is sure to make money."
+
+"You were still doing a fair business with your mill?"
+
+"Oh, yes. Whatever I do, I do right. Last year, I put by a
+thousand dollars above all expenses, which is not bad, I can
+assure you, for a mere grist mill. If the present owner comes out
+even, he'll do well!"
+
+"How is that?"
+
+"Oh, he's no miller. Give him the best wheat that is grown, and
+he'll ruin it in grinding. He takes the life out of every grain. I
+don't believe he'll keep half the custom that I transferred with
+the mill."
+
+"A thousand dollars, clear profit, in so useful a business, ought
+to have satisfied you," said I.
+
+"There you and I differ," answered the landlord. "Every man
+desires to make as much money as possible, and with the least
+labor. I hope to make two or three thousand dollars a year, over
+and above all expenses, at tavern-keeping. My bar alone ought to
+yield me that sum. A man with a wife and children very naturally
+tries to do as well by them as possible."
+
+"Very true; but," I ventured to suggest, "will this be doing as
+well by them as if you had kept on at the mill?"
+
+"Two or three thousand dollars a year against one thousand! Where
+are your figures, man?"
+
+"There may be something beyond money to take into the account,"
+said I.
+
+"What?" inquired Slade, with a kind of half credulity.
+
+"Consider the different influences of the two callings in life--
+that of a miller and a tavern-keeper."
+
+"Well, say on."
+
+"Will your children be as safe from temptation here as in their
+former home?"
+
+"Just as safe," was the unhesitating answer. "Why not?"
+
+I was about to speak of the alluring glass in the case of Frank,
+but remembering that I had already expressed a fear in that
+direction, felt that to do so again would be useless, and so kept
+silent.
+
+"A tavern-keeper," said Slade, "is just as respectable as a
+miller--in fact, the very people who used to call me 'Simon' or
+'Neighbor Dustycoat,' now say 'Landlord,' or 'Mr. Slade,' and
+treat me in every way more as if I were an equal than ever they
+did before."
+
+"The change," said I, "may be due to the fact of your giving
+evidence of possessing some means. Men are very apt to be
+courteous to those who have property. The building of the tavern
+has, without doubt, contributed to the new estimation in which you
+are held."
+
+"That isn't all," replied the landlord. "It is because I am
+keeping a good tavern, and thus materially advancing the interests
+of Cedarville, that some of our best people look at me with
+different eyes."
+
+"Advancing the interests of Cedarville! In what way?" I did not
+apprehend his meaning.
+
+"A good tavern always draws people to a place, while a miserable
+old tumble-down of an affair, badly kept, such as we have had for
+years, as surely repels them. You can generally tell something
+about the condition of a town by looking at its taverns. If they
+are well kept, and doing a good business, you will hardly be wrong
+in the conclusion that the place is thriving. Why, already, since
+I built and opened the 'Sickle and Sheaf,' property has advanced
+over twenty per cent along the whole street, and not less than
+five new houses have been commenced."
+
+"Other causes, besides the simple opening of a new tavern, may
+have contributed to this result," said I.
+
+"None of which I am aware. I was talking with Judge Hammond only
+yesterday--he owns a great deal of ground on the street--and he
+did not hesitate to say, that the building and opening of a good
+tavern here had increased the value of his property at least five
+thousand dollars. He said, moreover, that he thought the people of
+Cedarville ought to present me with a silver pitcher; and that,
+for one, he would contribute ten dollars for that purpose."
+
+The ringing of the supper bell interrupted further conversation;
+and with the best of appetites, I took my way to the room, where a
+plentiful meal was spread. As I entered, I met the wife of Simon
+Slade, just passing out, after seeing that every thing was in
+order. I had not observed her before; and now could not help
+remarking that she had a flushed, excited countenance, as if she
+had been over a hot fire, and was both worried and fatigued. And
+there was, moreover, a peculiar expression of the mouth, never
+observed in one whose mind is entirely at ease--an expression that
+once seen is never forgotten. The face stamped itself instantly on
+my memory; and I can even now recall it with almost the original
+distinctness. How strongly it contrasted with that of her smiling,
+self-satisfied husband, who took his place at the head of his
+table with an air of conscious importance. I was too hungry to
+talk much, and so found greater enjoyment in eating than in
+conversation. The landlord had a more chatty guest by his side,
+and I left them to entertain each other, while I did ample justice
+to the excellent food with which the table was liberally provided.
+
+After supper I went to the sitting-room, and remained there until
+the lamps were lighted. A newspaper occupied my time for perhaps
+half an hour; then the buzz of voices from the adjoining bar-room,
+which had been increasing for some time, attracted my attention,
+and I went in there to see and hear what was passing. The first
+person upon whom my eyes rested was young Hammond, who sat talking
+with a man older than himself by several years. At a glance, I saw
+that this man could only associate himself with Willy Hammond as a
+tempter. Unscrupulous selfishness was written all over his
+sinister countenance; and I wondered that it did not strike every
+one, as it did me, with instant repulsion. There could not be, I
+felt certain, any common ground of association, for two such
+persons, but the dead level of a village bar-room. I afterward
+learned, during the evening, that this man's name was Harvey
+Green, and that he was an occasional visitor at Cedarville,
+remaining a few days, or a few weeks at a time, as appeared to
+suit his fancy, and having no ostensible business or special
+acquaintance with anybody in the village.
+
+"There is one thing about him," remarked Simon Slade, in answering
+some question that I put in reference to the man, "that I don't
+object to; he has plenty of money, and is not at all niggardly in
+spending it. He used to come here, so he told me, about once in
+five or six months; but his stay at the miserably kept tavern, the
+only one then in Cedarville, was so uncomfortable, that he had
+pretty well made up his mind never to visit us again. Now,
+however, he has engaged one of my best rooms, for which he pays me
+by the year, and I am to charge him full board for the time he
+occupies it. He says that there is something about Cedarville that
+always attracts him; and that his health is better while here than
+it is anywhere except South during the winter season. He'll never
+leave less than two or three hundred dollars a year in our
+village--there is one item, for you, of advantage to a place in
+having a good tavern."
+
+"What is his business?" I asked. "Is he engaged in any trading
+operations?"
+
+The landlord shrugged his shoulders, and looked slightly
+mysterious, as he answered:
+
+"I never inquire about the business of a guest. My calling is to
+entertain strangers. If they are pleased with my house, and pay my
+bills on presentation, I have no right to seek further. As a
+miller, I never asked a customer, whether he raised, bought, or
+stole his wheat. It was my business to grind it, and I took care
+to do it well. Beyond that, it was all his own affair. And so it
+will be in my new calling. I shall mind my own business and keep
+my own place."
+
+Besides young Hammond and this Harvey Green, there were in the
+bar-room, when I entered, four others besides the landlord. Among
+these was a Judge Lyman--so he was addressed--a man between forty
+and fifty years of age, who had a few weeks before received the
+Democratic nomination for member of Congress. He was very
+talkative and very affable, and soon formed a kind of centre of
+attraction to the bar-room circle. Among other topics of
+conversation that came up was the new tavern, introduced by the
+landlord, in whose mind it was, very naturally, the uppermost
+thought.
+
+"The only wonder to me is," said Judge Lyman, "that nobody had wit
+enough to see the advantage of a good tavern in Cedarville ten
+years ago, or enterprise enough to start one. I give our friend
+Slade the credit of being a shrewd, far-seeing man; and, mark my
+word for it, in ten years from to-day he will be the richest man
+in the county."
+
+"Nonsense--Ho! ho!" Simon Slade laughed outright. "The richest
+man! You forget Judge Hammond."
+
+"No, not even Judge Hammond, with all deference for our clever
+friend Willy," and Judge Lyman smiled pleasantly on the young man.
+
+"If he gets richer, somebody will be poorer!" The individual who
+tittered these words had not spoken before, and I turned to look
+at him more closely. A glance showed him to be one of a class seen
+in all bar-rooms; a poor, broken-down inebriate, with the inward
+power of resistance gone--conscious of having no man's respect,
+and giving respect to none. There was a shrewd twinkle in his
+eyes, as he fixed them on Slade, that gave added force to the
+peculiar tone in which his brief but telling sentence was uttered.
+I noticed a slight contraction on the landlord's ample forehead,
+the first evidence I had yet seen of ruffled feelings. The remark,
+thrown in so untimely (or timely, some will say), and with a kind
+of prophetic malice, produced a temporary pause in the
+conversation. No one answered or questioned the intruder, who, I
+could perceive, silently enjoyed the effect of his words. But soon
+the obstructed current ran on again.
+
+"If our excellent friend, Mr. Slade," said Harvey Green, "is not
+the richest man in Cedarville at the end of ten years, he will at
+least enjoy the satisfaction of having made his town richer."
+
+"A true word that," replied Judge Lyman--"as true a word as ever
+was spoken. What a dead-and-alive place this has been until within
+the last few months. All vigorous growth had stopped, and we were
+actually going to seed."
+
+"And the graveyard, too," muttered the individual who had before
+disturbed the self-satisfied harmony of the company, remarking
+upon the closing sentence of Harvey Green. "Come, landlord," he
+added, as he strode across to the bar, speaking in a changed,
+reckless sort of a way, "fix me up a good hot whisky-punch, and do
+it right; and here's another sixpence toward the fortune you are
+bound to make. It's the last one left--not a copper more in my
+pockets," and he turned them inside-out, with a half-solemn, half-
+ludicrous air. "I send it to keep company in your till with four
+others that have found their way into that snug place since
+morning, and which will be lonesome without their little friend."
+
+I looked at Simon Slade; his eyes rested on mine for a moment or
+two, and then sunk beneath my earnest gaze. I saw that his
+countenance flushed, and that his motions were slightly confused.
+The incident, it was plain, did not awaken agreeable thoughts.
+Once I saw his hand move toward the sixpence that lay upon the
+counter; but whether to push it back or draw it toward the till, I
+could not determine. The whisky-punch was in due time ready, and
+with it the man retired to a table across the room, and sat down
+to enjoy the tempting beverage. As he did so, the landlord quietly
+swept the poor unfortunate's last sixpence into his drawer. The
+influence of this strong potation was to render the man a little
+more talkative. To the free conversation passing around him he
+lent an attentive ear, dropping in a word, now and then, that
+always told upon the company like a well-directed blow. At last,
+Slade lost all patience with him, and said, a little fretfully:
+
+"Look here, Joe Morgan, if you will be ill-natured, pray go
+somewhere else, and not interrupt good feeling among gentlemen."
+
+"Got my last sixpence," retorted Joe, turning his pockets inside-
+out again. "No more use for me here to-night. That's the way of
+the world. How apt a scholar is our good friend Dustycoat, in this
+new school! Well, he was a good miller--no one ever disputed that
+--and it's plain to see that he is going to make a good landlord. I
+thought his heart was a little too soft; but the indurating
+process has begun, and, in less than ten years, if it isn't as
+hard as one of his old mill-stones, Joe Morgan is no prophet. Oh,
+you needn't knit your brows so, friend Simon, we're old friends;
+and friends are privileged to speak plain."
+
+"I wish you'd go home. You're not yourself tonight," said the
+landlord, a little coaxingly, for he saw that nothing was to be
+gained by quarreling with Morgan. "Maybe my heart is growing
+harder," he added, with affected good-humor; "and it is time,
+perhaps. One of my weaknesses, I have heard even you say, was
+being too woman-hearted."
+
+"No danger of that now," retorted Joe Morgan. "I've known a good
+many landlords in my time, but can't remember one that was
+troubled with the disease that once afflicted you."
+
+Just at this moment the outer door was pushed open with a slow,
+hesitating motion; then a little pale face peered in, and a pair
+of soft blue eyes went searching about the room. Conversation was
+instantly hushed, and every face, excited with interest, turned
+toward the child, who had now stepped through the door. She was
+not over ten years of age; but it moved the heart to look upon the
+saddened expression of her young countenance, and the forced
+bravery therein, that scarcely overcame the native timidity so
+touchingly visible.
+
+"Father!" I have never heard this word spoken in a voice that sent
+such a thrill along every nerve. It was full of sorrowful love--
+full of a tender concern that had its origin too deep for the
+heart of a child. As she spoke, the little one sprang across the
+room, and laying her hands upon the arm of Joe Morgan, lifted her
+eyes, that were ready to gush over with tears, to his face.
+
+"Come father! won't you come home?" I hear that low, pleading
+voice even now, and my heart gives a quicker throb. Poor child!
+Darkly shadowed was the sky that bent gloomily over thy young
+life.
+
+Morgan arose, and suffered the child to lead him from the room. He
+seemed passive in her hands. I noticed that he thrust his fingers
+nervously into his pocket, and that a troubled look went over his
+face as they were withdrawn. His last sixpence was in the till of
+Simon Slade!
+
+The first man who spoke was Harvey Green, and this not for a
+minute after the father and his child had vanished through the
+door.
+
+"If I was in your place, landlord"--his voice was cold and
+unfeeling--"I'd pitch that fellow out of the bar-room the next
+time he stepped through the door. He's no business here, in the
+first place; and, in the second, he doesn't know how to behave
+himself. There's no telling how much a vagabond like him injures a
+respectable house."
+
+"I wish he would stay away," said Simon, with a perplexed air.
+
+"I'd make him stay away," answered Green.
+
+"That may be easier said than done," remarked Judge Lyman. "Our
+friend keeps a public-house, and can't just say who shall or shall
+not come into it."
+
+"But such a fellow has no business here. He's a good-for-nothing
+sot. If I kept a tavern, I'd refuse to sell him liquor."
+
+"That you might do," said Judge Lyman; "and I presume your hint
+will not be lost on our friend Slade."
+
+"He will have liquor, so long as he can get a cent to buy it
+with," remarked one of the company; "and I don't see why our
+landlord here, who has gone to so much expense to fit up a tavern,
+shouldn't have the sale of it as well as anybody else. Joe talks a
+little freely sometimes; but no one can say that he is
+quarrelsome. You've got to take him as he is, that's all."
+
+"I am one," retorted Harvey Green, with a slightly ruffled manner,
+"who is never disposed to take people as they are when they choose
+to render themselves disagreeable. If I was Mr. Slade, as I
+remarked in the beginning, I'd pitch that fellow into the road the
+next time he put his foot over my door step."
+
+"Not if I were present," remarked the other, coolly.
+
+Green was on his feet in a moment, and I saw, from the flash of
+his eyes, that he was a man of evil passions. Moving a pace or two
+in the direction of the other, he said sharply.
+
+"What is that, sir?"
+
+The individual against whom his anger was so suddenly aroused was
+dressed plainly, and had the appearance of a working man. He was
+stout and muscular.
+
+"I presume you heard my words. They were spoken distinctly," he
+replied, not moving from where he sat, nor seeming to be in the
+least disturbed. But there was a cool defiance in the tones of his
+voice and in the steady look of his eyes.
+
+"You're an impertinent fellow, and I'm half tempted to chastise
+you."
+
+Green had scarcely finished the sentence, ere he was lying full
+length upon the floor. The other had sprung upon him like a tiger,
+and with one blow from his heavy fist, struck him down as if he
+had been a child. For a moment or two, Green lay stunned and
+bewildered--then, starting up with a savage cry, that sounded more
+bestial than human, he drew a long knife from a concealed sheath,
+and attempted to stab his assailant, but the murderous purpose was
+not accomplished, for the other man, who had superior strength and
+coolness, saw the design, and with a well directed blow almost
+broke the arm of Green, causing the knife to leave his hand and
+glide far across the room.
+
+"I'm half tempted to wring your neck off," exclaimed the man,
+whose name was Lyon, now much excited, and seizing Green by the
+throat, he strangled him until his face grew black. "Draw a knife
+on me, ha! You murdering villain!" And he gripped him tighter.
+
+Judge Lyman and the landlord now interfered, and rescued Green
+from the hands of his fully aroused antagonist. For some time they
+stood growling at each other, like two parted dogs struggling to
+get free, in order to renew the conflict, but gradually cooled
+off. In a little while Judge Lyman drew Green aside, and the two
+men left the bar-room to other. In the door, as they were
+retiring, the former slightly nodded to Willy Hammond, who soon
+followed them, going into the sitting room, and from thence, as I
+could perceive, upstairs to an apartment above.
+
+"Not after much good," I heard Lyon mutter to himself. "If Judge
+Hammond don't look a little closer after that boy of his, he'll be
+sorry for it, that's all"
+
+"Who is this Green?" I asked of Lyon, finding myself alone with
+him in the bar-room soon after.
+
+"A blackleg, I take it," was his unhesitating answer.
+
+"Does Judge Lyman suspect his real character?"
+
+"I don't know anything about that, but I wouldn't be afraid to bet
+ten dollars, that if you could look in upon them now, you would
+find cards in their hands."
+
+"What a school, and what teachers for the youth who just went with
+them!" I could not help remarking.
+
+"Willy Hammond?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You may well say that. What can his father be thinking about to
+leave him exposed to such influences!"
+
+"He's one of the few who are in raptures about this tavern,
+because its erection has slightly increased the value of his
+property about here, but if he is not the loser of fifty per cent
+for every one gained, before ten years go by, I'm very much in
+error."
+
+"How so?"
+
+"It will prove, I fear, the open door to ruin to his son."
+
+"That's bad," said I.
+
+"Bad! It is awful to think of. There is not a finer young man in
+the country, nor one with better mind and heart, than Willy
+Hammond. So much the sadder will be his destruction. Ah, sir! this
+tavern-keeping is a curse to any place."
+
+"But I thought, just now, that you spoke in favor of letting even
+the poor drunkard's money go into the landlord's till, in order to
+encourage his commendable enterprise in opening so good a tavern."
+
+"We all speak with covert irony sometimes," answered the man, "as
+I did then. Poor Joe Morgan! He is an old and early friend of
+Simon Slade. They were boys together, and worked as millers under
+the same roof for many years. In fact, Joe's father owned the
+mill, and the two learned their trade with him. When old Morgan
+died, the mill came into Joe's hands. It was in rather a worn-out
+condition, and Joe went in debt for some pretty thorough repairs
+and additions of machinery. By and by, Simon Slade, who was hired
+by Joe to run the mill, received a couple of thousand dollars at
+the death of an aunt. This sum enabled him to buy a share in the
+mill, which Morgan was very glad to sell in order to get clear of
+his debt. Time passed on, and Joe left his milling interest almost
+entirely in the care of Slade, who, it must be said in his favor,
+did not neglect the business. But it somehow happened--I will not
+say unfairly--that at the end of ten years, Joe Morgan no longer
+owned a share in the mill. The whole property was in the hands of
+Slade. People did not much wonder at this; for while Slade was
+always to be found at the mill, industrious, active, and attentive
+to customers, Morgan was rarely seen on the premises. You would
+oftener find him in the woods, with a gun over his shoulder, or
+sitting by a trout brook, or lounging at the tavern. And yet
+everybody liked Joe, for he was companionable, quick-witted, and
+very kind-hearted. He would say sharp things, sometimes, when
+people manifested little meannesses; but there was so much honey
+in his gall, that bitterness rarely predominated.
+
+"A year or two before his ownership in the mill ceased, Morgan
+married one of the sweetest girls in our town--Fanny Ellis, that
+was her name, and she could have had her pick of the young men.
+Everybody affected to wonder at her choice; and yet nobody really
+did wonder, for Joe was an attractive young man, take him as you
+would, and just the one to win the heart of a girl like Fanny.
+What if he had been seen, now and then, a little the worse for
+drink! What if he showed more fondness for pleasure than for
+business! Fanny did not look into the future with doubt or fear.
+She believed that her love was strong enough to win him from all
+evil allurements: and, as for this world's goods, they were
+matters in which her maiden fancies rarely busied themselves.
+
+"Well. Dark days came for her, poor soul! And yet, in all the
+darkness of her earthly lot, she has never, it is said, been
+anything but a loving, forbearing, self-denying wife to Morgan.
+And he--fallen as he is, and powerless in the grasp of the monster
+intemperance--has never, I am sure, hurt her with a cruel word.
+Had he added these, her heart would, long ere this, have broken.
+Poor Joe Morgan! Poor Fanny! Oh, what a curse is this drink!"
+
+The man, warming with his theme, had spoken with an eloquence I
+had not expected from his lips. Slightly overmastered by his
+feelings, he paused for a moment or two, and then added:
+
+"It was unfortunate for Joe, at least, that Slade sold his mill,
+and became a tavern-keeper; for Joe had a sure berth, and wages
+regularly paid. He didn't always stick to his work, but would go
+off on a spree every now and then; but Slade bore with all this,
+and worked harder himself to make up for his hand's shortcoming.
+And no matter what deficiency the little store-room at home might
+show, Fanny Morgan never found her meal barrel empty without
+knowing where to get it replenished.
+
+"But, after Slade sold his mill, a sad change took place. The new
+owner was little disposed to pay wages to a hand who would not
+give him all his time during working hours; and in less than two
+weeks from the day he took possession, Morgan was discharged.
+Since then, he has been working about at one odd job and another,
+earning scarcely enough to buy the liquor it requires to feed the
+inordinate thirst that is consuming him. I am not disposed to
+blame Simon Slade for the wrong-doing of Morgan; but here is a
+simple fact in the case--if he had kept on at the useful calling
+of a miller, he would have saved this man's family from want,
+suffering, and a lower deep of misery than that into which they
+have already fallen. I merely state it, and you can draw your own
+conclusions. It is one of the many facts, on the other side of
+this tavern question, which it will do no harm to mention. I have
+noted a good many facts besides, and one is, that before Slade
+opened the 'Sickle and Sheaf,' he did all in his power to save his
+early friend from the curse of intemperance; now he has become his
+tempter. Heretofore, it was his hand that provided the means for
+his family to live in some small degree of comfort; now he takes
+the poor pittance the wretched man earns, and dropping it in his
+till, forgets the wife and children at home who are hungry for the
+bread this money should have purchased.
+
+"Joe Morgan, fallen as he is, sir, is no fool. His mind sees
+quickly yet; and he rarely utters a sentiment that is not full of
+meaning. When he spoke of Blade's heart growing as hard in ten
+years as one of his old mill-stones, he was not uttering words at
+random, nor merely indulging in a harsh sentiment, little caring
+whether it were closely applicable or not. That the indurating
+process had begun, he, alas! was too sadly conscious."
+
+The landlord had been absent from the room for some time. He left
+soon after Judge Lyman, Harvey Green, and Willy Hammond withdrew,
+and I did not see him again during the evening. His son Frank was
+left to attend at the bar; no very hard task, for not more than
+half a dozen called in to drink from the time Morgan left until
+the bar was closed.
+
+While Mr. Lyon was giving me the brief history just recorded, I
+noticed a little incident that caused a troubled feeling to
+pervade my mind. After a man, for whom the landlord's son had
+prepared a fancy drink, had nearly emptied his glass, he set it
+down upon the counter and went out. A tablespoonful or two
+remained in the glass, and I noticed Frank, after smelling at it
+two or three times, put the glass to his lips and sip the
+sweetened liquor. The flavor proved agreeable; for, after tasting
+it, he raised the glass again and drained every drop.
+
+"Frank!" I heard a low voice, in a warning tone, pronounce the
+name, and glancing toward a door partly open, that led from the
+inside of the bar to the yard, I saw the face of Mrs. Slade. It
+had the same troubled expression I had noticed before, but now
+blended with anxiety.
+
+The boy went out at the call of his mother; and when a new
+customer entered, I noticed that Flora, the daughter, came in to
+wait upon him. I noticed, too, that while she poured out the
+liquor, there was a heightened color on her face, in which I
+fancied that I saw a tinge of shame. It is certain that she was
+not in the least gracious to the person on whom she was waiting;
+and that there was little heart in her manner of performing the
+task.
+
+Ten o'clock found me alone and musing in the barroom over the
+occurrences of the evening. Of all the incidents, that of the
+entrance of Joe Morgan's child kept the most prominent place in my
+thoughts. The picture of that mournful little face was ever before
+me; and I seemed all the while to hear the word "Father," uttered
+so touchingly, and yet with such a world of childish tenderness.
+And the man, who would have opposed the most stubborn resistance
+to his fellow-men, had they sought to force him from the room,
+going passively, almost meekly out, led by that little child--I
+could not, for a time, turn my thoughts from the image thereof!
+And then thought bore me to the wretched home, back to which the
+gentle, loving child had taken her father, and my heart grew faint
+in me as imagination busied itself with all the misery there.
+
+And Willy Hammond. The little that I had heard and seen of him
+greatly interested me in his favor. Ah! upon what dangerous ground
+was he treading. How many pitfalls awaited his feet--how near they
+were to the brink of a fearful precipice, down which to fall was
+certain destruction. How beautiful had been his life-promise! How
+fair the opening day of his existence! Alas! the clouds were
+gathering already, and the low rumble of the distant thunder
+presaged the coming of a fearful tempest. Was there none to warn
+him of the danger? Alas! all might now come too late, for so few
+who enter the path in which his steps were treading will hearken
+to friendly counsel, or heed the solemn warning. Where was he now?
+This question recurred over and over again. He had left the bar-
+room with Judge Lyman and Green early in the evening, and had not
+made his appearance since. Who and what was Green? And Judge
+Lyman, was he a man of principle? One with whom it was safe to
+trust a youth like Willy Hammond?
+
+While I mused thus, the bar-room door opened, and a man past the
+prime of life, with a somewhat florid face, which gave a strong
+relief to the gray, almost white hair that, suffered to grow
+freely, was pushed back, and lay in heavy masses on his coat
+collar, entered with a hasty step. He was almost venerable in
+appearance; yet there was in his dark, quick eyes the brightness
+of unquenched loves, the fires of which were kindled at the altars
+of selfishness and sensuality. This I saw at a glance. There was a
+look of concern on his face, as he threw his eyes around the bar-
+room; and he seemed disappointed, I thought, at finding it empty.
+
+"Is Simon Slade here?"
+
+As I answered in the negative, Mrs. Slade entered through the door
+that opened from the yard, and stood behind the counter.
+
+"Ah, Mrs. Slade! Good evening, madam!" he said.
+
+"Good evening, Judge Hammond."
+
+"Is your husband at home?"
+
+"I believe he is," answered Mrs. Slade. "I think he is somewhere
+about the house."
+
+"Ask him to step here, will you?"
+
+Mrs. Slade went out. Nearly five minutes went by, during which
+time Judge Hammond paced the floor of the bar-room uneasily. Then
+the landlord made his appearance. The free, open, manly, self-
+satisfied expression of his countenance, which I had remarked on
+alighting from the stage in the afternoon, was gone. I noticed at
+once the change, for it was striking. He did not look steadily
+into the face of Judge Hammond, who asked him, in a low voice, if
+his son had been there during the evening.
+
+"He was here," said Slade.
+
+"When?"
+
+"He came in some time after dark and stayed, maybe, an hour."
+
+"And hasn't been here since?"
+
+"It's nearly two hours since he left the bar-room," replied the
+landlord.
+
+Judge Hammond seemed perplexed. There was a degree of evasion in
+Slade's manner that he could hardly help noticing. To me it was
+all apparent, for I had lively suspicions that made my observation
+acute.
+
+Judge Hammond crossed his arms behind him, and took three or four
+strides about the floor.
+
+"Was Judge Lyman here to-night?" he then asked.
+
+"He was," answered Slade.
+
+"Did he and Willy go out together?"
+
+The question seemed an unexpected one for the landlord. Slade
+appeared slightly confused, and did not answer promptly.
+
+"I--I rather think they did," he said, after a brief hesitation.
+
+"Ah, well! Perhaps he is at Judge Lyman's. I will call over
+there."
+
+And Judge Hammond left the bar-room.
+
+"Would you like to retire, sir?" said the landlord, now turning to
+me, with a forced smile--I saw that it was forced.
+
+"If you please," I answered.
+
+He lit a candle and conducted me to my room, where, overwearied
+with the day's exertion, I soon fell asleep, and did not awake
+until the sun was shining brightly into my windows.
+
+I remained at the village a portion of the day, but saw nothing of
+the parties in whom the incidents of the previous evening had
+awakened a lively interest. At four o'clock I left in the stage,
+and did not visit Cedarville again for a year.
+
+
+
+
+
+NIGHT THE SECOND.
+
+THE CHANGES OF A YEAR.
+
+
+A cordial grasp of the hand and a few words of hearty welcome
+greeted me as I alighted from the stage at the "Sickle and Sheaf,"
+on my next visit to Cedarville. At the first glance, I saw no
+change in the countenance, manner, or general bearing of Simon
+Slade, the landlord. With him, the year seemed to have passed like
+a pleasant summer day. His face was round, and full, and rosy, and
+his eyes sparkled with that good humor which flows from intense
+self-satisfaction. Everything about him seemed to say--"All 'right
+with myself and the world."
+
+I had scarcely expected this. From what I saw during my last brief
+sojourn at the "Sickle and Sheaf," the inference was natural, that
+elements had been called into activity, which must produce changes
+adverse to those pleasant states of mind that threw an almost
+perpetual sunshine over the landlord's countenance. How many
+hundreds of times had I thought of Tom Morgan and Willy Hammond--
+of Frank, and the temptations to which a bar-room exposed him. The
+heart of Slade must, indeed, be as hard as one of his old mill-
+stones, if he could remain an unmoved witness of the corruption
+and degradation of these.
+
+"My fears have outrun the actual progress of things," said I to
+myself, with a sense of relief, as I mused alone in the still
+neatly arranged sitting-room, after the landlord, who sat and
+chatted for a few minutes, had left me. "There is, I am willing to
+believe, a basis of good in this man's character, which has led
+him to remove, as far as possible, the more palpable evils that
+ever attach themselves to a house of public entertainment. He had
+but entered on the business last year. There was much to be
+learned, pondered, and corrected. Experience, I doubt not, has led
+to many important changes in the manner of conducting the
+establishment, and especially in what pertains to the bar."
+
+As I thought thus, my eyes glanced through the half-open door, and
+rested on the face of Simon Slade. He was standing behind his bar
+--evidently alone in the room--with his head bent in a musing
+attitude. At first I was in some doubt as to the identity of the
+singularly changed countenance. Two deep perpendicular seams lay
+sharply defined on his forehead--the arch of his eyebrows was
+gone, and from each corner of his compressed lips, lines were seen
+reaching half-way to the chin. Blending with a slightly troubled
+expression, was a strongly marked selfishness, evidently brooding
+over the consummation of its purpose. For some moments I sat
+gazing on his face, half doubting at times if it were really that
+of Simon Slade. Suddenly a gleam flashed over it--an ejaculation
+was uttered, and one clenched hand brought down, with a sharp
+stroke, into the open palm of the other. The landlord's mind had
+reached a conclusion, and was resolved upon action. There were no
+warm rays in the gleam of light that irradiated his countenance--
+at least none for my heart, which felt under them an almost icy
+coldness.
+
+"Just the man I was thinking about." I heard the landlord say, as
+some one entered the bar, while his whole manner underwent a
+sudden change.
+
+"The old saying is true," was answered in a voice, the tones of
+which were familiar to my ears.
+
+"Thinking of the old Harry?" said Slade.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"True, literally, in the present case," I heard the landlord
+remark, though in a much lower tone; "for, if you are not the
+devil himself, you can't be farther removed than a second cousin."
+
+A low, gurgling laugh met this little sally. There was something
+in it so unlike a human laugh, that it caused my blood to trickle,
+for a moment, coldly along my veins.
+
+I heard nothing more except the murmur of voices in the bar, for a
+hand shut the partly opened door that led from the sitting room.
+
+Whose was that voice? I recalled its tones, and tried to fix in my
+thought the person to whom it belonged, but was unable to do so. I
+was not very long in doubt, for on stepping out on the porch in
+front of the tavern, the well remembered face of Harvey Green
+presented itself. He stood in the bar-room door, and was talking
+earnestly to Slade, whose back was toward me. I saw that he
+recognized me, although I had not passed a word with him on the
+occasion of my former visit, and there was a lighting up of his
+countenance as if about to speak--but I withdrew my eyes from his
+face to avoid the unwelcome greeting. When I looked at him again,
+I saw that he was regarding me with a sinister glance, which was
+instantly withdrawn. In what broad, black characters was the word
+TEMPTER written on his face! How was it possible for anyone to
+look thereon, and not read the warning inscription!
+
+Soon after, he withdrew into the bar-room and the landlord came
+and took a seat near me on the porch.
+
+"How is the 'Sickle and Sheaf' coming on?" I inquired.
+
+"First rate," was the answer--"First rate."
+
+"As well as you expected?"
+
+"Better."
+
+"Satisfied with your experiment?"
+
+"Perfectly. Couldn't get me back to the rumbling old mill again,
+if you were to make me a present of it."
+
+"What of the mill?" I asked. "How does the new owner come on?"
+
+"About as I thought it would be."
+
+"Not doing very well?"
+
+"How could it be expected when he didn't know enough of the
+milling business to grind a bushel of wheat right? He lost half of
+the custom I transferred to him in less than three months. Then he
+broke his main shaft, and it took over three weeks to get in a new
+one. Half of his remaining customers discovered by this time, that
+they could get far better meal from their grain at Harwood's mill
+near Lynwood, and so did not care to trouble him any more. The
+upshot of the whole matter is, he broke down next, and had to sell
+the mill at a heavy loss."
+
+"Who has it now?"
+
+"Judge Hammond is the purchaser."
+
+"He is going to rent it, I suppose?"
+
+"No; I believe he means to turn it into some kind of a factory--
+and, I rather think, will connect therewith a distillery. This is
+a fine grain-growing country, as you know. If he does set up a
+distillery he'll make a fine thing of it. Grain has been too low
+in this section for some years; this all the farmers have felt,
+and they are very much pleased at the idea. It will help them
+wonderfully. I always thought my mill a great thing for the
+farmers; but what I did for them was a mere song compared to the
+advantage of an extensive distillery."
+
+"Judge Hammond is one of your richest men?"
+
+"Yes--the richest in the county. And what is more, he's a shrewd,
+far-seeing man, and knows how to multiply his riches."
+
+"How is his son Willy coming on?"
+
+"Oh! first-rate."
+
+The landlord's eyes fell under the searching look I bent upon him.
+
+"How old is he now?"
+
+"Just twenty."
+
+"A critical age," I remarked.
+
+"So people say; but I didn't find it so," answered Slade, a little
+distantly.
+
+"The impulses within and the temptations without, are the measure
+of its dangers. At his age, you were, no doubt, daily employed at
+hard work."
+
+"I was, and no mistake."
+
+"Thousands and hundreds of thousands are indebted to useful work,
+occupying many hours through each day, and leaving them with
+wearied bodies at night, for their safe passage from yielding
+youth to firm, resisting manhood. It might not he with you as it
+is now, had leisure and freedom to go in and out when you pleased
+been offered at the age of nineteen."
+
+"I can't tell as to that," said the landlord, shrugging his
+shoulders. "But I don't see that Willy Hammond is in any especial
+danger. He is a young man with many admirable qualities--is
+social-liberal--generous almost to a fault--but has good common
+sense, and wit enough, I take it, to keep out of harm's way."
+
+A man passing the house at the moment, gave Simon Slade an
+opportunity to break off a conversation that was not, I could see,
+altogether agreeable. As he left me, I arose and stepped into the
+bar-room. Frank, the landlord's son, was behind the bar. He had
+grown considerably in the year--and from a rather delicate,
+innocent-looking boy, to a stout, bold lad. His face was rounder,
+and had a gross, sensual expression, that showed itself
+particularly about the mouth. The man Green was standing beside
+the bar talking to him, and I noticed that Frank laughed heartily,
+at some low, half obscene remarks that he was making. In the midst
+of these, Flora, the sister of Frank, a really beautiful girl,
+came in to get something from the bar. Green spoke to her
+familiarly, and Flora answered him with a perceptibly heightening
+color.
+
+I glanced toward Frank, half expecting to see an indignant flush
+on his young face. But no--he looked on with a smile! "Ah!"
+thought I, "have the boy's pure impulses so soon died out in this
+fatal atmosphere? Can he bear to see those evil eyes--he knows
+they are evil--rest upon the face of his sister? or to hear those
+lips, only a moment since polluted with vile words, address her
+with the familiarity of a friend?"
+
+"Fine girl, that sister of yours, Frank! Fine girl!" said Green,
+after Flora had withdrawn--speaking of her with about as much
+respect in his voice as if he were praising a fleet racer or a
+favorite hound.
+
+The boy smiled, with a pleased air.
+
+"I must try and find her a good husband, Frank. I wonder if she
+wouldn't have me?"
+
+"You'd better ask her," said the boy, laughing.
+
+"I would if I thought there was any chance for me."
+
+"Nothing like trying. Faint heart never won fair lady," returned
+Frank, more with the air of a man than a boy. How fast he was
+growing old!
+
+"A banter, by George!" exclaimed Green, slapping his hands
+together. "You're a great boy, Frank! a great boy! I shall have to
+talk to your father about you. Coming on too fast. Have to be put
+back in your lessons--hey!"
+
+And Green winked at the boy, and shook his finger at him. Frank
+laughed in a pleased way, as he replied: "I guess I'll do."
+
+"I guess you will," said Green, as, satisfied with his colloquy,
+he turned off and left the bar-room.
+
+"Have something to drink, sir?" inquired Frank, addressing me in a
+bold, free way.
+
+I shook my head.
+
+"Here's a newspaper," he added.
+
+I took the paper and sat down--not to read, but to observe. Two or
+three men soon came in, and spoke in a very familiar way to Frank,
+who was presently busy setting out the liquors they had called
+for. Their conversation, interlarded with much that was profane
+and vulgar, was of horses, horse-racing, gunning, and the like, to
+all of which the young bar-tender lent an attentive ear, putting
+in a word now and then, and showing an intelligence in such
+matters quite beyond his age. In the midst thereof, Mr. Slade made
+his appearance. His presence caused a marked change in Frank, who
+retired from his place among the men, a step or two outside of the
+bar, and did not make a remark while his father remained. It was
+plain from this, that Mr. Slade was not only aware of Frank's
+dangerous precocity, but had already marked his forwardness by
+rebuke.
+
+So far, all that I had seen and heard impressed me unfavorably,
+notwithstanding the declaration of Simon Slade, that everything
+about the "Sickle and Sheaf" was coming on "first-rate," and that
+he was "perfectly satisfied" with his experiment. Why, even if the
+man had gained, in money, fifty thousand dollars by tavern-keeping
+in a year, he had lost a jewel in the innocence of his boy that
+was beyond all valuation. "Perfectly satisfied?" Impossible! He
+was not perfectly satisfied. How could he be? The look thrown upon
+Frank when he entered the bar-room, and saw him "hale fellow, well
+met," with three or four idle, profane, drinking customers,
+contradicted that assertion.
+
+After supper, I took a seat in the bar-room, to see how life moved
+on in that place of rendezvous for the surface-population of
+Cedarville. Interest enough in the characters I had met there a
+year before remained for me to choose this way of spending the
+time, instead of visiting at the house of a gentleman who had
+kindly invited me to pass an evening with his family.
+
+The bar-room custom, I soon found, had largely increased in a
+year. It now required, for a good part of the time, the active
+services of both the landlord and his son to meet the calls for
+liquor. What pained me most, was to see the large number of lads
+and young men who came in to lounge and drink; and there was
+scarcely one of them whose face did not show marks of sensuality,
+or whose language was not marred by obscenity, profanity, or
+vulgar slang. The subjects of conversation were varied enough,
+though politics was the most prominent. In regard to politics I
+heard nothing in the least instructive; but only abuse of
+individuals and dogmatism on public measures. They were all
+exceedingly confident in assertion; but I listened in vain for
+exposition, or even for demonstrative facts. He who asseverated in
+the most positive manner, and swore the hardest, carried the day
+in the petty contests.
+
+I noticed, early in the evening, and at a time when all the
+inmates of the room were in the best possible humor with
+themselves, the entrance of an elderly man, on whose face I
+instantly read a deep concern. It was one of those mild, yet
+strongly marked faces, that strike you at a glance. The forehead
+was broad, the eyes large and far back in their sockets, the lips
+full but firm. You saw evidences of a strong, but well-balanced
+character. As he came in, I noticed a look of intelligence pass
+from one to another; and then the eyes of two or three were fixed
+upon a young man who was seated not far from me, with his back to
+the entrance, playing at dominoes. He had a glass of ale by his
+side. The old man searched about the room for some moments, before
+his glance rested upon the individual I have mentioned. My eyes
+were full upon his face, as he advanced toward him, as yet unseen.
+Upon it was not a sign of angry excitement, but a most touching
+sorrow.
+
+"Edward!" he said, as he laid his hand gently on the young man's
+shoulder. The latter started at the voice, and crimsoned deeply. A
+few moments he sat irresolute.
+
+"Edward, my son!" It would have been a cold, hard heart indeed
+that softened not under the melting tenderness of these tones. The
+call was irresistible, and obedience a necessity. The powers of
+evil had, yet, too feeble a grasp on the young man's heart to hold
+him in thrall. Rising with a half-reluctant manner, and with a
+shamefacedness that it was impossible to conceal, he retired as
+quietly as possible. The notice of only a few in the bar-room was
+attracted by the incident.
+
+"I can tell you what," I heard the individual, with whom the young
+man had been playing at dominoes, remark--himself not twenty years
+of age--"if my old man were to make a fool of himself in this way
+--sneaking around after me in bar-rooms-he'd get only his trouble
+for his pains. I'd like to see him try it, though! There'd be a
+nice time of it, I guess. Wouldn't I creep off with him, as meek
+as a lamb! Ho! ho!"
+
+"Who is that old gentleman who came in just now?" I inquired of
+the person who thus commented on the incident which had just
+occurred.
+
+"Mr. Hargrove is his name."
+
+"And that was his son?"
+
+"Yes; and I'm only sorry he doesn't possess a little more spirit."
+
+"How old is he?"
+
+"About twenty."
+
+"Not of legal age, then?"
+
+"He's old enough to be his own master."
+
+"The law says differently," I suggested.
+
+In answer, the young man cursed the law, snapping his fingers in
+its imaginary face as he did so.
+
+"At least you will admit," said I, "that Edward Hargrove, in the
+use of a liberty to go where he pleases, and do what he pleases,
+exhibits but small discretion."
+
+"I will admit no such thing. What harm is there, I would like to
+know, in a social little game such as we were playing? There were
+no stakes--we were not gambling."
+
+I pointed to the half-emptied glass of ale left by young Hargrove.
+
+"Oh! oh!" half sneered, half laughed a man, twice the age of the
+one I had addressed, who sat near by, listening to our
+conversation. I looked at him for a moment, and then said:
+
+"The great danger lies there, without doubt. If it were only a
+glass of ale and a game of dominoes--but it doesn't stop there,
+and well the young man's father knows it."
+
+"Perhaps he does," was answered. "I remember him in his younger
+days; and a pretty high boy he was. He didn't stop at a glass of
+ale and a game of dominoes; not he! I've seen him as drunk as a
+lord many a time; and many a time at a horse-race, or cock-fight,
+betting with the bravest. I was only a boy, though a pretty old
+boy; but I can tell you, Hargrove was no saint."
+
+"I wonder not, then, that he is so anxious for his son," was my
+remark. "He knows well the lurking dangers in the path he seems
+inclined to enter."
+
+"I don't see that they have done him much harm. He sowed his wild
+oats--then got married, and settled down into a good, substantial
+citizen. A little too religious and pharisaical, I always thought;
+but upright in his dealings. He had his pleasures in early life,
+as was befitting the season of youth--why not let his son taste of
+the same agreeable fruit? He's wrong, sir--wrong! And I've said as
+much to Ned. I only wish the boy had shown the right spunk this
+evening, and told the old man to go home about his business."
+
+"So do I," chimed in the young disciple in this bad school. "It's
+what I'd say to my old man, in double quick time, if he was to
+come hunting after me."
+
+"He knows better than to do that," said the other, in a way that
+let me deeper into the young man's character.
+
+"Indeed he does. He's tried his hand on me once or twice during
+the last year, but found it wouldn't do, no how; Tom Peters is out
+of his leading-strings."
+
+"And can drink his glass with any one, and not be a grain the
+worse for it."
+
+"Exactly, old boy!" said Peters, slapping his preceptor on the
+knee. "Exactly! I'm not one of your weak-headed ones. Oh no!"
+
+"Look here, Joe Morgan!"--the half-angry voice of Simon Slade now
+rung through the bar-room,--"just take yourself off home!"
+
+I had not observed the entrance of this person. He was standing at
+the bar, with an emptied glass in his hand. A year had made no
+improvement in his appearance. On the contrary, his clothes were
+more worn and tattered; his countenance more sadly marred. What he
+had said to irritate the landlord, I know not; but Slade's face
+was fiery with passion, and his eyes glared threateningly at the
+poor besotted one, who showed not the least inclination to obey.
+
+"Off with you, I say! And never show your face here again. I won't
+have such low vagabonds as you are about my house. If you can't
+keep decent and stay decent, don't intrude yourself here."
+
+"A rum-seller talk of decency!" retorted Morgan. "Pah! You were a
+decent man once, and a good miller into the bargain. But that
+time's past and gone. Decency died out when you exchanged the pick
+and facing-hammer for the glass and muddler. Decency! Pah! How you
+talk! As if it were any more decent to sell rum than to drink it."
+
+There was so much of biting contempt in the tones, as well as the
+words of the half-intoxicated man, that Slade, who had himself
+been drinking rather more freely than usual, was angered beyond
+self-control. Catching up an empty glass from the counter, he
+hurled it with all his strength at the head of Joe Morgan. The
+missive just grazed one of his temples, and flew by on its
+dangerous course. The quick sharp cry of a child startled the air,
+followed by exclamations of alarm and horror from many voices.
+
+"It's Joe Morgan's child!" "He's killed her!" "Good heavens!" Such
+were the exclamations that rang through the room. I was among the
+first to reach the spot where a little girl, just gliding in
+through the door, had been struck on the forehead by the glass,
+which had cut a deep gash, and stunned her into insensibility. The
+blood flowed instantly from the wound, and covered her face, which
+presented a shocking appearance. As I lifted her from the floor,
+upon which she had fallen, Morgan, into whose very soul the
+piercing cry of his child had penetrated, stood by my side, and
+grappled his arms around her insensible form, uttering as he did
+so heart-touching moans and lamentations.
+
+"What's the matter? Oh, what's the matter?" It was a woman's
+voice, speaking in frightened tones.
+
+"It's nothing! Just go out, will you, Ann?" I heard the landlord
+say.
+
+But his wife--it was Mrs. Slade--having heard the shrieks of pain
+and terror uttered by Morgan's child, had come running into the
+bar-room--heeded not his words, but pressed forward into the
+little group that stood around the bleeding girl.
+
+"Run for Doctor Green, Frank," she cried in an imperative voice,
+the moment her eyes rested on the little one's bloody face.
+
+Frank came around from behind the bar, in obedience to the word;
+but his father gave a partial countermand, and he stood still.
+Upon observing which, his mother repeated the order, even more
+emphatically.
+
+"Why don't you jump, you young rascal!" exclaimed Harvey Green.
+"The child may be dead before the doctor can get here."
+
+Frank hesitated no longer, but disappeared instantly through the
+door.
+
+"Poor, poor child!" almost sobbed Mrs. Slade, as she lifted the
+insensible form from my arms. "How did it happen? Who struck her?"
+
+"Who? Curse him! Who but Simon Slade?" answered Joe Morgan,
+through his clenched teeth.
+
+The look of anguish, mingled with bitter reproach, instantly
+thrown upon the landlord by his wife, can hardly be forgotten by
+any who saw it that night.
+
+"Oh, Simon! Simon! And has it come to this already?" What a world
+of bitter memories, and sad forebodings of evil, did that little
+sentence express. "To this already"--Ah! In the downward way, how
+rapidly the steps do tread--how fast the progress!
+
+"Bring me a basin of water, and a towel, quickly!" she now
+exclaimed.
+
+The water was brought, and in a little while the face of the child
+lay pure and as white as snow against her bosom. The wound from
+which the blood had flowed so freely was found on the upper part
+of the forehead, a little to the side, and extending several
+inches back, along the top of the head. As soon as the blood
+stains were wiped away, and the effusion partially stopped, Mrs.
+Slade carried the still insensible body into the next room,
+whither the distressed, and now completely sobered father,
+accompanied her. I went with them, but Slade remained behind.
+
+The arrival of the doctor was soon followed by the restoration of
+life to the inanimate body. He happened to be at home, and came
+instantly. He had just taken the last stitch in the wound, which
+required to be drawn together, and was applying strips of adhesive
+plaster, when the hurried entrance of some one caused me to look
+up. What an apparition met my eyes! A woman stood in the door,
+with a face in which maternal anxiety and terror blended
+fearfully. Her countenance was like ashes--her eyes straining
+wildly--her lips apart, while the panting breath almost hissed
+through them.
+
+"Joe! Joe! What is it? Where is Mary? Is she dead?" were her eager
+inquiries.
+
+"No, Fanny," answered Joe Morgan, starting up from where he was
+actually kneeling by the side of the reviving little one, and
+going quickly to his wife. "She's better now. It's a bad hurt, but
+the doctor says it's nothing dangerous. Poor, dear child!"
+
+The pale face of the mother grew paler--she gasped--caught for
+breath two or three times--a low shudder ran through her frame--
+and then she lay white and pulseless in the arms of her husband.
+As the doctor applied restoratives, I had opportunity to note more
+particularly the appearance of Mrs. Morgan. Her person was very
+slender, and her face so attenuated that it might almost be called
+shadowy. Her hair, which was a rich chestnut brown, with a slight
+golden lustre, had fallen from her comb, and now lay all over her
+neck and bosom in beautiful luxuriance. Back from her full temples
+it had been smoothed away by the hand of Morgan, that all the
+while moved over her brow and temples with a caressing motion that
+I saw was unconscious, and which revealed the tenderness of
+feeling with which, debased as he was, he regarded the wife of his
+youth, and the long suffering companion of his later and evil
+days. Her dress was plain and coarse, but clean and well fitting;
+and about her whole person was an air of neatness and taste. She
+could not now be called beautiful; yet in her marred features--
+marred by suffering and grief--were many lineaments of beauty; and
+much that told of a true, pure woman's heart beating in her bosom.
+Life came slowly back to the stilled heart, and it was nearly half
+an hour before the circle of motion was fully restored.
+
+Then, the twain, with their child, tenderly borne in the arms of
+her father, went sadly homeward, leaving more than one heart
+heavier for their visit.
+
+I saw more of the landlord's wife on this occasion than before.
+She had acted with a promptness and humanity that impressed me
+very favorably. It was plain, from her exclamations on learning
+that her husband's hand inflicted the blow that came so near
+destroying the child's life, that her faith for good in the
+tavern-keeping experiment had never been strong. I had already
+inferred as much. Her face, the few times I had seen her, wore a
+troubled look; and I could never forget its expression, nor her
+anxious, warning voice, when she discovered Frank sipping the
+dregs from a glass in the bar-room.
+
+It is rarely, I believe, that wives consent freely to the opening
+of taverns by their husbands; and the determination on the part of
+the latter to do so, is not unfrequently attended with a breach of
+confidence and good feeling never afterward fully healed. Men look
+close to the money result; women to the moral consequences. I
+doubt if there be one dram-seller in ten, between whom and his
+wife there exists a good understanding--to say nothing of genuine
+affection. And, in the exceptional cases, it will generally be
+found that the wife is as mercenary, or careless of the public
+good, as her husband. I have known some women to set up grog-
+shops; but they were women of bad principles and worse hearts. I
+remember one case, where a woman, with a sober, church-going
+husband, opened a dram-shop. The husband opposed, remonstrated,
+begged, threatened--but all to no purpose. The wife, by working
+for the clothing stores, had earned and saved about three hundred
+dollars. The love of money, in the slow process of accumulation,
+had been awakened; and, in ministering to the depraved appetites
+of men who loved drink and neglected their families, she saw a
+quicker mode of acquiring the gold she coveted. And so the dram-
+shop was opened. And what was the result? The husband quit going
+to church. He had no heart for that; for, even on the Sabbath day,
+the fiery stream was stayed not in his house. Next he began to
+tipple. Soon, alas! the subtle poison so pervaded his system that
+morbid desire came; and then he moved along quick-footed in the
+way of ruin. In less than three years, I think, from the time the
+grog-shop was opened by his wife, he was in a drunkard's grave. A
+year or two more, and the pit that was digged for others by the
+hands of the wife, she fell into herself. After breathing an
+atmosphere poisoned by the fumes of liquor, the love of tasting it
+was gradually formed, and she, too, in the end, became a slave to
+the Demon Drink. She died at last, poor as a beggar in the street.
+Ah! this liquor-selling is the way to ruin; and they who open the
+gates, as well as those who enter the downward path, alike go to
+destruction. But this is digressing.
+
+After Joe Morgan and his wife left the "Sickle and Sheaf," with
+that gentle child, who, as I afterward learned, had not, for a
+year or more, laid her little head to sleep until her father
+returned home and who, if he stayed out beyond a certain hour,
+would go for him, and lead him back, a very angel of love and
+patience--I re-entered the bar-room, to see how life was passing
+there. Not one of all I had left in the room remained. The
+incident which had occurred was of so painful a nature, that no
+further unalloyed pleasure was to be had there during the evening,
+and so each had retired. In his little kingdom the landlord sat
+alone, his head resting on his hand, and his face shaded from the
+light. The whole aspect of the man was that of one in self-
+humiliation. As I entered he raised his head, and turned his face
+toward me. Its expression was painful.
+
+"Rather an unfortunate affair," said he. "I'm angry with myself,
+and sorry for the poor child. But she'd no business here. As for
+Joe Morgan, it would take a saint to bear his tongue when once set
+a-going by liquor. I wish he'd stay away from the house. Nobody
+wants his company. Oh, dear!"
+
+The ejaculation, or rather groan, that closed the sentence showed
+how little Slade was satisfied with himself, notwithstanding this
+feeble attempt at self-justification.
+
+"His thirst for liquor draws him hither," I remarked. "The
+attraction of your bar to his appetite is like that of the magnet
+to the needle. He cannot stay away."
+
+"He MUST stay away!" exclaimed the landlord, with some vehemence
+of tone, striking his fist upon the table by which he sat. "He
+MUST stay away! There is scarcely an evening that he does not
+ruffle my temper, and mar good feelings in all the company. Just
+see what he provoked me to do this evening. I might have killed
+the child. It makes my blood run cold to think of it! Yes, sir--he
+must stay away. If no better can be done, I'll hire a man to stand
+at the door and keep him out."
+
+"He never troubled you at the mill," said I. "No man was required
+at the mill door?"
+
+"No!" And the landlord gave emphasis to the word by an oath,
+ejaculated with a heartiness that almost startled me. I had not
+heard him swear before. "No; the great trouble was to get him and
+keep him there, the good-for-nothing, idle fellow!"
+
+"I am afraid," I ventured to suggest, "that things don't go on
+quite so smoothly here as they did at the mill. Your customers are
+of a different class."
+
+"I don't know about that; why not?" He did not just relish my
+remark.
+
+"Between quiet, thrifty, substantial farmers, and drinking bar-
+room loungers, are many degrees of comparison."
+
+"Excuse me, sir!" Simon Slade elevated his person. "The men who
+visit my bar-room, as a general thing, are quite as respectable,
+moral, and substantial as any who came to the mill--and I believe
+more so. The first people in the place, sir, are to be found here.
+Judge Lyman and Judge Hammond; Lawyer Wilks and Doctor Maynard;
+Mr. Grand and Mr. Lee; and dozens of others--all our first people.
+No, sir; you mustn't judge all by vagabonds like Joe Morgan."
+
+There was a testy spirit manifested that I did not care to
+provoke. I could have met his assertion with facts and inferences
+of a character to startle any one occupying his position, who was
+in a calm, reflective state; but to argue with him then would have
+been worse than idle; and so I let him talk on until the
+excitement occasioned by my words died out for want of new fuel.
+
+
+
+
+
+NIGHT THE THIRD
+
+JOE MORGAN'S CHILD.
+
+
+I don't see anything of your very particular friend, Joe Morgan,
+this evening," said Harvey Green, leaning on the bar and speaking
+to Slade. It was the night succeeding that on which the painful
+and exciting scene with the child had occurred.
+
+"No," was answered--and to the word was added a profane
+imprecation. "No; and if he'll just keep away from here, he may go
+to--on a hard-trotting horse and a porcupine saddle as fast as he
+pleases. He's tried my patience beyond endurance, and my mind is
+made up that he gets no more drams at this bar. I've borne his
+vile tongue and seen my company annoyed by him just as long as I
+mean to stand it. Last night decided me. Suppose I'd killed that
+child?"
+
+"You'd have had trouble then, and no mistake."
+
+"Wouldn't I? Blast her little picture! What business has she
+creeping in here every night?"
+
+"She must have a nice kind of a mother," remarked Green, with a
+cold sneer.
+
+"I don't know what she is now," said Slade, a slight touch of
+feeling in his voice--"heart-broken, I suppose. I couldn't look at
+her last night; it made me sick. But there was a time when Fanny
+Morgan was the loveliest and best woman in Cedarville. I'll say
+that for her. Oh, dear! What a life her miserable husband has
+caused her to lead."
+
+"Better that he were dead and out of the way."
+
+"Better a thousand times," answered Slade. "If he'd only fall down
+some night and break his neck, it would be a blessing to his
+family."
+
+"And to you in particular," laughed Green.
+
+"You may be sure it wouldn't cost me a large sum for mourning,"
+was the unfeeling response.
+
+Let us leave the bar-room of the "Sickle and Sheaf," and its cold-
+hearted inmates, and look in upon the family of Joe Morgan, and
+see how it is in the home of the poor inebriate. We will pass by a
+quick transition.
+
+"Joe!" The thin white hand of Mrs. Morgan clasps the arm of her
+husband, who has arisen up suddenly, and now stands by the partly
+opened door. "Don't go out to-night, Joe. Please, don't go out."
+
+"Father!" A feeble voice calls from the corner of an old settee,
+where little Mary lies with her head bandaged.
+
+"Well, I won't then!" is replied--not angrily, nor even fretfully
+--but in a kind voice.
+
+"Come and sit by me, father." How tenderly, yet how full of
+concern is that low, sweet voice. "Come, won't you?"
+
+"Yes, dear."
+
+"Now hold my hand, father."
+
+Joe takes the hand of little Mary, that instantly tightens upon
+his.
+
+"You won't go away and leave me to-night, will you, father? Say
+you won't."
+
+"How very hot your hand is, dear. Does your head ache?"
+
+"A little; but it will soon feel better."
+
+Up into the swollen and disfigured face of the fallen father, the
+large, earnest blue eyes of the child are raised. She does not see
+the marred lineaments; but only the beloved countenance of her
+parent.
+
+"Dear father!"
+
+"What, love?"
+
+"I wish you'd promise me something."
+
+"What, dear?"
+
+"Will you promise?"
+
+"I can't say until I hear your request. If I can promise, I will."
+
+"Oh, you can promise--you can, father!"
+
+How the large blue eyes dance and sparkle!
+
+"What is it, love?"
+
+"That you will never go into Simon Slade's bar any more."
+
+The child raises herself, evidently with a painful effort; and
+leans nearer to her father.
+
+Joe shakes his head, and poor Mary drops back upon her pillow with
+a sigh. Her lids fall, and the long lashes lie strongly relieved
+on her colorless cheeks.
+
+"I won't go there to-night, dear. So let your heart be at rest."
+
+Mary's lids unclose, and two round drops, released from their
+clasp, glide slowly over her face.
+
+"Thank you, father--thank you. Mother will be so glad."
+
+The eyes closed again; and the father moved uneasily. His heart is
+touched. There is a struggle within him. It is on his lips to say
+that he will never drink at the "Sickle and Sheaf" again; but
+resolution just lacks the force of utterance.
+
+"Father!"
+
+"Well, dear?"
+
+"I don't, think I'll be well enough to go out in two or three
+days. You know the doctor said that I would have to keep very
+still, for I had a great deal of fever."
+
+"Yes, poor child."
+
+"Now, won't you promise me one thing?"
+
+"What is it, dear?"
+
+"Not to go out in the evening until I get well."
+
+Joe Morgan hesitated.
+
+"Just promise me that, father. It won't be long; I shall be up
+again in a little while."
+
+How well the father knows what is in the heart of his child. Her
+fears are all for him. Who is to go up after her poor father, and
+lead him home when the darkness of inebriety is on his spirit, and
+external perception so dulled that not skill enough remains to
+shun the harm that lies in his path?
+
+"Do promise just that, father, dear."
+
+He cannot resist the pleading voice and look. "I promise it, Mary;
+so shut your eyes now and go to sleep. I'm afraid this fever will
+increase."
+
+"Oh! I'm so glad--so glad!"
+
+Mary does not clasp her hands, nor show strong external signs of
+pleasure; but how full of a pure, unselfish joy is that low-
+murmured ejaculation, spoken in the depths of her spirit, as well
+as syllabled by her tongue!
+
+Mrs. Morgan has been no unconcerned witness of all this; but
+knowing the child's influence over her father, she has not
+ventured a word. More was to be gained, she was sure, by silence
+on her part; and so she kept silent. Now she comes nearer to them,
+and says, as she lets a hand rest on the shoulder of her husband:
+
+"You feel better for that promise already; I know you do."
+
+He looks up to her, and smiles faintly. He does feel better, but
+is hardly willing to acknowledge it.
+
+Soon after Mary is sleeping. It does not escape the observation of
+Mrs. Morgan that her husband grows restless; for he gets up
+suddenly, every now and then, and walks quickly across the room,
+as if in search of something. Then sits down, listlessly--sighs--
+stretches himself, and says, "Oh dear!" What shall she do for him?
+How is the want of his accustomed evening stimulus to be met? She
+thinks, and questions, and grieves inwardly. Poor Joe Morgan! His
+wife understands his case, and pities him from her heart. But what
+can she do? Go out and get him something to drink? "Oh, no! no!
+no! never!" She answered the thought audibly almost, in the
+excitement of her feelings. An hour has passed--Joe's restlessness
+has increased instead of diminishing. What is to be done? Now Mrs.
+Morgan has left the room. She has resolved upon something, for the
+case must be met. Ah! here she comes, after an absence of five
+minutes, bearing in her hand a cup of strong coffee.
+
+"It was kind and thoughtful in you, Fanny," says Morgan, as with a
+gratified look he takes the cup. But his hand trembles, and he
+spills a portion of the contents as ho tries to raise it to his
+lips. How dreadfully his nerves are shattered! Unnatural
+stimulants have been applied so long, that all true vitality seems
+lost. And now the hand of his wife is holding the cup to his lips,
+and he drinks eagerly.
+
+"This is dreadful--dreadful! Where will it end? What is to be
+done?"
+
+Fanny suppresses a sob, as she thus gives vent to her troubled
+feelings. Twice, already, has her husband been seized with the
+drunkard's madness; and, in the nervous prostration consequent
+upon even a brief withdrawal of his usual strong stimulants, she
+sees the fearful precursor of another attack of this dreadful and
+dangerous malady. In the hope of supplying the needed tone she has
+given him strong coffee; and this for the time, produces the
+effect desired. The restlessness is allayed, and a quiet state of
+body and mind succeeds. It needs but a suggestion to induce him to
+retire for the night. After being a few minutes in bed, sleep
+steals over him, and his heavy breathing tells that he is in the
+world of dreams.
+
+And now there comes a tap at the door.
+
+"Come in," is answered.
+
+The latch is lifted, the door swings open, and a woman enters.
+
+"Mrs. Slade! "The name is uttered in a tone of surprise.
+
+"Fanny, how are you this evening?" Kindly, yet half sadly, the
+words are said.
+
+"Tolerable, I thank you."
+
+The hands of the two women are clasped, and for a few moments they
+gaze into each other's face. What a world of tender commiseration
+is in that of Mrs. Slade!
+
+"How is little Mary to-night?"
+
+"Not so well, I'm afraid. She has a good deal of fever."
+
+"Indeed! Oh, I'm sorry! Poor child! what a dreadful thing it was!
+Oh! Fanny! you don't know how it has troubled me. I've been
+intending to come around all day to see how she was, but couldn't
+get off until now."
+
+"It came near killing her," said Mrs. Morgan.
+
+"It's in God's mercy she escaped. The thought of it curdles the
+very blood in my veins. Poor child! is this her on the settee?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+Mrs. Slade takes a chair, and sitting by the sleeping child, gazes
+long upon her pale sweet face. Now the lips of Mary part--words
+are murmured--what is she saying?
+
+"No, no, mother; I can't go to bed yet. Father isn't home. And
+it's so dark. There's no one to lead him over the bridge. I'm not
+afraid. Don't--don't cry so, mother--I'm not afraid! Nothing will
+hurt me."
+
+The child's face flushes. She moans, and throws her arms about
+uneasily. Hark again.
+
+"I wish Mr. Slade wouldn't look so cross at me. He never did when
+I went to the mill. He doesn't take me on his knee now, and stroke
+my hair. Oh, dear! I wish father wouldn't go there any more.
+Don't, don't, Mr. Slade. Oh! oh!"--the ejaculation prolonged into
+a frightened cry, "My head! my head!"
+
+A few choking sobs are followed by low moans; and then the child
+breathes easily again. But the flush does not leave her cheek; and
+when Mrs. Slade, from whose eyes the tears come forth drop by
+drop, and roll down her face, touches it lightly, she finds it hot
+with fever.
+
+"Has the doctor seen her to-day, Fanny?"
+
+"No, ma'am."
+
+"He should see her at once. I will go for him"; and Mrs. Slade
+starts up and goes quickly from the room. In a little while she
+returns with Doctor Green, who sits down and looks at the child
+for some moments with a sober, thoughtful face. Then he lays his
+fingers on her pulse and times its beat by his watch--shakes his
+head, and looks graver still.
+
+"How long has she had fever?" he asks.
+
+"All day."
+
+"You should have sent for me earlier."
+
+"Oh, doctor! She is not dangerous, I hope?" Mrs. Morgan looks
+frightened.
+
+"She's a sick child, madam."
+
+"You've promised, father."--The dreamer is speaking again.--"I'm
+not well enough yet. Oh, don't go, father; don't! There! He's
+gone! Well, well! I'll try and walk there--I can sit down and rest
+by the way. Oh, dear! How tired I am! Father! Father!"
+
+The child starts up and looks about her wildly.
+
+"Oh, mother, is it you?" And she sinks back upon her pillow,
+looking now inquiringly from face to face.
+
+"Father--where is father?" she asks.
+
+"Asleep, dear."
+
+"Oh! Is he? I'm glad."
+
+Her eyes close wearily.
+
+"Do you feel any pain, Mary?" inquired the doctor.
+
+"Yes, sir--in my head. It aches and beats so."
+
+The cry of "Father" had reached the ears of Morgan, who is
+sleeping in the next room, and roused him into consciousness. He
+knows the doctor's voice. Why is he here at this late hour? "Do
+you feel any pain, Mary?" The question he hears distinctly, and
+the faintly uttered reply also. He is sober enough to have all his
+fears instantly excited. There is nothing in the world that he
+loves as he loves that child. And so he gets up and dresses
+himself as quickly as possible; the stimulus of anxiety giving
+tension to his relaxed nerves.
+
+"Oh, father!" The quick ears of Mary detect his entrance first,
+and a pleasant smile welcomes him.
+
+"Is she very sick, doctor?" he asks, in a voice full of anxiety.
+
+"She's a sick child, sir; you should have sent for me earlier."
+The doctor speaks rather sternly, and with a purpose to rebuke.
+
+The reply stirs Morgan, and he seems to cower half timidly under
+the words, as if they were blows. Mary has already grasped her
+father's hand, and holds on to it tightly.
+
+After examining the case a little more closely, the doctor
+prepares some medicine, and, promising to call early in the
+morning, goes away. Mrs. Slade follows soon after; but, in parting
+with Mrs. Morgan, leaves something in her hand, which, to the
+surprise of the latter, proves to be a ten-dollar bill. The tears
+start to her eyes; and she conceals the money in her bosom--
+murmuring a fervent "God bless her!"
+
+A simple act of restitution is this on the part of Mrs. Slade,
+prompted as well by humanity as a sense of justice. With one hand
+her husband has taken the bread from the family of his old friend,
+and thus with the other she restores it.
+
+And now Morgan and his wife are alone with their sick child.
+Higher the fever rises, and partial delirium seizes upon her over-
+excited brain. She talks for a time almost incessantly. All her
+trouble is about her father; and she is constantly referring to
+his promise not to go out in the evening until she gets well. How
+tenderly and touchingly she appeals to him; now looking up into
+his face in partial recognition; and now calling anxiously after
+him, as if he had left her and was going away.
+
+"You'll not forget your promise, will you, father?" she says,
+speaking so calmly, that he thinks her mind has ceased to wander.
+
+"No, dear; I will not forget it," he answers, smoothing her hair
+gently with his hand.
+
+"You'll not go out in the evening again, until I get well?"
+
+"No, dear."
+
+"Father!"
+
+"What, love?"
+
+"Stoop down closer; I don't want mother to hear; it will make her
+feel so bad."
+
+The father bends his ear close to the lips of Mary. How he starts
+and shudders! What has she said?--only these brief words:
+
+"I shall not get well, father; I'm going to die."
+
+The groans, impossible to repress, that issued through the lips of
+Joe Morgan, startled the ears of his wife, and she came quickly to
+the bedside.
+
+"What is it? What is the matter, Joe?" she inquired, with a look
+of anxiety.
+
+"Hush, father. Don't tell her. I only said it to you." And Mary
+put a finger on her lips, and looked mysterious. "There, mother--
+you go away; you've got trouble enough, any how. Don't tell her,
+father."
+
+But the words, which came to him like a prophecy, awoke such pangs
+of fear and remorse in the heart of Joe Morgan, that it was
+impossible for him to repress the signs of pain. For some moments
+he gazed at his wife--then stooping forward, suddenly, he buried
+his face in the bed-clothes, and sobbed bitterly.
+
+A suggestion of the truth now flashed through the mind of Mrs.
+Morgan, sending a thrill of pain along every nerve. Ere she had
+time to recover herself, the low, sweet voice of Mary broke upon
+the hushed air of the room, and she sung:
+
+    "Jesus can make a dying bed
+      Feel soft as downy pillows are,
+    While on His breast I lean my head,
+      And breathe my life out, sweetly, there."
+
+It was impossible for Mrs. Morgan longer to repress her feelings.
+As the softly breathed strain died away, her sobs broke forth, and
+for a time she wept violently.
+
+"There," said the child,--"I didn't mean to tell you. I only told
+father, because--because he promised not to go to the tavern any
+more until I got well; and I'm not going to get well. So, you see,
+mother, he'll never go again--never--never--never. Oh, dear! how
+my head pains. Mr. Slade threw it so hard. But it didn't strike
+father; and I'm so glad. How it would have hurt him--poor father!
+But he'll never go there any more; and that will be so good, won't
+it, mother?"
+
+A light broke over her face; but seeing that her mother still
+wept, she said:
+
+"Don't cry. Maybe I'll be better."
+
+And then her eyes closed heavily, and she slept again.
+
+"Joe," said Mrs. Morgan, after she had in a measure recovered
+herself--she spoke firmly--"Joe, did you hear what she said?"
+
+Morgan only answered with a groan.
+
+"Her mind wanders; and yet she may have spoken only the truth."
+
+He groaned again.
+
+"If she should die, Joe--"
+
+"Don't; oh, don't talk so, Fanny. She's not going to die. It's
+only because she's a little light-headed."
+
+"Why is she light-headed, Joe?"
+
+"It's the fever--only the fever, Fanny."
+
+"It was the blow, and the wound on her head, that caused the
+fever. How do we know the extent of injury on the brain? Doctor
+Green looked very serious. I'm afraid, husband, that the worst is
+before us. I've borne and suffered a great deal--only God knows
+how much--I pray that I may have strength to bear this trial also.
+Dear child! She is better fitted for heaven than for earth, and it
+may be that God is about to take her to Himself. She's been a
+great comfort to me--and to you, Joe, more like a guardian angel
+than a child."
+
+Mrs. Morgan had tried to speak very firmly; but as sentence
+followed sentence, her voice lost more and more of its even tone.
+With the closing words all self-control vanished; and she wept
+bitterly. What could her feeble, erring husband do, but weep with
+her?
+
+"Joe,"--Mrs. Morgan aroused herself as quickly as possible, for
+she had that to say which she feared she might not have the heart
+to utter--"Joe, if Mary dies, you cannot forget the cause of her
+death."
+
+"Oh, Fanny! Fanny!"
+
+"Nor the hand that struck the cruel blow." "Forget it? Never! And
+if I forgive Simon Slade--"
+
+"Nor the place where the blow was dealt," said Mrs. Morgan,
+interrupting him.
+
+"Poor--poor child!" moaned the conscience-stricken man.
+
+"Nor your promise, Joe--nor your promise given to our dying
+child."
+
+"Father! Father! Dear father!" Mary's eyes suddenly unclosed, as
+she called her father eagerly.
+
+"Here I am, love. What is it?" And Joe Morgan pressed up to the
+bedside.
+
+"Oh! it's you, father! I dreamed that you had gone out, and--and--
+but you won't will you, dear father?"
+
+"No, love--no."
+
+"Never any more until I get well?"
+
+"I must go out to work, you know, Mary."
+
+"At night, father. That's what I mean. You won't, will you?"
+
+"No, dear, no."
+
+A soft smile trembled over the child's face; her eyelids drooped
+wearily, and she fell off into slumber again. She seemed not so
+restless as before--did not moan, nor throw herself about in her
+sleep.
+
+"She's better, I think," said Morgan, as he bent over her, and
+listened to her softer breathing.
+
+"It seems so," replied his wife. "And now, Joe, you must go to bed
+again. I will lie down here with Mary, and be ready to do any
+thing for her that she may want."
+
+"I don't feel sleepy. I'm sure I couldn't close my eyes. So let me
+sit up with Mary. You are tired and worn out."
+
+Mrs. Morgan looked earnestly into her husband's face. His eyes
+were unusually bright, and she noticed a slight nervous
+restlessness about his lips. She laid one of her hands on his, and
+perceived a slight tremor.
+
+"You must go to bed," she spoke firmly. "I shall not let you sit
+up with Mary. So go at once." And she drew him almost by force
+into the next room.
+
+"It's no use, Fanny. There's not a wink of sleep in my eyes. I
+shall lie awake anyhow. So do you get a little rest." Even as he
+spoke there were nervous twitchings of his arms and shoulders; and
+as he entered the chamber, impelled by his wife, he stopped
+suddenly and said:
+
+"What is that?"
+
+"Where?" asked Mrs. Morgan.
+
+"Oh, it's nothing--I see. Only one of my old boots. I thought it a
+great black cat."
+
+Oh! what a shudder of despair seized upon the heart of the
+wretched wife. Too well she knew the fearful signs of that
+terrible madness from which, twice before, he had suffered. She
+could have looked on calmly and seen him die--but, "Not this--not
+this! Oh, Father in heaven!" she murmured, with such a heart-
+sinking that it seemed as if life itself would go out.
+
+"Get into bed, Joe; get into bed as quickly as possible."
+
+Morgan was now passive in the hands of his wife, and obeyed her
+almost like a child. He had turned down the bed-clothes, and was
+about getting in, when he started back, with a look of disgust and
+alarm.
+
+"There's nothing there, Joe. What's the matter with you?"
+
+"I'm sure I don't know, Fanny," and his teeth rattled together, as
+he spoke. "I thought there was a great toad under the clothes."
+
+"How foolish you are!"--yet tears were blinding her eyes as she
+said this. "It's only fancy. Get into bed and shut your eyes. I'll
+make you another cup of strong coffee. Perhaps that will do you
+good. You're only a little nervous. Mary's sickness has disturbed
+you."
+
+Joe looked cautiously under the bedclothes, as he lifted them up
+still farther, and peered beneath.
+
+"You know there's nothing in your bed, see!"
+
+And Mrs. Morgan threw with a single jerk all the clothes upon the
+floor.
+
+"There now! look for yourself. Now shut your eyes," she continued
+as she spread the sheet and quilt over him after his head was on
+the pillow. "Shut them tight and keep them so until I boil the
+water and make a cup of coffee You know as well as I do that it's
+nothing but fancy."
+
+Morgan closed his eyes firmly, and drew the clothes over his head.
+
+"I'll be back in a few minutes" said his wife going hurriedly to
+the door. Ere leaving, however she partly turned her head and
+glanced back. There sat her husband upright and staring fearfully.
+
+"Don't Fanny! don't go away!" he cried in a frightened voice.
+
+Joe! Joe! why will you be so foolish? It's nothing but
+imagination. Now do lie down and shut your eyes. Keep them shut.
+There now.
+
+And she laid a hand over his eyes and pressed it down tightly.
+
+"I wish Doctor Green was here" said the wretched man. "He could
+give me something"
+
+"Shall I go for him?"
+
+"Go Fanny! Run over right quickly"
+
+"But you won't keep in bed"
+
+"Yes I will. There, now" And he drew the clothes over his face
+"There I'll lie just so until you come back. Now run Fanny, and
+don't stay a minute"
+
+Scarcely stopping to think Mrs. Morgan went hurriedly from the
+room and drawing an old shawl over her head started with swift
+feet for the residence of Doctor Green which was not very far
+away. The kind doctor understood at a word the sad condition of
+her husband and promised to attend him immediately. Back she flew
+at even a wilder speed her heart throbbing with vague
+apprehension. Oh! what a fearful cry was that which smote her ears
+as she came within a few paces of home. She knew the voice,
+changed as it was by terror, and a shudder almost palsied her
+heart. At a single bound she cleared the intervening space and in
+the next moment was in the room where she had left her husband.
+But he was not there! With suspended breath, and feet that
+scarcely obeyed her will, she passed into the chamber where little
+Mary lay. Not here!
+
+"Joe! husband!" she called in a faint voice.
+
+"Here he is, mother." And now she saw that Joe had crept into the
+bed behind the sick child and that her arm was drawn tightly
+around his neck.
+
+"You won't let them hurt me, will you dear?" said the pool
+frightened victim of a terrible mania.
+
+"Nothing will hurt you father," answered Mary, in a voice that
+showed her mind to be clear, and fully conscious of her parent's
+true condition.
+
+She had seen him thus before. Ah! what an experience for a child!
+
+"You're an angel--my good angel, Mary," he murmured, in a voice
+yet trembling with fear "Pray for me, my child. Oh ask your father
+in heaven to save me from these dreadful creatures. There now!" he
+cried, rising up suddenly and looking toward the door. "Keep out!
+Go away! You can't come in here. This is Mary's room, and she's an
+angel. Ah, ha! I knew you wouldn't dare come in here--
+
+    "A single saint can put to flight
+    Ten thousand blustering sons of night"
+
+He added in a half wandering way yet with an assured voice, as he
+laid himself back upon his pillow and drew the clothes over his
+head.
+
+"Poor father!" sighed the child as she gathered both arms about
+his neck! "I will be your good angel. Nothing shall hurt you
+here."
+
+I knew I would be safe where you were," he whispered--"I knew it,
+and so I came. Kiss me, love.
+
+How pure and fervent was the kiss laid instantly upon his lips!
+There was a power in it to remand the evil influences that were
+surrounding and pressing in upon him like a flood. All was quiet
+now, and Mrs. Morgan neither by word nor movement disturbed the
+solemn stillness that reigned in the apartment. In a few minutes
+the deepened breathing of her husband gave a blessed intimation
+that he was sinking into sleep. Oh, sleep! sleep! How tearfully,
+in times past, had she prayed that he might sleep; and yet no
+sleep came for hours and days--even though powerful opiates were
+given--until exhausted nature yielded, and then sleep had a long,
+long struggle with death. Now the sphere of his loving, innocent
+child seemed to have overcome, at least for the time, the evil
+influences that were getting possession even of his external
+senses. Yes, yes, he was sleeping! Oh, what a fervent "Thank God!"
+went up from the heart of his stricken wife.
+
+Soon the quick ears of Mrs. Morgan detected the doctor's
+approaching footsteps, and she met him at the door with a finger
+on her lips. A whispered word or two explained the better aspect
+of affairs, and the doctor said, encouragingly:
+
+"That's good, if he will only sleep on."
+
+"Do you think he will, doctor?" was asked anxiously.
+
+"He may. But we cannot hope too strongly. It would be something
+very unusual."
+
+Both passed noiselessly into the chamber. Morgan still slept, and
+by his deep breathing it was plain that he slept soundly. And
+Mary, too, was sleeping, her face now laid against her father's,
+and her arms still about his neck. The sight touched even the
+doctor's heart and moistened his eyes. For nearly half an hour he
+remained; and then, as Morgan continued to sleep, he left medicine
+to be given immediately, and went home, promising to call early in
+the morning.
+
+It is now past midnight, and we leave the lonely, sad-hearted
+watcher with her sick ones.
+
+I was sitting, with a newspaper in my hand--not reading, but
+musing--at the "Sickle and Sheaf," late in the evening marked by
+the incidents just detailed.
+
+"Where's your mother?" I heard Simon Slade inquire. He had just
+entered an adjoining room.
+
+"She's gone out somewhere," was answered by his daughter Flora.
+
+"Where?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"How long has she been away?"
+
+"More than an hour."
+
+"And you don't know where she went to?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+Nothing more was said, but I heard the landlord's heavy feet
+moving backward and forward across the room for some minutes.
+
+"Why, Ann! where have you been?" The door of the next room had
+opened and shut.
+
+"Where I wish you had been with me," was answered in a very firm
+voice.
+
+"Where?"
+
+"To Joe Morgan's."
+
+"Humph!" Only this ejaculation met my ears. But something was said
+in a low voice, to which Mrs. Slade replied with some warmth:
+
+"If you don't have his child's blood clinging for life to your
+garments, you may be thankful."
+
+"What do you mean?" he asked, quickly.
+
+"All that my words indicate. Little Mary is very ill!"
+
+"Well, what of it?"
+
+"Much. The doctor thinks her in great danger. The cut on her head
+has thrown her into a violent fever, and she is delirious. Oh,
+Simon! if you had heard what I heard to-night."
+
+"What?" was asked in a growling tone.
+
+"She is out of her mind, as I said, and talks a great deal. She
+talked about you."
+
+"Of me! Well, what had she to say?"
+
+"She said--so pitifully--'I wish Mr. Slade wouldn't look so cross
+at me. He never did when I went to the mill. He doesn't take me on
+his knee now, and stroke my hair. Oh, dear!' Poor child! She was
+always so good."
+
+"Did she say that?" Slade seemed touched.
+
+"Yes, and a great deal more. Once she screamed out, 'Oh, don't!
+don't, Mr. Slade! don't! My head! my head!' It made my very heart
+ache. I can never forget her pale, frightened face, nor her cry of
+fear. Simon--if she should die!"
+
+There was a long silence.
+
+"If we were only back to the mill." It was Mrs. Slade's voice.
+
+"There, now! I don't want to hear that again," quickly spoke out
+the landlord. "I made a slave of myself long enough."
+
+"You had at least a clear conscience," his wife answered.
+
+"Do hush, will you?" Slade was now angry. "One would think, by the
+way you talk sometimes, that I had broken every command of the
+Decalogue."
+
+"You will break hearts as well as commandments, if you keep on for
+a few years as you have begun--and ruin souls as well as
+fortunes."
+
+Mrs. Slade spoke calmly, but with marked severity of tone. Her
+husband answered with an oath, and then left the room, banging the
+door after him. In the hush that followed I retired to my chamber,
+and lay for an hour awake, pondering on all I had just heard. What
+a revelation was in that brief passage of words between the
+landlord and his excited companion!
+
+
+
+
+
+NIGHT THE FOURTH.
+
+DEATH OF LITTLE MARY MORGAN.
+
+
+"Where are you going, Ann? "It was the landlord's voice. Time--a
+little after dark.
+
+"I'm going over to see Mrs. Morgan," answered his wife.
+
+"What for?"
+
+"I wish to go," was replied.
+
+"Well, I don't wish you to go," said Slade, in a very decided way.
+
+"I can't help that, Simon. Mary, I'm told, is dying, and Joe is in
+a dreadful way. I'm needed there--and so are you, as to that
+matter. There was a time when, if word came to you that Morgan or
+his family were in trouble--"
+
+"Do hush, will you!" exclaimed the landlord, angrily. "I won't be
+preached to in this way any longer."
+
+"Oh, well; then don't interfere with my movements, Simon; that's
+all I have to say. I'm needed over there, as I just said, and I'm
+going."
+
+There were considerable odds against him, and Slade, perceiving
+this, turned off, muttering something that his wife did not hear,
+and she went on her way. A hurried walk brought her to the
+wretched home of the poor drunkard, whose wife met her at the
+door.
+
+"How is Mary?" was the visitor's earnest inquiry.
+
+Mrs. Morgan tried to answer the question; but, though her lips
+moved, no sounds issued therefrom.
+
+Mrs. Slade pressed her hands tightly in both of hers; and then
+passed in with her to the room where the child lay. A stance
+sufficed to tell Mrs. Slade that death had already laid his icy
+fingers upon her brow.
+
+"How are you, dear?" she asked, as she bent over and kissed her.
+
+"Better, I thank you!" replied Mary, in a low whisper.
+
+Then she fixed her eyes upon her mother's face with a look of
+inquiry.
+
+"What is it, love?"
+
+"Hasn't father waked up yet?"
+
+"No, dear."
+
+"Won't he wake up soon?"
+
+"He's sleeping very soundly. I wouldn't like to disturb him."
+
+"Oh, no; don't disturb him. I thought, maybe, he was awake."
+
+And the child's lids drooped languidly, until the long lashes lay
+close against her cheeks.
+
+There was silence for a little while, and then Mrs. Morgan said in
+a half-whisper to Mrs. Slade:
+
+"Oh, we've had such a dreadful time with poor Joe. He got in that
+terrible way again last night. I had to go for Doctor Green and
+leave him all alone. When I came back, he was in bed with Mary;
+and she, dear child, had her arms around his neck, and was trying
+to comfort him; and would you believe it, he went off to sleep,
+and slept in that way for a long time. The doctor came, and when
+he saw how it was, left some medicine for him, and went away. I
+was in such hopes that he would sleep it all off. But about twelve
+o'clock he started up, and sprung out of bed with an awful scream.
+Poor Mary! she too had fallen asleep. The cry wakened her, and
+frightened her dreadfully. She's been getting worse ever since,
+Mrs. Slade.
+
+"Just as he was rushing out of the room, I caught him by the arm,
+and it took all my strength to hold him.
+
+"'Father! father!' Mary called after him as soon as she was awake
+enough to understand what was the matter--'Don't go out, father;
+there's nothing here.'
+
+"He looked back toward the bed, in a frightful way.
+
+"'See, father!' and the dear child turned down the quilt and
+sheet, in order to convince him that nothing was in the bed. 'I'm
+here,' she added. 'I'm not afraid. Come, father. If there's
+nothing here to hurt me, there's nothing to hurt you.'
+
+"There was something so assuring in this, that Joe took a step or
+two toward the bed, looking sharply into it as he did so. From the
+bed his eyes wandered up to the ceiling, and the old look of
+terror came into his face.
+
+"'There it is now! Jump out of bed, quick! Jump out, Mary!' he
+cried. 'See! it's right over your head.'
+
+"Mary showed no sign of fear as she lifted her eyes to the
+ceiling, and gazed steadily for a few moments in that direction.
+
+"'There's nothing there, father,' said she, in a confident voice.
+
+"'It's gone now,' Joe spoke in a tone of relief. 'Your angel-look
+drove it away. Aha! There it is now, creeping along the floor!' he
+suddenly exclaimed, fearfully; starting away from where he stood.
+
+"'Here, father'! Here!' Mary called to him, and he sprung into the
+bed again; while she gathered her arms about him tightly, saying
+in a low, soothing voice, 'Nothing can harm you here, father.'
+
+"Without a moment's delay, I gave him the morphine left by Doctor
+Green. He took it eagerly, and then crouched down in the bed,
+while Mary continued to assure him of perfect safety. So long as
+he was clearly conscious as to where he was, he remained perfectly
+still. But, as soon as partial slumber came, he would scream out,
+and spring from the bed in terror and then it would take us
+several minutes to quiet him again. Six times during the night did
+this occur; and as often, Mary coaxed him back. The morphine I
+continued to give as the doctor had directed. By morning, the
+opiates had done their work, and he was sleeping soundly. When the
+doctor came, we removed him to his own bed. He is still asleep;
+and I begin to feel uneasy, lest he should never awake again. I
+have heard of this happening."
+
+"See if father isn't awake," said Mary, raising her head from the
+pillow. She had not heard what passed between her mother and Mrs.
+Slade, for the conversation was carried on in low voices.
+
+Mrs. Morgan stepped to the door, and looked into the room where
+her husband lay.
+
+"He is still asleep, dear," she remarked, coming back to the bed.
+
+"Oh! I wish he was awake. I want to see him so much. Won't you
+call him, mother?"
+
+"I have called him a good many times. But you know the doctor gave
+him opium. He can't wake up yet."
+
+"He's been sleeping a very long time; don't you think so, mother?"
+
+"Yes, dear, it does seem a long time. But it is best for him.
+He'll be better when he wakes."
+
+Mary closed her eyes, wearily. How deathly white was her face--how
+sunken her eyes--how sharply contracted her features!
+
+"I've given her up, Mrs. Slade," said Mrs. Morgan, in a low,
+rough, choking whisper, as she leaned nearer to her friend. "I've
+given her up! The worst is over; but, oh! it seemed as though my
+heart would break in the struggle. Dear child! In all the darkness
+of my way, she has helped and comforted me. Without her, it would
+have been the blackness of darkness."
+
+"Father! father!" The voice of Mary broke out with a startling
+quickness.
+
+Mrs. Morgan turned to the bed, and laying her hand on Mary's arm
+said:
+
+"He's still sound asleep, dear."
+
+"No, he isn't, mother. I heard him move. Won't you go in and see
+if he is awake?"
+
+In order to satisfy the child, her mother left the room. To her
+surprise, she met the eyes of her husband as she entered the
+chamber where he lay. He looked at her calmly.
+
+"What does Mary want with me?" he asked.
+
+"She wishes to see you. She's called you so many times. Shall I
+bring her in here?"
+
+"No. I'll get up and dress myself."
+
+"I wouldn't do that. You've been sick."
+
+"Father! father!" The clear, earnest voice of Mary was heard
+calling.
+
+"I'm coming, dear," answered Morgan.
+
+"Come quick, father, won't you?"
+
+"Yes, love." And Morgan got up and dressed himself--but with
+unsteady hands, and every sign of nervous prostration. In a little
+while, with the assistance of his wife, he was ready, and
+supported by her, came tottering into the room where Mary was
+lying.
+
+"Oh, father!"--What a light broke over her countenance.--"I've
+been waiting for you so long. I thought you were never going to
+wake up. Kiss me, father."
+
+"What can I do for you, Mary?" asked Morgan, tenderly, as he laid
+his face down upon the pillow beside her.
+
+"Nothing, father. I don't wish for anything. I only wanted to see
+you."
+
+"I'm here now, love."
+
+"Dear father!" How earnestly, yet tenderly she spoke, laying her
+small hand upon his face. "You've always been good to me, father."
+
+"Oh, no. I've never been good to anybody," sobbed the weak,
+broken-spirited man, as he raised himself from the pillow.
+
+How deeply touched was Mrs. Slade, as she sat, the silent witness
+of this scene!
+
+"You haven't been good to yourself, father--but you've always been
+good to us."
+
+"Don't, Mary! don't say anything about that," interrupted Morgan.
+"Say that I've been very bad--very wicked. Oh, Mary, dear! I only
+wish that I was as good as you are; I'd like to die, then, and go
+right away from this evil world. I wish there was no liquor to
+drink--no taverns--no bar-rooms. Oh, dear! Oh, dear! I wish I was
+dead."
+
+And the weak, trembling, half-palsied man laid his face again upon
+the pillow beside his child, and sobbed aloud.
+
+What an oppressive silence reigned for a time through the room!
+
+"Father." The stillness was broken by Mary. Her voice was clear
+and even. "Father, I want to tell you something."
+
+"What is it, Mary?"
+
+"There'll be nobody to go for you, father." The child's lips now
+quivered, and tears filled into her eyes.
+
+"Don't talk about that, Mary. I'm not going out in the evening any
+more until you get well. Don't you remember I promised?"
+
+"But, father"--She hesitated.
+
+"What, dear?"
+
+"I'm going away to leave you and mother."
+
+"Oh, no--no--no, Mary! Don't say that."--The poor man's voice was
+broken.--"Don't say that! We can't let you go, dear."
+
+"God has called me." The child's voice had a solemn tone, and her
+eyes turned reverently upward.
+
+"I wish He would call me! Oh, I wish He would call me!" groaned
+Morgan, hiding his face in his hands. "What shall I do when you
+are gone? Oh, dear! Oh. dear!"
+
+"Father!" Mary spoke calmly again. "You are not ready to go yet.
+God will let you live here longer, that you may get ready."
+
+"How can I get ready without you to help me, Mary? My angel
+child!"
+
+"Haven't I tried to help you, father, oh, so many times?" said
+Mary.
+
+"Yes--yes--you've always tried."
+
+"But it wasn't any use. You would go out--you would go to the
+tavern. It seemed most as if you couldn't help it."
+
+Morgan groaned in spirit.
+
+"Maybe I can help you better, father, after I die. I love you so
+much, that I am sure God will let me come to you, and stay with
+you always, and be your angel. Don't you think he will, mother?"
+
+But Mrs. Morgan's heart was too full. She did not even try to
+answer, but sat, with streaming eyes, gazing upon her child's
+face.
+
+"Father. I dreamed something about you, while I slept to-day."
+Mary again turned to her father.
+
+"What was it, dear?"
+
+"I thought it was night, and that I was still sick. You promised
+not to go out again until I was well. But you did go out; and I
+thought you went over to Mr. Slade's tavern. When I knew this, I
+felt as strong as when I was well, and I got up and dressed
+myself, and started out after you. But I hadn't gone far, before I
+met Mr. Slade's great bull-dog, Nero, and he growled at me so
+dreadfully that I was frightened and ran back home. Then I started
+again, and went away round by Mr. Mason's. But there was Nero in
+the road, and this time he caught my dress in his mouth and tore a
+great piece out of the skirt. I ran back again, and he chased me
+all the way home. Just as I got to the door. I looked around, and
+there was Mr. Slade, setting Nero on me. As soon as I saw Mr.
+Slade, though he looked at me very wicked, I lost all my fear, and
+turning around, I walked past Nero, who showed his teeth, and
+growled as fiercely as ever, but didn't touch me. Then Mr. Slade
+tried to stop me. But I didn't mind him, and kept right on, until
+I came to the tavern, and there you stood in the door. And you
+were dressed so nice. You had on a new hat and a new coat; and
+your boots were new, and polished just like Judge Hammond's. I
+said: 'Oh father! is this you?' And then you took me up in your
+arms and kissed me, and said: 'Yes, Mary, I am your real father.
+Not old Joe Morgan--but Mr. Morgan now.' It seemed all so strange,
+that I looked into the bar-room to see who was there. But it
+wasn't a bar-room any longer; but a store full of goods. The sign
+of the 'Sickle and Sheaf' was taken down; and over the door I now
+read your name, father. Oh! I was so glad, that I awoke--and then
+I cried all to myself, for it was only a dream."
+
+The last words were said very mournfully, and with a drooping of
+Mary's lids, until the tear-gemmed lashes lay close upon her
+cheeks. Another period of deep silence followed--for the oppressed
+listeners gave no utterance to what was in their hearts. Feeling
+was too strong for speech. Nearly five minutes glided away, and
+then Mary whispered the name of her father, but without opening
+her eyes.
+
+Morgan answered, and bent down his ear.
+
+"You will only have mother left," she said--"only mother. And she
+cries so much when you are away."
+
+"I won't leave her, Mary, only when I go to work," said Morgan,
+whispering back to the child. "And I'll never go out at night any
+more."
+
+"Yes; you promised me that."
+
+"And I'll promise more."
+
+"What, father?"
+
+"Never to go into a tavern again."
+
+"Never!"
+
+"No, never. And I'll promise still more."
+
+"Father?"
+
+"Never to drink a drop of liquor as long as I live."
+
+"Oh, father! dear, dear father!" And with a cry of joy Mary
+started up and flung herself upon his breast. Morgan drew his arms
+tightly around her, and sat for a long time, with his lips pressed
+to her cheek--while she lay against his bosom as still as death.
+As death? Yes: for when the father unclasped his arms, the spirit
+of his child was with the angels of the resurrection!
+
+It was my fourth evening in the bar-room of the 'Sickle and
+Sheaf'. The company was not large, nor in very gay spirits. All
+had heard of little Mary's illness; which followed so quickly on
+the blow from the tumbler, that none hesitated about connecting
+the one with the other. So regular had been the child's visits,
+and so gently excited, yet powerful her influence over her father,
+that most of the frequenters at the 'Sickle and Sheaf' had felt
+for her a more than common interest; which the cruel treatment she
+received, and the subsequent illness, materially heightened.
+
+"Joe Morgan hasn't turned up this evening," remarked some one.
+
+"And isn't likely to for a while" was answered.
+
+"Why not?" inquired the first speaker.
+
+"They say the man with the poker is after him."
+
+"Oh, dear that's dreadful. Its the second or third chase, isn't
+it?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He'll be likely to catch him this time."
+
+"I shouldn't wonder."
+
+"Poor devil! It won't be much matter. His family will be a great
+deal better without him."
+
+"It will be a blessing to them if he dies."
+
+"Miserable, drunken wretch!" muttered Harvey Green who was
+present. "He's only in the way of everybody. The sooner he's off,
+the better."
+
+The landlord said nothing. He stood leaning across the bar,
+looking more sober than usual.
+
+"That was rather an unlucky affair of yours Simon. They say the
+child is going to die."
+
+"Who says so?" Slade started, scowled and threw a quick glance
+upon the speaker.
+
+"Doctor Green."
+
+"Nonsense! Doctor Green never said any such thing."
+
+"Yes, he did though."
+
+"Who heard him?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"You did?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"He wasn't in earnest?" A slight paleness overspread the
+countenance of the landlord. "He was, though. They had an awful
+time there last night."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"At Joe Morgan's. Joe has the mania, and Mrs. Morgan was alone
+with him and her sick girl all night."
+
+"He deserves to have it; that's all I've got to say." Slade tried
+to speak with a kind of rough indifference.
+
+"That's pretty hard talk," said one of the company.
+
+"I don't care if it is. It's the truth. What else could he
+expect?"
+
+"A man like Joe is to be pitied," remarked the other.
+
+"I pity his family," said Slade.
+
+"Especially little Mary." The words were uttered tauntingly, and
+produced murmurs of satisfaction throughout the room.
+
+Slade started back from where he stood, in an impatient manner,
+saying something that I did not hear.
+
+"Look here, Simon, I heard some strong suggestions over at Lawyer
+Phillips' office to-day."
+
+Slade turned his eyes upon the speaker.
+
+"If that child should die, you'll probably have to stand a trial
+for man-slaughter."
+
+"No--girl-slaughter," said Harvey Green, with a cold, inhuman
+chuckle.
+
+"But I'm in earnest." said the other. "Mr. Phillips said that a
+case could be made out of it."
+
+"It was only an accident, and all the lawyers in Christendom can't
+make anything more of it," remarked Green, taking the side of the
+landlord, and speaking with more gravity than before.
+
+"Hardly an accident," was replied.
+
+"He didn't throw at the girl."
+
+"No matter. He threw a heavy tumbler at her father's head. The
+intention was to do an injury; and the law will not stop to make
+any nice discriminations in regard to the individual upon whom the
+injury was wrought. Moreover, who is prepared to say that he
+didn't aim at the girl?"
+
+"Any man who intimates such a thing is a cursed liar!" exclaimed
+the landlord, half maddened by the suggestion.
+
+"I won't throw a tumbler at your head," coolly remarked the
+individual whose plain speaking had so irritated Simon Slade,
+"Throwing tumblers I never thought a very creditable kind of
+argument--though with some men, when cornered, it is a favorite
+mode of settling a question. Now, as for our friend the landlord,
+I am sorry to say that his new business doesn't seem to have
+improved his manners or his temper a great deal. As a miller, he
+was one of the best-tempered men in the world, and wouldn't have
+harmed a kitten. But, now, he can swear, and bluster, and throw
+glasses at people's heads, and all that sort of thing, with the
+best of brawling rowdies. I'm afraid he's taking lessons in a bad
+school--I am."
+
+"I don't think you have any right to insult a man in his own
+house," answered Slade, in a voice dropped to a lower key than the
+one in which he had before spoken.
+
+"I had no intention to insult you," said the other. "I was only
+speaking supposititiously, and in view of your position on a trial
+for manslaughter, when I suggested that no one could prove, or say
+that you didn't mean to strike little Mary, when you threw the
+tumbler."
+
+"Well, I didn't mean to strike her: and I don't believe there is a
+man in this bar-room who thinks that I did--not one."
+
+"I'm sure I do not," said the individual with whom he was in
+controversy. "Nor I"--"Nor I" went round the room.
+
+"But, as I wished to set forth," was continued, "the case will not
+be so plain a one when it finds its way into court, and twelve
+men, to each of whom you may be a stranger, come to sit in
+judgment upon the act. The slightest twist in the evidence, the
+prepossessions of a witness, or the bad tact of the prosecution,
+may cause things to look so dark on your side as to leave you but
+little chance. For my part, if the child should die, I think your
+chances for a term in the state's prison are as eight to ten; and
+I should call that pretty close cutting."
+
+I looked attentively at the man who said this, all the while he
+was speaking, but could not clearly make out whether he were
+altogether in earnest, or merely trying to worry the mind of
+Slade. That he was successful in accomplishing the latter, was
+very plain; for the landlord's countenance steadily lost color,
+and became overcast with alarm. With that evil delight which some
+men take in giving pain, others, seeing Slade's anxious looks,
+joined in the persecution, and soon made the landlord's case look
+black enough; and the landlord himself almost as frightened as a
+criminal just under arrest.
+
+"It's bad business, and no mistake," said one.
+
+"Yes, bad enough. I wouldn't be in his shoes for his coat,"
+remarked another.
+
+"For his coat? No, not for his whole wardrobe," said a third.
+
+"Nor for the 'Sickle and Sheaf thrown into the bargain," added a
+fourth.
+
+"It will be a clear case of manslaughter, and no mistake. What is
+the penalty?"
+
+"From two to ten years in the penitentiary," was readily answered.
+
+"They'll give him five. I reckon."
+
+"No--not more than two. It will be hard to prove malicious
+intention."
+
+"I don't know that. I've heard him curse the girl and threaten her
+many a time. Haven't you?"
+
+"Yes"--"Yes"--"I have, often," ran round the bar-room.
+
+"You'd better hang me at once," said Slade, affecting to laugh.
+
+At this moment, the door behind Slade opened, and I saw his wife's
+anxious face thrust in for a moment. She said something to her
+husband, who uttered a low ejaculation of surprise, and went out
+quickly.
+
+"What's the matter now?" asked one of another.
+
+"I shouldn't wonder if little Mary Morgan was dead," was
+suggested.
+
+"I heard her say dead," remarked one who was standing near the
+bar.
+
+"What's the matter, Frank?" inquired several voices, as the
+landlord's son came in through the door out of which his father
+had passed.
+
+"Mary Morgan is dead," answered the boy.
+
+"Poor child! Poor child!" sighed one, in genuine regret at the not
+unlooked for intelligence. "Her trouble is over."
+
+And there was not one present, but Harvey Green, who did not utter
+some word of pity or sympathy. He shrugged his shoulders, and
+looked as much of contempt and indifference as he thought it
+prudent to express.
+
+"See here, boys," spoke out one of the company, "can't we do
+something for poor Mrs. Morgan? Can't we make up a purse for her?"
+
+"That's it," was quickly responded; "I'm good for three dollars;
+and there they are," drawing out the money and laying it upon the
+counter.
+
+"And here are five to go with them," said I, quickly stepping
+forward, and placing a five-dollar bill along side of the first
+contribution.
+
+"Here are five more," added a third individual. And so it went on,
+until thirty dollars were paid down for the benefit of Mrs.
+Morgan.
+
+"Into whose hands shall this be placed?" was next asked.
+
+"Let me suggest Mrs. Slade," said I. "To my certain knowledge, she
+has been with Mrs. Morgan to-night. I know that she feels in her a
+true woman's interest."
+
+"Just the person," was answered. "Frank, tell your mother we would
+like to see her. Ask her to step into the sitting-room."
+
+In a few moments the boy came back, and said that his mother would
+see us in the next room, into which we all passed. Mrs. Slade
+stood near the table, on which burned a lamp. I noticed that her
+eyes were red, and that there was on her countenance a troubled
+and sorrowful expression.
+
+"We have just heard," said one of the company, "that little Mary
+Morgan is dead."
+
+"Yes--it is too true," answered Mrs. Slade, mournfully. "I have
+just left there. Poor child! she has passed from an evil world."
+
+"Evil it has indeed been to her," was remarked.
+
+"You may well say that. And yet, amid all the evil, she been an
+angel of mercy. Her last thought in dying was of her miserable
+father. For him, at any time, she would have laid down her life
+willingly."
+
+"Her mother must be nearly broken-hearted. Mary is the last of her
+children."
+
+"And yet the child's death may prove a blessing to her."
+
+"How so?"
+
+"Her father promised Mary, just at the last moment--solemnly
+promised her--that, henceforth, he would never taste liquor. That
+was all her trouble. That was the thorn in her dying pillow. But
+he plucked it out, and she went to sleep, lying against his heart.
+Oh, gentlemen! it was the most touching sight I ever saw."
+
+All present seemed deeply moved.
+
+"They are very poor and wretched." was said.
+
+"Poor and miserable enough," answered Mrs.' Slade.
+
+"We have just been taking up a collection for Mrs. Morgan. Here is
+the money, Mrs. Slade--thirty dollars--we place it in your hands
+for her benefit. Do with it, for her, as you may see best."
+
+"Oh, gentlemen!" What a quick gleam went over the face of Mrs.
+Slade. "I thank you, from my heart, in the name of that unhappy
+one, for this act of true benevolence. To you the sacrifice has
+been small, to her the benefit will be great indeed. A new life
+will, I trust be commenced by her husband, and this timely aid
+will be something to rest upon, until he can get into better
+employment than he now has. Oh, gentlemen! let me urge on you, one
+and all, to make common cause in favor of Joe Morgan. His purposes
+are good now, he means to keep his promise to his dying child--
+means to reform his life. Let good impulses that led to that act
+of relief further prompt you to watch over him and, if you see him
+about going astray, to lead him kindly back into the right path.
+Never--oh' never encourage him to drink, but rather take the glass
+from his hand, if his own appetite lead him aside and by all the
+persuasive influence you possess, induce him to go out from the
+place of temptation.
+
+"Pardon my boldness in saying so much" added Mrs. Slade,
+recollecting herself and coloring deeply as she did so "My
+feelings have led me away."
+
+And she took the money from the table where it had been placed,
+and retired toward the door
+
+"You have spoken well madam" was answered "And we thank you for
+reminding us of our duty."
+
+"One word more--and forgive the earnest heart from which it
+comes"--said Mrs. Slade in a voice that trembled on the words she
+uttered "I cannot help speaking, gentlemen! Think if some of you
+be not entering the road wherein Joe Morgan has so long been
+walking. Save him in heaven's name! but see that ye do not
+yourselves become castaways!"
+
+As she said this she glided through the door and it closed after
+her.
+
+"I don't know what her husband would say to that," was remarked
+after a few moments of surprised silence.
+
+"I don't care what HE would say, but I'll tell you what _I_ will
+say" spoke out a man whom I had several times noticed as a rather
+a free tippler "The old lady has given us capital advice, and I
+mean to take it, for one. I'm going to try to save Joe Morgan,
+and--myself too. I've already entered the road she referred to;
+but I'm going to turn back. So good-night to you all; and if Simon
+Slade gets no more of my sixpences, he may thank his wife for it--
+God bless her!"
+
+And the man drew his hat with a jerk over his forehead, and left
+immediately.
+
+This seemed the signal for dispersion, and all retired--not by way
+of the bar-room, but out into the hall, and through the door
+leading upon the porch that ran along in front of the house. Soon
+after the bar was closed, and a dead silence reigned throughout
+the house. I saw no more of Slade that night. Early in the
+morning, I left Cedarville; the landlord looked very sober when he
+bade me good-bye through the stage-door, and wished me a pleasant
+journey.
+
+
+
+
+
+NIGHT THE FIFTH.
+
+SOME OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF TAVERN-KEEPING.
+
+
+Nearly five years glided away before business again called me to
+Cedarville. I knew little of what passed there in the interval,
+except that Simon Slade had actually been indicted for
+manslaughter, in causing the death of Morgan's child. He did not
+stand a trial, however, Judge Lyman having used his influence,
+successfully, in getting the indictment quashed. The judge, some
+people said, interested himself in Slade more than was just
+seemly--especially, as he had, on several occasions, in the
+discharge of his official duties, displayed what seemed an over-
+righteous indignation against individuals arraigned for petty
+offences. The impression made upon me by Judge Lyman had not been
+favorable. He seemed a cold, selfish, scheming man of the world.
+That he was an unscrupulous politician, was plain to me, in a
+single evening's observation of his sayings and doings among the
+common herd of a village bar-room.
+
+As the stage rolled, with a gay flourish of our driver's bugle,
+into the village, I noted here and there familiar objects, and
+marked the varied evidences of change. Our way was past the
+elegant residence and grounds of Judge Hammond, the most beautiful
+and highly cultivated in Cedarville. At least, such it was
+regarded at the time of my previous visit. But, the moment my eyes
+rested upon the dwelling and its various surroundings, I perceived
+an altered aspect. Was it the simple work of time? or, had
+familiarity with other and more elegantly arranged suburban homes,
+marred this in my eyes by involuntary contrast? Or had the hand of
+cultivation really been stayed, and the marring fingers of neglect
+suffered undisturbed to trace on every thing disfiguring
+characters?
+
+Such questions were in my thoughts, when I saw a man in the large
+portico of the dwelling, the ample columns of which, capped in
+rich Corinthian, gave the edifice the aspect of a Grecian temple.
+He stood leaning against one of the columns--his hat off, and his
+long gray hair thrown back and resting lightly on his neck and
+shoulders. His head was bent down upon his breast, and he seemed
+in deep abstraction. Just as the coach swept by, he looked up, and
+in the changed features I recognized Judge Hammond. His complexion
+was still florid, but his face had grown thin, and his eyes were
+sunken. Trouble was written in every lineament. Trouble? How
+inadequately does the word express my meaning! Ah! at a single
+glance, what a volume of suffering was opened to the gazer's eye.
+Not lightly had the foot of time rested there, as if treading on
+odorous flowers, but heavily, and with iron-shod heel. This I saw
+at a glance; and then, only the image of the man was present to my
+inner vision, for the swiftly rolling stage-coach had borne me
+onward past the altered home of the wealthiest denizen of
+Cedarville. In a few minutes our driver reined up before the
+"Sickle and Sheaf," and as I stepped to the ground, a rotund,
+coarse, red-faced man, whom I failed to recognize as Simon Slade
+until he spoke, grasped my hand, and pronounced my name. I could
+not but contrast, in thought, his appearance with what it was when
+I first saw him, some six years previously; nor help saying to
+myself:
+
+"So much for tavern-keeping!"
+
+As marked a change was visible everywhere in and around the
+"Sickle and Sheaf." It, too, had grown larger by additions of
+wings and rooms; but it had also grown coarser in growing larger.
+When built, all the doors were painted white, and the shutters
+green, giving to the house a neat, even tasteful appearance. But
+the white and green had given place to a dark, dirty brown, that
+to my eyes was particularly unattractive. The bar-room had been
+extended, and now a polished brass rod, or railing, embellished
+the counter, and sundry ornamental attractions had been given to
+the shelving behind the bar--such as mirrors, gilding, etc.
+Pictures, too, were hung upon the walls, or more accurately
+speaking; coarse colored lithographs, the subjects of which, if
+not really obscene, were flashing, or vulgar. In the sitting-room,
+next to the bar, I noticed little change of objects, but much in
+their condition. The carpet, chairs, and tables were the same in
+fact, but far from being the same in appearance. The room had a
+close, greasy odor, and looked as if it had not been thoroughly
+swept and dusted for a week.
+
+A smart young Irishman was in the bar, and handed me the book in
+which passenger's names were registered. After I had recorded
+mine, he directed my trunk to be carried to the room designated as
+the one I was to occupy. I followed the porter, who conducted me
+to the chamber which had been mine at previous visits. Here, too,
+were evidences of change; but not for the better. Then the room
+was as sweet and clean as it could be; the sheets and pillow-cases
+as white as snow, and the furniture shining with polish. Now all
+was dusty and dingy, the air foul, and the bed-linen scarcely
+whiter than tow. No curtain made softer the light as it came
+through the window; nor would the shutters entirely keep out the
+glare, for several of the slats were broken. A feeling of disgust
+came over me, at the close smell and foul appearance of
+everything; so, after washing my hands and face, and brushing the
+dust from my clothes, I went down stairs. The sitting-room was
+scarcely more attractive than my chamber; so I went out upon the
+porch and took a chair. Several loungers were here; hearty,
+strong-looking, but lazy fellows, who, if they had anything to do,
+liked idling better than working. One of them leaned his chair
+back against the wall of the house, and was swinging his legs with
+a half circular motion, and humming "Old Folks at Home." Another
+sat astride of a chair, with his face turned toward, and his chin
+resting upon, the back. He was in too lazy a condition of body and
+mind for motion or singing. A third had slidden down in his chair,
+until he sat on his back, while his feet were elevated above his
+head, and rested against one of the pillars that supported the
+porch; while a fourth lay stretched out on a bench, sleeping, his
+hat over his face to protect him from buzzing and biting flies.
+
+Though all but the sleeping man eyed me inquisitively, as I took
+my place among them, not one changed his position. The rolling of
+eye-balls cost but little exertion; and with that effort they were
+contented.
+
+"Hallo! who's that?" one of these loungers suddenly exclaimed, as
+a man went swiftly by in a light sulky; and he started up, and
+gazed down the road, seeking to penetrate the cloud of dust which
+the fleet rider had swept up with hoofs and wheels.
+
+"I didn't see." The sleeping man aroused himself, rubbed his eyes,
+and gazed along the road.
+
+"Who was it, Matthew?" The Irish bar-keeper now stood in the door.
+
+"Willy Hammond," was answered by Matthew.
+
+"Indeed! Is that his new three hundred dollar horse?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"My! but he's a screamer!"
+
+"Isn't he! Most as fast as his young master."
+
+"Hardly," said one of the men, laughing. "I don't think anything
+in creation can beat Hammond. He goes it with a perfect rush."
+
+"Doesn't he! Well; you may say what you please of him, he's as
+good-hearted a fellow as ever walked; and generous to a fault."
+
+"His old dad will agree with you in the last remark," said
+Matthew.
+
+"No doubt of that, for he has to stand the bills," was answered.
+
+"Yes, whether he will or no, for I rather think Willy has, somehow
+or other, got the upper hand of him."
+
+"In what way?"
+
+"It's Hammond and Son, over at the mill and distillery."
+
+"I know; but what of that!"
+
+"Willy was made the business man--ostensibly--in order, as the old
+man thought, to get him to feel the responsibility of the new
+position, and thus tame him down."
+
+"Tame HIM down! Oh, dear! It will take more than business to do
+that. The curb was applied too late."
+
+"As the old gentleman has already discovered, I'm thinking, to his
+sorrow."
+
+"He never comes here any more; does he, Matthew?"
+
+"Who?"
+
+"Judge Hammond."
+
+"Oh, dear, no. He and Slade had all sorts of a quarrel about a
+year ago, and he's never darkened our doors since."
+
+"It was something about Willy and--." The speaker did not mention
+any name, but winked knowingly and tossed his head toward the
+entrance of the house, to indicate some member of Slade's family.
+
+"I believe so."
+
+"D'ye think Willy really likes her?"
+
+Matthew shrugged his shoulders, but made no answer.
+
+"She's a nice girl," was remarked in an under tone, "and good
+enough for Hammond's son any day; though, if she were my daughter,
+I'd rather see her in Jericho than fond of his company."
+
+"He'll have plenty of money to give her. She can live like a
+queen."
+
+"For how long?"
+
+"Hush!" came from the lips of Matthew. "There she is now."
+
+I looked up, and saw at a short distance from the house, and
+approaching, a young lady, in whose sweet, modest face, I at once
+recognized Flora Slade, Five years had developed her into a
+beautiful woman. In her alone, of all that appertained to Simon
+Slade, there was no deterioration. Her eyes were as mild and pure
+as when first I met her at gentle sixteen, and her father said "My
+daughter," with such a mingling of pride and affection in his
+tone. She passed near where I was sitting, and entered the house.
+A closer view showed me some marks of thought and suffering; but
+they only heightened the attraction of her face. I failed not to
+observe the air of respect with which all returned her slight nod
+and smile of recognition.
+
+"She's a nice girl, and no mistake--the flower of this flock," was
+said, as soon as she passed into the house.
+
+"Too good for Willy Hammond, in my opinion," said Matthew. "Clever
+and generous as people call him."
+
+"Just my opinion," was responded. "She's as pure and good, almost,
+as an angel; and he?--I can tell you what--he's not the clean
+thing. He knows a little too much of the world--on its bad side, I
+mean."
+
+The appearance of Slade put an end to this conversation. A second
+observation of his person and countenance did not remove the first
+unfavorable impression. His face had grown decidedly bad in
+expression, as well as gross and sensual. The odor of his breath,
+as he took a chair close to where I was sitting, was that of one
+who drank habitually and freely; and the red, swimming eyes
+evidenced, too surely, a rapid progress toward the sad condition
+of a confirmed inebriate. There was, too, a certain thickness of
+speech, that gave another corroborating sign of evil progress.
+
+"Have you seen anything of Frank this afternoon?" he inquired of
+Matthew, after we had passed a few words.
+
+"Nothing," was the bar-keeper's answer.
+
+"I saw him with Tom Wilkins as I came over," said one of the men
+who was sitting in the porch.
+
+"What was he doing with Tom Wilkins?" said Slade, in a fretted
+tone of voice. "He doesn't seem very choice in his company."
+
+"They were gunning."
+
+"Gunning!"
+
+"Yes. They both had fowling-pieces. I wasn't near enough to ask
+where they were going."
+
+This information disturbed Slade a good deal. After muttering to
+himself a little while, he started up and went into the house.
+
+"And I could have told him a little more, had I been so inclined,"
+said the individual who mentioned the fact that Frank was with Tom
+Wilkins.
+
+"What more?" inquired Matthew.
+
+"There was a buggy in the case; and a champagne basket. What the
+latter contained you can easily guess."
+
+"Whose buggy?"
+
+"I don't know anything about the buggy; but if 'Lightfoot' doesn't
+sink in value a hundred dollars or so before sundown, call me a
+false prophet."
+
+"Oh, no," said Matthew, incredulously. "Frank wouldn't do an
+outrageous thing like that. Lightfoot won't be in a condition to
+drive for a month to come."
+
+"I don't care. She's out now; and the way she was putting it down
+when I saw her, would have made a locomotive look cloudy."
+
+"Where did he get her?" was inquired.
+
+"She's been in the six-acre field, over by Mason's Bridge, for the
+last week or so," Matthew answered. "Well; all I have to say," he
+added, "is that Frank ought to be slung up and well horse-whipped.
+I never saw such a young rascal. He cares for no good, and fears
+no evil. He's the worst boy I ever saw."
+
+"It would hardly do for you to call him a boy to his face," said
+one of the men, laughing.
+
+"I don't have much to say to him in any way," replied Matthew,
+"for I know very well that if we ever do get into a regular
+quarrel, there'll be a hard time of it. The same house will not
+hold us afterward--that's certain. So I steer clear of the young
+reprobate."
+
+"I wonder his father don't put him to some business," was
+remarked. "The idle life he now leads will be his ruin."
+
+"He was behind the bar for a year or two."
+
+"Yes; and was smart at mixing a glass--but--"
+
+"Was himself becoming too good a customer?"
+
+"Precisely. He got drunk as a fool before reaching his fifteenth
+year."
+
+"Good gracious!" I exclaimed, involuntarily.
+
+"It's true, sir," said the last speaker, turning to me, "I never
+saw anything like it. And this wasn't all bar-room talk, which, as
+you may know, isn't the most refined and virtuous in the world. I
+wouldn't like my son to hear much of it. Frank was always an eager
+listener to everything that was said, and in a very short time
+became an adept in slang and profanity. I'm no saint myself; but
+it's often made my blood run cold to hear him swear."
+
+"I pity his mother," said I; for my thought turned naturally to
+Mrs. Slade.
+
+"You may well do that," was answered. "I doubt if Cedarville holds
+a sadder heart. It was a dark day for her, let me tell you, when
+Simon Slade sold his mill and built this tavern. She was opposed
+to it at the beginning."
+
+"I have inferred as much."
+
+"I know it," said the man. "My wife has been intimate with her for
+years. Indeed, they have always been like sisters. I remember very
+well her coming to our house, about the time the mill was sold,
+and crying about it as if her heart would break. She saw nothing
+but sorrow and trouble ahead. Tavern-keeping she had always
+regarded as a low business, and the change from a respectable
+miller to a lazy tavern-keeper, as she expressed it, was presented
+to her mind as something disgraceful. I remember, very well,
+trying to argue the point with her--assuming that it was quite as
+respectable to keep tavern as to do anything else; but I might as
+well have talked to the wind. She was always a pleasant, hopeful,
+cheerful woman before that time, but, really, I don't think I've
+seen a true smile on her face since."
+
+"That was a great deal for a man to lose," said I.
+
+"What?" he inquired, not clearly understanding me.
+
+"The cheerfull face of his wife."
+
+"The face was but an index of her heart," said he.
+
+"So much the worse."
+
+"True enough for that. Yes, it was a great deal to lose.
+
+"What has he gained that will make up for this?"
+
+The man shrugged his shoulders.
+
+"What has he gained?" I repeated. "Can you figure it up?"
+
+"He's a richer man, for one thing."
+
+"Happier?"
+
+There was another shrug of the shoulders. "I wouldn't like to say
+that."
+
+"How much richer?"
+
+"Oh, a great deal. Somebody was saying, only yesterday, that he
+couldn't be worth less than thirty thousand dollars."
+
+"Indeed? So much."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How has he managed to accumulate so rapidly?"
+
+"His bar has a large run of custom. And, you know, that pays
+wonderfully."
+
+"He must have sold a great deal of liquor in six years."
+
+"And he has. I don't think I'm wrong in saying that in the six
+years which have gone by since the 'Sickle and Sheaf' was opened,
+more liquor has been drank than in the previous twenty years."
+
+"Say forty," remarked a man who had been a listener to what we
+said.
+
+"Let it be forty then," was the according answer.
+
+"How comes this?" I inquired. "You had a tavern here before the
+'Sickle and Sheaf' was opened."
+
+"I know we had, and several places besides, where liquor was sold.
+But, everybody far and near knew Simon Slade the miller, and
+everybody liked him. He was a good miller, and a cheerful, social,
+chatty sort of man putting everybody in a good humor who came near
+him. So it became the talk everywhere, when he built this house,
+which he fitted up nicer than anything that had been seen in these
+parts. Judge Hammond, Judge Lyman, Lawyer Wilson, and all the big
+bugs of the place at once patronized the new tavern, and of
+course, everybody else did the same. So, you can easily see how he
+got such a run."
+
+"It was thought, in the beginning," said I, "that the new tavern
+was going to do wonders for Cedarville."
+
+"Yes," answered the man laughing, "and so it has."
+
+"In what respect?"
+
+"Oh, in many. It has made some men richer, and some poorer."
+
+"Who has it made poorer?"
+
+"Dozens of people. You may always take it for granted, when you
+see a tavern-keeper who has a good run at his bar, getting rich,
+that a great many people are getting poor."
+
+"How so?" I wished to hear in what way the man who was himself, as
+was plain to see, a good customer at somebody's bar, reasoned on
+the subject.
+
+"He does not add to the general wealth. He produces nothing. He
+takes money from his customers, but gives them no article of value
+in return--nothing that can be called property, personal or real.
+He is just so much richer and they just so much poorer for the
+exchange. Is it not so?"
+
+I readily assented to the position as true, and then said--
+
+"Who, in particular, is poorer?"
+
+"Judge Hammond, for one."
+
+"Indeed! I thought the advance in his property, in consequence of
+the building of this tavern, was so great, that he was reaping a
+rich pecuniary harvest."
+
+"There was a slight advance in property along the street after the
+'Sickle and Sheaf' was opened, and Judge Hammond was benefited
+thereby. Interested parties made a good deal of noise about it;
+but it didn't amount to much, I believe."
+
+"What has caused the judge to grow poorer?"
+
+"The opening of this tavern, as I just said."
+
+"In what way did it affect him?"
+
+"He was among Slade's warmest supporters, as soon as he felt the
+advance in the price of building lots, called him one of the most
+enterprising men in Cedarville--a real benefactor to the place--
+and all that stuff. To set a good example of patronage, he came
+over every day and took his glass of brandy, and encouraged
+everybody else that he could influence to do the same. Among those
+who followed his example was his son Willy. There was not, let me
+tell you, in all the country for twenty miles around, a finer
+young man than Willy, nor one of so much promise, when this man-
+trap"--he let his voice fall, and glanced around, as he thus
+designated Slade's tavern--"was opened; and now, there is not one
+dashing more recklessly along the road to ruin. When too late, his
+father saw that his son was corrupted, and that the company he
+kept was of a dangerous character. Two reasons led him to purchase
+Slade's old mill, and turn it into a factory and a distillery. Of
+course, he had to make a heavy outlay for additional buildings,
+machinery, and distilling apparatus. The reasons influencing him
+were the prospect of realizing a large amount of money, especially
+in distilling, and the hope of saving Willy, by getting him
+closely engaged and interested in business. To accomplish, more
+certainly, the latter end, he unwisely transferred to his son, as
+his own capital, twenty thousand dollars, and then formed with him
+a regular copartnership--giving Willy an active business control.
+
+"But the experiment, sir," added the man, emphatically, "has
+proved a failure. I heard yesterday, that both mill and distillery
+were to be shut up, and offered for sale."
+
+"They did not prove as money-making as was anticipated?"
+
+"No, not under Willy Hammond's management. He had made too many
+bad acquaintances--men who clung to him because he had plenty of
+money at his command, and spent it as freely as water. One-half of
+his time he was away from the mill, and while there, didn't half
+attend to business. I've heard it said--and I don't much doubt its
+truth--that he's squandered his twenty thousand dollars, and a
+great deal more besides."
+
+"How is that possible?"
+
+"Well; people talk, and not always at random. There's been a man
+staying here, most of his time, for the last four or five years,
+named Green. He does not do anything, and don't seem to have any
+friends in the neighborhood. Nobody knows where he came from, and
+he is not at all communicative on that head himself. Well, this
+man became acquainted with young Hammond after Willy got to
+visiting the bar here, and attached himself to him at once. They
+have, to all appearance, been fast friends ever since; riding
+about, or going off on gunning or fishing excursions almost every
+day, and secluding themselves somewhere nearly every evening. That
+man, Green, sir, it is whispered, is a gambler; and I believe it.
+Granted, and there is no longer a mystery as to what Willy does
+with his own and his father's money."
+
+I readily assented to this view of the case.
+
+"And so assuming that Green is a gambler," said I, "he has grown
+richer, in consequence of the opening of a new and more attractive
+tavern in Cedarville."
+
+"Yes, and Cedarville is so much the poorer for all his gains; for
+I've never heard of his buying a foot of ground, or in any way
+encouraging productive industry. He's only a blood-sucker."
+
+"It is worse than the mere abstraction of money," I remarked; "he
+corrupts his victims, at the same time that he robs them."
+
+"True."
+
+"Willy Hammond may not be his only victim," I suggested.
+
+"Nor is he, in my opinion. I've been coming to this bar, nightly,
+for a good many years--a sorry confession for a man to make, I
+must own," he added, with a slight tinge of shame; "but so it is.
+Well, as I was saying, I've been coming to this bar, nightly, for
+a good many years, and I generally see all that is going on around
+me. Among the regular visitors are at least half a dozen young
+men, belonging to our best families--who have been raised with
+care, and well educated. That their presence here is unknown to
+their friends, I am quite certain--or, at least, unknown and
+unsuspected by some of them. They do not drink a great deal yet;
+but all try a glass or two. Toward nine o'clock, often at an
+earlier hour, you will see one and another of them go quietly out
+of the bar, through the sitting-room, preceded, or soon followed,
+by Green and Slade. At any hour of the night, up to one or two,
+and sometimes three o'clock, you can see light streaming through
+the rent in a curtain drawn before a particular window, which I
+know to be in the room of Harvey Green. These are facts, sir; and
+you can draw your own conclusion. I think it a very serious
+matter."
+
+"Why does Slade go out with these young men?" I inquired. "Do you
+think he gambles also?"
+
+"If he isn't a kind of a stool-pigeon for Harvey Green, then I'm
+mistaken again."
+
+"Hardly. He cannot, already, have become so utterly unprincipled."
+
+"It's a bad school, sir, this tavern-keeping," said the man.
+
+"I readily grant you that."
+
+"And it's nearly seven years since he commenced to take lessons. A
+great deal may be learned, sir, of good or evil, in seven years,
+especially if any interest be taken in the studies."
+
+"True."
+
+"And it's true in this case, you may depend upon it. Simon Slade
+is not the man he was, seven years ago. Anybody with half an eye
+can see that. He's grown selfish, grasping, unscrupulous, and
+passionate. There could hardly be a greater difference between men
+than exists between Simon Slade the tavern-keeper, and Simon Slade
+the miller."
+
+"And intemperate, also?" I suggested.
+
+"He's beginning to take a little too much," was answered.
+
+"In that case, he'll scarcely be as well off five years hence as
+he is now."
+
+"He's at the top of the wheel, some of us think."
+
+"What has led to this opinion?"
+
+"He's beginning to neglect his house, for one thing."
+
+"A bad sign."
+
+"And there is another sign. Heretofore, he has always been on
+hand, with the cash, when desirable property went off, under
+forced sale, at a bargain. In the last three or four months,
+several great sacrifices have been made, but Simon Slade showed no
+inclination to buy. Put this fact against another,--week before
+last, he sold a house and lot in the town for five hundred dollars
+less than he paid for them, a year ago--and for just that sum less
+than their true value."
+
+"How came that?" I inquired.
+
+"Ah! there's the question! He wanted money; though for what
+purpose he has not intimated to any one, as far as I can learn."
+
+"What do you think of it?"
+
+"Just this. He and Green have been hunting together in times past;
+but the professed gambler's instincts are too strong to let him
+spare even his friend in evil. They have commenced playing one
+against the other."
+
+"Ah! you think so?"
+
+"I do; and if I conjecture rightly, Simon Slade will be a poorer
+man, in a year from this time, than he is now."
+
+Here our conversation was interrupted. Some one asked my talkative
+friend to go and take a drink, and he, nothing loath, left me
+without ceremony.
+
+Very differently served was the supper I partook of on that
+evening, from the one set before me on the occasion of my first
+visit to the "Sickle and Sheaf." The table-cloth was not merely
+soiled, but offensively dirty; the plates, cups, and saucers,
+dingy and sticky; the knives and forks unpolished; and the food of
+a character to satisfy the appetite with a very few mouthfuls. Two
+greasy-looking Irish girls waited on the table, at which neither
+landlord nor landlady presided. I was really hungry when the
+supper-bell rang; but the craving of my stomach soon ceased in the
+atmosphere of the dining-room, and I was the first to leave the
+table.
+
+Soon after the lamps were lighted, company began to assemble in
+the spacious bar-room, where were comfortable seats, with tables,
+newspapers, backgammon boards, dominoes, etc. The first act of
+nearly every one who came in was to call for a glass of liquor;
+and sometimes the same individual drank two or three times in the
+course of half an hour, on the invitation of new comers who were
+convivially inclined.
+
+Most of those who came in were strangers to me. I was looking from
+face to face to see if any of the old company were present, when
+one countenance struck me as familiar. I was studying it, in
+order, if possible, to identify the person, when some one
+addressed him as "Judge."
+
+Changed as the face was, I now recognized it as that of Judge
+Lyman. Five years had marred that face terribly. It seemed twice
+the former size; and all its bright expression was gone. The
+thickened and protruding eyelids half closed the leaden eyes, and
+the swollen lips and cheeks gave to his countenance a look of all
+predominating sensuality. True manliness had bowed itself in
+debasing submission to the bestial. He talked loudly, and with a
+pompous dogmatism--mainly on political subjects--but talked only
+from memory; for any one could see, that thought came into but
+feeble activity. And yet, derationalized, so to speak, as he was,
+through drink, he had been chosen a representative in Congress, at
+the previous election, on the anti-temperance ticket, and by a
+very handsome majority. He was the rum candidate; and the rum
+interest, aided by the easily swayed "indifferents," swept aside
+the claims of law, order, temperance, and good morals; and the
+district from which he was chosen as a National Legislator sent
+him up to the National Councils, and said in the act--"Look upon
+him we have chosen as our representative, and see in him a type of
+our principles, our quality, and our condition, as a community."
+
+Judge Lyman, around whom a little circle soon gathered, was very
+severe on the temperance party, which, for two years, had opposed
+his election, and which, at the last struggle, showed itself to be
+a rapidly growing organization. During the canvass, a paper was
+published by this party, in which his personal habits, character,
+and moral principles were discussed in the freest manner, and
+certainly not in a way to elevate him in the estimation of men
+whose opinion was of any value.
+
+It was not much to be wondered at, that he assumed to think
+temperance issues at the polls were false issues; and that when
+temperance men sought to tamper with elections, the liberties of
+the people were in danger; nor that he pronounced the whole body
+of temperance men as selfish schemers and canting hypocrites.
+
+"The next thing we will have," he exclaimed, warming with his
+theme, and speaking so loud that his voice sounded throughout the
+room, and arrested every one's attention, "will be laws to fine
+any man who takes a chew of tobacco, or lights a cigar. Touch the
+liberties of the people in the smallest particular, and all
+guarantees are gone. The Stamp Act, against which our noble
+forefathers rebelled, was a light measure of oppression to that
+contemplated by these worse than fanatics."
+
+"You are right there, judge; right for once in your life, if you
+(hic) were never right before!" exclaimed a battered-looking
+specimen of humanity, who stood near the speaker, slapping Judge
+Lyman on the shoulder familiarly as he spoke. "There's no telling
+what they will do. There's (hic) my old uncle Josh Wilson, who's
+been keeper of the Poor-house these ten years. Well, they're going
+to turn him out, if ever they get the upper hand in Bolton
+county."
+
+"If? That word involves a great deal, Harry!" said Lyman. "We
+mus'n't let them get the upper hand. Every man has a duty to
+perform to his country in this matter, and every one must do his
+duty. But what have they got against your Uncle Joshua? What has
+he been doing to offend this righteous party?"
+
+"They've nothing against him, (hic) I believe. Only, they say,
+they're not going to have a Poor-house in the county at all."
+
+"What! Going to turn the poor wretches out to starve?" said one.
+
+"Oh no! (hic)," and the fellow grinned, half shrewdly and half
+maliciously, as he answered--"no, not that. But, when they carry
+the day, there'll be no need of Poor-houses. At least, that's
+their talk--and I guess maybe there's something in it, for I never
+knew a man to go to the Poor-house, who hadn't (hic) rum to blame
+for his poverty. But, you see, I'm interested in this matter. I go
+for keeping up the Poor-house (hic); for I guess I'm travelling
+that road, and I shouldn't like to get to the last milestone (hic)
+and find no snug quarters--no Uncle Josh. You're safe for one
+vote, any how, old chap, on next election day!" And the man's
+broad hand slapped the member's shoulder again. "Huzza for the
+rummies! That's (hic) the ticket! Harry Grimes never deserts his
+friends. True as steel!"
+
+"You're a trump!" returned Judge Lyman, with low familiarity.
+"Never fear about the Poor-house and Uncle Josh. They're all
+safe."
+
+"But look here, judge," resumed the man. "It isn't only the Poor-
+house, the jail is to go next."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+"Yes, that's their talk; and I guess they ain't far out of the
+way, neither. What takes men to jail? You can tell us something
+about that, judge, for you've jugged a good many in your time.
+Didn't pretty much all of 'em drink rum (hic)?"
+
+But the judge answered nothing.
+
+"Silence (hic) gives consent," resumed Grimes. "And they say more;
+once give 'em the upper hand--and they're confident of beating us
+--and the Courthouse will be to let. As for judges and lawyers,
+they'll starve, or go into some better business. So you see, (hic)
+judge, your liberties are in danger. But fight hard, old fellow;
+and if you must die, (hic) die game!"
+
+How well Judge Lyman relished this mode of presenting the case,
+was not very apparent; he was too good a politician and office-
+seeker, to show any feeling on the subject, and thus endanger a
+vote. Harry Grimes' vote counted one, and a single vote sometimes
+gained or lost an election.
+
+"One of their gags," he said, laughing. "But I'm too old a stager
+not to see the flimsiness of such pretensions. Poverty and crime
+have their origin in the corrupt heart, and their foundations are
+laid long and long before the first step is taken on the road to
+inebriety. It is easy to promise results; for only the few look at
+causes, and trace them to their effects."
+
+"Rum and ruin (hic). Are they not cause and effect?" asked Grimes.
+
+"Sometimes they are," was the half extorted answer.
+
+"Oh, Green, is that you?" exclaimed the judge, as Harvey Green
+came in with a soft cat-like step. He was, evidently, glad of a
+chance to get rid of his familiar friend and elector.
+
+I turned my eyes upon the man, and read his face closely. It was
+unchanged. The same cold, sinister eye; the same chiselled mouth,
+so firm now, and now yielding so elastically; the same smile "from
+the teeth outward"--the same lines that revealed his heart's deep,
+dark selfishness. If he had indulged in drink during the five
+intervening years, it had not corrupted his blood, nor added
+thereto a single degree of heat.
+
+"Have you seen anything of Hammond this evening?" asked Judge
+Lyman.
+
+"I saw him an hour or two ago," answered Green.
+
+"How does he like his new horse?"
+
+"He's delighted with him."
+
+"What was the price?"
+
+"Three hundred dollars."
+
+"Indeed!"
+
+The judge had already arisen, and he and Green were now walking
+side by side across the bar-room floor.
+
+"I want to speak a word with you," I heard Lyman say.
+
+And then the two went out together. I saw no more of them during
+the evening.
+
+Not long afterward, Willy Hammond came in. Ah! there was a sad
+change here; a change that in no way belied the words of Matthew
+the bar-keeper. He went up to the bar, and I heard him ask for
+Judge Lyman. The answer was in so low a voice that it did not
+reach my ear.
+
+With a quick, nervous motion, Hammond threw his hand toward a row
+of decanters on the shelf behind the bar-keeper, who immediately
+set one of them containing brandy before him. From this he poured
+a tumbler half full, and drank it off at a single draught, unmixed
+with water.
+
+He then asked some further question, which I could not hear,
+manifesting, as it appeared, considerable excitement of mind. In
+answering him, Matthew glanced his eyes upward, as if indicating
+some room in the house. The young man then retired, hurriedly,
+through the sitting-room.
+
+"What's the matter with Willy Hammond tonight?" asked some one of
+the bar-keeper. "Who's he after in such a hurry?"
+
+"He wants to see Judge Lyman," replied Matthew.
+
+"Oh!"
+
+"I guess they're after no good," was remarked.
+
+"Not much, I'm afraid."
+
+Two young men, well dressed, and with faces marked by
+intelligence, came in at the moment, drank at the bar, chatted a
+little while familiarly with the bar-keeper, and then quietly
+disappeared through the door leading into the sitting-room. I met
+the eyes of the man with whom I had talked during the afternoon,
+and his knowing wink brought to mind his suggestion, that in one
+of the upper rooms gambling went on nightly, and that some of the
+most promising young men of the town had been drawn, through the
+bar attraction, into this vortex of ruin. I felt a shudder
+creeping along my nerves.
+
+The conversation that now went on among the company was of such an
+obscene and profane character that, in disgust, I went out. The
+night was clear, the air soft, and the moon shining down brightly.
+I walked for some time in the porch, musing on what I had seen and
+heard; while a constant stream of visitors came pouring into the
+bar-room. Only a few of these remained. The larger portion went in
+quickly, took their glass, and then left, as if to avoid
+observation as much as possible.
+
+Soon after I commenced walking in the porch, I noticed an elderly
+lady go slowly by, who, in passing, slightly paused, and evidently
+tried to look through the bar-room door. The pause was but for an
+instant. In less than ten minutes she came back, again stopped--
+this time longer--and again moved off slowly, until she passed out
+of sight. I was yet thinking about her, when, on lifting my eyes
+from the ground, she was advancing along the road, but a few rods
+distant. I almost started at seeing her, for there no longer
+remained a doubt on my mind, that she was some trembling,
+heartsick woman, in search of an erring son, whose feet were in
+dangerous paths. Seeing me, she kept on, though lingeringly. She
+went but a short distance before returning; and this time, she
+moved in closer to the house, and reached a position that enabled
+her eyes to range through a large portion of the bar-room. A
+nearer inspection appeared to satisfy her. She retired with
+quicker steps; and did not again return during the evening.
+
+Ah! what a commentary upon the uses of an attractive tavern was
+here! My heart ached, as I thought of all that unknown mother had
+suffered, and was doomed to suffer. I could not shut out the image
+of her drooping form as I lay upon my pillow that night; she even
+haunted me in my dreams.
+
+
+
+
+
+NIGHT THE SIXTH.
+
+MORE CONSEQUENCES.
+
+
+The landlord did not make his appearance on the next morning until
+nearly ten o'clock; and then he looked like a man who had been on
+a debauch. It was eleven before Harvey Green came down. Nothing
+about him indicated the smallest deviation from the most orderly
+habit. Clean shaved, with fresh linen, and a face, every line of
+which was smoothed into calmness, he looked as if he had slept
+soundly on a quiet conscience, and now hailed the new day with a
+tranquil spirit.
+
+The first act of Slade was to go behind the bar and take a stiff
+glass of brandy and water; the first act of Green, to order
+beefsteak and coffee for his breakfast. I noticed the meeting
+between the two men, on the appearance of Green. There was a
+slight reserve on the part of Green, and an uneasy embarrassment
+on the part of Slade. Not even the ghost of a smile was visible in
+either countenance. They spoke a few words together, and then
+separated as if from a sphere of mutual repulsion. I did not
+observe them again in company during the day.
+
+"There's trouble over at the mill," was remarked by a gentleman
+with whom I had some business transactions in the afternoon. He
+spoke to a person who sat in his office.
+
+"Ah! what's the matter?" said the other.
+
+"All the hands were discharged at noon, and the mill shut down."
+
+"How comes that?"
+
+"They've been losing money from the start."
+
+"Rather bad practice, I should say."
+
+"It involves some bad practices, no doubt."
+
+"On Willy's part?"
+
+"Yes. He is reported to have squandered the means placed in his
+hands, after a shameless fashion."
+
+"Is the loss heavy?"
+
+"So it is said."
+
+"How much?"
+
+"Reaching to thirty or forty thousand dollars. But this is rumor,
+and, of course, an exaggeration."
+
+"Of course. No such loss as that could have been made. But what
+was done with the money? How could Willy have spent it? He dashes
+about a great deal; buys fast horses, drinks rather freely, and
+all that; but thirty or forty thousand dollars couldn't escape in
+this way."
+
+At the moment a swift trotting horse, bearing a light sulky and a
+man, went by.
+
+"There goes young Hammond's three hundred dollar animal," said the
+last speaker.
+
+"It was Willy Hammond's yesterday. But there has been a change of
+ownership since then; I happen to know."
+
+"Indeed."
+
+"Yes. The man Green, who has been loafing about Cedarville for the
+last few years--after no good, I can well believe--came into
+possession to-day."
+
+"Ah! Willy must be very fickle-minded. Does the possession of a
+coveted object so soon bring satiety?"
+
+"There is something not clearly understood about the transaction.
+I saw Mr. Hammond during the forenoon, and he looked terribly
+distressed."
+
+"The embarrassed condition of things at the mill readily accounts
+for this."
+
+"True; but I think there are causes of trouble beyond the mere
+embarrassments."
+
+"The dissolute, spendthrift habits of his son," was suggested.
+"These are sufficient to weigh down the father's spirits,--to bow
+him to the very dust."
+
+"To speak out plainly," said the other, "I am afraid that the
+young man adds another vice to that of drinking and idleness."
+
+"What?"
+
+"Gaining."
+
+"No!"
+
+"There is little doubt of it in my mind. And it is further my
+opinion, that his fine horse, for which he paid three hundred
+dollars only a few days ago, has passed into the hands of this man
+Green, in payment of a debt contracted at the gaming table."
+
+"You shock me. Surely, there can be no grounds for such a belief."
+
+"I have, I am sorry to say, the gravest reasons for what I allege.
+That Green is a professional gambler, who was attracted here by
+the excellent company that assembled at the 'Sickle and Sheaf' in
+the beginning of the lazy miller's pauper-making experiment, I do
+not in the least question. Grant this, and take into account the
+fact that young Hammond has been much in his company, and you have
+sufficient cause for the most disastrous effects."
+
+"If this be really so," observed the gentleman, over whose face a
+shadow of concern darkened, "then Willy Hammond may not be his
+only victim."
+
+"And is not, you may rest assured. If rumor be true, other of our
+promising young men are being drawn into the whirling circles that
+narrow toward a vortex of ruin."
+
+In corroboration of this, I mentioned the conversation I had held
+with one of the frequenters of Slade's bar room, on this very
+subject; and also what I had myself observed on the previous
+evening.
+
+The man, who had until now been sitting quietly in a chair,
+started up, exclaiming as he did so--
+
+"Merciful heaven! I never dreamed of this! Whose sons are safe?"
+
+"No man's," was the answer of the gentleman in whose office we
+were sitting--"No man's--while there are such open doors to ruin
+as you may find at the 'Sickle and Sheaf.' Did not you vote the
+anti-temperance ticket at the last election?"
+
+"I did," was the answer; "and from principle."
+
+"On what were your principles based?" was inquired.
+
+"On the broad foundations of civil liberty."
+
+"The liberty to do good or evil, just as the individual may
+choose?"
+
+"I would not like to say that. There are certain evils against
+which there can be no legislation that would not do harm. No civil
+power in this country has the right to say what a citizen shall
+eat or drink."
+
+"But may not the people, in any community, pass laws, through
+their delegated law-makers, restraining evil-minded persons from
+injuring the common good?"
+
+"Oh, certainly--certainly."
+
+"And are you prepared to affirm, that a drinking-shop, where young
+men are corrupted, aye, destroyed, body and soul--does not work an
+injury to the common good?"
+
+"Ah! but there must be houses of public entertainment."
+
+"No one denies this. But can that be a really Christian community
+which provides for the moral debasement of strangers, at the same
+time that it entertains them? Is it necessary that, in giving rest
+and entertainment to the traveler, we also lead him into
+temptation?"
+
+"Yes--but--but--it is going too far to legislate on what we are to
+eat and drink. It is opening too wide a door for fanatical
+oppression. We must inculcate temperance as a right principle. We
+must teach our children the evils of intemperance, and send them
+out into the world as practical teachers of order, virtue and
+sobriety. If we do this, the reform becomes radical, and in a few
+years there will be no bar-rooms, for none will crave the fiery
+poison."
+
+"Of little value, my friend, will be, in far too many cases, your
+precepts, if temptation invites our sons at almost every step of
+their way through life. Thousands have fallen, and thousands are
+now tottering, soon to fall. Your sons are not safe; nor are mine.
+We cannot tell the day nor the hour when they may weakly yield to
+the solicitation of some companion, and enter the wide open door
+of ruin. And are we wise and good citizens to commission men to do
+the evil work of enticement--to encourage them to get gain in
+corrupting and destroying our children? To hesitate over some
+vague ideal of human liberty when the sword is among us, slaying
+our best and dearest? Sir! while you hold back from the work of
+staying the flood that is desolating our fairest homes, the black
+waters are approaching your own doors."
+
+There was a startling emphasis in the tones with which this last
+sentence was uttered; and I do not wonder at the look of anxious
+alarm that it called to the face of him whose fears it was meant
+to excite.
+
+"What do you mean, sir?" was inquired.
+
+"Simply, that your sons are in equal danger with others."
+
+"And is that all?"
+
+"They have been seen, of late, in the bar-room of the 'Sickle and
+Sheaf.'"
+
+"Who says so?"
+
+"Twice within a week I have seen them going there," was answered.
+
+"Good heavens! No!"
+
+"It is true, my friend. But who is safe? If we dig pits, and
+conceal them from view, what marvel if our own children fall
+therein?"
+
+"My sons going to a tavern?" The man seemed utterly confounded.
+"How CAN I believe it? You must be in error, sir."
+
+"No. What I tell you is the simple truth. And if they go there--"
+
+The man paused not to hear the conclusion of the sentence, but
+went hastily from the office.
+
+"We are beginning to reap as we have sown," remarked the
+gentleman, turning to me as his agitated friend left the office.
+"As I told them in the commencement it would be, so it is
+happening. The want of a good tavern in Cedarville was over and
+over again alleged as one of the chief causes of our want of
+thrift, and when Slade opened the 'Sickle and Sheaf,' the man was
+almost glorified. The gentleman who has just left us failed not in
+laudation of the enterprising landlord; the more particularly, as
+the building of the new tavern advanced the price of ground on the
+street, and made him a few hundred dollars richer. Really, for a
+time, one might have thought, from the way people went on, that
+Simon Slade was going to make every man's fortune in Cedarville.
+But all that has been gained by a small advance in property, is as
+a grain of sand to a mountain, compared with the fearful
+demoralization that has followed."
+
+I readily assented to this, for I had myself seen enough to
+justify the conclusion.
+
+As I sat in the bar-room of the "Sickle and Sheaf" that evening, I
+noticed, soon after the lamps were lighted, the gentleman referred
+to in the above conversation, whose sons were represented as
+visitors to the bar, come in quietly, and look anxiously about the
+room. He spoke to no one, and, after satisfying himself that those
+he sought were not there, went out.
+
+"What sent him here, I wonder?" muttered Slade, speaking partly to
+himself, and partly aside to Matthew, the bar-keeper.
+
+"After the boys, I suppose," was answered.
+
+"I guess the boys are old enough to take care of themselves."
+
+"They ought to be," returned Matthew.
+
+"And are," said Slade. "Have they been here this evening?"
+
+"No, not yet."
+
+While they yet talked together, two young men whom I had seen on
+the night before, and noticed particularly as showing signs of
+intelligence and respectability beyond the ordinary visitors at a
+bar-room, came in.
+
+"John," I heard Slade say, in a low, confidential voice, to one of
+them, "your old man was here just now."
+
+"No!" The young man looked startled--almost confounded.
+
+"It's a fact. So you'd better keep shady."
+
+"What did he want?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"What did he say?"
+
+"Nothing. He just came in, looked around, and then went out."
+
+"His face was as dark as a thunder-cloud," remarked Matthew.
+
+"Is No. 4 vacant?" inquired one of the young men.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Send us up a bottle of wine and some cigars. And when Bill
+Harding and Harry Lee come in, tell them where they can find us."
+
+"All right," said Matthew. "And now, take a friend's advice and
+make yourselves scarce."
+
+The young men left the room hastily. Scarcely had they departed,
+ere I saw the same gentleman come in, whose anxious face had, a
+little while before, thrown its shadow over the apartment. He was
+the father in search of his sons. Again he glanced around
+nervously; and this time appeared to be disappointed. As he
+entered, Slade went out.
+
+"Have John and Wilson been here this evening?" he asked, coming up
+to the bar and addressing Matthew.
+
+"They are not here;" replied Matthew, evasively.
+
+"But haven't they been here?"
+
+"They may have been here; I only came in from my supper a little
+while ago."
+
+"I thought I saw them entering, only a moment or two ago."
+
+"They're not here, sir." Matthew shook his head and spoke firmly.
+
+"Where is Mr. Slade?"
+
+"In the house, somewhere."
+
+"I wish you would ask him to step here."
+
+Matthew went out, but in a little while came back with word that
+the landlord was not to be found.
+
+"You are sure the boys are not here?" said the man, with a
+doubting, dissatisfied manner.
+
+"See for yourself, Mr. Harrison!"
+
+"Perhaps they are in the parlor?"
+
+"Step in, sir," coolly returned Matthew. The man went through the
+door into the sitting-room, but came back immediately.
+
+"Not there?" said Matthew. The man shook his head. "I don't think
+you'll find them about here," added the bar-keeper.
+
+Mr. Harrison--this was the name by which Matthew addressed him--
+stood musing and irresolute for some minutes. He could not be
+mistaken about the entrance of his sons, and yet they were not
+there. His manner was much perplexed. At length he took a seat, in
+a far corner of the bar-room, somewhat beyond the line of
+observation, evidently with the purpose of waiting to see if those
+he sought would come in. He had not been there long, before two
+young men entered, whose appearance at once excited his interest.
+They went up to the bar and called for liquor. As Matthew set the
+decanter before them, he leaned over the counter, and said
+something in a whisper.
+
+"Where?" was instantly ejaculated, in surprise, and both of the
+young men glanced uneasily about the room. They met the eyes of
+Mr. Harrison, fixed intently upon them. I do not think, from the
+way they swallowed their brandy and water, that it was enjoyed
+very much.
+
+"What the deuce is he doing here?" I heard one of them say, in a
+low voice.
+
+"After the boys, of course."
+
+"Have they come yet?"
+
+Matthew winked as he answered, "All safe."
+
+"In No. 4?"
+
+"Yes. And the wine and cigars all waiting for you."
+
+"Good."
+
+"You'd better not go through the parlor. Their old man's not at
+all satisfied. He half suspects they're in the house. Better go
+off down the street, and come back and enter through the passage."
+
+The young men, acting on this hint, at once retired, the eyes of
+Harrison following them out.
+
+For nearly an hour Mr. Harrison kept his position, a close
+observer of all that transpired. I am very much in error, if,
+before leaving that sink of iniquity, he was not fully satisfied
+as to the propriety of legislating on the liquor question. Nay, I
+incline to the opinion, that, if the power of suppression had
+rested in his hands, there would not have been, in the whole
+state, at the expiration of an hour, a single dram-selling
+establishment. The goring of his ox had opened his eyes to the
+true merits of the question. While he was yet in the bar-room,
+young Hammond made his appearance. His look was wild and excited.
+First he called for brandy, and drank with the eagerness of a man
+long athirst.
+
+"Where is Green?" I heard him inquire, as he set his glass upon
+the counter.
+
+"Haven't seen anything of him since supper," was answered by
+Matthew.
+
+"Is he in his room?"
+
+"I think it probable."
+
+"Has Judge Lyman been about here tonight?"
+
+"Yes. He spouted here for half an hour against the temperance
+party, as usual, and then"--Matthew tossed his head toward the
+door leading to the sitting-room.
+
+Hammond was moving toward this door, when, in glancing around the
+room, he encountered the fixed gaze of Mr. Harrison--a gaze that
+instantly checked his progress. Returning to the bar, and leaning
+over the counter, he said to Matthew:
+
+"What has sent him here?"
+
+Matthew winked knowingly.
+
+"After the boys?" inquired Hammond.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Where are they?"
+
+"Up-stairs."
+
+"Does he suspect this?"
+
+"I can't tell. If he doesn't think them here now, he is looking
+for them to come in."
+
+"Do they know he is after them?"
+
+"Oh, yes."
+
+"All safe then?"
+
+"As an iron chest. If you want to see them, just rap at No. 4."
+
+Hammond stood for some minutes leaning on the bar, and then, not
+once again looking toward that part of the room where Mr. Harrison
+was seated, passed out through the door leading to the street.
+Soon afterward Mr. Harrison departed.
+
+Disgusted as on the night before, with the unceasing flow of vile,
+obscene, and profane language, I left my place of observation in
+the bar-room and sought the open air. The sky was unobscured by a
+single cloud, and the moon, almost at the full, shone abroad with
+more than common brightness. I had not been sitting long in the
+porch, when the same lady, whose movements had attracted my
+attention, came in sight, walking very slowly--the deliberate pace
+assumed, evidently, for the purpose of better observation. On
+coming opposite the tavern, she slightly paused, as on the evening
+before, and then kept on, passing down the street until she was
+beyond observation.
+
+"Poor mother!" I was still repeating to myself, when her form
+again met my eyes. Slowly she advanced, and now came in nearer to
+the house. The interest excited in my mind was so strong, that I
+could not repress the desire I felt to address her, and so stepped
+from the shadow of the porch. She seemed startled, and retreated
+backward several paces.
+
+"Are you in search of any one?" I inquired, respectfully.
+
+The woman now stood in a position that let the moon shine full
+upon her face, revealing every feature. She was far past the
+meridian of life; and there were lines of suffering and sorrow on
+her fine countenance. I saw that her lips moved, but it was some
+time before I distinguished the words.
+
+"Have you seen my son to-night? They say he comes here."
+
+The manner in which this was said caused a cold thrill to run over
+me. I perceived that the woman's mind wandered. I answered:
+
+"No, ma'am; I haven't seen any thing of him."
+
+My tone of voice seemed to inspire her with confidence, for she
+came up close to me, and bent her face toward mine.
+
+"It is a dreadful place," she whispered, huskily. "And they say he
+comes here. Poor boy! He isn't what he used to be."
+
+"It is a very bad place," said I. "Come"--and I moved a step or
+two in the direction from which I had seen her approaching--"come,
+you'd better go away as quickly as possible."
+
+"But if he's here," she answered, not moving from where she stood,
+"I might save him, you know."
+
+"I am sure you won't find him, ma'am," I urged. "Perhaps he is
+home, now."
+
+"Oh, no! no!" And she shook her head mournfully. "He never comes
+home until long after midnight. I wish I could see inside of the
+bar-room. I'm sure he must be there."
+
+"If you will tell me his name, I will go in and search for him."
+
+After a moment of hesitation she answered:
+
+"His name is Willy Hammond."
+
+How the name, uttered so sadly, and yet with such moving
+tenderness by the mother's lips, caused me to start--almost to
+tremble.
+
+"If he is in the house, ma'am," said I, firmly, "I will see him
+for you." And I left her and went into the bar.
+
+"In what room do you think I will find young Hammond?" I asked of
+the bar-keeper. He looked at me curiously, but did not answer. The
+question had come upon him unanticipated.
+
+"In Harvey Green's room?" I pursued.
+
+"I don't know, I am sure. He isn't in the house to my knowledge. I
+saw him go out about half an hour since."
+
+"Green's room is No.----?"
+
+"Eleven," he answered.
+
+"In the front part of the house?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+I asked no further question, but went to No. 11, and tapped on the
+door. But no one answered the summons. I listened, but could not
+distinguish the slightest sound within. Again I knocked; but
+louder. If my ears did not deceive me, the chink of coin was
+heard. Still there was neither voice nor movement.
+
+I was disappointed. That the room had inmates, I felt sure.
+Remembering, now, what I had heard about light being seen in this
+room through a rent in the curtain, I went down-stairs, and out
+into the street. A short distance beyond the house, I saw, dimly,
+the woman's form. She had only just passed in her movement to and
+fro. Glancing up at the window, which I now knew to be the one in
+Green's room, light through the torn curtain was plainly visible.
+Back into the house I went, and up to No. 11. This time I knocked
+imperatively; and this time made myself heard.
+
+"What's wanted?" came from within. I knew the voice to be that of
+Harvey Green.
+
+I only knocked louder. A hurried movement and the low murmur of
+voices was heard for some moments; then the door was unlocked and
+held partly open by Green, whose body so filled the narrow
+aperture that I could not look into the room. Seeing me, a dark
+scowl fell upon his countenance.
+
+"What d'ye want?" he inquired, sharply.
+
+"Is Mr. Hammond here? If so, he is wanted downstairs."
+
+"No, he's not," was the quick answer. "What sent you here for him,
+hey?"
+
+"The fact that I expected to find him in your room," was my firm
+answer.
+
+Green was about shutting the door in my face, when some one placed
+a hand on his shoulder, and said something to him that I could not
+hear.
+
+"Who wants to see him?" he inquired of me.
+
+Satisfied, now, that Hammond was in the room, I said, slightly
+elevating my voice:
+
+"His mother."
+
+The words were an "open sesame" to the room. The door was suddenly
+jerked open, and with a blanching face, the young man confronted
+me.
+
+"Who says my mother is down-stairs?" he demanded.
+
+"I come from her in search of you," I said. "You will find her in
+the road, walking up and down in front of the tavern."
+
+Almost with a bound he swept by me, and descended the stairway at
+two or three long strides. As the door swung open, I saw besides
+Green and Hammond, the landlord and Judge Lyman. It needed not the
+loose cards on the table near which the latter were sitting to
+tell me of their business in that room.
+
+As quickly as seemed decorous, I followed Hammond. On the porch I
+met him, coming in from the road.
+
+"You have deceived me, sir," said he, sternly--almost menacingly.
+
+"No, sir!" I replied. "What I told you was but too true. Look!
+There she is now."
+
+The young man sprung around, and stood before the woman, a few
+paces distant.
+
+"Mother! oh, mother! what HAS brought you here?" he exclaimed, in
+an under tone, as he caught her arm, and moved away. He spoke--not
+roughly, nor angrily--but with respect--half reproachfulness--and
+an unmistakable tenderness.
+
+"Oh, Willy! Willy!" I heard her answer. "Somebody said you came
+here at night, and I couldn't rest. Oh, dear. They'll murder you!
+I know they will. Don't, oh!--"
+
+My ears took in the sense no further, though her pleading voice
+still reached my ears. A few moments, and they were out of sight.
+
+Nearly two hours afterward, as I was ascending to my chamber, a
+man brushed quickly by me. I glanced after him, and recognized the
+person of young Hammond. He was going to the room of Harvey Green!
+
+
+
+
+
+NIGHT THE SEVENTH
+
+SOWING THE WIND.
+
+
+The state of affairs in Cedarville, it was plain, from the partial
+glimpses I had received, was rather desperate. Desperate, I mean,
+as regarded the various parties brought before my observation. An
+eating cancer was on the community, and so far as the eye could
+mark its destructive progress, the ravages were tearful. That its
+roots were striking deep, and penetrating, concealed from view, in
+many unsuspected directions, there could be no doubt. What
+appeared on the surface was but a milder form of the disease,
+compared with its hidden, more vital, and more dangerous advances.
+
+I could not but feel a strong interest in some of these parties.
+The case of young Hammond had, from the first, awakened concern;
+and now a new element was added in the unlooked-for appearance of
+his mother on the stage, in a state that seemed one of partial
+derangement. The gentleman at whose office I met Mr. Harrison on
+the day before--the reader will remember Mr. H. as having come to
+the "Sickle and Sheath" in search of his son--was thoroughly
+conversant with the affairs of the village, and I called upon him
+early in the day in order to make some inquiries about Mrs.
+Hammond. My first question, as to whether he knew the lady, was
+answered by the remark:
+
+"Oh, yes. She is one of my earliest friends."
+
+The allusion to her did not seem to awaken agreeable states of
+mind. A slight shade obscured his face, and I noticed that he
+sighed involuntarily.
+
+"Is Willy her only child?"
+
+"Her only living child. She had four; another son, and two
+daughters; but she lost all but Willy when they were quite young.
+And," he added, after a pause,--"it would have been better for
+her, and for Willy, too, if he had gone to a better land with
+them."
+
+"His course of life must be to her a terrible affliction." said I.
+
+"It is destroying her reason," he replied, with emphasis, "He was
+her idol. No mother ever loved a son with more self-devotion than
+Mrs. Hammond loved her beautiful, fine-spirited, intelligent,
+affectionate boy. To say that she was proud of him, is but a tame
+expression. Intense love--almost idolatry--was the strong passion
+of her heart. How tender, how watchful was her love! Except when
+at school, he was scarcely ever separated from her. In order to
+keep him by her side, she gave up her thoughts to the suggestion
+and maturing of plans for keeping his mind active and interested
+in her society--and her success was perfect. Up to the age of
+sixteen or seventeen, I do not think he had a desire for other
+companionship than that of his mother. But this, you know, could
+not last. The boy's maturing thought must go beyond the home and
+social circle. The great world, that he was soon to enter, was
+before him; and through loopholes that opened here and there he
+obtained partial glimpses of what was beyond. To step forth into
+this world, where he was soon to be a busy actor and worker, and
+to step forth alone, next came in the natural order of progress.
+How his mother trembled with anxiety, as she saw him leave her
+side! Of the dangers that would surround his path, she knew too
+well; and these were magnified by her fears--at least so I often
+said to her. Alas! how far the sad reality has outrun her most
+fearful anticipations.
+
+"When Willy was eighteen--he was then reading law--I think I never
+saw a young man of fairer promise. As I have often heard it
+remarked of him, he did not appear to have a single fault. But he
+had a dangerous gift--rare conversational powers, united with
+great urbanity of manner. Every one who made his acquaintance
+became charmed with his society; and he soon found himself
+surrounded by a circle of young men, some of whom were not the
+best companions he might have chosen. Still, his own pure
+instincts and honorable principles were his safeguard; and I never
+have believed that any social allurements would have drawn him
+away from the right path, if this accursed tavern had not been
+opened by Slade."
+
+"There was a tavern here before the 'Sickle and Sheaf' was
+opened?" said I.
+
+"Oh, yes. But it was badly kept, and the bar-room visitors were of
+the lowest class. No respectable young man in Cedarville would
+have been seen there. It offered no temptations to one moving in
+Willy's circle. But the opening of the 'Sickle and Sheaf' formed a
+new era. Judge Hammond--himself not the purest man in the world,
+I'm afraid--gave his countenance to the establishment, and talked
+of Simon Slade as an enterprising man who ought to be encouraged.
+Judge Lyman and other men of position in Cedarville followed his
+bad example; and the bar-room of the 'Sickle and Sheaf' was at
+once voted respectable. At all times of the day and evening you
+could see the flower of our young men going in and out, sitting in
+front of the bar-room, or talking hand-and-glove with the
+landlord, who, from a worthy miller, regarded as well enough in
+his place, was suddenly elevated into a man of importance, whom
+the best in the village were delighted to honor.
+
+"In the beginning, Willy went with the tide, and, in an incredibly
+short period, was acquiring a fondness for drink that startled and
+alarmed his friends. In going in through Slade's open door, he
+entered the downward way, and has been moving onward with fleet
+footsteps ever since. The fiery poison inflamed his mind, at the
+same time that it dimmed his noble perceptions. Fondness for mere
+pleasure followed, and this led him into various sensual
+indulgences, and exciting modes of passing the time. Every one
+liked him--he was so free, so companionable, and so generous--and
+almost every one encouraged, rather than repressed, his dangerous
+proclivities. Even his father, for a time, treated the matter
+lightly, as only the first flush of young life. 'I commenced
+sowing my wild oats at quite as early an age,' I have heard him
+say. 'He'll cool off, and do well enough. Never fear.' But his
+mother was in a state of painful alarm from the beginning. Her
+truer instincts, made doubly acute by her yearning love, perceived
+the imminent danger, and in all possible ways did she seek to lure
+him from the path in which he was moving at so rapid a pace. Willy
+was always very much attached to his mother, and her influence
+over him was strong; but in this case he regarded her fears as
+chimerical. The way in which he walked was, to him, so pleasant,
+and the companions of his journey so delightful, that he could not
+believe in the prophesied evil; and when his mother talked to him
+in her warning voice, and with a sad countenance, he smiled at her
+concern, and made light of her fears.
+
+"And so it went on, month after month, and year after year, until
+the young man's sad declensions were the town talk. In order to
+throw his mind into a new channel--to awaken, if possible, a new
+and better interest in life--his father ventured upon the doubtful
+experiment we spoke of yesterday; that of placing capital in his
+hands, and making him an equal partner in the business of
+distilling and cotton-spinning. The disastrous--I might say
+disgraceful--result you know. The young man squandered his own
+capital and heavily embarrassed his father.
+
+"The effect of all this upon Mrs. Hammond has been painful in the
+extreme. We can only dimly imagine the terrible suffering through
+which she has passed. Her present aberration was first visible
+after a long period of sleeplessness, occasioned by distress of
+mind. During the whole of two weeks, I am told, she did not close
+her eyes; the most of that time walking the floor of her chamber,
+and weeping. Powerful anodynes, frequently repeated, at length
+brought relief. But, when she awoke from a prolonged period of
+unconsciousness, the brightness of her reason was gone." Since
+then, she has never been clearly conscious of what was passing
+around her, and well for her, I have sometimes thought it was, for
+even obscurity of intellect is a blessing in her case. Ah, me! I
+always get the heart-ache, when I think of her." "Did not this
+event startle the young man from his fatal dream, if I may so call
+his mad infatuation?" I asked.
+
+"No. He loved his mother, and was deeply afflicted by the
+calamity; but it seemed as if he could not stop. Some terrible
+necessity appeared to be impelling him onward. If he formed good
+resolutions--and I doubt not that he did--they were blown away
+like threads of gossamer, the moment he came within the sphere of
+old associations. His way to the mill was by the 'Sickle and
+Sheaf'; and it was not easy for him to pass there without being
+drawn into the bar, either by his own desire for drink, or through
+the invitation of some pleasant companion, who was lounging in
+front of the tavern."
+
+"There may have been something even more impelling than his love
+of drink," said I.
+
+"What?"
+
+I related, briefly, the occurrences of the preceding night.
+
+"I feared--nay, I was certain--that he was in the toils of this
+man! And yet your confirmation of the fact startles and confounds
+me," said he, moving about his office in a disturbed manner. "If
+my mind has questioned and doubted in regard to young Hammond, it
+questions and doubts no longer. The word 'mystery' is not now
+written over the door of his habitation. Great Father! and is it
+thus that our young men are led into temptation? Thus that their
+ruin is premeditated, secured? Thus that the fowler is permitted
+to spread his net in the open day, and the destroyer licensed to
+work ruin in darkness? It is awful to contemplate!" The man was
+strongly excited.
+
+"Thus it is," he continued; "and we who see the whole extent,
+origin, and downward rushing force of a widely sweeping
+desolation, lift our voices of warning almost in vain. Men who
+have everything at stake--sons to be corrupted, and daughters to
+become the wives of young men exposed to corrupting influences--
+stand aloof, questioning and doubting as to the expediency of
+protecting the innocent from the wolfish designs of bad men; who,
+to compass their own selfish ends, would destroy them body and
+soul. We are called fanatics, ultraists, designing, and all that,
+because we ask our law-makers to stay the fiery ruin. Oh, no! we
+must not touch the traffic. All the dearest and best interests of
+society may suffer; but the rum-seller must be protected. He must
+be allowed to get gain, if the jails and poorhouses are filled,
+and the graveyards made fat with the bodies of young men stricken
+down in the flower of their years, and of wives and mothers who
+have died of broken hearts. Reform, we are told, must commence at
+home. We must rear temperate children, and then we shall have
+temperate men. That when there are none to desire liquor, the rum-
+seller's traffic will cease. And all the while society's true
+benefactors are engaged in doing this, the weak, the unsuspecting,
+and the erring must be left an easy prey, even if the work
+requires for its accomplishment a hundred years. Sir! a human soul
+destroyed through the rum-seller's infernal agency, is a sacrifice
+priceless in value. No considerations of worldly gain can, for an
+instant, be placed in comparison therewith. And yet souls are
+destroyed by thousands every year; and they will fall by tens of
+thousands ere society awakens from its fatal indifference, and
+lays its strong hand of power on the corrupt men who are
+scattering disease, ruin, and death, broadcast over the land!
+
+"I always get warm on this subject," he added, repressing his
+enthusiasm. "And who that observes and reflects can help growing
+excited? The evil is appalling; and the indifference of the
+community one of the strangest facts of the day."
+
+While he was yet speaking, the elder Mr. Hammond came in. He
+looked wretched. The redness and humidity of his eyes showed want
+of sleep, and the relaxed muscles of his face exhaustion from
+weariness and suffering. He drew the person with whom I had been
+talking aside, and continued an earnest conversation with him for
+many minutes--often gesticulating violently. I could see his face,
+though I heard nothing of what he said. The play of his features
+was painful to look upon, for every changing muscle showed a new
+phase of mental suffering.
+
+"Try and see him, will you not?" he said, as he turned, at length,
+to leave the office.
+
+"I will go there immediately," was answered.
+
+"Bring him home, if possible."
+
+"My very best efforts shall be made."
+
+Judge Hammond bowed and went out hurriedly.
+
+"Do you know the number of the room occupied by the man Green?"
+asked the gentleman, as soon as his visitor had retired.
+
+"Yes. It is No. 11."
+
+"Willy has not been home since last night. His father, at this
+late day, suspects Green to be a gambler. The truth flashed upon
+him only yesterday; and this, added to his other sources of
+trouble, is driving him, so he says, almost mad. As a friend, he
+wishes me to go to the 'Sickle and Sheaf,' and try and find Willy.
+Have you seen any thing of him this morning?"
+
+I answered in the negative.
+
+"Nor of Green?"
+
+"No."
+
+"Was Slade about when you left the tavern?"
+
+"I saw nothing of him."
+
+"What Judge Hammond fears may be all too true--that, in the
+present condition of Willy's affairs, which have reached the point
+of disaster, his tempter means to secure the largest possible
+share of property yet in his power to pledge or transfer,--to
+squeeze from his victim the last drop of blood that remains, and
+then fling him, ruthlessly, from his hands."
+
+"The young man must have been rendered almost desperate, or he
+would never have returned, as he did, last night. Did you mention
+this to his father?"
+
+"No. It would have distressed him the more, without effecting any
+good. He is wretched enough. But time passes, and none is to be
+lost now. Will you go with me?"
+
+I walked to the tavern with him; and we went into the bar
+together. Two or three men were at the counter, drinking.
+
+"Is Mr. Green about this morning?" was asked by the person who had
+come in search of young Hammond.
+
+"Haven't seen any thing of him."
+
+"Is he in his room?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Will you ascertain for me?"
+
+"Certainly. Frank,"--and he spoke to the landlord's son, who was
+lounging on a settee,--"I wish you would see if Mr. Green is in
+his room."
+
+"Go and see yourself. I'm not your waiter," was growled back, in
+an ill-natured voice.
+
+"In a moment I'll ascertain for you," said Matthew, politely.
+
+After waiting on some new customers, who were just entering,
+Matthew went up-stairs to obtain the desired information. As he
+left the bar-room, Frank got up and went behind the counter, where
+he mixed himself a glass of liquor, and drank it off, evidently
+with real enjoyment.
+
+"Rather a dangerous business for one so young as you are,"
+remarked the gentleman with whom I had come, as Frank stepped out
+of the bar, and passed near where we were standing. The only
+answer to this was an ill-natured frown, and an expression of face
+which said almost as plainly as words, "It is none of your
+business."
+
+"Not there," said Matthew, now coming in.
+
+"Are you certain?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+But there was a certain involuntary hesitation in the bar-keeper's
+manner, which led to a suspicion that his answer was not in
+accordance with the truth. We walked out together, conferring on
+the subject, and both concluded that his word was not to be relied
+upon.
+
+"What is to be done?" was asked.
+
+"Go to Green's room," I replied, "and knock at the door. If he is
+there, he may answer, not suspecting your errand."
+
+"Show me the room."
+
+I went up with him, and pointed out No. 11. He knocked lightly,
+but there came no sound from within. He repeated the knock; all
+was silent. Again and again he knocked, but there came back only a
+hollow reverberation.
+
+"There's no one there," said he, returning to where I stood, and
+we walked down-stairs together. On the landing, as we reached the
+lower passage, we met Mrs. Slade. I had not, during this visit at
+Cedarville, stood face to face with her before. Oh! what a wreck
+she presented, with her pale, shrunken countenance, hollow,
+lustreless eyes, and bent, feeble body. I almost shuddered as I
+looked at her. What a haunting and sternly rebuking spectre she
+must have moved, daily, before the eyes of her husband.
+
+"Have you noticed Mr. Green about this morning"?" I asked.
+
+"He hasn't come down from his room yet," she replied.
+
+"Are you certain?" said my companion. "I knocked several times at
+the door just now, but received no answer."
+
+"What do you want with him?" asked Mrs. Slade, fixing her eyes
+upon us.
+
+"We are in search of Willy Hammond; and it has been suggested that
+he was with Green."
+
+"Knock twice lightly, and then three times more firmly," said Mrs.
+Slade; and as she spoke, she glided past us with noiseless tread.
+
+"Shall we go up together?"
+
+I did not object; for, although I had no delegated right of
+intrusion, my feelings were so much excited in the case, that I
+went forward, scarcely reflecting on the propriety of so doing.
+
+The signal knock found instant answer. The door was softly opened,
+and the unshaven face of Simon Slade presented itself.
+
+"Mr. Jacobs!" he said, with surprise in his tones. "Do you wish to
+see me?"
+
+"No, sir; I wish to see Mr. Green," and with a quick, firm
+pressure against the door, he pushed it wide open. The same party
+was there that I had seen on the night before,--Green, young
+Hammond, Judge Lyman, and Slade. On the table at which the three
+former were sitting, were cards, slips of paper, an ink-stand and
+pens, and a pile of bank-notes. On a side-table, or, rather,
+butler's tray, were bottles, decanters, and glasses.
+
+"Judge Lyman! Is it possible?" exclaimed Mr. Jacobs, the name of
+my companion. "I did not expect to find you here."
+
+Green instantly swept his hands over the table to secure the money
+and bills it contained; but, ere he had accomplished his purpose,
+young Hammond grappled three or four narrow strips of paper, and
+hastily tore them into shreds.
+
+"You're a cheating scoundrel!" cried Green, fiercely, thrusting
+his hand into his bosom as if to draw from thence a weapon; but
+the words were scarcely uttered, ere Hammond sprung upon him with
+the fierceness of a tiger, bearing him down upon the floor. Both
+hands were already about the gambler's neck, and, ere the
+bewildered spectators could interfere, and drag him off. Green was
+purple in the face, and nearly strangled.
+
+"Call me a cheating scoundrel!" said Hammond, foaming at the
+mouth, as he spoke,--"Me, whom you have followed like a thirsty
+blood-hound. Me! whom you have robbed, and cheated, and debased
+from the beginning! Oh! for a pistol to rid the earth of the
+blackest-hearted villain that walks its surface. Let me go,
+gentlemen! I have nothing left in the world to care for,--there is
+no consequence I fear. Let me do society one good service before T
+die'"
+
+And, with one vigorous effort, he swept himself clear of the hands
+that were pinioning him, and sprung again upon the gambler with
+the fierce energy of a savage beast. By this time, Green had got
+his knife free from its sheath, and, as Hammond was closing upon
+him in his blind rage, plunged it into his side. Quick almost as
+lightning, the knife was withdrawn, and two more stabs inflicted
+ere we could seize and disarm the murderer. As we did so, Willy
+Hammond fell over with a deep groan, the blood flowing from his
+side.
+
+In the terror and excitement that followed, Green rushed from the
+room. The doctor, who was instantly summoned, after carefully
+examining the wound, and the condition of the unhappy young man,
+gave it as his opinion that he was fatally injured.
+
+Oh! the anguish of the father, who had quickly heard of the
+dreadful occurrence, when this announcement was made. I never saw
+such fearful agony in any human countenance. The calmest of all
+the anxious group was Willy himself. On his father's face his eyes
+were fixed as if by a kind of fascination.
+
+"Are you in much pain, my poor boy!" sobbed the old man, stooping
+over him, until his long white hair mingled with the damp locks of
+the sufferer.
+
+"Not much, father," was the whispered reply. "Don't speak of this
+to mother, yet. I'm afraid it will kill her."
+
+What could the father answer? Nothing! And he was silent.
+
+"Does she know of it?" A shadow went over his face.
+
+Mr. Hammond shook his head.
+
+Yet, even as he spoke, a wild cry of distress was heard below.
+Some indiscreet person had borne to the ears of the mother the
+fearful news about her son, and she had come wildly flying toward
+the tavern, and was just entering.
+
+"It is my poor mother," said Willy, a flush coming into his pale
+face. "Who could have told her of this?"
+
+Mr. Hammond started for the door, but ere he had reached it, the
+distracted mother entered.
+
+"Oh! Willy, my boy! my boy!" she exclaimed, in tones of anguish
+that made the heart shudder. And she crouched down on the floor,
+the moment she reached the bed whereon he lay, and pressed her
+lips--oh, so tenderly and lovingly!--to his.
+
+"Dear mother! Sweet mother! Best of mothers!" He even smiled as he
+said this; and, into the face now bent over him, looked up with
+glances of unutterable fondness.
+
+"Oh, Willy! Willy! Willy! my son, my son!" And again her lips were
+laid closely to his.
+
+Mr. Hammond now interfered, and endeavored to remove his wife,
+fearing for the consequence upon his son.
+
+"Don't, father!" said Willy; "let her remain. I am not excited nor
+disturbed. I am glad that she is here, now. It will be best for us
+both."
+
+"You must not excite him, dear," said Mr. Hammond--"he is very
+weak."
+
+"I'll not excite him," answered the mother. "I'll not speak a
+word. There, love"--and she laid her fingers softly upon the lips
+of her son--"don't speak a single word."
+
+For only a few moments did she sit with the quiet formality of a
+nurse, who feels how much depends on the repose of her patient.
+Then she began weeping, moaning, and wringing her hands.
+
+"Mother!" The feeble voice of Willy stilled, instantly, the
+tempest of feeling. "Mother, kiss me!"
+
+She bent down and kissed him.
+
+"Are you there, mother?" His eyes moved about, with a straining
+motion.
+
+"Yes, love, here I am."
+
+"I don't see you, mother. It's getting so dark. Oh, mother!
+mother!" he shouted suddenly, starting up and throwing himself
+forward upon her bosom--"save me! save me!"
+
+How quickly did the mother clasp her arms around him--how eagerly
+did she strain him to her bosom! The doctor, fearing the worst
+consequences, now came forward, and endeavored to release the arms
+of Mrs. Hammond, but she resisted every attempt to do so.
+
+"I will save you, my son," she murmured in the ear of the young
+man. "Your mother will protect you. Oh! if you had never left her
+side, nothing on earth could have done you harm."
+
+"He is dead!" I heard the doctor whisper; and a thrill of horror
+went through me. The words reached the ears of Mr. Hammond, and
+his groan was one of almost mortal agony.
+
+"Who says he is dead?" came sharply from the lips of the mother,
+as she pressed the form of her child back upon the bed from which
+he had sprung to her arms, and looked wildly upon his face. One
+long scream of horror told of her convictions, and she fell,
+lifeless, across the body of her dead son!
+
+All in the room believed that Mrs. Hammond had only fainted. But
+the doctor's perplexed, troubled countenance, as he ordered her
+carried into another apartment, and the ghastliness of her face
+when it was upturned to the light, suggested to every one what
+proved to be true. Even to her obscured perceptions, the
+consciousness that her son was dead came with a terrible
+vividness--so terrible, that it extinguished her life.
+
+Like fire among dry stubble ran the news of this fearful event
+through Cedarville. The whole town was wild with excitement. The
+prominent fact, that Willy Hammond had been murdered by Green,
+whose real profession was known by many, and now declared to all,
+was on every tongue; but a hundred different and exaggerated
+stories as to the cause and the particulars of the event were in
+circulation. By the time preparations to remove the dead bodies of
+mother and son from the "Sickle and Sheaf" to the residence of Mr.
+Hammond were completed, hundreds of people, men, women, and
+children, were assembled around the tavern and many voices were
+clamorous for Green; while some called out for Judge Lyman, whose
+name, it thus appeared, had become associated in the minds of the
+people with the murderous affair. The appearance, in the midst of
+this excitement, of the two dead bodies, borne forth on settees,
+did not tend to allay the feverish state of indignation that
+prevailed. From more than one voice, I heard the words, "Lynch the
+scoundrel!"
+
+A part of the crowd followed the sad procession, while the greater
+portion, consisting of men, remained about the tavern. All bodies,
+no matter for what purpose assembled, quickly find leading spirits
+who, feeling the great moving impulse, give it voice and
+direction. It was so in this case. Intense indignation against
+Green was firing every bosom; and when a man elevated himself a
+few feet above the agitated mass of humanity, and cried out:
+
+"The murderer must not escape!"
+
+A wild responding shout, terrible in its fierceness, made the air
+quiver.
+
+"Let ten men be chosen to search the house and premises," said the
+leading spirit.
+
+"Ay! ay! Choose them! Name them!" was quickly answered.
+
+Ten men were called by name, who instantly stepped in front of the
+crowd.
+
+"Search everywhere; from garret to cellar; from hayloft to dog-
+kennel. Everywhere! everywhere!" cried the man.
+
+And instantly the ten men entered the house. For nearly a quarter
+of an hour, the crowd waited with increasing signs of impatience.
+These delegates at length appeared, with the announcement that
+Green was nowhere about the premises. It was received with a
+groan.
+
+"Let no man in Cedarville do a stroke of work until the murderer
+is found," now shouted the individual who still occupied his
+elevated position.
+
+"Agreed! agreed! No work in Cedarville until the murderer is
+found," rang out fiercely.
+
+"Let all who have horses saddle and bridle them as quickly as
+possible, and assemble, mounted, at the Court House."
+
+About fifty men left the crowd hastily.
+
+"Let the crowd part in the centre, up and down the road, starting
+from a line in front of me."
+
+This order was obeyed.
+
+"Separate again, taking the centre of the road for a line."
+
+Four distinct bodies of men stood now in front of the tavern.
+
+"Now search for the murderer in every nook and corner, for a
+distance of three miles from this spot; each party keeping to its
+own section; the road being one dividing line, and a line through
+the centre of this tavern the other. The horsemen will pursue the
+wretch to a greater distance."
+
+More than a hundred acquiescing voices responded to this, as the
+man sprung down from his elevation and mingled with the crowd,
+which began instantly to move away on its appointed mission.
+
+As the hours went by, one, and another, and another, of the
+searching party returned to the village, wearied with their
+efforts, or confident that the murderer had made good his escape.
+The horsemen, too, began to come in, during the afternoon, and by
+sundown, the last of them, worn out and disappointed, made their
+appearance.
+
+For hours after the exciting events of the forenoon, there were
+but few visitors at the "Sickle and Sheaf." Slade, who did not
+show himself among the crowd, came down soon after its dispersion.
+He had shaved and put on clean linen; but still bore many
+evidences of a night spent without sleep. His eyes were red and
+heavy and the eyelids swollen; while his skin was relaxed and
+colorless. As he descended the stairs, I was walking in the
+passage. He looked shy at me, and merely nodded. Guilt was written
+plainly on his countenance; and with it was blended anxiety and
+alarm. That he might be involved in trouble, he had reason to
+fear; for he was one of the party engaged in gambling in Green's
+room, as both Mr. Jacobs and I had witnessed.
+
+"This is dreadful business," said he, as we met, face to face,
+half an hour afterward. He did not look me steadily in the eyes.
+
+"It is horrible!" I answered. "To corrupt and ruin a young man,
+and then murder him! There are few deeds in the catalogue of crime
+blacker than this!"
+
+"It was done in the heat of passion," said the landlord, with
+something of an apology in his manner. "Green never meant to kill
+him."
+
+"In peaceful intercourse with his fellow-men, why did he carry a
+deadly weapon? There was murder in his heart, sir."
+
+"That is speaking very strongly."
+
+"Not stronger than the facts will warrant," I replied. "That Green
+is a murderer in heart, it needed not this awful consummation to
+show. With a cool, deliberate purpose, he has sought, from the
+beginning, to destroy young Hammond."
+
+"It is hardly fair," answered Slade, "in the present feverish
+excitement against Green, to assume such a questionable position.
+It may do him a great wrong."
+
+"Did Willy Hammond speak only idle words, when he accused Green of
+having followed him like a thirsty bloodhound?--of having robbed,
+and cheated, and debased him from the beginning?"
+
+"He was terribly excited at the moment."
+
+"Yes," said I, "no ear that heard his words could for an instant
+doubt that they were truthful utterances, wrung from a maddened
+heart."
+
+My earnest, positive manner had its effect upon Slade. He knew
+that what I asserted, the whole history of Green's intercourse
+with young Hammond would prove; and he had, moreover, the guilty
+consciousness of being a party to the young man's ruin. His eyes
+cowered beneath the steady gaze I fixed upon him. I thought of him
+as one implicated in the murder, and my thoughts must have been
+visible in my face.
+
+"One murder will not justify another," said he.
+
+"There is no justification for murder on any plea," was my
+response.
+
+"And yet, if these infuriated men find Green, they will murder
+him."
+
+"I hope not. Indignation at a horrible crime has fearfully excited
+the people. But I think their sense of justice is strong enough to
+prevent the consequences you apprehend."
+
+"I would not like to be in Green's shoes," said the landlord, with
+an uneasy movement.
+
+I looked him closely in the face. It was the punishment of the
+man's crime that seemed so fearful in his eyes; not the crime
+itself. Alas! how the corrupting traffic had debased him.
+
+My words were so little relished by Slade, that he found some
+ready excuse to leave me. I saw little more of him during the day.
+
+As evening began to fall, the gambler's unsuccessful pursuers, one
+after another, found their way to the tavern, and by the time
+night had fairly closed in, the bar-room was crowded with excited
+and angry men, chafing over their disappointment, and loud in
+their threats of vengeance. That Green had made good his escape,
+was now the general belief; and the stronger this conviction
+became, the more steadily did the current of passion begin to set
+in a new direction. It had become known to every one that, besides
+Green and young Hammond, Judge Lyman and Slade were in the room
+engaged in playing cards. The merest suggestion as to the
+complicity of these two men with Green in ruining Hammond, and
+thus driving him mad, was enough to excite strong feelings against
+them; and now that the mob had been cheated out of its victim, its
+pent-up indignation sought eagerly some new channel.
+
+"Where's Slade?" some one asked, in a loud voice, from the centre
+of the crowded bar-room. "Why does he keep himself out of sight?"
+
+"Yes; where's the landlord?" half a dozen voices responded.
+
+"Did he go on the hunt?" some one inquired.
+
+"No!" "No!" "No!" ran around the room. "Not he."
+
+"And yet, the murder was committed in his own house, and before
+his own eyes!"
+
+"Yes, before his own eyes!" repeated one and another, indignantly.
+
+"Where's Slade? Where's the landlord? Has anybody seen him
+tonight? Matthew, where's Simon Slade?"
+
+From lip to lip passed these interrogations; while the crowd of
+men became agitated, and swayed to and fro.
+
+"I don't think he's home," answered the bar-keeper, in a
+hesitating manner, and with visible alarm.
+
+"How long since he was here?"
+
+"I haven't seen him for a couple of hours."
+
+"That's a lie!" was sharply said.
+
+"Who says it's a lie?" Matthew affected to be strongly indignant.
+
+"I do!" And a rough, fierce-looking man confronted him.
+
+"What right have you to say so?" asked Matthew, cooling off
+considerably.
+
+"Because you lie!" said the man, boldly. "You've seen him within a
+less time than half an hour, and well you know it. Now, if you
+wish to keep yourself out of this trouble, answer truly. We are in
+no mood to deal with liars or equivocators. Where is Simon Slade?"
+
+"I do not know," replied Matthew, firmly.
+
+"Is he in the house?"
+
+"He may be, or he may not be. I am just as ignorant of his exact
+whereabouts as you are."
+
+"Will you look for him?"
+
+Matthew stepped to the door, opening from behind the bar, and
+called the name of Frank.
+
+"What's wanted?" growled the boy.
+
+"Is your father in the house?"
+
+"I don't know, nor don't care," was responded in the same
+ungracious manner.
+
+"Someone bring him into the bar-room, and we'll see if we can't
+make him care a little."
+
+The suggestion was no sooner made, than two men glided behind the
+bar, and passed into the room from whence the voice of Frank had
+issued. A moment after they reappeared, each grasping an arm of
+the boy, and bearing him like a weak child between them. He looked
+thoroughly frightened at this unlooked-for invasion of his
+liberty.
+
+"See here, young man." One of the leading spirits of the crowd
+addressed him, as soon as he was brought in front of the counter.
+"If you wish to keep out of trouble, answer our questions at once,
+and to the point. We are in no mood for trifling. Where's your
+father?"
+
+"Somewhere about the house, I believe," Frank replied, in an
+humble tone. He was no little scared at the summary manner with
+which he had been treated.
+
+"How long since you saw him?"
+
+"Not long ago."
+
+"Ten minutes."
+
+"No; nearly half an hour."
+
+"Where was he then?"
+
+"He was going up-stairs."
+
+"Very well, we want him. See him, and tell him so."
+
+Frank went into the house, but came back into the bar-room after
+an absence of nearly five minutes, and said that he could not find
+his father anywhere.
+
+"Where is he then?" was angrily demanded.
+
+"Indeed, gentlemen, I don't know." Frank's anxious look and
+frightened manner showed that he spoke truly.
+
+"There's something wrong about this--something wrong--wrong," said
+one of the men. "Why should he be absent now? Why has he taken no
+steps to secure the man who committed a murder in his own house,
+and before his own eyes?
+
+"I shouldn't wonder if he aided him to escape," said another,
+making this serious charge with a restlessness and want of
+evidence that illustrated the reckless and unjust spirit by which
+the mob is ever governed.
+
+"No doubt of it in the least!" was the quick and positive
+response. And at once this erroneous conviction seized upon every
+one. Not a single fact was presented. The simple, bold assertion,
+that no doubt existed in the mind of one man as to Slade's having
+aided Green to escape, was sufficient for the unreflecting mob.
+
+"Where is he? Where is he? Let us find him. He knows where Green
+is, and he shall reveal the secret."
+
+This was enough. The passions of the crowd were at fever heat
+again. Two or three men were chosen to search the house and
+premises, while others dispersed to take a wider range. One of the
+men who volunteered to go over the house was a person named Lyon,
+with whom I had formed some acquaintance, and several times
+conversed with on the state of affairs in Cedarville. He still
+remained too good a customer at the bar. I left the bar at the
+same time that he did, and went up to my room. We walked side by
+side, and parted at my door, I going in, and he continuing on to
+make his searches. I felt, of course, anxious and much excited, as
+well in consequence of the events of the day, as the present
+aspect of things. My head was aching violently, and in the hope of
+getting relief, I laid myself down. I had already lighted a
+candle, and turned the key in my door to prevent intrusion. Only
+for a short time did I lie, listening to the hum of voices that
+came with a hoarse murmur from below, to the sound of feet moving
+along the passages, and to the continual opening and shutting of
+doors, when something like suppressed breathing reached my ears, I
+started up instantly, and listened; but my quickened pulses were
+now audible to my own sense, and obscured what was external.
+
+"It is only imagination," I said to myself. Still, I sat upright,
+listening.
+
+Satisfied, at length, that all was mere fancy, I laid myself back
+on the pillow, and tried to turn my thoughts away from the
+suggested idea that some one was in the room. Scarcely had I
+succeeded in this, when my heart gave a new impulse, as a sound
+like a movement fell upon my ears.
+
+"Mere fancy!" I said to myself, as some one went past the door at
+the moment. "My mind is overexcited."
+
+Still I raised my head, supporting it with my hand, and listened,
+directing my attention inside, and not outside of the room. I was
+about letting my head fall back upon the pillow, when a slight
+cough, so distinct as not to be mistaken, caused me to spring to
+the floor, and look under the bed. The mystery was explained. A
+pair of eyes glittered in the candlelight. The fugitive, Green,
+was under my bed. For some moments I stood looking at him, so
+astonished that I had neither utterance nor decision; while he
+glared at me with a fierce defiance. I saw that he was clutching a
+revolver.
+
+"Understand!" he said, in a grating whisper, "that I am not to be
+taken alive."
+
+I let the blanket, which had concealed him from view, fall from my
+hand, and then tried to collect my thoughts.
+
+"Escape is impossible," said I, again lifting the temporary
+curtain by which he was hid. "The whole town is armed, and on the
+search; and should you fall into the hands of the mob, in its
+present state of exasperation, your life would not be safe an
+instant. Remain, then, quiet, where you are, until I can see the
+sheriff, to whom you had better resign yourself, for there's
+little chance for you except under his protection."
+
+After a brief parley he consented that things should take this
+course, and I went out, locking the room door after me, and
+started in search of the sheriff. On the information I gave, the
+sheriff acted promptly. With five officers, fully armed for
+defence, in case an effort were made to get the prisoner out of
+their hands, he repaired immediately to the "Sickle and Sheaf." I
+had given the key of my room into his possession.
+
+The appearance of the sheriff, with his posse, was sufficient to
+start the suggestion that Green was somewhere concealed in the
+house; and a suggestion was only needed to cause the fact to be
+assumed, and unhesitatingly declared. Intelligence went through
+the reassembling crowd like an electric current, and ere the
+sheriff could manacle and lead forth his prisoner, the stairway
+down which he had to come was packed with bodies, and echoing with
+oaths and maledictions.
+
+"Gentlemen, clear the way!" cried the sheriff, as he appeared with
+the white and trembling culprit at the head of the stairs. "The
+murderer is now in the hands of the law, and will meet the sure
+consequences of his crime."
+
+A shout of execration rent the air; but not a single individual
+stirred.
+
+"Give way, there! Give way!" And the sheriff took a step or two
+forward, but the prisoner held back.
+
+"Oh, the murdering villain! The cursed blackleg! Where's Willy
+Hammond?" was heard distinctly above the confused mingling of
+voices.
+
+"Gentlemen! the law must have its course; and no good citizen will
+oppose the law. It is made for your protection--for mine--and for
+that of the prisoner."
+
+"Lynch law is good enough for him," shouted a savage voice. "Hand
+him over to us, sheriff, and we'll save you the trouble of hanging
+him, and the county the cost of the gallows. We'll do the business
+right."
+
+Five men, each armed with a revolver, now ranged themselves around
+the sheriff, and the latter said firmly:
+
+"It is my duty to see this man safely conveyed to prison; and I'm
+going to do my duty. If there is any more blood shed here, the
+blame will rest with you." And the body of officers pressed
+forward, the mob slowly retreating before them.
+
+Green, overwhelmed with terror, held back. I was standing where I
+could see his face. It was ghastly with mortal fear. Grasping his
+pinioned arms, the sheriff forced him onward. After contending
+with the crowd for nearly ten minutes, the officers gained the
+passage below; but the mob was denser here, and blocking up the
+door, resolutely maintained their position.
+
+Again and again the sheriff appealed to the good sense and justice
+of the people.
+
+"The prisoner will have to stand a trial and the law will execute
+sure vengeance."
+
+"No, it won't!" was sternly responded.
+
+"Who'll be judge in the case?" was asked.
+
+"Why, Judge Lyman!" was contemptuously answered.
+
+"A blackleg himself!" was shouted by two or three voices.
+
+"Blackleg judge, and blackleg lawyers! Oh, yes! The law will
+execute sure vengeance! Who was in the room gambling with Green
+and Hammond?"
+
+"Judge Lyman!" "Judge Lyman!" was answered back.
+
+"It won't do, sheriff! There's no law in the country to reach the
+case but Lynch law; and that the scoundrel must have. Give him to
+us!"
+
+"Never! On, men, with the prisoner!" cried the sheriff resolutely,
+and the posse made a rush toward the door, bearing back the
+resisting and now infuriated crowd. Shouts, cries, oaths, and
+savage imprecations blended in wild discord; in the midst of which
+my blood was chilled by the sharp crack of a pistol. Another and
+another shot followed; and then, as a cry of pain thrilled the
+air, the fierce storm hushed its fury in an instant.
+
+"Who's shot? Is he killed?"
+
+There was a breathless eagerness for the answer.
+
+"It's the gambler!" was replied. "Somebody has shot Green."
+
+A low muttered invective against the victim was heard here and
+there; but the announcement was not received with a shout of
+exultation, though there was scarcely a heart that did not feel
+pleasure at the sacrifice of Harvey Green's life.
+
+It was true as had been declared. Whether the shot were aimed
+deliberately, or guided by an unseen hand to the heart of the
+gambler, was never known; nor did the most careful examination,
+instituted afterward by the county, elicit any information that
+even directed suspicion toward the individual who became the agent
+of his death.
+
+At the coroner's inquest, held over the dead body of Harvey Green,
+Simon Slade was present. Where he had concealed himself while the
+mob were in search of him, was not known. He looked haggard; and
+his eyes were anxious and restless. Two murders in his house,
+occurring in a single day, were quite enough to darken his
+spirits; and the more so, as his relations with both the victims
+were not of a character to awaken any thing but self-accusation.
+
+As for the mob, in the death of Green its eager thirst for
+vengeance was satisfied. Nothing more was said against Slade, as a
+participator in the ruin and death of young Hammond. The popular
+feeling was one of pity rather than indignation toward the
+landlord; for it was seen that he was deeply troubled.
+
+One thing I noticed, and it was that the drinking at the bar was
+not suspended for a moment. A large proportion of those who made
+up the crowd of Green's angry pursuers were excited by drink as
+well as indignation, and I am very sure that, but for the
+maddening effects of liquor, the fatal shot would never have been
+fired. After the fearful catastrophe, and when every mind was
+sobered, or ought to have been sobered, the crowd returned to the
+bar-room, where the drinking was renewed. So rapid were the calls
+for liquor, that both Matthew and Frank, the landlord's son, were
+kept busy mixing the various compounds demanded by the thirsty
+customers.
+
+From the constant stream of human beings that flowed toward the
+"Sickle and Sheaf," after the news of Green's discovery and death
+went forth, it seemed as if every man and boy within a distance of
+two or three miles had received intelligence of the event. Few,
+very, of those who came, but went first into the bar-room; and
+nearly all who entered the bar-room called for liquor. In an hour
+after the death of Green, the fact that his dead body was laid out
+in the room immediately adjoining, seemed utterly to pass from the
+consciousness of every one in the bar. The calls for liquor were
+incessant; and, as the excitement of drink increased, voices grew
+louder, and oaths more plentiful, while the sounds of laughter
+ceased not for an instant.
+
+"They're giving him a regular Irish wake," I heard remarked, with
+a brutal laugh.
+
+I turned to the speaker, and, to my great surprise, saw that it
+was Judge Lyman, more under the influence of drink than I
+remembered to have seen him. He was about the last man I expected
+to find here. If he knew of the strong indignation expressed
+toward him a little while before, by some of the very men now
+excited with liquor, his own free drinking had extinguished fear.
+
+"Yes, curse him!" was the answer. "If they have a particularly hot
+corner 'away down below,' I hope he's made its acquaintance before
+this."
+
+"Most likely he's smelled brimstone," chuckled the judge.
+
+"Smelled it! If old Clubfoot hasn't treated him with a brimstone-
+bath long before this, he hasn't done his duty. If I thought as
+much, I'd vote for sending his majesty a remonstrance forthwith."
+
+"Ha! ha!" laughed the judge. "You're warm on the subject."
+
+"Ain't I? The blackleg scoundrel! Hell's too good for him."
+
+"H-u-s-h! Don't let your indignation run into profanity," said
+Judge Lyman, trying to assume a serious air; but the muscles of
+his face but feebly obeyed his will's feeble effort.
+
+"Profanity! Poh! I don't call that profanity. It's only speaking
+out in meeting, as they say,--it's only calling black, black--and
+white, white. You believe in a hell, don't you, judge?"
+
+"I suppose there is one; though I don't know very certain."
+
+"You'd better be certain!" said the other, meaningly.
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"Oh! because if there is one, and you don't cut your cards a
+little differently, you'll be apt to find it at the end of your
+journey."
+
+"What do you mean by that?" asked the judge, retreating somewhat
+into himself, and trying to look dignified.
+
+"Just what I say," was unhesitatingly answered.
+
+"Do you mean to insinuate any thing?" asked the judge, whose brows
+were beginning to knit themselves.
+
+"Nobody thinks you a saint," replied the man, roughly.
+
+"I never professed to be."
+
+"And it is said"--the man fixed his gaze almost insultingly upon
+Judge Lyman's face--"that you'll get about as hot a corner in the
+lower regions as is to be found there, whenever you make the
+journey in that direction."
+
+"You are insolent!" exclaimed the judge, his face becoming
+inflamed.
+
+"Take care what you say, sir!" The man spoke threateningly.
+
+"You'd better take care what YOU say."
+
+"So I will," replied the other. "But--"
+
+"What's to pay here?" inquired a third party, coming up at the
+moment, and interrupting the speaker.
+
+"The devil will be to pay," said Judge Lyman, "if somebody don't
+look out sharp."
+
+"Do you mean that for me, ha?" The man, between whom and himself
+this slight contention had so quickly sprung up, began stripping
+back his coat sleeves, like one about to commence boxing.
+
+"I mean it for anybody who presumes to offer me an insult."
+
+The raised voices of the two men now drew toward them the
+attention of every one in the bar-room.
+
+"The devil! There's Judge Lyman!" I heard some one exclaim, in a
+tone of surprise.
+
+"Wasn't he in the room with Green when Willy Hammond was
+murdered?" asked another.
+
+"Yes, he was; and what's more, it is said he had been playing
+against him all night, he and Green sharing the plunder."
+
+This last remark came distinctly to the ears of Lyman, who started
+to his feet instantly, exclaiming fiercely:
+
+"Whoever says that is a cursed liar!"
+
+The words were scarcely out of his mouth, before a blow staggered
+him against the wall, near which he was standing. Another blow
+felled him, and then his assailant sprang over his prostrate body,
+kicking him, and stamping upon his face and breast in the most
+brutal, shocking manner.
+
+"Kill him! He's worse than Green!" somebody cried out, in a voice
+so full of cruelty and murder that it made my blood curdle.
+"Remember Willy Hammond!"
+
+The terrible scene that followed, in which were heard a confused
+mingling of blows, cries, yells, and horrible oaths, continued for
+several minutes, and ceased only when the words--"Don't, don't
+strike him any more! He's dead!" were repeated several times. Then
+the wild strife subsided. As the crowd parted from around the body
+of Judge Lyman, and gave way, I caught a single glance at his
+face. It was covered with blood, and every feature seemed to have
+been literally trampled down, until all was a level surface!
+Sickened at the sight, I passed hastily from the room into the
+open air, and caught my breath several times, before respiration
+again went on freely. As I stood in front of the tavern, the body
+of Judge Lyman was borne out by three or four men, and carried off
+in the direction of his dwelling.
+
+"Is he dead?" I inquired of those who had him in charge.
+
+"No," was the answer. "He's not dead, but terribly beaten," and
+they passed on.
+
+Again the loud voices of men in angry strife arose in the bar-
+room. I did not return there to learn the cause, or to witness the
+fiend-like conduct of the men, all whose worst passions were
+stimulated by drink into the wildest fervor. As I was entering my
+room, the thought flashed through my mind that, as Green was found
+there, it needed only the bare suggestion that I had aided in his
+concealment, to direct toward me the insane fury of the drunken
+mob.
+
+"It is not safe to remain here." I said this to myself, with the
+emphasis of a strong internal conviction.
+
+Against this, my mind opposed a few feeble arguments; but the more
+I thought of the matter, the more clearly did I become satisfied,
+that to attempt to pass the night in that room was to me a risk it
+was not prudent to assume.
+
+So I went in search of Mrs. Slade, to ask her to have another room
+prepared for me. But she was not in the house; and I learned, upon
+inquiry, that since the murder of young Hammond, she had been
+suffering from repeated hysterical and fainting fits, and was now,
+with her daughter, at the house of a relative, whither she had
+been carried early in the afternoon.
+
+It was on my lip to request the chambermaid to give me another
+room; but this I felt to be scarcely prudent, for if the popular
+indignation should happen to turn toward me, the servant would be
+the one questioned, most likely, as to where I had removed my
+quarters.
+
+"It isn't safe to stay in the house," said I, speaking to myself.
+"Two, perhaps three, murders have been committed already. The
+tiger's thirst for blood has been stimulated, and who can tell how
+quickly he may spring again, or in what direction?"
+
+Even while I said this, there came up from the bar-room louder and
+madder shouts. Then blows were heard, mingled with cries and
+oaths. A shuddering sense of danger oppressed me, and I went
+hastily down-stairs, and out into the street. As I gained the
+passage, I looked into the sitting-room, where the body of Green
+was laid out. Just then, the bar-room door was burst open by a
+fighting party, who had been thrown, in their fierce contention,
+against it. I paused only for a moment or two; and even in that
+brief period of time, saw blows exchanged over the dead body of
+the gambler!
+
+"This is no place for me," I said, almost aloud, and hurried from
+the house, and took my way to the residence of a gentleman who had
+shown me many kind nesses during my visits at Cedarville. There
+was needed scarcely a word of representation on my part, to secure
+the cordial tender of a bed.
+
+What a change! It seemed almost like a passage from Pandemonium to
+a heavenly region, as I seated myself alone in the quiet chamber a
+cheerful hospitality had assigned me, and mused on the exciting
+and terrible incidents of the day. They that sow the wind shall
+reap the whirlwind. How marked had been the realization of this
+prophecy, couched in such strong but beautiful imagery!
+
+On the next day I was to leave Cedarville. Early in the morning I
+repaired to the "Sickle and Sheaf." The storm was over, and all
+was calm and silent as desolation. Hours before, the tempest had
+subsided; but the evidences left behind of its ravaging fury were
+fearful to look upon. Doors, chairs, windows, and table's were
+broken, and even the strong brass rod that ornamented the bar had
+been partially wrenched from its fastenings by strong hands, under
+an impulse of murder, that only lacked a weapon to execute its
+fiendish purpose. Stains of blood, in drops, marks, and even
+dried-up pools, were to be seen all over the bar-room and passage
+floors, and in many places on the porch.
+
+In the sitting-room still lay the body of Green. Here, too, were
+many signs to indicate a fierce struggle. The looking-glass was
+smashed to a hundred pieces, and the shivered fragments lay yet
+untouched upon the floor. A chair, which it was plain had been
+used as a weapon of assault, had two of its legs broken short off,
+and was thrown into a corner. And even the bearers on which the
+dead man lay were pushed from their true position, showing that
+even in its mortal sleep, the body of Green had felt the jarring
+strife of elements he had himself helped to awaken into mad
+activity. From his face, the sheet had been drawn aside; but no
+hand ventured to replace it; and there it lay, in its ghastly
+paleness, exposed to the light, and covered with restless flies,
+attracted by the first faint odors of putridity. With gaze
+averted, I approached the body, and drew the covering decently
+over it.
+
+No person was in the bar. I went out into the stable-yard, where I
+met the hostler with his head bound up. There was a dark blue
+circle around one of his eyes, and an ugly-looking red scar on his
+cheek.
+
+"Where is Mr. Slade?" I inquired.
+
+"In bed, and likely to keep it for a week," was answered.
+
+"How comes that?"
+
+"Naturally enough. There was fighting all around last night, and
+he had to come in for a share. The fool! If he'd just held his
+tongue, he might have come out of it with a whole skin. But, when
+the rum is in, the wit is out, with him. It's cost me a black eye
+and a broken head; for how could I stand by and see him murdered
+outright?"
+
+"Is he very badly injured?"
+
+"I rather think he is. One eye is clean gone."
+
+"Oh, shocking!"
+
+"It's shocking enough, and no mistake."
+
+"Lost an eye?"
+
+"Too true, sir. The doctor saw him this morning, and says the eye
+was fairly gouged out, and broken up. In fact, when we carried him
+upstairs for dead, last night, his eye was lying upon his cheek. I
+pushed it back with my own hand!"
+
+"Oh, horrible!" The relation made me sick. "Is he otherwise much
+injured?"
+
+"The doctor thinks there are some bad hurts inside. Why, they
+kicked and trampled upon him, as if he had been a wild beast! I
+never saw such a pack of blood-thirsty devils in my life!"
+
+"So much for rum," said I.
+
+"Yes, sir; so much for rum," was the emphatic response. "It was
+the rum, and nothing else. Why, some of the very men who acted the
+most like tigers and devils, are as harmless persons as you will
+find in Cedarville when sober. Yes, sir; it was the rum, and
+nothing else. Rum gave me this broken head and black eye."
+
+"So you had been drinking also?"
+
+"Oh, yes. There's no use in denying that."
+
+"Liquor does you harm."
+
+"Nobody knows that better than I do."
+
+"Why do you drink, then?"
+
+"Oh, just because it comes in the way. Liquor is under my eyes and
+nose all the time, and it's as natural as breathing to take a
+little now and then. And when I don't think of it myself, somebody
+will think of it for me, and say--'Come, Sam, let's take
+something.' So, you see, for a body such as I am, there isn't much
+help for it."
+
+"But ain't you afraid to go on in this way? Don't you know where
+it will all end?"
+
+"Just as well as anybody. It will make an end of me or--of all
+that is good in me. Rum and ruin, you know, sir. They go together
+like twin brothers."
+
+"Why don't you get out of the way of temptation?" said I.
+
+"It's easy enough to ask that question, sir; but how am I to get
+out of the way of temptation? Where shall I go, and not find a bar
+in my road, and somebody to say--'Come, Sam, let's take a drink'?
+It can't be done, sir, nohow. I'm a hostler, and I don't know how
+to be anything else."
+
+"Can't you work on a farm?"
+
+"Yes; I can do something in that way. But, when there are taverns
+and bar-rooms, as many as three or four in every mile all over the
+country, how are you to keep clear of them? Figure me out that."
+
+"I think you'd better vote on the Maine Law side at next
+election," said I.
+
+"Faith, and I did it last time!" replied the man, with a
+brightening face--"and if I'm spared, I'll go the same ticket next
+year."
+
+"What do you think of the Law?" I asked.
+
+"Think of it! Bless your heart! if I was a praying man, which I'm
+sorry to say I ain't--my mother was a pious woman, sir"--his voice
+fell and slightly trembled--"if I was a praying man, sir, I'd
+pray, night and morning, and twenty times every day of my life,
+for God to put it into the hearts of the people to give us that
+Law. I'd have some hope then. But I haven't much as it is. There's
+no use in trying to let liquor alone."
+
+"Do many drinking men think as you do?"
+
+"I can count up a dozen or two myself. It isn't the drinking men
+who are so much opposed to the Maine Law as your politicians. They
+throw dust in the people's eyes about it, and make a great many,
+who know nothing at all of the evils of drinking in themselves,
+believe some bugbear story about trampling on the rights of I
+don't know who, nor they either. As for rum-sellers' rights, I
+never could see any right they had to get rich by ruining poor
+devils such as I am. I think, though, that we have some right to
+be protected against them."
+
+The ringing of a bell here announced the arrival of some traveler,
+and the hostler left me.
+
+I learned, during the morning, that Matthew, the bar-keeper, and
+also the son of Mr. Slade, were both considerably hurt during the
+affrays in the bar-room, and were confined, temporarily, to their
+beds. Mrs. Slade still continued in a distressing and dangerous
+state. Judge Lyman, though shockingly injured, was not thought to
+be in a critical condition.
+
+A busy day the sheriff had of it, making arrests of various
+parties engaged in the last night's affairs. Even Slade, unable as
+he was to lift his head from his pillow, was required to give
+heavy bail for his appearance at court. Happily, I escaped the
+inconvenience of being held to appear as a witness, and early in
+the afternoon had the satisfaction of finding myself rapidly borne
+away in the stage-coach. It was two years before I entered the
+pleasant village of Cedarville again.
+
+
+
+
+
+NIGHT THE EIGHTH.
+
+REAPING THE WHIRLWIND.
+
+
+I was in Washington City during the succeeding month. It was the
+short, or closing session, of a regular Congressional term. The
+implication of Judge Lyman in the affair of Green and young
+Hammond had brought him into such bad odor in Cedarville and the
+whole district from which he had been chosen, that his party
+deemed it wise to set him aside, and take up a candidate less
+likely to meet with so strong and, it might be, successful an
+opposition. By so doing, they were able to secure the election,
+once more, against the growing temperance party, which succeeded,
+however, in getting a Maine Law man into the State Legislature. It
+was, therefore, Judge Lyman's last winter at the Federal Capital.
+
+While seated in the reading-room at Fuller's Hotel, about noon, on
+the day after my arrival in Washington, I noticed an individual,
+whose face looked familiar, come in and glance about, as if in
+search of some one. While yet questioning my mind who he could be,
+I heard a man remark to a person with whom he had been conversing:
+
+"There's that vagabond member away from his place in the House,
+again."
+
+"Who?" inquired the other.
+
+"Why. Judge Lyman," was answered.
+
+"Oh!" said the other, indifferently; "it isn't of much
+consequence. Precious little wisdom does he add to that
+intelligent body."
+
+"His vote is worth something, at least, when important questions
+are at stake."
+
+"What does he charge for it?" was coolly inquired.
+
+There was a shrug of the shoulders, and an arching of the
+eyebrows, but no answer.
+
+"I'm in earnest, though, in the question," said the last speaker.
+
+"Not in saying that Lyman will sell his vote to the highest
+bidders?"
+
+"That will depend altogether upon whom the bidders may be. They
+must be men who have something to lose as well as gain--men not at
+all likely to bruit the matter, and in serving whose personal
+interests no abandonment of party is required. Judge Lyman is
+always on good terms with the lobby members, and may be found in
+company with some of them daily. Doubtless, his absence from the
+House, now, is for the purpose of a special meeting with gentlemen
+who are ready to pay well for votes in favor of some bill making
+appropriations of public money for private or corporate benefit."
+
+"You certainly can not mean all you say to be taken in its
+broadest sense," was replied to this.
+
+"Yes; in its very broadest. Into just this deep of moral and
+political degradation has this man fallen, disgracing his
+constituents, and dishonoring his country."
+
+"His presence at Washington doesn't speak very highly in favor of
+the community he represents."
+
+"No; still, as things are now, we cannot judge of the moral worth
+of a community by the man sent from it to Congress.
+Representatives show merely the strength of parties. The candidate
+chosen in party primary meetings is not selected because he is the
+best man they have, and the one fittest to legislate wisely in
+national affairs; but he who happens to have the strongest
+personal friends among those who nominate, or who is most likely
+to poll the highest vote. This is why we find,' in Congress, such
+a large preponderance of tenth-rate men."
+
+"A man such as you represent Judge Lyman to be would sell his
+country, like another Arnold."
+
+"Yes; if the bid were high enough."
+
+"Does he gamble?"
+
+"Gambling, I might say, is a part of his profession. Very few
+nights pass, I am told, without finding him at the gaming-table."
+
+I heard no more. At all this, I was not in the least surprised;
+for my knowledge of the man's antecedents had prepared me for
+allegations quite as bad as these.
+
+During the week I spent at the Federal Capital, I had several
+opportunities of seeing Judge Lyman, in the House and out of it,--
+in the House only when the yeas and nays were called on some
+important measure, or a vote taken on a bill granting special
+privileges. In the latter case, his vote, as I noticed, was
+generally cast on the affirmative side. Several times I saw him
+staggering on the Avenue, and once brought into the House for the
+purpose of voting, in so drunken a state, that he had to be
+supported to his seat. And even worse than this--when his name was
+called, he was asleep, and had to be shaken several times before
+he was sufficiently aroused to give his vote!
+
+Happily, for the good of his country, it was his last winter in
+Washington. At the next session, a better man took his place.
+
+Two years from the period of my last visit to Cedarville, I found
+myself approaching that quiet village again. As the church-spire
+came in view, and house after house became visible, here und
+there, standing out in pleasant relief against the green
+background of woods and fields, all the exciting events which
+rendered my last visit so memorable, came up fresh in my mind. I
+was yet thinking of Willy Hammond's dreadful death, and of his
+broken-hearted mother, whose life went out with his, when the
+stage rolled by their old homestead. Oh, what a change was here!
+Neglect, decay, and dilapidation were visible, let the eye fall
+where it would. The fences were down, here and there; the hedges,
+once so green and nicely trimmed, had grown rankly in some places,
+but were stunted and dying in others; all the beautiful walks were
+weedy and grass-grown, and the box-borders dead; the garden,
+rainbow-hued in its wealth of choice and beautiful flowers when I
+first saw it, was lying waste,--a rooting-ground for hogs. A
+glance at the house showed a broken chimney, the bricks unremoved
+from the spot where they struck the ground; a moss grown roof,
+with a large limb from a lightning-rent tree lying almost balanced
+over the eaves, and threatening to fall at the touch of the first
+wind-storm that swept over. Half of the vines that clambered about
+the portico were dead, and the rest, untrained, twined themselves
+in wild disorder, or fell groveling to the earth. One of the
+pillars of the portico was broken, as were, also, two of the steps
+that went up to it. The windows of the house were closed, but the
+door stood open, and, as the stage went past, my eyes rested, for
+a moment, upon an old man seated in the hall. He was not near
+enough to the door for me to get a view of his face; but the white
+flowing hair left me in no doubt as to his identity. It was Judge
+Hammond.
+
+The "Sickle and Sheaf" was yet the stage-house of Cedarville, and
+there, a few minutes afterward, I found myself. The hand of change
+had been here also. The first object that attracted my attention
+was the sign-post, which at my earlier arrival, some eight or nine
+years before, stood up in its new white garment of paint, as
+straight as a plummet-line, bearing proudly aloft the golden sheaf
+and gleaming sickle. Now, the post, dingy and shattered and worn
+from the frequent contact of wheels, and gnawing of restless
+horses, leaned from its trim perpendicular at an angle of many
+degrees, as if ashamed of the faded, weather-worn, lying symbol it
+bore aloft in the sunshine. Around the post was a filthy mud-pool,
+in which a hog lay grunting out its sense of enjoyment. Two or
+three old empty whisky barrels lumbered up the dirty porch, on
+which a coarse, bloated, vulgar-looking man sat leaning against
+the wall--his chair tipped back on its hind legs--squinting at me
+from one eye, as I left the stage and came forward toward the
+house.
+
+"Ah! is this you?" said he, as I came near to him, speaking
+thickly, and getting up with a heavy motion. I now recognized the
+altered person of Simon Slade. On looking at him closer, I saw
+that the eye which I had thought only shut was in fact destroyed.
+How vividly, now, uprose in imagination the scenes I had witnessed
+during my last night in his bar-room; the night when a brutal mob,
+whom he had inebriated with liquor, came near murdering him.
+
+"Glad to see you once more, my boy! Glad to see you! I--I--I'm not
+just--you see. How are you? How are you?"
+
+And he shook my hand with a drunken show of cordiality.
+
+I felt shocked and disgusted. Wretched man! down the crumbling
+sides of the pit he had digged for other feet, he was himself
+sliding, while not enough strength remained even to struggle with
+his fate.
+
+I tried for a few minutes to talk with him; but his mind was
+altogether beclouded, and his questions and answers incoherent; so
+I left him, and entered the bar-room.
+
+"Can I get accommodations here for a couple of days?" I inquired
+of a stupid, sleepy-looking man, who was sitting in a chair behind
+the bar.
+
+"I reckon so," he answered, but did not rise.
+
+I turned, and walked a few paces toward the door, and then walked
+back again.
+
+"I'd like to get a room," said I.
+
+The man got up slowly, and going to a desk, fumbled about it for a
+while. At length he brought out an old, dilapidated bank-book,
+and throwing it open on the counter, asked me, with an indifferent
+manner, to write down my name.
+
+"I'll take a pen, if you please."
+
+"Oh, yes!" And he hunted about again in the desk, from which,
+after a while, he brought forth the blackened stump of a quill,
+and pushed it toward me across the counter.
+
+"Ink," said I--fixing my eyes upon him with a look of displeasure.
+
+"I don't believe there is any," he muttered. "Frank," and he
+called the landlord's son, going to the door behind the bar as he
+did so.
+
+"What d'ye want?" a rough, ill-natured voice answered.
+
+"Where's the ink?"
+
+"Don't know anything about it."
+
+"You had it last. What did you do with it?"
+
+"Nothing!" was growled back.
+
+"Well, I wish you'd find it."
+
+"Find it yourself, and--" I cannot repeat the profane language he
+used.
+
+"Never mind," said I. "A pencil will do just as well." And I drew
+one from my pocket. The attempt to write with this, on the
+begrimed and greasy page of the register, was only partially
+successful. It would have puzzled almost any one to make out the
+name. From the date of the last entry, it appeared that mine was
+the first arrival, for over a week, of any person desiring a room.
+
+As I finished writing my name, Frank came stalking in, with a
+cigar in his mouth, and a cloud of smoke around his head. He had
+grown into a stout man--though his face presented little that was
+manly, in the true sense of the word. He was disgustingly sensual.
+On seeing me, a slight flush tinged his cheeks.
+
+"How do you do?" he said, offering me his hand. "Peter,"--he
+turned to the lazy-looking bar-keeper--"tell Jane to have No. 11
+put in order for a gentleman immediately, and tell her to be sure
+and change the bed linen."
+
+"Things look rather dull here," I remarked, as the bar-keeper went
+out to do as he had been directed.
+
+"Rather; it's a dull place, anyhow."
+
+"How is your mother?" I inquired.
+
+A slight, troubled look came into his face, as he answered:
+
+"No better."
+
+"She's sick, then?"
+
+"Yes; she's been sick a good while; and I'm afraid will never be
+much better." His manner was not altogether cold and indifferent,
+but there was a want of feeling in his voice.
+
+"Is she at home?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+As he showed no inclination to say more on the subject, I asked no
+further questions, and he soon found occasion to leave me.
+
+The bar room had undergone no material change, so far as its
+furniture and arrangements were concerned; but a very great change
+was apparent in the condition of these. The brass rod around the
+bar, which, at my last visit was brightly polished, was now a
+greenish-black, and there came from it an unpleasant odor of
+verdigris. The walls were fairly coated with dust, smoke, and fly-
+specks, and the windows let in the light but feebly through the
+dirt-obscured glass. The floor was filthy. Behind the bar, on the
+shelves designed for a display of liquors, was a confused mingling
+of empty or half-filled decanters, cigar-boxes, lemons and lemon-
+peel, old newspapers, glasses, a broken pitcher, a hat, a soiled
+vest, and a pair of blacking brushes, with other incongruous
+things, not now remembered. The air of the room was loaded with
+offensive vapors.
+
+Disgusted with every thing about the bar, I went into the sitting-
+room. Here, there was some order in the arrangement of the dingy
+furniture; but you might have written your name in dust on the
+looking-glass and table. The smell of the torpid atmosphere was
+even worse than that of the bar-room. So I did not linger here,
+but passed through the hall, and out upon the porch, to get a
+draught of pure air.
+
+Slade still sat leaning against the wall.
+
+"Fine day this," said he, speaking in a mumbling kind of voice.
+
+"Very fine," I answered.
+
+"Yes, very fine."
+
+"Not doing so well as you were a few years ago," said I.
+
+"No--you see--these--these 'ere blamed temperance people are
+ruining everything."
+
+"Ah! Is that so?"
+
+"Yes. Cedarville isn't what it was when you first came to the
+'Sickle and Sheaf.' I--I--you see. Curse the temperance people!
+They've ruined every thing, you see. Every thing! Ruined--"
+
+And he muttered and mouthed his words in such a way, that I could
+understand but little he said; and, in that little, there was
+scarcely any coherency. So I left him, with a feeling of pity in
+my heart for the wreck he had become, and went into the town to
+call upon one or two gentlemen with whom I had business.
+
+In the course of the afternoon, I learned that Mrs. Slade was in
+an insane asylum, about five miles from Cedarville. The terrible
+events of the day on which young Hammond was murdered completed
+the work of mental ruin, begun at the time her husband abandoned
+the quiet, honorable calling of a miller, and became a tavern-
+keeper. Reason could hold its position no longer. When word came
+to her that Willy and his mother were both dead, she uttered a
+wild shriek, and fell down in a fainting fit. From that period the
+balance of her mind was destroyed. Long before this, her friends
+saw that reason wavered. Frank had been her idol. A pure, bright,
+affectionate boy he was, when she removed with him from their
+pleasant cottage-home, where all the surrounding influences were
+good, into a tavern, where an angel could scarcely remain without
+corruption. From the moment this change was decided on by her
+husband, a shadow fell upon her heart. She saw, before her
+husband, her children, and herself, a yawning pit, and felt that,
+in a very few years, all of them must plunge down into its fearful
+darkness.
+
+Alas! how quickly began the realization of her worst fears in the
+corruption of her worshipped boy! And how vain proved all effort
+and remonstrance, looking to his safety, whether made with himself
+or his father! From the day the tavern was opened, and Frank drew
+into his lungs full draughts of the changed atmosphere by which he
+was now surrounded, the work of moral deterioration commenced. The
+very smell of the liquor exhilarated him unnaturally; while the
+subjects of conversation, so new to him, that found discussion in
+the bar-room, soon came to occupy a prominent place in his
+imagination, to the exclusion of those humane, child-like, tender,
+and heavenly thoughts and impressions it had been the mother's
+care to impart and awaken. Ah! with what an eager zest does the
+heart drink in of evil. And how almost hopeless is the case of a
+boy, surrounded, as Frank was, by the corrupting, debasing
+associations of a bar-room! Had his father meditated his ruin, he
+could not have more surely laid his plans for the fearful
+consummation; and he reaped as he had sown. With a selfish desire
+to get gain, he embarked in the trade of corruption, ruin, and
+death, weakly believing that he and his could pass through the
+fire harmless. How sadly a few years demonstrated his error, we
+have seen.
+
+Flora, I learned, was with her mother, devoting her life to her.
+The dreadful death of Willy Hammond, for whom she had conceived a
+strong attachment, came near depriving her of reason also. Since
+the day on which that awful tragedy occurred, she had never even
+looked upon her old home. She went away with her unconscious
+mother, and ever since had remained with her--devoting her life to
+her comfort. Long before this, all her own and mother's influence
+over her brother had come to an end. It mattered not how she
+sought to stay his feet, so swiftly moving along the downward way,
+whether by gentle entreaty, earnest remonstrance, or tears; in
+either case, wounds for her own heart were the sure consequences,
+while his steps never lingered a moment. A swift destiny seemed
+hurrying him on to ruin. The change in her father--once so tender,
+so cheerful in his tone, so proud of and loving toward his
+daughter--was another source of deep grief to her pure young
+spirit. Over him, as well as over her brother, all her power was
+lost; and he even avoided her, as though her presence were an
+offense to him. And so, when she went out from her unhappy home,
+she took with her no desire to return. Even when imagination bore
+her back to the "Sickle and Sheaf," she felt an intense, heart-
+sickening repulsion toward the place where she had first felt the
+poisoned arrows of life; and in the depths of her spirit she
+prayed that her eyes might never look upon it again. In her almost
+cloister-like seclusion, she sought to gather the mantle of
+oblivion about her heart.
+
+Had not her mother's condition made Flora's duty a plain one, the
+true, unselfish instincts of her heart would have doubtless led
+her back to the polluted home she had left, there, in a kind of
+living death, to minister as best she could to the comfort of a
+debased father and brother. But she was spared that trial--that
+fruitless sacrifice.
+
+Evening found me once more in the bar-room of the "Sickle and
+Sheaf." The sleepy, indifferent bar-keeper, was now more in his
+element--looked brighter, and had quicker motions. Slade, who had
+partially recovered from the stupefying effects of the heavy
+draughts of ale with which he washed down his dinner, was also in
+a better condition, though not inclined to talk. He was sitting at
+a table, alone, with his eyes wandering about the room. Whether
+his thoughts were agreeable or disagreeable, it was not easy to
+determine. Frank was there, the centre of a noisy group of coarse
+fellows, whose vulgar sayings and profane expletives continually
+rung through the room. The noisiest, coarsest, and most profane
+was Frank Slade; yet did not the incessant volume of bad language
+that flowed from his tongue appear in the least to disturb his
+father.
+
+Outraged, at length, by this disgusting exhibition, that had not
+even the excuse of an exciting cause, I was leaving the bar-room,
+when I heard some one remark to a young man who had just come in:
+"What! you here again, Ned? Ain't you afraid your old man will be
+after you, as usual?"
+
+"No," answered the person addressed, chuckling inwardly, "he's
+gone to a prayer-meeting."
+
+"You'll at least have the benefit of his prayers," was lightly
+remarked.
+
+I turned to observe the young man more closely. His face I
+remembered, though I could not identify him at first. But, when I
+heard him addressed soon after as Ned Hargrove, I had a vivid
+recollection of a little incident that occurred some years before,
+and which then made a strong impression. The reader has hardly
+forgotten the visit of Mr. Hargrove to the bar-room of the "Sickle
+and Sheaf," and the conversation among some of its inmates, which
+his withdrawal, in company with his son, then occasioned. The
+father's watchfulness over his boy, and his efforts to save him
+from the allurements and temptations of a bar-room, had proved, as
+now appeared, unavailing. The son was several years older; but it
+was sadly evident, from the expression of his face, that he had
+been growing older in evil faster than in years.
+
+The few words that I have mentioned as passing between this young
+man and another inmate of the bar-room, caused me to turn back
+from the door, through which I was about passing, and take a chair
+near to where Hargrove had seated himself. As I did so, the eyes
+of Simon Slade rested on the last-named individual.
+
+"Ned Hargrove!" he said, speaking roughly--"if you want a drink,
+you'd better get it, and make yourself scarce."
+
+"Don't trouble yourself," retorted the young man, "you'll get your
+money for the drink in good time."
+
+This irritated the landlord, who swore at Hargrove violently, and
+said something about not wanting boys about his place who couldn't
+stir from home without having "daddy or mammy running after them."
+
+"Never fear!" cried out the person who had first addressed
+Hargrove--"his old man's gone to a prayer-meeting. We shan't have
+the light of his pious countenance here to-night."
+
+I fixed my eyes upon the young man to see what effect this coarse
+and irreverent allusion to his father would have. A slight tinge
+of shame was in his face; but I saw that he had not sufficient
+moral courage to resent the shameful desecration of a parent's
+name. How should he, when he was himself the first to desecrate
+that name?
+
+"If he were forty fathoms deep in the infernal regions," answered
+Slade, "he'd find out that Ned was here, and get half an hour's
+leave of absence to come after him. The fact is, I'm tired of
+seeing his solemn, sanctimonious face here every night. If the boy
+hasn't spirit enough to tell him to mind his own business, as I
+have done more than fifty times, why, let the boy stay away
+himself."
+
+"Why don't you send him off with a flea in his ear, Ned?" said one
+of the company, a young man scarcely his own age. "My old man
+tried that game with me, but he soon found that I could hold the
+winning cards."
+
+"Just what I'm going to do the very next time he comes after me."
+
+"Oh, yes! So you've said twenty times," remarked Frank Slade, in a
+sneering, insolent manner.
+
+Edward Hargrove had not the spirit to resent this; he only
+answered:
+
+"Just let him show himself here to-night, and you will see."
+
+"No, we won't see," sneered Frank.
+
+"Wouldn't it be fun!" was exclaimed. "I hope to be on hand, should
+it ever come off."
+
+"He's as 'fraid as death of the old chap," laughed a sottish-
+looking man, whose age ought to have inspired him with some
+respect for the relation between father and son, and doubtless
+would, had not a long course of drinking and familiarity with
+debasing associates blunted his moral sense.
+
+"Now for it!" I heard uttered, in a quick, delighted voice. "Now
+for fun! Spunk up to him, Ned! Never say die!"
+
+I turned toward the door, and there stood the father of Edward
+Hargrove. How well I remembered the broad, fine forehead, the
+steady, yet mild eyes, the firm lips, the elevated, superior
+bearing of the man I had once before seen in that place, and on a
+like errand. His form was slightly bent now; his hair was whiter;
+his eyes farther back in his head; his face thinner and marked
+with deeper lines; and there was in the whole expression of his
+face a touching sadness. Yet, superior to the marks of time and
+suffering, an unflinching resolution was visible in his
+countenance, that gave to it a dignity, and extorted involuntary
+respect. He stood still, after advancing a few paces, and then,
+his searching eyes having discovered his son, he said mildly, yet
+firmly, and with such a strength of parental love in his voice
+that resistance was scarcely possible:
+
+"Edward! Edward! Come, my son."
+
+"Don't go." The words were spoken in an undertone, and he who
+uttered them turned his face away from Mr. Hargrove, so that the
+old man could not see the motion of his lips. A little while
+before, he had spoken bravely against the father of Edward; now,
+he could not stand up in his presence.
+
+I looked at Edward. He did not move from where he was sitting, and
+yet I saw that to resist his father cost him no light struggle.
+
+"Edward." There was nothing imperative--nothing stern--nothing
+commanding in the father's voice; but its great, its almost
+irresistible power, lay in its expression of the father's belief
+that his son would instantly leave the place. And it was this
+power that prevailed. Edward arose, and, with eyes cast upon the
+floor, was moving away from his companions, when Frank Slade
+exclaimed:
+
+"Poor, weak fool!"
+
+It was a lightning flash of indignation, rather than a mere glance
+from the human eye, that Mr. Hargrove threw instantly upon Frank;
+while his fine form sprung up erect. He did not speak, but merely
+transfixed him with a look. Frank curled his lip impotently, as he
+tried to return the old man's withering glances.
+
+"Now look here!" said Simon Slade, in some wrath, "there's been
+just about enough of this. I'm getting tired of it. Why don't you
+keep Ned at home? Nobody wants him here."
+
+"Refuse to sell him liquor," returned Mr. Hargrove.
+
+"It's my trade to sell liquor," answered Slade, boldly.
+
+"I wish you had a more honorable calling," said Hargrove, almost
+mournfully.
+
+"If you insult my father, I'll strike you down!" exclaimed Frank
+Slade, starting up and assuming a threatening aspect.
+
+"I respect filial devotion, meet it where I will," calmly replied
+Mr. Hargrove,--"I only wish it had a better foundation in this
+case. I only wish the father had merited----"
+
+I will not stain my page with the fearful oath that Frank Slade
+yelled, rather than uttered, as, with clenched fist, he sprung
+toward Mr. Hargrove. But ere he had reached the unruffled old man
+--who stood looking at him as one would look into the eyes of a
+wild beast, confident that he could not stand the gaze--a firm
+hand grasped his arm, and a rough voice said:
+
+"Avast, there, young man! Touch a hair of that white head, and
+I'll wring your neck off."
+
+"Lyon!" As Frank uttered the man's name, he raised his fist to
+strike him. A moment the clenched hand remained poised in the air;
+then it fell slowly to his side, and he contented himself with an
+oath and a vile epithet.
+
+"You can swear to your heart's content. It will do nobody any harm
+but yourself," coolly replied Mr. Lyon, whom I now recognized as
+the person with whom I had held several conversations during
+previous visits.
+
+"Thank you, Mr. Lyon," said Mr. Hargrove, "for this manly
+interference. It is no more than I should have expected from you."
+
+"I never suffer a young man to strike an old man," said Lyon
+firmly. "Apart from that, Mr. Hargrove, there are other reasons
+why your person must be free from violence where I am."
+
+"This is a bad place for you, Lyon," said Mr. Hargrove; "and I've
+said so to you a good many times." He spoke in rattier an
+undertone. "Why WILL you come here?"
+
+"It's a bad place, I know," replied Lyon, speaking out boldly,
+"and we all know it. But habit, Mr. Hargrove--habit. That's the
+cursed thing! If the bar-rooms were all shut up, there would be
+another story to tell. Get us the Maine law, and there will be
+some chance for us."
+
+"Why don't you vote the temperance ticket?" asked Mr. Hargrove.
+
+"Why did I? you'd better ask," said Lyon.
+
+"I thought you voted against us."
+
+"Not I. Ain't quite so blind to my own interest as that. And, if
+the truth were known, I should not at all wonder if every man in
+this room, except Slade and his son, voted on your side of the
+house."
+
+"It's a little strange, then," said Mr. Hargrove, "that with the
+drinking men on our side, we failed to secure the election."
+
+"You must blame that on your moderate men, who see no danger and
+go blind with their party," answered Lyon. "We have looked the
+evil in the face, and know its direful quality."
+
+"Come! I would like to talk with you, Mr. Lyon."
+
+Mr. Hargrove, his son, and Mr. Lyon went out together. As they
+left the room, Frank Slade said:
+
+"What a cursed liar and hypocrite he is!"
+
+"Who?" was asked.
+
+"Why, Lyon," answered Frank, boldly.
+
+"You'd better say that to his face."
+
+"It wouldn't be good for him," remarked one of the company.
+
+At this Frank started to his feet, stalked about the room, and put
+on all the disgusting airs of a drunken braggart. Even his father
+saw the ridiculous figure he cut, and growled out:
+
+"There, Frank, that'll do. Don't make a miserable fool of
+yourself!"
+
+At which Frank retorted, with so much of insolence that his father
+flew into a towering passion, and ordered him to leave the bar-
+room.
+
+"You can go out yourself if you don't like the company. I'm very
+well satisfied," answered Frank.
+
+"Leave this room, you impudent young scoundrel!"
+
+"Can't go, my amiable friend," said Frank, with a cool self-
+possession that maddened his father, who got up hastily, and moved
+across the bar-room to the place where he was standing.
+
+"Go out, I tell you!" Slade spoke resolutely.
+
+"Would be happy to oblige you," Frank said, in a taunting voice;
+"but, 'pon my word, it isn't at all convenient."
+
+Half intoxicated as he was, and already nearly blind with passion,
+Slade lifted his hand to strike his son. And the blow would have
+fallen had not some one caught his arm, and held him back from the
+meditated violence. Even the debased visitors of this bar-room
+could not stand by and see nature outraged in a bloody strife
+between father and son; for it was plain from the face and quickly
+assumed attitude of Frank, that if his father had laid his hand
+upon him, he would have struck him in return.
+
+I could not remain to hear the awful imprecations that father and
+son, in their impotent rage, called down from heaven upon each
+other's heads. It was the most shocking exhibition of depraved
+human nature that I had ever seen. And so I left the bar-room,
+glad to escape from its stifling atmosphere and revolting scenes.
+
+
+
+
+
+NIGHT THE NINTH.
+
+A FEARFUL CONSUMMATION.
+
+
+Neither Slade nor his son was present at the breakfast-table on
+the next morning. As for myself, I did not eat with much appetite.
+Whether this defect arose from the state of my mind, or the state
+of the food set before me, I did not stop to inquire; but left the
+stifling, offensive atmosphere of the dining-room in a very few
+moments after entering that usually attractive place for a hungry
+man.
+
+A few early drinkers were already in the bar-room--men with
+shattered nerves and cadaverous faces, who could not begin the
+day's work without the stimulus of brandy or whisky. They came in,
+with gliding footsteps, asked for what they wanted in low voices,
+drank in silence, and departed. It was a melancholy sight to look
+upon.
+
+About nine o'clock the landlord made his appearance. He, too, came
+gliding into the bar-room, and his first act was to seize upon a
+brandy decanter, pour out nearly half a pint of the fiery liquid,
+and drink it off. How badly his hand shook--so badly that he
+spilled the brandy both in pouring it out and in lifting the glass
+to his lips! What a shattered wreck he was! He looked really worse
+now than he did on the day before, when drink gave an artificial
+vitality to his system, a tension to his muscles, and light to his
+countenance. The miller of ten years ago, and the tavern-keeper of
+today! Who could have identified them as one?
+
+Slade was turning from the bar, when a man? came in. I noticed an
+instant change in the landlord's countenance. He looked startled;
+almost frightened. The man drew a small package from his pocket,
+and after selecting a paper therefrom, presented it to Slade, who
+received it with a nervous reluctance, opened, and let his eye
+fall upon the writing within. I was observing him closely at the
+time, and saw his countenance flush deeply. In a moment or two it
+became pale again--paler even than before.
+
+"Very well--all right. I'll attend to it," said the landlord,
+trying to recover himself, yet swallowing with every sentence.
+
+The man who was no other than a sheriff's deputy, and who gave him
+a sober, professional look, then went out with a firm step, and an
+air of importance. As he passed through the outer door, Slade
+retired from the bar-room.
+
+"Trouble coming," I heard the bar-keeper remark, speaking partly
+to himself and partly with the view, as was evident from his
+manner, of leading me to question him. But this I did not feel
+that it was right to do.
+
+"Got the sheriff on him at last," added the bar-keeper.
+
+"What's the matter, Bill?" inquired a man who now came in with a
+bustling, important air, and leaned familiarly over the bar. "Who
+was Jenkins after?"
+
+"The old man," replied the bar-keeper, in a voice that showed
+pleasure rather than regret.
+
+"No!"
+
+"It's a fact." Bill, the bar-keeper, actually smiled.
+
+"What's to pay?" said the man.
+
+"Don't know, and don't care much." "Did he serve a summons or an
+execution?"
+
+"Can't tell."
+
+"Judge Lyman's suit went against him."
+
+"Did it?"
+
+"Yes; and I heard Judge Lyman swear, that if he got him on the
+hip, he'd sell him out, bag and basket. And he's the man to keep
+his word."
+
+"I never could just make out," said the bar-keeper, "how he ever
+came to owe Judge Lyman so much. I've never known of any business
+transactions between them."
+
+"It's been dog eat dog, I rather guess," said the man.
+
+"What do you mean by that?" inquired the bar-keeper.
+
+"You've heard of dogs hunting in pairs?"
+
+"Oh, yes."
+
+"Well, since Harvey Green got his deserts, the business of
+fleecing our silly young fellows, who happened to have more money
+than wit or discretion, has been in the hands of Judge Lyman and
+Slade. They hunted together, Slade holding the game, while the
+judge acted as blood-sucker. But that business was interrupted
+about a year ago; and game got so scarce that, as I suggested, dog
+began to eat dog. And here comes the end of the matter, if I'm not
+mistaken. So mix us a stiff toddy. I want one more good drink at
+the 'Sickle and Sheaf,' before the colors are struck."
+
+And the man chuckled at his witty effort.
+
+During the day, I learned that affairs stood pretty much as this
+man had conjectured. Lyman's suits had been on sundry notes
+payable on demand; but nobody knew of any property transactions
+between him and Slade. On the part of Slade, no defense had been
+made--the suit going by default. The visit of the sheriff's
+officer was for the purpose of serving an execution.
+
+As I walked through Cedarville on that day, the whole aspect of
+the place seemed changed. I questioned with myself, often, whether
+this were really so, or only the effect of imagination. The change
+was from cheerfulness and thrift, to gloom and neglect. There was,
+to me, a brooding silence in the air; a pause in the life-
+movement; a folding of the hands, so to speak, because hope had
+failed from the heart. The residence of Mr. Harrison, who, some
+two years before, had suddenly awakened to a lively sense of the
+evil of rum-selling, because his own sons were discovered to be in
+danger, had been one of the most tasteful in Cedarville. I had
+often stopped to admire the beautiful shrubbery and flowers with
+which it was surrounded; the walks so clear--the borders so fresh
+and even--the arbors so cool and inviting. There was not a spot
+upon which the eye could rest, that did not show the hand of
+taste. When I now came opposite to this house, I was not longer in
+doubt as to the actuality of a change. There were no marked
+evidences of neglect; but the high cultivation and nice regard for
+the small details were lacking. The walks were cleanly swept; but
+the box-borders were not so carefully trimmed. The vines and
+bushes that in former times were cut and tied so evenly, could
+hardly have felt the keen touch of the pruning-knife for months.
+
+As I paused to note the change, a lady, somewhat beyond the middle
+age, came from the house. I was struck by the deep gloom that
+overshadowed her countenance. Ah! said I to myself, as I passed
+on, how many dear hopes, that once lived in that heart, must have
+been scattered to the winds. As I conjectured, this was Mrs.
+Harrison, and I was not unprepared to hear, as I did a few hours
+afterward, that her two sons had fallen into drinking habits; and,
+not only this, had been enticed to the gaming-table. Unhappy
+mother! What a life-time of wretchedness was compressed for thee
+into a few short years!
+
+I walked on, noting, here and there, changes even more marked than
+appeared about the residence of Mr. Harrison. Judge Lyman's
+beautiful place showed utter neglect; and so did one or two others
+that, on my first visit to Cedarville, charmed me with their
+order, neatness, and cultivation. In every instance, I learned, on
+inquiring, that the owners of these, or some members of their
+families, were, or had been, visitors at the "Sickle and Sheaf";
+and that the ruin, in progress or completed, began after the
+establishment of that point of attraction in the village.
+
+Something of a morbid curiosity, excited by what I saw, led me on
+to take a closer view of the residence of Judge Hammond than I had
+obtained on the day before. The first thing that I noticed, on
+approaching the old, decaying mansion, were handbills, posted on
+the gate, the front-door, and on one of the windows. A nearer
+inspection revealed their import. The property had been seized,
+and was now offered at sheriff's sale!
+
+Ten years before, Judge Hammond was known as the richest man in
+Cedarville; and now, the homestead which he had once so loved to
+beautify--where all that was dearest to him in life once gathered
+--worn, disfigured, and in ruins, was about to be wrested from
+him. I paused at the gate, and leaning over it, looked in with
+saddened feelings upon the dreary waste within. No sign of life
+was visible. The door was shut--the windows closed--not the
+faintest wreath of smoke was seen above the blackened chimney-
+tops. How vividly did imagination restore the life, and beauty,
+and happiness, that made their home there only a few years
+before,--the mother and her noble boy, one looking with trembling
+hope, the other with joyous confidence, into the future,--the
+father, proud of his household treasures, but not their wise and
+jealous guardian.
+
+Ah! that his hands should have unbarred the door, and thrown it
+wide, for the wolf to enter that precious fold! I saw them all in
+their sunny life before me; yet, even as I looked upon them, their
+sky began to darken. I heard the distant mutterings of the storm,
+and soon the desolating tempest swept down fearfully upon them. I
+shuddered as it passed away, to look upon the wrecks left
+scattered around. What a change!
+
+"And all this," said I, "that one man, tired of being useful, and
+eager to get gain, might gather in accursed gold!"
+
+Pushing open the gate, I entered the yard, and walked around the
+dwelling, my footsteps echoing in the hushed solitude of the
+deserted place. Hark! was that a human voice?
+
+I paused to listen.
+
+The sound came, once more, distinctly to my ears, I looked around,
+above, everywhere, but perceived no living sign. For nearly a
+minute I stood still, listening. Yes; there it was again--a low,
+moaning voice, as of one in pain or grief. I stepped onward a few
+paces; and now saw one of the doors standing ajar. As I pushed
+this door wide open, the moan was repeated. Following the
+direction from which the sound came, I entered one of the large
+drawing-rooms. The atmosphere was stifling, and all as dark as if
+it were midnight. Groping my way to a window, I drew back the bolt
+and threw open the shutter. Broadly the light fell across the
+dusty, uncarpeted floor, and on the dingy furniture of the room.
+As it did so, the moaning voice which had drawn me thither swelled
+on the air again; and now I saw, lying upon an old sofa, the form
+of a man. It needed no second glance to tell me that this was
+Judge Hammond. I put my hand upon him, and uttered his name; but
+he answered not. I spoke more firmly, and slightly shook him; but
+only a piteous moan was returned.
+
+"Judge Hammond!" I now called aloud, and somewhat imperatively.
+
+But it availed nothing. The poor old man aroused not from the
+stupor in which mind and body were enshrouded
+
+"He is dying!" thought I; and instantly left the house in search
+of some friends to take charge of him in his last, sad extremity.
+The first person to whom I made known the fact shrugged his
+shoulders, and said it was no affair of his, and that I must find
+somebody whose business it was to attend to him. My next
+application was met in the same spirit; and no better success
+attended my reference of the matter to a third party. No one to
+whom I spoke seemed to have any sympathy for the broken-down old
+man. Shocked by this indifference, I went to one of the county
+officers, who, on learning the condition of Judge Hammond, took
+immediate steps to have him removed to the Alms-house, some miles
+distant.
+
+"But why to the Alms-house?" I inquired, on learning his purpose.
+"He has property."
+
+"Everything has been seized for debt," was the reply.
+
+"Will there be nothing left after his creditors are satisfied?"
+
+"Very few, if any, will be satisfied," he answered. "There will
+not be enough to pay half the judgments against him."
+
+"And is there no friend to take him in,--no one, of all who moved
+by his side in the days of prosperity, to give a few hours'
+shelter, and soothe the last moments of his unhappy life?"
+
+"Why did you make application here?" was the officer's significant
+question.
+
+I was silent.
+
+"Your earnest appeals for the poor old man met with no words of
+sympathy?"
+
+"None."
+
+"He has, indeed, fallen low. In the days of his prosperity, he had
+many friends, so called. Adversity has shaken them all like dead
+leaves from sapless branches."
+
+"But why? This is not always so."
+
+"Judge Hammond was a selfish, worldly man. People never liked him
+much. His favoring, so strongly, the tavern of Slade, and his
+distillery operations, turned from him some of his best friends.
+The corruption and terrible fate of his son--and the insanity and
+death of his wife--all were charged upon him in people's minds,
+and every one seemed to turn from him instinctively after the
+fearful tragedy was completed. He never held tip his head
+afterward. Neighbors shunned him as they would a criminal. And
+here has come the end at last. He will be taken to the poorhouse,
+to die there--a pauper!"
+
+"And all," said I, partly speaking to myself, "because a man, too
+lazy to work at an honest calling, must needs go to rum-selling."
+
+"The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," remarked
+the officer with emphasis, as he turned from me to see that his
+directions touching the removal of Mr. Hammond to the poor-house
+were promptly executed.
+
+In my wanderings about Cedarville during that day, I noticed a
+small but very neat cottage, a little way from the centre of the
+village. There was not around it a great profusion of flowers and
+shrubbery; but the few vines, flowers, and bushes that grew green
+and flourishing about the door, and along the clean walks, added
+to the air of taste and comfort that so peculiarly marked the
+dwelling.
+
+"Who lives in that pleasant little spot?" I asked of a man whom I
+had frequently seen in Blade's bar-room. He happened to be passing
+the house at the same time that I was.
+
+"Joe Morgan," was answered.
+
+"Indeed!" I spoke in some surprise. "And what of Morgan? How is he
+doing?"
+
+"Very well."
+
+"Doesn't he drink?"
+
+"No. Since the death of his child, be has never taken a drop. That
+event sobered him, and he has remained sober ever since."
+
+"What is he doing?" "Working at his old trade."
+
+"That of a miller?"
+
+"Yes. After Judge Hammond broke down, the distillery apparatus and
+cotton spinning machinery were all sold and removed from
+Cedarville. The purchaser of what remained, having something of
+the fear of God, as well as regard for man, in his heart, set
+himself to the restoration of the old order of things, and in due
+time the revolving mill-wheel was at its old and better work of
+grinding corn and wheat for bread. The only two men in Cedarville
+competent to take charge of the mill were Simon Slade and Joe
+Morgan. The first could not be had, and the second came in as a
+matter of course."
+
+"And he remains sober and industrious?"
+
+"As any man in the village," was the answer.
+
+I saw but little of Slade or his son during the day. But both were
+in the bar-room at night, and both in a condition sorrowful to
+look upon. Their presence, together, in the bar-room, half
+intoxicated as they were, seemed to revive the unhappy temper of
+the previous evening, as freshly as if the sun had not risen and
+set upon their anger.
+
+During the early part of the evening, considerable company was
+present, though not of a very select class. A large proportion
+were young men. To most of them the fact that Slade had fallen
+into the sheriff's hands was known; and I gathered from some aside
+conversation which reached my ears, that Frank's idle, spendthrift
+habits had hastened the present crisis in his father's affairs.
+He, too, was in debt to Judge Lyman--on what account, it was not
+hard to infer.
+
+It was after nine o'clock, and there were not half a dozen persons
+in the room, when I noticed Frank Slade go behind the bar for the
+third or fourth time. He was just lifting a decanter of brandy,
+when his father, who was considerably under the influence of
+drink, started forward, and laid his hand upon that of his son.
+Instantly a fierce light gleamed from the eyes of the young man.
+
+"Let go of my hand!" he exclaimed.
+
+"No, I won't. Put up that brandy bottle--you're drunk now."
+
+"Don't meddle with me, old man!" angrily retorted Frank. "I'm not
+in the mood to bear anything more from YOU."
+
+"You're drunk as a fool now," returned Slade, who had seized the
+decanter. "Let go the bottle."
+
+For only an instant did the young man hesitate. Then he drove his
+half-clenched hand against the breast of his father, who went
+staggering several paces from the counter. Recovering himself, and
+now almost furious, the landlord rushed forward upon his son, his
+hand raised to strike him.
+
+"Keep off!" cried Frank. "Keep off! If you touch me, I'll strike
+you down!" At the same time raising the half-filled bottle
+threateningly.
+
+But his father was in too maddened a state to fear any
+consequences, and so pressed forward upon his son, striking him in
+the face the moment he came near enough to do so.
+
+Instantly, the young man, infuriated by drink and evil passions,
+threw the bottle at his father's head. The dangerous missile fell,
+crashing upon one of his temples, shivering it into a hundred
+pieces. A heavy, jarring fall too surely marked the fearful
+consequences of the blow. When we gathered around the fallen man,
+and made an effort to lift him from the floor, a thrill of horror
+went through every heart. A mortal paleness was already on his
+marred face, and the death-gurgle in his throat! In three minutes
+from the time the blow was struck, his spirit had gone upward to
+give an account of the deeds done in the body.
+
+"Frank Slade! you have murdered your father!"
+
+Sternly were these terrible words uttered. It was some time before
+the young man seemed to comprehend their meaning. But the moment
+he realized the awful truth, he uttered an exclamation of horror.
+Almost at the same instant, a pistol-shot came sharply on the ear.
+But the meditated self-destruction was not accomplished. The aim
+was not surely taken; and the ball struck harmlessly against the
+ceiling.
+
+Half an hour afterward, and Frank Slade was a lonely prisoner in
+the county jail!
+
+Does the reader need a word of comment on this fearful
+consummation? No; and we will offer none.
+
+
+
+
+
+NIGHT THE TENTH.
+
+THE CLOSING SCENE AT THE "SICKLE AND SHEAF."
+
+
+On the day that succeeded the evening of this fearful tragedy,
+placards were to be seen all over the village, announcing a mass
+meeting at the "Sickle and Sheaf" that night.
+
+By early twilight, the people commenced assembling. The bar, which
+had been closed all day, was now thrown open, and lighted; and in
+this room, where so much of evil had been originated, encouraged
+and consummated, a crowd of earnest-looking men were soon
+gathered. Among them I saw the fine person of Mr. Hargrove. Joe
+Morgan--or rather, Mr. Morgan--was also one of the number. The
+latter I would scarcely have recognized, had not some one near me
+called him by name. He was well dressed, stood erect, and though
+there were many deep lines on his thoughtful countenance, all
+traces of his former habits were gone. While I was observing him,
+he arose, and addressing a few words to the assemblage, nominated
+Mr. Hargrove as chairman of the meeting. To this a unanimous
+assent was given.
+
+On taking the chair, Mr. Hargrove made a brief address, something
+to this effect.
+
+"Ten years ago," said he, his voice evincing a slight unsteadiness
+as he began, but growing firmer as he proceeded, "there was not a
+happier spot in Bolton county than Cedarville. Now, the marks of
+ruin are everywhere. Ten years ago, there was a kind-hearted,
+industrious miller in Cedarville, liked by every one, and as
+harmless as a little child. Now, his bloated, disfigured body lies
+in that room. His death was violent, and by the hand of his own
+son!"
+
+Mr. Hargrove's words fell slowly, distinctly, and marked by the
+most forcible emphasis. There was scarcely one present who did not
+feel a low shudder run along his nerves, as the last words were
+spoken in a husky whisper.
+
+"Ten years ago," he proceeded, "the miller had a happy wife, and
+two innocent, glad-hearted children. Now, his wife, bereft of
+reason, is in a mad-house, and his son the occupant of a felon's
+cell, charged with the awful crime of parricide!"
+
+Briefly he paused, while his audience stood gazing upon him with
+half-suspended respiration.
+
+"Ten years ago," he went on, "Judge Hammond was accounted the
+richest man in Cedarville. Yesterday he was carried, a friendless
+pauper, to the Alms-house; and to-day he is the unmourned occupant
+of a pauper's grave! Ten years ago, his wife was the proud,
+hopeful, loving mother of a most promising son. I need not
+describe what Willy Hammond was. All here knew him well. Ah! what
+shattered the fine intellect of that noble-minded woman? Why did
+her heart break? Where is she? Where is Willy Hammond?"
+
+A low, half-repressed groan answered the speaker.
+
+"Ten years ago, you, sir," pointing to a sad-looking old man, and
+calling him by name, "had two sons--generous, promising, manly-
+hearted boys. What are they now? You need not answer the question.
+Too well is their history and your sorrow known. Ten years ago, I
+had a son,--amiable, kind, loving, but weak. Heaven knows how I
+sought to guard and protect him! But he fell also. The arrows of
+destruction darkened the very air of our once secure and happy
+village. And who is safe? Not mine, nor yours!
+
+"Shall I go on? Shall I call up and pass in review before you, one
+after another, all the wretched victims who have fallen in
+Cedarville during the last ten years? Time does not permit. It
+would take hours for the enumeration! No; I will not throw
+additional darkness into the picture. Heaven knows it is black
+enough already! But what is the root of this great evil? Where
+lies the fearful secret? Who understands the disease? A direful
+pestilence is in the air--it walketh in darkness, and wasteth at
+noonday. It is slaying the first-born in our houses, and the cry
+of anguish is swelling on every gale. Is there no remedy?"
+
+"Yes! yes! There is a remedy!" was the spontaneous answer from
+many voices.
+
+"Be it our task, then, to find and apply it this night," answered
+the chairman, as he took his seat.
+
+"And there is but one remedy," said Morgan, as Mr. Hargrove sat
+down. "The accursed traffic must cease among us. You must cut off
+the fountain, if you would dry up the stream. If you would save
+the young, the weak, and the innocent--on you God has laid the
+solemn duty of their protection--you must cover them from the
+tempter. Evil is strong, wily, fierce, and active in the pursuit
+of its ends. The young, the weak, and the innocent can no more
+resist its assaults, than the lamb can resist the wolf. They are
+helpless, if you abandon them to the powers of evil. Men and
+brethren! as one who has himself been well-nigh lost--as one who,
+daily, feels and trembles at the dangers that beset his path--I do
+conjure you to stay the fiery stream that is bearing every thing
+good and beautiful among you to destruction. Fathers! for the sake
+of your young children, be up now and doing. Think of Willy
+Hammond, Frank Slade, and a dozen more whose names I could repeat,
+and hesitate no longer! Let us resolve, this night, that from
+henceforth the traffic shall cease in Cedarville. Is there not a
+large majority of citizens in favor of such a measure? And whose
+rights or interests can be affected by such a restriction? Who, in
+fact, has any right to sow disease and death in our community? The
+liberty, under sufferance, to do so, wrongs the individual who
+uses it, as well as those who become his victims. Do you want
+proof of this? Look at Simon Slade, the happy, kind-hearted
+miller; and at Simon Slade, the tavern-keeper. Was he benefited by
+the liberty to work harm to his neighbor? No! no! In heaven's
+name, then, let the traffic cease! To this end, I offer these
+resolutions:--
+
+"Be it resolved by the inhabitants of Cedarville, That from this
+day henceforth, no more intoxicating drink shall be sold within
+the limits of the corporation.
+
+"Resolved, further, That all the liquors in the 'Sickle and Sheaf'
+be forthwith destroyed, and that a fund be raised to pay the
+creditors of Simon Slade therefor, should they demand
+compensation.
+
+"Resolved, That in closing up all other places where liquor is
+sold, regard shall be had to the right of property which the law
+secures to every man.
+
+"Resolved, That with the consent of the legal authorities, all the
+liquor for sale in Cedarville be destroyed, provided the owners
+thereof be paid its full value out of a fund specially raised for
+that purpose."
+
+But for the calm yet resolute opposition of one or two men, these
+resolutions would have passed by acclamation. A little sober
+argument showed the excited company that no good end is ever
+secured by the adoption of wrong means.
+
+There were, in Cedarville, regularly constituted authorities,
+which alone had the power to determine public measures, or to say
+what business might or might not be pursued by individuals. And
+through these authorities they must act in an orderly way.
+
+There was some little chafing at this view of the case. But good
+sense and reason prevailed. Somewhat modified, the resolutions
+passed, and the more ultra-inclined contented themselves with
+carrying out the second resolution, to destroy forthwith all the
+liquor to be found on the premises; which was immediately done.
+After which the people dispersed to their homes, each with a
+lighter heart, and better hopes for the future of their village.
+
+On the next day, as I entered the stage that was to bear me from
+Cedarville, I saw a man strike his sharp axe into the worn, faded,
+and leaning post that had, for so many years, borne aloft the
+"Sickle and Sheaf"; and, just as the driver gave word to his
+horses, the false emblem which had invited so many to enter the
+way of destruction, fell crashing to the earth.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Ten Nights in a Bar Room, by T. S. Arthur
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG ETEXT TEN NIGHTS IN A BAR ROOM ***
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