MINNIE HERMON ;
OR,
THE CURSE OF RUM.
01 Sole for ttye &i
BY
THURLOW WEED BROWN.
. EMBRACING ALSO
THE LIFE AND WORK
OF
FRANCIS MURPHY AND DR. HENRY A. REYNOLDS.
BY
GEORGE T. FERRIS, A.M.
NEW YORK AND CINCINNATI :
HENRY S. GOODSPEED & COMPANY.
BOSTON B. R. STURGES ; ST. JOHN, N. B. W. E. ERSKINE ;
TORONTO, ONT. J. L. TROY & Co. ;
ASHLAND, O. C. C. WICK & Co. ; CHICAGO J. W. GOODSPEEP
1878.
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1818, by
H. 8. GOODSPEED,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington,
D. C.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER L
A MARKED CHARACTER INTRODUCED TO THE READER, . , , 31
CHAPTER 11.
THE MANUSCRIPT, t . . 38
CHAPTER III
MINNIE II KRMOS, . ... 50
CHAPTER IV.
A NEW PROJECT, 53
CHAPTER V.
THE SPELL BROKEN EVIL COUNSELS PREVAIL, ...... 68
CHAPTER VL
THE " HOME " A WRONG REGULATED ... 74
CHAPTER VIL
DEATH rs rat Arrrc, .88
CHAPTER VHI
A WEDDING AT THE COTTAGK ONLY M: GLASS " . . 94
2051352
VI
CHAPTER IX.
FIRST FRCITS, HO
CHAPTER X.
THE AUTHOR TALKS A LAPSE OF TEN TEARS IN OVTR HISTORY
THE CHANGE, . . . ^ . . .
CHAPTER XL
A WINTER SCBNE, 185
CHAPTER XIL
THREE MEETINGS, AND WHAT WAS SAID A PRATER ANSWERED, 145
CHAPTER XIII.
MABEL DUNHAM, 159
CHAPTER XIV.
GOING FROM HOME, ., - ." ../.,. . 167
CHAPTER XV.
UHMOORED FROM THE HEARTH, .175
CHAPTER XVI.
THE STRANGER IN THE TARPAULIN, 180
CHAPTER XVII.
THETHIAL, ,186
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE GAUX>WS CHEATED OF A PREY THE PEOPLE OF A SIGHT, 208
CHAPTER XIX.
THE WATT FAMILY, . 212
CONTENTS. VJi
CHAPTER XX.
"MORAL SUASION," 221
CHAPTER XXI
A. BEACON ON THE WASTE 232
CHAPTER XXII.
BREAKING GROUND AGAIN, . 244
CHAPTER XXIIL
LIGHT IN A DARK PLACE, . 265
CHAPTER XXIV.
WASHINGTONIANISM THE OLD MAN'S Sronr. , , . . 281
CHAPTER XXV.
HIGH LIFE, 305
CHAPTER XXVL
CLEAN TICKETS STICKING TO PARTY 319
CHAPTER XXVII.
POISON IN THE CUP SIGNATURE OF THE DEAD A GUEST NOT IN-
VITED, 353
CHAPTER XXVIIL
Two MORNING CALLS A LIVE MAN FOR A DEAD ONE, . 870
CHAPTER XXIX.
RiE WICKED PLOT THE WICKED TRIUMPH, ...... 388
CHAPTER XXX.
ANOTHER VICTIM IN THE NET THK WICKED STILL TRICMPH, . 896
viii CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXL
THK SECRET Our A FATAL WAGER, ...... 408
CHAPTER XXXIL
GROUPING OF SCESES, 423
CHAPTER XXXIII.
A STAR IN THE EAST THE PLAGUE STAYED, 444
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Two RESCUES, 473
CHAPTER XXXV
Ift WHICH THE READER WILL FIND BOMB OLD ACQCAINT
ANCES, AND LEARN WHAT BECAME OF THEM, ..... 494
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE JOY OF DOING GOOD MlNNIE AND WALTER BECOME INTER-
ESTED IN THE GOOD TEMPLAR MOVEMENT- WALTER MADE
GRAND WORTHY TEMPLAR .... 511
CHAPTER XXXVH.
TWENTY TEARS LATER. REMOVAL OF MINNIE AND WAI/TEB
TO OHIO THE PREVALENCE OF INTEMPERANCE THERE
THE WOMEN'S CRTJSADE IDA'S LETTER TO CARRIF
HUDSON, . 618
THE LITE AND WORK OF FRANCIS MDEPHT 543
THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR. HENRY A. REYNOLDS 813
PREFACE.
OUR Preface, reader, shall have the merit of brevity, and
shall detain you but a moment.
You will bear in mind that every chapter in the book is
drawn from life, with the necessary change of names and
dates the only difficulty having been in selecting from the
mass of materials collected during an active participation in
the Temperance Reform. Those living who have a vivid re-
membrance of the scenes herein detailed, will appreciate our
object in sketching them.
The history of the " Watt Family " was written with a
throbbing nib, and its truth sealed with the endorsement of
a scalding tear.
If our record shall arouse a single heart to a more in-
veterate hatred against the Great Wrong, our object wil]
have been accomplished.
Pass on.
MOTHER STEWART, THE LEADER OF THE "WOMEN'S MOVEMENT."
INTRODUCTION.
FOR i'orty days and forty nights the rain poured
down from the open windows of the heavens, until
the flood covered the earth, and the sun, after the
storm, smiled down upon the watery waste, where
a world lay entombed. Solitary and alone, without
helm, mast, or sail, like a speck on the world-wide
ocean, floated the ark with its freight. The olive
branch, borne upon a weary but glad wing, proclaimed
the subsiding of the deluge. The sunbeams kissed
the vapors as they rolled up from the retiring waters,
and the bow of promise lifted its arch into the
clouds.
Noah went out and planted a vineyard. He par-
took of its fruits, and lay in his tent in the slumbers
of drunkenness. The frailties of a good man are
used to justify the drinking usages of to-day. The
scourge of a world passed away, had commenced its
progress again in the new. From that vineyard the
tide has swept on, gathering in depth and power,
imtil the debris of human ruin has been left on
every shore where human foot has trodden. Stream
has mingled \dth stream, and wave followed wave,
(xiii)
xiv INTRODUCTION.
until every land and people have been scourged. In
the hamlet, the city, the country, or wilderness, the
influence has been the same. Nations have been
drunken to madness. New woes and keener sor-
rows have been sent out to stalk through the world,
followed by red-handed crime and ghastly death.
Beneath those oblivious waves, the brightest hopes
of earth and heaven have gone down ; and up and
down the world the stricken millions have wasted
away, and prematurely mingled with a mother dust.
North, east, south and west, the plague has spread.
The white sails of commerce have borne it across
oceans. The pioneer has carried it across the wilder-
ness. The trader has scaled the mountain range,
and thus, in civilized and savage clime, the noon-day
scourge has sped on in its mission of ruin. In the
hut of the savage, or where science, letters and art
have elevated and refined, the effects have been the
same. The very heart of human society has been
poisoned, until along every artery of health and
strength, the hot currents have swept in their blight-
ing power. The shadow has fallen across nearly
every hearth-side, and at the altar's base ; and lingered
there like the foot-prints of unutterable woe. Most
every house has had one dead in it every circle haa
been broken. Homes are ruined and deserted, and
fields turned to waste. The wife and the children
are driven out from the home-roof, and to-day the
mothers of America, like Niobe of old, as they
weep at their broken altars, are attempting to shield
INTKODUOTION. XV
fcheir offspring from the shafts which fall thickly
around, and quiver in the tender hearts they love.
It is Intemperance that we speak of ; the history of
whose desolations has outstripped the wildest imagery
of tragic fiction, and laughed to scorn the efforts of
the tongue, pen or pencil. If hell hag one more
potent enginery of human degradation and crime
upon earth than another, it is Intemperance. Its
very sound sends a thrill back to the heart, and a
Gorgon monster slowly rises up from its heart of
blood among the graves.
The gloomy night of Intemperance long rested
upon tha world, and no day-star in the horizon. The
death slumber was deep and profound. Like the
fabled city which was petrified into stone, no trumpet
blast rang out to awaken to life. Woe and want went
band in hand. Vice and violence stalked unobstruct-
ed, and crime laughed and reeled in its drunkenness
of blood. Alone in the sky, the malign light of the
death-beacon followed man from the cradle to the
grave. The monster sat at every gathering. At
the birth, marriage, or death ; in the home, shop, or
field ; at the social re-union, or the festive day in
hut, palace, or council-hall, it plied its work. The
fair young bride stood at the altar in the light of her
bright life-dream, and handed the goblet to him she
had chosen to accompany in the pilgrimage of life.
At the social board, the father followed the mar-
riage prayer with a glass. In the silence of the
night, where the living had just passed to the rest
XVI CTERODTTCTION.
of death, the dec anter kept its watch with the watch-
ers. What wonder, then, that Intemperance, like
the red ploughshare of ruin, went under almost
every hearth !
A missionary once found a heathen mother in
tears. She wrung her hands as she left her hot
kissses upon the lips of a beautiful child, calm in the
slumbers of death. The little treasure had been bit-
ten by a serpent. The woman was one of the ser-
pent-worshippers, and the reptile, which had robbed
her of her first and only child, lay coiled at the
hearth-side of the home it had made desolate, safe
from the avenging hand of the superstitious mother.
She would not destroy it. Need we wonder at the
superstition of the benighted heathen ! To-dayj
America is a nation of serpent worshippers. We
look around us, and how many homes are there where
the serpent is coiled, yet madly cherished by those
who have mourned the loved and the good, poisoned
to death by its fangs ! And at the same time we see
a great and free people hesitating about crushing
these serpents ! The darker rites and fearful religion
of the poor Pagan can but share our sympathies.
We are proud of our country and its institutions.
There is no land like our land ; no people -like our
people ; no lakes like our lakes ; no streams like our
streams ; no prairies like our prairies, or mountains
like our mountains, as they sit upon a continent and
nod to each other in the clouds. American enter-
prise and American genius, irventive and literary, is
INTRODUCTION. XV11
startling a world from its slumbers. The heart of
our republic throbs up* n two shores ; and jet, at the
heart of all our free institutions a cancer is tugging
with never-resting energy. For its removal, Chris-
tians and philanthropists are marshaling.
It is but little over half a century since a land so
favored groaned in bondage unbroken. ~No light had
broke in ; no star had beamed out to guide our wise
men to a Saviour. Humanity wept over the desola-
tions. Patriotism saw its first stars pale and set in
darkness. Religion saw its most gifted ones fall to
rise no more. The strongest were in shackles, and
the friend of his country and of man looked out
sadly upon the scene, and saw no morning light in
the dark night. Foreigners stigmatized us as a nation
of drunkards. Thus, unobstructed, the work went
on. The great deep of popular opinion had not been
stirred by a single breath, but lay in its stillness until
miasma had bred in its sluggish bosom, and rolled up
to sicken and destroy. The thunder of popular wil]
slumbered uninvoked in the ballot-box, or, like the
three-mouthed dog of hell, sleeplessly guarded the
wrongs there entrenched. A scourge was abroad in
the land, yet a free and Christian people slept over
their wrongs, and yielded without an effort to the
annual conscription of Intemperance.
But a better era was to dawn upon our country.
A brazen serpent was lifted. The trumpet-blasts of
Temperance Reformers started the petrified cities
into life. The plume tossed in the conflict, the war-
Xv'll INTRODUCTION.
horse plunged and chafed, and in the light of the
coming morning the Banner of Temperance rolled
out like a beacon of hope and promise to gladden a
world. A breath has swept the valley of Hiimom,
and the sleepers arise. The ocean is swept by the
storm, and hope springs up in the human heart. The
light comes slowly, but it bears healing upon its
wings, and heralds redemption to a rum-scourged
world. There is joy in heaven and upon earth. The
mother weeps tears of joy, and clasps her child to her
bosom, with a prayer of gratitude for the promise
which speaks of a better day for her and hers. And
so the great moral revolution has commenced a war
of extermination, ending only when the rum traffic
shall exist no longer. A free people are girding for
the conflict with a hoary curse, saying to its armies,
as they wage the strife from pillar to pillar " Thus
far, and no farther."
The history of the Temperance Reformation is
not yet written. The strife is yet in progress. But
that history will occupy the brightest pages of our
country's annals, and command the admiration of the
world. "We look back with a full heart and kindling
eye upon that history. There is a moral sublimity
and beauty in the record. It is like the beaming of
the setting sunlight across the ocean. Storms may
have swept the surface, and its waves daslied angrily
upon the shore ; but in its calm there is a wake of crim-
son and gold a beautiful pathway, where angels might
fcread. The course of our reform has been marked
INTRODUCTION. XIX
"by the most important results. It lias carried bless-
ings to myriads of hearts and homes. There is an
angel in its waters, and peace, happiness and hope
spring up where desolation has vdthered up the
greenness of earth. It is destined to revolutionize
the sentiment of a world. It enlists all that is lovely
and noble in the human heart the eloquence of
poetry, and the inspiration of genius ; the fervor of
patriotism, and the zeal of religion. Its principles
are as plain to the mind as the sun at mid-day, and
as just as God. It is the gospel of redemption to a
ram-cursed world the John the Baptist of the Chris-
. tkn religion. Like the Christian religion, its fruits
bear full evidence of its blessed character. When
John heralded the coming of the Saviour, he did not
startle the world by the brilliancy of his promises.
He did not announce that Christ was coming with a
crown of gold upon his head and a monarch's sceptre
in his hand, with legions of conquering warriors
bristling in armor, and in his train the kings and
princes the rich and powerful, and elite of earth.
No : the dumb should speak, the deaf should hear,
the blind see, the lame walk, the dead be raised, and
the gospel be preached to the poor. And thus along
the pathway of Christianity, wherever its spirit has
gained a foothold, there are eloquent records of its
principles and influences. So with the Temperance
Reform. The heralds did not announce that the
fashionable and the wealthy, the titled great, the
aristocracy of the land, would exclusively
XX DTERODUCTIOK.
lend it their countenance. But tie blind have seen,
the deaf have heard, the stone has been rolled away
from the grave of drunkenness, and the lost restored ;
devils have been cast out of those cut among the
tombs, and its gospel has been preached to the poor.
The reform was designed by a kind God to lift up
and restore poor fallen humanity, and not to add
brilliancy to fashion, or popularity to men. The prodi-
gals, who have wasted all in riotous living and hun-
gered for the husks, have turned back from their dark
wanderings, and the temperance cause has met them
half-way, and rejoiced that the lost were found. The
so-called fashionable have murmured, and turned
away with scorn from such manifestations. They
would so have scorned the meek Saviour, because he
called after the sinner, and wept with and comforted
the poor and afflicted.
The hand of Providence has marked the course of
our cause. Step by step, it has moved onward, ever
going deeper into the hearts and consciences of men.
It has had its reverses, as has every great moral
revolution which has agitated the world; but its first
standard, " torn but flying," floats out prouder to-
day than ever before. There is a hydra influence
against it one sleepless and gigantic. But ours is
the majority, for God is with us. At times it has
been beaten its waves have rolled back and again
mingled with their kindred waters ; but they have re-
turned to the shock with other waves and deeper
flow, sweeping on with the strength and grandeur of
INTRODUCTION. XXI
its power. Wealth has opposed it, fashion has
sneered at it, interest lias fought it, demagogues
have stabbed it, and Iscariots have betrayed and sold
it; but, like the oak matured in the storm, it has
taken root, until its towering trunk sways defiance
to the fiercest wrath of the tempest. And it will
live, and flourish, and gloriously triumph:
The blessings of the Temperance Reform are
sufficient to reward for an age of effort. One home
made joyous one broken heart healed and made
happy one man restored to manhood, family, so-
ciety, and God is a prouder and more enduring
monument than ever towered in marble. What a
change it has wrought in public sentiment ! Look
back and many of us can remember it to the
time when tippling was interwoven with eveiy cus-
tom of society, and infancy sucked drunkenness
from the mother's breast. We know that intemper-
ance yet sits like a nightmare upon the bosom of so-
ciety; but there are millions of homes, and fields,
and systems from which it has been forever banished.
Where is now the physician that prescribes rum to
the mother, or a mother who swallows such prescrip
tions, or feeds them to the child ? Where is the
family table where the morning bitters sit with the
food which gives life and strength ? Where is the
mechanic who carries it to his shop ? The fanner
who furnishes it to his laborers in the field ? The
marriage where the health and happiness of the
bride must be given in wine '( The funeral where it
XX ii INTRODUCTION.
must mingle with the tears of the bereaved ? They
are scarce. A blessed light has dawned upon com
omnity, and it is found that man can be born, mar-
ried, and die without the spirit of alcohol.
In the progress of the reform, nearer and still
nearer to the enemy, the ground has been broken.
The first position was not the one of to-day. The
old pledge was the entering wedge, but it did not
banish the insidious tempter from our own ranks.
It coiled still in the wine-cup, and in the more com-
mon alcoholic beverages. Experience demonstrated
the folly of chaining the mad dog, and the total ab-
stinence pledge was adopted. Then came a war
among temperance men, but the right triumphed ;
for, it was found that the old pledge was a danger-
ous ground for drinking men. Then came the
Washingtonian movement, like a storm, and its floods
swept on with startling intensity and power. There
are ten thousand trophies where it moved ; but the
force of the torrent long since spent itself. The
flames have died out upon its altars, as a general
thing, and its legions disbanded, or enlisted in new
organizations.
In the commencement of our reform, and for a
number of years, the mass of ' its friends considered
"moral suasion" as the only means of success. It
would have accomplished its work, were all men
susceptible to moral influences. But it would not
answer the ends designed. While human nature is
such as to require penal laws in tlie restraint and
ESTTRODTJCTION. XXH1
punishment of its excesses, moral influences will
never keep man from the commission of wrong.
God's government is not based upon moral suasion
alone. His laws are prohibitory, as are the lawa
upon our statute books. And against all this array
of enactments, human and divine, wicked men con
tinue to trample upon the rights of others. If laws
will not prevent the commission of wrong, who
would expect moral influences alone to protect the
interests of society from the vicious and abandoned ?
And more especially would it fall far short of accom-
plishing such an object, when coming in contact with
evils sustained and guarded Tyy legislation. Seldom,
while avarice has a home in the human heart, can
bad men be influenced, by moral considerations, to
abandon a traffic which law tolerates, and protects,
and clothes with respectability. With a license law
existing and shielding the seller from punishment,
how long before he could be prevailed upon to
abandon a lucrative business ? In most instances
time might end and find the traffic in its full strength,
and those engaged in it as indifferent to our en-
treaties and appeals, as they are to-day.
It was thought that the fountain must be dried
the Upas uprooted and destroyed forever. Hence
the idea of prohibition and protection. And this
sentiment found a response in the hearts of the
friends of the cause, enthusiastic and unanimous.
Here was the great battle-ground, and around this
banner the contending interests rallied. Eloquence
INTRODUCTION.
had been spent in vain, heretofore, so far as having
any effect upon those engaged in the traffic. God's
truth had thundered against them. Facts had been
oiled on facts, until they towered in fearful judg-
ment against them. Arguments unanswerable had
been adduced, and appeals of the most earnest and
touching pathos been made. All had been in vain.
Entrenched behind law, and flanked by the unscru-
pulous demagogism of the country, they looked
unmoved upon the ruin wrought by their own hands,
and laughed all our efforts to scorn. A new system
of warfare must be adopted, or the strife would be
tor time. As in times past, so Providence, at this
juncture, directed the movements. Then appeared a
light in the east, and clear and startling above the
din of the strife, came a new battle-cry, thrilling like
an electric shock, and everywhere arousing oui
wearied hosts. A new banner out, and its magic
words filled all hearts with zeal, faith and hope.
" The Maine Law " was an emblem of triumph. It
was thought to be the mystic writing upon the wall,
announcing the downfall of the Babylon whose ini-
quities had so long, cursed the earth, and the politi-
cal Belshazzars already looked upon the record of
sure-coming doom, and trembled. The new plan was
as simple as potent. It embodied, in a stringent
form, the principles of prohibition and protection.
Like all other laws for the prevention of crime, it
struck at the cause, leaving the streams to dry up,
when no longer fed by the fountain. It dispensed
with arguments and appeals. It left no dripping
INTRODUCTION. XXV
heads to multiply others, but attacked the hydra in
his den, and with the hot irons of fine and imprison-
ment, seared as it went. From various causes the
MAINE LAW failed to accomplish the grand results
hoped for it, by those who fought under the banner.
Still, much good was done, and the last great day
shall marshal an army, saved from the power of the
second death, as one of the benefits of the Maine
Law agitation.
Again the banner of the Temperance Reformation
is flung to the breeze. Before the emblem of joy
was seen in the East. Now it unfurls its folds over
the valleys of the great "West, and, from present ap-
pearances, the " movement " will go on till the broad
Union is made to feel its po ./er. Grand results have
already been accomplished. Many desolate homes
have been made happy. Every day the telegraph
brings us news of victory. May " God defend the
right " in the battle
In what is called the " Woman's Movement," the
method of procedure is for women to meet early in
the morning in one of the churches, hold a prayer and^
singing meeting for an hour or so, and then start
forth in bands of ten or twenty, visiting the various
saloons and drug stores where liquor is sold, present-
ing a form of pledge to cease retailing liquors, with
a request to sign and stop selling liquor. If they
comply, the ladies pass on to another ; but if they
are met with a refusal, then they exhort, persuade,
hold a prayer-meeting, sing a hymn, etc., and pass
XXVI INTRODUCTION.
on, promising to " call again." Sometimes the pray-
er-meetings continue for hours with fervent petition,
earnest entreaty, and persistent pleading. This is
repeated every day till the dealers are subdued. Day
after day, in winter's cold and sleet, these meetings
are continued, until very many towns are redeemed
from the sale of liquor.
Various instrumentalities have operated in bring-
ing the Temperance Reform up to its present com-
manding position. Able men have written and
spoken, and from the rostrum and the pulpit public
opinion has been educated. But the great engine
has been the Press. This giant friend of man in a
free country, has scattered its light, its facts, argu
ments and appeals, into millions of hearts and homes.
It has invoked a storm slowly, but none the less
effectually. The mutterings of years past are deep-
ening into startling peals, and the red language of
popular indignation and wrath glows ominously
bright across the sky. The deep of public opinion
is rocking to its depths.
The Temperance Press, at first struggling with
'almost overwhelming difficulties, has slowly increased
in ability and power, and to-day exerts a controling
influence upon public sentiment. The literature of
our reform is assuming a more refined t and elevated
character, and clothing great truths in pure and more
attractive garb ; and never was there a wider field for
the exercise of intellectual effort. The wildest dreams
of fiction seem tame in comparison with the stern
INTRODUCTION. XXVll
and sober realities of our cause. Tragedies, more
fearfully dark and startling than Avon's bard ever
sketched, are thickly traced on the record of rum's
history. Scenes which would niock the artist's pen-
cil are of daily occurrence. The desolate home, with
its heart-broken wife and mother, with her pale cheek
channeled with tears of unutterable woe, as she
bends weeping over the drunken wreck of her youth's
idol ; the child-group shivering in the blast or cling-
ing to that mother, as they moan for bread; the
orphan turned out, with no friend but God, into the
wide world ; youth wrecked and palsied with prema-
ture age ; manhood reeling amid the ruins of mind
and moral beauty, the sepulchre of a thousand hopes ;
genius driveling in idiocy and crumbling into ruin ;
the virtuous and noble-minded turning away from
truth and honor, and plunging into every vice ; the
parent and citizen wandering away from a home-
heaven, through a devious and dark pilgrimage, to a
dishonored grave ; the home-idol shivered and broken,
the .altar cast down, and an Eden transformed into a
hell; childhood and innocence thrust out from the
love-light of a mother's eye, to wallow in all that is
low and vile ; Poverty and Want looking with pinch-
ed and piteous gaze upon the scanty tribute of charity ;
foul and festering Vice, with sickly and bloated fea-
tures, leering and droolling in licentious beastiality ;
Madness, with fiery eye and haggard mien, weeping
and wailing and cursing in the rayless night of intel-
lectual chaos ; Crime, with its infernal "ha! ha!" as
XXV111 INTRODUCTION.
it stalks forth from its work of death, with its red
hand dripping with the hot and smoking life-tide of
its victim ; these, and ten thousand other combina-
tions of warp and woof, are woven into tales of won-
drous intensity and power. The hovel, the dram
shop, the subterranean den, and the mansion of fash-
ion and wealth, have all furnished the material for
tales of startling interest. When fiction even has
called up its weird creations, they have been but
copies of the facts already transpired. The moral is
always there. Thus poetry and romance have com-
bined to place the realities of two opposing principles
in striking contrast. Such is the object of the fol-
lowing tale, from the perusal of which we will no
longer detain the kind reader. That the " new move-
ment " may triumph, and the dark shadow of Intem-
perance pass away, is the earnest prayer of him who
has thus far claimed attention. The door is open,
and the reader can go in and examine the structure
of the author':? fabric at leisure.
LADIES IN THE "WOMEN'S MOVEMENT.'
MINNIE HEBMOfl
CHAPTER I.
A MARKED CHARACTER INTRODUCED TO THE READER.
ON one of the coolest days of the autumn of 18 ,
by invitation, we visited, for the purpose of lecturing,
one of the pleasantest villages in southern New- York.
The sun was far down in an unclouded sky, its
beams mellowing in the blue haze which curtained
the distant hills, and lingering like a smile from bliss
upon the variegated woodlands.
Without seeking the friend who had in vited us to
enjoy his hospitality, we passed through the village,
and turned from the highway into the fields, and up-
ward to where a picturesque eminence promised a
more attractive view of the autumn scene. The
paths and the hollows were filled with the rustling
leaves, the faded garniture of summer and yet a
more beautiful carpeting than art ever wove. From
beneath a leaning maple, we turned to gaze long
upon the landscape stretched beneath us. The woods
upon the hills were draped in that gorgeous beauty
32 MINNIE HE.KHON.
of the American autumn, a sea of rustling waves
crested with golden and crimson foam, flecked here
and there with the dark hue of the evergreens. The
symmetrical forms of the maple and the walnut dotted
the farm lands of the husbandman with pyramids of
russet and flame-like canvass.
The Susquehanna wound through the valley and
away to the south, glowing and shimmering in the
sunbeams. We turned away from that which had
yielded us so much pleasure, and still further above
us saw a stranger, evidently enjoying the same pros-
pect. His tall form stood out in striking relief from
its background of distant sky, his attitude and mien
graceful and imposing, as with head bared and hat in
hand, he stood with folded arms, looking down upon
the valley. As we stepped out from under the low-
hanging branches, the rustling leaves attracted bis
attention. He returned our salutation with a manner
BO easy and dignified, that we at once recognized one
of more than ordinary mind and polish. The true
gentleman never forgets his position under any cir-
cumstances, much less in recognizing and returning
the courtesies of a stranger.
Passing the village grave-yard, where the white
slabs gleamed in the setting sun, we noticed seven
highly finished ones standing closely together, and
the same name chiseled upon all. The grass towered
rankly upon the mounds, and the mould had long
gathered at the base of the marble. The mounds
were of the same length, thickly strewn with the
A MARKED CHARACTER. 33
leaves of the willow which dropped its boughs until
they nearly swept the ground. As we emerged from
the lane leading to the b'irial grounds, we again en-
countered the tall stranger of the hillside, leaning
with a sad and thoughtful countenance over the fence
near where we had stood by the seven graves.
The afternoon following, while standing upon the
church steps with a friend, awaiting the gathering of
the people, a note was slipped into our hand by a
friend. It read thus :
" We are not used to harsh language here yet ; bo
guarded. Hon. Mr. Fenton will hear you. He is a
citizen of talent and influence, and we wish to have
him in our Division ; but he is a drinking man, owns
the tavern, and is extremely sensitive. Touch him
gently. A FRIEND."
And so the Hon. Mr. Fenton, and a rumseller,
would hear us. And must we hesitate in laying bare
the iniquities of the traffic, because a gentleman of
wealth, talent and standing was engaged in it ?
Thrusting the note into our pocket, we determined to
take our own course appeal kindly to men, but
boldly and truthfully speak of the wrong.
A sea of heads was before us, curiosity drawing
many to attend the long talked of demonstration.
Conspicuous in the centre of the audience, his keen
grey eye scanning the speaker with a stern and steady
gaze, sat our tall acquaintance. " "That," whispered
34 MINNIE HEitMON.
a clergyman at our side, "is the Ron. Mr. Fentou.
If you are severe, he will answer you." We were
satisfied from whence the note of advice.
Careles*sly we commenced our remarks upon the
prevalence and universal spread of intemperance.
Quick answering tears, from a sad looking woman on
the first seat, responded to the truth of the remarks
made, and filled our own heart with tears. Warming
as the interest increased, we continued : " In the
inild sunlight of this blessed day, we look over your
heads and out through the raised windows, where
your kindred are at rest upon the kind bosom of our
common mother. We know not the history of this
community, but the destroyer has been among you.
Undisturbed by our voice, the sleepers are resting
on where the rank grass weaves its mat over their
graves. Wherever the living carry their dead the
cold arms of earth have been rudely opened to wrap
the victims of the scourge. Innocence, manhood and
old age; the strong, the beautiful, the loved, and
the true, have alike been consigned to premature
graves. How cruel the blows which crushed from
their hearts, life and its throbbing hopes ! The kind
marble heralds not their sad histories ; but garnered
in kindred hearts, are the memories of wrongs which
over ask a tribute of bitter tears, as the living stand
by their graves. Have no circles been broken in this
community ? Have no loved ones been torn away
from hearts which dripped tear-drops of blood, to go
down in darkness to their graves? And no bright
A MARKED CHARACTER. 35
resurrection morn to burst upon then long night of
sleep ? Who of you have friends in that old yard,
whom you feel were wrenched away from heart and
home by torturing inches, and worse than murdered?
Is there a parent an old mother a broken-hearted
wife a sister of never swerving love a child who
has no parent but God who does not go in there to
weep over a grave where Hope never smiles and
Faith never whispers " All is well ? " Make our heart
a store-house of the dark records of your history, and
from this desk we will tread the grass-grown alleys, and
here and there lay our hands upon cold and silent wit-
nesses, proclaiming in the sad eloquence of enduring
marble, the triumphs of the common scourge. Here is
one, and there another ! But for rum, they might have
sat at your hearths this day. And who slew them ?
Is there no hand here among you red with a brother's
blood ? Look ! and if so, turn away to a better life,
and yield no more incense to the shrine of blood ! "
The " Hon. Mr. Fenton " sat with his eye upon us
as we proceeded, his chin resting upon his palm as ho
leaned upon the pew before him. A lone tear slowly
gathered on the lid, and coursing down his cheek,
dropped upon the open hand. As our introduction
ended, he involuntarily raised his head and looked
vjpon his hand, as though blood had gathered there in
judgment against him, then bowing himself upon his
hands, he remained until the meeting was dismissed.
As we passed down the desk, Mr. Fenton came
boldly forward and stopd at the door. The audience
36 MINNIE HERMOX.
were instantly hushed, expecting a war of words be-
tween him and the stranger. Reaching out, he clasped
our extended hand in both of his, and stood, with
swimming eyes, silently before us. We knew thero
would be no strife between us, for a better manhood
gave utterance in the eye, and his grasp was almost
convulsive in its energy.
" You are an honest man ! " passionately exclaimed
Mr. Fenton. " You have uttered the truth solemn,
fearful truth. My hands are red with more than a
brother's blood. God forgive me ! Let me tell you
where they sleep, those / have loved and lost ! "
Mr. Fenton took our arm within his own, and to-
gether we passed into the yard just back of the church.
He passed by the seven graves, and silently looked
down upon them, while his broad chest heaved with
strong emotion.
" There" said he, with wild energy, " there they
are all all! There are my father and mother j
the one died a drunkard and the other broken-hearted.
In the next four graves are my my boys. Brave,
noble boys they were, too, as ever parent loved. In
their strong manhood, they too, died drunkards!
And here merciful God ! at my feet, is my injured,
my murdered wife ! " and kneeling like a child, and
throwing his strong arms over the grave, he wept as a
child would weep. " O ! if God can forgive, may
the last of a once happy band be gathered with tliee
at last; and the hand which wrought thy ruin be
washed with pardon of its cruel crime. O, what a
A MARKED CHARACTER. 37
fearful infatuation has rested upon me," he continued,
as he raised himself from his kneeling posture. " I
see it all now. Here by the graves of my kindred
niy all, before you, sir, and these people, my injured
wife in Heaven, and God, I solemnly swear that this
hand never shall again extend tJie ruinous cup to my
fellow man. My life shall be spent, so far as it is
possible, in undoing the wrong I have committed."
In the clear air of that bright autumn afternoon, a
ehout, free and full witli gladness, went up from the
people in testimony of the high resolve. Bonfires
were kindled in the evening, and joy beamed upon
each countenance, lit up by the glare with greater in-
tensity, as the blue flame of the burning liquors burst
up and wreathed and hissed with the red ones of the
burning timbers.
" And so may my soul burn in hell, if I ever har-
bor the cursed poison again ! " Startled by the fierce
energy of the speaker, we turned, to find Mr. Fenton
looking upon the scene with a pale and compressed
lip.
CHAPTEE II.
THE MANUSCRIPT.
OUR host was early astir, every move character-
ized by a new and more hopeful life. Before we had
arise/i, all the machinery of drinking had been re
moved from the bar, and citizens were already gath-
ered on the piazza, in earnest conversation upon the
events of the previous day.
Mr. Fenton persisted in accompanying us across
the river, talking sadly of the past and hopefully of
the future. " At parting, he laid a heavy roll of pa-
pers in our hands, with a rapid history of their con-
tents and of the manner in which they came into his
possession. A friend of his, in early life, became in*
temperate, through the plotting of a villain ; and in
one of his fits of madness, turned his family from the
door, and under charge of murder, was confined in
prison, awaiting his trial. He was tried and con-
demned, but escaped before the day of execution.
This manuscript, the labor of long days of imprison-
ment, was handed me under seal, while in the place,
with the simple injunction that, should the writer
never be heard of again, his friend should make such
use of it as he saw fit. You," said Mr. Fenton,
"know much of the history of intemperance and its
WALTER'S MOTHER.
T1II<: MANUSCRIPT. 41
terrible ruin ; but yet, the within may furnish you with
something equally as interesting as that you have
already learned. You will find the impress of no or-
dinary mind, and its publication, in whole or in part
may interest others as well as yourself."
The writing was more in the style of a private
diary than otherwise. We shall give, in the course
of our history, the substance of the matter, occasion-
ally transcribing whole chapters as we find them
written.
" OLD MEMORIES.
" The ocean of life may present a calm, unbroken
surface to the eye the very picture of repose ; while
beneath the dark and turbid currents are surging to
and fro, black and angry, as they toss and leap
against one another.
" The sky may smile without a cloud, as its blue
depths are bathed in a flood of sunshine ; and yet tho
lightning be heating its red bolts, and the storm
troops marshaling for the onset.
" The human countenance may be as calm as that
ocean, while bitter waters are welling up in the heart,
as bright with sunshine as that sky unclouded, and yet
the fierce tempest be sweeping across the soul, or the
echoes of Sorrow's wail lingering amid the ruins of
hopes which have been destroyed. The wildest im-
agery of fiction is more than surpassed by the reali-
ties of the ' fitful fever ' which we treat so lightly,
and yet so madly cling to at its ending.
42 MINNIE HERMON.
" "Wliile carelessl} 7 touching my guitar, the fingers
unconsciously swept the strings tc the measure of an
old and sacred air, holy with the inseparable associa-
tions of scenes that never die ! That touch was like
the gush of long pent-up waters, and the flood of other
days is again rushing through the soul, a mingled tide
of sweet and bitter currents, now bathed with sun-
light, and again dark with gloom.
'' I drop the guitar and gaze long and dreamily
into the fire, watching the vision of years as they
troop by. I am young again ! Ah ! but 't was a
dream, for the growl of my dog has dispelled the illu-
sion, and I awake to find a tear on my lids, from
which bright beams of silver are dancing to the wa-
ning embers in the grate. That tear has escaped
from a sacred fount, sealed long and long ago.
" I touch the strings again. The thoughts flow calm-
er, and a strong impulse urges me to write. And
why should I profane the sanctuary where early hopes
and dreams are buried ? Some will sneer at the rev-
elation. And yet to see the words as they are traced
upon the sheet, will be like looking on the faces of
those long since at rest. There 4s no one here to see
me if I weep ; and these weather-beaten cheeks will
welcome a shower from the heart's flood, which has
been so unexpectedly stirred to its earlier depths.
" My manhood's hopes have gone out in darkest
night, and infamy rests upon the once proud and untar-
nished name of Walter Brayton. An evil destiny has
followed me and I am now incarcerated in a dungeon,
THE MANUSCRIPT. 43
through the success of as foul a plot as human fiends
ever conceived, to accomplish another's ruin. The
world cares not for one whose career has ended so
ignominiously, and it may never see my name vindi-
cated from the stigma which now so unjustly rests
upon it. The fickle populace has forgot its idol, and
none but her whom I have most deeply injured stands
by my side, while all else has been beaten down by
the storm which has come upon me. She clings to
me with a devotion which no destiny, however dark,
can wrench away. A ' life history ' may never be
seen by other eyes than my own, if ever completed ;
but the long days will speed on lighter wing, even
while I am tracing dark chapters in my cell. My
crushed manhood's tears shall attest the truth of what
I shall write, eloquent, it may be, in warning to who-
ever may trace these lines, to shun a course which
has so trodden down as proud a spirit and aspiring
ambition as ever throbbed in the bosom of early
manhood.
" "When eighteen years of age, my father removed
from New Jersey, to a small and retired country
settlement in one of the northern counties of New
York. He had once been a merchant of business and
standing had mingled in the highest commercial
circles, and I never could divine the reason of his lo-
cating in such a section of the country.
"There are faint remembrances of my early home.
There is a vague, shadowy outline of a dark old
dwelling, now lingering in my mind. All is dim.
44 MINNIE FTEKMON.
misty, uncertain. I can hardly trace those outlines at
this late day, for the foot-prints of years have gone
over them. The impressions seem half dreams and
half realities. The remembrance is gloomy, withal,
arid as I wander back, I shrink involuntarily at the
spectral shadows which people and throng around
that dream-land tenement.
" There was an old room, with high, sombre walls,
and deep windows, over which hung rich, heavy cur-
tains, nearly shutting out the light 'of day. Dark,
massive chairs and sofas stood against the walls. And
I remember that I dreaded the mirror which gave
back the spectral outlines of the old nurse, and step-
ped back with a noiseless tread to the half-opened
door. Once I looked out of those windows only
once. As I parted the faded curtains, the net-work
of cobwebs brought down a cloud of the black
and ugly looking creatures, and drove me away in a
fright.
" But there was one room which I remember with
more dread than I do the old parlor. It was across
the hall, and I never saw the light of day break in
upon its darkness but once. I was a child, and
through the open door crept in and across to the
window. I then clambered upon the sill, and with
childish curiosity, pulled aside the curtains. Oh,
what a flood of warm, pure sunshine gushed into the
dark place ; I remember it distinctly, and how red
and beautiful the sun itself appeared just above the
sea of roofs ! I clapped my tiny hands and shouted
THE MANr SCRIPT. 4-5
with glee, upon which the old nurse stole up behind
me, and bore me away to the kitchen.
" I can remember but one more visit to that room.
Everything wore a mysterious and saddened aspect.
People trod lightly over the floor, and spoke in
whispers. I watched all with sobered interest. At
last an old lady friend took me in her arms and car-
ried me in. A lamp burned dimly in the gloom,
and jthe old clock ticked with painful distinctness in
the hushed apartment.
" The nurse then raised me np, and held me where I
could look upon the bed. As I looked down with a
shrinking fear, I beheld a pale, calm face, the eyes
closed as if in slumber, but oh, how still ! A dread
crept over me the first startling knowledge of death.
The nurse laid my hand upon the cheek 'twas cold
how cold ! and as that strange chill crept back to
my child-heart, I wept. I felt that something sad
and sorrowful had taken place ; that some one whom
I loved had gone some friend and the young heart
welled up its flood of unchecked grief. ... A
mother had gone to her rest !
" I remember but one place with pleasure in that old
dwelling. It was where the sun shone brightly, and
the vines crept thickly over the lattice-work. As I
look back upon that obscure mirror of childhood, I
see a happy throng, and merry sport they had. But
the most hallowed dream of all, is that of a sad, kind
face, which hung over me and touched mine so ten-
derly. I know that she had a low, silvery voice, for
4:6 MINNIE HERMON.
it fell soothingly upon my childish fears and pains,
and its tender echoes have never died away in my
heart. I have heard no such tones since, save as they
float up and linger on the tide of memory. The
voice of a MOTHER speaks in those echoes !
" But how my pen has wandered under the influence
of these old memories ! Ah, well ! I have not talked
of these things before in long years, and my old heart
yearns for sympathy.
"After our settlement in the new home, I became a
tall, thoughtful boy. Care had written deep lines
upon my father's face, and he said but little. Grief,
too, had furrowed his features deeply, and a silvery
white was fast mingling with his locks of jet black.
But he was cold, stern, passionless, unchanging.
" I never saw my father manifest the least emotion
but once. As I entered the parlor one morning, he
was standing before a portrait that I had loved from
my childhood. My step aroused him, and as he
turned, I saw a tear upon either cheek. He passed
out of the room, and I took his place before the pic-
ture, and stood looking dreamily until my own cheeks
were wet with tears. 1 wept before the shadow
of a substance which had forever passed away.
" Bitter knowledge came to me as I arrived at young
manhood. My father had been a drunkard ; my
mother had been ill-treated by the husband of her
youth, and had died broken-hearted. My love for her
intensified as I learned the painful history, and I
looked still more fondly upon that picture in the par-
THE MANUSCKI1T. 47
lor, and thought that, had I been a man while she
was living, I could have been her protector.
" It was by accident that I learned this sad history
of wrong and neglect in him whom I had so loved
as my father. In a drawer of old papers I found a
letter. From a careless glance at the commence-
ment, my attention became riveted, and I read with
a throbbing heart until, through the blinding tears,
I saw at the bottom my own mother's name. The
letter had evidently been written at different dates,
and was blotted with tears.
" ' MY SISTEK : Crushed and broken beneath the
ruins of all my early hopes, I turn to you to ask youi
forgiveness, and to pour into your too kind bosom
the sorrows that overwhelm me. My heart aches
aches with its knowledge of blighted hopes, and of
the fearful and bitter truths which have so thickly
come upon me : my brain aches and turns almost to
madness, as the history of a year sweeps over me.
Oh, Martha ! how I long to die to lie down in the
cold and quiet rest of the grave !
" ' Do you remember, Martha, the night before I
was married, what you said to me a we stood under
the old elrn in the garden ? and how bitterly I spoke
and repelled the warning you whispered to me in
tears ? You would forgive me, I know you would,
were you to see me now. My poor heart bleeds at
every pore ; my cheek has faded and fallen away ,*
B
48 MINNIE HKRMON.
and you would not recognize in this ghastly wreck
Uie wayward girl of our dear old home.
"All is dark. Not a ray of hope on earth. I weep
over my sleeping babes ; but I must die. God pro-
tect them.
. . . " ' That bright future, Martha, is all gloom
black, black as night. I have wept, and prayed,
and besought. He mocks me. Great God ! Martha,
he mocks me in his drunken madness ! He wildly
laughs as I weep. To-day, I held our babe to him
for a caress ; he cruelly struck the innocent sleeper
with his hand !
" ' I am dying, Martha ! Do not weep ; I long for
rest. God will protect my babe. The consumption
of sorrow and suffering is wasting my weary heart.
" ' Our neighbors are kind, or we should suffer.
Your ever kind heart will bleed when you know that
the daughter of Colonel Wilder is in want. But I
tell it to warn you. Never, as you hope for peace on
earth, trust the man who drinks.
. . " ' Frederick appears utterly indifferent. He
spends his nights principally at the tavern, and is
sullen when at home. Oh, it is hard to die thus. . .
My cup overflows. Would to God that I had died
when rny mother died ! Frederick came in this eve-
ning at the earnest appeal of our friends. How
changed he is, as well as myself! He spoke bitterly
to me, and demanded my wedding jewels he had
THE MANUSCRIPT. 49
gambled, and lost ! He attempted to take the beau-
tiful Bible our mother gave me, and as I lay iny hand
upon it in mute appeal, he oh, Martha ! he struck
me a heavy blow Consciousness has re
turned, and the Bible is gone! . . . 1^ shall die
to-night. God protect the boy
" ' ELLEN.'
" I mingled my own bitter tears with those that had
long since become dry upon the blotted page, and
went forth into the world with my boy-bosom throb-
bing with the hate of manhood against the curse which
had killed my mother."
CHAPTER III.
MINNIE HEKMON;
" FOR along time after removing to Oakvale, 1 found
no kindred spirit with which to commune. My
father was reserved, seldom smiled, or addressed a
pleasant word to his only child.
" My young and impetuous nature must find employ-
ment in hunting. Day after day for weeks at a time,
with fishing rod or gun, I ranged the dense forests
which stretched away for miles in the immediate vi-
cinity of Oakvale. I had found every overhanging
crag, every waterfall and dark ravine, and threaded
every stream. Thus engaged, I had not noticed the
arrival of strangers in the village, and should have
cared but little if I had.
" The winter somewhat restrained my sports, but,
with the early spring, I was abroad again with dog
and gun. Immediately back of Oakvale was a moun-
tain stream, which plunged down a succession of falls
into a deep, dark chasm, and rolled away through
the valley. Recent rains had raised it to a swollen
and angry tide, the cascades presenting one unbroken
sheet of spray and foam. Nearly half way up tho
first fall was a wide, projecting mass of rock, over-
hanging the abyss so far that the spectator could ob-
tain a complete view of the whole gorge above, un-
MINNIE HERMON. 51
obstructed by the dense growth of overhanging spruce.
The path to this landing place was through a wide
fissure in the rocks, the rugged masses and dark ever-
greens rising upon either side until the sunbeams
were shut entirely out. From this opening a circui-
tous and narrow path wound to the foot of the
mountain.
"From early morn until late in the afternoon, I had
followed a deer with ill success. Thrice had he taken
to the river, across which I had followed him, until I
was wet, weary and hungry. The dog did not close
np with rigor, or the sport might have been soon
ended. The deer at last crossed through the village
and entered the river at the base of the mountain.
Unleashing a fresh dog at home, I took the ferry and
followed, sure of soon putting an end to the work.
The dog drove the chase so closely that he entered
the path to the table rock, and struggled with despe-
rate vigor up the steep ascent. As he entered the
rocky path I felt sure of him, for there was no egress
but into the foaming basin beneath.
" The more rapid baying of the hound put new vigoi
into my weary steps, and I hurried forward. Enter-
ing the defile, I found the stag at bay, and the dog
vainly attempting to reach him. Beyond and imme-
diately upon the tall rock, over the chasm, was an
apparition, so unexpected and startling, that my steps
were fastened to the rock, and I looked in utter be-
wilderment, scarcely knowing whether it was real or
imaginary Slightly leaning forward, with handa
52 MINNIE I-IKKMON.
clasped and lips parted, and with a countenance of
deathly paleness, stood the loveliest female figure I
had ever beheld. She was beautiful in her terror
her hair hanging in heavy masses as it had fallen from
its fastenings upon her exquisitely arched neck. A
noble Newfoundland stood bristling and growling be-
fore her. At the instant the old dog came up, and
with a fierce yell sprang at the stag, the latter turn-
ing upon his heels like lightning, and darting for the
rock where the female stood.
" ' Down down on your face ! ' I screamed ; but
he lowered his antlers, and, like an arrow, shot over
into the boiling gulf, carrying stranger, dogs, and all
with him. A shriek carne up distinctly above the
roar of the waters, and I reached out to grasp the rock
for support. As quickly I became strangely calm
again, and rushed to the brink with a sickening sen-
sation. My own dog and the deer were swimming
in company down the swift current, but the New-
foundler, with the shoulders of his insensible mistress
in his grasp, was swimming about as if at a loss
where to strike out. Leaning over the rock, I swung
my hat and shouted until the dog heard me, and with
little hope of being understood, I urged him down the
stream. The noble brute understood me, and struck
out into the current. Reckless of life or limb, 1
turned and ran to the foot of the precipice, reaching
the bend in the river just as the nearly exhausted
dog and his burden swept around the point. He had
exhausted himself in stemming the tide in the attempt
MLVNJIC IIERMON. 53
to reach the shore ; and as he shot past, he turned
upon me an eye whose strangely sad intelligence
spoke mutely the language of despair. Leaping into
the current, I struck out, and soon reached the dog
and his prize, and after beating the current unti
nearly despairing, succeeded in reaching the shore.
" It was a long time before life letnrned to the insen-
sible form of the beautiful stranger ; but she was a
prize worth saving ! She was the only child of a
middle-aged man, who had just moved into the vil-
lage, with the remains of a broken fortune. Her his-
tory had been a sad one, as had mine ; and our spirits,
kindred in misfortunes, craved each other's compan-
ionship.
" A dark tempter had wrought the ruin of Mr. Her-
inon, and his wife had gone to her grave in the
midst of the desolation. But like a star gleaming
above the clouds of the storm, was the faith and de-
votion of the daughter.
"Minnie Herman was just budding into woman
hood, and one of the most beautiful creatures of
female purity and loveliness it had ever been my for-
tune to become acquainted with. She was as gentle
as a midsummer's breath, and as pure and lovely as
that midsummer's flowers : and yet, she was a rock
amid the wrecked fortunes of her father. Her spirit
stood proudly up, and with that strange energy pecu-
liar to woman under such circumstances, looked
calmly upon the storm, while the spirit of the strong
man bowed to the earth.
54: MINNIE HF;RMON.
" Minnie possessed every virtue which sheds a lustre
upon the character of woman. She was not wild or
wayward; a tinge of sadness mingled with the
lovely calmness of her countenance ; her very motion,
and look, and tone, were calm, falling upon all around
like mellow sunlight. All loved Minnie llermon.
" I loved her with the intense, idolatrous devotion of
youth. Our natures were similar ; our histories, too,
were much the same ; and a feeling of common sym-
pathy seemed to draw our hearts into closer com-
munion the more we learned of each other's history.
Each turned with sadness from the past, for we both
had a drunken father, and both had lost a mother.
" We were happy. The old woods stretched down
the mountain side to the outskirts of the village ;
streams leaped and danced to the valley's bed, and
then babbled onward to the river. Many a wild
nook was hidden among the mountains, and there we
rambled and dreamed, with nature around us.
" Not a word had ever passed our lips of love / and
yet each heart knew all. Even as we watched the
gliding streams, or the sunlight as it faded out over
the hills, hearts conversed while lips moved not ; and
the warp and woof of a holy tie were weaving into
our destinies.
" Minnie was no ordinaiy woman. Her mind had
suffered nothing from the education of so called fash-
ionable life : its native in some respects more than
masculine strength was unimpaired. The circum-
stances of her fathers failure had brought out all the
MINNIE AND WALTER.
MINNIE HEKMON. 57
energies of her character, by thro wing her back upon
her own resources. She had improved all her advan-
tages, and still retained the original nobleness and
purity of her nature.
" And thus we spent some of our brightest years,
dreaming together as we watched the drifting of the
summer clouds, which were mirrored in the bosom
of the lake which slept among the hills.
" Dreams are like clouds ! a cloud was drifting
ovoi our sky, surcharged with a bitter storm."
B* 3
CHAPTER IV.
A NEW PROJECT.
" THE business of the little village was increasing
and it was talked of that the little community needed
a tavern : its business interests required such an ' ac-
commodation,' it was thought. And so the matter
was gravely discussed ; and as Mr. Hermon seemed
to be best located for the accommodation of ' the pub-
lic,' he was urged to open a tavern. Of course rum
must be sold ; for, at that day, a tavern could not
have been kept without it. That fatal idea has filled
a world with dead men's bones.
" I had not yet heard of the project on foot. On
entering the dwelling of Hermon one evening, I found
Minnie in tears. Her eyes were red and swollen with
weeping, and long, convulsive sobs were struggling
for utterance. I was startled, but soon learned the
cause of her trouble, for she told me all.
" The remembrance of the past swept over her like
the shadow of gloom, and she shrank from the dark-
ened future. Her father had that evening informed
her of the new project, and of his determination to
carry it out.
" I. saw it all at a glance. 1 not only saw the troub-
les which were thickening over the head of Minnie,
A NEW PEOJECT. 59
but felt their malign influence sweeping across my
own sky. A presentiment of swift-coming evil dark-
ened in the heart, as my mind dwelt with painful in-
tensity upon the history of my own mother and her
unhappy death.
"At the close of the last section, I spoke to the read-
er of a cloud which was fast drifting across the sky
of Minnie Hermon and myself. I had no definite
conception of what that cloud would be, yet a feel-
ing of dread came over me. I felt its approach. lt.G
shadow seemed to fall into my pathway, and I looked
for the coming of some bitter trouble. I always be-
lieved in presentiments, and the darkest one of my
life warned me of some approaching trial.
"At the close of a spring day, I wandered up the
mountain to the accustomed retreat ; but the golden
sunbeams faded out one by one, and Minnie came not.
That same foreboding of evil came over me again,
until the music of the waterfall murmured with a tone
of sadness, and the low breathings of the old forest
were like sighs in the evening breeze.
" I returned to the village and sought the residence
of Mr. Hermon. I found him in company with my
father and several other of the more prominent citi-
zens of the place, busily discussing some matter in tho
parlor.
" ' It will be worth a hundred dollars a year to the
place,' remarked our merchant, as I entered.
" 'And besides, be a great accommodation to the
traveling public,' continued Deacon Smith.
60 MINNIE HEKMON.
" * It will bring a great deal of business to the place,'
lisped a young lawyer, who had just hung out hia
shingle in the village.
" ' .Not only that, but it will make business right
here amongst us,' said the doctor, a man of much
talent, and beloved by all with whom he associated
" ' We can then hold our general parades here,' re-
marked Colonel James, and his eyes twinkled at the
idea of his appearance in epaulettes in his own com-
munity.
" ' Farmers from the country will always find it a
convenient stopping-place to stop when here to trade,
or to get their milling done,' said a young farmer of
wealth, who lived some three miles out of the village.
" * The thing will give us a reputation abroad,' con-
tinued my father, as the party all left to continue the
discussion of this new plan at the store.
" "What this new project might be, which met with
such cordial approbation from the leading men in the
village, I had not learned.
"As the company passed out, Minnie entered the
room from an opposite direction. She met my usual
greeting with a strange and embarrassing silence. 1
urged her to explain, when she only answered with a
fresh burst of grief.
" She wept herself into calmness, and then revealed
to me the cause of her sorrows.
"The subject of the discussion in the parlor was ex-
plained, and I at once saw the nature of the cloud
which hung ominously in our sky. A faint, sickening
A NEW PROJECT. 63
sensation crept to my heart while I listened to the
footfalls of the tempter which was to transform our
Eden into a realm of darkness. That tempter as-
sumed no definite shape to my inexperienced mind.
I saw nothing clearly, tut yet I shuddered at Minnie's
revelation. A low hiss murmured upon my ear, and
a sound of demoniac laughter audibly started me
from my chair. I involuntarily turned, but nothing
but the pure moonlight beamed in at the window.
" "Why is it that the approach of some evil is so
fitartingly foreshadowed ?
"A TAVERN was to be opened in the village. Thia
was the new project, and its necessity was urged by
nearly all the inhabitants, in such kind of reasoning
as was heard at the house of Ilermon. A public
house was needed, said such people, and as Mr. Her
mon was the best situated to open one, his house was
hit upon for the tavern. Though I spoke words of
cheer to Minnie, she could not smile, and there was a
weight at my own heart, which gave the lie as they
fell. She looked upon the project as the very foun-
tain head of unutterable woe to her and hers. I re-
marked, against my own convictions, that all might
be well, but she solemnly answered :
" < Walter, you do not know all that I know of theso
taverns. I have seen my father leave his home and
spend his time and money there, in the dead of win-
ter, and poverty and want close around our hearth-
side, until my own sunny childhood has been
crushed, and the mother of my idolatry grew palo
62 MINNIE HERMON.
and emaciated for the want of fuel and bread ! Oh,
God ! it is horrible to think of. I could have coined
my young blood to have warmed and fed to have
saved her. I saw her thin and staggering form foiled
to the hearth by my father's hand! Do you see
this ? ' and she pointed to a broad scar on the back
of her head. ' The same hand and the same weapon
laid me senseless as I raised my child-hands to save
my mother. And yet, a kinder father or happier
home child never knew, than I once had. My heart
burns within me until I well-nigh go mad, as the deep-
rooted hatred against the cause of all our misery is
aroused anew at the mention of a tavern. I have
starved, Walter aye starved for the want of bread.
I have waded the cold winter drifts until my very
heart was chilled to its centre, and then been laughed
at by the crowd assembled. Pinched with cold and
hunger, I have begged for a wasting mother. That
mother died in a hovel, and was buried as a pauper,
the very fingers of death robbed of a wedding-ring
wherewith to purchase rum ! The tavern did it all.
May God's curse rest upon them ! '
" Minnie bowed her face in her hands, and wept
long and bitterly. I thought of my own mother, and
of the letter which so fearfully revealed her sad his-
tory, and mingled my own tears with hers.
" Late at night, I returned with a heavy heart to
my father's house.
"The next morning, I asked my father what it was
which he and his friends were so earnestly talking
A NEW PROJECT. 63
about at Mr. Hern ion's. There was a slight flush
upon his cheek as he looked me in the eye, and ab-
ruptly answered,
" 'A tavern, sir ! '
" That ' sir,' stung me. The tone and the look wera
somewhat startling. I at once saw that it was a mat-
ter which he did not wish to talk with me about ; but
I became emboldened, and determined to discounte-
nance the project, though all the magnates of the vil-
lage should favor it. 1 spoke confusedly, yet with all
the impetuous earnestness of youth. I felt that I was
right. I dared to denounce taverns as a curse as
places where men were made to neglect and abuse
their own families and disgrace themselves.
" I had unthinkingly touched a tender spot, and his
black eye kindled and flashed as he bent his full gazo
upon me. There was a paleness about his lips, and
he breathed huskily through his clenched teeth, while
a bitter and scornful smile gave his countenance a
dark and forbidding outline. I knew he was deeply
angered, yet feared him not. At any other time, I
should have shrunk from such portents, but my young
blood was up at his menacing appearance, and some
mysterious influence unclosed a torrent of warm
words from my lips. I followed up my blows, he
glaring at me, and his broad bosom heaving under
excitement.
" 'Boy ! ' at last he fiercely hissed between his hard-
Bet teeth as his rage found vent in words, i Soy ! no
more out of your head. I'll not be thus outraged by
64: MEN M IE HEBMON.
your impudence. I can attend to yours. Go, sir,
your presence can be dispensed with.'
" He literally stamped and chafed, but while he
boiled with passion, I became perfectly cool. 1 con-
fess that there was something of revenge in nay cool-
ness. The letter of my mother came up before me,
and every word glowed like hot lava in my blood and
burned upon my tongue's end. A pent-up tide of
bitterness against my father gushed fiercely up, and
I eagerly availed myself of the opportunity of re-
vealing the knowledge I had so painfully acquired,
of intemperance, and its fatal effects upon my mother.
He had not dreamed of such knowledge on my part,
and readily supposed that I knew more of his early
course than I really did. My unguarded and hot words
stung him like serpents, and he grew purple with
rage. Walking menacingly up to where I stood, he
raised his clenched hand, and with a fearful oath or-
dered me to be gone.
" 'Zeave the room, you young reptile,' he fiercely
said, his hand still raised. The blow which fell years
ago upon the dying mother, blistered upon my own
cheek, and I fearlessly retorted while looking him full
in the face,
" 'Strike ! the hand that basely crushed a broken
hearted mother, would have little hesitation in striking
the child.'
" My father's face grew livid as I deliberately pro-
nounced the words, and instead of striking me, as I
expected he would, he turned away like a drunken
A NEW PROJECT. 65
man, and reseated himself in his chair. I left the
room, regretting the harsh words I had spoken, and
yet not altogether displeased with the effect they evi-
dently produced upon him.
" Ever after, in our conversation, my father treated
me with marked coolness and reserve. I was grieved
at this, for I felt that from ray heart I wished his own
good in what I had said of a mother. Oh, if I could
at that time have enjoyed the light of that world-wide
flame which has since been kindled upon the temper-
ance altar, I feel that I could have headed-off the new
project.
" I freely and frankly told Minnie of the conversa-
tion which had passed between my father and myself.
" ' We are doomed,' said she, in reply. ' I have
warned father. I have reminded him of the promise
the sacred and solemn vow he made at the bedside
of my dying mother, as she placed my childish hands
in his never to visit a tavern, or drink again. I told
him of that mother's sufferings of my own of
his fearful fall, and long and dark pilgrimage of deg-
radation. I knelt to him and wet his hands with my
tears as I wept in the fullness of my grief, and be-
sought him by all that was dark in the past, com-
fortable in the present, and blissful in the future, to
abandon the tavern project. But, Walter, I have no
hope that he will, and I fear that my poor heart has
hardly tasted the bitterness yet to come. I can al-
ready see the result of this he is determined. The
tear that for a moment gathered in his eye, as I spoke
66 . MINNIE HERMON.
of my sainted mother in heaven, was chased away by
a flash of untamed passion, and he rudely bade me
desist. "Walter, the accursed work has already com-
menced! I learned that he had been then drinking,
and I have since found a bottle hidden away in tho
closet ! God pity me ! '
"The truth flashed upon me ; my own father had
been drinking at the time he exhibited such passion.
I had not dreamed that it was rum instead of rage
which caused him to reel as he turned away from rne
that morning. Our merchant kept liquors for medi-
cinal purposes, and it was there where the damning
fires of intemperance had been covertly kindled anew.
" I now felt myself older by years, than a few days.
Age had crept into my young heart, and chased tho
smile from my countenance. I felt that I stood in the
position of a protector to Minnie, for our whole com
munity were enlisted for the new tavern. I felt tho
full baptism of manhood come upon me, and spoke
boldly and frankly to her of love, and offered my
hand in marriage. She laid her hand in mine, and
with all the wealth of her deep and pure affection,
returned mine. I urged her to an immediate union,
and thus joined, to seek a retreat of our own, and to-
gether meet and turn aside the storm which was ga-
thering around us. But she would not yet consent.
She said she was the only kin of her father, and
could not consent to leave him alone and unwatched
over in the troubles which were evidently coining
upon him.
A NEW PROJECT. 67
" ' No, Walter, do not urge me. My love would
lead me with you to the ends of the earth, and
through any trial, but it seems to me that duty says,
stay. I fear the worst ; and if my father again falls
into that fearful abyss, who will care for him if I do
not ? I know all you would say of his past negli-
gence nay 5 cruelty but should I leave him while
there is a single hope ? It may be that I can save
him. At any rate, if I cannot stay the cloud whose
shadow already falls so darkly around us, I can cling
to him when it bursts.'
" My youthful earnestness my strong love of
Minnie, grew impatient under such reasoning ; but
she was firm, and I loved her the more as I witnessed
her deep and changeless devotion to the welfare of
her father. It revealed still more of that angelic
worth which had bound me so closely to the unassu
ming girl. Her heroic spirit gave me nerve, and I
left her with a stronger reliance upon my own man-
hood, to meet whatever of ill might be in store for
me."
CHAPTEE Y.
THE SPELL BROKEN EVIL COUNSELS PREVAIL.
" THE people were infatuated with the new project.
The remonstrances of Minnie and myself were but
the feather's weight against the determination of the
leading men of the community. I was looked upon
as a meddlesome, impertinent young fellow, and she
as a silly girl, whose feelings in the matter were in-
fluenced by me. The place demanded a publio house,
and the traveling public could not be accommodated
without one. The tavern must be opened.
" Minnie avowed her determination once more to at-
tempt to persuade her father to abandon the project
of opening the tavern.
" Late one evening, Mr. Hermon sat by the parlor
window, looking dreamily out upon the landscape
which lay like a fairy realm under its wealth of moon-
beams. Clear and calm, its smile stole silently in
upon the carpet, and lingered like the messenger of
innocence and purity upon the feverish cheek of the
old man. With as noiseless a step, the lights and the
shadows of other days lay mingled in the heart. The
holy beauty and the associations of the hour were
weavmg a spell over the heavings of a troubled spirit,
and the old man looked upward. Minnie well under-
stood the wayward moods of her father, and knew, as
THE SPELL BEOKEN. 69
she had watched him from her seat upon the sofa, that
his better nature was uppermost. With a gentle
touch she swept the strings of her harp, her soul vi-
brating in every tone as she bowed over the instru-
ment and wept. It had been her mother's harp, and
the air was a favorite one of hers ; its touching sweet-
ness often banishing the frown from her father's brow,
and melting his stern nature to tenderness.
" A tear glittered a moment on the cheek of Her-
mon, though brushed hastily away. But Minnie saw
it, and, uniting her voice with the harp, she gave the
words of the familiar hymn with all the sad fervor
which her heart could feel. There was a tear in hei
tones, and they mingled like the low sweep of an an-
gel's wing upon the stillness around. Hermon bowed
his face ere the last words had died away. That
hymn had opened the fountain of a thousand memo-
ries, and he could not but weep.
" With a beating heart, Minnie stole across the room
and kneeled at her father's feet, weaving her arms
around his knees and looking up in his face.
" * My own dear father ! here, upon my knees, I need
not tell you how much I love you. You know that
no fortune can drive me from you. In the dark past
I have clung more closely, as every other friend de-
serted. Father ! look upon your only kin. As you
love me my sainted mother who smiles upon us to-
night, as you love yourself and Heaven, tell me
now that you will have nothing to do with this tavern
business. Will you not, my father ? ' And the
70 MINNIE HERMON.
pleading girl caught his hand, and warmed it with
her tears. Emotion stirred the strong man as he felt
the pure gush upon his parched hand, and his heart
was moved to say as she wished. The dark tempter
was weakened in that bitter hour, and before the
daughter's pleading; but yet the fearful bonds were
upon him. The large drops stood out upon his fore-
head, and Hermon would have joyed to have escaped
the toils which were weaving around him.
" ' But I have promised, my child,' at last said her
father, hesitatingly.
. " ' God help you to break that promise ! ' fervently
replied Minnie. ' Happiness and Heaven are worth
more than faith kept with wrong. I need not tell
you all that I feel, father ; but bitter wo is upon us
if you keep the promise. As you promised my moth-
er, so promise me this night, and we will still be
happy. Will you not?'
"Minnie had arisen, and was imprinting a kiss oil
the old man's cheek, when footsteps were heard in
the hall. My father and Deacon McGarr wished to
Bpeak with Mr. Hermon.
" The holy spell was broken, and the tempter was
triumphant. "When Minnie again saw her father, the
usual frown was upon -his features, and the fume of
mm was upon his lip. No effort of hers could obtain
a word from him in relation to the matter sc pain-
fully interesting to her. The next morning witnessed
demonstrations which destroyed all her hopes of de-
feating the plan.
THE SPELL BROKEN'. 71
" The carpenters and masons were soon at work re-
pairing, remodeling, and adding to, the dwelling of
Mr. Hermon. A ' bar-room ' was built on, and the
upper story of the main building made into a 'ball
room.' Sheds and stables were erected on the beau
tiful yard below the dwelling ; the bright and smooth
greensward was cut up with hoofs and wheels, and
covered with lumber, and stone, and sand. The wide-
topped maples, now loaded with all the gorgeous
wealth of their autumn garniture of gold and crimson,
were considered in the way of ' improvements,' and
were cut down. I watched the axe as stroke after stroke
eat to the heart's core, and every blow hurt my own.
I had passed some of the brightest hours of my ex-
istence beneath their wide branches, and when the
rustling pyramids fell to the ground with a sigh, I
felt that old friends had been severed from the earth.
Their limbless trunks were rudely dragged awa;y
through the dirt, and the scattered leaves rudely
trodden under foot.
" The dwelling of Mr. Hermon assumed an entire
new aspect. The sound of the hammer, the saw, and
the trowel, rang out through the quiet village, and
kept alive the discussion about the tavern. Citizens
assembled at evening to smoke and talk the matter
over, each suggesting this and that improvement
good matrons stopped from their shopping or visiting
to gaze over their specks at the change, while the
'ball-room' elicited the liveliest attention 01 the
misses. The boys looked on with childish wonder
72
and gratification, and danced around the blazing pile
of shavings which the carpenters had fired in the
street at nightfall.
" The tavern was soon completed. The ' bar ' was
nicely arranged, and received the unanimous admira-
tion of the villagers ; for all, as they came in every
evening to see how the thing ' got along,' had sugges-
tions to make. A small piazza was built in front of
the bar-room, and a broad bench placed the entire
length, for the accommodation of customers. A new
cedar pump had been put into the well, the top
' peaked ' and painted white.
" The tavern awaited the furniture. The neighbors
made a ' bee ' and cleared away the rubbish in front,
and drew in gravel around the shed and ' stoop.' The
jug passed around freely during the afternoon, and
at night a garrulous group gathered on the benches
under the stoop, and for the hundredth time spoke of
the great benefits which were to result from the tavern.
" A ' sign ' was needed to announce the home for the
traveler. After much consultation and suggestion of
many names, that of ' Traveler's Home ' was fixed
apon. The sign was soon completed, with scrolls and
gilded spear points, and swung up near the pump be-
twixt two tall posts. On the centre of the board, the
painter had placed a beehive, as an emblem of indus-
try and thrift, and beneath, the motto, 'peace and
plenty.' The sign made a very neat appearance, and
for a few days received the same attentions from tho
villagers as had the other improvements.
THE SPELL BBOKEN. 73
" One more arrangement, and the tavern would be
ready to go into operation. There was a law regula-
ting the sale of liquors and the keeping of public
houses, allowing none but moral men to engage in so
honorable and necessary an avocation. The tavern
must be legally kept.
" At that day, the man who had dared to intimate
that a tavern could be kept without liquor, would
have been hooted at as a fool or madman. For how
could travelers be entertained without ' accommoda-
tions ? ' The weary wayfarer would suffer alternately
with heat and cold, if there was nothing to ' take.'
A man or beast entertained at a public house where
liquors were not sold !
" The supervisor and the justices of the peace were
notified of the completion of Mr. Hermon's tavern,
and applied to as a board of excise, for a license to
keep it legally, or according to law. That grave body
assembled the last of October, for it was important
that a public house should be opened before the fall
election."
CHAPTER VI.
THE "HOME" A WRONG REGULATED.
THE reader will remember that we have been in-
troducing our characters upon the stage while the
arrangements were completing for the licensing of
the 'Traveler's Home.' There are many more actora
to be introduced before the drama all passes before
the reader.
Late in the evening before the day of the meet-
ing of the excise board, the villagers were gathered
on the steps of the ' Home,' or setting on the benches,
all deeply interested in the success of the new enter
prise, and calculating on the benefits to the place by
a large increase of business. Deacon McGarr, one
of the justices, the supervisor, and several others of
the magnates, were conversing in a low and earnest
tone, of the probable rise in the value of the village
lots and water privileges. Conspicuous above all was
the village blacksmith.
We must give an outline of ' Jim Gaston,' IF thc-
huge Vulcan was familiarly called by his neighbors,
as he will again appear in some of the futr.ro
chapters.
Gaston's proportions were giant-like, he being; six
feet and eight inches in height, and of immense breadth
of shoulders and strength of limb. His fist was as
THE "HOME." 75
large as his own sledge, and calloused with industri-
ous toil. His huge head was buried in a dense un-
dergrowth of black, bushy hair, features coarse and
bronzed, but pleasant with the smile of undeviating
good nature. In his broad bosom was as warm and
true a heart as ever beat for family or friend, and all
who knew him respected him as a genial-hearted,
hard-working, honest man. With all his physical
strength, Gaston had never been known to have an
angry word in his life, with a customer or neighbor.
On the contrary, he had on several occasions prompt*
ly, though good-naturedly, used his strength in de-
fence of the weaker against the stronger. His own
broad smile and happy disposition were infectious,
and, winter or summer, early or late, his stentorian
voice was heard, the accompaniment of his hammei 1
and anvil.
Gaston, in his red flannel shirt, his open bosom and
heavy neck and face begrimmed with smut from his
day's toil at the forge, was cracking his good-humored
jokes, as he sat on a pile of lumber in front of the
stoop, and his deep hearty laugh rolling out from a
wide throat. He was watching a merry group of
children who were playing " hide and seek " in the
thickening twilight, as happy as the happiest of them
all. One pale and diminutive little fellow had nestled
closely under the massive legs of the good-natured
blacksmith, and a larger one behind his wide shoul-
ders. "While the boy on the " gool" was hunting his
comrades under the shed, Gaston clasped the boy at
76 MINNIE HERMON.
his back, and carelessly walked with him to the gool
without suspicion, and dropped him upon it. No
child laughed harder tian he at the little ruse. Such
are the outlines of " Jim Gaston," the blacksmith.
The evening had well advanced, and Deacon
McGarr arose to go. At that moment Hermon came
out of the bar-room with a glass and decanter in his
hand, and passed to the end of the stoop where
McGarr was lingering and talking with Gaston a
moment, about some work to be done early in the
morning.
" Deacon," said Hermon, " I suppose there is no
doubt about my having a license to sell ; and as I al-
ready have my liquors on hand, perhaps you would
like to try a glass. I rather pride myself on my
choice selection."
" Well, I don't know what have you in the do-
canter? " and McGarr's eye glistened as he rolled a
huge tobacco quid from his cheek into his hand and
tossed it into the street, wiping his palm on his pants.
" Brandy, Deacon fourth proof, and as smooth
as oil. I can vouch for its quality," and Hermon
poured a stiff horn into the tumbler, and handed it to
McGarr.
Sure enough, the brandy went down like oil, and
McGarr gave an approving ahem as he wiped his lips
with the back of his hand ; then planting his feet
well apart and throwing out his capacious person with
a pompous swing as he raised upon his toes, ho
pulled his large tin tobacco-box from his pocket, and
THE "HOME." 77
compressing a startling roll in his thumb and three fin-
gel's, twisted it into his mouth, and with his tonguo
thrust it to the accustomed receptacle in the cheek ;
then putting his thumbs in the arm-hples of his vest,
and sticking out his little fingers in ludicrous efforts
to show off his importance by discussing the qualities
of the liquor he had drank at different times, spitting
dSgnifiedly, working his little fingers, and swaying
backwards and forwards alternately upon his toes
and heels.
The decanter went round, and all drinked of the
brandy, though the most of them made horrible faces
as the raw liquid went down their throats. Among
the latter was Gaston and the oldest son of McGarr.
As the unwieldy blacksmith strangled and gasped
for water and the tears stood in his eyes, the older part
of the company enjoyed a hearty laugh. The matter
was more serious with young McGarr, and the children
who remained were merry at his tears and wry faces.
" It is nothing to laugh at," said old McGarr, evi-
dently a little piqued, as he stroked his chin with his
hand ; " Harry is but a mere boy, and has not the ex-
perience of older people."
The company ceased laughing, and young McGan
took courage and looked up, with a boldness which
gave promise of speedy manhood in the matters
spoken of. His ambition was aroused to arrive at
that point where he could swallow the dram as well
as older men.
' A fatal ambition.
78 MINNIE liEBMON.
The villagers bad all departed to their homes, and
the long, wide street was hushed and still. Not a
light was to be seen, or a footfall heard. Thick, mur-
ky clouds had gathered around the horizon, and the
increasing night wind sighed dismally through the
branches of the maple which had been left standing
near the shed of the "Traveler's Home."
From the window of the sitting-room there now
came the hum of voices, low, half whispering and
sad, like the falling of tear-drops in the stillness of
the night. It was Minnie Hennon and Walter Bray-
ton, in sad communion upon the matter so fearfully
interesting to them.
" Is there no way, "Walter, by which this scheme
can be defeated ? I am as certain that ruin will come
of it, as that the morning will dawn. Oh, were I a
man ! "
" What would you, what could you do, Minnie, to
avert the result? The house is all arranged, the
liquors are here, and to-morrow the board meets to
give your father a license. Tell me."
Walter spoke earnestly and sadly, for her words had
wounded him. Minnie had lost her resolute tone, and
hung her head as she thought she had said too much.
" Pardon me, Walter, for I spoke from the strength
of feeling and not soberly. I don't know that any-
thing can be done. I have plead, but it all does no
good. I have said all that I dare to ; but, Walter,
father is changed of late he frowns and curses an
he did when mother was living."
TIIK 1IOMK. 79
""Well, Minnie," said Brayton, with assumed con-
fidence, "let us hope for the best. I have made up
my mind to attend the meetings of the board to-
morrow, and protest against the matter."
" It will do no good, "Walter, they will all be
against you."
" No matter ; your father they all will be offend-
ed, but they shall hear me," and Walter Brayton,
firm in the strength of an honest purpose, raised him-
self to his full height, as if eager to grapple with some
imaginary enemy.
With the sky overcast and the darkness around
(hem, Minnie and Walter whispered kindly words to
each other and parted. She listened to his retreating
footsteps and to the sighing wind, and closed the door
with darkening thoughts.
It had rained during the night, enough to prevent
the farmers from attending their usual avocations on
the following day. This, with the interest which the
uew tavern created, attracted a large number of peo-
ple to the village, and when the hour came for the as-
sembling of the board, the " Home " was thronged.
The members were proud of their positions, and of
appearing before their townsmen on an occasion of
BO much importance, and so, to make the matter as
public as possible, they adjourned from the small sit-
ting-room to the new and capacious ball chamber.
Even this room was soon filled, and the benches by
the walls were soon crowded, and a large number
standing in the open space. No one could correctly
80 MINNIE HEEMON.
determine what particular tiling had called the large
assembly together, but an unusual official proceeding
was to take place, and the interest was intense. They
were to see a tavern licensed !
There was a busy hum among the people, and all
were anxiously awaiting the commencement of the
proceedings.
At last Deacon McGarr took it upon himself to walk
around behind the table, and after looking wisely
through his spectacles upon the assembly, proceeded
to call the board to order ; whereupon the other mem-
bers modestly took their places at the table. The
supervisor was a white-haired old gentleman an
honest and well-meaning old farmer, but little used
to public business. The remaining members were of
the average material selected in country towns for
such positions.
McGarr was still standing, one hand in his panta-
loons pocket and the other resting upon the back of "
the statute, which had occupied a conspicuous place
before him, he still looking solemnly over his specta-
cles, as if to awe into perfect silence before he pro-
ceeded farther. Just at this juncture there was a
bustle at the door, and the tall form of Colonel "VYes-
ton appeared conspicuous. McGarr assumed a bland
smile and beckoned the Colonel towards him, and
while the wealthy young farmer was elbowing his
way through the crowd, the Deacon had officially
driven some of the smaller fry from their seats, and
secured a wide berth for him near the table. Close
THE "HOME/* 81
in the wake of "Western swayed the huge form of the
blacksmith, his face covered with smut and smiles.
The Deacon did not esteem Gaston as important a
personage, and left him standing in the crowd, his
shoulders and open flannel shirt bosom conspicuous
above the heads of them all.
After Weston had taken his seat, McGarr looked
as sternly and solemnly as ever over his spectacles,
and then elevating his face and looking through them,
his hands locked under the skirts of his coat behind
him, after spitting with due precision, he broke the
impressive silence.
" I suppose, gentlemen, you are all aware of the
object which has convened us here."
The Deacon dropped his head impressively and
looked over his spectacles, after adjusting them more
carefully upon his nose and again putting his hands
together under his coat tails. Finding that the si-
lence was duly respected, he spit again, and con-
tinued.
" I say, gentlemen, we are met here as a board of
exercise, for the purpose of granting a license to Mr.
Hermon, to keep a tavern. I need n't 'lucidate on
the advantages of a tavern in a place like this. No,
gentlemen, it is plain to every one, that a house
for the accommodation of the public, is highly needed
among us. Ipersume there is not a single descending
voice against a tavern not one."
Mr. McGarr, at the conclusion of the last sentence,
given in an emphatic tone, jerked his thick body vio-'
82 MINNIE HERMON.
lently forward to make it still more emphatic, his
specs falling from his nose upon the table. A titter
ran round the outside of the room, among the young-
er portion of the audience, and the Deacon colored
deeply at such an interruption of his speech. But he
wiped his specs, and as he again put them on, he
dropped his brow, rolled his quid to the other side of
his mouth, and again looked silently around over his
glasses.
"Gentlemen and la gentlemen. "We need a
tavern. Our feller citizen, Mr. Hermon, has prepared
to keep one, and wants a license. He is a man of
excellent moral character, and we are obliged as a
board of exercise, to give him one. The law is plain
on this j?Mi." As he concluded, he took his specs off
with one hand, and with the other dropped the
; ' statoo " emphatically upon the table. "With a self-
satisfied air, he pulled away his coat skirts and sat
down, crossing his legs and resting his thumbs in his
vest. As he looked around to see what effect his
speech had made upon the spectators, he slowly
stroked his chin, and drummed on the floor with his
foot.
No one said a word, and McGarr, with a conde-
scending air, finally suggested that perhaps others
might wish to make a few remarks upon the subject
" before them. "Whereupon the supervisor raised about
half way up, with his hand resting upon the post of
his chair, and stammered out the idea that there ought
to be a tavern in the place, and then sat down,
THE "HOME." S3
drawing a long breath. During this time, Mr. Tler-
mon was standing in front of the table, with his hat
in his hand, his chin resting upon the crown. Old
Mr. Bray ton was resting upon the corner of the
table.
" Gentlemen, as you have given opportunity, I wish
to make a few remarks."
All turned as these words, in low and tremulous
but pleasant and distinct tones, arrested their atten-
tion. Deacon McGarr so far forgot his dignity as to
raise himself partially from his chair, and look
towards that part of the room from whence the
voice proceeded ; then putting his. hand behind his
ear, in a listening attitude, he requested the gentle-
man to speak louder. Thus assured, the speaker
stood upon the bench where all could see him. It
was Walter Brayton. His countenance was flushed,
and he hesitated with embarrassment, but he was
committed and all eyes were turned upon him.
"I see, my friends, that I shall be alone in what 1
have to say, but before God I believe I am in the
right, and I must speak honestly. Alone though I
may be, I most earnestly and solemnly protest against
this whole affair. I know that I shall offend when I
say it, but I think I can see that your tavern, instead
of being a benefit, will be a deep and lasting injury.
It ought never to be."
Walter spoke rapidly, but with an honest energy
which riveted attention. His were novel thoughts at
that day, and his a bold and embarrassing position.
4
84 MINNIE HERMON.
But there wa the ring of the true metal in his manly
tones, and had he been spared in his strength until a
later day, his moral heroism would have made him a
leader whose words would have been a trumpet's
blast.
Deacon McGarr looked more sternly than ever over
his glasses, and chewed his quid rapidly, casting- in-
quiring looks from the father to the son. The elder
Brayton sat with a frown and compressed lip, and
Ilermon looked angrily towards McGarr.
" Does the young man know what he is talking
about?" asked McGarr, with attempted sternness,
eyeing Walter over his glasses.
" Yes, sir," replied the latter, respectfully but firm-
ly ; "I am talking of a tavern which you propose
this day to empower to sell intoxicating liquors to
jour neighbors. I know that I am talking to older
men, but I believe that the result of your action wil]
bring desolation and sorrow to your homes and fami
lies in the future. This is a peaceful, happy commu-
nity now, but you commence the retail of spirituous
liquors, and in my humble opinion, every one of you,
gentlemen of the board, will regret it."
" Does the young man dare to imprecate the board
of exercise? Such language cannot be permitted.
The young man will please take his seat. Boys like
he should not presume to label the board. What
does he know about licensed taverns, and by whose
authority does he come here to instruct men like we
are?"
THE " HOME." 85
McGarr grew pale with anger as he proceeded, and
sat down with tlie air of one who felt that he had an-
nihilated his man. But he was mistaken in the metal
of Walter Bray ton. The sneering tone and everbear-
ing manner of the Deacon aroused the lion in him;
and with a kindling eye and erect form he burst fortli
in a torrent of burning eloquence, which startled and
thrilled by its power. The natural orator was there,
and that audience, against him though they were,
listened in wrapt attention.
" Yes," he spoke in conclusion, his clear ringing
voice slightly tremulous with emotion, "your tavern
will prove a curse. I cannot foretell all its results,
but it will prove a curse. Deacon McGarr, in a man-
ner and tone unworthy one of his profession, has
sneered at my youth. My boyhood is no crime.
Boy as I am, I could reveal a history which would
draw tears from every eye a history of hopes ruined
of suffering and of death."
"This cannot be tolerated; your stories have no-
thing to do with the matter before the board," ex-
claimed McGarr, in a loud and angry tone. " You
will take your seat, sir."
" I have done, Deacon McGarr my painful duty
is performed." Here Walter caught his father's eye,
uow flashing with anger, and he continued.
"You ask me by what authority I come here. I
have the same right as every other American citizen.
In behalf of the women and children of this commu-
nity ; of a sorrowing, broken-hearted mother who is
86 MINNIE HERMON
at rest in her grave by that well-won. Bible wliicli
/urn snatched from her dying pillow ; by ten thou-
sand histories of wrong and Buffering, I most solemnly
protest against this proceeding. You will see the
time when you'will curse this day with hearts of
deepest bitterness, every one of you. I have done/'
" And it ought to be cursed ! "
A strangely deep and startling voice broke in upon
ihe stillness which followed the speech of Walter
Brayton. There was a movement to see from whence
it came, and McGarr, livid with ill-suppressed rage,
called out,
"Who is that?"
" One your tavern is to benefit, Deacon McGarr/ 1
find he stepped up in fair view, arid fixed his fiery red
but piercing eye full upon the dignitary he addressed.
We recognize our acquaintance in the seaman's
jacket and broad-brimmed tarpaulin.
"The man is drunk he is drunk, put him out
Constable Gaston, put him out I order you ! "
The dignity of the waspish official had been too
deeply insulted, and he fairly danced with excess of
rage.
" Put him out, I say I order you to put him out,"
and the exasperated Deacon snatched his glasses off
and pointed to where the seaman still stood, looking
calmly and sneeringly upon the scene. Gaston good-
naturedly laid his huge hand on the man's shoulders
and led him peacefully down stairs.
That speech of Walter Brayton's was a glorious ono
THE " HOME." 87
for that day, but the granting of the license was a
foregone conclusion, and as soon as the excitement
had subsided, the board, after some favorable remarks
from Colonel Weston, proceeded to complete the
business which had called them together, and the
" Travelers Home " was licensed. That evening and
the following day the " Home " was open to all, and
liquors free.
The first results were in progress.
CHAPTER Yli.
DEATH IN THE ATTIO.
DARKNESS rests like a pall upon the streets which
are now deserted. The busy throng which has swept
the thoroughfares until late at night, has ceased to
flow, and the great metropolis no longer throbs its
living tide through the accustomed arteries. The
snow has been falling fast for an hour, and the sharp
gusts sweep round the corner and go wailing down
the dim avenues, as if sorrowing for human woe.
The lamp lights gleam pale and sickly out through the
storm. The policemen, or some reveller, and the
winds, alone disturb the silence that reigns.
Turn downward where the lepers of want and vice
have gathered as if in sympathy. The foul crater is
active, for its more deadly fumes ascend in the dark-
ness of the night. Down below the surface of earth,
are pits where the ruffianly and the vile are at their
revels. There. is a faint, deathly glare from the dirty
windows, and, in spite of the wintry blast, an occa-
sional breath of the rum hell reeking beneath. And
then there often comes up some startling ha ! ha ! to
mingle with the shrieking of the wind.
Here is a dark alley, scarce wide enough to admit a
person, and running back where no light breaks in
DEATH IN THE ATTIC. 89
upon the impenetrable darkness. The foot strikes a
step and we climb upward upon a creaking fright of
stairs. The snow and wind whirl fiercely over the
roof and shake the crazy structure to its founda-
tion, but we lean closer to the walls and mount
upward.
Five stories up, and we stand upon a narrow plat-
form and peer down with a whirling brain into the
black ocean below. Turning into a narrow hall, we
stand before a shattered door, revealing a feeble light
within. Even in this winter night, the miasma of
pollution floats through the building like a pestilence.
What a scene, as we enter that chamber ! Here
poverty and want grin in their ghastly loneliness and
solitude. The silence of desolation broods over all,
and the faint lamp-light flickering to its wane, is like
the beam which creeps up from the exhalations of
the grave. There is not a coal in the grate, nor a
chair in the room. The gusts of wind sift the snow
through the cracks by the door, and an involuntary
chill steals over the surface and then into the heart.
Starvation, gaunt, pinched and spectral, stalks before
the imagination, and mingles a footfall with every
gust that rattles the shattered door.
And do human creatures dwell in such abodes
ao this ?
Hist !
There is a sound in that dark corner. There is a
sigh as if a life of agony were crushed at once from
the heart. And then a spectre form slowly rises and
90 MINNIE HERMON.
stalks towards the light. It is a woman, but God!
how thm and haggard ! A fiercer gust shakes the old
building. She stands in a listening attitude, as its
low wail dies away, and then, wildly staring at va-
cancy, takes her seat mechanically upon a box by tho
light. Her face is thin, and every feature the foot-
print of unutterable agony. The eyes are sunken
and inflamed, but as tearless as her cheek and lip are
bloodless. The latter is thin and drawn closely, as if
in mortal suffering, over her teeth.
She leans towards- the waning taper, and takes a
garment in her hand upon which she has been sew-
ing. How fearfully tearless and calm she appears.
We look until some nightmare fascination chains us to
the spot. Save a startling wildness about the eye, it
would not seem that those features had ever been
stirred by a human passion. She holds her hands
towards the light in the attempt to thread her needle,
but fails ; and still, with her hands extended, stares at
the dim taper.
There is a stirring in the heap of rags beside her,
and the woman starts as if stung by an adder. The
faintest flush passes over her cheek, and she mutters
to herself as she more hurriedly essays to thread tho
needle.
From that heap of rags a boy has come forth!
Child of ten years, perhaps he stands before that
spectral mother, and in husky whispers asks for bread.
She stares strangely into his face, and still mutters to
herself.
DEATH IN THE ATTIC. 91
The boy is almost naked and shivering with cold,
and upon those childish features hunger has written
enough to pierce the hardest heart. The very look
is a hopeless, heart-breaking agony. The child bows
his head in that woman's lap with a sob-like moan,
and then moves with a languid step to the grate and
lays his fingers, already blue with cold, upon the
frosty iron. The chill causes him to start, and he re-
turns moaning to the woman. The hand has fallen
in her lap, and the boy lays his cold cheek down upon
it and weeps. She laughs ! but it is the low, horrible
ha ! ha ! of the maniac !
" Mother ! dear mother, give me one mouthful of
bread. Hain't there bread enough .where Pa has
gone ? Mother, will God give me bread if I say my
prayers ? "
The child kneels, and the prayer his mother taught
him goes feebly up against the wail of the blast, and
then, with weariness and hunger, the little pleader
falls to sleep on his knees, his head on his mother's
hand.
That mother smiles as she still stares at vacancy.
The storm has passed, and the morning light
of the Sabbath dawns upon the great city. Tho
church bells are pealing out the Sabbath melody,
and gay throngs of people are wending along to the
richlv furnished churches. Here are shawls whicL
92 MINNIE HERMON.
a queen might envy, and equipages of princely
splendor.
Early this Sabbath morning, a cold-hearted land-
lord goes up the lone stairway for the promised pit-
tance of rent, and knocks at the door, which the
reader has already entered. He awaits but a moment
and angrily enters.
" No playing games with me, madam. That money
or leave. D'ye hear, woman ? "
The ruffian was used to scenes of suffering, but he
started back at the one before him. That pale, hag-
gard woman-spectre was still seated by the lamp now
burned out, the garment and needle in her hand,
and that horrible smile upon her features, and that
wild eye gazing into vacancy.
The lamp had burned down and died out in its
socket. The lamp of life, too, had waned during that
cold, dreary night, and a corpse sat there, holding the
needle in the emaciated fingers, and smiling in death.
The boy slept against the rigid and pulseless form of
the toil-worn, heart-broken, hungered mother.
That day the officer entered the fireless chamber
to remove the dead seamstress. In that dark corner,
where the woman was first seen, was the husband.
He had been a corpse for more than ten days, and
she toiling to escape starvation, and watching with
the shroudless, unburied dead.
The two found a home and an endless rest in " Pot-
ter's Field," and the pinched and starving boy, bread
in the alms-house.
DEATH IN THE ATTIC. 93
Another act in the great tragedy of intemperance
had been played out, and the curtain of wintry clod
and snow closed upon the principal actors. The
fashionable throng passed from their churches, while
the starved paupers went to their graves.
CHAPTEE YIII.
A -WEDDING AT THE COTTAGE "ONLY ONE GLASS.'
ACROSS the stream, upon the overhanging bank, was
one of the loveliest spots in the village. The village
doctor dwelt here. The cottage was nearly hidden
in a dense grove of sugar maples, dotted here and
there with green pyramids of the spruce and the fir,
and the clean gravel walk wound deviously among
the shrubbery from the threshold ta the gate, through
a rich carpeting of green. Autumn had already
commenced its language of beauty upon the foliage ;
and, mixed with the more copious green of summer,
was the golden yellow, with scattering tufts of scarlet,
gleaming like wreaths of flame in the pure October
sunlight. The eaves of the cottage were green with
moss, and the wild vines had crept up one corner and
clung closely to the old water trough, and dropped in
graceful festoons before the quaint old window in the
gable. Back of the dwelling were two old pear trees,
reaching far up into the sky, and their trunks green
with the moss of years. A little farther, and the grape
had climbed into a wild plum, and an impenetrable
canopy of cool green network hung gracefully above
the old seat at the roots. Sloping back from the gar-
den, -was a meadow reaching down until the turf dip-
ONLY ONE GLASS.
A WEDDING AT THE COTTAGE. 97
ped its lorg green fringe into the stream. Back of
all, the hills beat up against the sky with their robing
of dark evergreen, flecked here and there with the
crimsoning maple or yellow birch.
One might hunt for years and not find a lovlicr
epot.
Ten years before the time of which we are writing,
there was sorrow in the old cottage. The sun smiled
sweetly in the west and into the high old windows,
but there were dark shadows on hearts within. An
old man was wrestling with death. Delirium was
upon him, and he raved in his madness of a stranger
name, and cursed and died. The orphan child who
had never known a mother, wept in all the bitterness
of childhood's grief upon the corpse of her father.
She knew not that the madness which swept the sky
of his life's last evening, was the madness of the bowl.
She found herself alone in the old cottage, a beauti-
ful, sorrowing orphan.
But childhood's sorrows pass away. The sun smiles
upon the tear-drops of the passing storm. Ten years
went by, and the orphan child had bloomed into
faultless womanhood, and moved a star in the
circles around her, for she was as good as she waa
lovely.
The gifted and noble young Howard had settled in
llie place and commenced the practice of medicine.
His talent, professional skill, and high moral worth,
made him at once a favorite. Re was a young man
of rare promise, though without means. His practice
98 MINNIE HERMON.
led him to form the acquaintance of the lovely orphan,
and a strong mutual attachment sprang up between
them.
One evening in June there was a gathering at th
cottage, and light-he&rted throngs rustled up the
walks to the shadowy old porch. Lights streamed
from the windows, and pleasant voices went out upon
the still and balmy air. Merry groups gathered upon
the soft greensward, or tripped with low whispers
through the balcony, hidden by green jealousies and
pendant boughs. An ocean of pure moonlight bathed
the world in its mellow flood.
A wedding party has gathered Howard and tho
fair orphan are to stand at the altar.
All was light and joy in the old cottage. The
" Doctor " was a favorite, and the invitation had been
general ; and the old and the young of both sexes
were gathered on the occasion.
There was a sound of merry voices floating from
the open windows out upon the calm night air, with
a pleasant mingling of laughter and music. The par
eon had not yet made his appearance, and spirits
were buoyant and tongues unfettered.
"Is what I hear true, Colonel, about the Doctor?
Or is it some neighborhood gossip ? "
This question was put by Miss Anson, (next to tho
orphan heiress, the belle of the village,) to Colonel
Weston, a young and wealthy farmer, as they were
promenading arm in arm up and down the grave]
walk in front of tne mansion.
A WEDDING AT THE COTTAGE. 99
" To what do you allude, Miss Anson ? " answered
Tfeston.
" "Why, have n't you heard ? why, it is the neigh-
borhood talk that the Doctor refuses to have wine at
his wedding!"
" Is it possible ! I had not heard it before. But
surely he will not so far depart from propriety and
fashionable custom, as to treat his friends and guests
thus disrespectfully ? "
" I don't know about that. Miss Knight told me
last evening, and she says that Miss Nelson's brother
told her, that the Doctor positively refused to have
wine at his wedding. I fear thero is something
in it."
" Surely,"- replied the Colonel, in unfeigned aston-
ishment, " the Doctor cannot be so beside himself. I
know he is somewhat eccentric in these matters, but
what unaccountable whim has come over him now?"
" I don't know. But if he persists, it will do him
a great injury. It is already the town talk. Some
friend should see him and talk him out of it. Not
have wine at a wedding ! and belonging, too, to the
first society ? "
Miss Anson felt indignant at such a contemplated
violation of fashion and good breeding, and proceeded
to commiserate the feelings of the bride under cir
cumstances so mortifying to her pride and good taste.
"Well, well," said Colonel "Weston, musingly,
" this will never do. I will see Doctor Howard my-
self. He must not take a step so objectionable and
100 MINNIE HERMON.
improper. Let me surrender my pleasant post, Miss
Anson, to Mr. Mason for a few moments, while I go
to do my friend a kindness."
" I will most cheerfully accept the trust, Colonel
Weston, and shall not look anxiously for your re-
turn. Colonel "Weston bowed, and passed into the
house.
" Have you heard anything of this strange freak of
Doctor Howard, about not having any wine at his
wedding, Mr. Mason ? "
" I suppose I know something of the matter, and
must say that I regret that it is true. The house-
keeper came yesterday and got the wine at our store,
but it was without the knowledge of Howard. Mis
tress sent her."
" How strange you talk ! What on earth can have
possessed the man to take such a course?"
" Indeed, Miss Anson, it is as strange to me as to
all his friends. If he persists in such folly, it will in-
jure him most deeply throughout the community.
Such a breach of propriety would hardly be for-
given."
" Inj ure him ? indeed it will ! His friends should
look to the matter. Colonel Weston has already gone
to reason him out of his singular determination. Not
have wine at a wedding ? Who ever heard of the like ? "
" Let us hope, Miss Anson, that this matter will all
yet pass off properly. No one would regret more
than myself, such conduct in a gentleman of Doctor
Howard's character and standing."
A "WEDDING AT THE COrTAGE. 101
The matter had already got noised about, and other
groups were discussing the question with as much
earnestness as though the future happiness and posi-
tion of the young couple depended upon the circula-
tion of wine among the wedding guests.
While the groups in the yard and on the veranda,
were discussing the matter in whispers, there was an-
other discussion in the chamber. There was Doctor
Howard and his young bride, awaiting the arrival of
the parson.
" Well, Henry," spoke Miss James, in low tones,
"I do not wish to insist on having the wine handed
around. On my own part, I care nothing about it;
but what will the people say ? "
" Let us not care, dear one, what people say. I do
not like to be a slave to custom, and especially to a
custom which I know to be wrong."
" You speak earnestly, Henry, of a very fashiona
ble custom. What objection can you have how do
you know it is wrong ? I am sure I am anxious to
see the matter in the light that you do, but I fear our
friends will be offended if we banish wine on this oc-
casion. Do you not ? "
"They might, but it seems to me that if they knew
what I know, they would shun the accursed cup of
the enchantress."
The bride was startled at the depth and energy of
Howard's tones, and watched with interest the shad-
ows that passed over his fine countenance. There
was sadness there, for the gifted and noble man was
102 MINNIE HEKMON.
looking away upon the dark canvass of childhood,
where still lingered the scene of a boy, hui gry and
oold, weeping himself to rest in the lap of a dead
mother in the garret. The boy had learned in after
years, the cause of his early bereavement and suffer
ing. and shrunk from the glass as he would from a
serpent's hiss.
" No, no," sadly spoke Howard, as he aroused him-
self from his musing, " do not over persuade me in
this matter. I may be asking much, but there is a
shadow of a coming ill resting upon me, and I cannot
shake it off, and it seems strongly associated with this
wine business. Agree with me in this, Ellen, and I
will bless you always."
Howard stood before her, and a tear came upon
her own lid as she saw his sad face. She laid hei
hand in his affectionately and smiled.
" You have conquered let it go as you wish. I
seill not press you now, but some time hence I will
ask you why you so earnestly urge this strange wish,
for I am sure there is much behind it all, which you
have not told me."
There was a hush in the room, and the talking
nearly ceased the parson had arrived. As his tall
form and cold, severe countenance appeared in the
hall, a change fell upon the spirits of the company.
He bowed stiffly, and turned his dull grey eye search-
ingly upon those in the room. That face will become
familiar to the reader the parson is Snyder
The marriage ceremony was completed. Conver-
A WEDDING AT THE COTTAGE. 103
sation had just commenced briskly again, when the
old house-keeper beckoned Howard from tne hall
door. As he passed into the hall, he found young
Mason expostulating with the old lady about the wine
question. Mason insisted that the wish of Howard
was a mere whim, and that, as a friend, he should
take the liberty of sending around the wine. This
the old lady refused assent to without the knowledge
of Howard, and so beckoned him out.
Upon learning the reason why he was called out,
a shade of anger settled upon his features, and he
asked sternly why the matter had thus been broached,
after his wishes had been made known.
" Nay, but you must pardon us," replied Mason.
" As a friend, I insist that on this occasion you shall
not persist in so wide a departure from the customs
of well-regulated society. You wrong yourself and
give offence to your friends. The people will think,
Howard, that you are mad."
" I do not see," replied Howard, promptly, " why
the people, as you call them, should interfere or med-
dle with a matter of this kind, which only concerns
me and mine. I have my own reasons for this de-
parture from what you call the customs of well-regu-
lated society a custom, however, which, permit me
honestly to affirm, it were far more honorable to re-
pudiate than to adopt. If you are my friends, you
ought not to insist longer upon this violatior of my
earnest wishes. You will pardon my seeming
warmth, for you who know me will believe that I
104 MINNIE HERMON.
have reasons for my course which are satisfactory to
myself."
Howard turned on his heel and was passing through
Ihe group which had gathered, when Colonel Weston
came up he having learned the subject under dis-
cussion. The Colonel was an impulsive, frank, bold
man, and had already tested the wine by the favor of
the old house-keeper.
" High times, indeed, Howard, when you delib-
erately attempt to freeze up the happiness of this oc
casion, by withholding that which gives joy its purest
flow. As a commanding officer, I shall order you
under arrest, and declare martial law. Mason, fol-
low me."
With a laugh and a graceful bow, Colonel Weston
turned away, followed by Mason. Howard passed
slowly into the parlor, where he had hardly entered
into the gayeties of the occasion, when in came Wes-
ton and Mason, with the server and wine. A deep
red flush passed over Howard's face as he saw them,
and his eye kindled with anger. On any other occa-
sion he would have openly resented the insult. But
he was taken by surprise, and remained in his seat,
feeling deeply indignant.
Weston came up and handed the wine to the bride.
She looked doubtingly in the face of Howard, and
mechanically took a glass from the server.
" Nay, my noble friend," said Weston, as he passed
it to Howard, "no frowns, for I am alone responsible.
But, sir, you surely will follow Mrs. Ho-vard's exam-
A WEDDING AT THE COTTAGE. 105
pie, and take a glass of wine on your wedding night."
There was a silence in the room and all eyes were
turned upon the parties. More especially were the
guests watching Howard. The silence was embar-
rassing, and the bride looked appealingly to him to
relieve her from the unpleasant position. The wine
trembled in her hand, and the smile passed from her
face as she saw the half-sad, half-angry expression
upon that of her husband.
None knew the mad whirl of Howard's thoughts,
or saw the dark vision passing before him. Twenty
years later, and none of this decision and moral coui
age would have hesitated a moment. But an old and
dangerous custom was hanging over him, and he
knew not which way to turn or what to do. His bet-
ter angel bent sadly over him, watching the wily
efforts of the tempter to fasten the first cords of the
tatal mesh upon a new victim.
"Take it, Howard," urged "Westou, with a smile,
"one glass would not harm an angel. This is a night
and an occasion to honor with the flowing beaker.
"We must wish you and your bride long years of hap-
piness in the future in the mellow blood of the grape.
You surely will not disappoint your friends on your
wedding night."
Weston bent his eye full upon Howard with a win-
ning smile, and held the full glasses nearer to him.
Howard, alone within himself, wrestled bravely
against the wily approach of the insidious enemy,
and he lifted his eyes to his bride, the full round
106 MINNIE HEKMON.
drops stood thickly upon a brow more than usually
pale, and his features wore an expression of pain.
" Why, how ungallant you are Doctor Howard re-
fuse a glass of wine on your wedding night, and
your lady waiting your action ! Colonel, shall we
drink to the bride ? Surely so lovely a one deserves
euch a compliment upon such an occasion."
"Weston followed the example of Miss Anson, and
they both stood with glasses in hand. The bride
leaned towards Howard and whispered in his ear :
" One glass just this once, for my sake, and never
again."
"Never again ! "
The company started as the words were echoed in
a deep measured tone from some unknown source.
But no one chose to speak of the occurrence, and Misa
Anson, looking towards the spot where the parson
was standing, said :
" You, reverend sir, will have to set this refractory
gallant an example, and with Weston and myself,
drink to the bride. Should he not drink ? "
Elder Snyder stepped forward and took a glass.
Now, at the appeal of the bride, however, Howard
had reached out to take one from the server, when the
company were again startled by that mysterious
voice.
" Touch it not ! "
Elder Snyder frowned and raised himself to his full
height, as he turned his eyes upon all in the room, to
see who had dared to i aterrupt the charm which was
A WEDDING AT THE COTTAGE. 10?
wea%'ing. Pale and embarrassed, Howard sat with
the cnp in his hand, that gaze still fixed upon some
scene hidden from the gaze of the guests. It was a
scene for the pencil. The party had gathered in a
group, the tall form and dark features of the false
teacher, the manly-looking Weston, and the light form
of the beautiful Miss Anson leaning slightly against
his shoulder, the lovely bride, and the victim yielding
slowly to the coils which were closing round him.
It was a noble group of noble men and fair
women, and yet one over which a good angel might
have wept.
" This," said the pastor, as he held the glass be-
tween his eyes and the lamp, " is one of the good gifts
of God to man, the blood of the grape, the beverage
of the high, the noble and the good of all ages. It
" And of the lost and the damned!"
All turned to see whence came that voice, now-
more startingly energetic and ringing with bitter-
ness. A deeper frown gathered on the features of
Elder Snyder, and he, in dogged tones, continued :
" It is a beverage which our Saviour used. Ho
made it at the wedding (the Elder emphasized the
word,) and dispensed it at the last supper. The
Scriptures plainly enjoin the use of wine. Noah
drinked it, it was given to those that were ready to
perish, it maketh the heart merry, cureth our infirm-
itieo, and causeth the poor to forget his poverty, and
the afflicted their sorrow. It gives a man strength
and jo;y, and enables him to bear more cheerfully the
108 MINNIE HERMON 1 .
changing scenes of life. The Redeemer made and
drank wine. It would be sinful for us to set at
naught such teachings, and put away so great a bles-
sing. I will drink to the happiness of those whom
God has this night joined together."
Elder Suyder turned off the wine with the air of
one who expected all to follow his example. And
they all did, Howard among the rest.
" At last it stingeth like an adder and hiteth like a
serpent ! "
"Who is that?" angrily asked Elder Snyder, as
that strange and startling voice again fell like a ser-
pent's hiss upon the ears of the company.
" The lost one of a false teacher ! " slowly came
back in reply, with more thrilling distinctness than
before. All eyes were turned toward the veranda
window, where now stood a tall, broad-shouldered
man, dressed in a coarse suit of sailor's clothes, a
weather-beaten tarpaulin on his head, and his hair
standing out wiry and matted under the broad brim.
His eye was grossly red. and was cast full upon the
group, at last resting keenly and firmly upon Elder
Snyder. There was a fearful intensity in the gaze,
and the sallow features of the pastor reddened and
glowed with increased anger.
" From whence do you come and why are ycu
here to intrude upon respectable people ? " angrily
continued Elder Snyder, as he walked menacingly
towards the window.
" Came from my mother's grave to see a wine-bib-
A WEDDING AT THE COTTAGE. 109
bing priest, and only one glass at a wedding!
H&, hat"
The strange and unaccountable apparition turned
away, and that peculiar wild and sneering laughter
rung shrill upon the air, and fell like an omen of evil
npon the darkened heart of Howard.
" Only one glass ! " And will it be so, reader ?
CHAPTER IX.
FIRST FRUITS.
ON the morning after the wedding, Doctor Howard
arose with an aching head and troubled thoughts.
The " only one glass" had been the voice of the
tempter; but once launched on the treacnerous tide,
he was driven away from shore. Friends grew more
friendly as wine went round, and glass followed glass
until Howard the resolute and strong-willed How-
ard reeled on his wedding night. He became wild
as the subtle currents shot through his veins, and by
the time the company dispersed, his garrulous and
slavering nonsense had pained and mortified his truest
friends. Yet not one of them for the first moment
felt that they had contributed to the disgrace of their
friend. But such things were not looked upon then
as now, and the guests went to their homes, mellow
themselves, and as ready to get mellow again on
the morrow.
It was early when Howard dressed himself and
passed out into the cool morning air. Its breath was
grateful to his hot and throbbing brow, but it reached
not the throbbing thoughts in his heart. " As you
value your soul's interest, remember your motlier
never touch the intoxicating cup ! " He felt the words
of that mother burning like a brand upon his feverish
A COMMON SIGHT IN OAKVALE.
FIRST FRUITS. 113
cheek, and her eyes looking into his heart. In a let-
ter left for his perusal, Howard had learned the his-
tory of his mother the ruin and horrible death of
his father ; and it all now came before him, until ho
shrunk within himself as from accusing spectres.
The man who never takes the first step from the
path of right is never endangered. That step once
taken, others follow with fearful ease. The anchor
once lifted from the heart's integrity, the vessel drifts
away before the storms that beat in from every quar-
ter. To-day a man stands firm, and looks proudly in
the face of his fellows, and feels himself a man. He
has his own self-respect. To-morroM 7 he is for once
induced to step aside, and like a breach in the wall
the enemy comes in like a flood. A trifling act in
itself the one glass drinked with a friend, may
seal the fate of the unwary.
Howard had lost strength. He had been beaten
in the contest beaten when he felt that he was
right. The idea of being a drunkard had not ye.t oc-
curred to him. It was only his own loss of firmness
and self-respect, and a shadowy sense of some un-
known danger, that now weighed him down.
The festivities which followed the wedding were
not calculated to fasten the resolutions which weio
giving away. Wine was everywhere, and everybody
used it. He himself began to think that it would be
a bold and unpardonable breach of custom to refuse
it with his friends. The decanter and tumbler seemed
to be the insignia of fashionable societv. Thus he
114 MINKIE HEKMON.
reasoned as day followed day and glass followed
glass, the strong and noble purpose which had been
BO sacredly cherished to the noon of his manhood,
crowing less strong under the steady approaches of
the tempter.
On the day after the meeting of the board, Howard
was riding rapidly up the road, when he was accosted
from the steps of the " Home."
" Halloo, Howard ! Where now at that break-neck
pace ? Hold up a minute."
The voice was Colonel Weston's, and, as Howard
turned his head, he saw a number of people standing
on the stoop. His first impulse was to put spurs to
his horse, but Weston was a favorite friend, and he
reined up. As "Weston carm? up and laid his hand
on the mane of the horse, Howard noticed that he
was considerably under the influence of liquor. There
was a silly leer upon his countenance, and his man-
ner had that bold and half insolent air about it, so
contrary to his usually quiet and gentlemanly de-
meanor.
" Whoop ! my (hie) boy, which way. I say ? "
and the Colonel grasped tightly the arm of Howard,
and roughly attempted to pull him from the saddle.
" 1 beg your pardon, Colonel, but you will not
detain me. for I am in haste to call on a sick pa-
tient. "
FIRST FRUITS. 115
"Devil take your patient; you must get oil' and
take a drink," and again, with that strong grasp pe-
culiar to drunken men, Weston wrenched him nearly
from his saddle
"You must get off and take a drink. Why, I
haven't seen you before since your wedding. Get
off, old boy, I say, .and drink with us!" and he
fetched Howard a heavy slap on the thigh with the
awkwardness peculiar to those in liquor, and laughed
boisterously.
Howard was shocked, and mildly essayed to re-
lease himself from the Colonel's grasp.
" No you don't, my boy ; you must drink. Soldiers,
nnhorse (hie) him," and he led the horse up the stepa
into the stoop, amid the laughter of the half-drunken
crowd.
Howard was fairly pulled from his saddle and led
into the bar-room and the liquor called on.
"One drink, Doctor, with your friends," as he
bowed and played the buffoon before the bar. How-
ard remained silent while the liquors were mixing.
As Weston took his glass from the counter, he again
essayed to release himself by pleading haste to see
his patient.
" Xo you don't, Doctor you must drink with ns,"
end ho handed another glass to Howard.
The latter took it mechanically, and was about to
e.'-t it on the counter, when the Colonel grasped it,
and. setting down his own, wound his left arm around
Howard's neck, attempted to pour the liquor down
116 MINNIE HERMOJNr.
his throat. The act was so quick that the latter had
not time to close his month before the glass was be-
tween his teeth, and the liquor running down his face
and neck into his bosom. He strangled badly, which
pleased the rum-maddened crowd all the more
Weston was wild with rum, and swore that Howard
should drink. The latter grew .indignant and began
to denounce such rudeness. Weston caught another
tumbler of the liquor which had been prepared, and
sprung upon Howard with all the reckless, frenzied
strength of partial intoxication, crowding the glass
against his lips and teeth until the blood mingled
with the stains of the brandy from the corners of his
mouth.
" By ! Doctor, you must take in your bits,"
continued Weston, and, in the excitement of the mo
ment, he caught Howard by the throat, and continued
pushing the now empty glass into his open and bleed-
ing mouth. The crowd were all wild with merriment,
and stood upon the chairs and benches to see the
sport. Weston set the glass down upon the counter
and called for more liquor. Herinon poured it out.
As Weston, with his hand yet clinched in the Doc-
tor's cravat, was passing the glass again to his lips,
against his indignant expostulations, Howard released
his right arm from the tipsy fellow who was holding
it, and dealt Weston a blow on the temple which laid
him prostrate on the floor. Ther3 was stillness for a
moment, and Howard was released from the grasp of
those who were holding him. As Weston came to
K1KST FRUITS. 117
and began to rise, he literally frothed with rage, and
Bprnng at the Doctor like a madman. The latter
evaded his clutch, and he plunged headlong amongst
the- crowd.
" For shame ! Are ye men or devils ? " All were
startled at the sound of a female voice, and, as they
turned, saw Minnie Hermon standing in the stairway,
pale and trembling, but her eyes kindling at the scene
before her. A rocket could not have produced more
confusion among them. The majority abruptly went
out, leaving Weston, now abashed and cowering, and
Hermon, alone behind the bar. Howard w r ashed his
face at the pump and rode away, and, as he thought
over the scene in the bar-room of the " Home," a sigh
came from his heart and a tear from his eye. He
looked at his bruised hand, and wondered how he
came to strike one he esteemed so much.
But there will be stranger scenes there.
Deacon McGrarr lived just below the " Home," and
on the afternoon of the same day the affair occurred
which we have related, he was to have a wagon-house
raised. As a matter of course, rum must be had at a
" raising." A two-gallon jug was sent to the " Home "
and filled, and the hands invited. Deacon McGarr
had drinked liberally in the earlier part of the day,
and felt happy and witty. About one o'clock the
hands began to gather, and very naturally lingered
on the stoop and steps of the "Home." When the
hour came for commencing operations, McGarr came
over, and, for the purpose of supporting the new tav-
118 MINNIE HEEMON.
ern, " treated all round." In high glee the company
then followed him to the ground and commenced
operations.
To those who are familiar with the drinking usdges
of other days, we need not speak in detail of a " rais-
ing." Enough to say that horns of whisky were
deemed just as absolutely necessary as pikes or pins.
As each "bent" was raised to its place, the jug was
u passed round " by some boy, accompanied by one
with a pail of cold water. As soon as a " bent " was
raised, some of the more active ones mounted to the
top. By the time the plates were ready to go on, a
number were thus gathered above, and the jug must,
be passed up and welcomed by such. Before the
building was all up, a large class was noisy and
mellow.
Among others who first went upon the frame, was
Weston. Naturally athletic, he now felt doubly so
under the influence of his deep potations. MeGan
would have persuaded him from the dangerous risk,
but Weston was reckless.
The plates were framed to go on to the ends of the
beams, requiring much care in holding them and en-
tering the tenons. The timbers were yet damp from
the rain during the night, and required caution in
handling them without accident. The ends of the
plates were first carried up to the beams, then car-
ried forward and balanced up and shoved to their
places, preparatory to entering the tenons. When
ready to carry out, a man lay down and locked his
HIIST Fiicrrs. 119
amis around the beam, and with his feet against the
plate, pushed it as it lay, as near the tenons as was
safe. Weston was at the end, and straightened with
all his strength, and the piece slid upon the slippery
beam near a foot and a half clear from his feet. A dozen
voices from below earnestly cautioned him to be care-
ful if the plate should go off it would kill some one.
" Let 'em look out for themselves," he replied, with
a peculiar laugh, and again backed until his feet
reached the timber, and then straightened with all
his power. There was a yell from twenty voices be-
low, and the heavy stick fell to the ground. A sharp
cry of pain told its effect. Hermon's leg was under
it, and ground to a pumice. The groans of the
wounded man, as he was borne bleeding to the
"Home," sobered Weston, as he saw the result of his
folly, and the big drops gathered on his brow. Si-
lently and thoughtfully he went from the frame, and
passed after the group to the tavern.
" Come, boys," said Gaston, the blacksmith, " we
can do no good over there, let's up with the plate
again, and put on the rafters."
Another drink round and they took hold with a
will, for Gaston set them an example. The stick was
soon in its place and the rafters up.
Young McGarr was the last one standing on the
ridge. His father saw that he had drank too much,
and called him down. He started to obey, but met
the jug again coming up, and took a drink with the
rest. The hot draught made him bold and reckless, and
120 MINNIE HERMON.
ho swore he would walk the ridge-pole with jug in
hand before he left the frame. No entreaty or threat-
ening could change his mad determination, and he
clambered carelessly to the ridge. They watched
him with breathless attention, for it was plain to see
that he was intoxicated. Deacon McGarr was pale,
and his lip was pressed between his teeth until the
blood started from under them.
Young McGarr succeeded in walking the entire
length, and, as he arrived at the end, he turned, and,
swinging the jug in the air, huzza'd and turned it up
to his lips. As he threw his head back in the act,
he fell from the ridge, his head striking upon a green
beech log, and his body doubling lifelessly down in a
heap. McGarr shrieked and jumped to save his boy,
and the shriek was echoed with more piercing, soul-
harrowing distinctness from the house, where the
boy's mother had been watching the scene with
trembling lips and limb. Gastoii lifted the boy in
his arms, leaving masses of his brains upon the log
and ground, and the blood ebbing out with a spin-
ning sound from the crushed head. The mother
looked once upon the bleeding and disfigured mass,
and sank insensible to the ground. On a board the
crushed boy was borne to the house, while equally as
tenderly the corpse-like mother was carried after in
the arms of Gaston. Deacon McGarr followed like a
child in his first great sorrow. The jug was left in
fragments, thickly sprinkled with the blood of the
young victim.
CHAPTEK X.
THE AFTI10K TALKS A LAPSE OF 'TEN YEAKS IN OUB
HISTORY THE CHANGE.
IN one of the villages of Pennsylvania it is writ-
ten the members of the excise board were assem-
bled, as usual, for the purposes of granting licenses
for the sale of intoxicating liquors. After smoking,
and chatting upon general subjects for a time, the
customary motion was put, and opportunity given for
remark. Up in one corner of the room the attenua-
ted form of a woman arose, spectral-like in features,
and meanly clad, and looking upon the members pres-
ent from sockets hollow and ghastly. In tones of
sadness, growing more full and intense as she pro-
ceeded, the strange intruder commenced a history of
sorrow, of ruin and wrong, which fell upon the aston
ished group like a spell. Her form raised as she
gathered strength, and her tones grew fierce, and a
hectic flush came out upon the palid cheek. Fixed
to their seats and gazing upon the kindling eye, the
excisemen listened to the blistering record. Prom
the smouldering ruins of life's hopes blasted, the sca-
thing truths leaped out. She had heard of their
meeting, and from the almshouse came forth to de-
nounce the wickedness they were about to commit.
Hers had been the history of thousands a history
122
MINNIE 1IEKMON.
now being wrought out in thousands of hearts and
homes. Across the river, a luxurious home, a noble
husband, and three promising sons had woven her
life's happiness with the golden woof of light and
love. They were tempted and fell. The home pass-
ed into the tempter's hands, her husband and children
to premature graves, and she to the pauper's home.
Years of darkness and anguish could be known only
to the God of the widow and the fatherless. " You
gee me now," she continued, with her tall form lean-
ing forward and her long finger extended and trem-
bling with emotion, resting unerringly upon the mem-
bers of the board, " and know from whence I come.
You know my history, and how bitterly all my hopes
of this world have been wrecked. And you, sirs,
caused it all. At your store my husband learned to
drink, and you dwell in my home. You, false teach-
er," pointing to a deacon, " lured my noble boys to
your grocery, and they now are in drunkards' graves.
You destroyed them. But for you, husband, sons
all might have now blessed my old age. I have come
from the county poor-house to lift a voice against
your acts. Look at me, and then if you dare, before
high Heaven, grant licenses to sell intoxicating
drinks ! "
The silence of death rested upon the listeners to
the pauper's freezing words, interrupted only as one
^fter another of the .cowering officials stole like guilty
^retches from the room, not staying to accomplish
foe work for which they assembled. From her quiv-
THE ADTHOR TALKS THE CHANGE. 123
ering finger the words had fallen like drops of blis
tering lava into their coward hearts.
As the mind has swept back through the history
of the past, we have often thought of the pauper and
her speech. If those who suffer if the ragged and
the sorrowing, should come from their abodes of
wretchedness, where, unseen, the scalding tear and the
heavy sigh mark the crushing progress of woe, and
in squalid garb and touching mien, gather around the
excise boards of our country, and raise their protest
against the wrong, we doubt whether there is a mem-
ber of these bodies so utterly lost to every feeling of
sympathy and shame as to put his name to the license
of death. Let the sorrowing mother upon her staff,
with her thin, white hairs, going down in sorrow to
the grave, totter to the board, and with a dim eye and
shaking voice, speak of children murdered, and an
old heart running over with bitter memories. Let a
wife steal forth from a home where a husband-
demon reigns in the domestic hell. Yoked to a living
corpse, she stands up with a ragged babe in her arms
a weeping heart attempting to shield the tenderest
and most innocent of her idols from the storm and
with every hope buried in ruin, she demands why
her home is desolated, her heart broken, and hei
babes robbed of bread. The sister comes, and with
wringir.g hands claims that the noble and manly -heart-
ed brother should be restored, for she has wept over
him and clung to him with a sister's changeless love
lior tears, and prayers, and holy affection weaker than
124 MINNIE HHRMON.
the gossamer web against the stronger than iron
chains that bound him. Orphan children throng from
hut and hovel, and public asylum, and lift their child-
ish hands in supplication, asking at the hands of the
guilty, those who rocked their cradles, and fed, and
loved them. The maniac comes, a*nd in insane gib-
berish and glaring eye, stares upon the " Court of
Death." The murderer, now sober and crushed, lifts
his manacled hands, red with blood, and charges
his ruin his own and his children's infamy, upon
those who commission the Angel of the Plague. The
felon comes from his prison tomb, the pauper from his
dark retreat, where rurn has driven him to seek an
evening's rest and a pauper's grave. From the grave
the sheeted dead stalk forth, and in spectral ranks
gather around the scene, the eyeless sockets turned
upon the actors, and the bared teeth grinning most
ghastly scorn. The lost float up in shadowy forms,
and wail in whispered despair. Demons, who rejoice
in wrongs which make men more devilish than they,
blush at the more than infernal wrong. Angels
turn weeping away, and wonder that man can love
his brother man, and still license the destruction of
his hopes for two worlds. God upon his throne looks
in anger upon the stupendous iniquity, and hurls a
woe upon the hand which putteth the bottle to a
neighbor's lip to make him drunken. Were every
excise board girt by such an array, no man on earth
would make himself an instrument in all tnis destruc-
tion. But their guilt is really the same. The injured
THE AUTHOR TALKS THE CHANGE. 125
old mothers, the wives and the sisters, are found
wherever rum is sold. The orphans plead eloquently
in every community. The asylum, the alms-house,
the dungeon and the scaffold bear their evidence,
written in the unmistakable language of tears and
blood. The dead heave their sodded graves on every
hand, and revelation turns shudderingly away from
the dark future of the thousands who die as the
months roll round, while above, a God who counts the
sparrows as they fall, sits in judgment and takes note
of all. And yet we write with a burning cheek
the excise boards of a free people meet with cool in-
difference and ask of a reckless few, " How many
pieces of silver will you give us if we will betray the
wives and the children the helpless and the inno-
cent, into your hands How many!" The tribute
is paid, and the people, with the price of blood in
their coffers, hold the garments, while their licensed
instruments stone men, women and children to death !
No sane man on earth, if the fountains of evil
were forever sealed, would ask that they might be
again opened. Then why, in the name of crushed
humanity and a hoped-for heaven, will men cling to
the waning destinies of the monster iniquity ?
The pursuit of an honorable avocation is a benefit
to community. In the intercourse of trade, there \%
an equivalent rendered. The interests of the produ-
cer and the consumer are mutually advanced. In
dustry produces an aggregate prosperity and secures
a prompt and adequate reward. Upright and perse-
120 MINNIE HKRMON.
vering labor, in any branch of business, vibrates
through the whole social system, and helps to build
up, adorn, and strengthen every honorable interest.
The craftsman, the merchant, the professional man,
tlie agriculturist all who live by honest toil, are
benefactors, and each fills an appropriate and neces-
sary place in the social structure. There is no special
regulation of these interests. They are useful and
indispensable. Their pursuit tends to the general
good. They do not exist or prosper at the ruin or
extinction of others. The tradesman does not find
the mercantile profession a legalized monopoly, and
himself precluded, by penal statutes, from selling
such as his neighbors sell. Talent and application
master the legal and the medical professions, and the
young man goes out to build up his fortunes where-
ever his prospects lure the brightest. The blacksmith
asks no license to wield his hammer. The farmer
does not annually ask and pay for a permit to put ii
his crops, to harvest and to sell. Whoever buys of
him gets an equivalent for his money ; and order, har-
mony and increase, mark the machinery of society.
But what a disturbing element is rum, in all soci
ety ! It is the Pandorian box of unadulterated evil,
with hardly a hope at the bottom. Nowhere on the
green earth of God has it proved other than an un-
icixed curse. There is not a redeeming fact in its
history. A darker, more cheerless, beaconless waste,
never stretched away before the misguided pilgrim
There is n ot a ray of sunshine in ages of gloom. The
-THE AUTHOR TALKS THE CHANGE. 127
most ardent and honest friend of the rum traffic can-
not point to one blessing it has conferred upon man
since its first footprints cursed the earth. "We have
seen the system in its palmy days, but it was the
plague in mid-day strength, stalking from house to
house, its presence withering the greenness of the
happiest life, and filling the land with wailing and
unutterable woe. Commissioned by government, it
has gone forth, the Angel of the Plague, and happy
for hearts and homes, if they mourned for none but
the first-born. In palace or hovel in wealth or
want, the shadow has fallen upon man and his hopes,
Jie one to sicken and die, and the other to wither.
It enters society branded as an enemy. The very power
which sends it to our villages and hamlets, has writ-
ten its character. It glides over our threshold in fet-
cers, society mockingly decking its tail with legula-
ting enactments, and leaving every fang bared for
the work of death, and from tens of thousands of
retreats endorsed and protected by government, the
monsters go hissing forth with the injunction to deso-
late and kill within the prescribed limits, and accord-
ing to law. The thief is imprisoned and the murder-
er is put out of the way ; but here is a worse than a
thief or a murderer the subtle embodiment of all
crime ; allowed to carry on its devilish work under re-
strictions, and the effects sanctioned by legislation.
It never yet entered a community without proving a
curse. Some man has been degraded ; some wife
has been made to weep in anguish ; some child has
128 MINNIE HERMON.
been turned out of door to go hungry for bread ;
some pauper lias been sent to the almshouse, or felon
to the dungeon ; some scene of blood and violence
has been perpetrated, and the maddened .instrument
sent to the scaffold ; some family has prematurely
found a rest in the grave, and an escape from woes
which will ever beggar description.
Oakvale was not an exception. A lovelier, me re
peaceful hamlet of happy settlers, was never hidden
among the hills. Tears went by, and scarce a cloud
had fallen upon the cordial and friendly intercourse
which had marked the history of the mountain re-
treat. The lives of the people passed with the calm-
ness and purity of a summer's day. Scarce a ripplo
disturbed the sylvan quiet of the scene. Industry,
virtue, integrity and kindly feeling marked the un-
restrained intercourse of the genial and true-hearted
people. The streets were quiet, only as stirred by the
silver-voiced happiness of the schoolchildren, and the
game of ball, the wrestle, or the leaping match, were
the noisiest sports which awoke the quiet of the vil-
lage green. The path to the village church was well
beaten, and all was neat about the unpretending
structure. The dwellings wore an air of comfort and
thrift, and the yards and grounds were neat and at-
tractive. The Sunday school was full, the Sabbath
universally regarded, and the old-fashioned notions of
truth and honor deeply rooted in a majority of hearts.
Age was respected, and the white-haired grand-sirea
went do\vn to their graves like the shocks fully ripened
THE AUTHOR TALKS -THE CII YNGE. 129
for thlMiarvest. The moustache and the rattan were
unknown the dice table, and the saloon. Tho
young men were stalwart framed and industrious.
Pianos, fashionable calls, and indolence in the parlor^
were scarcely known, and yet there was true refine-
ment ; and from the kitchen, full, rounded forms and
hearts all womanly passed out to mingle better cur-
rents in the busy world. Litigation was unknown ;
for each minded his own affairs, kept his fences up,
kept his cattle and hogs within bounds, and treated
his neighbor with kindness and sincerity. No gun
ever broke upon the Sabbath stillness, nor boisterous
gathering filled the streets ; but the seasons came with
their promise, and its harvest fulfillment, their flockg
and herds, and household industry prospered, and
peace, plenty, and contentment, the love of virtue
and the fear of God, made Oakvale a spot where the
current of life coursed ever with an even flow.
It was years afterwards, and when the population
and business of Oakvale had greatly increased, that
the "Home" was opened in the village. Ten yeara
more had gone by, and what a transformation ! It
seemed incredible, and the stranger who saw it in its
earlier history, would look sadly upon the change, and
believe it wrought by some infernal magic. The
rural neatness and quiet were there no more. The
"Home" was a floodgate through which a thou-
sand pernicious and evil influences swept in upon the
society of the peaceful vale, a fatal undercurrent, un-
dermining industry and virtue, and mingling the
130 MINNIE HERMON.
most corrupting influences with the thoughts and
habits of the people. From occasional visits to the
tavern, the practice increased, until scarce one of the
male population was not in the habit of spending his
evenings at the tavern. A love of gossip was soon
engendered, and every man's business and conduct
was at times made the subject of conversation. In
the conversation of the people, the change was as
marked as in everything else. As the youth and the
children listened, they caught the infection, and the
oath, the rude and coarse speech, came from mouths
prematurely foul by bad example and association.
Ill-breeding soon marked the language of the boys,
and slang phrases were current and eagerly learned
and banded with a gusto. A low-bred pettifogger
had followed in the wake of " business," arid petty
lawsuits were frequent, and always held at the tav-
ern, drawing a crowd whenever held. Fights were
of common occurrence, or petty disputes engendered
in ill blood ; and discord crept strangely in between
families where years of uninterrupted harmony had
marked their intercourse. Additional liquor shops,
under the euphonious name of " saloons," had been
opened, " ball-alleys " and " billiard-rooms." These
places .were a rendezvous on the Sabbath, the youth
deserting the church for the dram-shop. They are
ever craters of obscenity and profanity, and the youth
of Oakvale were fast graduating in these devilish
schools. The nights were occasionally hideous with
unearthly yellings. Balls and " oyster parties " were
THE AUTHOR TALKS THE CHANGE. 131
frequent, and respectable voting men, at such times
were seen intoxicated. The blacksmith was often
seen setting upon the steps of the " Home " in his
leathern apron, and customers coming from his shop
after him. The miller would leave his grist, an
staid farmers would turn aside from their business
and drink, and spend an hour in chat. Company
and general parades were now held at Oakvale, elec-
tions, town-meetings, etc., and drunkenness was com-
mon. Horse-racing, also, was frequent, and " turkey
shoots," raffling and drinking, with frequent quarrels,
and now and then a fight, contributed to demoralize
the habits and foster the worst elements of those en-
gaged in them.
" Business " had surely increased in Oakvale, and
to the tavern belonged the credit. The change
wrought in a few years was broad and impressive.
The farms were neglected, the fences out of repair,
and the yards and corners of the fences grown up
to weeds. The barns and outhouses were dilapida-
ted boards off, and hovels unroofed. Hardly a
farm retained the well-ordered and tidy appearance
of industrious care, so conspicuous at the commence-
ment of our history. Clap-boards were off, chimney
tops crumbling away, and window-panes broken, old
hats and rags, and pieces of board, indicating, in un-
mistakable .anguage, the cause of all. Some houses
were entirely in ruins, and the rank dock standing
thickly in the yard, and the winds of winter whistling
through the shattered structures. Fences were down
]32 MINNIE ITEEMON.
and fields t irned to waste ; the path to the church
was overgrown with grass, and the sheds were falling
to pieces, and the steps decaying, and the weather-
beaten blinds unhinged, or slamming in the winds.
The topmost section of the steeple had rotted and
been blown off in a storm, and the bell, rusty and
bare, frowned silently down upon the general deso-
lation. The lightning-rod had been broken, and the
end swung loose and unconnected. The village bu-
rial-ground had not escaped. Length after length
of the board fence had fallen, and the cattle from
the streets had broken the stones, and the hogs had
rooted over the grounds. Unruly boys had torn
away the school-house shed, while whole clapboards
had been stripped from the building itself, the lath
and the protruding mortar and naked studs, present-
ing to the passer-by the very picture of neglect.
But if the footsteps of intemperance were so blight-
ing upon the appearance of buildings and fields, it
was still more marked upon the population. The
pathways to the groggeries were well beaten by the
traveling public. Farms, shops and professions, were
neglected. The happiest home had lost its attrac-
tions. The ruddy flame upon the evening hearth, the
holy communion of the family circle, or the change-
less ties of conjugal affection, were rent like threads
for the false light of the dramshop. Even the church
could not stay the work ; its aisles had long been si-
lent ; the dust had gathered upon its communion
altar and its Bible, and the spider spun his web in the
THE AUTHOR TALKS- THE CHANGE. 133
pulpit unmolested. For ns with red and watery eyes,
hats with torn crowns, broken tops and distorted
br'ras ; garments thread-bare and ragged, the panta-
loons fagged at the ancle and lodged upon gringy-
looking boots run over at the heel ; with swollen
cheeks, and hands thrust to the elbows into their
pockets, were constantly stealing to the dram-shops.
By daylight, and before a chimney top had sent up a
wreath of smoke, they could be seen standing by the
dens, or knocking for admittance, creeping about over
the stoops in the meantime, and shivering in tho
keen morning cold of the winter. How quickly
their ears detected the sound of the bolt as it was
drawn, and as quickly tossing the quid into the street
and fetching their hand across their thigh as a nap-
kin, cleared their throats and entered. They came
out with the palms drawn across their lips, gave the
hoarse ahem, and in the same manner retraced their
steps to their doors. Women, with countenances pale
and furrowed with sorrow and care, and wrapped
closely in scanty garb, were seen gliding gloomily
through the streets ; and children, their uncovered
hands purple in the cold, and their little forms shrink-
ing at every breath, and often bending under the
burden of the jug, thus bearing to their own homes
the cause of their own wretchedness and hunger.
" Business " had increased ! Oakvale had become
a shire town, and two railroads had opened broad
thoroughfares to and from. A courthouse and jail
had been erected, and the new state-prison buildings
134 MINNIE HEKMON.
were rapidly going up. Men had died in the drunk-
en brawl, by delirium tremens, and in the winter's
path ; the widow and her children had gone out from
their broken homes to seek an asylum in the county
poor-house ; felons were in the jail, or at work on the
prison walls, and red-handed murder had lifted a drip-
ping hand at noonday, and the people were feasted
with a view of the scaffold and its dangling tribute.
A score of groggeries were seething and united in the
work of ruin, and Oakvale had become a byword and
reproach throughout the country for drunkenness and
all its consequent and kindred evils. The change waa
a sad one, indeed. And yet no plague had come
from the hand of God to destroy the people ; no storm
had swept down their fences or unroofed their barns
and hovels; and the seasons had ever brought the
seed time and harvest. But the blight was there. It
rested upon house, and field, and toil ; hunger and
wretchedness brooded at the hearth ; families were
scattered, and fields turned to waste ; and want, mis-
ery, indolence and vice resting like a deathly night-
mare upon the quiet and happy hamlet of " long ago, ;j
" Business " was increasing !
CHAPTER XI.
A WINTER SCENE.
IT waa in early winter, and the hubs lay up rough
and bare through the snow. The wind was cutting
cold, and shrieked dismally as it swept around the
" Home." Scattering flakes of snow were sifting from
the cold and sombre sky. People were already gath-
ering in the bar-room, for nearly every citizen in the
place had learned to love his drams ; and the fire
shone most welcomely in the old-fashioned hearth.
Hermon, just recovered, in a measure, from a severe
fit of sickness, was kneeling before a keg, drawing
his morning bitters. One after another the customers
went up to the bar and followed the example, con-
versation flowing more fluently as the liquor com-
menced its effects.
" Did you see Mat Ricks when he went away last
night ? "
"Yes what of it?"
" Why, he was most devilish drunk, if Pm any
judge."
" No live man a better judge," dryly remarked old
Barney Kits, already intoxicated, and his lidless balls
running water before the fire. A laugh followed the
hit, and the speaker continued :
6
186 MINNIE HEEMON.
" Old Ricks has made a perfect fool of himself
latoly. He drinks like a fish. They say he abnsea
his family, too, most shamefully."
"He is not the only one who does that," again put
in old Kits. Lame Tim, the speaker, turned an angry
eye upon his tormentor, and chewed his tobacco
nervously ; yet he dare not measure wit with the in-
veterate wag, as drunk as he was.
" How is it, Tim," asked Gaston, " has old Ricks'
farm all gone ? "
" O, yes, all gone to.smash ; nothing left at all.
I knew 'twould be so."
" But his wife had property ? "
" Went with the rest. Jones has got it all."
" Sold his water and whisky well," put in old
Barney.
" But what will become of his family ? "
" Go to the poor-house, of course. I guess the old
woman will come down some in her notions after this.
Always was mighty nice feelin'. After all, I could n't
help kind o' pittyin' on her when she came down here
and cried, and took on so about the spoons her mother
gave her swow I could n't."
A scowl from old Hermcn told garrulous old Tim
that he had gone too far, and he changed the subject
by taking another drink.
Doctor Howard at that moment drove up, and en-
tered the bar-room in his bundle of furs, calling for a
h6t punch. While warming himself, he remained
silent and thoughtful. This was enough for Tim
A WINTER SCENE. 137
He must know who was sick, what ailed him, and
how long they were going to live ; and with a pre-
paratory ahem, he commenced :
" Anybody sick this morning, Doctor?"
" No more than usual."
" I thought ma'be somebody might be ailin' this
mornin'."
" I'presume there is," and the sententious Doctor
continued to nib his hands before the welcome blaze.
" Come from over the hill ? "
" Came from over the hill."
Old Barney grinned, and attempted to wink at the
discomfited Tim. But the latter loved news next to
a dram, and he returned to the attack.
" Plaguy cold this morning, Doctor ! "
"Exactly found that out myself."
" Anybody sick over the hill ?"
" Nobody sick all dead."
"Why, nobody but old Ricks' folks lived there. '
"Exactly and the folks are dead, or will be."
" You don't say so ! How 'd they die ? "
" Go and see," and with the curt answer, Doctor
Howard jumped into his sleigh and left.
There was truth in his briefly told story. On tho
previous evening, Ricks, with his father, an old rev-
olutionary soldier, had caroused at the " Home " un-
til a late hour, and with a jug apiece, had started out
in the storm, amid many a drunken gibe as they stum-
bled over the hubs. In crossing the mountain at day-
light, Doctor Howard had found the old man, lying
138 MINNIE HERMON.
upon his face, frozen to death ! He had struggled
\vhere he had fallen until the hubs were crimsoned
with blood, and his face most horribly bruised. His
hat lay crushed under his shoulders, and the handle
of the broken jug was grasped firmly in death. The
snow had lodged in his thin white locks, but his bald
head was as bare to the night blast as the crag above
him. Doctor Howard turned his horse and drove
over the brow of the hill to the dwelling. A childish
voice bade him " come in," in answer to his rap, and
as he entered, crept into the farther corner.
Doctor Howard was used to scenes of distress, but
he hesitated on the threshold, and stared for a full
moment as he stood. It was but a moment, however,
and he quickly asked the boy what it all meant. He
only answered with a frightened look towards the
bed. There lay Ricks, snoring in the deep slumbers
of drunkenness, his clothes on, and the uncorked jug
before him upon the stand. At the foot of the bed
was a spectacle to freeze the blood. Stretched at full
length was Mrs. Ricks, and upon the floor, mats of
hair, its whitish blue ends indicating its violent
wrenching from the living head. It had been
wrenched from her head, and the bloody scalp lay
bare in hideous spots. Above the ear the blade of
the iron tire-shovel had cleft the skull, driving the
Lair into the brain, and splitting the ear through the
rim. The blood had oozed out and ran down into
the eye, where it was now frozen, the other glaring
wildly in death and covered with frost
A WINTER SCENE. 139
"Who did this?" asked Howard of the boy, as he
brushed a tear from his eye.
"Father!" whispered the child, creeping stealthily
to the Doctor's side and looking from behind him
towards the bed, and then, with his gaze still on the
Bleeping drunkard, he stole behind an old partition,
and with wild eyes and bloodless lips brought some-
thing away in his hands, and scarce noticed by the
Doctor, laid it by the side of the dead mother.
Turning his eye at the moment, Howard started as at
the sight of a serpent. There was the elbow and
hand and little foot of a labef
" For God's sake ! what what is this ? " he asked,
as he stooped to be sure that his eyes did not deceive
him.
"Father father," whispered the child, still keep-
ing his gaze upon the bed " threw baby ont of the
bed 'cause it cried, and then into the fire, and then
struck me 'cause I screamed."
The tale the sight, was horrible, and it was no
dream ; and there lay the imbruted murderer in hia
slumbers. Howard spoke sharply In the ear of the
drunkard, but it was difficult to awake him. Tho
moment he did awake, he called for Henry to hand
him liquor. Ere Howard was aware, the terrified
boy had taken the jug, when a fearful oath from his
father startled him so suddenly that he dropped the
jug upon the floor.
" Hell ! " now roared the thoroughly awakened sot,
and caught the boy violently by the arm. Henry
140 MINNIE HERMON.
screamed with agony, and Howard noticed that tho
arm was broken above the elbow and turned unre-
sistingly in the cruel grasp. It required but a mo-
ment to arrest the act, yet with that strange tena-
city which characterizes the drunkard's grasp, it bid
defiance to his strongest effort. But he was not a
man to stand upon trifles, while the tortured child
was shrieking in agony. Fastening upon Ricks'
throat, he retained his grasp until the bloated cheek
became black, and his hold on the boy's arm relaxed.
Moving the boy to the corner, he hastily went out to
his cutter for his saddle-bags, thinking, in his excite-
ment, to set the arm before it should be worse swol-
len. The horse was restless from standing in the cold,
t.\id as he stepped into the cutter, the horse started
up"m a gallop, the reins about his heels, and kept it
unbroken until he turned up under the shed of the
" Home." In a moment Howard had the reins, and
was urging his way again up the hill at full speed.
He hastily entered the house, when hell itself could
not have presented a view more devilish. The drunk-
ard was standing in the middle of the floor, his red
eyes glaring with a demoniac expression, and his teeth
clenched like a madman's.
" They'll never worry me again about bread, G d
d n 'em. I '11 learn the cussed brat to break jugs,"
and more language of the same nature poured from
the maniac.
" They " would beg for bread no more ! They were
beyond the "reach of worldly wants or worldly sor-
A WLNTKK SCENE. 141
rows. In the brief absence of the Doctor, the drunk-
en man had caught his boy, and as it appeared, had,
by repeated blows, dashed his head against the fire-
place jams until his skull was crushed into a mass of
blood and brains, and flung him across the corpse of
the mother. The frame of the child was quivering
yet, and the one hand even clutched convulsively at
empty air, as he straightened out with a tremulous
movement and lay still upon his mother's breast.
The news of the tragedy at Ricks', was speedily
spread through the community, embellished with
many a horror, until the public feeling ran high
against Ricks. The landlord of the " Home " was
Bure that hanging was too good for him.
"While people were talking about the affair, a kind
hand had been at its work of love in the house of
blood. Mrs. Ricks was found, on again visiting the
house, neatly arrayed upon her bed, and her child be-
side her, her wounds washed and dressed, and the
crushed skull of the child hidden in his shroud. It
needed iron nerves to look upon such work, and yet
a gentle hand had removed the more revolting evi-
dences of the murder, and restored order to the deso-
late looking room. The hand and foot of the babe
had been placed by the mother's side, and the visitor
gone. When the citizens came through the blinding
storm, they looked with surprise upon the calm fea-
tures of Mrs. Ricks, pale, but without stain of blood,
and the floor and room exhibiting no signs of the
tragedy so recently enacted.
142 MINNIE HERMON.
Sweet Minnie Hermon ! In that chamber of
death she kneeled, and with the cold browed and
bloody dead her company, prayed that the blood
of the innocent might not rest too darkly on a
father's hand. The bitter storm was unheeded as
it swept against her feverish cheek, on her re-
turn, for her young heart was full of sorrow. As
vivid as the language of fire it burned before her, that
to the influence and liquor of the " Home " could be
traced the ruin and destruction of the Ricks family.
The funeral of the Ricks family was one of more
than usual solemnity. From the grey-haired grand-
sire to the innocent babe, rum had swept them away
at a blow. A large crowd had gathered, for the triple
murder had thrilled through the community far and
near. The dead were buried in one grave, its wide
and frozen walls silently awaiting to enclose this
fresh and fearfully generous tribute to the remorseless
scourge let loose in the valley. The snow was falling
fast from the thick gloomy clouds, and the bottom of
the wide pit was already shrouded with white, all
combining to render the scene solemn and cheerless.
There was but one relative of the family living, and
that was the loved and broken-hearted father. He
had been brought from the jail in the custody of offi-
cers, and now stood, his head "bared to the storms,
and his hands in irons. The scalding tears bitterly
rained down his ghastly cheeks and upon his fettered
ham Is, and his broad chest heaved with convulsive
A WINTER SCENK. 143
efforts, which shook him as the blast would shake the
reed. lie wrung his clenched hands until the blood
started from the swollen fingers, and moaned as he
stood, a blasted thing in his manhood's prime, '!ie
fetter links clanking, but in his soul the iron had gone
the deepest. Those who had heari the story of his
crime and heaped bitter denunciations upon his head,
now looked upon the wretch in his agony, and wept
for him. There were mourners at the wintry grave.
Minnie was there, crushed with grief; for, in a hun-
dred visits to the drunkard's home on the nill, on er-
rands of mercy, she had learned to love the lovely
woman who had suffered so much, and a sister could
not have wept more bitterly at a sister's grave. How-
ard, too, stood a child by her side, and with his hand-
kerchief at his mouth, looked through swimming
eyes upon the scene.
As the coffins were placed upon the timbers over
the grave, Ricks raised his arms high over his head,
and dropped upon his knees, bringing his manacled
hands heavily down upon the coffin of his wife, the
dead sound from within, and the clash of his irons,
mingling dismally with a shriek which chilled with,
its fierce energy of woe.
" Mary ! O, Mary 1 My children I How I loved
ye! Destroyed by my own hand! Merciful God!
here let me die, and be buried with them ! "
The grave was filled by a score of hard hands, and
many were the warm tear, that wet them as they toiled.
144 MINNIE HERMON.
Elder Snyder stepped forward and returned thanka
to the people for their kindness, and prayed that God
Wv>uld sanctify to the people this most " afflicting dis-
pensation of Providence"
*' A providence O/'KUM, inflicted by human devils /''
Turning to see from whence those strange tones,
the unknown in the tarpaulin was recognized, lean-
ing upon a head-stone, his red eye fixed upon the
speaker. The latter turned quickly away and passed
out with the crowd.
Howard lingered a moment, and alone sobbed as
he watched the old sexton place the rough boards at
the head. His thoughts were busy. He remembered
the night of his wedding the jeweled hand which
crowded the wine upon him, and the lovely features
which then were the admiration of all. The beauti-
ful and rarely accomplished Miss Anson was under
the clods before him !
Sick at heart, he, too, turned away, with new
thoughts busy in his mind.
CHAPTER XII.
THREE MEETINGS, AND WHAT WAS SAID A PEAYEH
ANSWERED.
THE events of the last few days famished fruitful
themes fur conversation for many a day. The public
mind was intensely aroused to the enormity of the
triple murder, and nearly all united in unmeasured
condemnation of the wickedness of Ricks. Custom
in the bar-room of the " Homo " was better than usual,
for there was a morbid desire to hear and talk ovei
the matter, and the particulars of the affair were de-
tailed for the hundredth time. Men stood with their
glasses in trembling hands, and argued wisely upon
this or that phase of the transaction.
The faults of Ricks were now as plain as midday !
Men who had feasted upon his too generous nature,
turned to give him a stab. He was always ugly, es-
pecially when in liqii/yr was passionate and quarrel-
some. It was a wonder that he had not come to some
bad end before.
Howard had been sitting along time silent with his
face buried in his hand, and his feet braced against
the fire-place. The remarks of the last speaker
aroused him, and turning quickly upon the latter, he
broke in :
146 . MINNIE HERMON.
" When was James Ricks an ugly or passionate
man ? "When did he ever wrong any man or woman
until carried away by his accursed appetite for liquor 3
When was he otherwise than high-minded, noble and
kind ? Never, unless intoxicated, 1 knew him
have known him for years. A truer or kinder friend,
a more affectionate or amiable husband, or indulgent
father before he took to drink, never lived in thia
community. You know it. You know, too, -,vbom
he married, and what they both were in this com-
munity. You know, too, that he had wealth. Men
who have fed upon his bounty should not be eager to
add to the weight which crushes the stricken crimi-
nal. He is guilty of crime, yet as God is my judge,
James Ricks, in his right mind, would no more have
done what he has, than I would, and but for rum,
would now be as guiltless. Young Brayton was right,
Our tavern will prove a curse instead of a, blessing"
Hermon was stung, and retorted from his bar with
a sneer, with his hand upon a customer's glass :
" You had better start one of these Temperance
Societies, as they call them. Another drink would
make you eloquent ! "
"Hermon ! " thundered the Doctor as he strode
towards the former and struck his clenched fist upon
the bar, with an unusual light in his inflamed
eyes, " I shall never take another drink frrrn your
hand! I've seen enough. But for your liquor,
James Ricks would be now at his old home, in the
bosom of his family, an honored and respected citizen."
THERE MEETINGS. 147"
" So you mean to charge me with the death of his
family? " fiercely demanded Hermon.
" I charge it upon the liquor that he obtained at
your bar."
" That was his own business, and not mine."
" But, sir, you know that he was beggaring hia
family, and abusing them shamefully."
" Permit me to say to you, Mr. Howard, that that
was no business of mine. It's my business to sell
liquor. No body is obliged to buy or drink it unless
they choose."
" Very true. But you know he had no control
over himself when in liquor."
" I tell you again", that is no affair of mine. I am.
no man's guardian. Men have a right to drink if they
see fit, and I've a right to sell."
"And I've a right to say what I think of the
matter. You took a ring from little Henry Ricks,
which you knew was the wedding ring of his mother,
and let him have whisky when you knew that Ricko
had driven his wife out of doors, and to the neighbors
for protection. Was that as you would wish other
men to do by your family ? "
" I ain't a drunkard, sir," retorted Hermon, with
excitement. " I'm not bound to oversee my neigh-
bors' affairs. People had better mind their own busi
ness" he continued, with meaning emphasis.
"I understand your threat, sir ; I've seen enough
of your tavern : it has prospered too well for this vil-
lage. I have seen more suffering and wretchedness
1 .18 MINNIE HERMON.
and sorrow since you opened this house, than I ever
saw before in my life. Ricks' was not the only fam-
ily to whom I have carried bread and given my
practice to save from hunger and death. Light
breaks in upon me. I see where it all comes from,
and I shall attend sufficiently to my " own business"
Mr. Hermon, hereafter, to let your liquor alone, or
else my property will go where Ricks' has gone, and
my family be left to suffer, as I and yourself \ sir, know
that his has suffered. As God is my judge, I'll drink
no more forever ! Good morning, sir ! "
Had a thunderbolt fallen upon that bar-room floor,
the astonishment could not have been greater. The
befuddled intellects were too misty to see the plain
truths hinted at by Dr. Howard, but they could easily
see that he was a very hasty -spoken man, and had
acted like a fool. Drink nothing ! It was one of the
wildest ideas ever thought of, and a temperance man
of this day would wonder at the remarks made by
those in the bar-room, after Howard left. All conclu-
ded that he acted like a madman, and had abused
Mr. Hermon most shamefully. There was not the
least harm in the world in drinking ardent spirits
it was necessary. Because a man now and then made
a fool of himself, so harmless a beverage should not
be talked so about. The Doctor was generally a man
of intelligence, and it was a wonder what had got
into him to make him act so ; he ought to know
better. Guess when he got cooled off he would come
round right. So Hermon thought, although the
TliUKi: MfJi'UNGS. 149
words of the Doctor chafed him more t.;an he was
willing to acknowledge even to himself. Yet he cer-
tainly could not be held responsible for what others
did ; each one must look out for himself. If old
Ricks had not made a fool of himself, he would not
have been where he was. He had never taken any
thing from Ricks without he had paid a full price
for it. It wasn't his business to dictate how men
should spend their property. Such men were his
best customers, and if he should refuse to sell them
liquor, his business would not be worth anything.
He must get a living. He did not want people to
make beasts of themselves. If they did, it was their
own lookout and not his. He kept a tavern for the
public accommodation. To keep a public house and
lot sell liquor, would be a curious idea ! He wan't
the fool that Howard took him to be, and that gen-
tleman would find it out so.
With such reasoning, Hermon stifled the little con
science left, and after a few days things assumed their
usual course, with slight exceptions. All had miscal-
culated upon the Doctor. He had at once seen thb
danger, and in the midst of the horrible effects of the
liquor from the " Home," had solemnly sworn to
drink no more. His manhood, yet unobliterated by
bis rapidly increasing appetite for liquor, rebelled
against the thought of dying a drunkard. Ricks, his
schoolmate, and earliest and best friend, had wasted a
fortune, and was now in irons as a murderer. How-
ard shuddered as he looked over the past few yeara.
150 MINNIE HERMON.
and as he swore before God in the bar-room of the
" Home," so he would do at all hazards. No influ-
ences should drive him from his position.
"With bitter words yet upon his tongue and anger
in his heart, Hermon passed from the bar-room into
the hall. He met Minnie in cloak and hood, with a
basket on her arm, just starting to go out among the
poor of the neighborhood. In his then ill humor, it
was enough to call upon the daughter's head some
of the harsh language that swelled in his troubled
heart against Howard.
"What new subject of your whimpering kindness
now calls you out in the cold ? Haven't I told you be-
fore to stop this eternal running with provisions after
lazy vagabonds ? I cannot, will not submit to it long-
er ! " You must stop it ! "
"Father! I cannot stop it. You must not say that.
I am not feeding lazy vagabonds, but the poor and
needy, such as the Saviour enjoins upon us to aid.
Do not say I shall not, Father ! "
" Saviour be
" O mercy ! Speak it not," and she sprung forward
and placed her hand quickly upon his burning lips
to shut back the dreadful blasphemy. She instantly
removed her hand, and bursting into tears fell upon
her knees and craved his pardon with burning kisses
upon his reluctant hand. The demon was again en-
throned in the bosom of Hermon as of old. Madden-
ed with rum and exasperated by his clash with How-
ard, even the tears of his meek and devoted daughter
THREE MEETINGS. 151
were like oil upon the fires that raged fiercely within
him.
" Min. ! no more of this d d nonsense ! I've
seen blubbering enough. Your mother was always
whimpering around like a simpleton, and I am tired
of it. Go into the kitchen and behave yourself. I'll
see, Miss, if I can't rule my own house," and with a
cruel grasp he seized Minnie by the shoulder and
hurled her towards the inner door.
Minnie sprang from his clutch as if stung, but it
was not the cruel fingers which reached the quick.
Rising erect in all the queenly beauty of her injured
feelings, her thin nostrils distended, and her eyea
kindling with indignation, she stood before the un
natural parent.
" Father of mine ! you may heap reproaches upon
me may even, as you have now done for the first
time in your life, lay a harsh hand upon me, but
in the fear of God, never dare again to revile the
holy name of one who loved so well and suffered so
deeply. Heaven forgive you for assailing the mem
ory of one whom you wronged so cruelly while living,
Have you forgotten that she died with the mark of a
blow upon her cheek, and a prayer upon her lip for
him who gave it ? Have you forgotten the promise
you gave her then that you would not touch the cup
again? By all the memories of the past, of the pa-
tient, long-suffering wife of your own hopes of
Heaven, my once noble father, away with this dark
demon, and we will be happy again. Else the judg-
152 MINNIE HEKMON.
ments of God will as surely come upon us as he lives
above."
Drunk as he was, Hermon felt humbled some-
what, and in a milder tone muttered about giving
away so much out of the house ; it would " beggar
them."
"' And would beggary be any worse for us, Father,
than others ?" mildly asked the daughter.
" Others is nothing to us. It's our business to
take care of ourselves."
" But it's our duty to help the needy."
" But we can be reasonable about it ; 'taint duty to
support all the poor there is."
" Father, I must be plain. There were few poor
and needy ten years ago. I shudder when I think of
the undoubted cause of their poverty. Would to
God that that cause had produced no worse ill than
poverty."
""What do you allude to, girl? what cause?''
fiercely demanded Hermon.
" The Traveler's Home ! Its liquor has produced
Buffering and death in every direction."
" Who told you this, you impudent hussy ? "
" Have I not seen it in all its forms from the very
commencement ? "
" And I s'pose you will say next, as Howard did,
Lat I destroyed the Kicks family ? "
" Your liquor did, most assuredly."
" But how is that any business of mine ? I didn't
kill the wife and children."
THREE MEETINGS. 153
c< But the father did, while in liquor, and the liquor
c&me from your hand."
" My hand ! " and Hermon involuntarily looked at
his hand, as if expecting to see blood there, and then
fiercely moved towards Minnie. But she stirred not,
and the madman quailed before the daughter, foi
she had his own spirit, and it was thoroughly aroused.
" Yes, father, it came from your hand."
" But I have a right to sell, and no one is obliged
to buy the liquor."
" I know that the law gives you a right to sell, but
God says, ' Woe unto him who putteth the bottle to
nis neighbor's lips, and maketh hini drunken.' "
" You needn't preach to me any more, Miss, nor
carry any more stuff out of the house," snarled Iler-
mon, as he turned to, go out. You carried provis-
ions enough to Ricks' family to have half support-
ed 'em."
"And were they not entitled to even more than
a half-support from us ? "
" What do you mean ? Am I to support all who
are fools enough to fool away their property ? "
" I mean, father, that the bread I carried to that
family was theirs every morsel, justly theirs ta-
ken piece-meal from them in their poverty."
" But they had their pay for it in liquor," thundei
cd the enraged father.
' c ID liquor ! and you dare to call that pay for all
that has been taken from them. Did you not know
that every drop which went there was a curse ? Could
154 MINNIE HERMON.
Mrs. Kicks, or her children, eat it when hungry, or
wear it in the cold ? Didn't it make a fiend of Kicks,
and cause him to commit the crime for which he is
now in prison? Don't you know this, father? "
" Go to ! I don't know any such thing. IV
got nothirg but my own."
" Who has the deed of their farm f Dare you say
you gave him an equivalent? Is that instrument not
the death-warrant of the whole family? No," con-
tinued Minnie, as the landlord of the " Home " cow-
ered from her, " that bread was not ours, not a mor-
sel of it. It came unjustly. You may revile you
may turn me from your door, father ; but, before
God, I will restore, as far as in me lies, to those who
have been crushed by this house. You will live to
bless me for this, and to curse the day you trans
formed our then happy home into a tavern. I shall
now go on my errand to the Widow Gilford's. Ilei
substance and the life of her only child have been
destroyed hy rum. She needs our aid. It is her due,
and she shall have it."
"Hell and furies !" growled Hermon, as he slam-
med the door behind him. " She, too, has got How-
ard's stuff by heart, and all the devils this side the
pit can't stop her clack/'
The landlord of the " Home " felt himself a mai-
tyr, and sought to drown his troubles in a stiff horn
of fourth-proof, and a vigorous kicking of the fore-
stick in the fire-place.
Dr. Howard rode home, with new and strange
THKEE MEETINGS. 155
thoughts crowding thickly upon each other. Dimly
at first, but increasing as he proceeded, the light of
higher views of his duties and responsibilities in the
matter of using intoxicating drinks, broke in around
him. As light came, so did a knowledge of his own
danger, and the nearness of the precipice he had es-
caped. So intense became his thoughts as he dwelt
upon the subject, the abyss opened before him, and
he involuntarily drew up his rein so violently that
his horse reared, and came near throwing him from
the saddle.
" I might have fallen worse far worse," he mut-
tered, as the fearful vision was dispelled, and he looked
out upon the eddying snow and up to the gloomy
clouds overhead. It now seemed strange that he had
so long forgotten his mother, and the scene in the
city garret. A blush crept over his cheek as he rec-
ognized the cause of his forgetfulness, and with a ho-
lier and more solemn meaning, his recent resolution
entered down into his better heart. That cold hand
and glaring eye were before him, and the blast assumed
a milder wail, as upon that fatal night ; and he shut
his eyes and spurred on. The light, like a cheering
beacon, streamed out from his own window, and he
dismounted at the cottage, a free and a happier man.
Fearfully plain he now saw the cause of the wasting
cheek of the wife, and lingered upon the step to dash
a tear from his eye. Not even an angry look or a
smothered retort had ever answered his harsh words,
or greeted him as he had returned from the revel
156 MINNIE HERMON.
The intense and holy love of a bette-i 3ay kindled up
with more than its early heat, and he hurried to his
wife's chamber.
Howard entered softly, but the chamber was do-
Borted. The fire glowed in the chimney, and the ta-
ble awaited his coming. As he turned to look, a low
murmur came from the half-opened bedroom door,
and he recognized the voice of his wife. The current
of air from the hall door, which he had opened,
swung the other noiselessly upon its hinges, and the
whole was revealed. The child had been placed in
the bed, and was slumbering sweetly. The mother
was kneeling before the bed, the hand of the little
sleeper clasped in hers, and her head bowed upon the
pillow- Her hair had fallen from its fastenings, and
hung in dark masses over the shoulder. Howard had
never before found his wife at prayer, and he stood
spell-bound, not knowing whether to advance or re-
treat. Clear and distinct her words came, and like
hot brands burned upon his cheek and into his proud
soul. And she, too, had seen his danger ; and now,
with the holy earnestness of a faith which leaned
firmly upon God, and a heart swelling with the sor-
row which the public eye never beholds, she was
praying for her husbacd, and wrestling with Him
who influences the hearts of men, to save the father
of her child from a drunkard's grave. Howard
started as though an adder had hissed at his feet.
And still the long-suffering, never-complaining and
devoted wife plead that their home might be spared
THREE MEETINGS. 157"
from the destroyer of those around it. She raised her
head again, and prayed more earnestly that HE who
loved children would guard her own from harm.
Tears flooded the channel of words, and she ceased
to speak, but a more touching eloquence wep
her prayers in silence.
"Ellen?"
Ere the startled wife could turn, a trembling arm
was wound about her, and her hand clasped convul-
sively in that of her husband, his strong frame heaving
with emotion, and the warm tears of stouter man-
hood's giving away, raining upon the locked hands.
The silence was broken only by the sobbing of a man
who seldom wept
" Ellen, how long have you prayed thus ? "
" Oh, many, many times, Henry. I hope you are
not offended," and she turned to look in his face.
" My deeply injured wife, no ! ten thousand times,
no ! But you will weep no more ; your prayers havo
been answered. I have this night sworn to drink no
more forever that which will intoxicate."
Men who know not how much a woman can suffer
in the daily crumbling away of her heart's dearest
hopes, can dream how unutterable happiness like the
sunshine of perfect bliss came back from Heaven on
the pathway of her prayers, as she wound her arms
around the neck of her husband, and with her head
bowed upon his bosom, wept again. Her tears were
now for joy. Each one gave back the light of hope
and promise, and a sweet and holy oalm pervaded her
J5S MINNIE HERMON.
soul in that night of storm. In that hour, too, How
ard had determined to lean upon her God, and the
tempter was forever driven from their earthly Eden.
As he stooped down over his child, it awoke, and a
smile answered the kiss. It was like an angel- wel-
come welcome back to a better and holier life.
The evening meal was never sc enjoyed. The fire
looked brighter, and the tea-kettle sung a livelier air,
and its steam curled up from the spout like an in-
cense. The storm was unheeded; and even aftei
the family had retired, the coals glowed and flashed,
and the cricket chirruped his happy song under the
hearth.
Dreams visited the Sleeping husband and wife.
The fearful specter which had seated itself at their
hearth was driven away, and the Angel of Hope came
?uid smiled where it had been.
CHAPTEE XIII.
MABEL DUNHAM.
AMONG the earliest victims of the rum traffic in
Oakvale, was Harry Dunham, an impetuous, gener-
ous-hearted and high-souled young man of thirty
years of age. In the pleasures of the cup, the bond-
age of the tempter was woven so speedily and strong
ly around him, that his prospects darkened at midday,
and the sun of his promise went down like a meteor.
His was a nature to yield at once and madly to the
fatal embrace of his enemy, and in a few years the
gifted young man had fallen to the lowest degrada-
tion, and in soiled and tattered garments spent the
most of his time in the bar-room of the tavern. The
manly form \vas bloated, the hair bushy and un-
combed, and the full, dark eye of a fiery red. It was
pitiable to see the once proud young man, holding
horses, cleaning stables, sweeping the bar-rooms
performing the most menial service for the pittance
of a glass. As a sixper/ce dropped into his hand, he
would turn eagerly away to the bar and spend it for
rnm.
The course of Dunham had desolated as happy a
home as a young man ever had. But the young wife,
who had given him the priceless wealth of her young
7
MINNIE HEKMON.
heart, was stricken down like a tender flower, and,
without a word of complaining, died.
Mabel, the fair child of the brief union, inherited
all her mother's loveliness, and every home in Oak-
vale was gladly tendered the worse than orphan.
She had no more a homo, for her father deserted her
entirely, and plunged more deeply into dissipation.
She no more, however, was compelled to visit the
" Home," with the tin pail, and in tremulous tones
ask liquor for a drunken father at home.
John Gault, a bold, impulsive boy, a few years
older than Mabel, was often seen in her company,
and at such times himself went into the bar-room and
got the liquor for her. John's father, though a cler-
gyman, was a cold, stone-hearted man, and was angry
at the intimacy between his son and " drunken Dun-
ham's " Mabel ; but the wilful boy would go to school)
and over the fields, and by the river, with the sad-
hearted child.
The old school-house stood over the river, perched
picturesquely at the " four corners " among the rocks
and scraggy pines. The walls upon the lower side
were covered with moss, tufts of grass growing in the
crevices, and a thistle, with a pale red blossom, reach-
ing out its prickly stem. The house is old and
woather-beaten, and the chimney crumbling away ;
but clustering with a thousand hallowed associations.
The jack-knife had been busy upon the clapboards
and berches, where rude skill had carved ruder ima-
ges an } names, many of the letters turned the wrong
MABEL DUNHAM. 161
way, and fantastically uncouth. The old door-sill
was broken and deeply worn, and the rank grass was
growing greenly upon either side of the hard path.
There was an old rock by the tuft of elders, sloping
back to the hill from its perpendicular front, and
smoothly worn by many a summer's treading of bare-"
footed groups. It was warm the rock in the
summer's sun. and there were glorious tumbles from
the overhanging top.
The rock is there yet, but many of the bare feet,
have long since trodden the journey of life.
Across the road was a wide-spreading old thorn,
with scraggy trunk and lance-like weapons hidden in
its leaves ; but it bore a gorgeous wealth of white
blossoms, and the bees mingled melody with the wel-
come fragrance. On the knoll beneath, was 'the
mimic carriage-way, with its bridge of bark and em-
bankments of fresh earth. No architects of ancient
grandeur were prouder of their achievements than the
boy builders Below the hill was the old mill, witb
its deep, dark flume, and the pond covered with float-
ing timbers. The mysterious old wheel was covered
with moss, and as its dripping arms swung round, a
M'ealth of gems fell glittering in the sunbeams. There
was the still water wlion the old wheel ceased to go
round, and the green-lookiijg stones upon the bottom,
where the " dace " lay so lazily in the sun, and seem-
ed so wondrous large. It were worth a world to sport
again in that cool stream, with the light of childhood
in the heart, and its vigor in the limb.
162 MINNIE HERMON.
The sun crept stilly into the open door of the school-
house, and away across the warped boards, nicely
swept, and worn smooth by childish feet. Warm and
rich was that sunlight as it came in at the window
upon the well-worn seat, and leaped off upon the floor
across the room. Sweetly it laughed upon the sleep-
ing boy's face and upon his golden hair. The little
sleeper was just at school, and the mistress had kindly
laid him down, his feet hanging over the end of the
bench, and his arm hanging down to the floor.
The sun moved away and so will move away
the child-dreams of his school days.
There is a low murmur of voices in the room, and
the hum of the fly, as he wings about in the stillness,
or crawls on the warm window-pane, or trims his shi-
ning wings in the sunshine- save this, all is hushed
and dreamy. The sun beats hotly without, where
the mowers are busy, the scraping of their rifles, as
they sharpen their scythes, ringing clearly across the
field. With the shadow of the drifting cloud goes
by the breeze, after entering the windows like a spirit
of health, with its fragrance of new-mown hay.
The wide old hearth is neatly swept, and the fire-
place looks cool with its profusion of boughs. The
school mistress moves quietly about the room with
ferule in hand, and prompting with a musical voice
as the children recite.
There is the beautiful and sad face of the lone boy,
as, with his crutch beside him, he sits in the door and
watches sports he cannot enjoy. His cheeks are
MABEL DUNHAM. 163
pale, but his eye of deepest blue has that resigned
and patient look which wins the heart, and his sweet
andgentle manner endeared him to all. The best
apple is his, and he has a favored seat at all cui
plays ; and when we lift him over the fence, where
he can mingle with us under the wide-crowned thorn,
his look is grateful, and lingers like a sacred thought
in the memory. The pilgrimage of the lame boy is
ended. He left his crutch at the grave, and in it that
shattered, form.
In the corner of the crooked fence, and under the
thorn, was the play-house, built of fragments of
boards, and walled in with cobble-stones. The bro-
ken china was nicely arranged, and the turf floor
cleanly swept. But lessons were not always well
learned within that little retreat. The plump arm
was punished with a pin, when the mischievous owner
put dock-burs in her brother's hair.
Mabel Dunham was a favorite, for the children had
not yet learned to shun the drunkard's child. Her
eyes were sweetly calm and blue, her hair long and
lying like waves of gold upon her white neck, or glan-
cing in the sun as her hand tossed the heavy braids
from her cheek. A gentle and touching sadness had
settled upon her features since her mother's death,
and sorrow more than years had written its language
upon her thoughtful brow.
John G-ault, was the boy-lover of Mabel. He
carefully lifted her over the mossy stones in the
streams, over the fence, or down from the wide rock
164 MINNIE HERMON.
by the spring. The yellowest daisy and iho freshest
wild-rose were hunted out from the meadow and the
hedge, and the largest pond-lily was wrenched from
its moorings far out in the water. The smoothest and
prettiest pebbles were selected from the brooklet's bed
for the little house he had built for Mabel, and the
greenest moss pulled to carpet the floor. The red
maple was climbed for boughs to shut out the sun
those blue eyes ever turned anxiously up that he
should not fall. Mornings, John would steal away
and watch her coming down the winding path around
the hill, and carry her basket to the school. The im-
petuous boy loved more than boys usually love. He
saw her everywhere in night and day dreams. The
flame-like foliage of the maple was like the dress she
wore. The robin in the beech overhead sang of Ma-
bel. The golden dandelion and the daisy smiled as
she smiled ; and the blue sky down in the still water,
was as dreamy and still as her eyes were calm. He
heard her footfall behind him as he hurried through
the dusky wood-path. The stars had eyes like hers ;
and in the moonlight, the dew-drop glittered as he
had seen .the tear glitter upon her cheek. In the
strength and purity of his child-love, John had
promised, that, when a man, in spite of his father and
everybody else, he would make Mabel his wife, and
they would have a home of their own, and be
happy.
Boy dreams !
Mabel Dunham lost !
M.VBEL DUNHAM. 165
The news spread quickly through the village for
all loved the unfortunate child. The father, deeply
intoxicated, had been seen the evening before iii her
company across the river.
Below the dam was a foot walk, high above the
watev, for the accommodation of the villagers. Across
this wab the most direct way to the falls a place
where John and Mabel had spent many hours in
childish communion. John was the first to reach
the walk, just as the sunshine fell in a broad beam
across the pool. There upon the bottom was Dunham
and Mabel, one hand clenched upon her arm, and the
other upon the handle of his broken jug ! The sands
glittered in the golden braids of her hair as they lay
out upon the clear current ; and, as if smiling to the
sky, h<;r eye was turned upward. A wild rose was
crushed in her stiffened fingers. The father with hk
jug, and the child with the flower! both at rest.
There was no little astonishment when it was known
that Elder Snyder would not preach at the funeral
of Dunham and his child. Few dared, however, to
reason the matter with him. His creed was cast-iron
in its mould dark, puritanic and forbidding. He
felt that no drunkard could enter Heaven, and be-
lieved that the sins of the father were visited upon
the children. Dunham was an ungodly man, and
Mabel had never been baptized, and it would be
blasphemy to pray for those who were already
doomed to perdition. Gault indignantly rebuked
the bigot because he would not preach for Mabel ;
166 MINNIE HKRMON.
but he was severely chastised for his wickedness and
impertinence.
On a bright Sunday afternoon they carried Mabel
across the stream, and lowered her gently to her rest.
John Gault dare not speak, but his heart went
down with the coiSn, and he loved the old sexton be-
cause he dropped the dirt so softly down, and placed
the sods so carefully with his hands, with a tear in
his own eye. The old man loved Mabel, too.
Thus early in life ended the love-dream of John
Gault
CHAPTER XIT.
GOING FKOM HOME.
" No, I '11 not forgive him. He 's a wilful boy, and
has disobeyed me thrice in this matter. He has
shown himself a child of the devil, and he must go
out. He is no son of mine, and this is his home no
longer ! "
" Nay, William," pleaded the tearful wife, "he is oui
only child. Do not turn him away, but forgive him.
He is wayward, but not vicious. Years and kindness
will cool his fiery nature, and he will be a blessing
in our old age. God will not leave him we must
not. The act may be his ruin, and plant sorrow in
our old hearts for life. ' Our Saviour was forgiving,
William," and the earnest woman laid her hand gen-
tly on the arm of the stern man before her, " and
should we not bear longer with the only one now
left us?"
"Tempt me not, woman! Your mother's heart
clings wickedly to an unworthy idol. The boy has
wandered from the fold and our heartheide and sought
intercourse with the ungodly. He is lost, but God's
will be done. I must not shrink, for we read that if
the eye offend, we must pluck it out. Alfred is de-
termined to inflict disgrace upon us and the church.
168 MINNIE
His mouth is filled with cursings, and his heart with
disobedience, and I can harbor him no more."
" But if the prodigal should return," continued the
now weeping mother, "you surely would welcome
him to our home?"
" Enough of this, Mary ; it is wrong to repine. It
is ordered that our child should be cast out from
among the righteous, and it is ours to submit."
The angel-hearted mother would have still plead
for her wayward boy, but she looked in the face of
the stern, tearless father, and with a quivering lip
turned away to weep as only a mother weeps, and
left that frowning man to walk his study with a firm
tread and a compressed lip.
Elder Snyder was a Christian of iron mould. No
penance-doing monk was ever more exact and rigid
in the performance of his religious duties, and more
unforgiving towards the wayward and ungodly. He
looked upon the least sin with' no degree of allowance,
and felt it a solemn duty to heap the fiercest condem-
nation upon all who did not square by his standard
of faith. His was a cast-iron creed, unyielding and
unforgiving. He was once a persecutor of the saints,
but now a minister of the gospel, who dealt only in
the fierce red imagery of hell and its torments, in his
Sabbath ministrations. He never spoke of the love
of the child-like Saviour nor wept as that Saviour
wept never forgave as that Saviour forgave. He
never smiled ; but cold, passionless and stern, stood
like an angel with a flaming sword to drive out the
GOING FROM HOME. 169
erring forever ; never, like the meek Redeemer, to
forgive and pardon on the cross, and welcome to
Heaven the praying and penitent thief. He was evei
dark and forbidding, and his sermons were ever woven
with the sombre texture of eternal wrath. The mild,
winning light of our blessed religion never warmed
or irradiated his dark nature. He esteemed joy and
laughter a sin, and passed among his people with a
countenance as rigid and unbending as though no
heart throbbed beneath that stolid surface.
Such was the father of Alfred Snyder, for whom
the mother plead in the beginning of this chapter.
The young looked upon him with awe, but not with
love and veneration. There was nothing in his man-
ner or conversation to win the affection of the youth,
or to attract them toward him. From the ball-play
or the ring he turned away with a frown and a sigh.
His prayers were ever of a chilling solemnity, and
breathed only denunciations against the impenitent.
And in the chamber of the dying, he never wore that
smile of hope and faith, which burns like a beacon
above the silent wastes of a shoreless ocean. Child-
hood shrunk away in whispers from that cloudy brow,
and hushed the laughter of its joys.
We need not detail the history of an education at
such a hearth and by such a teacher. His treatment
of his familv chilled every warm impulse of his chil-
dren, and taught them that all earthly joy was a sin.
All but one of his children had passed away, but the
170 MINNIE HEKMON.
iron man never wept it would have been sinful to
have wept over the providence of God !
And so the mother wept alone in her heart and
chamber over the wasting of her idols.
Thus Alfred Snyder grew up to early manhood,
looking upon his home as a prison-house, and his
father as a stern, hard keeper, and upon the world as
a bright realm which lured him to pleasures he could
not enjoy. Even the most innocent amusements of
childhood were denied him. The tide of young life's
buoyancy was frowned back to its fountain, where its
pent-up strength struggled against the unnatural and
unreasonable restraint. The Bible and the catechism
were the only books ; the rod, the devil, and perdi-
tion, the only motives in life. The result of such a
system of training upon a fiery nature, need not be
told. Alfred inherited all his father's firmness, with
the buoyant, sunny nature of the mother. His heart
was full of the sunshine of life, and of the nobility of
manhood. He turned kindly to every one, and
eagerly sought the pleasant associations of youth.
He was frank, impulsive, and generous, and from a
cold and uncongenial home, turned involuntarily to
catch the sunshine he found not at his own hearth-
side. Thus, step by step, without dreaming of wrong,
he crossed the first circles of youthful pleasure. In-
stead of striving to make home pleasant, and to blend
instruction with amusement, the father was harshly
Btern and unforgiving. Alfred, now twenty yeara
GOING FKOM HOME. 171
old, came home from a dance ; the father did not ex-
postulate or entreat, but, with a lowering brow, took
the rod and chastised his boy. Alfred's cheek flushed
a deep crimson, and his eye flashed, but he stood
erect and looked his parent in the face. But the
strokes burned, and his proud nature writhed under
the disgraceful infliction. The punishment came to
the ears of his comrades, and, maddened by the fact,
Alfred attended another dance, and was again flog-
ged. And still a third time. The gulf had now
widely yawned between the parent and child, and the
latter sought his chamber with a pale, compressed
lip. A new purpose was formed.
The father knelt and put up his evening prayer, his
voice as coldly calm and unshaken as though no
shadow had ever fallen between him and his first-
born.
The mother stole away to the chamber of her boy,
to drop the balm of kindly words and tears upon hia
smarting wounds and into the lacerated heart. Al-
fred had thrown himself upon his bed without un-
dressing, and had already fallen asleep. There were
tears lingering upon the lids and cheek, and the holy
ones of the mother mingled with them, as she kneeled
and w T ept over the wayward, but brave and noble-
hearted boy. His cheeks were flushed, and, upon
one of them, was a long line of fiery red, where the
lash had reached from the shoulder.
The father prayed not for his child, but the mother
did. Alfred awoke to hear her asking the blessing
172 MINNIE HEEMON.
of God upon liis head, and he wove his arm around
her tv^ck, and wept as a grieved child would weep,
"Mother, I must leave home it is no place for
me. Harsh words I can bear, but not blows.
I arn disgraced, for the boys all understand the
matter."
" No, no, Alfred," answered the mother sadly ;
"you must not leave. Your father is severe, but he
feels that you have disobeyed him. Your mother
will plead with him you are our only child, and
you must not go away from us."
"Mother, I must. It's of no use father never
smiles or speaks a kind word to me. Had he done
so, I am sure I should not have disobeyed him. I
love you, mother, but I cannot love him. Every
blow he strikes me smarts to the soul, and, with bit-
ter words, he told me to leave the home I had dis
graced. Did he speak to me as you speak, I could
get down on my knees to him and beg his forgiveness,
but never, with the lash burning on my back. I
will go."
Alfred had arisen and stood with erect frame ana
dilated nostrils, his eye flashing and the whip mark
reddening on his cheek. The mother watched him
with feelings of pride as he stood, and yet wept at his
determination. The mother's tears were yet warm
upon the cheek of her boy, to be borne out into the
world, and remembered when all else virtuous and
holy died out.
" It is of no use," he firmly answered to her earn
GOING FROM HOME. 173
esl appeals, " I must go. I never shall return until
he ashs me to, though I will write to you often. And
now, mother, I am wild and thoughtless, but you will
pray for me when away. I shall be a better man.
It is hard to leave to be turned out, but," and he
stood proudly up, " I can wrestle alone in the world,
and find none more unkind than him you have told
me to love. Don't weep you unman me. In an
hour I shall be on my way."
Alas ! how many stronger wrestlers have been
thrown in life's encounters.
The mother spent that swift hour on her knees,
and, as the clock struck ten, she hearkened, even then
hoping that Alfred would not go. She opened the
hall door, passed softly to his chamber, and found the
door ajar. She feared he had gone, but she found
him bowed and his face wet with tears, and her min-
iature in his hands. Like the low rustling of an an-
gel's wing, the mother kneeled down, and locked arm
in arm in silence, they wept again together, for the
mother loved her child.
Alfred stood on the threshold, his heart swelling in
his throat, and locked to the heaving bosom of the
sorrowing mother. Even then, had that stern father
spoken one kind word to the proud boy, the cloud
would have passed away from the hearth.
'T was like wrenching hearts asunder the agony
of that parting. She clung to him with hooks of steel.
He had been her idol, and she yielded him as one of
the brightest hopes of earth: Clouds had darkened
174 MINNIE HEKMON.
the sky over their heads, but darker ones were it
their hearts.
"I must go, mother may God be with you, for
there are none to love you as I love you. Tell fa-
ther to be more kind to others than he has been to
me, and that when old age creeps upon him, one
kindly word will bring me back to our home from the
ends of the earth. Don't weep, mother, but pray for
your wayward boy. Goodrbye ! "
Like a part of her own life, Alfred withdrew from
her trembling arms, and turned down the road. She
listened to every footstep, the sounds falling like barbs
into her desolate heart, and, faint and dizzy, she pas-
Bed into the dark and lonely chamber, where every-
thing reminded her sadly of him who had gone from
her sight forever. It stormed during the night, and
she saw in each flash the form of her boy, heavy-
hearted and weary, toiling alone through life, without
mother or home.
The morning was cloudless, and the sun smiled upon
the dripping landscape. The father put up his morn-
ing prayer with a steady voice, never once alluding
to him who was launched out upon a world-wide and
treacherous ocean.
The mould will long gather upon the gra ?e of
that mother, ere the wanderer returns.
CHAPTEK XT,
UNMOORED FROM THE HEARTH.
ON the fourth day from home, Alfred Snj'd^r found
himself in the streets of the Empire City, alone and
friendless. The thronging thousands, the rumbling
of wheels, and the confusion of tongues, wore the air
of novelty for a time. But he soon wearied of all
this, and felt himself in a vast solitude, even in the
midst of the great Babel. So true it is, that in the
very midst of the tramping thousands, the strangei
feels like one in a vast solitude, and turns within
his own bosom, where there are thoughts of home
and friends w r ho are ever joined in one common
circle.
It is not our purpose, at this time, to trace the ca-
reer of Alfred in. detail. The chances are against
him in the great battle before him. Brave and true
men have fallen. There is no true heroism like that
which meets arid beats back the temptations which,
like ten thousand whirlpools, circle and seethe every-
where in the ocean of life.
Alfred was alone, and the principles of virtue and
truth not too well fixed. The very manner in which
he hud been educated at home had robbed such
principles cf their real attractions. He remem-
176 MINNTE HERMON.
bered sucli teachings as associated with the harsh
word and the stinging blow. As he turned to the
gay world, its gayeties and pleasures had beauties
which have too often proved fatal to those of sterner
mould. He was impulsive, generous and brave ; and
under the influences of a right education at home, he
would have been one of nature's noblemen.
Alfred remembered his mother, and felt that he
should always respect her parting advice. Poor boy !
How soon he learned his weakness. By degrees, yet
rapidly, he was drawn into the mesh. His was a na-
ture to welcome all that wore the guise of friendship,
and the result was that he found himself a dupe and
a victim of designing knaves, his good resolutions
vanished, and himself floating away resistlessly upon
the tide of ruin. Often he thought of his mother,
but temptation came again and again, and still closer
her bonds were tightened around the boy. He beat
the current with feebler stroke, and turned to go down
to his fate.
Six months had passed since Mrs. Snyder bid " good
bye " to her boy at the old farm gate. Not a waking
hour of that time had passed in which she had not
thought of him, and lifted her prayer to God to watch
over him, and guide his footsteps. As she sat at the
morning and evening meal, the eye would flood as it
turned to a spot at the board no longer filled. In his
chamber she thought and dreamed, and with longings
which only a mother can know, looked for his coming
at-some future day.
CNMOOEED FROM THE HEAKTH. 177
The mother may dream, but she shall puss from
the earth and see him not.
And happy for her that she cannot see him now,
as he mingles with the abandoned in the dens of vice.
The fair cheek is already red and swollen, and the
eye inflamed. How swiftly ruin has written its Ian
guage on that handsome face and manly frame, and
upon his manner and apparel.
The hallowed face of his mother mingles in the
dreams of his drunken slumbers, like faint sunbursts
struggling into the dank and dark dungeon-house of
death. Dim, and still more dim, appeared that form
as it receded in the distance, leaving the nightmares
of ruin to riot undisturbed in the heart of the victim.
At times, as the fumes of a debauch passed off', his
better nature would struggle bravely for a moment,
and the yet proud spirit chafe against the fetters which
bound him. How eagerly the sick and bruised boy
then turned his thoughts homeward, and to his mother,
who stood at the old farm gate, as on the night they
parted, with outstretched arms to welcome him back !
A thousand times, the first impulse had been, to go ;
but instantly a stern and relentless shadow passed
in before him, and with fierce words and thongs, drove
him back the shadow of his father ! He could not,
would not go back as he was, and he had not strength
to burst away and win an honored name among men.
There was an enemy in his bosom stronger than he
a sneering devil, who smiled upon the impotent strug-
gles of the enslaved one.
178 MINNIE HERMON.
Late one night Alfred Snyder was found in the street
near the wharf, drunk and asleep.
When he awoke in the morning, he was bewildered
and lost. He pressed his hand upon his brow, where
sharp pains shot fiercely through every vein. He
experienced strange emotions the bed seeming to
rise and fall as if tossed on an ocean swell. He at-
tributed the sensation to his debauch, but he heard
the creak of cordage above him, and a sound like the
dashing of waves near his head. A dim light strug-
gled in through a small window above his bed, and
he arose and attempted to stand upon his feet. The
room rocked, and he believed himself yet drunk,
though he could remember distinctly the scenes of the
previous evening. He groped around to find a door,
but reeled and stumbled against his bed. That sound
of dashing waves still continued, and he shut his eyes
to determine whether he was not still dreaming. At
last he managed to climb up to the window by stand-
ing on the bed, and look out. It could not be a dream I
yet, there met his bewildered gaze one wide expanse
of blue water, the long, unbroken swells plunging
sullenly towards a faint blue cloud in the distant hor-
izon. He was on board a vessel, and the wide waters
rolling between him and the shore !
Drunk and insensible, Alfred had been borne to the
ship which was outward bound for a three-years
cruise. As the sun went down that day, he leaned
over the bulwarks of the vessel and looked out on
the bright pathway of gold, which mockingly smiled
UNMOORED FROM THE HEARTH. 179
away towards the distant home. Again he thought
of that Eden and its mother, and a hot tear leaped
from his feverish cheek, and was borne shoreward
by the receding wave.
We shall make too much of a digression if we
trace all the wanderings of Alfred Snyder. He
was wrecked on the Barbary coast, and for three
years was a slave to the Moor. He escaped from
his bondage but to be wrecked again on the west-
ern shore of Africa, and struggle for weeks with fe-
ver and deprivation. He was at last taken up by a
elaver, and afterwards taken by pirates, and entered
as one of their number in their bloody trade.
CHAPTEE XVI.
THE STEANGEK IN THE TARPAULIN.
IT was one of the days of late autumn. The morn-
ing was cold and cloudy, and the ocean swells came
plunging darkly to the shore. A chill wind blew out
in gusts, sweeping the water from rising billows, and
bearing it along in drifting clouds of spray. The
streets were damp from the night before, and all
things wore a dismal and cheerless aspect.
Towards noon the heavy fogs rolled out from the
shore, and the sun struggled feebly through the bro-
ken clouds. Far out, with all sails set, a vessel was
beating towards the harbor. But not until late in the
afternoon did she drop her anchor at the wharf and
furl her damp sails.
With a glass, one might have stood on the wharf
and noticed a person on the deck of that ship, as mo-
tionless as a block, leaning over the bulwarks, his chin
resting on his hand. The sailors were busy aboard,
but he moved not, until the anchor dropped and the
vessel rocked like a weary and panting monster at the
wharf. He then started like a man from a deep slum-
ber, and paced the deck with a quick and impatient
tread.
A week or ten days from the time above alluded
THE STRANGER IN THE TARPAULIN. 181
to, a man might have been seen toiling up the long
hill which led to the village of Oakvale, with a slow
and weary step. His sailor garb was hard-worn and
dv.sty. His feet were blistered from travel, and he
carried his shoes in his hand, stopping frequently (o
rest by the way-side. His face bronzed and weather-
beaten, and marked with scars, and grossly red, his
eye red and fierce, and his hair long and matted.
The frame was a noble one in its proportions, but the
step had none of the vigor of mature manhood. Slowly
and silently he pursued his way, nor noticed the pass-
er-by who turned to look again at the dust-covered
and uncouth-looking stranger.
As he reached the top of the hill overlooking the
village, he turned from the beaten path, and seated
himself upon the stones which had tumbled from the
old wall, and with his arms resting upon his knees,
gazed long and earnestly towards the village. The
sun was setting without a cloud, and its beams rested
in all their autumnal loveliness upon the landscape.
Peacefully it went down behind the western hills,
and still the traveler gazed, until the mingled hum of
the evening sounds came up the valley. The moon
was already in the sky, and the soft twilight ; and clear
and distinct the church bell pealed out and swelled
up, and then rolled away like waves upon the trem-
bling air. That iron voice startled the traveler, and
a thousand thoughts might have been seen creeping
over his swollen features. Again he listened, and as
the last notes died out in a murmur, he bowed his
182 MINNIE HERMON.
head and wept. Like the showering rain, the pent
up drops glanced from the feverish cheek.
The prodigal stood again in the outskirts of his na-
tive village : the scarred and weather-beaten sailor
was Alfred Snyder. He had returned, and there he
stood on the bridge and looked down upon the shim-
mering waters of the stream. He lived again in the
past, and stood there as when a boy. But what a
shadow had passed over the years of his. manhood.
Alfred entered the village. Many of the buildings
remained as when he left, and he walked up the fa-
miliar street like one in a dream. How strangely the
memories of other years stole back in their early
freshness, until it seemed but a day that he left it all
and the dwellings and the stream, the bridge over-
grown with grass, and the mellow moonlight, the
clump of hemlocks below, and the weather-beaten
school-house across the pond, were the same as then.
It was a happy, an ecstatic dream ; and as he thought
of how much he would give were it in his power to
buy back the past, and blot out his manhood's years
and their dark history, he wept again.
Here was the old church, the grass green around
its old steps, and the tin dome glimmering in the
moonbeams. Alfred passed round to the window by
the shed, and climbing upon the old bench, peered in
through the window. "What thrilling thoughts throb-
bed in his bosom as he attempted to scan familiar
places in the dim light. The moonbeams fell upon
the old desk where his father had preached from his
THE STRANGER IK THE TARPAULIN. 183
infancy, and across into the family pew. Did he
preach there now, and his mother sit in that old pew ?
The outlines of the organ were shadowy. Where was
she who once sat at the keys ?
The prodigal turned away from the holy silence
which reigned within the church, and passed into the'
heart of the village. The same tavern sign swung
between the posts, and the same " stoop " was there.
He passed quickly on, for it seemed sacrilege to invade
the better thoughts which now possessed him with
the bitter memories of the tavern house. A few steps,
and he stood where he parted from his mother. He
trod softly, for it was holy ground to him, and invol-
untarily looked to see his mother, as she then stood
at the gate and wept her good-bye. Steadily the
tear drops ran down his cheeks, and he leaned over
the gate, yielding himself to the thoughts which bore
him away like a flood. There stood the old parson-
age the home of his youth ; and he lingered, and
looked through streaming eyes, like a returning wan-
derer into a holy Eden. The old cherry was there
still, its yellow leaves now rustling in the path and
upon the green by the roadside. The little porch
had not changed, and the wild vines clung to the
eaves as of yore. His own chamber window was there,
and tlio low root beneath it. Ho longed to go in and
look into the garden, but dared not touch the brass
knocker upon the front door. He felt that he would
have given worlds to have known if his mother was
there, yet dreaded to know. He listened foi her
184 MINNIE HEEMON.
footstep as he once used to hear it, when she watched
late for his return, but it was the rustling of the leaves
which had fallen in the walk. Was the mother there,
or had she passed away, and strangers taken her place?
The moon came brightly out of the clouds, and he
passed up to look upon the old lion-faced knocker.
As his foot fell upon the sill, the dark shadow of a
cloud passed over the sky, and he shrunk timidly
back to the gate. But he felt that he must know,
and he again stood within the little porch and peered
into the face of the bronzed lion for the familiar name
His heart sank within him, for another name was
there, and the stern image seemed to frown upon him,
and he turned away, as weak as a child.
Without a thought, he had turned up the street;
and stood in front of the old church-yard, its sable
gate standing dark and sombre at the entrance.
Guilty as Alfred was, and his hand red with crime,
the flowing tears, and the sacred memories which
brought them, made him forget his own degradation,
and he sought the grave-yard as a place of rest. He
had not yet thought that his mother might be there
until he stood among the sodded mounds ; and when
the thought came upon him, he gasped for breath,
and leaned heavily against the fence. That mother
had been a beacon which had guided him in his wan-
derings towards home, and he felt that if it had gone
down in the grave, there was no hope for him. The
bruised prodigal felt that she could save him, and
THE STRANGER IN THE TARPAULIN. 185
he shuddered as he cast his eye upon the white mar-
ble that stood in the moonlight.
Alfred knew where his brothers and sisters were
buried, and, as if dreading some fearful revelation,
bo passed on among the graves. How loud the sear
leaves in the hollows rustled in the stillness of the
night. Weak, trembling, and dizzy, he reached the
iron paling, and for a moment shut his eyes in dread.
The cold drops stood out upon his brow, and yet his
cheek burned hotly. He lifted his tarpaulin from his
head, and as the cool night wind stirred his shaggy
locks, he felt strengthened. And there, in that en
closure, stood a large marble slab. With the weak
ness of a child, he reached out and clung convulsive-
ly to the monument, and read, as he dropped his hat
upon the grave, " Sacred to the memory of MAR?
SNYDER, who died May 10th, 18 , aged 56."
His mother was dead, and the grass of four sum-
mers had been green on her grave. That beacon to
which he clung for salvation, had gone down in the
night of death, and he was alone ! Her arms were
not spread to receive him. or her tears of welcome to
fa 1 ! upon his neck. Hope died away in the prodigal's
heart the graves swam around him, and he fell heav-
ily upon the leaf-covered mound, his scalding drops
pouring out the love of years, and mingling with the
dew which trembled like gems upon the rank blades.
The fallen one would have been happy could
he have lain his head by the side of his mother's
upon its pillow of earth, and vi ith her been at rest.
CHAPTER XYII.
THE TRIAL.
As the time approached for the trial of Ricks, the
circumstances of his crime were again brought to the
public attention with an interest equal to their first
development. His conviction and execution were
looked upon as a matter of course.
Time had laid a heavy hand upon the murderer
during his imprisonment, and the days had been dark
and dreary. There were none of kin to befriend him in
this great trouble, and there were few in the commu-
nity who ever gave a thought to the prisoner in his
cell. Elder Snyder had never yet seen Ricks since
his confinement, but had contented himself with
thundering wrath upon his head from the pulpit.
But there was one who visited him often. The
penitent and humble criminal had learned to listen to
her footfall as that of an angel oi peace. To her he
was indebted for many a comfort, and many a word
of kindness and consolation. Hers was the only
countenance which had smiled upon him in his soli-
tude. Her woman's heart had sympathized with his,
and her tears had mingled with his tears, while, with
the calm and cheering faith of the Christian, she
pointed him to ono who could save to the uttermost.
THE TRIAL. 187
There was a sublimity in the scene the red-handed
murderer bowing and weeping like a child, as the
gentle friend plead in her sweet low voice for one so
deeply guilty. When those who had shared the pris-
oner's too generous bounty left him to his fate with-
out a word of commiseration, the daughter of the man
who had brought the ruin upon him clung to him
like a sister. As Ricks thought of all she had done
for him, he forgot much of his bitterness against the
father.
So strong was the current against Ricks, that none
of the lawyers would defend him. The ruined man
had no money or wealthy friends with which to com-
mand aid. On the day before the trial, the one at
first retained avowed his determination to abandon
the case.
" You are a sensible man," responded Hermon
from his bar, " his case is hopeless. A man would gain
no credit or money in such a case. He must swing.''
" And he ought to, if ever a man did," continued
several in the bar-room.
" There, are those who deserve the rope more ! "
hissed the man in the tarpaulin.
" That may be," retorted Hermon, looking mean-
ingly into the face of the speaker.
" And will hang yet ! " deliberately added the
stranger, rising to confront Hermon, that wild eye
kindling with unwonted glitter, as it gazed into that
of the shrinking landlord. The latter turned away
as from, a reptile's spring, for there was something
188 MINNIE UERMON.
about the sailoi which always repelled too much
license.
" And why, may I ask," said Doctor Howard, who
had listened to the conversation. " should not Ricks
be defended '? "
" He owns up, and what 's the use ? " answered
Hermon, glad to get rid of the sailor.
" But the worst men are entitled to counsel Our
laws guarantee it."
"But he has nothing to pay. Can't expect people
to defend a gone case for nothing."
' Perhaps," coolly remarked the Doctor, " some of
his friends will aid him with means, eh ? "
" What do you mean, sir, by ' ' friends f ' " angrily de-
manded Hermou.
" Those who have his money in their pockets" re-
plied Howard, looking the landlord calmly in the
eye.
" What do you mean by that ? that I have got
any of his money ? "
" 1 meant what I said," continued the Doctor, with
coolness, in spite of the angry advance and menace
of Hermon. " Ricks once had enough to employ able
and honorable counsel, and command the respect of
those who like cowards heap their venom upon his
name." The shot told, and there was a brief silence
fin the room. Coloring deeply, the lawyer turned
from the bar where he had just swallowed a dram,
and inquired of Howard if he meant to " insinuate
anything by the word honorable."
THE TRIAL. 189
" Yes, sir ; and to make the matter understood, I
now say that no honorable man would desert a client
because his cause is bad and his purse empty. I
trust there is no insinuation about that ! "
" Do you mean to say, sir,
" Just what I did, Mr. Skillott," broke in the Doe
tor, as he saw the former move towards him with
clenched fists. " Men who win money so easy, should
not desert a client with an empty purse ! "
" But," said Skillott, in a more softened tone, " the
man is a bad man. He acknowledges himself guilty
of a brutal murder, and declares his determination to
plead guilty. What is the use of a defence ? "
" Every man, sir, is entitled to a defence. Ricks,
at heart, is no more a murderer than you or I."
" How can you make that out ? "
" The process is simple. He was maddened with
liquor. When sober, he loved his family and was
kind."
" Nobody was to blame for his drinking but him
self, I am sure. It was his own business."
"The man who sold to him was more to blame.
He knew the appetite of Ricks, and how he treated
his family when in liquor, and in rigid justice is as
much guilty of the crime as Ricks."
" You 're a rascal ! " belched Herrnon, spring-
ing for the poker, and brandishing it over Howard's
head. There was a crimson flush upon the cheek of
the latter, but it passed away, and he eyed his infuri-
nted enemy with a steady nerve.
190 MINNIE HERMOX.
" Keep cool, Mr. Hermon ; jou '11 find it a more
troublesome matter to attack a sober man than to put
a drunken one into the street."
" You deserve to be kicked into the street. A
murderer, indeed ! " muttered the landlord of the
" Home," as he trembled with rage.
" Mr. Hermon, there are ways of committing mur-
der without coming within reach of human laws.
But God's laws are plain. You could not sell arsenic
to a man who you knew would use it for self-destruc-
tion. You cannot dig a pit that a neighbor may fall
therein, or let an unruly ox run at large."
" But, sir, how did /ever touch Ricks' family ? "
" Touched them with the most cruel torture. You
knew that every sixpence Ricks brought you was
needed by his family, and yet you took it to the last
one, and sent there that which you knew was destroy-
ing them by inches. You laid the train to their door,
liable at any moment to produce just such results as
we have witnessed. But for this tavern, Ricks would
now be an innocent, a wealthy and an honorable man.
If, as in olden time, the blood of the murdered
should be traced to the nearest threshold, your own
would be crimsoned with the blood of the Ricks
family."
"False as h 11 ! " thundered Hermon. " I have a
license to sell, you abusive scoundrel, and am not ac-
countable for other men's doings. I tend to my own
business, and I wish others would mind theirs."
" Be sure you take your license to your grave and
THE TKIAL. 191
to God ; and may you find that and your own hand
guiltless of others' Kood ! Good morning, Mr. Her-
mon," bowed Howard, slowly turning upon his heel
and going out.
u Please remember, gentlemen, what that man said.
I '11 sweeten him for slander, or my name ain't Iler-
mon," hissed the exasperated landlord, as he turned
into his bar.
" We (hie) we will, and more too," stuttered a
poor sot, reeling on the " bunk " in the corner.
" Yes, for the murderers are not all hung yet,"
added the sailor, as he sat with his chin in his palms.
" Take that, you devil ! " shouted the gored land-
lord, bringing the poker, still in his hand, down
fiercely over the speaker.
With the spring of a cat, the latter writhed from the
blow, and fastened upon the throat of his assailant.
" Playing poker, eh ? Think to train Tarpaulin be
cause he 's crazy, eh ? Not so easy killing sober men I
Stick to your bottles, and let iron alone, and murdei
in safety ha, ha, ha!" That half-maniac laugh
fairly burned upon Hermon's cheek, so near was the
face of the sailor, as he glanced with a fiendish glee
upon him. That iron grip would have proved fatal
in a moment more, for his eyes rolled back in his
head, and his tongue, black and swollen, protruded
from his mouth.
" Stick to your bottles, Mr. Hermon ; there is more
blood to shed, and men to hang ! " hissed the sailor,
as he released Hermon, and again emitted that pecu-
192 MINNIE HKBMON.
liar chuckle. When Hermon recovered his voice, the
sailor had gone.
Walter Bray ton had just completed the study of
the law, and returned to Oakvale on the evening pre-
ceding the trial of Ricks. His generous and noble
nature was indignant, when he learned that his coun-
sel had deserted him just on the eve of his trial.
Walter's resolution was taken, and he immediately
took his way to the jail, though late in the evening,
for the purpose of offering his services in the case.
It was with the utmost difficulty that Walter ob-
tained admittance to the prison. Had not the jailer
been a personal friend, the doors would have been
closed against him ; for the sheriff, Landlord Hermon,
had that day strictly forbidden such privileges to the
prisoner. "I have already violated the injunction,"
said the kind-hearted man, as he put the key in the
lock.
As they entered the passage leading to the cell a
female figure, deeply muffled, stood at the grated
door awaiting the coming of the jailer. As the pon-
derous engine swung grating back, the figure, drawing
the hood still more closely over her features, passed
lightly and swiftly out.
"That,' said the jailer, "is the only person, Law-
yei Skillott excepted, who has ever visited Ricks
aince his confinement."
" I was not aware," said Brayton, " that the unfor-
tunate man had any kindred left. Who can she be ? "
he continued, in a tone of surprise.
THE TRIAL. 193
" I am not at liberty to tell her name, even to you ;
but she is one of the angels of earth, and never fails,
in any weather, to visit the prisoner. A thousand
comforts, sir, and what is more, kind and forgiving
words, have come from her. I have been blamed for
it all, but she comes and goes in the night, and I could
not help it. Her voice would open the doors them-
selves, it seems to me, it is so soft and kind, and her
face is so sad. Poor girl, she is seeing sorrow," and
the kind-hearted man brushed away a tear with his
sleeve.
Brayton found Ricks bowed over his Bible and in
tears, but the latter welcomed his young visitor with
a smile. To Walter's proposition, however, he main-
tained a determined opposition for a long time.
" But," said Walter, earnestly, laying his hand upon
the prisoner's arm, " you are not entirely indifferent
to the opinion of the world. You are looked upon as
one of the most cold-blooded of
" Murderers, you would say," broke in Ricks, with a
shudder, as Walter hesitated.
" But," continued the latter, "you are not. You
were maddened with rum. You loved your wife and
children as well as any man. By these memories,
and for your own name, it is your duty as well as a
privilege to make a defence. To be sure, the case is
a dark one, but we can hope for the best."
" Hope ! " echoed Ricks, in a hollow voice, " I hope
for nothing but the rest of the grave ; I dare not
hope for Heaven. And yet, Walter, as I am a dying
MINNIE HEKMON.
man, I am not a cold-blooded murderer," and the
cheek blushed redly at his own words. " I did love
Mary and my children. God! what a horrible
dream," he muttered, as he bowed his face in the
open book before him, \mtil the pages were wet with
hot tears.
"But I have not a farthing in the world,'' said
Ricks, looking up.
" Don't speak of money," quickly replied Brayton.
" I am young, and have no experience, but it will
afford me a happiness you will not deny me, I am
sure, to allow me to aid you what I can."
" Well, let it be as you wish, but it will be of no
use. Yet I shall owe you much for your kindness,
for the friends who have remembered me in my mis-
fortune are few. But one friend, besides yourself
and the jailer, sir, has ever been within these walls.
May God bless her for what she has done for me.
Her father, though he has ruined me, has even or-
dered that a friend should not see me."
" Her father ! And she whom we met was
" Minnie Hermon" added Ricks. " Her kindness
alone has made life bearable. Would that I had her
faith in the Redeemer ! "
Walter went out with a holier love for the rum-
seller's daughter.
The streets of Oakvale were thronged early on the
day of the trial. By the time the court opened, the
THE TRIAL. 195
court room \vas packed by the people of the village
and the surrounding country, the dense mass swaying
in excitement as the prisoner was brought in and
placed at the bar. He vengeful feelings gave way in
many a heart to the nobler one of sympathy and pity,
as those who had known Ricks once, looked upon
him now. He had come forth from his cell with his
hair of a snowy white, and the form and bearing of
an old man. In the darkness of his imprisonment
the bronze had faded from his cheek and brow, anc
they were now of an ashy paleness. There was a slight
flush on his features, as he looked round upon the mul-
titude. As he seated himself, his eye fell upon a
pitcher of flowers standing before him, made up of
the choicest of the season, and tastefully arranged.
The prisoner well knew what hand placed them there^
and the thought of her, with the perfume of the flow-
ers, stole like a cooling shadow upon his burning
cheek.
"Who is your counsel?" asked the judge of the
prisoner, as it was well known that Skillott had re-
fused to have anything more to do with the defence.
Ricks looked around, and a shadow passed across his
features, as he felt that young Brayton, too, had been
overawed by the strong sentiment against him. At
that moment the stalwart form of "Walter Brayton
was seen crowding up the opening in front of the bar.
Slightly pale, but apparently calm, the boy advocate
took his seat by the prisoner, and to the usual ques
tion firmly answered "not guiliy /"
190 MINNIE HKRMOF
The outside interest increased at the prospect of a
struggle, but the cause of the defence seemed so utter-
ly hopeless, that the better portion of the audience
turned with pity from the prisoner and his counsel,
and all wondered at Brayton's temerity in underta-
king the case against such odds. Skillott, now en-
gaged on the prosecution, smiled with ill-concealed
contempt, not unmingled with delight, as he counted
upon an easy triumph. Walter's eye fell upon the
bouquet before him. To his better-informed mind, it
read a language which nerved every purpose within
him : " Hope, faith, courage, deliverance ! " Wal-
ter at once knew that the messenger spoke to the
prisoner, and felt a thrill as he recognized the hand
of the author. But what could it mean? As he
raised his eyes he saw the sailor gazing upon him
with a meaning but mysterious look.
We need not follow the trial of Ricks through in
detail. The proof was conclusive, and left not a loop-
hole for the prisoner to hang a hope upon.
All eyes were turned upon the prisoner's counsel
as he arose to address the jury, and Bray ton himself
felt a crushing weight upon him. There was a tre-
mor in his voice, and the brief shook slightly in his
hand. An insulting sneer rested upon the face of
Skillott, as he leaned back in his chair, and with his
thumbs in his vest looked Brayton full in the face.
Brayton was evidently embarrassed, and blundered
in his opening. Tu a remark that he was inexperi-
enced, Skillott retorted in a whispered insult, but
THE TRIAL. 197
distinctly heard by Brayton and the bar. The half-
suppressed titter stung the young man, but he waa
calm fearfully cool and calm. The crowd were
taken by surprise at the matter and manner of the
young advocate. To a voice of unusual depth and
power, and a mien noble and commanding, he added
a rich imagination, a mind well stored with reading,
and a logic relentlessly close and convincing. Turn-
ing his kindling eye upon Skillott, he deliberately
stated the cause of his treachery to the prisoner, with
comments so withering, that the smile passed quickly
from the face of that veteran advocate, and he looked
more like a guilty one than the prisoner. The bold
and successful castigation of one so dreaded in the
courts, produced a sensation in the room, and people
essayed more eagerly to catch the tones of the speak-
er. But as he warmed and forgot himself, they
swelled and rolled until distinctly heard by the vast
throng assembled without. The oldest in che profes-
sion were taken by surprise. Brayton's argument ex-
hibited so perfect a knowledge of all the intricacies
of the law ; so wide and thorough an acquaintance
with authorities ; so complete a mastery of every av-
enue to the human heart, skill in attacking and de-
fending, and exhaustless power of illustration, that
old counselors were spell-bound as he proceeded.
After going through with the testimony, he con-
cluded :
" Gentlemen, I know not what the result of your ver-
dict may be. But be ware how human prejudices in-
198 MINNIE HERMON.
fluence your decision this day. The unfortunate man
whose life is at stake, may be guilty of wrong ; but it
is not the part of men of Christians, to pursue an
erring brother vindictively into the very presence of
a final Judge. I have been pained at the unfeeling
and unforgiving character of the public mind in rela-
tion to the alleged crime of the prisoner at the bar.
He was in prison and you visited him not. The meek
and holy Master, who wept over sin and spoke kindly
to the guilty, has found no representative in your
midst, save one, to extend the most common human
sympathy to the lone one in his cell.
" Gentlemen, you are all the creatures of circum
stances of education. The ordeal that tries men,
brings out their true character. Who among us shall
dare to say that no temptation could shake him from
his position? Man does not know himself. The
strongest of to-day, tried by adversity to-morrow, may
fail the best may err.
" Look at Kicks, gentlemen 1 Until his ruin by
a vice now too lamentably prevalent, and the acts
now alleged against him, was he not the peer of the
proudest in this community ? Who of you ever heard
ought against him or his? His honor was untarnish-
ed by an unworthy word or deed, his generosity al-
most a fault, and his worth, as a man and a citizen,
equal to any. What wrought bis ruin ? The foul
and festering hell of corruption, whose fumes even
now come up into the precincts of the very temple
of justice. Your tavern ruined him. But for that, a
THE TKIAL. 199
good citizen would stand blameles among you to-
day, and a husband and father dwell in peace in the
busom of a happy wife and children. And are there
none to blame for all this ruin ? Before God, I be-
lieve the people of this community as guilty of tho
destruction of the Ricks family, as the prisoner at the
bar. To be sure, they did not strike the blow. But
their agents, the members of the excise board, signed
their death warrant ; and while at their homes and
their prayers, the devilish work was carried out.
The victim was first bound in the chains of an appe-
tite, which has ruined the strongest intellects evei
created, his substance taken from him, and his brain
maddened with poison. Under the direct influence
of liquor, then and now sold by law in this communi-
ty, he committed the deed charged upon him. Who
placed that temptation in his way? Are none but
him guilty of the fatal results? The rum which
caused the deed, went from your tavern. As I once
dared to say, it has proved a curse indeed. You
have, Prometheus like, chained down the victim, and
then let loose vultures to tear him. There are acces-
sories to this triple murder, who are not punished by
law. The people and their agents are particeps crim-
inis. They have aided and abetted the sweeping
tragedy. There is broad trail of blood from the ruined
altar of the Ricks family to your own, and the thresh-
old of your tavern. The unoffending wife and inno-
cent children died legally died by authority of the
people of Oakvale died a revolting and cruel death,
200 MINNIE liERMON.
under a warrant, with your names, through your del-
egated instruments, attached in full to the parchment
of blood !
"Gentlemen, this prisoner is not the only one who
is to enter this room in custody. Pauperism and
crime are being manufactured in our midst at a fear-
ful pace. A fearful change has come over our once
peaceful and happy village. Our families have been
ruined, and our fields turned to waste. Pauperism
stalks your streets in its rags. Blood ! innocent
blood, smokes hotly from the licensed butchery of the
rum demon. There is a note of sorrow, and a maniac
wail upon the ear. Mabel Dunham and her imbru-
ted father Hinson in your jail, with the flesh bitten
from his arms, and his body drenched in blood an
esteemed citizen frozen within sight of his own door
the Watt family at this hour weeping around the
corpse of a broken-hearted mother Ricks the elder,
of revolutionary memory, with the snows of winter in
his thin locks, and the frost in his eye a once happy
family, at rest in a bloody grave families once
wealthy and respectable r now living as town paupers
scores now doomed to the same fate, and desola-
tion and wo scattering broadcast among all classes,
all point to your liquor business as the source of all !
Blood cries from the ground, and fresh tragedies will
startle, when too late, a guilty community from its
deathly slumbers
4i But I will not detain you longer. I leave the
fate of the prisoner with you and with God. There
THE TRIAL. 201
are few to weep in the event of a conviction, for he
has no kindred on earth. The last of a noble family
is before you, charged with a capital crime. Those
whom he loved, as you love those dear to you, are in
their graves. Whatever may be the result, may this
community bear in mind the period when the prisoner
at the bar was all that a parent, husband, and citizen
should be, and as you go to your homes this night,
ask yourselves the question what caused the fall of
one so high in your estimation ? "
There were few dry eyes in the audience during
portions of the plea for the prisoner. The judge's lip
even quivered with emotion. In the minds of some,
new light had dawned in relation to the liquor
business, while others ground their teeth, and watched
the bold advocate with lowering brows.
Skillott's plea was labored and bitter : aimed more
at Brayton and his " dastardly slanders " upon a re-
spectable community and profession. He evidently
writhed under the reflection that he had met with an
antagonist more than his match.
The charge was feeling but plain, and after a brief
deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of "guilty."
On being asked if he had anything to say, Ricks arose
and said :
" I have but a word to say. I wish to look you,
gentlemen, in the face, and every neighbor in this
room, and before God, declare that I am not a delib-
erate, willful murderer. I loved my wife and chil-
dren when I let rum alone. To that alone I owe my
202 MINNIE HEKMON.
ruin and my crime. I do not fear to die, there is
no tie which binds roe to earth. If my poor life would
restore my wife and her children my own good
name, and our unblighted home, I should die happy
May all beware of the cause of my fall."
CHAPTER XVIII
THE GALLOWS CHEATED OF A PREY THE PEOPLE OF A
SIGHT.
LATE in the night previous to the day appointed
for the execution of Ricks, Minnie Hermon was pass-
ing from the jail to the " Home." For the last time
she had stolen to the cell of Ricks, to administer a kind
word, and to ask forgiveness for her father.
As she passed out into the yard, and between the
jail and the court-house, she was confronted by a tall
form standing immovably in her path. She was
startled, but did not cry out, as many would have
done, at so abrupt a meeting in the dark. The intru-
der manifested no disposition to stir from the passage,
and remained silent. Minnie mustered firmness to
demand the cause of the interruption, and who it was
who thus intruded himself upon a defenceless woman.
"A friend. You know 'Crazy Alf.' You gave
him bread, and treated him kindly."
" If you are a friend, let me pass, and you shall
never want when you ask bread again. Do not de-
tain me here."
" Miss Hermon is a friend of the prisoner ?" whis-
pered All, not stirring from his tracks.
** I am, and hope you are," replied Minnie, now
204 MINNIE HERMON.
thoroughly alarmed, fearing that her movements had
been watched for no good purpose.
" I am, must not be hung horrible ! "
" What can you mean ? "
" Hist 1 Speak lower, llicks not a bad man
never do wrong again must not hang ! "
" I do not understand you. He is to be hung to-
morrow," and Minnie shuddered at the word.
'''Must not hang, I tell you. Murderers not all
hung yet give him wings ! "
"How? what? 1 '
" You do not want him hung do no good bring
no dead back. Must let him go ! "
"How can that be? Would it be right? "asked
the eager girl.
"Right to cheat the gallows? to cheat rum?
to let a penitent go to do better ? " No more a mur
derer than I am! "
Minnie startled at the firm energy of that " I am."
It was ground between the teeth with a shudder.
" What can be done ? " she timidly asked.
" Take this to the prisoner you can do it," and
he drew something from his sleeve and held it towards
Minnie. She involuntarily reached out and clasped
some hard substance wrapped in a paper.
" God forbid ! You would not have him commit
"No, no. But he has iron to gnaw before he can
fly."
Minnie was easily convinced that the ends of jus-
tice would be just as well answered in the escape of
THE GALLOWS CHEATED. 205
Kicks, as in his execution ; for her woman's heart
shrank from the latter alternative, and she turned
back toward the jail.
The bar-room was full on the evening preceding the
day of execution, and the event of the morrow was
earnestly discussed. Hermon was mellow, and spoke
with brutal levity of his duties as sheriff at the scaf-
fold. Rum flowed freely, and the probable bearing
of the condemned was canvassed over jingling glasses.
Unnoticed by the intoxicated group, " Crazy Alf "
had stolen into the room, and seated himself in the
corner, behind the stove, his eye wearing an unusual
glitter as he watched their movements. In reaching
for wood, Hermon stumbled over the strange creature,
and recoiled at the touch.
" Many a worse fall, yet, Sheriff Hermon ! ha I
ha ! " hissed Alf, rising to his full height.
" Corne, come, Alf, none of your vinegar. Let's
be friends, and take something."
" Guess I will we must know each other better,
eh ? " and Alf followed Hermon to the bar. None
saw the former turn his brandy down the outside of
his throat, into his bosom, but rather made themselves
merry over the apparent effects of the liquor upon
the half-crazed sailor. Alf craved more, and drank
again and again with Hermon, the latter glad to thus
win the good will of a troublesome customer. The
sailor was forward to display his money, and all drank
at his expense.
Hermon was soon reeling, and in passing out of the
206 MINNIE HEKMON.
bar to assist a traveler, he lost his balance, and fell
headlong.
" "Worse falls than that, yet," came from Alf in that
peculiar, hitter tone, as Hermon arose to his feet by
the aid of a chair and the arm of the traveler. When
the landlord of the Home again looked for the sailor,
that personage had gone, and none had witnessed his
stealthy exit.
"All drunk and Alf sober. Now for it, while rum
and darkness lasts," said he as he swiftly glided down
the street. Creeping under a long tier of sheds, after
listening a moment in the court-house grounds, he
drew forth a long, light ladder, and carried it across
the garden, and to the rear of the jail. All was dark
and still, the rain now steadily falling, and the wind
beating in gusts as Alf proceeded to carefully raise
his ladder and rest the top against the top of the
grated window of the cell where Ricks was confined.
At this juncture, the jealous dog noticed the move-
ment, and came growling from the woodshed. Alf
was a familiar character about the premises, and he
called the dog to him.
" Hate to do it, but men worth more than dogs,"
he muttered, throttling the unsuspecting mastiff, and
cutting his throat from ear to ear. When the dog be-
came still in his hands, he dropped him and cautiously
ascended the ladder.
Portions of the iron window had been cut and left
to be easily removed, by Aif, some days before, and
it was but ii moment's work to lift out the bars and
THE GALLOWS CHEATED. 207
silently tie them to the ladder so as to avoid noise
Lifting the window by hair's breadths, he leaned in
and listened for a long time. He had feared that the
officers would watch with the prisoner during the
night; but Hermon was drunk, and the jailer absent
by a cunning ruse. Alf could hear but one persoif
breathing in the cell, and he ventured to whisper tho
name of the prisoner.
" Who calls ? " slowly answered the latter, doubting
the evidence of his hearing, and rousing from his cot.
"A friend."
" And why here ? "
"To save. Do no good to hang ! "
Ricks shuddered. The word entered his soul like
the chill of death, and crept through every vein, as
the scaffold and the crowd loomed distinctly out in
the darkness of his cell. To hang ! He closed his
eyes to shut out the horrible phantom, but it was still
there his neighbors staring at the solemn spectacle,
and the victim, wearing his own features, ghastly
and swollen, looking down from the scaffold in his
shroud of white.
' James Ricks ! are you ready ? " impatiently de
manded Alf, leaning still farther into the cell.
" Heady for what ? " muttered the former, confused
and hardly knowing whether he was awake or asleep,
" Ready to leave. Do no good to hang, tell ye. Go
off and be a better man."
" I begin to understand you. But why flee ? "
asked the prisoner sadly and proudly. " I deserve
y
208 MnsrsriE HERMON.
my fate, and will meet it like a man. How could T
escape if I would! " Ricks continued, as a thought of
life and liberty shot like lightning to his heart, and
made it beat wildly in his bosom. " The brand is
upon me, and justice would dog me wherever I went.
Do not excite within me hopes which cannot be re-
alized."
" Excite no false hopes. Do no good to hang, tell
ye ! nobody thank ye for 't. Go off do good, and
die natral."
Liberty is ever sweet. It lives and throbs in every
heart. In spite of crime, of sorrow, of bolts and
chains, its flame lingers in the human heart, and kin-
dles up at the sound of deliverance. The slave dreams
of it while at his task, and in his weary slumbers.
The captive watches the sunlight, and the prison walls
cannot hide from his vision the distant home and hills.
Tyranny cannot crush it ; iron cannot bind it, or steel
kill it. 'Mid ruin it smoulders. Like the captive ea-
gle, it beats its fetters as it listens to the wild scream
in the distance.
Ricks had thought to meet his fate with resigna-
tion, convinced of its justice and necessity. But the
love of liberty and life is sweet and never-dying. At
the word of hope, that love grew wildly strong, and
an ignominious death upon the scaffold was dreadful.
He quickly rose upon his feet, but to sink again, as
the sound of the clanking fetters fell like lead to his
heart.
"Devils/" hissed Alf. "Chains on yet? Why
THE GALLOWS CHEATED. 209
didn't you cut 'em nobody bring a file here, eh ? "
and the sailor swung like a cat in upon the dungeon
floor.
"A friend did bring something, but I supposed it a
knife, and would not undo it," and here light flashed
into the mind of Ricks.
" No knife file should 'a used it."
But Alf was not to be foiled. Feeling from the
staple in the wall to the ancle of the prisoner, he
found a link through which he could put the ends of
two of the window gratings, and prying in opposite
directions, the link was broken with ease. The same
process wrenched the padlock from the fetter, and the
limbs of the prisoner were free. None can tell the
strange, wild emotions that stirred the heart, for he
had given himself up to the hope of freedom, and
escape from an ignominious death. Tears fell upon
the hands of Alf as the latter removed the iron from
the calloused ancle.
Swiftly and cautiously the two descended the lad-
der, and crossed the fields to the river. A skiff wafe
hidden in the underbrush which lined the bank, into
which the two sprang, and with a noisele'ss stroke, Alf
struck out for the opposite shore. An hour's walk
after landing, took them several miles up the ra-
vine, by a foot-path which led over the mountains
and across the wilderness to Pennsylvania. At a de-
serted sugar cabin, a horse was found saddled and
fastened in a dense undergrowth.
, "Mount!" whispered Alf, with emphasis, as he
210 MINNIE H~ERMON.
unhitclied the spirited animal and led him before
Ricks.
" But the horse is not mine," said the latter, yet
proud and honorable as in his better days.
"Devil. I know that ; mine, though. Time lost,
tell ye. Away ! Better ride than hang ! " and Alf
seized the emaciated form of Ricks in his powerful
grasp and swung him into the saddle as though lie
had been a child.
" There ! " putting the reins into his hands, "money
and bread in bags. Shun daylight and rum. Re-
member Crazy Alf and Minnie Hermon ply the
gad ! " and ere the excited Ricks could thank his de-
liverer, the latter had disappeared with rapid strides
down the dark gorge.
Alf muttered that peculiar chuckle as he listened
to the quick ringing of hoofs up the mountain, and
strode muttering back to the place where he had left
his boat. It was brief work to replace the bars in
the jail window, to wrench his ladder in pieces and
cast it into the river, and steal away to the deserted
hut where he sometimes found a shelter.
There was intense excitement in Oakvale on tie
morning of the day appointed for the execution of
Ricks. On visiting the cell at day-break, but the
irons which were upon the prisoner remained, and.
no farther signs which revealed the manner of his
escape. By the appointed hour, more than five thou-
sand people had assembled. To the disgrace of our
common humanity, we are compelled to say that a
THE GALLOWS CHEATED. 211
largo class of both sexes manifested much ill temper
in their disappointment. The immense throng at the
scaffold finally gathered in the rear of the jail, as it
became known that the prisoner made his escape from
the window, and until a late hour discussed the mat-
ter, and gazed at the gloomy window as though they
hoped to see the prey of the scaffold still within
reach.
Hermon, intoxicated with excitement and rum,
stormed imprecations upon those who procured the
escape ; for it was evident from the tracks to the
window, that two persons had left the jail. Consta-
bles and parties returned late in the afternoon, finding
no indication unusual, save the tracks of a horse un-
der full gallop, but headed towards the river.
Alf had himself shod the horse with the shoes re-
versed, and with a lurking sneer he walked up to
where Hermon stood in the crowd, and looked him
steadily in the eye.
" Bird flown, eh ? Didn't catch him, s'pose. Mur-
derers not all hung yet ! ha ! ha ! "
Hermon turned away from that dreaded eye and
entered the house. Drunkenness, rioting and horse-
racing ended the day's history.
CHAPTEK XIX.
THE WATT FAMILY.
IN Rhode Island, many years ago, there lived a
wealthy family by the name of How their worth
and standing equal to their worldly means.
With a morning sky unclouded, and light with
hope, the accomplished and favorite daughter of Major
How married an estimable young man by the name
of Watt, a gentleman of high integrity, honor, and
irreproachable private character. His future was full
of promise, and he took his young bride to a home
of happiness and affluence.
The customs of the day stealthily fastened a love
of wine in the system of young Watt, gathering
strength while the victim dreamed not of danger.
Indeed he would have laughed at the idea of danger
to a man of his mind and position. The current
swept beneath with a swifter tide, while he beat the
waves with feebler stroke. It was long before Ber-
tha Watt realized the fall of her heart's idol. Day
by day brought the fearful truth to her mind, until
the heart-crushing conviction fell like a stunning blow
upon her happiness and hopes. She was not the wo-
man to complain. Proud of the world's opinion, but
meek and gentle, she suffered alone with her tears,
BERTHA WATT
THE WATT FAMILY. 215
"hiding the ragged iron in her soul. Bertha had none
of that sterner stuff in her nature which rallies as the
storm beats down hope after hope ; but alone with
her babes, her shrinking and trusting spirit, as mild
as the sky of summer, suffered on. The young cheek
paled, and the light grew dim in the eye. She would
not, for a world, have spoken to her high-minded and
sensitive husband of the dark vice which already left
a broad shadow of coming ill at their hearth-side.
In their new home near Lake George, in York
State, the almost-despairing wife and mother hoped
that her husband would escape many of the baneful
influences of the society he had been accustomed to
move in. The hope was vain. The drinking usages
of pioneer life, though less refined, were none the
less general and fatal. And besides, step by step,
Watt had lost much of his chivalric pride of charac-
ter his manhood was degraded. The crater kin-
dled within him, was burning out every sentiment
of his better nature. He became familiar with coarse-
ness and vice, gambled without hesitation, and was
often in a state of shameful intoxication. His busi-
ness was neglected and his temper soured ; he spent
most of his evenings at the tavern, and when at home
was sullen and harsh, or broadly abusive.
Darkly the days dawned at the neglected hearth,
and darker still their evenings. The unkind word
and constant neglect, were wringing to agony the
heart's every fibre, and unseen tears, scalding with
sorrow, were wearing deep channels in the pale and
21 G MINNIE HERMON.
wasting cheek. The pure smile and winning way of
the babe, or the witching laughter and prattle of the
older children, had no power to win a parent from
the embrace of the tempter. Home, and its circle
was deserted for the bar-room ; the wife and her treas-
ures, for the cup and the boon companion. The trail
of all his ruin was broadly slimed from the threshold
to the hearth, and there Want and Despair sat amid
the domestic wreck. No resource of the mother
could long keep her loved ones from going forth in
rags. The appeal for bread, made in the silvery voice
of trusty childhood, was answered with a curse, and
from the barren board, the recreant husband and pa-
rent went forth to steep his soul in deeper potations.
The child that once crawled upon the knee and threw
her light arms over the shoulders, and with stainless
lip kissed the bearded cheek, now shrunk away and
hushed its half-sad mouth at the dreaded approach.
And thus an idolized parent's returning tread
was the herald of sorrow and tears, and his darkening
form a shadow upon every joy which, like pale flow-
ers, still sprung up on the wintry waste.
From carelessness when drunk, the dwelling was
fired, and the family driven from their beds into the
snow of a winter's night, one of the older girls leap-
ing from the chamber window just as the flaming
roof fell in. After this fresh calamity, the family re-
moved to Cherry Yalley, and still again to
county.
In the haggard and sottish drunkard, none would
THE WAT! FAMILY. 217
have recognized James Watt. He was ill- tempered
and abusive in the extreme ; quarrelsome, reckless
and profane, and outraged nearly all the proprieties
of life. At times, he would earn money fast but. to
spend it in one prolonged debauch. Not a penny
ever went for the support of his family.
Mrs, Watt and her children existed from day to day,
no one knew how. The children and herself were in
rags. Silently and in secret, for tears provoked the
harsh word or blow, she wept away her life. With
a languid step and a vacant stare, she moved about,
hoping for the long rest of death, yet dreading to
leave those who now alone bound her to earth. Late
at night she toiled, and the morning found her with-
out rest. With a compressed lip, she bore the sharp
gnawings of hunger, that her babes might not want
for bread, and still the moan of the famished one
would often pierce the lacerated heart like heated
barbs. She was yoked to a living corpse, and as sho
listened to the snoring of the drunkard in his slum-
bers and smelled the stench of the consuming fires,
she could look down into a once manly heart, now a
seething crater, where all her earlier and brighter
hopes lay smouldering in charred and blackened ruins.
The lips it had been her pride to greet were flaming
"with rum and the wanton's loathsome kiss. As she
felt new life throbbing in her bosom, she locked her
wasted fingers together and prayed to die.
Ill-fated Bertha ! there was dark ending of life's
summer day after so light a morning !
218 MINNIE HEKMON.
Summer was fading into autumn, and the leaves
were already falling. Within a miserable tenement.
Bertha Watt was fading away. Few ever entered
the pauper dwelling, and with her children to watch
her, she journeyed downward to the dark valley. A
few were charitable, and the family were saved from
actual starvation. Desolate and cheerless the room
and the couch of the dying ; more desolate still the
stricken heart, as she looked around upon a group of
ten, who were doubly bound to her by the ties of
years of common suffering. Yet, blessed God of the
*poor ! Hope lit her torch at the waning flame of
life, and pointed sweetly away, over the misty realm
of sod and slab, to one of happiness and rest.
As the sharp wail of her tears broke upon the
night's stillness, Bertha Watt lay silent in death.
The crushed and broken spirit of the meek and in-
jured sufferer was free from its wasted temple, and
far out upon a shoreless sea !
They said she died of consumption. Aye, con-
sumption of the heart its hopes, like drops of blood
dripping away, through the long night hours of ray-
less years. Hidden away, and unseen by the public
eye, are such triumphs of the scourge as these, and
thickly written in the history of its progress, as are
the leaves upon the forest in summer time.
And there is a place where the weary and the
heavy-laden shall find rest !
A wide world for the worse than orphans ! Rum
.had not yet sufficiently ravaged their home. From
THE WATf FAMli,*. 219
the grave of the wife and mother, James Watt went
back to the bar-room, more abandoned and shameless
than ever. Hum had burned out the image of her
who stood with him at the altar, a trusting and a hap-
py young bride. He never gave his family a thought.
Penniless, fireless, and breadless, gathered the strick-
en group where a home had been. While the earth
was still fresh upon the mother's grave, the rumsell-
ers came with their executions, and stripped, under
a stringent law, the very bedding which that mother,
in all their misfortunes, had retained, as the gift of her
girlhood's home. But another blow came. The im-
bruted father sold the cow, and with the proceeds,
left the village with a boon companion, and squan-
dered it in dissipation.
Two older sisters fought hard to keep the family
circle unbroken. The father returned to curse them.
They whom he once loved, and who loved him with
all the holy intensity of child-love in return, learned
to hate him, and as he went from the dwelling, prayed
in hearts fearfully old in grief, that he never might
return. And in a land of Christians, James Watt
had that dealt out to him for his money which de-
monized his manhood, and made him desert and hate
his own flesh and blood, and fostered hatred in re-
turn ! Slowly the sacred ties which bound parent and
child were withered and broken, under the scorching
fires of the bowl.
Money exhausted, the father returned. The elder
daughters toiled iu a factory, its bell starting them
220 MINNIE HERMON.
from feverish slumbers, and its walls a prison to their
drooping frames. Every Saturday night, the father
would demand the wages of heart and brain-aching
toil, and spend the money for rum with his compan-
ions on the Sabbath. And many a day did the chil-
dren gather around the rickety table, with bran bread
its only dainty, a jug of rum upon the shelf, and a
drunken father snoring upon the floor.
The children, who had committed no crime, went
hungry and ragged, that the licensed robber might
have his plenty !
Darker yet gloomed the sky over the Watt family.
As per poor laws of that day, the younger children
were struck off at auction, and put out to be kept by
the lowest bidder ', while arrangements were made to
seize the others, and from town to town drive them
back to the county they came from. One child-sis-
ter, of four years a sweet child in rags, whose tiny
hands never wronged a being on earth, and who never
knew why she was a pauper found cold-hearted
keepers, and in the winter time, died in the entryway
upon rags for bedding, and covered with vermin, no
mother's hand leading her into the shadowy land, or
sister's kiss warming upon the chilly lip. The blue
eye, which had known little but tears, turned upward
to a Christ kinder than men, and glittered with frost
in the clear morning sun.
The grave lies between the two worlds. The win-
ter sod shut the infant victim beyond the reach of the
scourge, and she wept for bread no more.
CHAPTEE XX.
" MORAL SUASION.'
JJ
MUCH has been said and written, in the course of
the temperance reform, about the power of moral sua-
sion. There is a power in its tear and its tone.
With kind words it appeals to the better nature and
essays to win back the fallen. With a gentle voice
and look it knocks at the heart of the erring and points
out a better way. It meets the prodigal with a tear
and says, " go and sin no more." In a thousand forms
it finds the human heart in its wanderings, and with
a tear for its follies, poiots with a smile of hope and
forgiveness back to honor and truth. The proud
spirit which would fling back with scorn the hatred
of a world, would melt and sway like a summer leal
at the gentle whispering of words of kindness.
Moral suasion has accomplished much in winning
men from their cups more than the penal enact-
ments which drag the drunkard from a legalized hell,
to incarceration or fine. It has saved many from the
fang which glitters in the bubbles on the breaker's
brim. Even from the midst of deepest ruin, some
word or kindly deed has brought back the erring to
virtue and duty. It is doing much yet, and will never
fail to do much while there are hearts to lovo the
drunkard and weep over his ruiu.
222 MINNIE HEKMON.
There are some of oni friends who avow their readi
iiess to rely solely upon the power of moral suasion
for the removal of intemperance. It seems to us a
Btrange infatuation. Prayers, and tears, and appeal-
ing words, against an evil impregnable in its citadels
of legislation, and backed by the whole force of the
government ! Would the same friends content them
selves with appealing to the incendiary and the mur-
derer to spare their homes and their lives, and the
torch and the knife at the same time commissioned to
do the infernal work, and the hand that wielded them
protected by law ? What . would the cold-blooded
butcher care for the pleading of innocence or weak-
ness, when licensed, for a price, to drench the very
hearth in warm blood ? And would the incendiary,
empowered to burn, and sustained by the so called
respectable, in the light of the kindling flame, re-
nounce the desolating business which he had pur-
chased of government the right to engage in ?
God never designed that a wicked world should be
governed by moral suasion. He himself has put on
record penal enactments against sin against vice and
crime. Until human nature is utterly changed, mor-
al suasion, as a sole-restraining power, will be impo-
tent. All the blessed influences of the Gospel, the
influence of home, friends, virtuous teachings, and
the hopes of happiness and Heaven, as a motive pow-
er, will not restrain the vicious. All men are not
susceptible of moral influences. If they were, the
dust of oblivion might gather upon our statutes, and
" MOKA.L SUASION." 223
not a crime should mar the harmony of the universal
brotherhood of man.
Those who deal in rum, are certainly the last class
which should ever utter a word about moral suasion,
and claim that the temperance reform should be car-
ried forward upon that basis alone. We could smile
at the coolness of the idea but for its insulting wick-
edness. It comes with a bad grace in the teeth of
facts, upon a record of more than twenty-five years'
duration. Here as elsewhere, moral suasion has had
its effect, and men, regardful of its influences, have
yielded to the light of truth and abandoned a wicked-
ness. And in the high noon of our reform, those who
still persist, against reason, right and revelation, in
the business, ask the people to follow their direction
in the matter, and continue a course which up to this
day they have utterly disregarded !
With legislation against it, it requires the whole
power of the temperance reform to keep its giant an-
tagonist at bay, while in security it revels upon all
which comes within its clutch. Moral suasion knows
not a phase which it has not assumed in this great
work. From broken altars where every domestic tie
lay shivered, prayers have gone up where there was
no hope but of Heaven. Gather them from the an-
gels' record, and a tempest of prayers would swell its
uote of accusing thunder. An ocean of tears has
dripped its bitter way over cheeks which bloom not
again. Days and years have passed by, until ages of
sorrow have accumulated in judgment. Wherevei
224 MINNIE HEKMON.
the victims of the wrong have loved, and suffered,
and died at home, in the alms-house, dungeon, or
on the scaffold, the sob, the sorrow, and the wail,
have appealed to the authors of all the woe, vice and
crime. Mutely, but ah ! how eloquently, the cower-
ing and ragged drunkard's child, and the pale-faced
wife and mother, Jiave presented to the dealer his
cruel wickedness and their bitter wrongs !
The rumseller . is not ignorant or deaf. He knows
the sweep of the engine in his hands. He sees its
effects, and while his own neighbors, and kindred
even, are demonized and imbruted by the drug from
his hands, he sends them home to wound the innocent
and the helpless. Every coin he drops into his draw-
er, is the price of the hunger, nakedness and degrada-
tion of those who never wronged him or his. He
knows the enslaved appetite cannot turn away, and
he feeds it to the death. He deliberately manufac-
tures a kind husband and father into a devil, and a
happy home into a hell, where the victim can torment
his own wife and children ! Entrenched with legis-
lation and leagued with unscrupulous demagogues,
they have continued this fearful work against all the
efforts of the tongue and pen. Their victims have
suffered, and wept, and died, in vain. Human and
divine laws have alike been trampled upon ; arid to-
day, while preaching moral suasion, they are band-
ing to sustain the system of cruelty and wrong at
every hazard.
Moral suasion! Let the stricken mother go pray
" MORAL SUASION." 225
upon the slippery deck of the pirate when blood leapg
smoking from the scuppers, .and beg the life of her
boy ! Send childhood with a tear on its cheek, into
the den of the famished tigress, and with a silvery
vxice beseech the life of a parent, writhing in her re-
morseless fangs !
For the universe of God, its wealth and its hon-
ors, we would not, in the light of this day, have the
guilt of rumselling rest heavy on our soul.
One more visit to the miserable tenement of Watt,
All that the law spared has been carried off by Watt
and pawned at the tavern. The Bible of the dead
wife, her only legacy to her children, has been stolen
from the place where young Bertha Watt hid it, as a
priceless treasure, and sacred with the heart-drops
which had fallen upon the worn pages, and sold for
ruin.
Little Bernard Watt lay sick unto death. With
many a bitter curse, the father had turned from the
door, as Bertha plead that her sick brother might have
the doctor called, and left for the tavern.
And all within was hushed and still every foot-
fall as light as the falling leaf, for fear of disturb-
ing the sick one. With hot tears upon her cheek,
Bertha leaned upon the scanty couch, the tiny and
feverish hand clasped convulsively within her own,
as if to hold the boy-brother to earth. Though pale
and fading, the features were classically beautiful ;
but a clammy sweat had gathered upon the white
brow, rich with the last kisses of a dying mother.
226 MINNIE HERMON.
The chubby cheek had grown thin and touchingly
pale ; the eye had lost its laughter, and looked lan-
guidly upon the group around him. The white teeth
appeared through the half-closed lips, and the ricn
golden hair lay back upon the coarse blanket pillow.
On the fourth day, as the sun was going down in the
west, the child was passing away.
Through the broken window, a broad beam of sun-
shine, like a ray from bliss, entered and trembled for
a moment upon the hair, and then burst like a flood
upon the pale features of the child. He turned his
face to the sun, and a smile, sweeter than the sunlight,
came over the wasted and bloodless lips. Upon that
golden pathway the little one was smiling back upon
kindred angels in Heaven !
" Bertha, do they always have sunshine in Heaven ?
and will my little flower grow there, and the birds
eing ? and will the angels you told me about last
night be good and love me ? "
" Mother is there, she will love you," replied the
choking Bertha.
" How I want to die ! You say I won't hunger
there, Bertha, and I'll have clothes so bright, and al-
ways feel happy. I won't cry. there, Bertha, will I ? "
Bertha could not answer from her swelling heart,
but the tears wound their way down her cheeks, and
fell like rain-drops upon the glistening locks of Ber-
nard.
'"Bertha!" and the boy looked wildly out into
the room, and shut his sharp thin fingers tightly upon
'* MORAL SUASION." 227
her arm, and in a whisper continued " Father won't
be there to whip us 'cause we can't help crying, will
he ? Oh, I hope Mr. Hermon won't go there, to sell
any ruin. The good God don't sell rum, does he?
Why can't you die, too, Bertha, and go when the an-
gels corne after me ? " Sobs only answered the faint
prattle of the innocent.
" Bertha, give me some more of that toast. When I
get to Heaven I '11 tell ma how good Minnie Hermon
was to us." Bertha looked, and the toast was gone,
and with it the loaf of bread and the wine which
Minnie Hermon had brought that morning, as she
learned of their sickness and destitution. The father
had robbed the dying, and sold the loaf for two drams.
There was not a morsel of food for the boy, and Ber-
tha's heart almost broke as she thought how cruel that
Bernard should die hungry.
" Bertha I'm going to sleep kiss me. Good
night ! Bright ! ma, Bernard com ing ! "
The setting sunbeams lingered upon the palid face
of the sinless sleeper, as the whispers fell with crush-
ing; weight into the hearts of the little band. The
O o
pauper children loved each other.
The night of death had gathered around the little
brother. The pilgrim of four summers had turned
aside from a cloudy pathway, and passed directly to
Heaven. He who loved such, led the gentle spirit
through the shadows of the dark valley.
Even in that curtairiless, carpetless room, there
were gentle footsteps in the depths of the night,
MINNIE Hft&MDlf.
where lay the un watched and un shrouded dead
Convulsive sobbing, and many a flood of tears, and
close and warm were the kisses which clustered upon
the chill and unanswering lips of all that remained of
Bernard Watt.
Early one morning Hermon met Minnie upon the
hall steps, with her work basket in hand and hood on.
He had, by dissipation, become utterly insensible to
shame, and at times ill-tempered towards all. As he
became degraded by his own habits and avocation,
and blackened with guilt, he was bitter and revenge-
ful. The consuming wreck of his nobler nature kin-
dled into intenser flame all that was mean and base.
He 'had just received one of the stinging shots of
Doctor Howard, in relation to his treatment of tho
Watt family, and was much exasperated.
" Who now have you taken to support ? " he angri-
ly demanded of Minnie.
" No one, father."
" But where are you gong? "
"To Watt's."
'* D n the Watts! I Ye heard enough about
the paupers," he retorted, snatching the basket from
her hand, the contents falling upon the steps.
" What now ! clothing, too, eh ? A fine pass, if
I've got to clothe and feed all the paupers in the
country."
" Clothing for the dead, father ; this is a shroud foi
little Bernard Watt, He 's dead ! "
"MORAL SUASION." 229
"Pity they wan't all dead!" muttered the thor-
oughly brutal dealer, as he turned away.
Unseen by Minnie, Bertha Watt had entered the
"Home" from the other street, and met Hermon as
he left his daughter in the hall. Watt had taken a
ham which Doctor Howard had sent to the children,
and upon the pawn-money was deadly drunk in the
bar-room. Boiled turnips and salt, without bread
without anything else had constituted their break-
fast. From the table, Bertha, with but a thin hand-
kerchief upon her head, her heart running over with
injuries inflicted, started for the " Home."
As Hermon entered his bar-room, he started at the
thread-bare and shivering apparition before him.
Bertha caught him by the hand, and poured into his
ear a tale which a damned one would dread to hear
a tale of grief, hunger, cold, neglect and abuse.
She knelt before the man and wet his hand, in spite
of himself, with scalding tears, as she besought him
for her mother's Bible, and that he would not sell her
father rum. With an eloquence which is only wo-
man's under similar circumstances, she told the his-
tory of cruelty in a drunkard's home.
" Don't come here te blubber, bold Miss. This is
no place for woman. Better tend to your own
business, and go to work instead of begging round the
neighborhood. Your father can take care of himself.
Better leave, I say," and Hermon put his hand rude-
ly upon the shoulder of the girl, and crowded her
towards the door
230 MINNIE HERMCN.
"That's (hie) right, Miz-zer Hermon, turn the
(hie) hussy out, by ! " hiccoughed the shame-
less father, as he managed to rise from his chair, and
tli rust his hands into his torn pockets.
As Bertha stepped over the threshold upon the
steps, slippery with frost, Hermon passionately slam-
med the door together. Striking her feet as she lin-
gered, they were knocked from under her, and she
fell quickly and heavily at full length upon the stones,
shivered as the limbs extended, and lay still, the blood
running freely from the nose and open mouth upon
the step.
" God Almighty's curse upon ye, murderer of the
innocent, and robber of men ! The gibbet would
scorn such carrion, and hell vomit you from its bow-
els, John Hermon ! " literally howled Crazy Alt' be-
tween his fiercely set teeth, as he bounded over the
prostrate body, and planted a crushing blow under
the ear of the now sobered landlord, which would
have felled a trio of such men. " Strike a woman,
you cowardly savage ! " he hissed, and ground his
heel into the face of the prostrate wretch.
Alf had seen her fall, and supposing that Hermon
had struck her, his half-maniac nature boiled at the
act.
" Murderers not all hung yet ! " he muttered, as ho
glanced upon the landlord ; then taking Bertha in
his arms, he carried her to Doctor Howard's.
Minnie made another shroud, and another grave
was dug in potter's field. Bertha was with little Ber-
"MORAL SUASION." 231
nard at rest. The door of Heaven was not shut
against them, or the prayer answered with a curse.
The Watt family were scattered. Their graves are
wide apart in this land to-day. Three years ago, in
county, James Watt died a pauper by the
roadside, and at the public expense was buried in
potter's field.
The Pilgrim blood of the Watt family, freighted
with bitter memories, beats in living hearts, who with
prayers of hope and faith await the day when a right-
eous enactment shall crush the evil which scourged
them, and avenge their wrongs.
CHAPTER XXI.
A BEACON ON THE WASTE.
will not could not, detail the fearful history
cf the ravages of rum in Oakvale. The serpent had
slimed every threshold, and lay coiled upon nearly
every hearth. Pauperism, Yice and Crime stalked
hand in hand, and the alrnshouse and jail swarmed
with human wrecks. Fortunes, rank and standing had
drifted into these receptacles, yet the storm swept on,
with not a star of hope in the sky all dark, cheer-
less, desolating.
The wildest dreams of fiction would prove tame in
comparison. Tragedies more fearfully startling than
Avon's bard ever traced, had often occurred. Scenes
which would mock to scorn the artist's pencil, were
of daily occurrence. The home where a heart deso-
lated clings to and weeps over the wrecks of its youth-
idol ; the child-group shivering in the cold, or cling-
ing to a mother and asking for bread ; the orphan
turned out into the world with no friend but God ;
Youth wrecked and palsied with premature age ; Man-
hood reeling amid the ruins of moral and intellectual
beauty, where a thousand hopes are buried ; Genius
crunibling in ruins and driveling in idiocy ; the vir-
tuous and high-minded turning away from truth and
honor, and plunging into every vjce ; the parent and
A BEACON ON THE WASTE. 233
citizen wandering away from a home-heaven through
a dark pilgrimage to a dishonored grave ; hearthside
altars cast down, and the home transformed into a
hell ; Childhood and Innocence thrust out from the
love-light of a mother's eye, to wallow in all that's
low and vile ; Poverty and Want looking with pinched
and piteous gaze upon the scanty tribute of Charity,
as Hunger drove them out in their rags ; foul and fes-
tering Vice, with bloated and sickly features, leering
and driveling in leprous bestiality ; Madness, with
fiery eye and haggard mien, weeping, and wailing,
and cursing in the rayless night of intellectual chaos ;
Murder with its infernal ha ! ha ! as with dripping
blade, and smoking in hot blood, stalked forth from
butchery ; these and ten thousand other combina-
tions of warp and woof with rum and skill, would
weave a fibre of terrific intensity and power. The
hovel, the dram'shop, the subterranean den, and the
mansion of fashion and wealth, furnished their chap-
ters of revolting history. The weird creations of
history would be faint copies of what transpired
in Oakvale. Religion mourned over the broad in-
roads upon her heritage, for from the desk and the
bosom of the church of Christ, souls were dragged
3 OO
a pray. Patriotism turned aghast at the sweeping de-
struction of the staunch citizen and the most gifted
statesman. Humanity wept over the desolations.
Still, men lay down and rotted while they died ; for
no brazen serpent had been lifted. There was one
dead in every house, and still tfcie Angel of the Plague
10
234 MINNIE EERMON
commissioned by human power, continued to feast
upon death in its aceldamas of blood.
A few of the more striking events may be mention
ed in passing. Leonard Bascomb, a young man of
twenty, carried his jug into the woods. A brother,
in going after wood at night, drove the sled against
him, and rolled the dead body out of the snow which
had covered it, the jug clenched firmly in the stiffened
fingers. The corpse was carried to a deserted cabin,
where the jury of inquest drinked from the dead man's
jug before any testimony was taken !
Little Willie Warner went from Hermon's with his
father's jug, and froze by the wayside. The next
morning the remains of the Warner family were found
amid the smoking timbers of the burned dwelling.
By the headless and limbless trunk of the mother, the
white bones of the babe glared in the blackened ruins.
None but God knew whether butchery was not there
hidden in the ruins, and its blood licked up by the
flames.
An old and once respectable citizen returned home
late at night, and in his rage turned his wife and
babe out into the storm, and after first burying the
axe in the head of one of the sleeping boys, cast the
body upon the fire. The older boy jumped from tho
window, the axe severing his hand as he sprang to the
ground. The mother was found dead, nearly naked,
and the clothing wrapped around her child, her hair
frozen to the cheek of the babe with tears and sleet.
The West family, mother and three children, were
A BEACON ON THE WASTE. 235
frozen in one of the severest stoims of the season
The husband had been sent to purchase medicine, but
drank, then gambled, and for three days lay at the
house in bestial intoxication. The wife was found
upon her knees, her hands tightly clasped, and a tear-
drop frozen upon the icy cheek ; the babe before her
on the floor, its fingers standing out from each other,
and the two older children locked together in their
crib, as if to keep each other warm. George West
became sober, but to learn the extent of his wicked-
ness, and to live on helplessly insane. For years he lin-
gered in the asylum, and called piteously for his wife
and children.
But it is painful to linger over so extended and
dark a record.
About this time, the news came that temperance
societies were forming in the eastern part of the State.
It was received with a laugh of scorn by some, and
astonishment by all. As the object became known
and the pledge, the astonishment was greater still
Pledged to abstain from even the moderate use of al-
coholic drinks ! It was the very essence of fanati-
cism ! So radical an inroad upon the good old cus-
toms of the times, was truly startling 'twas outra-
geous. What was the world coining to! What could
people do without ardent spirits ? They could not
withstand hard work, grief, heat, cold, or wet. Men
must be crazy to think of such a thing. Temperance
was a good thing, but this was going altogether toe
far, and the people would not stand it. Some were
236 MTNNIE HEKMON.
wiser than the c raimon bar-room rabble, and saw in
the new movement only a scheme of priests for the
union of church and state. Good citizens were im-
peratively bound to frown upon the mad scheme of
designing men.
In due time a temperance meeting was announced
for Oakvale. The churches were closed against the
agent, and after much wrangling, the school-house
was selected for the occasion.
Such a commotion in Oakvale ! The rumsellers,
old Hermon conspicuous among them, felt outraged
indignant at so disgraceful a proceeding. They were
as much friends of temperance as anybody, but this
priest-craft, speculation, and union of church and
state why, such men ought to be rode out of town.
Groups discussed the momentous question every night
until the meeting, and the tipplers hiccoughed
amen.
The afternoon came, nearly every drunkard's w:te,
some of the middle class of women, a few of the bet-
ter citizens, and the rumsellers and tipplers, were all
that attended. Many of the wealthier class did not
deem the matter of the least consequence, and paid
no attention to it. None of the clergymen were pres-
ent. The old soaks looked knowingly, and winked at
one another with mock gravity. The dealers sneered
upon the whole transaction, and felt sure of looking
down the hot-headed affair. Crazy Alf sat with hia
chin in his palms, as usual, and behind him, old Bar-
ney Kits. The rumsellers were flanked by their
A BEACON ON THE WASTE. 237
best customers, not omitting Counselor Skillot, of pu
ritanic phiz.
The speaker was a clergyman, of medium height,
slightly gray, benevolent countenance, and great good
humor. As calm as a summer's morning, he arose,
and in a familiar and unassuming manner, introduced
his subject. He told no anecdotes, made no start-
ling appeals ; but in a plain, common-sense manner
detailed what all knew to be facts. He dwelt upon
intemperance, its desolations in the domestic circle,
its annual destruction of drunkards, its direct agency
in producing pauperism and crime, and in increasing
taxation, and showed the necessity of doing something
to arrest the growing evil. All classes would see the
necessity of such a step, for nearly all had been in-
jured by its ravages. The pledge was proposed as the
instrument of the measure, concentrating and har-
monizing action, and bringing the friends of the meas-
ure upon a common platform, where their influence
would be more efficient. It was a fraternal bond. It
had been objected that men who took it would sign
away their liberties. What liberties ? The liberty
to use that which produced individual degradation
and family ruin? Which destroyed industry and
brought beggary in its train? To be sure, all who
drink do not die drunkards. But from drinkers
comes the vast array of drunkards who go down to
premature graves. Here* is a safer path. None
who go this way, are in danger. None who go the
other, are safe. It was not expected that the drunk-
238 MINNIE I1ERMON.
could be saved. They were bound by an appe-
tite which could not be controlled. Those who were
not yet slaves, ought to turn away from the tempta-
tions of the cup. Those who Lad not yet formed an
appetite, ought certainly to give their names and
their influence to save the youth of the land from
destruction. The pledge was merely an expression
of sentiment in union as touching one object, com-
mitting those who signed it against the prevalent
evils of intemperance. Society was a pledge gov-
ernment was a pledge the church was a pledge.
But it was said that the signing of a pledge was an
acknowledgment of weakness of danger from in-
temperance. It was but an expression of opinion
publicly made, a solemn giving of name and influ-
ence to a certain object. It was said that men did
not need a pledge. The pledge makes a resolution
stronger, and brings those of similar views in closer
union. The Declaration of Independence was a
pledge. Those who staked life, fortune, and honor,
in signing it, did not deem the act any impeachment
of their patriotism or of their strength of attachment
to the principles of liberty. It was the great anchor
of freedom, thrown out in the storm, and held indis-
solubly together, while giving them strength and in-
fluence to contend with England. The speaker con-
cluded by an earnest appeal to all good citizens to
come forward in the work, and presented for the ac-
tion of the meeting, the pledge, constitution, and form
of organization. After a few moments' silence, Her-
A BEACON ON THE WASTE. 239
jnon moved that Counselor Skillot be the president
of the new temperance society. In good faith, the
speaker put the question, and it was adopted amid
the tittering of llermon's crew. Doctor Howard,
from the first, had seen the truth and the necessity of
the very measure proposed, and eagerly entered into
the plan, determined to follow Hermon with some-
thing more than child's play, and immediately nomi-
nated AYalter Brayton as secretary. The motion was
carried, putting a more serious aspect upon the affair.
Treating the matter seriously riled Hermon, and, for
the purpose of insulting Brayton, Howard, and the
movement, he nominated Crazy Alf as a committee on
resolutions. A few tittered, but the most of them
anticipated trouble for the aggressor. Alf raised
to his full height, and leveling his long finger at
Hermon, and hissing between his clenched teeth,
retorted :
" And Crazy Alf moves, Mr. Speaker, that Mr.
Hermou be a committee to look after drunkard's
wives and children, and report number and condition
to the next meeting ! "
The thrust went to the red, and Hermon belched
out :
" Turn out the drunken vagabond. I did n't come
here to be insulted."
"I'm not in your bar-room, sir," continued Alt',
walking towards Hermon ; " nor am I drunker than
the man I bought my liquor of."
Hermon drew his fist menacingly, but quailed as
240 MINNIE HERMON.
he looked into the glittering eye and upon the hugo
proportions of his antagonist.
" Stop to measure when you strike men, eh ! " con-
tinued Alf, as he surmised the thoughts of the land-
lord. " 'T wan't so with ha, ha ! with Bertha
Watt ! "
The barb went to the feather, and was sped by the
hand of a customer. Skillott wanted to know if
gentlemen who came here were to be abused by
drunken men, and Hermon, muttering curses, indig-
nantly left the house. His friends finally left, one
after another, and the remaining people proceeded
with the organization. You can see, quietly remark-
ed the speaker, that Satan's kingdom is divided
against itself and must fall. Whereupon Deacon
McGarr, with an air of holy horror, also left. Skillott
sat uneasy, but wished to see the end of the meeting.
He declined signing the pledge when it came round
he was not exactly prepared to give an opinion
upon the matter, and he stroked his chin, and looked
uncommonly candid and wise. The pledge had pas-
sed, when what was the surprise of those present to
see Alf step boldly forward and append his name to
the pledge " Crazy Alf."
Skillott, at the close of the meeting, went immedi-
ately to the tavern, where the tipplers and some of
the neighboring magnates were busily discussing the
temperance meeting. The would-be demagogue here
appeared in his true colors, and in low and vulgar
slang heaped abuse upon the movement. Hermou
A BEACON ON THE WASTE. 243
declared it was all got up by Howard and Brayton
to injure him, and as for Alf, he should never have
any more liquor at his bar.
" "Without the money," put in old Barney.
" Shut up, you old devil ! " snapped Hermon, " or
I '11 start your drunken carcass forthwith." Barney
loved rum, and smothered the cutting reply that carno
to his tongue's end.
" Let 'em come here to get me to sign the pledge,"
sneered Hermon, as he resumed his conversation with
Skillott. " But what '11 you do ? "
" O ! let me alone for that. I '11 write 'em a letter
declining the honor ha, ha ! and tell 'em a thing
or two. I only wanted to see which way the cat
jumped."
That was a capital idea, and the company drank
around, Hermon getting in better humor and treating
old Barney.
A committee had been appointed at the meeting to
obtain signatures to the pledge. Doctor Howard was
one of the committee and boldly offered the paper to
all. Hermon and the brother grog-sellers were al-
ready friends of temperance men, but these fanatics
were making altogether too much fuss going too
far. Better mind their own business. He had as
good a right to sell liquor as the Doctor had tc sell
medicine. It was his business to get an honest- living,
and tend to his own concerns. If his neighbors want-
ed to combine against him, they could work at it.
He had done a good deal for the place, and did not
242 MINNIE HKKMON.
expect to be abused because he was trying to accom-
modate the public and support his family.
" By robbing other families ! " put in Alf, who had
come up unobserved. Hermon wanted no more en-
counters with that personage, and turned into hia
bar
Drunkards would not sign the pledge it was
signing away their liberties glorious privileges their
fathers fought for, while the better class, so called,
looked over the list of names with undisguised con-
tempt. They would not be found in such company.
It was well enough for drunkards and women, but
too vulgar for their countenance. Even the sister of
George West turned up her nose as Minnie Hermon
asked her name. Let weak minds take the pledge,
for her part she should be ashamed if she thought
there was any need of her signing it. Others tittered
as they saw the name of Alf, and of some poor women
in the neighborhood. Howard was often discouraged,
but believed himself right, and had the moral cour-
age to stand by it.
Many were the sharp and witty sayings about the
" cold-water " scheme. There were merry times in
the bar-rooms, but many looked thoughtful as some
worthy citizens gave their names to the move. Alf
stood by his pledge, and became a theme of remark,
especially as he waged an incessant and bitter war
upon the rummies, and drew oif some two or three
of the hardest customers. Many a plan was laid to
get the renegades to drink again.
A BEACON ON TIIK WASTE. 243
Slowly and dimly the star of the reform went
up. From the pulpit and the church it met with op-
position. But in desolate homes, and with a rumsel-
ler's daughter, it found hearts which watched its
early dawning with earnest hope.
CHAPTER XXII.
BREAKING GROUND AGAIN.
THE old pledge was the entering wedge of the tem-
perance revolution. It was an untried experiment
the commencement of a great work. More could not
have been achieved at the time. It was the first dis-
tant and rudely constructed parallel before the over-
shadowing fortress of the monster iniquity. It was
but the faint bugle blast upon the stillness of the
slumbering dead, and few were the friends who
aroused to the unequal strife. It but heralded in
feeble foreshado wings the coming of a brighter day.
It performed its work, but scarcely left a mark upon
the enemy. The tenderly feathered missiles fell short
of the mark, harmless and inefficient, in effecting the
final object.
Deacon McGarr found no trouble in adhering to
the pledge. He drank with the drinkers, yet pre-
served it inviolate. While the ragged bloat at his
elbows swallowed his raw grog, the Deacon sipped
his wine, and descanted eloquently upon the virtues
and duties of temperance. He faithfully warned them
of the danger of such habits the good temperance
man ! Many were the nights he went home from the
tavern heavy-laden with the beverage, and then ad-
BREAKING GROUND AGAIN. 245
ded the usual mug of hard cider before retiring to his
deep and peculiar slumbers.
Early in the winter, McGarr and Barney Kita
started for home one night, and as neighbors, became
more than usually friendly as they assisted each other
arm in arm. It would have puzzled an observer !o
have determined which was the drunk one. Striking
a drift in the path, McGarr stumbled, and breaking
loose, the two parted, the Deacon falling on his face
in one direction, and Barney backwards in another,
into the drift to the arms, in a sitting position.
McGarr was soon upon his hands and knees, grunting
with his exertions to rise, and spitting the feathery
snow from his mouth. He partially succeeded in
rising, but stepping upon Barney's jug, it rolled from
under him, and down he went, this time in a sitting
posture, the snow gushing up like spray as he settled
to the crust. It was in vain to try to raise square-
ly up.
" Barney, my f-friend ; why the d-dogs don't you
Chic) help a where 1)6 you, J3-arney?"
" Halloo, Deacon ! you th-there ? "
" No ; I' m here."
" So be B-arney,
1 An' that that f fast anchor'd hi - hile,
And they do (hie) roll '
You you there yet, Deacon ? Where's my j-uyf "
" No, I 'm here. Your your jug, Barney, hae
has (hie) throwed me down."
246 MINNIE HEKMON.
'' Me too, many a-a time."
" Barney ! you o-ought not to (hie) drink so, yon
had n't. Barney, help me up. This cus thig
con-f ounded crick in my (hie) back, h-olds me
down, B-arney."
u The creek went d-own your throat, I guess," re-
plied the ever witty Kits.
" My friend, I I'm Deacon Mc-McGarr. You
should speak properly you should."
" And I 'm Barny Kits. I re-re I regret to see a
deacon so-so spiritually inclined."
" I am lame, Barney ; assist me if you p lease,"
and McGarr wallowed over within reach of Barney.
" Lift, McGarr ! now heho-heave ! "
Barney had crawled up to McGarr and caught
awkwardly into the skirts of his coat, and was lifting
as awkwardly, managing in the operation to pull the
coat over McGarr's head and wrongside out. At the
same time McGarr had fastened one hand into the
seat of his pantaloons, and the other into Barney's
shirt bosom, and was tugging and blowing industri-
ously to raise himself upon his feet. At last they
both managed to get upon their knees, and their arms
around each other's neck, and leaning hard upon each
other, trying to rise, McGarr lurched and both fell
sideways into the snow. Here they were sprawling
and clinging to each other as Doctor Howard drove
nearly upon them with his horse and cutter. With
considerable effort he lumbered them into the cutter
and drove back to the tavern. As they were aided
BREAKING GROUND AGAIN. 247
into die bar-room. Deacon HcGarr felt that he mu-t
say something about Barney's drinking. The latter.
as he came to the fire, hud lopped helplessly down
upon the floor.
"What a (hie) a sad sight to s-ee a man in
such a sit-sit-sittyation, Doctor How-ard ! "
So it was ! But Barney was no drunker than the
Deacon, yet the latter had violated no pledge, and
was a temperance man in good standing.
Our readers will see the working of the old pledge.
The appeal to the bloated customer of the dramshop
fell with pointless effect from lips fuming with wine.
The effects of wine and common whisky were the
same. They both produced drunkenness. Day by
day and step by step the wine drinker went down-
ward, until he became a common drunkard and an
outcast, yet violated no pledge until he commenced
upon " ardent or distilled spirits ! "
The history of those who attempted to reform under
the old pledge, is a sad one. In a milder garb the
enemy lurked in the wine cup, and the still bound vic-
tim went back to ruin. The demon glittered in the
first drop. The light of the wine bubble would kin-
dle into intensity the fires deepest smouldering in the
crater. The milder drink was the sure precursor of
the flood in its fury, aiiJ there was no safety to the
reformed on 3. The wine drinker might reel from the
midnight revel, or drool in the saloon, and yet be all
that the old pledge demanded. The sot caught sight
of the first beacon flame which shone dimly into the
248 MINNIE HEKMON.
surrounding darkness, and turned to greet its better
promise. The power in the wine glass, the beer or
cider, harassed his footsteps, and plunged him again
into the abyss, where he beat the wave with a feeble
hand. Few of the baser streams were dried np, for
the fountain head flowed on as ever, from the side-
board and the social and festive party. The blasted
wrecks in the drunkery were but the legitimate re-
sults of the very priviliges tolerated under the old
pledge. It was but a cobweb around the uncrippled
folds of the Hydra. Not a head had been successfully
struck off. The wine drops were but the bloody seed
of new monsters, for not a wound had been seared in
the contest.
At this point the Total Abstinence Pledge was
brought out. It followed naturally in the footsteps
of the other. The old had prepared the way for the
new. It added a brighter glow to the first beacon
light.
From the truest friends of the cause it met with
stern opposition. These men saw in it ruin to the
great work. It was the extreme of ultraism. It was
too radical. Its adoption would destroy what little
good had been effected, and forever block the work
BO auspiciously begun. The contest was fierce be-
tween temperance men. A large class were honestly
fearfru of the result from love of the cause, while
others clung to their "harmless beverage." Many
of the latter class occupy the same position to-day.
They never have advanced. They broke off during
BliEAKIXG GROUND AGAIN. 249
the struggle, and there they remain, such as have not
gone down prematurely to their graves.
But the cause remained firm during the ordeal,
The poorer material came out without the dross, and
the choicer spirits gathered in closer union on the ad-
vanced ground. The result proved the wisdom of
the movement. It gave the reform strength and
power, and proportionately weakened the enemy. In
the bar-rooms and shops the opposition to the new
pledge was the fiercest. Rumsellers were indignant
at this most fanatical crusade against their " living,"
and infatuated customers grew eloquent in descanting
about the liberties fought for by their fathers of the
revolution. The cry of fanaticism was rung upon all
its charges, and some well meaning ones joined in the
general crusade against the wild scheme of total absti-
nence. Muddled wit poured its lowest wrath of
slang phrases upon the fanatics. Nowhere were
there so many tears shed over the mad movement as
in the dram-shop circle.
" What do you think of this new cold-water move
ment ? " asked Counselor Skillott of Doctor Howard.
" What movement ? the new pledge ? "
" Yes, the total abstinence, as they caL it."
"It meets my hearty approbation. Does it not
ours ? "
" I can't say it does."
"Why not?" *
" O, it 's fanatical in the extreme. It is an ill-
judged move, and will most certainly ruin the tern-
'350 MIXXTK HERMON.
perance cause. It is the result of zeal without knowl-
edge."
" How will it ruin the cause ? Is n't temperance
right?"
" O, yes ; temperance is a good thing. I 'in a tern
perance man ; but this is carrying things too far men.
will not go it."
"Will total abstinence injure a man? Do you
know of a man who would be injured by taking and
adhering to the abstinence pledge ? "
"Ahem it would be well enough for drunkards,
but men of mind arid moderation will not bind them-
selves to, or countenance so unreasonable a scheme. A
moderate glass will hurt no one. Because men abuse
a necessary beverage, it is no reason why all should
discard it entirely."
" Should friends of temperance recommend for the
drunkard that which they will not themselves put in
practice ? Should men whose appetites do not con-
trol them, and consequently can make no sacrifice,
hesitate to countenance a measure which is the drunk-
ard's only hope ? You speak of a ' moderate glass.'
Is it the first glass which makes the drunkard ? Are
they not all moderate drinkers on the start ? If there
were no moderate drinkers, would there ever be any
drunkards ? As to the abuse of it, Mr. Skillott, I take
higher ground. From the light of science, I affirm
that its moderate use is an abuse. It is an element
of discord and derangement in the whole animal econ-
omy, and an injury to every man in health."
BREAKING GROUND AGAIN. 251
" But that it is good as a medicine, you will not deny.'
" And so is arsenic. But, because men may take
the one for a medicine, would it be expected that he
should become a habitual user of it in health ? "
" But is n't it needed in cold weather ? "
" Never ! I could point you to those in this neigh-
borhood, whose drinking habits were anything but
beneficial in cold weather."
" But men kill themselves with axes and knives."
" Very true. But did you ever hear of their form-
ing morbid appetites for the use of them, becoming
murderers or suicfdes from whittling or chopping cord-
wood ? "
" But," continued Skillott, evasively, " sober men
will not go the total abstinence pledge it would be
an acknowledgment of their fear of becoming drunk-
ards."
" You petitioned for a permit to keep a dice table :
was it because you wished to become a gambler? or
for the benefit of others ? ; '
The thrust went home, and Skillott declared him-
self abused, and entered his office. As Howard pas-
sed the tavern, a number accosted him from the stoop
about the new cold-water trick. Among others, Her-
mon assailed him, and charged him with slandering
him at the meeting the night before.
" How, Mr. Hermon ? "
" By saying that all the tavern-keepers were ene-
mies of temperance. I am as much of a temperance
man as you are."
252 MINNIE HERMON.
" Ha, ha ! " answered Howard, looking Hermon
steadily in the eye.
" What are you laughing at, sir ? " asked the latter,
evidently nettled.
" At a temperance man's peddling rum to drunk-
ards ! "
" You lie, sir! I never sell to drunkards."
" But sell until they are drunkards, and then turn
'em out for Shimer to finish ! "
" I want you and the rest of your crew of fanatica
to understand that I do not wish any man to become
a drunkard."
" But still engage in the only business that makes
drunkards ! "
" It 's false ! You are always slandering me."
" Mr. Hermon, was there ever a drunkard in this
community before your tavern was started ? "
" Then you would say that I made 'ern all ! "
" Who did?"
" It was their own doings. I only sell as I have a
license to do."
" And if you had a license to teach theft, you would
not be responsible for the thieves you made, would
you ? "
" But you can't make your total abstinence business
go down in this community. People won't submit to
it. It will ruin the temperance cause."
" That 's a (hie) fact," stuttered a poor ragged ob-
ject at Herrnon's elbow. " Will roo-o in tho t-(hic)
the t'hemperance cause. v
BREAKING GROUND AGAIN. 253
" Better ruin that than to ruin men" coolly answer-
ed Howard, looking upon the reeling creature.
" He (hie) he abuses us, don't he Miz-zer Her-
Hermon ? "
Howard was determined to cut deeper, and con
tinned :
"You complain because I stated that there was
no safety in the old pledge to the drunkard that not
a rumseller in town would refuse the reformed man a
glass of beer if he knew it would send him back again
to his old habits."
" I do. You state that which is not so."
" Did n't you let Miller have beer, knowing his ap-
petite for liquor, and that it was a trap to make him
break his pledge ? "
" Who says that ? "
"/say it!"
"It's false, I tell you. What is a man good for if
he can't stand a glass of beer ? He no need to have
drinked it."
" But you saw him teazed until he did drink it,
knowing that the liquor once down, the man could
not control himself; and then you let him have
brandy, and boasted that you knew he wouldn't
stick."
" What business is that to you, if I did," growled
Hermon, with ill-suppressed excitement.
" It 's my business to denounce the act as most
devilish. It shows your hypocritical love of the old
pl&dye and Df temperance. An infernal imp might
254r MINXIE HERMON.
blush to see a man plotting another's fall and then
rejoice in the ruin."
" It shows all the honesty there is to your temper-
ance men. They can't keep from drinking."
" Herrnon, you are a cool, brazen-faced scoundrel,
and richly deserve hanging for the death of Miller.
If his spirit don't haunt you, it 'will be because it will
shun the den where the body was slaughtered."
" Who says Miller is dead, you black-hearted
fanatic ? "
" I say so. I saw him die this morning, and his
death dates from the trap you and Skillott set to heap
ridicule upon the temperance cause."
" And becau.se men will make fools of themselves,
you would deprive me of an honest living ? "
"Deprive of the power to plunder community, and
destroy your own neighbors that 's all."
" You 're an abusive knave ! I believe you would
joy to see me a pauper. It 's all of a piece with
your new schemes to ruin honest men."
" You may as well be a pauper as to make paupers.
A pretty temperance man, and prating too about the
old pledge ! Not a drunkard has fallen who does not
owe his ruin to you and your co-laborers in ruin.
You smile while preaching temperance and offering
our reformed men beer, knowing all the time that one
glass is their ruin. It all convinces me that our new
pledge is right ; for a reformed man should not only
shun all that can intoxicate, but, the very plare where
the accursed poison ic kept. There is no safety in the
BREAKING GKOUND AGAIN. 2.5 5
associations of men who are so utterly base and heart-
less as to work the ruin of one who would live and
die a sober man. God deliver us from such fiends,
and keep the reformed drunkard from their accursing
influence. Hell knows no blacker depravity than
that which would drag a fellow again to degradation,
or a more rascally falsehood than their pretended
temperance. Satan was as much a friend of human
happiness when he slimed into Eden. The very
threshold you stand upon, Hermon, is smoking with
blood, and for the universe of God, I would not have
on my hand the stain of such guilt as is on yours. You
know what you are doing. You know that the old
pledge is worthless, and that you rejoice in seeing it
broken. I once petitioned for your license. If God
will forgire me for that, I never will commit so great
a sin again. So long as you sell rum do not brand
yourself as an unblushing liar by continuing in the
business of making drunkards." The words poured in
a torrent from Howard's lips as he stood close to Her-
mon and hurled them in his ear. His manner was so
iierce and impetuous, and his words so scathing, that
the landlord of the " Home " was apparently awed
into silence, and strode sullenly back into the bar-
room.
"Some of these temperance fanatics will get so
crazy that they will set everybody by the ears. If I
should abuse a man as Howard has me, I should not
blame him if he should burn -my barn ! "
The crowd did not notice the look that passed be-
256 MINNIE HEEMON.
tween Hermon and one of his customers. That night
Howard's horse-barn was burned, horses, carriages,
and all ; and in the morning the incendiary was tracked
to Hermon's shed, where the wretched creature was
frozen, having crawled about half-way under the
shattered stable-door.
Every rumseller in Oakvale stuck zealously for the
old pledge. If the temperance people had abided by
that, they could have gone with them ! The new
pledge was intolerant and fanatical, and would most
assuredly ruin the cause ! And these men, who op-
posed the first movement as "going too far," were
now its mourning friends. As for Counselor Skillott,
fie knew the whole thing was originated by priestcraft
and fanaticism, and so did n't join the society.
Among others who frowned upon the new state of
things, was Elder Snyder. Indeed, the first had met
his stately and scornful displeasure. The wicked and
the ungodly were admitted as members, and he could
not associate with such. Atheists,and men who had
been drunken, and those who made not long prayers
nor wore sanctimonious faces, had been allowed to
sign both pledges. Those who did not attend his
church, nor pay their money to support his ministry,
could not receive the least countenance from him.
At a donation party given to the Elder by his
friends, and held at his house, the subject of temper-
ance was introduced and discussed. Walter Bray ton
went so far as to ask the pastor to put his name to the
pledge. Looking upon the young man with a solemn
BREAKING GROUND AGAIN. 257
frown, ho drew himself up, and in his usnal sancti-
monious drawl, gave his objections :
"Young man! I awfully fear you do not know
what you are doing. You and your temperance
friends are going after strange gods. You seem to
think yourself wiser than your teachers. You are
most assuredly led away by the blindest fanaticism,
and great evil has already come of it. Hatreds and
jealousies, strifes and contentions, have entered into
the hearts of my people. Satan has certainly to do
with these strange and wicked doctrines. You ask
me to sign a pledge not to drink any wines or spiritu-
ous liquors at all ! The world, my friends, is coming
to a strange pass, when we must totally abstain from
the good gifts of (rod. Temperance is a moderate use
of all his bounties. "We are required by the Bible to
drink wine. The Saviour himself made and drank
wine. It is designed as a blessing to man, and it is
the will of our Lord that we enjoy it. We are not
responsible for the abuse which ungodly men make
of these things. Men are gluttons and shall we
abstain from all food ? Men are hypocrites and
shall we discard the religion of our Lord and Master ?
There is no authority in the Bible for these societies.
I camiot saction what has not a " thus saith the Lord "
for it. Ungodly men are in this movement, and the
pious Christian should set his face firmly against it.
He who is within the ark of safety needs none of these
foolish helps. If it is the dear Lord's will to have
some of the souls he has created lost in the abuse of
11
258 MINNIE HEEMON.
some of his good gifts, it were wrong for us to contra-
vene his purposes. His holy will be done. Those he
has chosen will he save. A moderate use of his
bounties is good for all. Let us give thanks."
And over the table glittering with decanters and
glasses the false teacher craved a blessing, and the
wine went round. The Elder seemed to pride him
self upon watching those to whom it was presented.
There were few who refused the cup, and the contents
produced a marked flow of good feeling. Hermon
was present, and at once became a pattern of piety,
and donated to the Elder with extreme liberality,
Brayton and Howard refused the wine, and there
were half-smothered titterings about "cold water,"
"fools," and "fanaticism." Minnie welcomed the
cup with an emphatic no, which drew the attention
of the company around her ; but, save a slight flush,
she was calm, and returned the reproving glance of
the pastor with dignity and firmness, Back of her
stood one who had not yet attracted notice. As the
waiter came to him he fiercely put it away with his
hand, and drew himself up, looking upon the ' wine
with a strangely wild and glistening eye. His person
was full six feet in height, his countenance sharp and
pale, his hair long, and his eyes deeply sunken and
intensely brilliant. He wore a long surtout coat,
closely buttoned, had on a broad-brimmed hat, and
in his hand a long staff.
" No ! " he fairly howled through his clenched
teeth. " Away with the sparkling devil ! It bubbles
BREAKING GROUND AGAIN. 259
with damnation ! It is the red blood of butchery 1
It is the fiery beverage of hell ! The tempter is coil-
ed at the bottom ! ' At last it stingeth like an adder
and biteth like a serpent ! ' It shall sting to utter ruin
the hand which hands it this night with the mockery
of a blessing craved upon it ! I say, get thee gone,
devil, or the arm of the Lord shall smite thee ! " The
strange personage raised his long staff, and would
have fiercely dashed the cup in fragments had it re-
mained before him.
" Who thus intrudes here so noisily ? " asked the
Elder, pale with anger.
" The chosen of the Lord the avenger of the slain I
Blood cries from the ground, and the widow and or-
phan beg for bread. Woe ! woe ! for the Mighty
One is after ye ! Hypocrites, false teachers, gluttons,
and wine bibbers, woe ! for the end cometh ! Men.
are led astray by wicked ones in priestly garb, and
the innocents are wailing for bread in the land. The
wrath of God kindles against ye for the violence in
the land, and shall consume ye as stubble! Woe!
woe ! woe ! I say, ye workers of ruin ! It is written
against ye in blood, and God shall avenge the fallen I
Away ! I tell ye, with the beverage of the damned 1
Thus I will smite thee as the Lord smote the wicked
of old, and will smite them again ! "
Whirling his long staff with an almost supernatu-
ral power an.d velocity, he stepped towards the side-
board, and with an eye red and glaring, and a voice
swelling into a howl, with one tremendous swoop,
260 MINNIE HEEMON.
dashed every glass and decanter into a thousand frag-
ments. Astonishment was upon every countenance,
and there was not a whisper in the room until a wild,
maniac-burst of laughter came back from the strange
apparition as he emerged into the street.
Paleness lingered upon the lip of Elder Snyder
the paleness of anger not unmixed with that of awe.
The stranger was a personage not to be forgotten, for
his tones had a startling energy and power. The com-
pany did not recover from the influence of the inci-
dent, and soon dispersed.
Among those who were present that night, was a
reformed man by the name of Whitney. From the
lowest depths of drunkenness he had come up, and by
industry and unblemished good conduct had given
promise of redeeming the position he had lost in soci-
ety, and of living a life of future usefulness. His
family were again comfortable, his children at school,
and he prospering at his trade. He had united with
the Methodist church, and by his exemplary deport-
ment won the full confidence of its members. He
had that night been for the first time within the reach
of the fatal circle of the glass. The gurgle of the
liquor and its foam, with the solemn sophistry and
example of a Christian minister, combined to under-
mine his integrity. Beautifully the incense rose up
before him, and as Snyder himself presented the cup
lie impulsively grasped it firmly and drained it off.
A smouldering fire was kindled. A wild glow shot
through every vein, and within his stomach the demon
BREAKING GROUND AGAIN 261
was aroused in his strength. Whitney had but one
thought more drink! That he must have. The
desire burned within him. It crept to his lingers
ends, and out in a burning flush upon his cheek. lie
writhed helplessly, and the large drops stood thickly
upon his brow. He felt as if already fallen a guilty
wretch and shrunk cowering from the gaze of every
eye.
'' "What is the matter, Whitney ? " kindly asked
Brayton, as he passed him in going out. Whitney
started as if from a nightmare, and glared silently at
vacancy. Snatching his hat, he rushed out with a
half-sad, half-exultant yell, and sped down the street
into Hermon's.
" Drink ! drink ! for God's sake give me drink !
Quick ! " and the trembling wretch turned with a
ghastly stare at the door, as if dreading the approach
of some one, his hands fastened convulsively upon the
slats before the bar.
A devilish smile crept over the swollen visage of
Hermon, as he saw who it was who begged so madly
for drink. Hesitating a moment, as if enjoying the
struggles of the victim, he sneeringly asked :
"That yon, Whitney? I thought you was a tem-
perance man ! What '11 the church say ? But I
s'pose you will drink moderately" and he smiled more
fiendishly than ever.
" Drink ! I say ; give me drink. Money, soul,
clothes, tools everything for one drink ! Give it to
262 MINNIE HEEMON.
me, quick ! " and the poor maniac emptied liis pock-
ets upon the counter, and pulled off his coat and
hurled it into the bar. His eye gleamed and kindled
as he glanced upon the shining bottles, and his voice
was choked and husky, he constantly begging as
though his whole system was on fire.
Bray ton and Howard entered just as Hermon set
the bottle on the counter. Whitney heard their foot-
steps, and convulsively grasped the bottle and tum-
bler and turned it full, and in his eagerness spilled as
much more upon the counter.
" Whitney ! in God's name, what are you doing?
Hermon ! more of your devilish work ! " said How-
ard, rushing up to the bar and arresting the arm of
Whitney. But the latter was too quick for the move-
ment. Grasping both hands fiercely araund the glass,
he dropped his mouth to the rim, and turned the con-
tents off at a breath, shutting his teeth with a spasm
as he did so, breaking the top of the glass in pieces,
and spitting them on the floor. With a long, deep
breath he drew himself up to his full height, and
dashed the bottom full in the face of Howard. The
yell that followed the act was horrible.
" You thought to keep me from drink, eh ? I '11
have it if I have t,o go to hell after it ! Who-o-oqp !
Won't Father Merrill roar when he finds old Whit-
ney 's born again ! I 'hi your boy to say amen, Doc-
tor!" and with drunken laughter he commenced a
bacchanalian song, and danced wildly around the
BREAKING GROUND AGAIN. 263
room. No words from Howard or Brayton could
touch him ; and he fiercely repelled all efforts to lead
him from the tavern.
" Better have him sign the pledge again," sneered
Hermon, from behind his counter.
" Black-hearted, murderous villain ! " groaned How-
ard from between his teeth, as he reached in vain for
the landlord over the counter. " You deserve hang-
ing most richly. None but a devil in human guise
would thus exult in such work. I did not dream that
earth had such monsters as you ! " The Doctor stood
glaring upon the sneering landlord, who wisely kept
out of his reach.
" And he will hang yet, for the avenger will over
take him in such an hour as he knoweth not. He is
both a curse and accursed, and so shall hang clear of
the earth." All within the room started at the sound
of that voice, and beheld the strange man with the
long surtout and staff, steadily gazing upon Hermon.
The sneer upon the face of the latter faded away un-
der the basilisk gaze, and a chill strangely crept over
him the voice was familiar, and stirred unpleasant
memories.
That night the spirit of another fallen one went
where rum is not. As the water was let upon the
wheel of the grist-mill the next morning, it made a
few revolutions, and then with a crushing sound ceased
to tuin. No effort with poles and hooks could re-
move the difficulty, and the water was let out of the
dam. Crushed in among the broken buckets was a
264 MINNIE HEEMON.
corpse, the head, shoulders and arms left unbroken.
Erect as in life, the bloated features of Whitney
glared out, and the dripping hair lay closely upon the
bloodless brow.
As the wife and children, too soon hearing of the
affair, came wailing to the scene, and fell weeping
over the wet and bloody remains, Hermon turned and
slipped away.
" The murderers are not all hung yet ! " was his-
sed close to his ear. He started, but dared not turn
to look, for he knew his tormentor.
"With a heart full of keener anguish than even tho
wife, Minnie Hermon attended the funeral of Whit-
ney. The sermon was from these words, " Where is
thy brother?" She felt that poor Whitney had died
by her own father's hand, and every sob from the
widow and the orphans added keener pangs to her
own bitter anguish.
CHAPTER XXIII.
LIGHT EST A DARK PLACE.
AMONG others who sold rum in Oakvale, was a
man by the name of Jnd Lane, one of the most reck-
less and unprincipled of his class. He kept what was
called the u Lower Tavern," a low and disreputable
den, by the river bridge. The building itself was a
miserable structure, answering for a grog-shop and
gambling den. The boards were oif the. shed, the
floor of the stoop rotten, and falling away, and one
end of the upright part settling down with age and
decay. The sheeting was loose and clattering, the
windows dirty and broken, and the door worn and
begrimmed with dirt. The bar-room looked aa
though it had never been cleaned. Dirt and tobacco
spittle was thickly crusted upon the floor ; the wooden
bars before the windows were greasy and cut up with
the knife, and the old brick fire-place was crumbling
away. A long seat reached from the old-fashioned
oat-bin to the door, well worn by the groups which
had for years there set and displayed their slavering
wisdom. An old wash sink stood in the corner, slimed
over again and again by dirty drippings, surmounted
by a washbowl marked inside with a circle of the
more plentiful ornamenting. Upon the roller was a
266 MINNIE HERMON.
napkin to match. A huge boot-jack hung over the
mantel, together with circus bills, sheriff's sales, and
auction or patent medicine placards, " sold here."
The bar was one of the old-fashioned kind, with a
picket work and double door. Gringy kegs, decan-
ters and a bottle of stoughton, with candy in a seven-
by-nine glass case, completed the bar-room furniture
of the " River Hotel."
Jud Lane was a man worthy of a moment's atten-
tion. He was a licensed agent of the government^
dealing liquors in that old shed by the authority of
law. He was hardly of medium stature, but thick
set ; his features harsh and repulsive, hair matted,
and concealing a low and retreating brow, eyes of a
muddy bronze color, nose flattened, neck thick, and
lower jaw heavy, arms long, and legs crooked to de-
formity. "With hands thrust deeply into his pockets
and hat drawn down over his eyes, he moved back-
wards and forwards across the floor. His whole as-
pect was most villainous, indicating the inner man in
palpable and revolting language. None of earth's
unfortunates was ever too degraded to be turned
away from his bar. The vilest of ruin's shattered
wrecks crawled regularly into his den for the drain.
The wife or the child would never have thought of en-
tering his door to protest against his course with hus-
band or p^ent. His mouth was an ever-active crater
of the most vile and malignant cursing. His own
sister's husband had drank, and died a horrible death
in his bar-room. Still more abandoned and malig-
LIGHT IN A DARK PLACE. 267
naut as the reform came into notice, Jud Lane pre-
sented the perfect embodiment of a callous, cruel and
revengeful rum-dealer. He would rather sell rum
and slaughter his fellows, in the River Hotel, than
live elsewhere honored and respected. His boys were
like him, playing the most abusive tricks upon the
poor wretches who lingered there for their drams.
Election day had drawn to a close, but crowds still
lingered to drink and carouse. Jud Lane's tavern
secured a large number of votes, and the election
had been held there. At night, the bar-room was
densely crammed with people, swaying, singing,
shouting, cursing, drinking, and now and then fight-
ing, the dim light revealing an atmosphere loaded
with the mingled odor of tobacco and rum, reeking
like a poisonous stench from the lungs of the drunk-
en mass. The jingle of glasses was incessant, and at
the hour of midnight, tipplers and drunken men still
lingered. The bunk and the space under the bench,
the shed and the hay-loft, were stored with drunken
men. Such is the material out of which partisan
leaders manufacture the " popular will," and slime
into public stations.
Five hard-looking customers were still drinking at
the bar, alternating with a song or a story, by one
of the number. One of them was a middle-aged
man, slightly gray, and not entirely unprepossessing
in his appearance, save the bloated face and the dirty
suit of rags. He was a leader among them, and dis-
played talent in his drunken sallies.
268 MINNIE HEKMON.
The subjects of temperance, and the meeting ap-
pointed for the morrow evening, came up.
" I'll treat the crowd, if you'll all go, boys, and
carry your bottles and give 'em beans" said Lane
cool and sober in the midst of the general drunken
ness.
" Done," said Barney Kits. " H ot wa-(hic)-ter
agin cold. Set on the top-hetchel. Old Barney's on
earth in spite of rum and lightning."
" I'll treat again, if you'll egg that long-haired cuss
who is round preaching on the corners of the streets,
and find the tools," continued Lane, bitterly. " Catch
him on my steps ! " and he ground his teeth as he
crushed the sugar in the glass.
"A shilling to the man who hits him ! " dis-
tinctly muttered our strange friend in the long hair
and surtout, as he emerged from the darkness of
the street and stood in the middle of the room. The
noise was at once hushed, and Lane scowled with an-
gered surprise.
" The long haired hypocrite will be there to-mor-
row night. Bring your eggs, Jud Lane. A rotten
cause and a rotten heart must need rotten arguments.
Bring 'em along, and also those you prey upon.
"Out of the house, you black-coated devil,''
growled Lane, but keeping safely behind the bar
Halton, put him out poker him out."
Hal ton, the man in rags, seized the stranger at the
word, and was proceeding to put the command in ex-
ecution, when the latter, with the ease with which he
LIGHT IN A DARK PLACE. 269
would have taken a child, unhanded Halton's grasp,
and looked him sternly in the eye.
" Henry Halton, I knew yon when you were one
of the most honored of men. There is yet manhood
and pride in your heart. I know there is. This is
not the place or the company for you. . You did not
look thus when you stood with Mary Densmore at
the altar. A spell is upon ye ! Come away, Henry
Halton, from this vile place, and be saved. We will
meet you half-way, and there shall be singing and re-
joicing for the prodigal's return. Your sainted moth-
er and wife are looking down from Heaven. Angela
are weeping, Henry, and at home, [the stranger
whispered as he breathed the words into Halton's ear]
the only being who loves you on earth, weeps and
prays for her father. Your friends are not hsre, Hen-
ry Halton ! Go with us and be saved. Be saved
Henry Halton, be saved'! "
The lustrous and melting eyes worked a strange
spell over the hardened drunkard. As a tear from
the stranger's eye fell upon the open ^alm, Halton
wept, and a sigh swelled up in his broad bosom. Still
in the stranger's grasp, he looked imploringly in his
eye, as if hope was springing up in his darkened
heart.
" Will you come, Henry. Halton come to honor
and to God ? Say this night you will, and there shall
be rejoicing in Heaven ! Come! "
A strange scene in the dimly lighted bar-room of
the River Hotel ! Drunkards were looking unstead-
270 MEmrE HEEMON.
ily but silently upon it, and from behind the bar,
where the last round of glasses stood untasted, glow-
ered Lane with clenched fists and teeth upon the
stranger.
" Halton ! tarry not among the tombs. Come ! "
lie continued.
" Before God I will! " gasped Halton, as a deeper
Bigh escaped his bosom, and he ventured to look
around him. As his eye rested upon Lane, he quailed,
so fearful is the influence of the dealer upon his vic-
tim. The stranger saw it, and continued :
" Who else is there here this night who will come
with Henry Halton to home and manhood, and God?
Come with him this night, and be enslaved ones no
more. Turn from the past." And the stranger, in
low bat strangely sweet and thrilling tones, com-
menced and sang " Long, Long Ago." The drunk-
ards wept, and as the question was again asked,
" Who will come with Halton ? " four of them reeled
up around him, joining hands to keep from falling.
"And here you solemnly pledge yourselves never
to drink anything which can intoxicate again.
" We-(hi'c)-we do."
"And may God help you ! ISTow," thundered the
stranger, a wild and joyous light kindling in his eye,
" come away, and tarry not, nor look back, or the ene-
my is upon you ? Come ! " and the five customers of
the "River Hotel " went out after the strange man in
the long surtout.
With a torrent of curses pouring from his mouth,
UGHT IN A DAKK PLACE.
Jud Lane turned the liquor in the glasses back into
the decanter, and walked his bar-room like a mad-
dened fiend, gnashing his teeth, and swearing ven-
geance upon the temperance fanatics, and the five
customers in particular. " They would'nt get no more
liquor from his shop, if they choked to death ; " and
yet the man's only consolation in his anger was, that
they would all be back again before the week was out.
Desolate was the foul den, with only the snoring
drunkards left ; and Jud Lane went cursing to bed.
The next morning, Jud Lane looked confidently for
the coming of his five customers for their usual morn-
ing drams. He knew no passion but those of avarice
and hate, and he raved when he was cheated of a cus-
tomer. Skillott came in while Lane was sullenly
pacing his bar-room. Skillott had become an habit-
ual tippler, and to disguise his habits he would range
through the whole list of drinking places, and
drink at them all. Lane rehearsed his grievances to
a sympathetic listener. Both heaped abuse upon the
temperance people. As to the five drunkards who
had been led away by that long-coated hypocrite, both
hoped they would choke tc death before they could
find a drop,
" But never mind ; you '11 have 'em, Lane, before
the week 's out : nothing to trap 'em."
"Get 'em here again and I'll sweat 'em. I'll
learn 'em to leave an old friend for these cussed fa-
natics. I'll sue every mother's son of 'em, or my
name ain't Jud Lane."
272 MINNIE HEKMON.
" Do they owe you ? " pleasantly asked Skillott, ta-
king his lips from the glass he was emptying, and
brightening up at the thought of a fee.
" They do, every one of 'em ; and I '11 have my pay
or jug 'em."
" You 'vQJu<fd ''em, pretty well already," put in old
Barney Kits, who had just dropped in for his dram.
Lane turned upon the inveterate old joker with an
angry frown, but smothered the usual torrent of oaths
as the old fellow put down his sixpence.
" It would be but justice," continued Skillott, with
assumed indifference. "They have had too many
favors to turn against you, and they certainly cannot
complain if made to pay their honest debts."
"I've always been doin' 'em favors, and lettin 7
7 em have liquor when they hadn't any money. If
they don't quit their foolin' I'll fix 'em, d n me if
I don't. Jud Lane knows where to bite."
"I expect Brayton and Howard will have them
lecturing on temperance before Saturday night," said
Skillott, with a sneer, ready to heap ridicule upon the
temperance movement " They'll make strong men!
ha, ha!"
" ISTot while Lane's liquor is in 'em," gravely an-
swered old Barney ; " too much pump water."
"Kits, you old bloat haven't I warned you to
Stop your devilish stuff? I won't stand it."
" I can't stand either, half the time, such stuff, "
replied Kits, winking waggishly at Lane.
" You mustn't turn off any of your jokes on me/'
LIGHT JU A DARK PLACE. 273
" It 'ft a long lane, that has no turn," persisted tho
half-drunken wag. Lane was maddened, for he took
the drive as made at his hump back.
" You ought to be shot, you old viper ! "
"Just been shot in the neck. 'T ain't (hie)
mortal, though ; " and old Barney attempted to stand
steady and look wise.
" You drunken old cuss ! you'd better join in Hal-
ton's gang, you feel so sharp."
" Been one of Haltbn's gang this five years. Ex-
pect to
" Hear ye ! hear ye ! hear ye ! men and women of
Oakvale ! The trump of the Lord is sounding, and
the dead are coming forth. Ho ! ye enslaved ones !
Men having devils and dwelling among the tombs :
there is hope for the lost. An arm mighty to save
is stretched forth, and deliverance is near. Hear ye !
hear ye ! the good Samaritans are among you. Those
who have been among thieves shall be washed and
healed. Drunkards who have squandered all in riot-
ous living, and hungered for the husks fed to the
swine : we bid you return. There is bread enough
and to spare hallelujah to God ! and there shall be
singing and rejoicing in the land, for the lost are
found. Ho! dwellers in the dark places! Come
forthi The commissioned of the Lord bringeth you
glad tidings. He will break your bonds and bid the
captive go free. Drunkards ! come out from the dens
of prey. Let the licensed buzzards starve for the
want of human carrion. God's judgments are close
274: MINNIE HEKMON.
upon them, and sure and swift destruction upon them
and theirs. Ho ! ye that thirst, come ! I come to
bear you the holy truths of the temperance reform.
There is light in the dark places, and the waste ones
are made glad. The gospel is preached to the poor
and the blind ones are made to see.
" We 're coining, we 're coming, the sober and free,
Like the winds of the desert, the waves of the sea ;
True sons of brave sires, who battled of yore,
When England's red lion roar'd wild on our shore.
We 're coming, we 're coming, from mountain and glen,
With hands that are steady we 're freemen again ;
Let Alcohol tremble as 't ne'er trembled before,
For we swear by Great Heaven to drink it no more I "
J tid Lane fairly raved when he recognized the voice
of the man in the long coat. That personage had
mounted the horse-block by the sign-post. There was
something strangely wild in his person and manner.
His tall form was erect, his hat off, and his long hair
swaying in the wind. With one hand upon the staff
and the other extended with the long finger quiver-
ing, his eye half tender and half fierce, his coat but-
toned to the throat, and his beard hanging upon his
breast, his aspect was singularly striking and impres-
sive. His voice was in keeping ; now tremulous with
a tear, and again rising into a wail, or howling with
terrible energy, as his invective, unequalled in bitter-
ness and strength, fell fierce and scathing upon all
connected with the rum trafiic. There was awe in
LIGHT IN A DARK PLACE. 275
his impassioned and hazardous eloquence, and beams
of unearthly light seemed literally to shoot from his
eye when he towered in passion. With clenched
teeth and burning cheeks, the dealers shrank from his
gaze and blistering speech. Clear and swelling like
a trumpet's tone, his voice rang out and crowds gath-
ered to hear and to see him. There was something
unaccountably fascinating in his half-mad harangues.
His sneer, when pouring sarcasm upon the dealers,
was as withering as the sarcasm itself. But when he
appealed to the drunkards, a smile like sunlight would
melt every feature into wondrous beauty. Step by
step the crowd, drunkards included, would gather
closer to the man, as if drawn by some unseen power.
Even Jud Lane could not keep from looking from the
hall out upon the speaker. "With all the severity of
the man's speech, and the bitterness of his personal
assaults, there was blended a world of truth and
tender, moving pathos. He never spared the dealer,
nor even gave them credit for a single redeeming
trait. It seemed to delight him to lance them with-
out mercy. From appeals of the most gentle and
mournful earnestness, he would turn, as his eye caught
sight of one of them, and, as if startled by the sound
of a rattlesnake, hiss sweeping imprecations upon
them and their business, between his clenched teeth
and pallid lips. He believed himself commissioned
by the Lord to "smite the monster" in his strong
places. Some secret and unknown cause of hatred
to the rum traffic and those employed in it, with wild
276 MINNIE HERMON.
religious frenzy and deep natural enthusiasm, gave
his impetuous eloquence, and with reason, the cast of
fanaticism. His denunciations of wine bibbers and
drinking church-members and priests, were bold and
merciless.
Jud Lane had just come in for a blast which blis
tered as it reached the raving victim. Turning to a
drunken Irishman, the landlord offered him a gallon
of rum if he would go around between the shed and
the house and hurl a dozen of eggs at the speaker.
Pat was just drunk enough to eagerly agree to the
proposition. The " crazy preacher," as he was called,
had just finished the two verses we have quoted, and
the melody of the wild and stirring air yet lingered
in the hearts of the crowd, when an egg crashed
against the sign-post close by his head. A freezing
sneer crept over his face as he turned his eye in the
direction from whence the missile came.
" Ho! ho ! friends. Here are arguments upon the
other side of the house. Better send us their eggs
than their liquor. If the wretch who reared this post
would smear it with human blood instead of yolk, the
argument would be better put and more appropriate.
Blood is upon their sign-posts, their thresholds, and
their counters. It is upon their hands and their
hearts. But vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, and
the widows' and children's wrongs shall be avensred.
O O
Ha, ha ! another of their arguments, and applied to a
subject, too. [The egg hit old Barney.] But better
on your coat, brother, than the man's poison in your
LIGHT IN A DARK PLACE. 27Y
heart. The monsters writhe, for their power is de-
parting from them." There was a shout from the
boys, and a crash of boards under the shed. In step-
ping back from the shed window, as he hurled the
second egg, Pat trod upon a short board and fell
through to the ground.
" And so shall the traffic fall to the ground, and
those engaged in it. Their arguments cannot sustain
them."
The fall was a serious matter with Pat, for he had
broken an arm and a leg, and was groaning with pain.
The preacher was quickly by his side, and without
assistance bore him into the bar-room. Jud Lane
stood cowering like a spirit of evil in his bar at the
turn things had taken and the comments freely made
by some in the crowd. It was in his heart to turn
the whole company out of doors. Pat begged for
rum, and while the preacher was after Howard,
Lane drew a glass and carried it to him, but as it was
lifted to Pat's lips, the long staif of the Hermit, as the
preacher was called, swooped down and dashed it into
fragments.
" Away with your poison ! A broken arm and leg
are enough. Hand him rum at your peril, Jud Lane.
Before God I will serve you as I have the glass.
Stand back!"
Stooping down, the Hermit again lifted Pat in his
arms, and bore him out and away from the " River
Hotel " to Howard's office. As he came out, he again
addressed the crowd who followed, making effective
278 MINNIE! HEEMON.
use of the circumstance. Jud Lane had made Pat
drunk ; Pat had fallen and broken his limbs in con-
sequence, and the people must support him through
his sickness. Shaking his long staff towards Lane's
tavern, he broke forth in a torrent of fierce invectives.
As he saw Skillott taking notes of his remarks, he
turned his attention to that functionary, and lashed
him in unmeasured terms. He then announced that
a temperance meeting would be held in the Hall that
evening, to be addressed by a reformed drunkard,
and urged all to attend. Then breaking out in the
familiar air of " Come to the Temperance Hall," he
passed through the crowd and up the street. Upon
the steps of the " Home" and so through the whole
village, he went with staff and song, and impassioned
harangue, heralding the meeting and denouncing the
rum traffic. His vast muscular strength and glisten-
ing eye deterred the enraged dealers' from an open
attack upon his person.
MORTIMER HUDSON SIGNING THE PLEDGE.
CHAPTER XXIY.
WASHINGTONIANISM THE OLD MAN'S STOBY.
THE tide of the new movement was rising with un-
exampled velocity and power. From the very dens
of the enemy, the "Washingtonians came forth, fully
armed and fired with enthusiastic zeal. From the
ranks of the enslaved, reformed men came forth and
became for the time the standard-bearers of the re-
form. The song, and the rude though earnest appeal,
with the dark details of personal experience in the
thraldom of ruin, assumed a deep and thrilling inter-
est, and crowds flocked to hear the story. From gut-
ter, hovel, den, and steaming pit, men came forth to
soberness and honor. In every community the name
was kindled. Angels were found sitting at the graves
of men's drunkenness, and as the stone was rolled
away, the living came forth to happiness and home.
The land was filled with rejoicing. The wife and
mother watched the commotion with prayers and
hopeful tears, and the citizen looked bewildered. An
angel was in the waters and lepers were healed.
Many believed that intemperance was to be driven at
once from the land. The rumsellers such as con-
tinued in the business became more reckless and
desperate than ever, and only rejoiced when those who
282 MINNIE HERMON.
had taken the pledge were decoyed again to destruc-
tion.
Oakvale was alive with the excitement, and its
dealers boiling with fear and rage. The Hermit had
planted some tremendous blows upon the enemy, and
htid snatched away many of their best customers.
His announcement of the evening meeting had in-
creased the interest to the highest degree, and before
dark, crowds of people were pouring down the streets
to the Hall.
Groups of people gathered on the steps of the tav-
erns and saloons, and were drinking in the bar-rooms
to keep their courage up. Now and then a drunken
man came reeling out of them, and the coarse jest and
boisterous laugh told the character of the parties.
Monsieur Ladeaux, an old Frenchman, kept one of
the most frequented dram-shops in Oakvale. Every-
thing around the establishment was arranged admira-
bly to render it attractive and inviting. Politicians
made the " Alhambra " their nightly resort, and at
its bar the extremes of society met in the fraternal
circle of tippling.
Our readers may have seen the counterpart of
Monsieur. He was stoutly built- and fleshy, his neck
thick, features coarse, heavy and sensual, person
stooping, and a shambling, leaning gait, like a man
looking for a penny on the walk. His soul was not
like other men's souls. He was as senseless, save in
his pocket, as the pavement on which he trod. But
two emotions those of avari'ce and gluttony ever
WASIHNGTONTANISM. 283
stirred his sluggish nature. ^ Honor, conscience or
pride, he was an utter stranger to. He deemed men,
women, and children, his legitimate prey. Whatever
he could do without fear of fine, imprisonment or
hanging, he would do for money. Had murder
been licensed, he would as readily butcher all who
crossed his threshold. No good interest in communi-
ity ever received his attention, countenance, or a far-
thing of support. He was never known to exhibit
feeling, save when his interest was assailed. The boy
that reached tiptoe for the cent's worth of beer, was
just as welcome a customer as the citizen of mature
years. Had every one who went out from his rooms
fell dead in the street, his regrets would have been in
proportion to his loss of custom. Moral influences
fell as inefficiently from his mail of animal selfish-
ness, as they would from the Pagan idol of wood or
stone.
Among those who were drinking on the evening of
the meeting, was a young man of about twenty-three
years. He was a mechanic in the place, and without
friends. None had yielded more blindly madly to
the bowl, or plunged more deeply into its many in-
iquities. With quick and pungent wit, a voice of
wondrous sweetness and compass, and a power of
mimicry unsurpassed, he became the ruling spirit of
the drunken revel. His liquor cost him nothing. A
song, or a speech, or a story, would always bring both
applause and liquor. There was quite a competition
among the dram-shops for his presence,
12
284: MINNIE HERMOST.
The youth was but a wreck. His potations were
deep and incessantly poured down. His face was of
a fiery red, and his long hair coarse and matted. A
soiled and broken-clown hat sat back upon his head
with a dare-devil manner, his pantaloons begrimmed
with dirt, and his boots running over at the heels, and
full of holes, the bare, stockingless feet exposed to the
weather. The ragged coat was buttoned to the throat,
indicating a lingering pride which tried to conceal
the utter absence of a shirt. A dirty comforter was
wound loosely around the neck, and the ends tucked
under the coat. The people in the saloon had just
put him upon the counter, where he was making a
temperance speech. His wit, inimitable drollery, and
ludicrous nights of burlesque eloquence, had put the
crowd in a roar. Those present had furnished Gault
with a bottle of rum, and were calculating upon a
high time at the temperance meeting, for he had
promised to make a speech there. In the height of
their mirth, Brayton, Halton, and the Hermit enter
ed. As many bombs would not have produced &
greater impression upon the customers of Ladeaux.
" Come down, John Gault, we want you to go with
us. We '11 do you good."
" This will do me good, H - (hie) - Halton." Gauit
tipped up his bottle, his eye turning comically down
upon Ilalton. Then thrusting his tongue into his
cheek, and rolling one eye up one way and the other
another, a trick he was familiar with, he assumed a
theatrical attitude, and exclaimed :
WASHINGTONIANISM. 285
' Come one, come all; this bar shall fly
From its firm base as as SOOP as hie - - h'i."
A few tittered, but bushed again, as tbe low and
thrilling tones of .the Hermit's voice trembled like
winning music above the coarser sounds. Gault stood
like one fascinated under the appeals. Slowly the
extended arm and bottle lowered to the side, and with
the other on his hip, he stood leaning forward and
gazing into the eye of the Hermit. The latter had
extended his hand, and his eye rested full and search
ingly upon Gault. Save Monsieur Ladeaux, all were
hushed as the strange man plead with the drunkard.
There was a tender melancholy in his tones which
charmed the roughest listener. Gault was as com-
pletely in his power as if bound by a spell.
" Lost ! " he exclaimed, with a sigh, and plunged
forward into the arms of the Hermit.
" Saved ! John Gault ! We will snatch you from
the very jaws of the. enemy. Your friends are not
here, John Gault. Go with us. We bid you come
5fou shall sit among the redeemed, clothed and in
your right mind. Come ! "
Gault trembled from head to foot. Skillott ven-
tured to question this summary way of forcing men
into the temperance movement. With a gesture of
scorn, not unmixed with dignity, the Hermit waved
the counselor back, and again urged Gault to go with
them. Bray ton stepped forward and took him by the
arm. While he was hesitating, the Hermit sang a
verse
286 MINNIE IIKRMON.
Sadly icy wife bowed her beautiful head,
Long ago, long ago ;
Oh, how I wept when I heard she was dead,
Long ago, long ago ;
She was an angel, my joy and my pride ;
Vainly to save me from ruin she tried ;
Poor broken heart ! it was well that she died,
Long ago, long ago.
The words, feathered with plaintive melody most
sweetly sung, went to the heart of Gault. His young
and lovely wife had just gone to her pauper grave,
injured and broken-hearted, leaving him alone to go
more rapidly down the road to ruin. A tear swam
upon his red lid, and dropped upon the cheek. An-
other and another followed. Gault was conquered.
Clutching the Hermit firmly by the arm, he yielded
to his guidance, and with Brayton and Halton be-
hind, passed out of the Alhambra.
The more ignorant expected fun ; but Skillott saw
the strong influence at work upon the drunkards, and
was troubled. In his political dreaming, he had cal-
culated much upon their cheaply bought suffrages.
As the four entered the Hall, they found every part
of it densely packed with people, and the throng still
pouring into the vestibule. As dense as was the
crowd, it opened both ways before the Hermit and
his long staff, and with Gault, Halton and Brayton
in his wake, that personage strode down towards the
platform. Gault shrank back, however, and Halton
procured him a seat and stood beside him. Large
drops of sweat stood thickly on Gault's face, and he
WASHINGTONIANISM. 287
avoided every eye as much as possible, where he sat.
A sea of heads was constantly turning, towards the
doors fo catch sight of the speakers. Elder Snyder
stole in around the wall aisle, and took his seat be-
hind a pillar under the gallery, as if doubtful of the
propriety of attending such a meeting. For an hour
the crowd continued to pour in, still finding room to
stand. In the corner seats were a number of rum-
sellers and their friends, they having heard that John
Gault was to carry a bottle and address the meeting.
The more intelligent ones looked grave, the brutes
scowled, and the simple put on a knowing leer, try-
ing to express their contempt of the whole affair.
Two men, at last, came in, and with much difficulty
reached the platform. All eyes were fixed upon
them, and that immense audience was hushed into
stillness.
The men were unlike in appearance the one be-
ing short, thick-set in his build, the other tall and ex-
ceedingly well-formed. The younger had the manner
and address of a clergyman, a full, round face, and a
quiet, good-natured look, as he leisurely glanced
around upon the audience.
But the interest all centered on the old man. His
broad, de'ep chest and unusual height looked giant-
like as he swayed slowly up the aisle. His hair was
white, his brow deeply seamed with furrows, and
around his handsome mouth lines of decision, thought
and sadness. His eye was black and restless, and
kindled for the moment as the tavern-keeper nearest
288 MINNIE HERMON.
him uttered a low jest aloud. His lips were com-
pressed, and a crimson flush came upon and went
from his pale cheek. There was a wide scar over the
right eye.
The younger finally arose and asked if there was a
clergyman present who would open with prayer.
Not one answered to the invitation. The rurnsellers
ventured a titter. This started the Hermit. Advan-
cing to the front of the stage, he looked steadily and
not unkindly around over the audience, finally resting
a less winning gaze upon the corner where the deal-
ers had centered. Stretching "his long arm out over
the people, he broke forth in an invocation which was
as appropriate as forcible and solemn. At its close,
he sang an ode as none other could have sung it. Its
melting tenderness stole over the audience like a
dream, and prepared them for the truths to follow.
The younger speaker made but a short address
calm, dignified and appropriate, setting forth the
claims of the Washingtonian cause, and urging all
who wished well to humanity to join in it. At the
conclusion of the meeting, he hoped to see the name
of every one present appended to the pledge. As he
concluded, he called upon any one present to speak
hop^d to hear remarks for or against.
" Shut up, you old nuisance," muttered Jud Lane,
as old Barney punched him to get up.
"Give 'em the dingbats swear at 'em, Jud,"
whispered Barney.
All eyes were turned in another direction. The
WASHESTGTONIANISM. 289
pastor under the gallery arose with more than ordina-
ry dignity, and attacked the positions of the speaker,
lie used the current arguments of those opposed to
the temperance measures, and concluded .by denoun-
cing those engaged in them, as meddlesome fanatics,
having zeal without knowledge men who wished to
break up the time-honored usages of good society,
take the interests of the moral world out of the hands
of the church, and injure the business of a very large
class of worthy and respectable people. Simultane-
ously the dealers and their friends, and the aristocra-
cy of the village applauded the pastor. As he took
his seat he put his hair back with dignity, and looked
over the room, as much as to say, " nothing for me to
make that speech ! " The feeling was evidently turn-
ing against the strangers, for Snyder had cunningly
shaped his remarks to undermine the public confi-
dence in their character as " public teachers." The
very fact that one of them had been a drunkard was
against him. And besides, a prayer had been made
by one whom he did not recognize as a minister of
God. He cautioned the people against being led
astray by fanatics and false teachers.
The Hermit's eye flashed, and with a pale lip he
grasped "his staff fiercely. Slowly rising to his full
height, he pointed towards where Elder Snyder had
drawn his cloak around him, and broke out in a tor-
rent of withering denunciation. So sudden and
sweeping was the onslaught that the more tim-
id had hardly time to be shocked before the last
290 MENTSTIE HERMON.
barb had been sped. The manner of the man was
terrible .
" False teacher ! " hissed the Hermit between his
clenched teeth, yet plainly heard in every part of the
hall. " False teacher ! and this from one who turned
bis own erring ones from his hearth, and sent them
away with curses. One who himself taught his chil-
dren to sip the accursed poison ! One who has set an
example which has sent his own parishioners to the
grave and to perdition ! One who, by the grave of
two who died broken-hearted, still advocates the foul
sin which destroyed them. One who prays for the
poor and the needy, and at the same time casts his
influence for that which robs the poor and needy, and
sends out the children to beg for bread. One who
would hedge Heaven against us because we have
once sinned as he is this day influencing others to sin.
One whose gospel never says to the returning peni-
tent, ' Go and sin no more ! ' One who dishonors
his profession by preaching our land full of paupers
and felons, our graves full of dead men, and hell with
souls that are damned ! Go ! false one ! and preach
the gospel of righteousness, temperance, and a judg-
ment to come, or else the viper shall return to sting
the hand that sends it forth, and the vultures shall
pick the bones of him who stays the chariot wheels
of the Lord ! "
A chill crept over the whole audience. The man-
ner of the speaker was even more bold and startling
than his words. With his eye full upon the pastor,
THE OLD MAN'S STORY. 291
he slowly retreated to the back of the stage and took
his seat.
During the assault, the old man on the platform
had watched the hermit with a kindling eye, leaning
forward to catch every word. As he arose, his form,
as tall as the Hermit's, and better proportioned, tow-
ered in most 'commanding dignity, and his chest
swelled as he inhaled his breath through his thin nos-
trils. There was something grand and inspiring in
the appearance of the old man as he stood looking
upon the audience, his teeth hard shut, and a silence
like that of death throughout the Hall. He bent his
gaze full upon Hermon, who sat immediately before
him, and as his eye lingered for a moment, the scar
upon his forehead grew an angry red, and from be-
neath his shaggy brows his eye glowed with meaning
fire. Hermon quailed under the gaze. He at last
commenced, in low and tremulous tones. There waa
a depth in this voice a thrilling sweetness and pa-
thos, which riveted every heart in the Hall before the
first period had been rounded. Immediately under
the platform and a little in advance of the speaker,
sat young Mortimer Hudson, manifesting an interest
which he had never before exhibited at a temperance
meeting. ,
" If I were a stranger in your village, I should dare
to call you friends. As I once lived in your midst, I
trust I may call you all so."
There was a sensation, and whispered inquiries of
" Who can it be ? " With a thrilling depth of voice.
292 MINNIE HERMON.
the speaker locked his hands together, and contin-
ued :
"A new star has arisen, and there is hope in the
dark night which hangs like a pall of gloom over the
country. O God ! thou who lookest with compas-
eion upon the most erring of earth's frail children, 1
thank thee that a brazen serpent has been lifted, upon
which the drunkard can look and be healed ; that a
beacon has burst out upon the darkness which sur-
rounds him, which shall guide back to honor and to
Heaven, the bruised and weary wanderer."
Strange, the power in human voices ! The speak-
er's was low and measured ; but a tear trembled in
every tone, and before they knew why, tears were
dropping in the audience like rain-drops. The old
man brushed one from his own eye and continued :
" Men and Christians ! You have just heard that I
may be probably am a vagrant and fanatic. I
am not. As God knows my own sad heart, I came
here to do good. The graves of my kindred arc here,
My childhood was spent here. My manhood was de-
stroyed here. Hear me and be just.
" I am an old man, standing alone at the end of
life's journey. There is deep sorrow in my heart, and
bitter tears in my eyes. I have journeyed over a
dark, beaconiess ocean, and all life's bright hopes have
been wrecked. I am without friends, home or kin-
dred, on earth, and look with eager longing for the
ret of the night of death without friends, kindred
or home ! It was not so once 1 "
THE OLD MAN'S STOKY. 293
No one could withstand the touching pathos of the
old man. The audience was under his control.
" No, my friends, it was not so once. Away over
the dark and treacherous waste which has wrecked
all my hopes, there is the blessed light of happiness
and home. I grasp again convulsively for the shrines
of the household idols that once were mine, now
mine no more."
The speaker seemed looking away through space
upon some bright vision, his lips apart, and his finger
extended. The audience involuntarily turned in the
direction where the speaker was looking, as if ex-
pecting to see some shadow called before them.
" I once had a mother. With her old heart crushed
with sorrows, she went down to her grave. I once
had a wife ; a fair, angel-hearted creature as ever
smiled in an earthly home. Her eye was as mild as
a summer sky, and her heart as faithful and true as
ever cherished a husband's love, or clung to him
when fallen. Her blue eye grew dim as floods of
sorrow washed out its brightness, and the loving heart
I wrung until every fibre was rudely broken. I once
had a babe, a sweet, tender blossom ; but these handa
destroyed it, and it lives with One who loveth chil-
dren. I once had a noble, a brave and beautiful
boy ; but he was driven out from the ruins of his
childhood home, and I know not if he yet lives.
" Do not be startled, friends ; I am not a murderer
in the common acceptation of the term. I am guilty
of much, but there is light in my evening sky. A
294 MLNNIK HEKMON.
spirit mother rejoices over the return of her prodigal,
son. The wife smiles upon him who again turns
back to virtue and honor. The angel child visits me
at nightfall, and I feel the hallowing touch of a tiny
palm upon my fevered cheek. My brave boy, if liv-
ing, would forgive the sorrowing old man for the
treatment that drove him out into the world, and the
blow which maimed him for life. God Almighty in
Heaven ! forgive me for the ruin I have brought upon
me and mine ! "
The speaker again wiped a tear from his eye. Mor-
timer Hudson watched him with a strange intensity,
and with a countenance pale with strong and unusual
emotion.
" I once was a fanatic, and madly followed the ma-
lign light which led me to ruin. I was a fanatic
when I sacrificed my wife, children, happiness and
hope to the accursed demon of the bowl. I was a
fanatic when I broke the heart and sent to the grave
the gentle being whom I injured so deeply.
" I was a drunkard ! From respectability and op-
ulence, I plunged into degradation and poverty. I
dragged my family down with me. For years I saw
my wife's cheek pale, and her step grow weary. I
left her alone amid the wreck of her home idols, and
rioted at the tavern. She never complained, though
she and the children went hungry for bread.
" One New Year's night, I left the midnight revel
at the tavern, for the hut where charity had given us
a shelter. Deeply intoxicated, I reached about half
THE OLD MAN'S STORY. 29.5
the distance, and yielded to the intense cold of the
storm, and lay down upon the drifts, with the slum-
ber of drunkenness and death upon me. My wife,
a frail, poorly clad creature had become alarmed
about me, and ventured out in the storm to seek me.
She found me, insensible with cold. She stretched
her body upon mine, and with her own heat warmed
the chilling blood in my veins, and saved me from
freezing and death. Struggling until she raised me
to my feet, she started me home, bidding me rest not
for life until I reached home. Arriving there, I
found the babe wailing in the arms of the boy, who
was vainly attempting to hush it. I felt the demon
in every vein, and snatching it from his arms with a
curse, I hurled it upon the coals ! "
The speaker buried his face in his hands, and the
audience were wound up to breathless excitement.
"At the moment the mother came in, and like a ti
gress, sprang and snatched the child from its tortures
Its agonizing shrieks will linger in my ear while 1
live ! I demanded food. Mary turned her gaze sad-
ly upon me, the tears falling fast upon her cheek.
" ' VTe have no food, James. And, merciful heav-
en ! must murder be added to starvation f '
"That sad, pleading face, the streaming eyes and
the wail of the babe maddened me ; and I yes, I
struck her a fearful blow in the face, and she fell for-
ward upon the hearth. The furies of hell boiled in
my bosom with deeper intensity as I felt that I had
committed a wrong. I had ne er struck Mary be-
296 MINNIE HERMON.
fore ; but now some terrible impulse bore nje on ;
and I stooped down as well as I could in my drunk-
en state, and clenched both hands in her hair.
" ' God of mercy, James ! ' exclaimed my wife, as
she looked up in my fiendish countenance. ' You
will not kill us. Poor Willie, he must die,' and she
tried to soothe the little sufferer in its cruel pains.
I could not bear the shrieks of the child, and became
furious. Dragging her to the door and lifting the
latch, the wind burst in with a cloud of snow. With
the yell of a fiend, I still dragged her on and hurled
her out into the darkness and the storm. With a wild
ha ! ha ! I closed the door and turned the button, her
pleading moans mingling with the wail of the blast,
and the quick, gasping shrieks of the babe. But the
work was riot complete. I turned to the bed where
my son had hidden, and dragged him out. He clung
to my knees, and called me by a name I was unwor-
thy to bear. My eye rested upon the axe in the cor-
ner, and I grasped it with the determination to kill
him. The boy saw the act and sprang for a window,
where a blanket was the only protection from the
storm. As he sprang out, the blow I leveled at his
head fell upon the sill, and severed his hand from
the arm ! "
The speaker ceased a moment, and buried his face
in his hands, as if to shut out some fearful dream,
and his. deep chest heaved like a stormy sea. Mor-
timer Hudson had partially arisen, his countenance
pale and ghastly, and he sobbing with startling emo-
THE OLD MAN'S STORY. 297
tion. The old man shook as with an ague chill, and
again proceeded :
. " It was morning when I awoke, and the storm had
ceased, but the cold was intense. I first secured a
drink of water, and then looked in the accustomed
place for Mary. As I missed her for the first time,
a shadowy sense of some horrible nightmare began
to dawn upon my wandering mind. I thought that I
had dreamed a fearful dream, and involuntarily opened
the door with a shuddering dread. As the door
opened the snow burst in, followed by the fall of a hard
body across the threshold, scattering the snow, and
Striking the floor with a sharp, quick sound. My
'blood shot like red-hot arrows through my veins, and
I rubbed my eyes to shut out the light. It was it
God, how terrible ! it was my own injured Mary
and her babe, frozen to ice ! The ever true mother
had bowed herself over her child to shield it, and
wrapped her own clothing around it, leaving her own
person stark and bare to the storm. She had placed
her hair over the face of the child, and the sleet had
frozen it to the white cheek The frost was white in
its half-open eyes, and upon its tiny fingers. I know
not what became of my boy."
Again the old man bowed his head and wept, and
all in the house, Jud Lane excepted, wept with hi in.
In tones of low, and yet far-reaching pathos, he con-
cluded :
" I was arrested, and for mouths raved in delirium.
1 was sent to prison for ten years, but its tortures
298 MINNIE HKEMON.
were nothing compared to those in my own bosom.
God knows I am not a fanatic. I wish to injure
no one. But while I live let me strive to warn others
not to enter the path which has been so dark and fear
ful to me. I would see my angel wife and .child in
the better land, where, God Almighty be thanked !
no rum is sold, and drunkenness is not. If there is
one here this night who has been as I have been, let
me beseech him, as a brother whom I love, by the
dark and beaconless past by all that is yet left amid
the ruins of the present, and all that man can hope
for in the future let him come and sign the pledge.
He shall again stand up in the dignity of a freeman,
be loved by his family, respected again by society,
and honored of God. Come, ye heavy-laden and wea-
ry, sign and be FREE ! "
The old man sat down ; but a spell as deep and
strange as that wrought by some wizard's breath,
rested upon the audience. Hearts could have been
heard to beat, and tears to fall. At the invitation to
sign the pledge, the Hermit stepped forward and sang.
"When is the time to sign." The effect upon the
people was deepened, and as Halton and his four com-
panions stood up, side by side, and with right arms
raised, followed with " We 're free once more ! " the
people swayed and murmured as if under a breath
of electricity. The men were all well known, and as
they now appeared, presented one of the most elo-
quent appeals ever witnessed of the blessed effects
of the temperance reform.
THE OLD MAN'S STOUT. 299
" FREE AGAIN ! " shouted Halton, his form dilating
I with hope and pride. " Free again ! Hallelujah to
God ! w.e 're men again. Would that all who drink
were as we are."
" There 's a balm in Gilead arid a physician there.
The Lord is here ; comc ; come to the waters and bo
healed. Now is the time ! " Wild and thrilling, the
searching tone of the Hermit reached over the crowd.
The old man had stepped down in front of the plat-
form, where a table and writing fixtures had been
placed. He was followed by Halton and his compan-
ions, and the Hermit; the latter still holding his long
staff, and his pale features lit up with a smile of lofty
enthusiasm. The speaker took the pledge, and asked
who would be the first man to put ' his name to the
" great charter of freedom. He hoped all would do
it. The drunkards of the land were looking to their
action that night. Come ! "
Young Hudson leaped over the railing, and eagerly
snatched the pen. As he held it a moment in the
inkstand, a tear fell from the old man's eye upon the
paper.
' Sign it before God ! Sign it, young man. An-
gels in Heaven would sign it. I would write my
name there ten thousand times in blood, if it would
restore me the loved and the lost ! "
The young man. long known as a hard drinker,
wrote Mortimei Hudson ! The old man looked, wiped
his tearful eyes, and looked again, his countenance
alternating with red and deathly paleness.
300 MINNIE HEKMON.
" It is no, it cannot be. Yet how strange ? "
muttered the speaker. " God help me now ! " Cling-
ing to the rail, he looked with terrible earnestness
upon Hudson, as he slowly wrote with his left hand.
" Pardon me, Sir, but that was the name of my boy
it is my own name."
Young Hudson trembled from head to foot. Slow-
ly raising his head, and looking the old man in the
face, he held up the right arm from which the hand
had been severed. The two looked for a moment into
each other's eyes. Both reeled and clasped in close
embrace.
" My own deeply injured boy ! "
"My father!"
Those were wo"rds enough. Their s^Js seemed to
grow and mingle into one, in that long embrace.
People leaped upon their feet to catch a better view
of the scene, every face streaming with tears.
" Let me here thank God for this great blessing,
which has gladdened my guilt-burdened soul ! " ex-
claimed the old man. Kneeling where he was, he
poured out his feelings in a prayer, which, once heard,
never could be forgotten.
The spell was complete. The aisles and all the
space before the platform were crowded with people
eager to sign. The Hermit brushed a tear away, and
walked nervously backward and forward, striking his
staff sharply on the floor, while Halton leaned his
bead against the platform, and wept as a strong man
weeps when overcome. But his tears were not all bitter
THE OLD MAN'S STORT. 301
During the commotion Jud Lane had wormed his
way around to where John G-ault had taken a seat,
and prevailed upon him to drink from a bottle which
he had with him. Then sending one of his crew for-
ward with the bottle to place it upon the table before
the p atforni, he offered G-ault five dollars if lie would
go and claim it. The drink had made Gault himself
again, and he was ready for the fun. Lane was mis-
taken in the effect which he supposed the bottle would
produce. The impression of the meeting had been
too deep to be ridiculed out of the hearts of the peo-
ple. The speaker used the circumstance to advantage
against the instigators : it was fitting, he said, that
the dealers, or their representatives, [the bottle was
black,] sho^l be present, dressed in appropriate
mourning garb.
The people lingered, loth to leave the Hall. Slowly
working his unsteady course through the ranks of
those who remained, John Gault was seen moving
towards the table.
" Make way ! Make way for John Gault," said
Halton, helping to open a clear passage to the table.
With a rocking gait the drunkard walked up to the
group around it, but not to sign the pledge, as ex-
pected. Seizing the bottle by the neck, he put it in
his pocket, and looking the elder Hudson cunningly
in the eye, stammered :
" This bottle is mine. Render unto C sesar the
things that are (hie) Caesar's." The rummies ven-
tured a titter, and, back under the galleries, a faint
302 MINNIE HKRMON.
clapping of hands. Hudson looked him steadily and
sadly in the eye, and replied :
" True, John Gault, ' and to God the things that
are God's ! ' "
The effect was electrical. Gault was foiled with
his own weapons, and stood hesitating what to do or
say next. Hudson then appealed to him in a manner
which drew tears from every eye. He told Gault hia
past history, his degradation, and pictured a future,
if he would sign the pledge, which was all bright
with hope. Every word told. The drunkard first
laughed, then listened, grew sad, and finally wept.
In his rags, and reeling, with Halton to hold his hand,
the name was rudely written upon the pledge. As
he turned away in the care of Halton and Brayton,
a poorly clad woman rushed down the aisle, and fell
upon the drunkard's neck.
"John G/ault ! my brother!" she sobbed, and
swooned in his arms. The drunkard and his pauper
sister were both borne to the house of Halton, where
for a week true friends watched with Gault as he
raved in the horrible tortures of delirium tremens.
During his ravings, the wretched man would have
sold his soul for brandy. But his bedside and door
were guarded by kind and faithful friends.
LETTIE FENTON.
CHAPTEK XXV.
HIGH LIFE.
FROM the commencement of our reform to the pres-
ent day, its opposition has been found in the two ex-
tremes of society. The so-called aristocracy of our
land has sneered at its progress, and treated its claims
with undisguised contempt. The rich and the fash
ionable have considered it vulgar to labor in the
vineyard of our common humanity, and in the midst
of their luxuries have given no thought to the des-
olations sweeping around the base of society. The
toilers of the day have been gathered from the middle
ranks, as a general thing men of honest hearts and
hard hands men ardent in their sympathies, and
bold and upright in action
We venerate genuine aristocracy. We love the
ring of the true metal. Its sympathies are never
closed against the appeals of the lowly. There is a
real polish an ease and gracefulness in its manner,
and a nobility in its action. It is the ascendancy of
Jntellect and moral worth allied to fortune. It is not
servile to superiors, or tyrannical and insolent to
those beneath. It never answers the beggar with
a taunt, or stares coarsely at an humble garb. It
306 MINNIE HERHON.
does not depend upon a heraldry of tinsel. With its
wealth, there are mingled the higher and nobler vir-
tues, which add true and enduring luster to human
character.
, Our country is cursed with a base counterfeit. It
comes not of old family names or honors. It is the
creation of a day, and bears upon its ill-fitting gar-
ments the barren soil which gave it birth. It is red-
olent of the dunghill. Without heart, brains, or
character, it thrusts its overgrown and unwieldy fists
into kids, and takes an ungainly stride into fashiona-
ble life. It builds its claims upon the length of its
purse, and seeks elevation by looking down upon
those less fortunate and silly. It has no foundation
but dollars, ignorance, and arrogant assumption. It
knows no way of retaining a position but by treating
the more humble with coarseness and contempt. It
offers sickening, fulsome incense to its superiors, and
heaps insult and wrong upon its so-called inferiors.
Its manners have no more of the grace of the genuine
article, than the snob the bearing of the gentleman.
It is as much out of place in the drawing-room, as an
ass in a deer-park. Its attempts at gentility are sim-
ply repulsive. Its men live and die, and the world
is no better for their living. Its mothers teach their
daughters to forget and despise all things useful. Its
daughters are apt scholars, and live their worthless
lives between the piano, pier glass, and men as silly
as themselves. They thrust themselves forward ae
specimens of high life, npon means accumulated by
HIGH LIFE. 307
humble but honest toil. Their coat of arms should
be the wash-tub, brick, saw, lap-stone or mason's hod,
ever keeping them in mind of the honorable avoca-
tions which gave them the means to make themselves
the coarse and pitiful counterfeits they are. More or
less of this fungus is found in every community
throughout the whole land.
Oakvale had its share. With the increase of wealth
and population came the miserable element, which
knew of no other mode of attracting attention than
that of feeling, and assuming to be, better than all
else. Independent in means, and caring not for the
common weal, it stood aloof from, or openly scorned
the temperance movements. To get drunk on wine,
seemed one sure way of creating a distinction between
them and those who would not drink, or who were
content to imbrute themselves upon vulgar liquors.
This class of society have been unfortunate in be-
ing placed in a world where they come in rude con-
tact with those who toil. And when misfortune and
death sweep down the distinctions of earth, and con-
sign the millionaire and the pauper to a common level
and a common home, the worms know no distinc-
tion of persons. They feast as heartily under the
towering marble as under the rudely-placed sod in
potter's field. There is a Heaven where the lowly are
crowned as proudly as the greatest of earth. The
fiplend/d coach, the wide domain, and the swollen
wealth pass not the plebeian turf.
Great principles, in their progress, leave an impress
808 MINNIE HERMON.
of their true character. Side by side their footsteps,
evidence will arise upon either hand, remaining like
landmarks to attest what their influence has been.
Their effects upon the world pass into history, and
remain forever as matters of reference.
The foot-prints of Christianity can never be oblite-
rated. Broadly they are beaten by the herald's sandals
in every clime. The blood of the martyr is a record
which cannot be effaced. Wherever the Christian
lives, and suffers, and dies, the light of Hope and Faith
burns upward, and lights a pathway to a better land.
The hope of salvation is as steadfast and cheering in
the hut as in the palace.
Yet the great of earth welcomed not the humble
Nazarene. They turned away from the travel-worn
and weary pilgrim from Heaven. They saw not the
glitter of a heavenly scepter in his dust-covered staff,
or angel retinues in his humble companions. And so
the great and the fashionable those who looked for
a Saviour with bannered host and golden crown, gave
Him of Nazareth a crown of thorns, and spiked the
manger-born to the cross.
But John preached the gospel which the Nazarene
preached. He heralded not the coining of one sur-
rounded by the great and princely of earth its po-
tentates and nobles of renown and lordly mien a daz-
zling crown upon his head, scepter in hand, armed
legions about him, and the imperial purple, one
who should move in pomp and splendor, and dispense
honors to the great. But the dead should be raised,
HIGH LIFE. 309
the blind should see, devils should be cast out, the
deaf hear, the lame walk, the sorrowing be comforted.
and the GOSPEL BE PKEACHED TO THE POOR ! Blessed
gospel !
Humbly, quietly, and unheralded by noise and
pomp, the temperance reform made its humble ad-
vent. It was manger-born. There was dust on its
sandals, and sadness upon its brow. It wept more
than it smiled. It marshaled not the great, the rich
and the fashionable the titled aristocracy of earth.
It came not to give fame to governors, statesmen^
colonels, or millionaires. It plunged into the more
humble strata, and commenced its holy mission of sa-
ving humani ty . The dead were raised from the graves
of their drunkenness, the devils were cast out, the
blind were made to see, the deaf to hear, the lame to
walk, and its GOSPEL PKEACIIED TO THE POOR ! Bles-
sed temperance gospel !
Thus came our reform. The Pharisees of earth
have crucified it. But wherever it has been preached
the evidences of its glorious character have been
thickly scattered. They will stand when all else fades.
Enough has already been achieved to reward the toil-
ers of the work for an age of effort.
In Oakvale, the high-life influences were all leagued
against the reform. Especially when the drunkards
burst from their chains and sprang into the arena, did
they turn sneeringly away. Halton, and a host of
such men, had been redeemed, and their homes and
families made blessed, but it mattered not. To go
18
#10 MDraiE HEEMON.
into "Washingtonianism would be coming clown from
their position, and becoming contaminated by a con-
tact with the vulgar. The Fenton family, especially
took no pains to conceal their contempt of the meet-
ings, speakers and speeches. Old Fenton, from being
a canal driver, had become one of the " upper ten."
A lucky prize in the lottery was the foundation of
his fortunes. Subsequent speculations had made him
wealthy ; and by grinding the poor and " 'breaking
down rich" he had retained his position in a commu-
nity where there were enough to fawn and play the
spaniel. The Fenton family could not be bettered, in
their own estimation. At home, in the street, or at
the concert, they made a studied attempt to show off'
their fashionable ill-breeding. "When Minnie Her-
mon called upon Lettie Fenton to sign the pledge, sho
was answered with insult. She did not associate with
poor and drunken people ! Edwin Fenton was equal
ly as ill bred as his sister, when called upon by Bray
ton and Halton. They, the Fentons, were in the re-
ception of a great deal of fashionable company, and
it would be vulgar not to furnish wine ! It was well
enough for drunkards to sign the pledge ; they were
weak-minded, and needed its restraint.
" If such people need restraint," retorted Halton,
stung by young Fenton's insulting remarks, " I know
of no one a more fit subject for the pledge than your-
self, Mr. Fentoii. I have been a drunkard ; but I was
Qrst a champagne drunkard ! "
The shot told, and Fentoii turned indignantly away,
HIGH LIFE. 311
with the remark that the fanatics abused everybody,
not even excepting Elder Snyder. But they were
vulgar people. The young fop drew on his kids, and
taking a glass of wine from the sideboard, passed out
to call on the ladies of his acquaintance.
With but few exceptions, the reformers encounter-
ed the same reception from the so-called " first fami-
lies." The excitement was intense, and the middle
and lower strata of society were deeply broken as the
wave rolled up from the popular heart, and swept on-
ward with its freight of men disenthralled. Every-
where the subject was talked over. As in all other
phases of the work, fault-finders were plenty ; and wise
ones, who saw danger and ruin to the cause in the
headlong state of things. Even the very fact that
Hal ton and his companions had reformed, was seized
upon and used against the "Washingtonian movement.
High times when old drunkards were to come up out
of the gutter and teach people temperance ! The up-
per class would not be caught in the wake of such
men. And there the upper class stood, cold, stub-
born, immovable ; presenting the strongest barrier be-
tween the evil and the reformers, alternately frowning
upon, openly abusing, or sneering at the eiforts made
by the working men of the reform. They would rath-
er than not have seen defeat overwhelm the humble
class they despised.
" The impertinent hussy," said Ellen Belton, " to
come here in her every-day duds, and ask us to sign
312 MINNIE HERMON.
the pledge. She ought to be turned into the street
But some people never know their place."
" And her father one of the worst rumsellers in
town, too ! " chimed in Bell Belton, a younger sister.
" Wonder she ain't ashamed of herself. Better ask
him to sign it, I should think, the saucy minx."
" And don't you think, as sure as you live, she went
to the counting-room and asked father to sign it ! "
" Bless me ! What impudence those people have.
Shouldn't wonder if some old drunkard were next to
burn up his distillery ! "
"And Min Hermon wants us to go and hunt up all
the miserable vagabonds in town. I wish folks icould
mind their own business ! People like us sign the
pledge and join a society of vulgar, drunken men !
Indeed ! " and the indignant lady flounced back upon
the settee, and pouted in great anger. At dinner she
learned that Halton and Brayton had actually called
upon her father, and in a lengthy and warm conver-
sation, dared, not only to ask him to sign the pledge,
but to stop distilling. It was astonishing to what
lengths these miserable meddlers would go. " But
you did not do it, Father ? " inquiringly asked both
of the girls at the same moment.
" Didn't do it ? Why, what are you thinking of?
You don't suppose 1 am a fool, Bell 2 I'll see them
nil sunk before I will have anything to do with them.
Stop my business, and all to please a set of brawling
fanatic and reformed drunkards. Ha ! ha ! I had
HIGH LIFE. 313
ought to have kicked the meddlers out of the office.
And to cap the climax, old Hermon's daughter came
on the same errand."
" Did you ever ! " exclaimed the daughters, in con-
cert. " If that don't beat all ! And she came here
on the same errand ; but we gave her enough to think
about a spell. I'll warrant she will not be caught
here again," and the queenly beauty tossed her head
defiantly.
In the afternoon young Fenton called upon the
Misses Belton, and the same matters were again intro-
duced, and over their wine they there passed many
a slant at the Washingtonians. The ladies laughed
immoderately when Fenton told them that John Gault
was to be sent out to lecture on temperance, and the
fop drank his success in a glass of wine, with the
remark that he would be brought home drunk from
the first tavern he stopped at. He did not believe
that one of the old soaks who had reformed, would
stick a fortnight. But a good many of the young men
were signing the pledge. Old Hermon's daughter
was busy, and many a one did so just on account of
her good looks.
" Good looks ! Humph ! " and Bell Belton looked
in the pier glass before her, with an air of displeasure.
" Good looking for one of the common people," put
in Fenton, fearing that he had offended the proud and
jealous beauty. The approaching evening party was
then discussed, and Fenton took his leave.
The " Arland House " was one of the most fash-
314 MINNIE HEBMON.
ionable in Oak 1 ? ale. It was licensed, and its drunk-
ards never went to the lock-up. Those only who reel
in rags and live in huts, are put under lock and key
for drinking a necessary beverage. The landlord of
the Arland was a short, thick-set, grey-haired man
of about forty years of age, affable in his manners
and attentive to his customers. A forced smile al ways
played upon his countenance, the very foot print of
treachery and bad faith. He was not one of the ma-
lignant spirits, like Jud Lane, or the sullen and plot-
ting ones, like Herinon ; but he cared no more for
those around him than for the horses in his barns.
He was a jovial, hale fellow well-met, with his com-
panions, but as destitute of heart when humanity
plead, as the rock bathed in sunshine. His financial
operations showed him a rascal in the full sense of
the word. Even a brother rumdealer had come under
his fleecing management to the tune of three or four
thousand dollars. As one of the officers of a state
institution, he had plundered the state of thousands.
As a professed temperance landlord he had fleeced
temperance people out of a fine sum, and immediate-
ly put in his bottles again and became more reckless
than ever. Ashly would have sold rum with that
ever -lurking smile, though an anthem of wailing went
up around him. The same sneering, skeptical smilo
answered the whole battery of all the facts, and ar-
guments, and appeals which had been brought out
in the discussion of the reform. Over a tale of acci-
dent and suffering, he would weep ; tell him that an
HIGH LIFE. 315
army of drunkards were being damned around him,
and their families hungry for bread, and the same
cold smile would answer as in the appeal for aid.
There was a fashionable and gay party in the rooms
of the "Arland." The sons and daughters of temper-
ance people even, were assembled at the dance. The
better class, so called, of young men, were there. The
wine went round, and all were merry. The Wash-
ingtonian matters, now everywhere the absorbing top-
ic, were then discussed, and many a witty remark was
made and laughed over. As the evening wore away
the flow of mirth increased ; and at the table, for fash-
ionable people,it was uproarious. Young Fenton was
running over with good feeling, and Bell Belton's sal-
lies sparkled like the champagne she had drunk so
freely of. The manners, stories, and expressions of
the reformers, were all used with effect, and Fenton,
with a false rig, gave a striking representation of the
Hermit, as he appeared upon the stand. Bell Belton,
dressed as Minnie Hermon, passed round the room
with a champagne bottle and wine-glass, soliciting
signers to the pledge. They had great glee over the
term " upper crust," as used by Halton. An im-
mense chicken pie had been prepared, with an upper
crust ludicrously thick. At the head of the table, a
small banner had been placed upon a walking stick
stuck in a demijohn, labeled " high life." Under the
relaxing power of wine there was many a thing said
and done, which " vulgar " people in the lower walka
vvould have blushed to do.
316 MINNIE HEEMON.
"Now for drawing a picter" shouted young Fenton
quoting the words and pronunciation of Halton ar
used in his rugged but stirring appeals. He en
tered the room with a hand-sled which he had found
in the hall below, and, passing round the room, in-
vited all to ride. " It is hard sleddin','' again quo-
ting Halton, "but the people are moving, and we
must clear the track. Who takes the first train
through ? Front seats reserved for the ladies ! "
"Wine had made the impulsive Bell Belton bold,
and she promptly took her seat upon the hand-sled.
One of the company placed a bottle upon the sled
for steam, and another gave her a walking stick to
scull with. Some one shouted "All aboard ! " and
rang the waiter's bell, and Fenton started, amid the
wild mirth of the whole party, " drawing a picter,"
as he often announced, round and round the ball-
room, stopping often to " wood up," as he expressed
it, when drinking from the bottle upon the sled. So-
ber people, viewing the scene, would have blushed foi
shame. Bell Belton actually reeled upon the sled
and but for assistance, would have fallen upon the
floor. Her cheeks were repulsively red, her eyes
glassy, and her usually brilliant features wreathed in
the sickly leer , of drunkenness ! But the mirth
grew furious, and not until Fenton gave out from ex-
haustion, was the repulsive spectacle ended. The
landlord of the Arland had seen the whole from the
door, and turned away with a more than usually
broad smile, for he hated both the Belton and Fenton
HIGH LIFE. 317
families, and be knew that such conduct would strike
keenly at home.
At a late hour, the party at the Arland broke up.
A four-horse sleigh bad been chartered to bring in
and carry home the company. After much trouble
and confusion, the village portion of the party was
collected in the sleigh. Young Fenton was the last
in, with a huge piece of cheese in one hand, and a
half-emptied bottle in the other. He reeled, but was
witty still, and his wild shouting pealed out in the
night's stillness.
" Let's ' wood up,' " he stammered, as he clambered
into the sleigh. Getting up on the back seat, he
assumed a theatrical attitude, with bottle in hand, and
in imitation of the Hermit, commenced a speech.
" Feller-citi-(hic)-zens ! wo ! wo ! Ye that tarry long
at the the wine, ye that mix your (hie) your liquors 1
Ye that stir 'em in the (hie) in the the cup. They
shall bite like a sar arpent, and st-hing like a like
a What's that other varmint ? like a (hie) like
a the devil, my friends ! Let me wood up, and
I'll [gurgle, gurgle, from the bottle] (hie) " draw a
picter."
" I'll draw all your ' picters,' " snarled the driver,
shivering with cold, and he struck the leaders with
his whip, and yelled out " go ! "
Like a flash, Fenton was jerked from his feet over
the hind end of the sleigh. He caught the cloak of
Bell Bel ton in falling, and both went out upon the
curb-stone together A shriek followed the boister-
318 MINNIE IIERMON.
ous ha ! ha ! of the revelers, as the drunken ones
came to the ground ; and as soon as the drunken dri-
ver could be operated upon, the sleigh was driven
back, and the company got out.
Some of the upper crust was broken. Teuton's
thigh and arm were broken. Miss Belton fell with
her back across the curb-stone, and was taken up in-
sensible, the blood oozing from her mouth and nostrils.
Halton had materials for drawing his pictures.
Young Fenton was a cripple for life, and Bell Belton
received so severe an injury in the spine that she
never walked again. High life was brought low.
Ellen Belton married a young man of fashion, who
squandered her portion in drinking and gambling, and
became a common sot. Old Belton, in a fit of deliri-
um, plunged headlong into a well. One of the sons
died of delirium tremens in his own house, chewing
the flesh from his arms, and spitting it out with the
froth and foam of madness. Another brother fol-
lowed in a brief period. The last one lingered a few
years, a miserable drunkard was taken home from
one of his drunken sprees, and soon died. A splen-
did marble shaft in the Oakvale church-yard, broken
midway, impressively reads the history of the wealthy
and talented male members of the Belton family.
They were people of fashion, loved their wine, and
scorned the associations of reformed men. The re-
viled Halton lives to honor our common humanity {
while they find a drunkard's rest under marble.
CHAPTER XXVI.
CLEAN TICKETS STICKING TO PARTY.
TIIE sweep of Washingtonianism was broad and
marked throughout the country. With searching
power its tide plunged down among the darker cur-
rents of society, and ebbed back with trophies upon
its bosom. The deepest, darkest craters of the evil
were penetrated, and their infernal fires extinguished.
The peaks and the base of society were lashed by the
storm. Borne up on the exultant crest of the wave,
were the bruised and the broken, their filth and rags
fresh upon them as they came from the hut and the
reeking alley. Each in turn became an apostle of the
new doctrine, and in turn they went out and preached
the tidings of their redemption. The shackles fell
from more than one hundred thousand captives, and
there was one united, grand anthem of singing and
rejoicing for the cloud of returning prodigals which
darkened the pathways to the "Washingtonian shrine.
Like the storm in a summer day, the reform came up
in a clear sky. Society was gashed by the torrents
which quickly gathered and pressed onward, lifting
away from habit and prejudice the high and the
Imruble. The storm has passed by, and the channel's
320 MINNIE HEKMON.
bed is nearly dry. The force has been spent. There
are flecks of verdure blooming here and there ; but
the rest is dry and parched, and the death-fires of the
plague have licked up unnumbered trophies which
cost many a tear, kind word, or pleading prayer.
There is hardly an altar reared by the original Wash-
ingtonians, npon which the flame then kindled now
lingers.
The careful observer could have foretold the fail-
ure of the movement to eradicate the evil. Like an
angry surge, it hoarsely thundered around the walls
of the old Babylon. It left the mark of its force where
it struck, but the hoary battlements remained in their
strength. It could not be otherwise. They were
based upon law, and a hedge of legislative enactments
bristled in unbroken strength. The government in-
terposed its all-powerful arm, and the traffic, under
the aBgis of its protection, smiled in security and scorn,
As the flushed legions of the reformers recoiled from
the stronghold, impregnable to their moral weapons,
thousands despaired and deserted. An amnesty of
offences was everywhere declared by the enemy.
Others were left alone, exposed to the treacherous
sally, and went down in the unequal contest. " Torn
but flying," the reform banner could only be planted
where it could flout the emblem of legalized piracy,
or at times be borne by forlorn hopes again and again
to the breach.
As the enemy has slimed his retreating way from
one position to another, the trail has ever been fol-
STICKING TO PAETY. 321
lowed up by the beleaguering hosts. The last strong-
holds have been reached. The capitol was besieged
and flooded with petitions. The mighty evil took the
alarm, and leagued with party interests. Vanquished
by argument in the council-chamber, it rallied at the
ballot-box. There the unholy alliance turned for the
last hand-to-hand conflict. There, at the fountain-
head of a people's power, legislators of the right com-
plexion were to be annually created, and the traffic
thus sustained and perpetuated at the capitol. Against
this union of party and law, the reformers were asked
to quietly use their moral weapons. They were to be
content to labor for the salvation of the drunkards
made by government ; casting their suffrages for the
perpetuation of the evils of intemperance, and at the
same time content to petition for their removal. They
might have thus toiled forever. Their efforts would
have fallen as far short of arresting the tide, as the
sunbeam which lingers upon the sweeping surface "of
Niagara.
The extent to which parties have been disciplined,
has proved a curse to our country. The right of suf-
frage has been most basely prostituted. Unscrupu-
lous demagogism has for years controlled our elec-
tions. Politics, in the common meaning of the term,
have become as corrupt and foul as rum and intrigue
can make them. Honesty in political management
is not known. "All is fair in politics," is the basis
of action. The vei y heart of the country hao been
corrupted, freemen bartered like cattle in the market.
322 MINNIE HERMON
or led like bound slaveSj and their suffrages swindled
away for less than pottage. The caucus system, and
the means for the consummation of its frauds, have
bred the deepest corruption in the public morals.
Honor and virtue have become objects of hissing and
gcorn. From the sacred precincts of home, the citi-
zen has plunged for years into the blighting mael-
strom of the " sweat-pit " debauch. The more hon-
orable man in common intercourse, becomes a liar
and a knave in the intrigues and swindles of election-
eering. The accursing element has reeked at the
church altar. Its foul and bestial breath has mingled
with the hollow prayer ; its hand, stained with the
leprous pollutions of the rum-treating carnival, has
desecrated the broken body of Christ. From the Sac-
rament the political recreant has gone out to buy
votes with rum, and drink with the boisterous and
vile. Moral and religious principles are alike sacri-
fioed to secure personal or party aims. The sot and
libertine has slavered on the bench, and the embodi-
ment of dram-shop ruffianism stalked, through the
controlling machinery of party deception, into the
senate chamber. Everywhere, men whom justice
would honor with dungeon and shackle, have wormed
into positions of emolument and trust. Our elections
have dishonored the country and its people eleva-
ting the unworthy to power, and sapping public and
private virtue. The ballot-box has been used as the
most potent engine of the profligate and abandoned,
the purchased mercenaries of the dram-shop and
STICKING TO PAHTY. 323
brothel disfranchising the citizen who has a stake in
society, and sending their own appropriate represent-
atives to legislate for, or administer the laws of the
country.
The caucus system has been the main-spring the
controlling power of this evil. It has placed the po-
litical helm in the hands of the unprincipled few.
Cliques of village demagogism have led the masses
for years. The machineiy is set in motion by two or
three at the capital, or the county seat ; it reaches the
smaller fry in the towns, and all delegations are
packed at an early day. The same influences control
the nominating conventions ; on motion, all is declared
unanimous ; public opinion in high-sounding resolu-
tions, is put before the honest yeomanry, and the nom-
inees are before the people. A corrupting fund, un-
der the false name of a printing fund, is then assessed
on the candidates, the taverns are subsidized, and
the strife commences. The open purchase of votes
by money, or the gambling for them in the groggery,
are the only means depended upon by the party.
The press lends itself to the demoralizing work. The
most exemplary citizen is transformed into an angel
of darkness, and branded with all things infamous,
while scoundrels by profession and practice, if on the
"regular nominations," are as falsely transformed
into prodigies of integrity, purity, and moral worth.
Under such a state of things, honorable men have
shunned the caucus, where the worst portion of socie-
ty controls and manufactures the " popular wilL' y
324 MINNIE HEKMON.
They shrink from nominations when their inmost lives
are fastened upon by the fiendishness of the party
press, or of the bar-room blackguard, and torn piece-
meal into shreds. A foreigner, visiting this country
in the height of an exciting political campaign, would
at once determine that both parties had selected, as
the candidates for their suffrages, the vilest class
they could hunt out from the depths of scoundrelism.
A day of drunkenness, riot, profanity, and revolting
revelry has closed up the plan of operations, and the
patriot cheek reddens with hot shame at the wide-
spread dishonor, as well as shudders at the foot-marks
of the plague which is preying upon the morals of
the country. Deeper than pit-marks, the cancer eats
at the heart of our institutions.
In Oak vale, party feeling ran high. Each party
had established a press, and the columns of each pa-
per teemed with low and scurrilous abuse of the op-
position. Bar-room demagogism echoed the assaults.
Rum and slang were the standing batteries. So pow-
erful and corrupting were the operations the disci-
pline of party that those who would not be seen in
the bar-room, would furnish funds to imbrute their
neighbors and cheat them of their suffrages. "All ia
fair in politics," was the motto ; and the church-mem-
ber and moralist closed their eyes with the villainous
reflection that, as the opposing party did, so they
were justified in doing.
As the more sagacious of the temperance people
had earned on the struggle, they had learned the fact
STICKING TO PABTY.
that the rum interest was the great lever of party
demagogism, and that there was a close union be-
tween party and the traffic. To be available, a can-
didate must stand favorably with the liquor people.
If obnoxious to that class, he was either cut down in
caucus or convention, or stabbed at the election. The
liquor interest was ever consistent, and at the polls
voted for its men, regardless of party. Hence the
determination of parties to always mould their nomi-
nations so as to secure the support of the dramshops.
As light broke in, there were murmurings at the tyr-
anny of party bondage. It bound men in dishonor-
ing slavery. It chained them to the service of party,
however repugnant to their sense of honor. Galley
slaves, chained to the party oar, they were compelled
to toil to sustain the very evils which they were sworn
against. Shoulder to shoulder with rumsellers and
their bloated minions, honorable men, as members of
party, were compelled to support those who were
deadly opposed to the great cause they professed to
love. Thus boards of excise and legislatures were
annually created of men who were sworn enemies to
the temperance cause, by those who were its sworn
friends. Thus blindly and fatally were men held
in thrall by the magic influence of party discipline !
The impracticables, or radicals, of Oakvale, had
already given the party demagogues trouble. While
they contented themselves with declamation in the
church or .ectureroom ; with adopting resolutions or
the compilation of statistics, no trouble was appre-
326 MINNIE HERMON.
bended. The war of words amounted to nothing, so
long as they " stuck to party " and kept the temper-
ance question " out of politics," voting steadily in ut-
ter violation of all their professions. The party lead-
ers were all "just as good" temperance men, espe-
cially before elections, as men could be ; but it would
prove the ruin of the cause the moment its misguided
friends dragged it into the political arena. It was too
holy a cause to be thus destroyed ! And so these men
continually whined forth their hypocrisy. At the
same time they were unblushingly plunging into the
deepest corruptions of bar-room electioneering. But
party attachments were strong, the better people
blind and easily duped. Even at this day, many
boast that they never " split a ticket ! " which is equiv-
alent to saying that they have voted for the most vile
and profligate of men, merely because put in nomi-
nation by their party conventions !
Oakvale had its share of demagogues. They were
loud in their professions of regard for the people, and
ever eager to serve their country in a public capacity.
From the higher position to the most menial, there
was a hungry pack of petty office-seekers, stooping
to every trick to secure popular favor. Some impor-
tant measure was made the pretext for their wondrous
zeal, and the masses were appealed to annually to
rally against the phantom danger.
Skillott was one of the most crafty, as well as one
of the most unscrupulous. He had a saint-like coun-
tenance, and a honeyed phrase for all. He was easy
STICKING TO 1'AIITY. 327
In his manner, and well calculated to win favor. But
a blacker heart than his never beat in human frame.
Fresh from the brothel or the drinking and gambling
saloon, he would rub his hands, and in gentle speech
talk to temperance men of the value of sobriety, and
to Christians of the sublime truths of the Bible. He
would converse for hours with the pastor on religious
or moral subjects, or as readily find congenial spirits
in dens of vice amid the clink of glasses, with the ruf-
fian or the wanton. With a cat-like pace and meek
countenance, he pursued his way towards the goal of
his ambition.
There was another who must not be forgotten. He
was a prominent member of the church, and
had made loud professions of temperance and religion.
He had left his old political friends at an early day,
and joined the ascending party, accepting its crumbs
with eagerness, and becoming one of the most deter-
mined advocates of principles. His pew in the
church was never empty. From the avails of fat offi-
ces, he gave liberally to the church and- the pastor.
He was a devoted Christian, and was anxious to give
as far as he was able, to the cause of religion ! He
agreed with all people. As he waxed fat at the pub-
lic crib, he became valorous of his services to the
party, and constituted himself one of its pillars. Men
owed their nominations and elections to this potent
calculator ! He could figure out a result with unpre-
tending ease, and always predicted the result, after
it was known to a certainty. He loved the temper-
328 MINNIE HERMON.
ance cause. With its most radical friends, he was
radical ; with the half-way friend, he was half-way ;
with the drinking man, he was liberal ; and, though
a temperance man, did not object to others doing as
they pleased ; to the dealer, he was bland, nodded
and winked knowingly, sneered at those who were
ruining the temperance cause, and at elections called
up the rabble and treated them. The other party did
BO ! When he was up for an important office, he
chuckled over his tact at swimming between the two
interests. In the bar-room he avowed himself a tem-
perance man, and threw down the five dollars to treat
the company ! He was perfectly willing that other
people should exercise their own opinion in such mat-
ters. To the temperance men he whined about per-
secution, and thought, as he had always been a tem-
perance man, they ought to " turn in " and sustain
him. His position in the church was used for the
same purpose, and as falsely. From the church he
passed to the groggery. He would descend to the
lowest haunt. He would drink with the vilest, or fur-
nish money to inebriate a score in the " sweat-pit,"
where voters were manufactured the Sabbath be-
fore election. Barrels of beer, and crackers and
cheese, were placed at eligible localities before elec-
tions, to secure suffrages. And Mr. Dobbs, at the
same time, most bitterly lamented the course of those
" hot-heads " who were determined to drag the tem-
perance cause into politics. He was as much of a
temperance man as any one ; but he could not coun-
STICKING TO PARTY. 329
tenance any such folly. The " cussed fools " [Mr.
Dobbs never wore his religion across the church thresh-
old] would destroy all the good that had been done
in spite of all he could say or do. In the Alhambra
he reiterated his grievances over Cogniac and fried
liver.
Walter Brayton had somewhat cooled in his tem-
perance zeal. The canker of political ambition had
entered his heart, and he gave his hopes to "the at-
tainment of political distinction. He dreamed not of
the pitfalls which lay in his path. And upon such
men the allurements of political life win like a charm
stealthily but strongly binding the better impulses,
until the victim is blindly led a slave to party.
Skillott was a keen observer of human nature. He
bad discovered the weak point in Bray ton's character,
and formed his plans accordingly. He hated the tal-
ented lawyer with a deep and unyielding hate. He
now plotted his ruin with the coolness of a savage,
and proceeded to weave the web around his powerful
rival. Skillott was, too, politically ambitious. He
would secure the aid and influence of Brayton, bind
him to his interests, and ruin him in the process.
It was a bold plan, and fatally consummated, as the
sequel will show.
"With smiles and kind words, and an earnestly ex-
pressed interest in his welfare, the crafty counselor
commenced his approaches. They were coolly met
at first. But words were dropped where they would
reach Bray ton's ears. Tools were found to join in the
330 MINNIE HEKMON.
plot Ere the victim had seen a mesh, the fire had
been kindled in his heart, and the light of its false
glare had secured his attention. But for these new
feelings, he would have seen the change in his acts
and sentiments as a temperance reformer. One ex-
cuse after another came readily to his mind ; and ere
six months had passed by, Walter Brayton's voice
was hardly heard upon the platform. Many a true
friend mourned this change, but could not account
for it. The Washingtonian interest flagged, for a
strong man had been bound, and the enemy came in
like a flood. Many a poor wretch gave way when
Walter ceased to nerve by his presence and trumpet
peals. Walter found himself looking with less re-
pugnance upon men whom he had so strongly de-
nounced. The temperance meeting was almost en-
tirely abandoned. When he did attend, some un-
worthy excuse was formed to rid himself of the call
of the audience. Skillott courted his company, and
cunningly infused more poison into his mind. Once
drifting away, there was danger of an utter wreck.
He was invited to political gatherings, and called out
in addresses. His eloquence was popular with the
masses, and the incense of popular- applause proved
grateful to the new master which had so suddenly
sprung up full grown in his bosom. He became a
leading spirit in political campaigns, and saw open
before him a career of much promise.
Walter Bray ton was drifting from his better
moorings !
STICKESTG TO PABTY. 331
There was one friend who had watched Walter's
course with all the anxiety of her deep and change-
less love. She had listened to him while he plead
the wrongs of the drunkard, and loved him for his
uncompromising opposition to the traffic. Against
the bitter words of her father and he seldom spoke
otherwise than bitterly to her she had defended
"Walter. Hermon had sworn that Walter Brayton
should never marry a daughter of his he should
die first. Minnie had turned away from the infuria-
ted drunkard and wept in secret not so much at what
the madman said, as at the deep ruin which his
habits had brought upon him. She had also found
trouble in the new associations of Brayton. She in-
stinctively shrank from Skillott. That instinct told
her that there was danger in his stealthy tread and
glittering eye. The lawyer bad said but little to her,
but there had been something in his manner which
she loathed and dreaded. She had noticed his inti-
macy with Brayton, and she foreboded evil from it.
She felt that the crafty and unprincipled man was no
friend to Walter. There was some evil design con-
cealed under his assumed friendship, and she deter-
mined to watch every movement with a jealous eye.
Walter seldom spent much time at Eerrnon's in the
company of Minnie ; it only subjected both her and
himself to abuse from the sullen and revengeful land-
lord. Of late he had seen her less than usual. Al-
though her love for him had been tried, even in the
ordeal of tears and blows, doubts of her truth had
332 MINNIE HEKMON.
been planted in his mind. The evil seed had been
carelessly sown by an evil hand, and, in spite of all
she had been to him, was taking root. As the new
mistress, Ambition, won his attention, he more readi-
ly became distrustful of the other. With devilish
cunning, Skillott had dropped expressions in Walter's
hearing which lingered and rankled, and grew with
the food they fed upon. Even her night pilgrimagea
of mercy going out in the depths of the night to dis-
pense her charities, so as to escape the abuse of her
father were artfully colored into whispers against her.
Often, on such errands, she was accompanied by the
Hermit. Skillott put on a look of sadness as he care-
lessly alluded to the matter, regretting that so fine a
woman as Miss Hermon should be so strangely fasci-
nated by that artful man. Their movements in the
night were for no good purpose, he feared. And the
fearful influence of Skillott had so soon been woven
around Walter, that he listened to such things without
a word of rebuke !
The night darkened around Minnie Hermon !
Late in the summer there was an announcement
made of a temperance meeting, which produced no
little excitement. John Gault was to speak. Like a
meteor, his name had shot up into the sky. His fiery
eloquence had kindled an excitement wherever he
had been, and people everywhere were on the tip-toe
to hear him. The press, in spite of its subserviency
to the rum power, had awarded him the highest posi-
STICKING TO PARTY. 333
tion as a natural orator. The people of Oakvala
beard and doubted, yet were anxious to judge for
themselves.
Minnie had, late in the evening of the meeting,
while returning from some of her visits, met Walter
arid Skillott in company. The latter excused himself,
and passed on with a smile, leaving "Walter and Min-
nie to cross the street to the Home, in company. She
asked Walter if he was going to the meeting, to which
he returned an evasive answer.
" And why not ? " she frankly inquired, looking
closely and familiarly in his face. He stammered
out some excuse, and turned to go.
" Walter ! "
The tones of her voice, now deeply earnest and sad,
arrested him. She hesitated a moment, choking back
a sigh which struggled up from her heavy heart.
"Walter ! what strange spell has been thrown over
you within the last six months? Your acts, your
smiles, your words are not like yourself. Why do
you shun me lately ? Tell me, Walter ! what have I
done to merit it? It is sad indeed, if, in the sore
troubles that thicken around rne, you are to turn away.
Walter Bray ton, you are the soul of honor and truth,
and I conjure you, tell me the reason of all this. If
new troubles have come upon you, let me know them
as you once did. My own are bitter enough, God
knows ; but I have a heart to feel for those of of
my friends."
Minnie choked and kept down the endearing term
14
334 MINNIE HEKMON.
which came up for utterance. Walter's cold and al-
tered manner repelled the warmth of love which
with her knew no change.
Like a culprit, Brayton cowered as her words fell
upon him like thongs. There, before her, his man-
hood told him that she was all that he had ever been
happy to dream her ; and the first generous impulse
prompted him to tell her all, and to ask her forgive-
ness. Then came between him and her the cold,
sneering image of Skillott, and the promise of a high
political position at the coming election. He felt that
he had wronged her, and he ungenerously hunted,
for a justification of his course. He was too proud
to acknowledge his error. Minnie continued to urge
an explanation.
" Walter, I shall urge you no more. I a.m not ig-
norant of the source of your cruel suspicions. Your
mind has been poisoned. You have taken an enemy
remember, Walter, an enemy to your bosom, and
he will sting you, fatally, I fear. Once you would not
have listened to a whisper against Minnie Ilermon.
You believed her all that was pure and worthy. But
friend after friend of the drunkard's daughter turns
away. To lose one I have so leaned upon, is harder
than all. But it matters not. With a brand upon
me, I cannot expect the noble and the good to remain
steadfast. Walter Brayton! [and she breathed the
words close to his burning cheek] I know all. One
year ago you would have crushed the viper who
would have breathed aught against me. Frank as I
STICKING TO PARTY. 335
ever have been, I now say, with a heart breaking un-
der this last blow, I absolve you from every vow to
me. I will not stoop to counteract the poison of one
who is an enemy of us both. I would yield my life
for you, Walter, but I never will defend myself from
slanders lodged in the mind of one I would have
trusted in all ordeals. Your suspicions are cruel, and
I may say, unworthy of Walter Bray ton, and an affi-
anced husband. You may not thank me for what I
say ; but as one who has madly loved who will
love while she lives, one I can only know as a
friend I warn you of the evil designs of those who
are luring you out upon the treacherous sea of polit-
ical ambition. Those who tempt, seek your ruin.
Beware of Skillott, for he is an enemy now, as he
ever has been. And if you should ever see the
day when- all false friends desert, the ill-fated Min-
nie Hermon will be a friend still. Generous, but
deceived friend ! with God's blessing upon you,
good "
She could not speak the word. Tho deeper heart-
tide of her strong woman's love came like a flood upon
her, and she wiung his hand and wept, and then hur-
ried through the hall to her chamber.
And darker still the night around her. She would
not have thus boldly released Brayton from his vowa,
but she believed that, with his opening prospects of
distinction, he had become ashamed of his connection
with the daughter of one who was now considered the
basest in the community. She felt the injury, and
836 MINNIE HERMON.
scorned to claim the love of one who appeared tf
shun an alliance with a name so branded by all.
" She plays well," gravely remarked Skillott, as he
emerged from the hall door. " I was an unwilling
listener to your conversation, Mr. Brayton. Miss
Hermon is very willing to release you from your en-
gagement. There are reasons for all things. Step
this way." Skillott took the arm of Brayton, who
followed abstractedly out upon the stoop, and up a
pair of stairs into the piazza above. The light came
from an open window. As Skillott and Brayton ap-
proached it, the former motioned, cautioned and whis-
pered "false the proof." In cooler moments, Bray-
ton would have scorned the act of looking through an
open window for such a purpose.
Yet he loved Minnie Hermon, and the demon of
jealousy was again aroused. She almost wished to
find some justification of his suspicions, yet dreaded
such a result. As he heard voices in the room, one
of them masculine and the other Minnie's, all doubts
of the propriety of the act gave way before the fe-
verish anxiety to see and know who was in the
chamber.
At a table covered with books and writing mate-
rials, sat the Hermit, the wide-brimmed hat removed
from the broad and now handsome-looking brow, and
his usually wild eye beaming with a mild and tender
light. Minnie had thrown her bonnet upon the sofa,
and stood leaning against the book-case, sobbing vio-
lently. The Hermit was asking, in kindly tones, the
STICKING- TO PAKTY. 337
cause of her trouble, and finally arose and put his
arm around her waist, brushed her hair away with
his hand, and imprinted a kiss familiarly upon her
cheek. She made no effort to repel the familiarity.
Brayton turned away with a sickening sensation,
the hot blood flooding to the cheek and again back
to the heart, burning in the damning proof as it
coursed in its throbbing channels. As he reeled
towards the stairway, Skillott glided to his side, and
without a word thrust a crumpled paper into his hand
and disappeared.
The paper was a letter. Brayton read it again and
again, every character a barb, leaving its rankling
venom to fester in his heart. It was in the hand-wri-
ting of Minnie ; there could be no mistake. It was
but farther confirmation of her falsehood.
" Father stormed terribly, when I told him who
you were, and made threats which I will not repeat
But he dare not refuse the proposition. I have had
many fears lately, and it 'will be a boon to have one
near on whom I can lean in trouble. You will have
the room which opens out upon the piazza. It is
close by mine, and we can spend many an hour to-
gether, when there are no suspicious eyes to pry into
our 'ntimacy.
" From your affectionate
" MINNIE."
338 MINNIE HERMON.
New emotions raged in Brayton's bosom. He had
been deceived, betrayed. Minnie Hermon was false.
The proof was overwhelming ; and his rival was that
canting hypocrite. He crushed the letter in his hand,
and with firm-set teeth, arose and walked the room
until a late hour. Now that she had proved faithless
and he saw her throwing herself away upon another,
he learned how deeply he had loved her, and how
heavy the blow. He proudly determined to forget
her in the pursuit of his ambitious political aspirings,
and bend all his energies to achieve fame and power.
The noise of his triumph might reach and wound her
who had so deceived him.
There was another night-walker in the neighbor-
hood. Skillott had peered in through the office win-
dow, and witnessed the working of his scheme. His
web was closing surely around the victim.
As election approached the excitement in relation
to candidates increased. Skillott was in for the nom-
ination for judge, and had secured the support of
Brayton, by a promise to go in for him the next fall,
for representative to Congress. The temperance peo-
ple, too, must be courted. Dobbs was selected for
that purpose. Skillott and his clique knew him to be
utterly unprincipled, and ambitious for a place. A
promise of a nomination for the clerkship of the
county had secured his influence. As many of the
temperance people as he could deceive, was so much
gain. Halt on being the ruling spirit among the
Washingtonians, Dobbs approached him. Yet the
STICKING TO PABTY. 339
old veteran was a knotty customer to deal with. But
there were few of the temperance people at the cau-
cuses, and Skillott delegates were chosen without
much opposition. The game had been as well man-
aged throughout the county, and at the convention
the ballot for Skillott, as candidate for judge, was
very large, and, on motion of Dobbs, it was declared
" unanimous." Many people murmured that such a
man should be presented for so important an office ;
but the machinery of party was set in motion, and
there were few at that time that had the moral
courage to openly rebel against his nomination. A
bolter was odious. People dared not reject a portion
of the regular party ticket. The overshadowing des-
potism of party was brought to bear upon every man
who claimed the right to act as a freeman in the dis-
charge of the right of suffrage.
" Well, Halton," said Dobbs, one morning, after
the nominations, " How will your folks go ? For
Skillott, I s'pose ? "
" I don't know," answered Halton, " how others
will go, but I shall go against him."
"What! and a good Whig, too?"
" Whig or no whig, I never can go for such a man
for office, especially that of judge."
Why not ? "
" I don't like the man. -His principles and habita
both unfit him for the position."
" Well, I know he is not what you call a radical
temperance man ; but then, he is a friend of the
340 MramE HERMON
cause. But because a man don't think as we do, 01
takes a drink once in a while, his own party friends
ought not to turn against him when he has received
the nomination."
" I have my doubts about this doctrine of sticking
to party, right or wrong."
" If all were to take that ground at every little
thing that turned up, the party would be broken up,
and no good "Whig could be elected to any office."
" I very much question whether there is any ne-
cessity for a party whose corruption is such that the
worst men in community are nominated for the sup-
port of honorable men."
" We cannot always expect the best of men to be
nominated. It wont do to draw the lines too close in
these matters, or the party cannot stick together. If
a man receives a nomination, his party ought to sus-
tain him. And besides, there are great principles at
stake. They can only be carried out by well organ-
ized party strength. We must go the regular party
nominations."
" When they are secured by fraud ? "
" Ahem ! there will be more or less management in
all nominations. One party does it, and the other
must. It's all fair in politics ? "
" And so the commission of a fraud by one party,
justifies the commission of another."
" Well, they are obliged sometimes to do it, you
know, to keep the party together."
" But why not nominate good men, as well as bad ? "
STICKING TO PABTT. . 341
" "We can't always do that. I would be ahem ,
glad to see it so ; but a party is made up of all kinds
of folks, and we cannot always have things just as we
want them. Our party is a good deal better about
such things than the other ; so it would be no use to
bolt a nomination. It would only injure the party
without effecting anything. I feel bound to go the
regular nominations."
" But the way these nominations are often made is
an outrage. Look at Skillott's."
" Why, he was nominated unanimously ! "
" Unanimously ! and by a convention of packed
delegates."
" "What do you mean by packed delegates ? "
" I mean that he and his clique scoured the county
three weeks before the caucuses, and cut and dried
the whole concern. His nomination was secured be-
fore the convention met, and men only came here to
go through the farce of nominating him ' unani-
mously.' "
" O well, everybody tries to get all the delegates
they can. That's all right."
" Right to spend money, treat rum, and buy up del-
egates ? What kind of men had he from this village,
and how were they selected ? "
u What of 'em ? " briefly asked Dobbs, his fac-a
reddening, for he had been one of Skillott's delegates.
" Sure enough. What of 'em ? - Rmnsellers, fiots^
gamblers, libertines, and abandoned characters, with
few exceptions. You know it as well as I do. And
34:2 MINNIE HEKMON.
we are bound to stick to party nominations when
made by sucli men ! "
" Your prejudices are too strong, Halton. You are
Baying a good deal. The party is not to blame for
having bad men in it. It ought not to be held re-
sponsible.
"And had honorable party men, then, ought to be
held responsible to sustain the results brought about
by such characters ? "
"Why, I've seen nothing very bad no worse
than all parties do. "We cannot better the matter by
splitting tickets. Every true party man must go the
clean ticket."
" What do you call a clean ticket ? "
"A regular ticket, made out by regular party con-
ventions, where the whole have a voice in the matter.
Every one is bound to vote a ' clean ticket.' "
"And so then, the Skillott ticket is a clean one ? "
"Why, certainly; he's regularly nominated. It is
the regular ticket."
"And we are bound to vote for whoever is put in
nomination by the party."
" Most certainly, according to all established
usage."
"And so if the devil should be put in nomination
by a party convention, a burglar or a horse-thief, it
would be a regular, ' clean ticket,' and the party
would be bound to go it."
" You don't mean to compare Mr. Skillott to a bur-
glar or horse-thief, I hope ? " crustily exclaimed
STICKING TO PABTY. 343
Dobbs. getting nettled at the pointed questions of
Halton.
" No ; but he was nominated by those, many of
them no better."
" You talk like a fool. It is just such kind of
talk as injures the cause. I am just as much of a
temperance man as anybody, but there is no use in
acting like a fool."
" Better a fool than a hypocrite and knave," coolly
retorted Halton.
"Ahem ! I I did not mean that you were a fool,
but some people are so ultra that they never will
effect anything."
" You say you are as much of a temperance man
as anybody. And yet you all the time go in with
those who are deadly in their hatred to our cause."
" O, they belong to the party. I can't help that."
" But you could have helped going down to the
* Columbian,' among the reeking dens of pollution,
and in company with state-prison birds, brothel keep-
ers, and gambling vagabonds, treating to liquor, ma-
king speeches, and manufacturing votes for Skillott's
caucus. Was that like a temperance man, Mr.
Dobbs?"
" You and your hot heads always abuse people, do
ing the temperance cause ten times more hurt than .
good. You are determined to go to the devil."
" And," continued Halton, " last Sunday you camo
from church and went into the Alhambra and drinked
brandy, and talked politics with the set that there
344 MINNIE HERMON.
herd ; and in the evening, again -at the Columbian,
manufacturing Skillott delegates. You say that when-
ever the time comes to carry out temperance princi-
oles, you will be one of the best. That means that
svhile office and party are to be served by treating
whisky, and going regular nominations, you stick to
party ; but when the temperance sentiment is the
strongest, you will be ready to ride that ! "
" You 're a set of cussed fools, all of you. You
want to drag the temperance cause into politics and
ruin it entirely. Bolt your ticket if you want to, and
see what you '11 get if you ever come up for an office.
I would vote for an out-an-out rummy before I would
for such ad d fanatic. I have been a temperance
man this a this twenty years, and get only abuse
for it."
Dobbs put his unwieldy hulk in rapid motion a
persecuted man, in his own estimation. His temper-
ance professions were only met with abuse. He had
tried all he could to keep temperance out of politics
and save the cause, and his efforts were thus unappre-
ciated. Men would act like fools.
The stickler for party nominations was in a sweat.
He wished to ride both horses, but the fanatics gave
him trouble. An hour after his conversation with
Halton, he could have been found in the Alhambra,
rehearsing his grievances, and his efforts to keep the
temperance question out of politics. He never had
believed in mixing religion or temperance with his
politics He never did.
STICKING TO 1'AETT. 343
Skillott's nomination was an outrage. The outrage
consum mated by his election. An unprincipled
debauchee a ssumed the ermine, and became a minis-
ter of the la^v r . The moral and Christian men of the
party scorned the man. They knew him utterly un-
fit for -such a position. His election would, they
knew, be :a disgrace to the Bench, an injury to the
cause of good morals, and an outrage upon justice.
But there was n-o way to avoid it. He was nomina-
ted regularly by .the party, and party men must sup-
port him. Bolters were branded as worse than Judas
Iscariots, and deserving of all the opprobrium which
party minions and the party press could invoke.
Deep and unending political damnation Avas invoked
upon the man who d ared to split a ticket. The press
stood ready with th ongs of bitter denunciation to
scourge the hesitatin g or refractory. The citizen
might boast of being a freeman, but no Russian serf
was more a cringing slave to his master, than he to
his party. In the Oak vale Daily Advertiser, of the
day previous to election, the following article waa
.aimed at the " restless spirits " who dared to talk of
voting as they professed :
" Upon the success of tlhe party depends the
adoption or rejection of those great principles of na-
tional and state policy whioh have so vital a bearing
upon the prosperity of our country. The opposition
is pledged to an unscrupulous 1 and vindictive warfare
upon the best interests of the- Republic. The
party is emphatically the par ty of the people. The
346 MINNIE HEKMON.
party is made up of individuals, and each true
will see the importance of being true to the time-hon-
ored faith. No true will falter. Upon the uni-
ted and undivided party the future prosperity of the
state and nation depends. Its integrity must l>e pre-
served.
" From personal and petty piques, there are some-
times found in parties, " restless spirits," who wish to
carry their personal animosities into their political
action. They wish to make the party an engine
to carry out their own selfish aims. Great principles
are nothing to such men. The integrity of the party
must be periled to gratify their one ideaism. We
have our eye upon some such who have enjoyed and
now enjoy good offices from the party. They depend
upon the party for their bread. Let them vote any-
thing but a clean ticket if they dare. They are
watched. They will be branded as renegades and
traitors. They shall be held up to the execration of
all true , and made such an example of as shall
be a warning to all such deserters in the future. Our
ticket is worthy of the hearty support of the undivi-
ded party. Watch the bolters mark them.
They will be dealt with hereafter as they deserve. A
man who will scratch his ticket is unworthy the name
of . When holding office, they should, as speed-
ily as possible, be compelled to vacate for men ' who
will stand by the party which feeds them.' "
Thus were refractory party men whipped into the
traces, and so despotic and potential was the strength
STICKING TO PAETY. 347
and terror of party discipline, that there were few
men who dared to face the storm. The foulest com-
binations ever concocted in grog-shop conclave, went
out to the people endorsed as the regular, clean ticket ;
and the blood-hounds of party drill, fed on the drip-
pings of party, and expecting more, were unleashed
to worry and hunt the elector who supposed the right
of suffrage his own. A principle more subversive of
all political independence, was never made the shame-
less bond of party union. A slavery more humilia-
ting and repulsive, never was submitted to by an
intelligent and free people.
The masses little knew of all the means made use
of to secure the election of the candidates. Dobbs
was not a whit behind Skillott in a wholesale corrup-
tion. Ex-convicts from the prison, and keepers of no
torious establishments in Oakvale, were put upon the
vigilance or challenging committees. Fr m the
funds collected from the candidates with which to
"pay for pi^inting" large sums were carried through
out the county and thrown into every bar-room. In
Oakvale, for a week before the election, the grogger-
ies swarmed with drunkenness. Dobbs and Skillott
had engaged them all in their interest, as had the
other party, and rum was as free as water. What
rum would not purchase, money was depended upon
to do. Church influence was invoked. Skillott at-
tended every Church in the place, and gave to the
Missionary and Bible Society. To temperance men
he talked blandly. He had never found time from
348 MINNIE HERMON.
his onerous legal business to make much effort in so
just a cause, but he was a sincere well-wisher, and if
elected, he should feel it his duty to see that the laws
were administered faithfully. He saw the poor and
the countryman. Their wives and families were in-
quired after, and they were invited to his office, or to
his house for dinner. The Irish vote was courted.
Petty office-seekers were all promised assistance in
the future. Barrels of beer, and a supply of crackers
and cheese, were placed in all the haunts for the
thirsty and hungry democracy. Notorious bravadoes
and ruffians were chartered to bark and brow-beat.
The " Columbian " steamed night and day. It was a
notorious "sweat-pit," where voters were made drunk-
en by the score. Dobbs and Skillott were found there
all night. From the communion at the church, the
former went there on the Sabbath and stayed all night.
More than thirty-two voters, in one den, were kept
drunk over Sunday under lock and key, and during
Monday and Monday night ; and Tuesday morning they
reeled to the polls, and voted for Skillott and Dobbs.
The same game was universal throughout the county.
Sober and worthy citizens were brow-beat and clial
lenged by pot-house ruffians, or deterred from the
polls by open violence. With oaths and stenciling
breaths, drunken men reeled and kissed the Bible as
they swore in their votes. Dobbs looked innocently
upon every one, for both parties did so, and all was
fair in politics. At night the groggeries were jammed
with a reeling, cursing, shouting, slavering mass of
STICKING TO PARTY. 349
yeomanry ; and fightings and hideous yellings filled
the streets until a late hour. The day had been one
of wholesale drunkenness and riot. At the close,
when the. result was learned, the successful candidates
gathered in the Daily office and talked complacently
of their personal popularity, and the corruptions en-
tered into to defeat them. The Daily announced the
victory in glaring capitals, and called it one of the
most overwhelming triumphs of the campaign. The
opposite party resorted to the basest means to secure
their ends, but the people were incorruptible, and had
pronounced against them ! An oyster supper, alias,
a drunken jollification, came off at the " Alhambra '
in honor of the result. Judge Skillott was carried
home drunk. Dobbs managed to attend the covenant
meeting on the following day, Saturday, and gava
liberally to the missionary cause, sighing with much
sanctity as he leaned his head upon his hand. Ha
was a popular man ! He had not mixed any religion
or temperance with his politics ! As a member of
the executive county committee, he with his col-
leagues had secured a handsome suit of clothes, and
fell more than ever in love with the principles of the
great party.
The regular ticket was elected. Professed temper-
ance men and Christians had voted the " clean ticket,*.
The temperance-professing, brandy-drinking hypo-
crite was elected clerk, and the favorite of the grog-
shop and brothel, judge. The "clean ticket" was
elected ! The few who murmured at such tickets,
350 MINNIE HEKMON.
were whistled down as one-idea hot-heads, who would
ruin a good cause by dragging it into politics. Tem-
perance was a " holy cause," but it was lost the mo-
ment its misguided friends forced it into the political
arena.
And Judge Skillott did enforce the law ! The
keepers of the lowest groggeries were fined fifty dol-
lars each. A negro who had sold whisky in a mis-
erable shanty, was severely lectured, fined twenty -five
dollars, and " sent up " until paid. The keepers of
the Alhambra, the Arland, the Home, etc., were fined
three dollars each, and at night the judge got drunk
on their liquor !
He was elected on the " clean ticket ! " by those who
felt bound to stick to party, and keep the temperance
cause out of politics ! They had helped the rum in-
terest put one of its most unscrupulous friends upon
the Bench. The rumsellers and friends had all thrown
party aside in the contest and stood by their cause.
The " clean ticket," consistent, 2)arty temperance
men, had joined with them in carrying rum into pol-
itics !
THE SIGNATURE OF THE DEAD.
CIIAPTEK XXVII.
IOI8ON IN THE CUP SIGNATURE OF THE DEAD A
GUEST NOT INVITED.
DEEPER and darker gathered the night around
Minnie Ilermon ! The desertion and consequent cold
treatment of Bray ton, had struck down every hope
which had cheered her in her sorrows. Scarcely a
ray lingered in the gloomy horizon. She did not re-
proach Brayton. In her chamber, with the darkness
and her own bitter thoughts, she remembered him
with the strength of a love which their separation had
not subdued. A gulf had opened between them, wi-
dening every day. Hidden from him and the world,
it burned more intensely upon the ruins of the fair
fabric it had reared in the inmost heart. As it crurn*
bled away, the pure shrine sent up a flame whose
brightness would go out only with life. She saw
"Walter crossing the first fatal circles of temptation.
She would have warned him, but she felt that he
cared not for her. Her thoughts turned often upon
the change in him and his sentiments towards her,
She had not changed in her love, she wondered at
the change in him. Yet, through all the ill which
was to come upon him, Minnie Hermon, with the
354: MINNIE HERMON.
changeless fervor of a true woman's love, was to
weep and pray for the object of her heart's first deep
idolatry.
Retribution had followed swift and close upon th
steps of Hermon. The dread bondage he had helpei
to weave around so many, had closed upon himself.
He had lifted to his own lips the fatal chalice he had
commended to his neighbors. Such, in a large ma-
jority of cases, has been the punishment of those who
deal in rum.
The old man, his hair fast whitening with age and
troubles, was a drunkard. One more wholly aban
doned to his cups, had not gone from his tavern
The farther he went, the deeper the depths of degra
dation. He presented the complete and utter wreck
of. a once intellectual and honorable man. All his
manhood had been consumed, and he stalked about
his premises, the embodiment of the leprous curse he
had introduced and fostered in Oakvale. His per-
sonal appearance did not belie his character and
habits. His slouched, greasy looking hat and seedy
garments the face bloated and burning with the
consuming hectic of constant dissipation his eye-
lids eaten away, and the balls a revolting red, togeth-
er with his ill-temper and listless movements, pro*
sented a revolting picture of ruin.
The Home had changed, as well as its landlord.
More fashionable taverns had taken the better cus-
tom, and left it but the wrecks of its own making.
The sign was weather-beaten, and the posts, rotten at
POISON IN THE CUP. 355
the ground, were settling over. The boards were off
the shed, the doors unhinged, and one end of the
feeding-trough split and fallen upon the ground. The
pump was useless, and grass began to grow thickly
among the stones of the platform. The stoop waa
rotting, and one end had settled as the wall beneath
had crumbled away. Many of the windows were
broken, and the whole appearance of the house ex-
ternally, was ruinous and desolate.
With this marked change of circumstances, came
a corresponding loss of character and standing. The
Home was but the haunt of the lowest grades of the
drinking community. It was licensed, for its custo-
mers were voters as well as those of the Arland or
A-lhambra. In its dingy bar-room the sots of Oak-
vale lingered to complete the work commenced in its
better days.
Minnie could not escape a portion of the odium
which had fallen upon her father. Even among the
drinking class, the Home was in bad repute. As its
mistress, she suffered with its waning fortunes. De-
serted by Brayton, and only known as the daughter
of a drunken tavern keeper, the better class of so-
ciety scarcely ever troubled themselves with a thought
of the lonely girl. The disgrace of her father and
the house was not without its effect upon her. She
felt that she was neglected, perhaps despised, and
consequently shunned society. Crimes worse than
selling liquor even, had been whispered against Her-
mon ; vices \rorse than drunkenness were said to hold
356 MINNIE HERMON.
their revels at the Home. Shut mostly within its
doors, it was not strange that scandal should fasten a
share of the stigma upon Minnie. She had often
been seen nights, threading the poorer streets of Oak-
vale. Had her object been known, the community
would have witnessed some of the holiest charities
which ever fell unheralded at the hearthsides of the
poor and needy.
"With all this unjust opinion against her, she still
clung to her wretched father. He had rewarded her
devotion to him, with coarse abuse and Hows!
And in that rendezvous of the wretched and vile, her
pure spirit lingered like an angel in unbroken dark-
ness.
There were few of the drinking men of Oakvale
who had descended more rapidly than "Walter Bray-
ton's father. He had squandered all his property, and
,vas verging upon the confines of pauperism. He
and Walter had quarreled at an early day about the
Home, and his drinking habits, and since had had
but little intercourse with each other. Still Walter
had been careful that his parent did not suffer for any
of the necessaries of life. Suddenly, good, or it may
be, bad fortune, came unexpectedly to the old man.
A bachelor brother in Rhode Island died and left
him a handsome little fortune of ten thousand dol-
lars, to go, at his death, to Walter. This was joyous
news to old Brayton, as well as to his cronies and the
dealers. They judged right as to the strength of his
love of drink, and the hopelessness of his reformation.
POISON m THE CUP. 357
Halton and his companions made desperate exertions
to save the old gentleman, but in vain. Howard tried
with no better success. Walter met with abuse, his
father charging him with an itching to linger the
money before his time.
Deeper drank Bray ton and his companions. Wild-
er and more devilish were their revels. Old Bray-
ton's money was sown like chaff, for ten thousand
dollars seemed to him exhaustless. Pipes were lighted
with bank-bills, and scores were treated by the week
Often dead drunk during these periods, hundreds of
dollars were plundered from him by his companions
and the more abandoned of the dealers, where the
money was spent. Even the Arland and Alhambra
were glad to sell liquor to a man worth ten thousand
dollars ! Walter looked upon these things with sor-
row and shame, and for a time all his old hatred of
the traffic burned up as hotly as ever. He made con
stant efforts to enlist the societies for the reclamation
of the old man. Every effort failed, and in six weeks
time nearly one half of the ten thousand dollars had
been squandered or stolen by the harpies who hung
around him.
Skillott, through the confidence of Walter, had
learned all the circumstances of the legacy, and his
eyes glistened as schemes for its possession were
planned in his mind. It was now wasticg, and, should
any of it be left, Walter was the last man he would
wish to have it. While pushing for the judgeship,
he had held out the post of a representative to Con-
358 MINUIE HERMON.
gress to "Walter. Skillott determined to push tor the
post himself, and the possession of wealth by the vic-
tim might foil all his plans.
Skillott did not visit the Home save late in the eve
nings. It was in bad repute, and the demagogue
wished to retain the semblance of respectability.
Every night, at a late hour, however, he was found at
Hermon's. He did not always see Minnie ;but when-
ever he could get an opportunity, he assumed unwon-
ted grace and essayed to appear devoted in his atten-
tions. She shunned him, and recoiled from his honeyed
words as from the hiss of a viper, hardly concealing
the deep and unconquerable dislike she felt towards
the man. An utter stranger to the honorable of the
sex, Skillott was a sneering skeptic about their being
such among women, and he did not in the least aban-
don his base designs against Minnie. He loved her
not. Her sharp and scornful repulses to his sickening
flatteries, had stung him until he was maddened.
Vindictive and withering in his hate against man or
woman, as well as fiery and ungovernable in his pas-
sions, he seldom commenced his approaches, but what
he accomplished the ruin of his victim. Could he
grasp Minnie and Walter both in his net, the triumph
would be a double one. " He would not be foiled by
old Herinon's daughter," he muttered as he turned
across the street on his way to the Home.
As Skillott entered the hall he met Minnie going
out.
"Ah! Miss Hermon beg your pardon, but like
POISON IN THE CUP. 359
the miller of a summer night, I am constantly drawn
to the flame," spoke the lawyer, in his blandest tones,
and with a touch of assumed tenderness. With a
cold inclination of the head, Minnie stood back for
him to pass in, and through the right door to the bar-
room. Shutting the street door he still stood with his
back against it, and looked close in her face. She
recoiled, and asked to be permitted to pass.
" Do not be thus cold to one who takes a deep in-
terest in your welfare. I would be a friend to you,
Miss Hermon," continued Skillott, in low tones.
There was a strange and thrilling influence in them
which sent a chill over his listener. She felt that
that burning gaze, peculiar to the man, was fastened
upon her, and turned to leave him.
" No, no, Miss Hermon, you must not leave so. If
I have offended, it has been from excess of regard.
Snrely a lovely girl like yourself would not go into
the street at this time of night without a protector."
" I need none, sir," briefly replied Minnie, as she
now stepped to go out of the door which Skillott had
moved away from.
" Nay, sweet girl, but you do. One like you should
have one friend. I should be happy to be smiled up-
on by one whom an unworthy friend has abandoned."
" Let me pass, sir. Your language and manner are
insulting."
" Not so hasty, Miss. I think too much of you to
insult you." Then bending closely to Minnie, he
whispered wards which we will not repeat.
15
360 MINNIE HEKMON.
"You're a villain! Hands off, sir! Coward
help!"
There was a glancing shadow in the dim light, and
Skillott received a blow which felled him to the floor.
As the revelers came out of the bar-room, he was
found insensible. He was taken np, and after a time
came to himself. No one had been seen in the hall,
and Skillott, believing that it was Minnie who gave
him the blow, stated that he fell as he entered, from
catching his toe on the threshold. Minnie had
scarcely heard the blow and the fall of Skillott, be-
fore she was lifted like a child, and noiselessly borne
up the stairs by a strong arm. Minnie felt keenly
this gross insult in her own house. It was suggestive
of many a bitter thought.
With a vow of revenge for the blow and the in-
sulting repulse, Skillott dismissed the matter from his
mind as he noticed the progress of matters in the
bar-room. The elder Brayton and some two or three
others were present, and all drunk. At the sugges
tion of Skillott^, the others were prevailed upon to
leave, under pretense of closing the house. Brayton
was too good a customer to be thus turned out, and
was left snoring by the fire-place, his chin dropping
upon his breast.
For a long time Skillott and Hermon conversed in
whispers across the counter, the latter drunk enough
to be a blind tool of the cool-headed lawyer.
" Brayton is making a complete fool of himself
It is too bad."
POISON IN THE CUP.
361
" Yes ; lie can't stand it long so."
" How he wastes money ! "
" Yes ; it goes like dirt. He will very soon rnn
through it."
"How much do you s'pose he has left of the
legacy ? "
" Half on't, like enough ; may be more don't
know!"
" Too bad to have him squander it so don't do
anybody any good."
" It's his own."
" Just so," blandly answered Skillott. " But such
men as Jud Lane and Mike Henry are getting more
than their share of it." The bait took, and a slight
smile crept coldly over Skillott's countenance, as he
watched the effects of his words upon Hermon.
" It would be a kindness, would some trusty friends
take charge of his money and keep it for him." The
lawyer still watched Hermon keenly, as he assumed
a careless tone and air, drumming with his fingers on
the counter. Hermon -made no response, and Skillott
continued :
" I'll warrant Jud Lane has taken a good share,
and he never has done one-hundredth part as much
for Brayton as you have"
Hermon did not see the sneer that lingered around
Skillott's lips as he spoke the last words, but began
to be aroused by the crafty words of the Judge. Jud
Lane was getting too much of old Brayton's ten
thousand dollars! The judge noted the kindling of
362 MINNIE HEKMON.
the landlord's avarice and continued, forcing a yawn,
and still drumming carelessly upon the counter:
" You would have done the old man a great kind-
ness, as well as Walter, if you had always taken his
money when he is in one of his drunken sprees, and
kept it from those that plunder him." Still no re-
sponse from Hermon.
" Indeed, I have blamed you because you have
not. It is not doing as you would be done by."
"I I ahem ! I have occasionally taken
care of money for him. I thought I'd better take
it than to have him waste it. He don't take care of
his money at all."
" Right, Mr. Hermon," and Skillott's eye glittered.
"Right. I had thought as judge, of ordering the
same thing, but I feared "Walter would not like it.
How much have you saved him ? Enough to do him
some good when the rest is spent, I hope."
" Why a about let me see : a quite a sum.
It would have all been lost if I hadn't got it laid
away for him."
" Four or five hundred dollars, perhaps ? " and he
whistled as he looked leisurely about the room and
tapped the tips of his fingers together.
" Yes about that, I s'pose," replied Hermon, com-
pletely won by the careless manner of Skillott. The
latter had not lost a single word or expression of the
landlord's face. Assuming a confidential air, and
drawing closer to Hermon, he continued :
" Between you and me, Hermon this between
POISON IN THE CUP. 363
ourselves, you know it has been talked over by a
few of old Brayton's friends, and concluded that it ia
best to devise some plan to save his property. As I
am judge, and have his confidence, the whole matter
has been entrusted to my arrangement. Knowing
that you and he were intimate, we thought it best to
ask your assistance. As it is, the ten thousand dol-
lars will not last him a year. And then, if he dies,
there is another trouble. I would not wish it noised
about, for he is a friend of mine ; but it is a sad truth
that Walt has got so he steams it, and if the money
falls into his hands, it will go the same way that it ia
now going. So we have concluded that you and I
get the old man to put his money into our hands for
safe keeping. It is the only way it can be saved ; foi
otherwise Jud Lane will have it, as sure as fate. Now
the plan we propose is this," continued Skillott, in
whispers, laying the finger of his right hand carefully
in the palm of the left. " We will get him to sign
writings, (I've got them here in my pocket,) deeding
to us all his property for safe keeping, carrying the
impression that it is as security for moneys borrowed.
We are then to give him small sums, or ourselves pay
his expenses, and keep charge of the money. Thus
you see we should have the use of the money as long
as he should live, and he could not spend it around
town. He could board here, and you could have the
pay for his board and grog. I think this a good plan."
" Most certainly I do. Jud Lane cannot then plun-
der him," and Ilermon rubbed his hands at the
364 MINNIE EERMON.
thought. That snaky smile again crept around the
corners of Skillott's mouth.
" Now it seems to me we shall not have a better
time than to-night. It is necessary for his good that
it be done soon the sooner the better. Have you
a room where we shall not be interrupted ? "
" The back chamber."
" Just so ; that will do. We shall not be interrupt-
ed there, probably ? "
" Not at this time o'night."
" We must not be ; because, you see, it is highly
important that the thing be nicely managed. Better
take pen and ink up there."
As Ilermon came back. Skillott still stood drumming
carelessly upon the counter, and old Brayton sat sno-
ring by the hearth. The light burned dimly in the
bar-room, and the noise of tramping feet had long
since ceased in the street. The windows, only, were
heard as they rattled in the fitful gusts which puffed
around the Home.
" Now," said Skillott, *' we must awake him, and
arouse him with a glass of brandy, and then persuade
him up stairs to bed. Pour out the brandy, and as
you lift him up I will hand it to you."
Hermon passed around and shook Brayton by the
shoulder, awakening him from his drunken slumber
with much difficulty. While he was doing so, Skil-
lott emptied the contents of a vial into the brandy,
and then handed it to Hermon, who had just got the
dozy drunkard upon his feet. He made no objections
POISON IN THE CUP. 365
to the brandy, and after much coaxing, was persua-
ded to let them assist him up to bed. Skillott, before
leaving the bar-room, took the precaution to lock the
doors. On reaching the chamber, Skillott commenced,
in blandest tones, to induce the drunken man to sign
the paper presented to him. The man stared vacantly
as the pen was put into his hand, with the statement
that the paper was a receipt for money they had bor-
rowed of him, which they now wished to pay him.
Mechanically, Brayton put his hand where directed,
but was evidently too drunk to understand what he
was about, or to write his name alone. A gust of
wind slammed the window blind furiously, startling
both parties abruptly. Skillott moved to the window,
but on Hermon assuring him that the window could
not be reached save from the ground, he fastened the
blinds and returned to the drunken man. As the
hand was again placed upon the paper, Brayton ut-
tered a cry of pain, and doubled convulsively in his
chair. There was a slight paleness around Skillott's
mouth, and Hermon looked on with astonishment.
- ".What was in your brandy ? " asked the Judge,
with his eye fastened keenly upon the landlord.
" Nothing. Why do you ask ? " answered Hermon
with a troubled countenance.
" It is queer that he should have convulsions. Is
ho subject to them? "
" Not that I ever knew of."
" Then I fear he is going to have the delinum-tre-
mens. He will arouse the whole neighborhood, and
3fi6 MINNIE HERMON.
probably die before the property is safe where Walt
cannot spend it."
" Come, Brayton, sign the receipt ; I must go
home." Again the pen was put into the man's hand,
but his agony was now evidently excruciating. He
writhed in convulsions, doubling down on his stom-
ach, and howling in agony.
"This must not be ; he will injure himself," said
Skillott. " We must hold him on the bed, and keep
the paroxysms down until he is quiet. If he shrieks
it will make him worse. Take hold of his feet
quick."
As the two tossed Brayton upon the bed, he strug
gled and shrieked until Skillott's blood ran cold
But it was too late to retreat. He threw himself
Brayton, and told Hermon to put the pillow over his
head and hold it down. " It would keep him from
exhausting himself."
Hermon did as ordered, but the united strength of
the two could riot hold Brayton still. With a howl
of pain, he hurled them upon the floor and sprang
into the middle of the room, writhing and doubling,
and the froth bubbling from the mouth. He stared
wildly at Skillott and Hermon.
" In God's name, what's the matter of me. Call
a doctor quick, or I can't live. O dear merciful
God ! there is fire in my bowels. Water ! quick ! for
God's sake WATER ! "
He shrieked again as the paroxysm took him.
With desperate energy Skillott leaped upon him, and
POISON IN THE CUP. 367
thrust his handkerchief into his mouth, and with al-
most superhuman strength, again threw him on the
bed. The pillow was again held down upon Brayton'a
face ; Skillott pressed upon him with all his strength.
Weaker grew the man, and less violent his convul-
sions. Half-smothered shrieks, and prayers, and criea
for breath and water, came from under the pillow,
even with Hermon's weight upon it. A fierce, con-
vulsive shiver ran over the trunk and limbs ; they
slowly straightened out as Skillott relaxed his grasp ;
the deep chest heaved fearfully for breath, and Bray-
ton lay still.
" Quick, now, before the paroxysm comes on again
the pen and light."
Hermon removed the pillow and handed them, as
ordered. Skillott had raised Brayton to a sitting po-
sition.
" Here, Hermon, let him lean upon you ; he is weak
after such fits. Come, Brayton, sign the papers, and
then you can sleep. Ah ! I see ; your hand trembles.
Let me aid you."
Skillott placed his hand upon Bray ton's, and guided
the fingers while they traced "Gerald Brayton"
" There," said Skillott, " we will not trouble you
more you can lie down," and the Judge laid Bray-
ton carefully back upon the pillow.
" Horrible distemper that delirium-tremens. He
needs rest and quiet. Come out right in the morn-
ing, I guess. Well enough to call in early, but would
not disturb him during the night. '
368 MINNIE HEKMON.
Covering Brayton with the quilts, the two went
down.
The dead was alone ! Could the countenance of the
corpse have bee*, seen as it sat on the bed, and by the
aid of the living traced its signature ; the glassy eyes
protruding with dying agony, and glaring upon va-
cancy ; the distorted features, and the mouth foaming,
with here and there flecks of blood ; the close-shut
teeth, the throat and bosom bare as it had been
stripped in the scuffle, and the hair clammy and mat-
ted on the damp and ghastly the picture of all that
is horrible in a death of keenest agony, would have
been presented.
As Hermon turned the key in the chamber door,
the slamming of the blinds and the increasing wind
alone disturbed the silence of the chamber. Swiftly
Skillott sped along the deserted streets to his home.
Two hours later, and the window in the chamber
where the struggle had been, was carefully raised,
and a dark shadow, undefined in the dim starlight,
glided into the room and pulled a small, dark lantern
from a loose robe which he wore around him. Slowly
and silently he peered towards the bed, and then step-
ped noiselessly to the head of it. He leaned down
and looked closely into the face of the corpse. He
lifted the lamp still nearer, and laid the back of his
hand against the cheek. He recoiled at the touch ;
but again and again, and still more searchingly looked
down into the ghastly features, thrusting his hand into
the bosom to feel the heart. He then lifted the pil-
POISON IX THE CUP, 309
low and turned it over. It was wet with a slimy
froth, and streaked with blood. He seemed to come
to some satisfactory conclusion about the matter, and
dropping the hand which he had lifted from the quilt,
stood erect. There was a dark glitter in his eye, and
a paleness around his sternly closed mouth. A new
thought seemed to occupy his attention, and he glided
to the door, but found it locked. With a key from
his own pocket he unlocked it, and after listening,
passed down and into the bar-room. In the excite-
ment of the time, Hermon had set the glass from
which Brayton drank back upon the counter, and
forgotten to rinse and put it in the usual place. It
now stood where he left it. The Hermit, for it was
he, took it in his hand, and after smelling it closely,
looked steadily into the bottom. As he stirred the
strange-looking sediment with his fore-finger, he ex-
claimed with low, yet bitter energy, " Oh ! ho ! dear
friends. Poison in the cup, indeed ! And the mur-
derers are not all hung yet ! " He stood a moment in
thought, and then carefully securing the glass, recn-
tered the hall and disappeared up the stairs. The
key was turned in the door of the back chamber, and
the Hermit was again alone with the dead.
CHAPTEK XXVIII.
TWO MOKNLNG CALLS A LIVE MAN FOE A DEAD ONE,
DAYLIGHT had scarcely dawned, when there was a
loud rap at Skillott's door. Again and again it was
repeated, each successive time with increased energy.
It was an unwelcome sound, and for a time he feigned
slumber. Guilt is ever fearful, and trembles at the
sound of every footfall.
As the noise increased, Skillott threw on his morn-
ing gown and opened the door, and somewhat bluntly
demanded the cause of the interruption. He stared
as he saw Hermon standing before him, but it was
momentary. As blandly as usual, after affecting a
yawn, he inquired what was wanting at so early an
hour.
Hermon was the picture of embarrassment. His
flame-red face was haggard, his manner stealthy and
uneasy, and his eye restless. Turning his eye up the
street to assure himself that he was unobserved, he
darted through the half-opened door, and closed it as
he entered. Placing his back against it, he stood
looking Skillott beseechingly in the face.
" Why, man, what is the matter what is want-
ing ? " again asked Skillott, with a well-assumed ah
of fretfulness at so unceremonious an interruption.
TWO MORNING CALLS. 371
"Brayton is dead! " whispered Hermon, in a husky
voice, after looking around to see if no one but them-
selves was in the hall.
" Ah ! indeed ! Died last night, eh 3 "
"Found him dead before daylight this morning.
The body was cold," and a shudder crept over the
hardened landlord.
" That fit of tremens, then, must have finished the
old man."
"Are you sure are you sure, Skillott, that he died
of the tremens ? " eagerly asked Hermon in an ap-
pealing tone.
" Why, how else could he have died ? A man of
his age cannot drink as hard as he did, and stand it-
long, Mr. Hermon."
There yet remained something upon Hermon's
mind, and he lingered. Skillott made a gesture of
impatience, and suggested that, as the matter did no!
concern him, he had better send for "Walter or the
coroner.
" But," continued Hermon, with an air of abstrac-
tion, " s'posing they should attempt to show he didn't
die of the tremens / what do you s'pose would como
of it?"
" Nonsense, man ; one would suppose your liquor
killed him, and that you expected to be hung for it,
from your manner."
A slight shudder again crept over Hermon. and
the sweat stood out in drops upon his forehead and
upper lip. Skillott grew confident, as the drift of the
372 MINNIE HERMON.
former's fears became apparent, and as quickly formed
his plan with which to hold the landlord hereafter.
" But liquor would not poison a man, you know, 5 '
placing a strange emphasis upon the word.
" You know best whether there was any poison in
the liquor ; I saw you give it to him."
" But you told me to give him the brandy."
" But I did not suppose it was poisoned. It cer-
tainly was not ?" Hermon started at the question.
" You know I have enemies, Skillott, and as he
died in my house, they might say unpleasant things,
you know ; and besides, his signing over his property
to you and me wouldn't help the matter."
" O, I'll see to that matter ; the property shall not
injure you." There was a smile lurking around the
mouth of the Judge as he gave the assurance.
"As to that matter, it would injure you as well as
me, both having an interest in it."
" Between you and me, Hermon," replied Skiliott,
"I feared the man was on his last legs, and knowing
that you had many and bitter enemies who would
make a handle of his death in your house, I thought
it best, on the whole, to have the conveyance made out
in my name. There are not many who have knowl-
edge of the fact ; but the truth is, I have lent old
Brayton a good deal of money within a few years
past. It would be but right, you know, that I should
make sure of what he had left."
"You you don't mean to say that I am not to
have a shai^e to have charge of the property ! "
TWO MORNING- CALLS. 373
" Precisely." blandly answered the Judge. "That
is best, you know, until the storm about his dying in
your house blows over."
" You didn't say anything last night about his
owing you."
" Nor did I give him that last drink" whispered
Skillott, a slight sneer creeping across the upper lip.
" But you told me to give it to him," replied the
landlord, deprecatingly.
"I did not tell you to put poison in the glass^
though ! "
Hermon fairly jumped, a more ominous paleness
spreading over his countenance. He stood a moment,
and some of his old spirit came to his aid.
" Neither did I, sir, as perhaps others can testify,"
he retorted with considerable energy and meaning,
pulling a paper from his side pocket and thrusting it
into Skillott's palm. He watched the Judge as the
latter traced the contents. The usual sneer passed
oft' his features as he read, and he drew his under lip
thoughtfully between his teeth. Hermon was not so
far broken down intellectually, as not to mark the
change in Skillott's manner. The note ran thus :
" I have drinked my last at the Home. There was
jymson in the cup, and I died by violence ! The dead
sign no papers? Old Brayton is dead, but the mur-
derers we not hung yet I
<( A GUEST NOT INVITED."
37-i MINMlv
''And you thought to frighten me by penning such
BtutT as this," sneered the Judge as he finally lifted
his eyes from the paper.
" It's false I had no more to do with penning it
than yon did," answered llermon with spirit.
" Where did it come from, then ? I should like to
know ! "
" I found it in the dead man's fonyers ! "
" The devil ! How could that be 2 " bluntly asked
the Judge, without the usual sneer, again and more
tightly drawing his under lip between his teeth, and
resting his hand upon a chair, his gaze still fastened
upon the paper.
" You can tell as well as I," doggedly answered the
landlord, regaining confidence, as he noticed the effect
of the note upon Skillott.
" The dead can't write," mused the Judge, looking
long and closely still upon the paper.
" But he might not have been dead when we left
him. The pen and ink were left, you know."
" It is strange, strange," continued Skillott, with
marked uneasiness in his features.
After leaving Bray ton, on the previous evening,
Hermon had become disturbed in his mind about his
appearance. It did not seem to him like the delirium-
tremens. He was troubled with the thought of his
death in his house, and before daylight, lighted his
candle and entered the chamber. Brayton lay as
they had left him, save one hand, which was aciosa
the breast. The landlord listened to catch the sound
TWO MORNING CALLS. 3Y5
ot his breathing ; but all was still. With a quicker
pulse he then stepped to the bedside and let the light
fall upon the face. It was ghastly, distorted, horri
ble ! He placed his fingers upon Brayton's. A shud
der crept from the dead over the living, and Herraon
drew back. At that moment his eye rested upon the
paper in the dead man's fingers which he carried to
Skillott. Hermon left the room with a trembling
step, and immediately sought the glass which he had
left on the counter, but it was gone. At early light
he had hurried to Skillott's for advice.
" Humph ! This does look a little squally for yon,
friend Hermon, it cannot be denied. This is not
Brayton's hand-writing. You have enemies in the
village, and some of them might have been eaves-
dropping last night.
" But the door was locked, and the key in my own
pocket. How could any one have got into the
chamber ? "
With all his attempt to appear careless and only so-
licitous for Hermon's case, Skillott was troubled.
That paper in the dead man's hand the contents
and the fact stated by Hermon that the glass was mis-
sing, had an ugly look. It was for his interest to as-
sist Hermon so far as was safe. If worst came to
worst, he had already determined to turn the whole
tide of circumstances against Hermon, and sacrifice
him to save himself. It was clear to him that an un-
seen enemy was around, and he felt that undefinable
sense of dread which a person experiences when ex-
376 MINNIE HE HMOS'.
pecting a blow in the dark. At last a thought fixed
his attention, and he entered his library and com-
menced hunting among some loose papers. He came
to one^ and for some moments compared the writing
upon it, with that on the note handed him by Her-
mon. He had evidently found a clue. The paper
hunted up by Skillott was a notice of a temper-
ance meeting, written by the Hermit. There was
something in this knowledge besides the mystery of
the affair, to give Skillott serious thoughts. The Her-
mit was dreaded by all the Judge's class. If that
everywhere-present, and eagle-eyed individual had
obtained any knowledge of the real state of things,
he was an enemy to be dreaded. Skillott's counte-
nance was pale, as he continued to compare papers ;
but he shut his teeth harshly together, and a fiend-
ish light gleamed in his dark eye. The stakes were
increasing, and the play was becoming extremely haz-
ardous.
There was another early call in Oak vale. Doctor
Howard was awakened from a deep slumber by a sin-
gle rap upon his door. It was familiar, for no other
was ever given in the same manner, and he was not
surprised when he found the Hermit standing upon
the piazza, closely muffled in his long robe.
" Who is sick now, my friend," inquired the Doc-
tor, yawning and rubbing his eyes.
"IS T obody sick dead I n
" Indeed ! who's dead, may I ask ? "
"Gerald Brayton."
TWO MORNING CALLS. 377
" The old man dead ? I feared his habits would
destroy him."
" Habits did not kill him. Poisoned ! "
" What ! Brayton poisoned ! How do you know
that ? "
"See it done know it! "
"Then he has committed suicide ! "
" No. Others committed murder ! "
"Impossible! Who would wish to poison Gerald
Brayton? He was his own worst enemy."
" Dont know who wished to ; know they did. That's
enough."
"And you saw this ! "
" I did. But did not suppose there was poison in
the cup until afterwards, or I could have saved him.
Thought he had the tr emeus"
" But this is a serious matter. What evidence have
you that he was poisoned, more than your eyes be-
held ? "
The Hermit carefully drew a glass from his innei
side-pocket, tightly bound over the top with buck-
skin and strings. Untying the latter, he handed the
glass to the Doctor.
" There ! look at that. He drank out of that. A
vial was emptied into it first."
Howard's interest was now aroused, and with the
Hermit he entered his office.
"Poison ! sure enough," he exclaimed, after a care-
ful examination, " and of the most deadly kind."
" S posed so," was the brief response of the Hermit
378 MINNIE HERMON.
" But, in God's name, my friend, who gave Bray
ton from this cup to drink, and why ? "
" Know who ; cant tell why. Guess, though."
"This is horrible. What must be done? Who
were the parties, and where was it done ? "
"'Twas more horrible to see. They must ha/ng.
Parties well known. Done at the Home. Ques-
tions all answered."
" What do you say ! at JJermon's f "
" Just -said so."
" But we must know who there are in our midst
who would do such things."
" Know soon enough. Give me the glass."
Howard mechanically obeyed, being familiar with
the ways of the eccentric individual before him. If
he was scenting the footsteps of wrong, the Doctor
knew that he would be as wary and untiring as a
blood-hound. As the Hermit took the glass and
again carefully tied the buckskin over the top, he
turned to go.
"When shall I see you again?" anxiously inquired
Howard.
" To-night. Look at the glasses in Hermoii } s bar ! "
The Hermit turned on his heel, and strode down the
walk with more energy even than was customary
for him. Not until he was gone, did his last words
come with their full meaning to the understanding of
the Doctor.
Circumstances proved most unexpectedly favorable
to the plans of parties more directly interested in the
TWO MORNIXG CALLS. 379
Brayton affair Skillott had managed the matter cun-
ningly, and by ten o'clock, through the daily paper
anc 1 on busy tongues, it was circulated that Brayton
haa died the night before at the Home, after a pro-
tracted debauch, of delirium-tremens. Such a result
was not looked upon with surprise.
"Walter Brayton was absent from Oakvale, and as
a friend of him and his father, Skillott volunteered to
take charge of the investigation, and of the burial of
the corpse. The coroner's inquest was brief. A
number of persons testified to the deep drunkenness
of Brayton on the evening before his death, while
Skillott and Hermon testified directly to the manner
of his death. The former stated that he had been
called in to assist during the paroxysms. The jury
pronounced a verdict of "Death by visitation of Prov-
idence ! "
Howard had been called away to attend a sick pa-
tient, soon after his interview with the Hermit. The
patient died after a severe and protracted struggle,
detaining the doctor until a late hour in the afternoon,
As soon as possible he returned home, feeling confi-
dent, however, that the Hermit would watch the pro-
ceedings.
Turning his horse loose into the yard, he entered
the house to snatch a mouthful, and found the follow-
ing characteristic note :
" Doctor, the murderers have planned to put their
poison under ground-. Brayton will be buried before
380 MINNIE IIERMON.
night, and dug up afterwards, and hidden. Let him
be buried. We will attend the night party. Speak
not a word. HERMIT."
In deep thought, Howard passed over to the Homo,
where a large number were still assembled, many of
them disgustingly drunk. Sure enough, the prepa-
rations for the burial of the corpse were in an ad-
vanced state. It was thought that the body had bet-
ter not be kept long imburied 1
Howard asked to see the corpse. "With a look at
Skillott, after some hesitation, Hermon led him to the
chamber. Howard was immediately satisfied that
Brayton did not die of the drunkard's madness. His
experienced eye detected the unmistakable footprints
of a more fatal agency, plainly written in the hue of
the flesh. He noticed the marks of the scuffle upon
the floor, and turned away. Hermon had been watch
ing his eye, and grew agitated as it rested upon him.
But for the testimony already revealed to him by
the Hermit, Howard would have pronounced the
death one of strangulation.
While they were standing in the room, the sexton
came for the corpse. Hermon was repulsively offi-
cious, as rumsellers usually are when at the funeral
of any of their victims. As they all emerged into
the street, Howard balanced over the counter and
snatche<jf one of the glasses from the sink and thrust
it into his side-pocket. As he, too, went out, the
rowd were following the corpse to the burial ground.
TWO MORNING CALLS. 381
Upon an awning-post of one of the main streets,
the following notice attracted his attention :
" BRAYTON WAS MURDERED! There was poison in
the cup. Those who gave it to him are superintend-
ing his funeral. They expect that the grave will
cover their guilt.
"A GUEST NOT INVITED."
Howard was startled at the boldness of this act
Ere others became aware of the charge, the funeral
was over, and night had set in. But the news of the
placards went like lightning, and became the subject
of intense talk. Most of the people believed that
Skillott, from his standing, and the straightforward
testimony at the inquest, was utterly incapable of such
a crime. And besides, there could be no motive for ita
commission. The Judge was careful to give currency
to the belief that the placard had been posted by some
personal enemy.
Late in the evening the Hermit again called at
Howard's office. In his usual brief style he stated
what he had learned during the day. Skillott had
become convinced that some one had seen, or become
acquainted with the facts of Brayton's death. It was
evident to Skiliott that the Hermit was in the matter ;
and knowing the untiring disposition of that individ-
ual, he felt that prompt and thorough measures must
betaken. It had been . arranged that the body of
Bray ton should be taken up and sunk in the river,
38% MIXNIK HFJRMON.
and the story started that it had been stolen by the
doctors. The Hermit would not reveal how he had
acquired the information, but Howard relied upon it.
" We must attend the party to-night," briefly and
sternly he continued, " and you will see who put poi-
son in the cup. I will call at the right time. Be
ready."
The night was dark and stormy. The sky was dense-
ly overcast with heavy clouds. A cold, drizzling rain
had commenced falling about nine o'clock, melting
away the thin snow which had fallen the night previ-
ous, making the darkness deep and impenetrable.
The pulse-beat of the busy throng had ceased to
throb in the streets of Oakvale ; but the rain swept
fiercely down the streets and around the corners.
The water running from the eave-gutters, and the
creaking of the signs as they swayed in the wind,
were the only sounds which mingled with the fitful
violence of the storm.
While the town-clock was slowly chiming the hour
of midnight, two persons, deeply muffled, carrying a
shovel and a dark lantern each, turned oif from the
main street, and through a narrow lane pursued their
way in silence out of the village. As they cleared
the settled portions, they struck into the fields, and as
fast as possible pushed on against the driving storm.
Coming to the bank of the river, they turned to the
right and followed it up to the burial ground and en-
tered. Slowly they hunted among the graves, stop-
ping when they came to that of Brayton. After lis-
TWO MORNING CALLS. 383
tening a moment, the lamps were hidden and both
commenced with their shovels to throw out the fresh
earth. They were both strong men, and the coffin
was soon reached. The lid had been but slightly fas-
tened, and readily gave way to an energetic pull at
the edges. A cold shudder crept from the corpse
along the nerves of the living as one of the diggers
felt for the face. There was a moment's hesitation,
and the hook which had been provided was thrust
quickly under the chin. Both took hold of the rope,
and with united strength pulled the body out upon
the grass. Again they listened, but there was no
sound save the steadily beating storm. A dark blank-
et had been provided, in which the body was closely
rolled, and a rope fastened around the feet. The lat-
ter, after much difficulty, were drawn closely to the
head, and the rope passed under the arms. "With a
rail which had been brought from the fence, the body
was raised upon their shoulders and carried towards
the river, upon the bank of which they left it, and
returned to fill the grave and get their lamps and tools.
Others than the grave-robbers had been witnesses
of the act. Closely hidden near by, were Howard
and the Hermit. For two hours they had remained
in the storm, their garments wet through and through.
JTliey had obtained a full view of the countenances
of the diggers, as one of the lamps had been held
a moment above the grave. As the body was borne
off, the two followed closely, and barely escaped a
contest with the diggers as they returned to the grave.
16
384 MINNIE HERMON.
"Now is our time," whispered the Hermit, as - he
laid his hand on Howard's arm. " Lift."
They then put their own shoulders under the rail,
and as swiftly as possible carried the body to the
fence. Leaving Howard in charge of it, the Hermit
returned to the spot where it was first left, to await
the return of the diggers.
The grave was soon filled, and the diggers returned
to the bank where they had left the corpse, design-
ing to fasten a heavy stone to it and sink it in the
river. They looked some time for the body at the
point where they supposed they had left it.
" Skillott, Skillott," said one of the parties in a low
yoice, as he stmrbled against the Hermit, " I have
found it ! "
" How in the d 1 did it come out there ? I
thought we left it just by this little knoll."
" We didn't steer right in the dark. But where in
the world is the rail ? "
"' Did you leave it in the rope ? "
" Yes ; but it aint there now."
" It must be there if you left it there," and the one
addressed as Skillott came up.
" Good God ! it's warm ! " sharply uttered the first
speaker, jumping to his feet as though lie had clutched
a viper.
" You be , Hermon ! What are you fright-
ened at?"
"See, yourself! " answered the trembling landlord,
to 1 * it was him.
TWO MORNING CALLS. 385
Skillott unhesitatingly stooped and touched the
body. He started slightly as his hand encountered
the long hair, but it was wet and cold. He had for-
gotten that the body had been wrapped in a blanket.
Passing his hand up over the face, he found a thick,
bushy beard ; but the face was cold and wet as the
hair. Somewhat excited and bewildered, he laid his
hand upon the bosom ; still more amazed as he found
buttons there. The next instant his fingers were in
the vice-like grasp of a living hand !
" H 1 and furies ! " he almost howled as he
snatched his own away. " This is no dead man, or
else that hand was yours, Hermon. No fooling with
me!"
" I havu't touched you," answered the trembling
landlord, as he took a step or two back.
Skillott drew his lamp from his bosom, and placing
it before his own features, let the light shine down
before him. The spectacle presented was one to
startle bolder men than Skillott. On the ground,
stretched at full length, his eye glittering in the dull
lamplight, and his long hair and beard wet with the
storm, was the Hermit. He gave that peculiar
chuckle as he was revealed to the diggers.
" Priest or devil, take that ! Your foul carrion shall
feed the fishes too ! "
Lightly the Hermit sprang from his position, the
knife which Skillott had aimed at his breast sticking
in the turf where he had lain. A sneering ha ! ha !
answered the fierce curses of the baffled digger The
386 MINNIE HEKMON.
latter hurled the knife fiercely in the direction of the
voice ; but it only clinked against a tomb-stone which
it struck beyond, and again provoked that sneering
laugh, There was then a flash and a report, and a
ball went whistling past his head.
" Ha, ha, ha ! poison the living and rob the dead !
Judge Skillott and John Hermon ! the murderers are
not all hung yet," was echoed back from a different
direction than where the shot was fired.
All parties now stood silent in the impenetrable
darkness. With half-smothered curses and still more
devilish plans for meeting the new danger and at
the same time securing revenge, Skillott took Hermon
by the arm, and the two moved carefully towards the
road. As they were picking their way along by the
side of the fence near the corner of the grounds, they
were again startled by the unwelcome guest.
" Ho ! ho ! gentlemen diggers ! Why not take
along the body ? A chemical analysis might show
who put poison in the cup ! ha, ha ! "
The sounds were close to the ear, and Skillott struck
fiercely towards them, but the blow fell upon the
fence. The act was again answered by that sneering
laugh.
The idea of an analysis of the stomach of Brayton
fixed more deeply the dark purpose of Skillott. He
was not a man to hesitate when such dangers thick-
ened around him. Against the remonstrance of
Hermon, he called at Doctor Howard's as he entered
the village, and disguising his voice, inquired for the
Doctor. Mrs. Howard answered that he had been
called away in the evening, and had not returned.
Skillott turned away, passed stealthily around the
house to the barn, and tossed the shovel and the cord
and hook, together with the lanterns, into the loft
over the shed. An hour later, and he was in his
office ; but his sleepless eye gleamed 'with unwonted
brilliancy, and his mind was busy perfecting his dark
schemes.
CHAPTER XXIX,
TIIE WICKED PLOT THE WICKED TRIUMPH.
EARLY on the morning succeeding the scenes por-
trayed in the last chapter, the following placard ap-
peared in the streets :
" The grave robbers about ! Gerald Brayton's
body stolen last night. Order loving citizens are re-
quested to meet at the Town Hall at nine o'clock, to
take measures to protect our graves from desecration.
"By ORDER."
The excitement was intense. For two years past
a number of occurrences of the same kind had aroused
the community to the deepest exasperation.
An hour before the time appointed in the call, the
Hall was crowded. The excited and indignant pop-
ulace gave ominous indications that summary meas-
ures would be taken, should the person or persona
guilty of the outrage be ferreted out. A low rush
of angry muttering, swept over that sea of heads.
At a late hour, Judge Skillott, his countenance stern
and thoughtful, entered the room, and in an unas-
suming manner wedged through the crowd and took
THE WICKED PLOT. 389
his seat. The meeting was called to order and the
Judge unanimously appointed chairman of the meet-
ing. His remarks on taking the chair were calm, and
deprecatory of violent measures. He did not wonder
at the high state of feeling in the community. They
had all been deeply injured in their feelings. Those
we loved were stolen from the graves where their
friends had laid them. A spot sacred in the affec-
tions of all who had lost kindred, had been repeatedly
desecrated by the sacrilegious violence of grave rob-
bers. It was to be regretted that such things should
occur in the community. Justice to themselves, their
reputation abroad, and to the graves of their dead,
demanded that measures should be taken to put a stop
to similar outrages.
As Skillott took his seat, Dr. Howard entered and
stood in the passage in front. Skillott bent his stern
gaze full upon that individual, and with so direct and
meaning an expression, that the attention of the whole
audience was drawn to the doctor. The latter was
taken by surprise, and reddened at the insolent bold-
ness of the man whom he had last seen under such
peculiar circumstances. The Judge turned away, as
much as to say, " Look to that man." And so thought
the fickle crowd. Some of the sickly pallor passed
away from the chairman's face, as he saw his plan for
directing public attention upon the wrong scent work-
ing so favorably.
After a number of citizens had made remarks to
the meeting, the chairman was called upon to give
390 MINNIE HERMON.
some advice in the matter. He complied with the
request with well-assumed reluctance. He stated
what facts had come to his knowledge through oth-
ers. He thought a committee should be appointed to
make investigations, and report in the evening at that
.place. More facts than had yet come to light might
probably be elicited. With prompt and energetic
measures the body might be found. He hoped so,
for Gerald Brayton was a friend whom he had cher-
ished with great regard. The plan was adopted, and
Skillott, after much urging, placed at the head of the
committee of investigation.
Amazed at what he had seen, Doctor Howard had
stood during the proceedings, lost in thought. As the
meeting dispersed, he looked around for some (me
whom he had expected to see present, but was disap-
pointed. As he turned he encountered the keen,
half-sneering gaze of Skillott. There was a glitter of
some unknown triumph in that restless eye.
" Now," said Skillott, as the committee prepared to
proceed in their investigation, " you will remember
that thft soil in the burial ground is of a peculiar red,
sticky kind. If we bear this in mind it may lead to
some developments as to the robbers. They must
have had tools, and have worn l>oots or shoes."
Having a patient to call upon, Howard left the vil-
lage as the committee commenced their search.
The soil in the burial ground was soft and very ad-
hesive from the effects of the thaw. The tracks of
many individuals were plainly marked, especially
THE WICKED PLOT. 391
around the grave where Brayton had been buried.
From there they were traced to the bank of the river,
then down to the fence, and thence across the field
to the edge of the village. There were evidently
the tracks of two persons from the fence to the road,
following each other.
" Why, if it were possible," suggested one of the
citizens, " I should say that Doctor Howard had been
here, or some boy. No man has so small a foot."
Skillott said nothing.
The knife (a spring dirk) was found by a grave
stone, and handed to the Judge. No other evidences
were found to lead to a knowledge of the robbers.
The grave was opened and the coffin found empty.
"Now, friends," said the judge, "it is quite certain
that the body was taken across the field to the road
and to the village. I should be sorry to find it in the
possession of any of our own citizens. Yet the search
must be thoroughly made."
The party again returned towards the village, close-
ly scrutinizing every mark which might give them a
clue to the course of the robbers. Arriving at Doc-
tor Howard's residence, a halt was made.
" My friends," again remarked Skillott, " I regret
that this unpleasant duty has fallen upon us. The
innocent, should not suffer unjust imputations. Here
is the residence of Doctor Howard. He is a personal
friend of mine, and I am anxious to have him cleared
from all suspicion of having a hand in this sad affair.
At the meeting this morning, I thought 1 saw a dis-
392 MINNIE HERMON.
position to direct public attention to him as one con-
cerned in this matter. As we are bound to do onr
whole duty, we will look over his premises, he being
a doctor, and then he will not suffer from an impres-
sion so unj ust."
On explanation, Mrs. Howard gave a ready con-
sent to the search, she having full confidence that her
husband knew nothing of the matter.
" It is n't much likely," carelessly remarked Skil-
lott, as he put a short ladder up against the shed and
climbed to the open door. His attention was attract-
ed, and he looked down upon the rest of the crowd
with apparent surprise and regret at what he had dis-
covered. Hesitating a moment, he reached over up-
on the hay, and pulled down two shovels and a rope
with an iron hook attached. There was blood upon
the hook, and that peculiar red soil upon the shovels !
There was a murmur of surprise by the bystanders,
and Skillott slowly descended to the ground and re-
tired to one side, thoughtful and sad.
" Gentlemen," said he at last, " I will not deny that
these things annoy me disappoint me. And it has
just occurred to me that my position, in the event
of a detection and trial, should induce me to have no
more to do with this affair at the present stage of it
The rest of you will do your duty."
Many appreciated the Judge's delicacy in not wish-
ing to learn of facts which should go against his friend.
That innocent dignitary gave Jud Lane a meaning
wink, and himself refrained from further search.
THE WICKED PLOT. 393
Under the hungry scent of Jud Lane, the hunt was
continued. In the wood-shed a pair of boots were
found, thickly coated with the red soil, and their size
corresponding with the tracks across the fields. They
were brought out and placed with the shovels. The
office was open, but nothing was found there of the
body. The wagon-house was locked. As the doctor
had carried the key with him, it was determined to
wrench off the staple ; a thorough search, after what
had been discovered, would alone satisfy the people.
In one of the farther stables, partially covered with
straw, the body of Gerald Brayton was found,
wrapped in a coarse blanket, and a rope fastened to
the feet and under the arms, and the mark of the
hook under the chin !
The crowd stood aghast ! They had not yet be-
lieved that Doctor Howard was a body snatcher.
His friends were sad and silent, while his many ene-
mies, bitter against him as a radical temperance refor-
mer, assumed sudden wisdom, and gravely expressed
how long they had believed that all was not right.
As the body was taken into the yard, Howard
drove in. Stepping up to the crowd which stood be-
fore the open door of the wagon-house, he somewhat
excitedly inquired what it all meant. Not one an-
swered, leaving him to see for himself. His eye
rested upon the body, now divested of all but the
shroud, as ghastly and bare it lay out upon the
ground, The stomach had been taken out of the
corpse /
394 MINNIE HEEMON.
This is sad. Doctor, a sad business, which none
of all your numerous friends will regret more than
myself."
" "What do you mean, Judge Skillott?" fiercely de-
manded Howard, looking searchingly in the Judge's
face.
" I mean what I say, Doctor. Appearances are
against you in this matter. The present excited state
of public feeling will damage your case, I fear."
" Black-hearted, unblushing villain ! " ground the
Doctor between his teeth, as he began to comprehend
the strength of the meshes which his enemy had wo-
ven around him, " no one knows more of this matter
than yourself and your associate in wickedness."
" You are excited, Doctor, and I will not bandy-
words with you," calmly replied the Judge. " It does
not become my position. It remains to be seen who
knows the most of this matter. Officer Gaston, do
your duty." The huge blacksmith, with honest em-
barrassment, stepped forth to arrest Howard, looking
more like a culprit than did the Doctor.
" Friends," said the latter in a calm tone, " I see
through this worse than fiendish scheme. The right
will yet triumph." But Howard's heart sank within
him, as he saw the skeptical countenances around
him. "With pale and compressed lip, he turned, in
company with Gaston, and ahead of the crowd, passed
into the village, after a brief and touching parting
with his wife. He assured her of his innocence, and
told her to be of good cheer. The noble man little
THE WICKED PLOT. 395
knew how deeply laid were the plans of his relentless
enemy. Had he been a cannibal just imported, his'
own immediate acquaintances could not have stared
at him with a more morbid curiosity. Those whom
he had counted strong friends, turned coldly away.
Those to whose families he had often dispensed with a
liberal hand, turned to rend him. His name was
covered with infamy, and summary punishment in-
voked upon his crime. Howard's noble spirit waa
grieved at such treatment, for he knew his innocence
of the revolting crime laid to his charge, and he felt
that others ought to know as much.
CHAPTER XXX.
AS OTHER VICTIM IN THE NET THE WICKED STILL
TRIUMPH.
UNDER pretence of satisfying public opinion, How-
ard's bail was fixed at an unreasonable sum by Judge
Skillott. The latter affirmed that he had no doubt
of the Doctor's honor ; but the charge was a serioua
one, and the community had a right to thorough
measures. It was now that Howard felt more keenly
the base ingratitude of those who had fawned around
him. Those to whom he confidently looked for aid,
by one consent began to make excuses and left him.
At this juncture a wealthy citizen, with whom he had
often differed with much warmth, promptly came
forward on learning the facts, and offered himself as
bail. There could be no dispute about his ability,
and, after some frivolous objections, he was accepted.
Howard was satisfied that his failure to procure bail
would have been more agreeable. In silence he
pressed the hand of his unexpected friend, and went
sadly homeward, wondering at the hollow nature of
the friendships which he had supposed so true. The
prosperous and the powerful always have friends.
They vanish under the test of adverse circumstances.
A.N01UER VICTIM IN THE NET. 397
A " body-snatcher ! " Such was the term Doctor
Howard heard whispered as lie went about. Curious
faces were seen peering from the windows as he passed,
and children actually shunned him on the walk. He
felt like one branded with infamy. His business was
ruined at a blow, and he fled to his own. fireside for
that sympathy and kindness so grateful to one of his
sensitive nature. He there found a friend who clung
the closer as others deserted.
Walter Brayton did not return to Oakvale until
several days after the exciting events just narrated.
Sldllott managed to see him first, and, as a friend,
related all the circumstances of the case, adroitly col-
oring the statement so as to secure his own strong hold
upon Walter's mind, and at the same time leave a
deep impression there against Doctor Howard. The
latter frankly demanded an opportunity of speaking
to Walter, but under advice, the proposition was al-
most insultingly refused. The circumstances were so
strong against the Doctor, that Brayton allowed no
doubt of his guilt to cross his mind.
Alas ! what a change was there in Walter Brayton.
He had fallen like a meteor from his former high po-
sition. The false light of political ambition had lured
him into the damning corruptions of party manage-
ment. Fast wedded to the new idol, he was easily
led to believe that the only chance for success was by
abandoning his ultra temperance notions, and becom-
ing more liberal in his sentiments and habits. Skil-
lott was his teacher, as well as was the universal cus-
398 MINNIE HERMON.
torn of party management. He mnst make himself
pop alar, by visiting and treating at the taverns and
groceries. Upon that large class which followed such
practices, depended the balance of power- Such a
course was pursued by all politicians of both parties,
which justified it in others. The liberal expectant was
made to understand that the taverns and groceries
controlled the caucuses, and after the nominations,
thousands of votes. If they were not put under pay,
their influence would not be secured. Bray ton felt
all this, and yielded too willingly to its seeming ne-
cessity. The office he wanted, and he must do as oth-
ers did to secure it. From an occasional glass of beer
with a squad of tippling voters, he rapidly passed to
more potent liquors. As election approached, the
descent became more easy and rapid. He dreamed
only of drinking, and after election resumed his old
habits of temperance. The course was fatal ! The
floodgate once up, the .Niagara tide swept in, and
while the young man's eyes were riveted upon the
glare of the coveted position, its silent wave bore him
more swiftly away he knew not how swiftly. From
many a political mass-meeting he was carried home
drunk ! Who could once have believed it of Walter
Brayton '
Walter secured the nomination for Congress, after
a hard-contested strife. Funds were scattered liber-
al'y, and meetings held throughout the District. He
treated liberally, and drank himself. It would not
do to flinch, for such was the custom.
ANOTHER VICTIM IN THE NET. 399
There were undercurrents in the progress of the
canvass, unexpected and inexplicable to Brayton.
Reports, most cunningly calculated to injure, were
circulated in every direction. They finally appeared
in handbills and in the opposition newspaper. He
was charged with abusing his father before he died,
and of threatening to kill him if he did not make
over half of the legacy, and of compounding with
those who stole the old man's body. He was report-
ed as a gambler and a drunkard as accomplishing
the ruin of Minnie Hermon, etc. etc. Brayton felt
these blows, but could obtain no clue to their author-
ship. They were all cunningly devised, and most
perse veringly circulated. Brayton was defeated by
twenty-seven votes ! The result was a bolt from a clear
sky ; for he had confidently looked for a majority of
eight or nine hundred, even with all the unexpected
influences against him. At one fell swoop, his fabric
came crashing about his ears. He was disgraced
with his party ; his money was gone, and he in debt.
Walter was a pitiful wreck. The sudden and sweep-
ing character of his fall utterly astounded crushed
him. He saw no redemption, and shunned the public
gaze, plunging with all the strength of his impetuous
nature into dissipation to drown his reflections. That
was a strange spectacle the wreck of such a man
in so brief a space of time and as sad as strange.
Halton and a few of his former friends made earnest
efforts to arrest him in his mad career, but he sul-
lenly repelled them all Alone, the yet lingering
400 MI> T N1E HERMON.
currents of his nobler, better manhood came throbbing
back, and he wept, and attempted to realize the
change which had come upon him. He groped in
the dark. His proud spirit at times rebelled, and the
talons of the eagle clutched and wrenched at the
galling iron ; but the demon enthroned within him
aroused, and bade him to the dramshop. Dismasted,
and no true hand at the helm, a once noble craft was
drifting madly to destruction. He who had raised a
false light on the dark shore, had cut the cable, and
was now rejoicing in his work.
A few weeks after his defeat he received a letter
from the post-office, written upon the back of an old
letter with a pencil, the place and date obliterated :
" WALTER BRAYTON : Beware of the adder's fang.
Judge Skillott and John Hermon poisoned your fa-
ther and forged the will, and attempted to steal the
body to hide their guilt. Heed the truth and ~beware.
"A FRIEND IN PRISON AND CHAINS."
It was early in the morning when he received the
mysterious note, and his head throbbed over its con-
tents. Did the note reveal the truth ? How came
his father to will all his property to Skillott ? Was
Skillott a villain? Such, and a thousand kindred
questions flashed like shocks across his brain. He
now remembered Minnie Hermon's warning, and
reasoned of the probabilities of Skill ott's proving a
knave. It- was difficult to believe it- he had shown
ANOTHER VICTIM IN THE NET. 401
BO much interest in his welfare. The strange noto
had awakened a new train of thought, and for the
day Walter determined not to drink a drop.
The more he thought of the matter the more un-
reasonable it appeared to him that his father should
have borrowed so much money of Skillott, or that he
should have voluntarily, just at such a juncture,
willed all his property to that individual. With these
thoughts fastening more strongly upon his mind, Wal-
ter determined to call upon Skillott and charge him
directly with fraud in the matter. He began to feel
astonished that he had ever been made to believe that
his father had borrowed five thousand dollars of
Skillott ; for the Judge had never been supposed
to be worth half that sum, and he was not a man to
lend money to those who, like Brayton at the time
stated, had nothing to pay. How fatally had a strong
and naturally keen mind been blinded by the power-
ful influences of rum and political ambition.
Brayton had at once found an object to fix his at-
tention, and arouse the energies of his nature. The
bondage of his besetting vice once broken, those en-
ergies would recover all their original strength. The
more he thought over the improbabilities of Skillott's
statement about the will, the more he believed that
his father came to his death by violence.
Clear and burning as the noonday sun, Walter saw
why, and how deeply he had fallen. He shuddered
as all the humiliating facts rushed in before his clearer
vision, and a quick glow burned hotly over his cheek.
402 MINNIE HERMON
He staggered with the racking intensity of his thoughts.
Sharp, rapid and piercing, they shot like barbed light-
nings into his heart, until he clasped his throbbing
temples to beat back the pain. Then and now
Walter Brayton as he was two years before, and Wai
ter Brayton the penniless drunkard ! Involuntarily
he leaned over and looked down into the vortex which
his heated imagination opened before him, where the
lost writhed and howled in their infernal orgies. The
wail, the curse, and the unearthly ha ! ha ! came fear-
fully distinct upon his ear. Upturned to his gaze wag
one who wore the semblance of his own features, peer-
ing sadly from the cloudy gloom, thick drops of blood
standing upon the swollen flesh, and the limbs wrap-
ped in the slimy coils of a huge reptile, the eye of a
fiendish glitter, the white fangs bared, and the red
tongue glancing by the cheek. He shut his eyes as
the vision swam before him, but he heard a low hiss.
He started, but with eye distended and glassy again
looked down into the gloom. He saw the head of the
serpent sway backwards and forwards, the eye still
upon him, gradually dissolving like mist, and again
assuming shape. The features that now swayed were
those of Skillott, though the same eye and white fang,
and glancing tongue, were there.
As he looked, the face of him in the tighter: ing cons
assumed his father's features white, ghastly, and
the foam and blood welling from the mouth. The
cold sweat gathered damp and clammy upon Walter,
but he could not turn away from the horrid vision.
ANOTHER VICTIM IN THE NET. 403
Once he heard a low rush, and a shadowy form with
wings swept slowly between him and the spectacle
the pale and beautiful countenance turned towards
him, and the eye melting with sadness, as she beck-
oned him to come away. That was his mother. An-
othef came, still more sad tears lingered on either
cheek. That was Minnie Hermon ; and the drunkard
wept as the familiar shade hovered within reach.
With the energy of a drowning man, Walter grasped
at the extended hand. There was a wild, unearthly
howl, and the serpent leaped upon the angel forms.
Walter heard the violent hissing and the gnashing of
fangs, and then a low sound of weeping died away in
the distance. The form first seen in the serpent's
grasp had been liberated, while the monster had driv-
en the winged shadows away. It still looked up to
Walter his own image and begged piteously for
help. But while that despairing eye still looked, the
serpent returned, and slowly, coil upon coil, again
bound the body to the throat. The countenance jf
Skillott still swayed, and sneered, and hissed, upon.the
arched and scaly neck. Again, he saw a fresh grave
in the old church-yard, and by the side of it sat a
huge monster feastin--g upon his human carrion. The
face of the dead was turned to his view, and was the
same he had seen, with its deathly agony and foam-
covered mouth. It was by his father's grave ; and
still new and horrible sights crowded upon him.
Looming up in the distant gloom, was an altar, and a
blood-red light slowly spreading its dull glare upon
404 MINNIE HERMON.
the damp atmosphere. Upon it were human forms
of all ages. "With the throat gashed to the spine, a
manly frame lay consuming. The mother and her
child were there the young bride, the jewel upon
her finger glancing like a star in the half-revealed
gloom, and her tresses of wavy black matted in the
ebbing blood of the suicide husband. Some of the
features were ghastly with disease, and pinched with
want and anguish. Demons there gathered to the
foul feast the silence startled by the sounds of their
infernal revelry. From grated windows the felon and
the maniac looked out upon the scene, and serpents
slimed up the scaffold, and fed upon its shrouded trib-
ute. Slowly the monster first seen glided away, and
as he looked again, it had wrapped the corpse upon
the scaffold, its head still swaying, and its eye upon
him. "Walter saw himself in the shroud. He was
again startled by the hiss at his ear, its breath burn-
ing like a flame upon his skin. He could not stir to
escape. The nightmare of madness was upon, him,
while ten thousand devilish forms glided towards him.
His tongue became forked, and he felt the snaky fanga
in his mouth. His head swayed on a scaly neck, and
he felt the cold, slimy folds of innumerable serpents
weaving their scaly web around him. He answered
hiss for hiss, and gnashed his fangs as they did. Each
finger grew a swaying head with glittering eye.
They crept through his veins. His hair writhed in
matted locks. The scaffold and the altar, with their
blood-red flame, came nearer and nearer, the rope
ANOTHER VICTIM IN THE NET. 4:05
changing to a serpent, the arched neck bearing the
same likeness as that at first seen. Then came once
more the angel shadows, silently and tearfully beck-
oning him away. Springing convulsively to reach
the outstretched hand, he plunged forward, with one
wild, agonizing wail for help.
It was a fierce struggle which Walter Brayton had
passed through. In the horrible delirium of the
drunkard's madness, he had leaped through the win-
dow of the room he called his office, out upon the side-
walk, and fortunately for him, was first seen by Hal-
ton, who happened to be passing at the time. With-
out slumber, the frame was torn with torment for long
days and nights. On one side were his friends, on the
other, death. None who. have once seen a victim
cursed with the drunkard's madness, will ever wish to
look upon the like again. No human pen can des
cribe it, but its scenes will burn into the eyeball so
deeply that they never pass away. For the time be-
ing, all the dread enginery of hell is planted in the
victim's brain, and he subjected to its terrible torment.
But Walter's friends were true. Their efforts and
the strength of a good constitution triumphed in the
conflict, and pale and trembling, he once more stood
upon his feet, the ordeal remaining like the fearful
shadow of a horrible dream. He now doubted his
own strength, and leaned upon his friends. From
them he received tears and kind words, and felt a
heart-throb in every palm. With them he went to
406 MINNIE HERMON.
the Division Room, and became a Son of Temper
ance a society just organized in Oak vale. He passed
from darkness to light. He felt the shackles falling
from his soul and limbs, and again stood up in the
dignity of his manhood. His hands were wet with
tears when he was greeted by his brothers. "With a
throat full of emotion and a swimming eye, he re-
turned the greeting. The beautiful and sublime ob-
ligations had fallen upon his parched spirit like the
summer shower, and the greenness of his heart again
bloomed ; for it was a burning crater no more. The
tempest-tossed was moored in still waters. "Walter
found himself among those with whom he had before
labored. Some of them had been saved by his elo-
quence, and they now stood around, rejoiced to save
him. He was called out with more than old-fashioned
enthusiasm to make some remarks. He arose, and
stood for a full moment, but could not utter a word.
That silence was more eloquent than words ! Not
one link in that band of brothers that night, which
did not glisten to a pure and holy tear. Arm in arm
with Halton, Walter passed out of the Division. The
cool night air was like a calm kiss upon his cheek.
He felt like a new man that Walter Brayton was a
drunkard no more ! The thought was unutterable
joy. He looked out upon those around him, and up
to the clear blue sky. Every star seemed a beacon
which smiled like an angel's eye. The sky looked
bluer and the stars brighter. His own heart was
stronger and holier, and he went to his humble room
ANOTHER VICTIM IN THE NET. . 407
with a steady and manly tread. His friends would
have persuaded him to go with them, but he wished
to be alone. In the still solitude of his room he knelt
down till hours went by. No words dropped from
his lips, but every heart-throb beat up against Heav-
en with its freight of gratitude, and ebbed back witr
a blessed light upon its crest. A dark ocean was be-
hind him a brighter future before. He thought
of his mother and yes Minnie Hermon. The
strong heart was broken up, and a warm flood of
tears sealed the compact with himself, his mother in
Heaven, and God. With none but the stars to look
down upon him, he passed out into the silent streets,
and walked another hour to make sure that his limbs
were free.
"Walter TJrayton was saved !
IT
CHAPTEK XXXI.
THE SECRET OUT A FATAL WAGER.
BITTER sorrow was surging in the old heart of the
Widow Weston, and the pleasant chiming of the Sab-
bath bells was unheeded by her. Her bowed frame
was bitterly convulsed with agony too keen for the
old to suffer. A regulated curse had slimed her
hearth, and left her a drunken son and unutterable
woe. Tears too bitter and scalding for the innocent
to shed, were crushed out by an iron heel, and dripped
their way down the withered cheek.
Colonel Weston had been the very soul of honor.
He was a gentleman and a nobleman by nature.
He was magnanimous to a fault, generous, affable,
upright, and genial-hearted. He was a friend of the
poor, the stay and pride of his widowed mother, a
tower of strength in his party, and an ornament to
the social circle.
The rum business of Oakvale had swept under the
stalwart oak, and the lordly trunk lay prostrate. The
generous and great-hearted Weston had become a
drunkard. The blow seemed more than the widow
could bear. With her dim eyes wet with tears she
had pleaded with men that he might be spared to her
THE SECRET OUT. 409
in her last days. She had wrestled with God, and
yet the storm beat unchecked upon her hearth.
On the morning we have introduced the Widow
"Weston to the reader, she had felt that she could
suffer no more. Had he been brought home dead
and no stain upon him, she would not have murmured '
at the stroke, though that stroke swept away all. But
at daylight he had been brought home drunk, and
placed helpless upon her bed. Her heart would re-
bel ; she did not curse God, but she cursed men. Why
must the only link left her of her kindred upon the
earth, be thus cruelly wrenched away and broken,
and her home filled with desolation ? Why should
she be robbed of an only son late in the evening of
her life ? The doctrine that a removal of dramshops
would prove unconstitutional and infringe upon the
natural liberties of men, had never entered the pooi
old widow's mind ! She felt the rough iron in her in-
most soul, feathered by government and sped by a
licensed hand. She could not wrench it out. Could
she have done so, another and another, from a never
exhausting quiver, would have entered the same
wound. Poor Niobes the wives and mothers of
our land they cannot shield a single heart from the
remorseless hunters. They have bought of govern-
ment, for a price, the blood of the victims, and the
victims must be slain. On their carrion the agents
of the State grow fat, entering the wretched homea
and sitting by the hearth at their lawful feast of ruin
and death. We cannot wonder that those who feel
410 . MINNIE HEKMON.
all this weight of woe, do not comprehend the justice or
necessity of that policy which is the producing cause.
They have not yet learned that the red plowshare of
ruin which rips up their hearthstones, is so regulated
as to be harmless and constitutional.
With many misgivings, Mrs. Weston had consent-
ed to the mortgage of the old homestead, for the pur-
pose of procuring funds for her son to engage in bu-
siness in Oakvale. She could not see it all clear,
when he told her that there was no harm in engaging
in the wholesale liquor business. The step was a fa-
tal one, as she feared from the first. Weston found
his partner a sharper, and the funds he put into the
establishment were soon swallowed up. In a few
months he found himself a bankrupt, and arrested at
the instigation of his partner, on a charge of obtain-
ing property under false pretences, because he had
mortgaged the homestead, on which his mother had
a life-lease. These results, combined with habits pre-
viously formed, and greatly increased during the busi
ness, utterly prostrated Weston's proud spirit. His
pride was stung. That nice sense of honor and high
tone of feeling \vhich were so characteristic of the
man, could not brook his reverses, and his firmness
gave way to his besetting vice. He became reckless
and yielded to rum and its kindred evils. Yet, to the
last of his career, he never forgot the poor ; and a cloud
of charities unseen by the public eye, were dispensed
from a hand trembling with the drunkard's premature
palsy.
THE SECRET OUT.
When Colonel Weston. entered the rum business in
Oak vale, the editor of the new temperance paper just
started, alluded to the enterprise, and wondered that
a man of so much intelligence and real nobleness of
heart should engage in so disreputable a business.
Colonel Weston was induced to believe that the plain
spoken editor was an enemy, and always met him
coldly. As they passed each other one afternoon,
Weston reeling, Brantford, the editor, turned to watch
his steps. For some reason, Weston had also turned
to notice his supposed enemy, and their eyes met.
" Colonel Weston, how are you ? " said Brantford,
impulsively stepping forward and offering his hand.
Weston looked indignant.
" Well enough. Why should you ask ? " drawing
himself proudly up.
" Because I am your friend."
" You are an enemy, sir, and I cannot give yon my
hand."
" Weston, I am not your enemy. God knows I am
a friend. Will you not believe it ? "
" How can I ? " still withholding his hand.
" Colonel Weston," answered Brantford, in tones
low and tremulous with emotion, " look in my eye,
and let your own heart tell you whether Thomas
Brantford is an enemy ! " Brantford was a bold,
plain-spoken, honest temperance reformer ; but under
his unassuming exterior, beat a heart as warm and
true towards his fellow-man, as ever battled for his
He still stood with his hand extended and his
4:12 MINNIE HERMON.
usually dull eye flooded with tears. Weston looked
Bteadily, astonished that he had known so little of the
real character of the much-belied editor. The eye
told the truth. "Weston's lip quivered as he looked,
his own red eyes filling until they overflowed.
"And you are a friend of mine ! " he eagerly ex-
claimed. " Why should you be \ " grasping the ex-
tended hand firmly in his own.
" I am a friend to every noble, high-minded man.
I know of none towards whom I feel more friendly
than yourself. You have quite misunderstood me,
Colonel."
"I feel I know that I have, but I did not think
it ! But," and he hesitated, as he dropped his eyes to
the walk, " I do not deserve your friendship ; I am not
high-minded and noble. "Weston is my God ! thai
he should ever be compelled to say it ! is de-
graded ! "
" Enough, Colonel ; I know all that, as an honest
man, you would say. Let the past go. You have a
host of friends yet."
"Friends ! " "Weston bitterly replied, as if lost in
thought. " They were not friends. They all shun the
penniless , God ! Brantford, I can't say it."
" I know all. You need not say it. Don't let the
world say it longer. I can find friends who will stand
by you."
" Where f " I did not suppose I had more than one
friend, my my mother. God knows I do not de-
serve her the best, yet most deeply injured/'
THE SECRET OUT. 413
" She never deserts, Colonel. Go to her. If it
vrere necessary, I would give this arm," laying the
left hand upon the right shoulder, " to send you Lack
to her all that you once were." Weston wrung Brant-
ford's hand fiercely, but his features were now black
with despair.
" That would do no good. I am lost ! You do not
know how deeply I have fallen. I am disgraced and
penniless. Worse than that : I have well nigh beg-
gared my mother. $"0, no ; it's of no use. I can't
be saved ; I am not worth saving. The quicker I am
dead the better. I cannot live so."
" But your mother ! She needs you."
" There 'tis again. She is now heart-broken. It
will be cruel to weep over the grave of her drunk-
en child ! Merciful God ! were this demon driven out,
and I what I once was what you now are, Brant-
ford and knew that she would shed her holy tears for
a sober child in his grave, I would joy to be drawn
into quarters I would die a thousand deaths. To
die a drunkard ! " and the strong man sobbed convul-
sively. " O how dark an end is that ! They will write
it on the stone, ' Colonel Weston died a drunkard ! '
And that other world you believe in the future,
Brantford what of that? All dark and hopeless!
But," and he looked eagerly into Brantford's face,
" they won't sell me ruin there, will they ? My hell
is bad enough now ! "
His manner was wild, desperate, hopeless. Brant-
4:14 MINNIE HERMON.
ford plead long and earnestly, but "Weston would
make no promise.
" Good-bye, my friend I know you are such. If
you do not see me again, tell others to shun my foot-
steps. I have tried my teeth in vain upon my fetters,
There is not a dealer in the village who will not sell
me rum while I have money to pay for it. Remem-
ber my you know who my
"Mother?"
" Yes. I cannot ; it is too holy a word for me to
speak. Had I listened to her counsel, I should not
have been thus. But it matters not ; it will sooii be
over. Good-bye ! "
Brantford watched Weston until he turned down
the street and was out of sight. From that night's
revel he was carried home as we have seen him at
the commencement of the chapter. As Mrs. Weston
knelt over his form and brushed the matted locks from
the brow, and imprinted a kiss upon the parched lips,,
she found the brand of the curse between her and
her child. The fumes of rum polluted the lips, and
went down like a dark cloud into her soul. The
kisses which had been sealed upon the pure lips of
childhood, had been burned away by the fiery flood
of intemperance.
Two weeks later, Thomas Brantford sat at the table
of Mrs. Weston, and the subject of the new temper-
ance organization was introduced.
" I suppose," remarked the widow, as she laid her
THE SECRET OUT. 415
hand upon the tea-pot, " that yon are a Son of Tem-
perance ? "
" I am," was the unhesitating answer.
" Your Order, as you call it, I believe, is a secre
society, is it not, Mr. Brantford ? "
" As I understand the term, it is not."
" But you do not admit every one, do you ? "
'Certainly not ; but our members are all known,
as is the place where we assemble, and our object
that is openly avowed."
" You have some ceremonies, I suppose ? "
" We have. But none but what God himself could
approve, if properly conducted. They are simple,
pure and impressive."
" But you are bound by your oaths not to reveal
the secret, whatever it is ? "
" "We have no oaths, and no secrets which we
should be ashamed to have the world know, so far as
their character is concerned. The pledge of an hon-
orable man is our strongest obligation."
"You do deny that your society is a secret one,
then?"
" Why, to be sure, we have some business matters
that are kept secret, as it is termed. It is necessary
that they should be kept so. They concern none but
ourselves, and the business we oppose."
" If I should tell you the secret, Mr. Brantford,
would you frankly acknowledge it ? "
" Why, as to that, Mrs. Weston, we are obligated
not to reveal any of the private affairs of the Order,"
416 MINNIE HERMON.
" Just as I thought. You ha/oe secrets, then, which
you dare not are bound not to reveal."
" If you had promised to keep a neighbor's secret,
would you reveal it, though there should be no oath
in the matter ? Or, if something occurred in your
family which you felt had better be kept to yourself,
would you feel that you were doing wrong to do so ? "
" Not a whit, Mr. Brantford. But there has some-
thing occurred. I have a secret which I want you
to know."
" You will probably violate no obligation in reveal-
ing it?"
" No, I am under obligation rather, to out with it.
And, sir, I will make you, Son as you are, own the
secret of your Order."
" It may be."
The tea was smoking in the cups, but so earnestly
had the conversation been carried on, that neither
had yet commenced eating. Mrs. Weston wiped her
glasses, and in a more serious tone began :
" I need not tell you, Mr. Brantford, about the his-
tory of the past. You know the Colonel you know
it all. He is my only child. A mother may be par-
tial, I know ; but I may say that, aside from the fear-
ful habit which has so grown upon him, he is all that
a mother could wish. He is the only one left me
to love the idol of my old age. You are awa~e of
his habits ; but you know nothing of the sorrow they
have wrought for me. I cannot tell it, and God only
knows it. I have loved the boy with all the bound
THE SECRET OCT.
Jess depth of a mother's love, and have leaned upon
him as my feeble steps have neared the grave. I have
prayed, and plead, and wept, and suffered on, until
it seemed that my poor heart could bear no more.
Oh, it is cruel to receive harsh language from a child
so loved. See here ? " and she bared her withered
arm, " here is a secret which you will not reveal.
Three weeks ago, while intoxicated, he struck me,
and the blow entered my very soul. It is hard, Mr.
Brantford, to have a blow from such a hand hard."
She leaned back in her chair, and wiped the tears
from under her glasses. " You remember," she con-
tinued, how he was brought home two Sabbaths agO;
and his severe sickness. Night before last, two stran-
gers came and inquired for him. My heart fluttered,
and I know I was short with them ; but really, I feared
they were some of his drinking companions, and ]
dreaded the worst. They were courteous, however, and
I showed them into his room. I grew more suspicious
as they closed the door behind them and entered into
conversation. You will forgive me, Mr. Brantford,
but I could not help watching them through the key-
hole. I was determined that, if they were his tavern
companions, he should not leave the house with them.
My son was sitting on the bed with tears in his eyes,
and one of the strangers each side of him. I saw
them shake hands, and then the strangers went out.
To all my anxious inquiries, I could get no answer.
Last night the same individuals came again, and my
son commenced putting on his things to leave with
4:18 MINNIE HERMON.
them. With a sad but strong heart, I placed my hand
upon his arm, and looked beseechingly in his eye. ' I
must go, Mother,' (he answered me kindly,) ' it is
business of importance ; but I will be home early.'
They passed out, and I turned away to pray. I wres-
tled with God, and my prayers were answered. About
ten o'clock I heard footsteps on the walk, and my
heart grew still with dread. Thank the good God,
Mr. Brantford, they were steady. The door was
thrown open, and my son stood upon the threshold.
It seemed as though I should sink as I watched him ;
but my heart bounded with new hope he was not
drunk ! No, Mr. Brantford, he wasn't drunk ! Com-
ing towards me, he put his arms around my neck as
he used to when a child, and I felt the warm tears as
he kissed me again and again. I was so happy, Mr.
Brantford ! " and again she wept in silence. "At last
he said, ' Mother, my own deeply injured mother, can
you ever forgive me ? Look on me now. I am sober.
Yes, Mother, I am free. Hear that ! free, and a man
once more. I'll love you now as I once did, and you
shall love me again. Will you not, my Mother ? We
will forget the dark past. You shall dry your tears
and be happy again. 'No more sorrow here no
more unkindness. God forgive me, Mother ! but I
will not strike you again. I will be all that a son
should be to so good a parent my only one. Look
up ! Mother, I am a Son of Temperance ! Don't
that make your old heart glad ? ' I knelt down, and
it seemed to me that my heart never so went out in
THE SECRET OUT. 419
prayer to God for so much good. My son still clung
to my hand, and when I arose, I noticed that the two
strangers had entered, and were kneeling, also. My
son is saved ; and O ! I am so happy. Now, Mr.
Brantford, I have found out the secret of your Order.
It is to meet the returning prodigal, and to restore
him to those who mourn for him as one lost, and make
old hearts and homes happy. Isn't that it ? " Brant-
ford raised his head from his hand, and with a wet
cheek, replied with a monosyllable.
" And may the widow's God prosper the Order in
all lands," fervently ejaculated Mrs. Weston.
While Colonel Weston was engaged in the liquor
business, one of his peddlers had sold liquor to a tav-
ern-keeper in a village upon the canal. After much
solicitation from the assignees, he consented to go and
collect the bill.
Weston reached the village on Friday night, and
put out his horse at the tavern where the liquor had
been sold. A company, of questionable character,
was assembled for a dance. Somewhat at a loss for
something to amuse himcelf about, Weston thought
he would dance one figure, and then retire to his bed.
He danced again and again, liquor in the meantime
flowing freely above and below. After refusing to
drink several times, he was taunted by one of the
managers with a disposition to "sneak," and not stand
his part. This was touching Weston in a tender point
and besides, the smell and presence of the liquor
the gurgling sound, the jingle of glasses, and the
420 MINNIE HERMON.
drumming of the toddy-stick, had aroused the not-jet
weakened enemy in his bosom. Excited and waver-
ing, he thought lie would drink slightly and get out
of the scrape.
An hour later, and Weston was mad with rum.
He alternately drank and danced until morning. The
bar-room was crowded, and the revel continued there.
While the company were drinking around, as they
called it, a notorious young sot came in from the vil-
lage, and took a part. He had already squandered a
fortune of forty-thousand dollars, left him by his father.
This young man, whom we will call Hoover, finally
gave Weston a challenge. He said he could drink
any man drunk from Oakvale. Weston was in just
the mood to accept the wager, and did so. The bar
was left wholly to the contestants, and Monongahela
whisky produced for the trial. With that disposition
to be honorable and fair, characteristic of the man,
Colonel Weston every time poured out the two glass-
es, and gave Hoover his choice. They kept up the
strife until they had drank nearly a quart each.
Twice in that time, Hoover, as usual with him on such
sprees, had stolen out, and there threw his liquor from
the stomach, while Weston would have scorned such
an act.
Two more glasses stood ready on the counter, and
Hoover was asked to take his choice. lie turned his
liquor off with a steady hand. Weston took his in a
trembling grasp, and, drinking but a portion of it,
set the glass heavily down and turned away. But
THE FATAL WAGER. 421
no hand was readied in to guide him out from that
band of jeering devils. He was sneered and hissed at
for yielding. His pride was touched, and he turned,
grasped the glass with both hands, turned the con-
tents all off, and with a sickly smile upon his counte-
nance, fell heavily forward upon the bar-room floor,
dead ! He was carried out and rolled for the purpose
of getting the liquor out of his stomach. "While un-
dergoing this process, Hoover stole his money from
his pocket 1
"Weston was carried into an upper room, and with-
out a friend to watch or a mother to weep, left while
the revel went on below. There lay the corpse, the
eyes glaring, the arms flung out, and the liquor well-
ing up and out of the distorted mouth, therS, on
Sabbath morning, and in the bar-room below were
forty-two drunken revelers ! The tavern was under
the usual regulations as per law !
The news of Weston's death was broken tenderly
to his mother.
" My son dead ! How did he die, Mr. Holley ; tell
me, how did he die ? "
" He died in a fit, I believe."
" God Almighty be thanked for that," she sobbed,
as she locked her hands together and turned her
streaming eyes upward. " Yes, I thank God for that.
Though my all is taken away, yet he did not die a
drunkard ! "
Mr. Holloy and the friends believed it would be
kindness to keep the truth from Mrs. Weston. Brant-
422 MINNIE HEBMON.
ford did not give them in his paper. But the widow
learned the particulars at last, and the wound of his
death bled deeper than at first.
"God forgive me, but I curse them. They killed
my son, and I curse them. Why did that man give
him drink ? Had he come at night and shot my boy
at my hearth, I could have knelt down and blessed
him. But he killed him he killed him ! O God !
this is bitter indeed, and hard to bear. Now give
me the rest of the grave, for all is dark to me."
The stricken woman swayed and sobbed in the old
arm chair, and found the heart yet full of its scalding
flood, every drop more bitter than ever before.
Mrs. Weston still lingers at the homestead, her
gray hairs going down in sorrow to the grave. The
property value of a quart of Monongahela whisky
was saved by the rum-dealer, a defenceless, unoifend-
ing old woman robbed of her only son, and society
of a talented and noble-minded citizen! It would
have been tyrannical and unconstitutional to have
destroyed that quart of liquor ; but it was all right
and legal and constitutional to destroy a man like
Colonel Weston, and wring his mother's heart with
worse than savage torture!
CHAPTEK XXXII.
A GROUPING OF SCENES.
AMONG those who regretted Walter Bray ton's re-
form was Skillott ; for new fuel had been added to
the hatred of the latter. Walter had called upon him
and made inquiries in relation to the Will, and about
the money which the Judge pretended that the elder
Brayton had borrowed. The inquiry was unwelcome,
and the searching tone in which it was made was sug-
gestive to the suspicions of the uneasy dignitary ; and
he answered tartly, and intimated that he did not
wish to hear any more about the matter from one who
was rngrateful and ready to be put up to abuse him
when he had done so much for him. This language
aroused Brayton, for he had learned of Skillott's
treachery in the canvass at the time he vt r as up for
Congress, and he charged the Judge with being the
author of the slanders, and the cause of his defeat.
Ilot words ensued, and Brayton openly charged him
with defrauding his father, if not guilty of a still
worse crime against the old man. The quarrel was
a bitter one, the manner and language of Skillott
going far to convince Walter that there were good
grounds for his suspicions. Late on the evening after
424 MINNIE HEKMON.
the meeting of Brayton and Skillott, the latter was
closeted with Hermon at the Home, in low and earn-
est conversation. The unscrupulous Judge was not
yet safe from those whom he had wronged. Guilt
must be shielded with guilt.
On the evening in question, a drover had put up at
the Home, the other hotels being full during the
County Fair. The man had passed down to New-
York a few weeks before, with a very large drove of
cattle, and was now on his return. In the course of
the evening he drank freely, and insisted on treating
frequently the numerous company around him. As
he became intoxicated he was communicative, and
disposed to boast of his means, and display the large
amounts of money he had with him. Lane, who was
now in partnership with Hermon, was one of the most
forward in urging the old man to drink. Towards
midnight the drover was carried to the back chamber
and put in bed. Soon after, the lights in the Home
were all extinguished, and the house closed for the
night.
On this day Minnie Hermon had found new ingre-
dients mingled in her bitter cup. From some cause
or other, Hermon had been induced to be the bearer
of a base proposition to his own daughter, from Skil-
lott. Minnie looked into the drunkard's face with
astonishment too deep for utterance. She could
hardly believe that she heard aright as she stood with
her lips apart and colorless as marble. As the full
import of her father's words slowly came to her un-
A GROUPING OF SCENES. 425
derstaudiug, the blood came quick and hot to her
cheek, and her languid eye kindled with fire.
" And this language from my father ! " she passion-
ately exclaimed. " Great God ! has it come to this !
John Ilermon, are you so imbruted with rum as to
breathe such baseness to an only child? Is it true?
Or is it a horrible dream ? Tell me it is false, Father.
I can die for you, for I promised my mother to cling
to yon ; but this is horrible. Unsay the cruel words
or you will kill me."
Ilermon answered with a brutal laugh, telling her
that she might as well be the mistress of a judge as
of a long-coated hypocrite.
" John Ilermon," she gasped, with vehemence.
" were I man and you less than a father, I would re
sent such language as this. God knows I am not de
serving of such treatment from you."
" Why, Min., the Judge loves you."
" It's a lie, father ! He has already insulted me in
our own house."
" Come, now, don't be (hie) silly ; the fact is, we
are under some obligations ahem to the Judge."
" No obligations on earth should induce a father to
harbor one moment such thoughts as you have uttered
to me." y
"I I (hie) 1 don't like to offend him, you
know, and "
"Cra/ven ! and you would listen to him rather than
to offend him, and then stoop to retail his baseness.
John Ilermon would not have so stooped once ! "
4:26 MINNIE HEEMON.
" Take care, Miss ; you don't know it all. You
may be sorry if you treat (hie) the Judge disrespect-
fully. I the fact is I owe him."
"And you would sell me to a human monster ! Fa-
ther, I have borne with disgrace, and the desertion of
friends with violence at your hands. I can bear
Btill, but never a word more of what you have now
whispered and do you hear ? I will not. I will
die, and be at rest with my sainted mother."
" There 'tis sainted mother, again. I've told you
enough, you hussy, to stop such d d nonsense.
Take that for your impudence ; I am not so drunk as
not to rule in my own house," and he glared upon,
the girl as she reeled under his 'heavy blow. " And
Bee here, Miss, none of your sauce to Skillott," he
concluded, as he turned away.
How the blow burned on the wasted cheek ! Oth-
ers had preceded it, hurting the swollen heart more
than the flesh. In her room, Minnie wept herself
into calm despair, and prayed for death. " Oh, my
mother," she exclaimed, " why did you bind me to a
fate like this ? "
Minnie could think of no one to whom she could
tell her troubles, or look for protection, and she feared
the time migjrt come when she would need the strong
arm of a friend. She thought of one who was now a
stranger, but her true woman's heart rejoiced at the
news of his reformation. Halton was her friend
she would call on him, for if the worst came, she must
have some place to flee. Even as she that night
A GROUPING OF SCENES. 427
passed up the stairs, Lane had placed himself before
her room door with an insulting leer. Where was
the Hermit all this time, she wondered, as she threw
on her hood, determined to visit Halton's even at that
late hour a presentiment of coming ill preventing
her from seeking slumber.
As she stood at the head of the stairs, listening to
learn if there were any persons up in the house, she
was startled by the careful opening 01 the bar-room
door, and the stealthy steps of two individuals upon
the bottom steps. Fearing that she could not reach
her own room in time, she stepped through the door-
way into the back chamber, not knowing that there
was any one within. Her fears were increased as
those whom she had heard followed her through the
doorway into the room. There was a dark closet
made of rough boards, between the wall and the
chimney, with a narrow door hung upon leathers.
Minnie entered this, awaiting the departure of the
intruders, or an opportunity of stealing out unheard-
She could plainly hear the whispering of two persons,
and immediately she noticed a beam of light in the
closet. As it entered through a knot hole in the rude
partition just below the latch, she could, by stooping,
observe all that occurred in the room. She was sur-
prised to see some one on the bed asleep, and before
it her father and Lane, a candle, pail, and a blanket
which they proceeded to hang before the window, af-
ter Lane had carefully turned the key in the door.
The latter act precluded all possibility of her present
428 MINNIE HEEMON.
escape from her unpleasant position. The two held
a brief consultation in low whispers, but they were
so near her place of concealment that she heard all
that was said.
" You are sure he wont wake ? " asked Hermon.
" Sure, I tell you," replied Lane, " for the doso
was a big one."
Minnie shuddered as the words assumed a signifi-
cant meaning, but more as she saw them pull off
their coats and roll their shirt sleeves above the el-
bows, Lane having a large, broad-bladed knife in his
hand. The candle slightly trembled in her father's
hand, and even Lane's face, desperado as he was, was
paler than she had ever seen it before. She dreaded
some fearful scene, and yet certainly her father ah 1
she had it ; the man was sick and must be bled. But
then again, such a blade, and not either her father
or Lane were doctors. She now for the first time no-
ticed that the pail contained water, and that, setting
towards the door, was a large tub.
The two whispered again, looked towards the bed,
then at each other, when Lane made a gesture of read-
iness with his knife. Minnie's heart ceased to beat,
as she saw her father carefully lift the sleeping man's
shoulders and draw him over the edge of the bed, and
then, after untying his cravat and unbuttoning his
shirt collar, bend the head back over $te tub, which
had been placed under him. He' then turned his
own head away, and stood as far off as he could. She
saw a movement by Lane, a glance of steel, and
A GROUPING OF SCENES. 429
heard, as her head swam in darkness, a gurgling, cho-
king sound from the bed. With one wild, piercing
shriek, she sank upon the floor, insensible.
The next morning it was rumored that the drover
had been murdered in the streets. A score of differ-
ent stories were flying about, but all fixing upon Wal-
ter Brayton as the murderer. As the latter came
from his boarding place to his office, he was aston-
ished to find it surrounded by a crowd of nearly one
thousand people, all in a high state of excitement, and
attracted by some object in the oflice. So eager were
all to catch a view of the point of interest, that he
had not been noticed as he had wedged through the
crowd, and now stood at his office door. Skillott first
.saw him.
" There he comes," shouted Jud Lane, as he, too,
caught sight of Walter ; " let's hang him."
"Hang him ! " was caught up by the crowd and
went fiercely round, while the mass swayed as if one
common pulse throbbed throughout. Angry brows
were bent darkly upon the bewildered man, and om-'
inous words were whispered by more than one sober
citizen. His very appearance was looked upon as a
bold piece of acting to give the impression of inno-
cence.
" What what does this mean ? " finally asked
Brayton, looking about him with astonishment.
" It means that you are a black-hearted villain and
a murderer tJiafs what it means," said Jud Lane,
430 MINNIE HEKMON.
thrusting his clenched fist into Brayton's face. With
a quick, strong sweep of his powerful arm, the latter
struck the landlord to the ground.
" Hang him up ! Away with him ! Hang him
np ! " was literally howled forth, as the act was wit-
nessed.
" For what ? "Why this crowd ? And why such lan-
guage to me ? " demanded Brayton, as the lion. in him
began to stir, and he raised himself to his full height.
" You'll find out soon enough," was the reply from
several quarters.
At this juncture, Judge Skillott took off" his hat, the
crowd becoming orderly as they noticed his wish to
speak.
" Fellow-citizens, one whom we well know, Mr.
Brayton, is charged with a revolting crime. Last
night Mr. Nye, the drover, was murdered by some
one. The body, with the throat cut from ear to ear, has
been found hidden in Mr. Brayton's office, together
with the watch and pocket-book of the deceased.
Suspicion has fallen strongly upon Mr. Brayton as the
one who perpetrated the crime. It is to be hoped by
all his friends that he will be able to clear himself of
.the charge. In the mean time, as" friends of good
order and law, I feel constrained to urge you all to go
into no violent measures, assuring you that the ma-
jesty of the law will be vindicated, and the guilty
brought to punishment. One unlawful act does not
justify another."
Walter, with that keenness of intellect character-
A GROUPING OF- SCENES. 431
istic of himself, at once comprehended the fiend-like
cunning of the plot to ruin him, and his lip quivered
as the officers came forward and placed the fetters
upon his hands,, and he passed .through the frowning
crowd to the jail.
The time of Doctor Howard's trial at last came
round, and found him as unprepared as at first. He
had left no effort unmade ftfr the discovery of the
whereabouts of the Hermit ; but no clue had been
found as the result of his inquiries.
Unfortunately for his case, a fresh outrage had been
perpetrated in the burial ground of Oakyale, and the
popular mind was at once inflamed by anVexcitement
more intense than at first. The grave of Colonel Wes-
ton had been robbed on the night folio wing his burial,
and under most aggravated circumstances the coffin
being left on the ground and the grave open. A wag-
on was tracked from the entering gate to Howard's
office ; but no trace of the body could be found about
the premises. So infuriated were the people at this
bold perpetration of body robbery, that they tore
Howard's office to the ground, and had commenced
OH his house, when Judge Skillott interfered with a
posse of police and put a stop to the riot. Howard
felt that this affair sealed his doom, and awaited the
day of trial with the calmness of despair.
The trial was brief, for Howard had no testimony
to offer against that brought forward by the prosecu-
tion, and the case went to the jury after a few remarks
18
432 MINNIE HEBMON.
by the gentlemanly prosecuting attorney ; Howard
doggedly preserving sullen silence through the whole
trial. The jury, after retiring a short half-hour, re-
turned with a verdict of guilty. Howard's face was
bloodless, and but for a shriek which broke the op
pressive silence in the court-room, not a breath was
heard as the verdict was pronounced by the foreman.
Howard recognized the voice, which rang like a des-
pairing wail in the hushed room, and the blood rushed
like a flame upon his cheek and brow, he biting his
lip through with a convulsive start. 'Twas then that
he stood up and asked permission to say a few words.
The Judge was sure of him, now that the verdict waa
declared, and very blandly granted the request,
Howard remarked in substance :
" Friends no I will not say that after the treat
ment I have received in this community I am
aware that my fate is fixed, and I am to be branded
as a felon, and incarcerated in prison among felons
But for one whose heart has well-nigh given way un
der the blow, I should not have opened my mouth on
this occasion. Before God and you, my fellow-citizens
and neighbors, I am as innocent of this crime which
is charged upon me as the most innocent among you.
I find myself bound and powerless in the toils of as
base a plot as ever ruined an innocent man. My
name has been covered with infamy, my wife treated
with neglect and scorn, and my property laid waste
by an infuriated mob. And, as if to make the blow
still more crushing, another crime, still more aggra-
A GROUPING OF SCENES. 4:33
vated than the first, has been charged against me,
and traced to my door.
" I did not rob Geraid Brayton's grave. I have sat-
isfactory evidence that he was poisoned in one of the
taverns of this village. He was hurried to the grave
on purpose to conceal the fact of his being poisoned,
but becoming alarmed, the murderers [fixing his eye
boldly upon the Judge] dug up the body. They were
caught in the act, and frightened from their prey.
Myself and another individual saw it all ; and after
they fled from the body, it was taken to my premises,
(where it was found by your committee,) and the stom-
ach taken out and the contents subjected to a chem-
ical analysis. Your committee failed in finding the
stomach ; and not until the real perpetrators of this
double crime are before you on trial, will the proof it
furnishes of a violent death be brought to light.
There was one who knows more of this matter than I
do, and to whom I have looked for a solution of all
this difficulty. His absence is unaccountable to me.
"But I will not detain you. I see by your counte-
nances that my words find no lodgment in your minds.
So be it. I go to prison ; but surely, a just God, who
knows my innocence, will yet bring the guilty to
punishment. Those who stole the body of Gerald
Brayton are now in this court-room, but not under
sentence. The main actor, and I believe, one who
first poisoned and then planned the robbery of the
body, is now on the bench, and is to sentence one
who is innocent, for the crime he committed ! "
4:34: MINNIE HEKMON.
There was intense excitement in the audience as
Howard uttered these words, with his eye turned full
and steadily upon Judge Skillott. Save a slight pallor
around the mouth, the countenance of that personage
wore a pitying sneer, plainly saying he forgave the
prisoner this malignant attempt to avert odium from
himself by making a charge against the bench.
The audience hushed as Skillott slowly arose to sen
tence j;h,e prisoner. The remarks of the Judge were
cunniqj^ly made up of pity and forgiveness for one
who blamed so unjustly. It had been a sad and un-
pleasant duty to try one of his own friends and neigh-
bors, and it only remained for him to meet the most
painful duty of all, in sentencing the prisoner to the
state prison for the term of five years and six months.
Mrs. Howard was taken from the court-room to her
desolate home, moaning and weeping with delirium,
calling plaintively upon her husband's name, and im-
ploring help to save him. There was a quick, impul-
sive reaction in many a mind, as people looked upon
her situation, and in their sympathies for her they
forgot the harsh words they had spoken of the Doctor.
As Mrs. Howard could not visit the jail, Howard
was taken to his dwelling to see her. It was a scene
which, were we able, we could wish to describe. The
moaning maniac appeared to recognize the voice, and
welcomed him with smiles and tears. She would lis-
ten as Howard stooped where she knelt, and between
each lingering kiss upon her hot brow whispered
u poor Mary."
A GROUPING OF SCENES. 435
Aye, poor Mary! The husband and wife were
gently parted ; and he, with a look of agony such as
can never be described, stood upon the threshold and
looked upon the silent room, wept his choking "God
bless you ! " upon the sunny locks of his child, and
reeled away. There were no rude sounds as the pris-
oner passed through the streets to the prison, that in-
stitution having just been completed in Oakvale.
Howard turned at the corner and looked towards his
home again.
The heavy mass of iron crashed back to its place,
falling coldly into the heart, and the prisoner was en-
tombed. Then only was it that people remembered
the goodness of the ever-frank and manly physician.
And as fresh outrages occurred in the burial ground,
more than one who had followed Howard so bitterly
began to question whether a great wrong had not
been done to an innocent man.
As the talk about the trial and conviction of How-
ard died away, the approaching trial of Walter Bray-
ton assumed its place in the public mind.
Calm, pale, and with a manly port worthy of Wal-
ter in his best days, he sat in the prisoner's box. His
flesh had wasted, and his color had faded during his
confinement, but his eye was full, and boldly searched
the countenances of those around him. The room
was densely crowded, for the Attorney-General had
been engaged for the prosecution ; and as it became
known that Walter would defend himself in person,
436 MINNIE HERMON.
the people counted on a trial of great interest. To
the usual question, he firmly answered " Not guilty,"
and looked every one of the jurors steadily in the eye
as they came before him.
. The trial proceeded. The proof was all circum-
stantial, yet bearing hard against the prisoner. Jud
Lane swore directly to having seen Brayton with Nye
late in the evening of the murder, in the vicinity of
Brayton's office. Brayton subjected the fellow to a
searching cross-examination ; but his story was brief
and doggedly repeated every time. It was shown in
proof that the body of the drover was found concealed
in the prisoner's office, with the throat cut, and a wal-
let known to be the drover's in his (Brayton's) over-
coat pocket. There were marks of a scuffle, and of
blood upon the floor. Another witness testified that
he had heard the deceased asking legal advice of the
prisoner, about certain difficulties with a farmer of
whom he had purchased cattle. The pocket-book of
the deceased too, was found in the office.
Brayton offered but one witness Halton who
testified that the prisoner was with him from before
dark until two o'clock in the morning, engaged on
business of the Division, and when that was finished,
he retired to bed as usual, the prisoner boarding at
his house
The arguments were brief, though unusually elo-
quent and able. Walter's defence was worthy of his
fame as an advocate and an orator. He commented
upon the evidence, accounting for the circumstances
A GROUPING OF SCENES. 437
upon no other ground than as a worse than devilish
conspiracy to blacken the name and take the life of
an innocent man.
"As God is my judge, gentlemen, I am as ignorant
as yourselves of the manner in which the body of the
deceased came in my office. It is true I was retained
by Mr. Nye as counsel in a suit, but farther than
that, I never passed a word with him. I was not
in his company on the night oi his death, nor in
the neighborhood of my office. It does not look rea-
sonable that I should commit so horrible a crime in
my own office, and leave the records to be found
against me.
" But I will not detain you, gentlemen, though life
is sweet, and an innocent man might be indulged in
addressing those in whose hands his fate is placed. I
have been guilty of much ; but there is no stain of
blood upon this hand. It would be sweet to live and
redeem the errors of the past, but there are few to re-
gret me. I have no kindred on earth, and should you
condemn me, gentlemen, I can meet God with a con-
science clear of this crime charged against me. What-
ever your verdict may be, I know not ; but if against
me, I shall meet my fate with a lighter heart than will
those who have conspired to rob me of the only boon
left me of a bitter wreck. In behalf of such as may
believe me unjustly charged, I again, before this im-
mense audience and my God, most solemnly affirm
my innocence of the crime for which I am on trial.
A.n ignominious death may be mine, for it were vain
4:38 MINNIE HERMON.
to deny that the evidence is strongly against me ; but
the right will ultimately triumph, and the dread stig-
ma be removed from the name of Walter Brayton."
The next morning, after the cause went to the jury,
the prisoner was brought into court arid the verdict
declared. It is ever painful to await the voice of a
foreman when the life of a fellow-being hangs upon
his words. The stillness which falls upon the multi-
tude is painful.
" Guilty, but recommended to mercy," was the
slow answer of the foreman. There was a low rush
of voices, and again the stillness. To the usual inter-
rogatory, Brayton replied that he had nothing to say.
When called upon by the Judge, he stood up almost
proudly, and listened to the sentence. Skillott affect-
ed great feeling in pronouncing the sentence, but
shunned the calm and piercing eye of the prisoner.
Walter was sentenced to be hung by the neck until
he was dead.
The bearing of the prisoner had been so noble
so modest, yet bold and manly that many who be-
lieved him guilty, could not but admire the man, and
pity his fate. The people dispersed and went thought-
fully to their homes.
Not until in his cell and alone, did Walter begin
to realize the result of his trial. 'Twas there that the
bright dreams he had woven since his reform carne
back to mock him. He did not give way to grief,
but his spirit chafed against his prison bars, and strove
to grapple with the unseen hand which had wrought
A GROUPING OF SCENES. 439
such wrong. He was bound in the dark, and now lay
helpless, sentenced to an ignominious death, and with-
out friends to save him from the fate. Gaston, the
jailer, was kind, and Ilalton and his companions de-
serted him not ; but those with whom ho had associa-
ted m party conflicts left him alone. Elder Snyder
called upon him once, and coldly talked to him as to a
guilty murderer, and urged him to confess his crime
as the only atonement he could make. Walter indig-
nantly repelled his advice, and gave him to under-
stand that he should not damn his soul with a lie. The
elder drew a long sigh, and then turned haughtily
away.
About this time an itinerating Methodist revivalist
came to Oakvale and commenced a series of meet-
ings, which rapidly kindled a high state of religious
feeling throughout the community. Crowds flocked
to hear the new comer the rich and the abandoned
weeping over the deep and melting pathos of his ap-
peals. His style was not the denunciatory, save when
assailing wrong ; but to men, he plead as a brother
would plead. He visited the sick and comforted the
afflicted, wept with those who wept, was mild and
winning to the young, and for the erring he ever had
a kind and forgiving word. His manner was humble
and subdued, though at times he would rouse like a
storm, his eyes flashing like the lightning under his
cloudy brow. His appearance and manner were pa-
triarchal ; his white locks and beard flowing uncut,
his neat but plain apparel, his eye of mingled sadness
440 MINNIE HERMON.
and smiles, his voice of singular sweetness and power 5
and his easy gestures, combined to render the man
irresistible as a preacher. His sermons were not all
made up of the terrible imagery of infernal torment ;
but of love and hope, and eternal bliss in a better
land of a Saviour weeping over Jerusalem, and
over the grave of Lazarus of his meekness and
deeds of mercy to the poor, the needy and the afflict-
ed, of his struggles in the garden of his bloody
death and prayer of forgiveness for his enemies all
these features in the Redeemer's character, were pre-
sented in a spirit which found a lodgment in the sto-
niest heart. His prayers burned with the same in-
spired eloquence, and as he bowed his venerable form
to the floor, and lifted it again, with his cheeks wet
with tears, it seemed as if his great heart throbbed
under the very throne of his Master in Heaven. iN"one
knew the man, or whence he came.
The revivalist had not been in Oak vale a day before
he learned the history of the last few years, and it
was whispered that he had been seen wandering in
the old church-yard on the clear moonlight evenings.
On the night of his arrival he visited the jail where
Brayton was confined, and was promptly admitted to
see the prisoner.
The sun had set, but the crimson glow in the west
was reflected in the cell where Walter sat, watching
through the high-grated window the receding day-
light. The prisoner turned as the door creaked on its
hinges, and tho revivalist stood before him.
A GROUPING OF SCENES. Ml
"Have Ithe happiness of seeing Walter Bray ton?''
he asked, in a tone of great sweetness.
" Who is it that is happy to see that individual in
a dungeon and in chains, may I ask ? " said Walter,
with bitterness.
"A friend. Glad to see him, but not to find 'him
thus," replied the revivalist with sadness, as he ad-
vanced and took the prisoner's hand firmly in hia
own. There was a magnetism in the grasp and in the
watery eye which met his own, and the prisoner felt
that the stranger was a friend.
" I am a poor, humble Methodist preacher, just in
the place, and hastened to visit those in prison. I
hope I am not unwelcome ? "
Walter did not resist the influence of the man's
tone and manner, for he felt drawn towards him, and
conversed with him as he never had conversed with
but one before. Ere he was aware, he had fully and
frankly rehearsed the history of the last few years
his attachment to Minnie Herinon and their rupture ;
his trial and the result.
"And you are innocent?"
"As the angels in Heaven, of the crime for which
I am condemned."
" I believe you ; and if I can do anything to unravel
this dark plot, rest assured it shall be done. But of
one thing let me assure you : you wrong Minnie Her
naon. I have had occasion to know something of that
woman, and a truer, nobler creature never honored
442 MINNIE HEKMON.
her sex. You will find plotting there, as well as in
other matters."
A new light broke upon Walter's mind, und his
spirit was lighter for a long time after the revivalist
had left the prisoner.
An hour passed away, and the cell door again
swung back upon its hinges, the lamp in the jailer's
hand revealing a female figure deeply muffled. There
was a hesitancy in her movements, but as Gaston put
the lamp upon the rude table, she advanced to where
the prisoner yet sat, and stood before him. He no-
ticed that she trembled, her features yet carefully
concealed from him. Slowly turning towards the
door, as if to satisfy herself that the jailer had de-
parted, she lifted the hood and vail from her head
and face, and dropped on her knees before the pris-
oner.
" Minnie Hermon ! "
" Walter Brayton 1 "
"And you do not believe me guilty of this dark
crime, Minnie, and forgive me that I have so deeply
injured you? "
" I know you are not guilty. If you were, I could
forgive you a thousand times ! "
" But may I ask why that emphasis on the word
1 know ' ? "
" Oh, God ! how horrible ! and the oath the
oath!" and she shuddered, and covered her face.
A GROUPING OF SCENES. 443
" What do you mean what oath ? I cannot un-
derstand you."
" Do you believe," she asked, looking wildly around
and not heeding his questions, " that we are bound
to keep an oath when extorted by by violence
by a knife at the "
" Mr. Lane wishes to ask Mr. Brayton one ques-
tion," said the jailer, as he came to the cell door.
Minnie sprang to her feet as if the voice had been
an adder's hiss, and rushed to the door, beseeching
Gaston in frantic whispers to let her go.
" That Lane must not see me here, or he is lost ! "
exclaimed she.
Lane made some trivial inquiry and immediately
.eft. It was long before Walter found rest, so swiftly
did new and strange thoughts rush across his mind,
That oath ! What could that mean ?
CHAPTER XXXIII.
A STAR IN THE EAST THE PLAGTJE STAYED.
" LOST ! forever lost ! " sighed a man in tattered
garments, and his face bloated with rum, as he pulled
his broken hat over his eyes and turned sadly away,
and passed down the steps of the Capitol.
"God forgive them ! but there is no hope for the
widow now ! " ejaculated an emaciated woman in tat-
tered garb, as with quivering lip she drew her thread-
bare blanket closely around her shoulders, and disap-
peared in the crowd. Her only child was in jail for
drunkenness, while she had crept in to witness the
scene below. The last hope had been crushed out
from her heart, as she heard, clear and distinct in the
stillness, " The bill is lost ! "
" My children at home ! "We must starve and
freeze before summer comes again," whispered a wife
and mother in accents of despair, as she stood gazing
from the gallery, her thin arms folded, and a heavy
eye, watery with tears she could not keep back. A
pale, delicate-looking girl, with sharp, pinched fea-
tures, dress torn at the bottom, and her legs bare
and red from the cold, stood clinging to the mother's
dress and watching the scene with a vacant stare.
A STAR IN TBE EAST. 445
The crowd were pouring out of the chamber as the
wretched looking creature aroused from her reverie,
and dragged the child away by the hand. None
knew how dark was the shadow which that hour
gloomed in the pauper's heart, and hung over the
hearth of her cellar, home. How could she wrestle
longer with the plague which had scourged her ?
" And father must die a drunkard, Mary," said a
boy of twelve years, he and his sister turning and go-
ing out arm in arm. The two were motherless; and
since she had taken their hands in her cold palm and
commended them to God, they had not known a kind
word at home. They had heard that drunkenness was
to be stopped that day, and had mingled with the
throng and found a place in the Capitol. God pity
the legislator who that day said " Yes," to the busi-
ness which has robbed the innocents of their mother
and plunged them into beggary.
" O that it had passed," came in an almost inaudi-
ble whisper, from a beautiful young female, her fair
form buried in costly furs, and a ring of great bril-
liancy glancing upon her slender finger. Her cheek
was fair, but there was a canker at the core, and there
were stains from the heavy lid where bitter drops had
stood. She was a child of wealth and fashion, and a
bride ; but she had found a dark stream gliding be-
neath the idol of her heart. The belle and heiresa
went forth with a heart as sad as the saddest, for she
too had entered the Capitol to see the plague stayed,
" Would that my boy were dead, for I cannot save
446 MINNIB HERMON
him now ! " said a wealthy and distinguished citizen,
with tremulous voice and compressed lip, looking
down upon those to whom he had looked for help,
and nervously fingering his gold-headed cane. He
spoke of an only son who had plunged deeply into
dissipation, and but for his family connection, would
have been sent to prison for forgery. The old 7nan
had wealth, but dared not look into the future, for
he feared the worst to his reckless and drunken boy.
" Traitors cursed traitors ! " muttered a rumseller
glaring upon those who had belied their profession
as Christians, and their duties as parents and citizens.
The man's heart had not been all calloused in a bad
business. His better nature revolted at the traffic,
and he had eagerly hoped that the whole system
would have been swept from the land.
"Well, Mayor, this is glorious, ain't it? We're
good for another year, G d d n 'em ! Let's
go over to Congress Hall and take something," ex-
ultingly exclaimed a dealer, as he slapped an old
distiller familiarly on the shoulder, and then linking
their an-ms together, they passed out and turned to the
left.
" Well," said one of a knot of men standing back
of the desks, " we are beaten here, but we will carry
it up to the tribunal of the people. Many of these
men who have been thus recreant to humanity and
right, will come not again to the Capitol. Hereafter
we will send up our petitions through the ballot box."
" Aye, aye, that we will," was the response from
A STAR IN THE EAST. 447
stern men, as groups lingered about and discussed the
great measure which had been watched with so much
interest by the people of a great State.
As the news spread from the Capitol, there went
Badness to thousands of hearts. Three hundred thou-
sand men, women and children, had petitioned against
the plague, but to see their appeal answered with de-
liberate insult. The popular storm had swept around
the Capitol. The heart of the commonwealth had
beat up against its pillars. Humanity, crushed and
bleeding, had dragged her form to the porch, and
plead with the eloquence of ten thousand bruised
and bleeding sufferers, but to be pierced -anew by
legislative Iscariots, amid the jeers and laughter of
the emissaries of an accursed traffic.
After all other measures had failed, a new one had
been brought out by the hand of a good Providence,
A star had arisen in the east. A sovereign State had
flung out a new banner, and given a new battle cry
to the retrograding ryests of the reform. At one stroke
the traffic had been annihilated in that State. The
news flashed through the Union, and everywhere kin-
dled enthusiasm and hope. The heart of a Christian
people throbbed responsive to the shout from Mame,
and to the peal of one common war-cry, rallied in
solid phalanx. " Pass this law," said a drunkard in
Oakvale, " and I may be saved. Now I cannot come
to mill or to church without getting drunk. Give ua
this law, and I can die a sober man, and, I hope, go
to Heaven. Without it I am lost.'' And so thou-
448 MINNIE HEKMON.
sands of drunkards turned their eyes to the new light
in the east, as to a brazen serpent which should heal
them. Nothing else could. Even the eloquent Gault
had been tempted and crushed for a time, while thou-
sands of stars of lesser ray had set in impenetrable
gloom, unnoticed. The measure had been tried in
New- York, and had failed ; and the storm was already
gathering in blackness, to burst again, and sweep down
upon the Capitol.
Firm for God and the right, the people went to the
ballot boxes throughout the land, and put up their pe-
titions. The issue was there tried, and the right tri-
umphed ! Men worked for their families, country and
the right, instead of party, and voted for legislators
whom they could petition for a prohibitory law with-
out a blush. The recreancy of the former legislature
had vibrated to every part of the State, and had been
answered by a stern and unmistakable response.
Dense masses were darkening-the streets in the vi-
cinity of the Capitol, and their heavy tread was music
in the ears of the despairing. There was a moral
sublimity in this gathering of the people as they came
from their homes and business avocations to witness
the result of their November strife. The white-haired
eire mingled with the vigorous middle-aged, and the
enthusiastic youth. Women and neatly-dressed chil-
dren were wending their way up the hill. Banners
were waving, the music swelled up from the bands,
and a voice like the low murmur of rnanv waters
A STAR IN THE EAST. 449
came up from the masses. A long procession, made
up of citizen soldiers in the great moral conflict, and
deserters from all political parties, beat the ground
to the music of the bands. One vast, throbbing masa
a living tide of American citizens and freemen,
calmly but sternly, and with steady steps, filed around
the corners, and swept in unbroken column through
the streets, and emerged into State street and rolled
up towards the capitol buildings, one common purpose
throbbing to the music from end to end. At the Capi-
tol the wave swept to the left, swaying onward and
onward until the vast architectural pile was hedged
with steady ranks, and the head of the column dashed
against its kindred wave, and then rolled grandly up
the Capitol steps.
The scene within the Capitol was one for a lifetime.
There was grandeur there ; for the choice spirits of a
great State had gathered to witness the deliberations
of their servants, and to present their petitions in per-
son. A vast and unbroken sea of heads appeared
everywhere, and without came up the murmur of the
voices of those who could find no entrance. Wealth
and fashion had already secured a position, and thickly
sprinkled throughout the mass were the sad-looking
and the poorly clad mothers, wives and children,
who had again assembled to see whether they were
to be shielded from their woes. The legislators looked
thoughtfully upon the array, save now and then a red-
faced, brawling demagogue, who tried his pot douse
4:50 MINNIE HERMON.
wit or coarse slang upon the people, who minded not
his bloated and insolent features.
Permission had been granted several of the cham-
pions of the, reform to occupy the floor of the cham-
ber in advocacy of a prohibitory measure. John
Gault, once a gutter drunkard, slowly lifted his slen-
der form, and in low, but distinct and silvery tones,
addressed the representatives of the people. What a
trophy had been wrenched from the destroyer when
that man was saved ! With tones of wondrous magic
and depth, his words rolled out and reached every
heart in that immense audience. He kindled as he
progressed, his words glowing and burning wtth the
true eloquence of nature. Then was witnessed the
power of one of nature's orators. He swayed the au-
dience at will. They smiled, or wept, or frowned in
stern indignation. His scenes passed before them
like fearful realities, and many a cheek paled as he
described the effects of intemperance upon the drunk-
ard and his home. Shudders at times crept over the
strongest frames, and eyes unused to weeping flood-
ed at a touch of his pathos. He plead for the drunk-
ards of the land with all the heart-fervor of one who
had felt the scourge. Anon he poured down the most
withering invective upon the traffic, towering and
swaying as the storm howled and the lightning leaped
from his quivering finger, and the large drops stand-
ing out upon his brow. Such was John Gault, and
as he closed with an appeal which has never been sur-
A STAR IN THE EAST- 45]
passed, each auditor feared to stir, so deep had been
the spell of the master.
And there was Halton, too the grey-headed, true
and iron-hearted reformer. His warm and rugged
eloquence, though less brilliant than that of his broth-
er reformer, had that sledge-hammer earnestness and
strength which told deeply for the right.
A senator then canie forward and addressed the
people. In that tall, noble-appearing man, we recog-
nized our friend from the southern tier, introduced to
the reader in the commencement of our history, Mr.
Fenton. We awaited eagerly his words, for he was the
champion of the prohibitionists in the Senate.
He was a strong man, and full of fire. His blows
crushed like bolts, as with resistless logic and rare
eloquence he hailed them upon the traffic. His full,
dark eye kindled, while now and then he drew him-
self up to his full height, and with his thin lip curling
with scorn, he swooped down upon the positions of
the opposition.
" But we are told," said he, " that this measure is
not demanded by the people that it will ruin the
temperance cause by reaction. How long since rum-
sellers, distillers, rum-treating demagogues and legis-
lators of easy virtue, who were elected by the rum
interest, have been the exclusive friends of temper-
ance ? From the earliest period of our reform, as I
very well know, these classes have found fault with
all the measures adopted for the extinction of intem-
perance, and bitterly opposed them. And yet they
452 . MINNIE HERMON.
now presume to dictate what course shall be pursued !
This measure is needed. The people demand it.
It is in vain to hope to remove the evil by regulation.
The present law is an admission of the right to legis-
late, and the power which brought this wrong into
legal being, has a right to remove it. The history
of the reform shows that it is in vain to roll back the
evil while it has its fountain in the legislature.
Drunkards are reformed and restored to their fami-
lies but to be tempted and at last destroyed. "We
chain them down to the rock of appetite, and then
let loose a swarm of vultures to pluck their vitals.
You may as well expect to legalize the circulation of
the plague and expect no one to die with it, as to le-
galize the rum-traffic and expect none to become
drunkards. No moral barrier can save the inebriate,
his family and home from the consequences of a
wrong which is set in operation by law.
" But this is a moral question. So it is, and a legiti-
mate question for legislation. It concerns the dearest
interests of society the happiness, good order, mor
ality and prosperity of a great people. Moral ques-
tions of far inferior moment have been legislated upon,
and none have complained. Many of the evils that
are suppressed by strong penal enactments, in three-
fourths of the cases, spring directly from the rum-
traffic. The existing law is an answer to this objec-
tion. The traffic stands branded as an evil one of
such magnitude that laws have been enacted to guard
society from its full influence.
A STAR IN THE EAST. 4:53
" We hear much of liberty and natural rights.
The worst outlaws in society would joy, sir, to hear
the doctrines advanced on this floor. I am yet to
learn that liberty is unbridled license, or nakua*
rights a code for civilized and Christian people, &s
here proclaimed. Governments are formed by a
surrender of certain natural rights, and the weak are
protected in that compact as well as the strong. The
strongest arm does not then rule, nor the pistol and
knife remain the umpires between man and man.
Kurasellers are not the only members of that com-
pact, and they would not dare to have society plunged
into chaos, and each member run his chance. Were
this so, God knows that the wrongs of many a heart
and home would have been most signally avenged.
Dissolve society, and woe betide the rumsellers. A
man may dig a pit, but not to entrap a neighbor. He
may let an unruly ox run, if there are none to injure.
He -may build his mill-dam, slaughter-house or soap-
factory, if they do not injure the public. He may
keep powder, if lives are not endangered ; or publish
obscene books, if there are none to read them ; or
breed rattlesnakes and mad-dogs, if there are none
to be bitten ; he may do all this by natural right,
but the moment he becomes a member of the social
compact, his course would injure others ; and one
man's interests are never to be pushed to the destruc-
tion of those of his neighbors. If he goes into socie-
ty, he is bound to regard the welfare and rights of
the whole; if ho will not, let him assume the posi-
454 MINNIE HEKMON.
tion of an outlaw, and depend upon the exercise of
his natural rights for the protection of himself and
property. Why, sir, this law is no new thing. It
is as old as the creation of man. Its principles are
laid in the sublime fobric of Divine government.
They were graven upon the tables of stone they shine
forth in revelation they throb in the great heart of
our common humanity they are recognized and
built upon in every civilized government in the
world. Hunt through the statutes of Christendom
to-day, and you will find the principles of the Maine
Law in all its length and breadth, and height and
depth. It is the great principle of the general wel-
fare the law of God, of love, justice and truth, ev-
erywhere brought out in Divine government. Pri-
vate interest must always give way to the common
good. The pit must be filled up or guarded ; the un-
ruly ox must be killed or pounded ; his mill-dam
must be drained ; his slaughter-house and soap-factory
pulled down, his powder and obscene books destroyed,
his dogs and snakes muzzled or killed. In fine, sir,
that is a most damnable^ anti-republican principle
which demands that the good of a whole community
shall be sacrificed that individuals may have unbri
died license in their selfishness, and prosper in wick-
edness. It is a principle which would scatter plague,
and cover the earth with rotting dead, that doctors,
sextons and undertakers might grow rich. It is a
principle which has filled our homes with desolation,
ruined the living:, and damned the dead.
A STAR IN THE EAST. 455
" But we are told that we cannot legislate men
into morality can coax, but not coerce. Ever since
God's will has been revealed to man, penal laws have
existed. One would suppose, to hear the opposition
declaim, that this" earth had suddenly become a Par-
adise, and its inhabitants angels. They do not stop
to tell us that all men are not susceptible of moral in-
fluences that but for penal laws, men would yet
steal their fellows, rob the traveler, plunder graves,
burn and butcher. With all our safeguards, educa-
ted by intemperance and its kindred vices, crimes of
every dye continue to blacken our criminal records,
livery penal enactment is a coercive measure. The
mind revolts from their repeal, or the regulation of
these crimes farming out for silver, the right to a few
of plundering property and destroying life. We co-
erce every enemy of society. If caught violating any
of its ordinances, he is punished. The provisions of
this bill, Sir, are no more arbitrary than our present
statutes. The rights of the citizen, the sanctity of his
property, liberty, or dwelling, are not more jeopard-
ized than now. If stolen goods are believed to be
secreted in a dwelling, it is searched from cellar to
garret, and no complaint made. The counterfeiters'
or gamblers' den is searched, their tools destroyed,
and they punished. The one but gambles for money
with an equal chance ; the dealer gambles for the
money of his victim, with appetite to aid him in the
play. The counterfeiter turns out a bogus dollar :
the dealer counterfeits the image of God, and aclulto-
19
456 MTNOTE HEEMON.
rates immortal coin. Is a spurious half-dollar more
dangerous to society than an imbruted and beggared
citizen ? And yet you imprison the one who corrupts
your coin, and give the other the right to corrupt and
blight every pure current in the hearts of your peo-
ple. The dealer would resort to the coercion of legal
process, were a five-dollar counterfeit bill to be put
oft' upon him, and yet he claims the natural liberty of
so marring the moral beauty of his own kind, and of
blighting their manhood that a demon stands in the
place of a kind and high-minded citizen ! "Who has
ever complained of the exercise of law for the pro-
tection of the health of community ? Are not many
kinds of food interdicted, the diseased citizen, forcibly
seized and thrust into the pest-house, the vessel com-
pelled to lie in quarantine, or its cargo destroyed and
even the vessel itself sunk, if the public health do
mands the measure ? Does not our government, in
time of war, quarter troops in our dwellings, appro-
priate stores and teams, and compel the citizen to as-
sist? Such measures are arbitrary ; but when the
public interest demands them, the patriot will not
complain.
"Again. We are told that the law cannot be en-
forced without bloodshed and violence the present
law is sufficient. I believe, Sir, the American people
are preeminently law-abiding. They are familiar
with the democratic doctrine of the majority. When-
ever public sentiment assumes power to force from
reluctant legislators a law for the protection of the
A STAK IN THE EAST. 457
people from a terrible evil, is it not believed that they
will see that it is enforced ? The law has been en-
forced. It is no longer an experiment. It has been
tried, and its success has become a matter of history.
Without violence or bloodshed, the people of a neigh-
boring State crushed the evil at a blow ! And were
a thousand lives to be sacrificed in carrying into effect
a law like this, their blood would be but the drop in
the ocean, when compared with that which has for
ages smoked upon Christian altars, The cry of mur-
der comes on every wind ; crime stalks upon the heels
of crime at midday ; from its Aceldemas red-handed
butchery runs with its smoking blade to the commis-
sion of fresh atrocities, until our criminal records are
crimson with hot gore, and the scaffold casts its shad-
ow in every part of the land. Our dungeons swarm
with murderers, and thence the slayer's feet are con-
tinually beating their way to the gibbet, until the de-
tails of murder and execution are as familiar to our
people as the newspapers which come to their dwell-
ings. And those who manufacture all these butchers
are going to resist, to the knife, the enactment which
shuts up these schools of crime ! As to the present
law, it is the merest humbug that ever outraged a
Christian people. It is a stupendous farce, as also an
infamous wrong. It is a compromise between good
and evil with iniquity a yoking of saint and
devil a compound of heaven and hell an infer-
nal adulteration which lifts up and legalizes wrong,
and pulls down the right a draping of the three-
458 MINNIE HEBMON.
mouthed dog of the pit in the habiliments of a guard-
ian angel, to stand and smile at the door-sills of the
pits on earth. The principle would associate the
arch fiend with Deity on the throne of Heaven, and
mingle the wails of the lost with the praises of the
redeemed. It would unite the worlds of bliss and of
woe, and place angels on a footing with devils. Sir,
does God, in his government, recognize such a prin-
ciple ? Do his laws regulate theft, swearing, perjury,
murder, &c. ? Do his retributions slumber when so-
called respectable men trample upon his laws ? Do
his penalties fall without modification upon the most
abandoned, while sinners of " good moral " character
enter in and dwell at his right hand ? Does he strike
hands with iniquity ? Can those who have wealth,
and power, and respectability, transgress his com
rnandments, and go unpunished ? Where, in any civ
ilized government now existing on earth, is this prin-
ciple made the basis of legislation, save in the legali-
zation of the rum traffic ? Supposing, Sir, that the
legislature should legalize the crimes which are now
punishable with imprisonment and death for the pur-
pose of restraining them ? That they should empower
a selection of good moral men to perpetrate those
crimes, so as to have the perpetration legal, moral,
and respectable ? That men should be selected to rob,
to steal, to gamble, to counterfeit, to commit forgery,
to burn buildings, to murder ? The most common
intelligence would revolt at the damning wickedness;
and treat such legislators as madmen or knaves. The
A STAB IN THE EAST. 459
popular breath would at once sweep them into lasting
infamy. Yet the license system is a creature of legal
enactment, and stands before the world this day as the
great fountain-head of nearly all the crimes which
endanger the peace and blacken the character of socie-
ty. Men are selected to engage in this traffic, and the
government sells the accursed l indulgence.' If but
a good moral character is endorsed by the excise
commissioners, the seller becomes a state officer a
legal instrument a servant of the people, empow-
ered to nerve the villain's arm which carries the torch
or lifts the knife, to burn or to destroy. He scatters
firebrands and death throughout the land, blights
hopes as bright as bliss, destroys happiness the holiest
and purest, and sweeps on like an avenging storm,
until all that is pure in childhood, noble in manhood,
or venerable in old age, is withered and crushed to
earth. Life, happiniess, and hope ; virtue, love and
truth, are alike blasted by these men, selected by the
State, and protected by its laws. And all this to
restrain and regulate the traffic! The policy is
wrong in motive, impolitic in principle, atrocious in
its execution, and most cpuel in its consequences. It
is a principle so damnable in its conception and char-
acter, and so sweeping and remorseless in its destruc-
tion of human happiness and life, that it may well
crimson the cheek of an American freeman with
deepest shame. Regulation and restraint !
" Sir, in the days when indulgences were sold,
when every kind of vice was licensed and rcgulaied,
60 MINNIE HEKMON.
tliis abomination would not have been out of place,
though, more thoroughly infamous than any of its kin-
dred iniquities. Mark these inconsistencies the
inefficiency of the law in securing the object designed,
and its demoralizing influence upon public sentiment,
and its legal waste of happiness and life and blush
that so foul a stain has a resting-place upon the stat-
ute books of our people. We go upon the principle
of choosing a good man to engage in a devilish busi-
ness. We give respectability to a business denounced
by God ; a business which crushes the rights of hu-
manity and destroys the sanctity of religion, its every
footstep smoking with the hot blood of the hearts it
has crushed. Our commissioners would appear as
honorable, and far more humane, if they were to select
men of good moral character to steal, burn, and kill,
and do society far less injury.
" There is a regulation, in the matter of selling to
drunkards. Indeed, the license law is professedly to
restrain intemperance. Need I point you to the re-
sults ? Whence come this vast army of drunkards,
who throng every avenue of life, and with ceaseless
tread move on to the grave ? Where are the foun-
tains which feed this stream of wrecked humanity 3
Where is the cause ? Day and night, from year to
year, the unbroken columns move on. The grave
Bwallows forty thousand in twelve months. The sod
has hardly closed upon a fearful sacrifice, before its
cold arms are thrown up to embrace as many more.
And so this host moves on. Recruits are ever enlist-
A STAR IN THE EAST. 461
ing. The youth in the saloon takes the drunkard's
place. And so back until the legions are wrapt in the
sunlight of youth, the diorama of life is moving. And
so it has moved for ages that measured and gloomy
tramp taking hold upon dishonored death. Rumsell-
ers never wish men to die drunkards, and, under a
wise law, never sell to drunkards. And so we ' regu-
late ' whole armies of human beings into premature
graves every year that rolls around. When when,
Sir, will intemperance be so regulated by our present
system that our green land shall not become one vast
burial-ground for drunkards ?
" We are told that the sale is justifiable, because
the license money goes into the treasury ! This poli-
cy furnishes us with another strong reason why the
whole system should be removed. It is one of the
strongest arguments against legalizing the traffic. The
principle involved is one of unadulterated wickedness.
Government thus assumes the attitude of a speculator
in the lives and happiness of its subjects. With one
arm it thrusts its victims upon the begrimmed altars,
and with the other grasps eagerly for the price of the
sacrifice. Here it stands upon its pedestal of the
heart-broken, the dying, and the dead, a remorseless
Moloch enthroned, and smiling upon the enginery of
death which, for gain, it has set in motion. There ia
something hideous, something revolting in the aspect.
Like an unnatural parent, it destroys its own for a
price. Those whom it should guard and protect are
thrust beneath the ponderous wheels which roll in
4:62 MINNIE HEKMON.
ruin. Men, women, and children ; youth in the buoy-
ancy of its hopes, and old age in its locks of gray, are
alike offered up. Society thus immolates all its most
cherished interests for pay, and secures to itself the
glorious privilege of bearing ten-fold burdens, build-
ing poor-houses and prisons, and digging graves. It
sells the lives of its own citizens. Christian men sit
down deliberately and say to those who wish to sell
rum, in so many words, ' How many pieces of silver
will you give us if we will betray these women and
children into your hands ? ' All this is cool and de-
liberately cruel. Life and all its bright hopes are
thus bartered away, while an oath sits heavy on the
soul. Do not your cheeks tinge with shame as you
take in the length and breadth of this policy ? Even
in a pecuniary point of view it is ruinous. For every
dollar thus received, hundreds are paid out. It is a
fearful and perpetual drain upon the substance of the
people. Evils are sown broadcast, and we reap a
burdening harvest of woe, want, crime and death.
All that we cherish in this world and hope for in the
next, is put in the scale with dollars and cents. For
five or ten dollars, a man is delegated to scatter a
moral plague throughout the laud, and fatten upon
the substance of the people. Let our commissioners
look at the silver they have received. It is the tribute
of blood. It has been wrung from the crushed hearts
of the ruined, and is clammy with drops of blood. It
is hot wilh the scalding tears of widowhood and or-
phanage. As it falls into the public coffers, its dull
A STAR IN THE EAST. 463
sound echoes the wail of the famished and defense-
less. Ho! for the price of blood! Hoard it well;
for an ever-living and watchful God has put its cost
on record. Over against it, to be tested at the tri-
bunal of the Judgment, stands the record of the un-
utterable evils of the rum-traffic. And as witnesses
against it, will stand the myriads whom the policy
destroyed on earth.
" You talk of property this evil wars upon all
property. It paralyzes industry, thus working deep
and irreparable injury to individual and national
prosperity. Its cost to the American people is hardly
to be comprehended in all its extent. The direct cost
is enough to arouse the patriot against it ; indirectly,
its corroding effects leave their blighting mildew
wherever it exists. Our poor-expenses tower until
the people groan under their weight. The hard earn-
ings of the tax-payers of the country are annually as-
sessed to meet the cost of the sale of rum. The fam-
ily is beggared, and the people support them. The
drunkard ruins his health, breaks a limb, or sustains
some injury from his drinking habits, and becomes a
public charge. A citizen wastes his substance in the
dram-shop, and from one gradation of vice to another,
at last becomes a criminal. If he counterfeits, com-
mits forgery or burglary, the people try him and
foot the bills. If, inflamed by the people's rum, he
thrusts the torch into the city at night, thousands arc
licked up by the flames ; and if the incendiary is
caught, he is imprisoned or hung, and the forbearing
464 MINNIE IIERMON.
people foot the bills. If, in a drunken broil, lie takes
the life of a fellow-being, the people try him, hang
him, and foot the bill. Tims circles round the great
maelstrom. From the bar-room to the alms-house,
prison and scaffold, a great highway has been cast
up, beaten hard by continually thronging thousands.
Every day's history records a fresh crime. Our pris-
ons are thronged. The executioner is busy hanging
up the effects of the traffic. The blood-offering of one
murder ceases not to smoke upon the glutted shrine,
before another victim is prepared from the bar-room.
The press teems with the sickening details. The great
fountain-head of crime sweeps on with increasing vol-
ume, and red-handed murder stalks forth even at
noonday, with the axe and the knife hot with gore.
Lesser crimes swarm like locusts, all combining and
swelling an amount of tax which is drawn from the
life-blood of the people. The rum-traffic costs the
American people more than three hundred millions
of dollars. And this is the pecuniary aspect, merely.
This annual drain would bind our land in one unbro-
ken net-work of railroads, telegraphs and canals ; dot
every hill-side with school-houses and churches ; erect
charitable institutions wherever afflicted humanity
groans under misfortune, and make the blessings of
education as free as the air we breathe. Patriotism
that love of country, its institutions, and people,
which beats warmly and truly in the heart should
awaken our strongest opposition to a cancer which
eats so faially upon the business interests of the land
A STAR IN THE EA.ST. 465
we live in. We might enlarge upon this point, but
it needs it not. Trace back the history of any com-
munity, and you will be astonished at the amount of
its waste. Sift your tax-lists, and it will be found that
the cost of the rum-traffic is one of the most grinding
burdens borne by the American people. What a po-
sition for a nation of freemen ! Sacrificing the prop-
erty and health of its citizens for the pastime of sup-
porting them as paupers ! Our people are liberal to
a few. They foster vice and a crime, that a few may
reap a pecuniary harvest. They make paupers, and
build alms-houses to keep them at the public expense.
They manufacture criminals of every grade, and then
furnish officers to catch them, try them, and punish
them. They build prisons, and annually make large
appropriations to sustain them reservoirs where
they sweep in the criminals they have made, brand-
ing their own offspring with infamy, and compelling
them to toil for naught. They instigate murder, and
are at the expense of building a scaffold to hang the
guilty instruments of their creation. In fine, they
educate an army of children for all that is wicked,
and then punish them for putting their teaching into
practice. Were we a rumseller, we should look with
a smile of contempt upon such people. They would
give us the privilege of coining money out of the de-
struction of man's temporal and eternal interests, and
then kindly support all the paupers, and hang all the
murderers we might make. Such a policy in an in-
dividual would be madness. And so it is madness in
466 MINNIE HEKMON.
a great people. It is a heathenish offering np of then
own vitals to the rending talons of the monster which
is enthroned in every dram-shop throughout the land.
Sir, we honor that high-toned, unbending love of lib-
erty and justice which characterized the conduct of
our revolutionary fathers. They put every thing at
stake, rather than bear the burdens of unjust taxa-
tion. War became to them one of the most imperi-
ous of human obligations, and the battle-field ' the
sublimest theatre of patriotic achievement and heroic
martyrdom.' They left their plows in the furrows,
and their homes to the protection of Heaven, and
grappled boldly with England's strength. That same
spirit would to-day make every true patriot's heart
beat high with indignation, and arouse a storm which
would forever destroy one of the most grinding op-
pressions on earth. The spirit which hurled the tea
into Boston harbor, would seize and destroy every
barrel of rum designed for the injury of society.
" The gentlemen on the other side have spoken elo-
quently about the vast amount of property invested
in the traffic. It is an unworthy argument. Were
the wealth of the universe of God staked in the traffic,
it should not weigh one moment. There are immor-
tal interests staked in human hearts. Mind and hap-
piness virtue, puVity and peace, are worth more
than all the wealth of the material universe. The
weal of men here and hereafter, cannot be put into
the scale with dollars and cents. The crushed and
ruined the mother, wife or child, who has been
A STAR IN THE EAST. 467
scourged and robbed, would turn with withering scorn
from the cold and heartless computation of her wrongs,
in money. The structures of earth pass away, but
the property of the mind is indestructible, and lifts
up proudly amid the ' wreck of matter,' and exists
while God exists ! There is something sad in wander
ing among the ruins of empires where nations lie en
tombed. More sad the scene of a mind in ruins.
" We weep from a heavy heart as we see the gloom
of a rayle* night gathering over the mind, and the
structure which was moulded by the hand of God
crumbling into ruins. The mind is property prop-
erty which is of more value than all the wealth of the
material universe. And here is where we find one of
the most startling effects of intemperance. Here 5s
where the system wars upon a class of property which
cannot be computed by dollars and cents. Here are
ruins, thickly strewn up and down the land, over
which the patriot, philanthropist and Christian can
weep with keenest sorrow.
" Sir, had I a constellation of worlds like this, I
would resign it all, if every star were a diamond of
priceless worth, if the slight sacrifice would buy the
loved and the lost from death and the grave.
" Sir, our wives and children demand this measure.
Humanity pleads this day. You 'protect the dead in
their graves, the trees in our parks, the animals in our
yards, the deer in our forests, and the fish in our wa-
ters ; and why not, by all that is brave, manly and
good, protect our homes, our wives and children ?
468 MINNIE HEKMON.
Tell me, Sir, why not? Look at the course of this
evil which we ask you, in behalf of suffering humani-
ty, to prohibit.
" It spares neither age nor sex. Its trophies are
more to be dreaded than those at the red man's
belt, snatched from the throbbing brow of innocence.
The system is cruel, mercilessly cruel. It wars upon
the defenceless upon women and children. Its most
desolating strife is at the fireside. We execrate it for
its cowardice, as well as its injustice and cruelty.
Those who are never seen abroad, and who never
lifted a hand or a voice against the seller, are crushed
down with remorseless coolness. If men alone were
destroyed, without wringing the hearts that are linked
with them, it would not seem so damnable. But why
should a Christian government and a Christian people
war upon the happiness of the defenseless inmates of
the household ? Why should woe and want be car-
ried into our homes? Why should our mothers, and
wives, and daughters be scourged until they weep
drops of blood ? Why should children be turned out
with no inheritance but orphanage and disgrace ?
Why should the props and pride of old hearts be
snatched away and broken ? Why in God's name
tell us ! in this land of plenty, where our barns gush
with fatness, where* our fields groan under the har-
vests which roll like golden oceans to the kiss of the
sunbeams, and where an ever-kind Providence has
scattered his blessings on every hand, should women
and children go hungry for bread ? Why should our
A STAR IN THE EAST. 469
sons be turned out to be drawn into the whirlpool of
crime, and our daughters to forget all that's womanly,
and sink in vice for their daily bread ? Is this Chris-
tianlike ? Is it like freemen ? Why should our homes
be transformed into hells, and the husband and father
into a demon, to torture and kill ? Why must those
whom we love be torn with hunger and grief, that a
few men may fatten by selling rum ?
" I need not, Sir, speak to this body of the danger
to the purity of our elective franchise from the rum-
traffic all know it. The traffic is a foul, corroding
cancer upon this dear-bought boon the legacy of
revolutionary hardship and death. It was won at a
fearful cost. It is an anchor which shall hold in the
storm a bulwark behind which a people can gather
and hurl back destruction upon those recreant to free-
dom and to right. But it is prostituted to the basest
purposes, and trampled in the 'dust. It is wrenched
from its honorable and legitimate purpose, and upon
a tide of rum and corruption, made to bear bad men
into stations of emolument and trust. These facts are
written in the history of every election day which has
transpired since rum entered the field. There are
those who will recognize a more than ' fancy sketch '
in our rapid hints. And is there nothing saddening,
nothing iilarrning, in this wide-spread corruption of
demagogism ? With rum yoked in unholy alliance,
it stalks through the land, and stands in its huge and
damning deformity at the pools. It leans over the
470 MINNIE HEKMON.
ballot-box with a leer of triumph. It comes forth
from the drunkeriesof the land, reeking with all that
ie foul, and shouts its triumphs in the very citadel of
the popular will. Thus libertines, gamblers and
drunkards, slime into our town, county, State and na-
tional legislatures, and have to do with all the inter-
ests of the society in which we live. This tide must
be checked and rolled back. This accursing union
must be broken into pieces. The lightning of a peo-
ple's will must fall upon this demagogism, and crush
it to earth, or our freedom will be but a name, the
elective franchise but a badge of servitude, and the
pillars of our free institutions will roll like dust before
the storm.
" Yes, as God is our judge, were there no other rea-
son, we should arouse for a conflict with the rum in-
terest for the evil it has done and is doing to the purity,
stability, character and permanency of our cherished
political institutions. Here is enough to alarm. And
yet a large class of the American people slumber
without concern over this crater, which is charged
with violence and anarchy. Were we to point to the
most threatening dangers to the prosperity of these
States and the perpetuity of their free institutions, we
should single out that class of evils, of Protean phase,
which breed in foul luxuriance in the rum-shops of
our land.
" But I will not detain this body too long, though
I believe this bill to be one of the most important
A STAR IN THE EAST. 47l
that ever claimed the attention of a deliberative body.
The world is watching the course of these States upon
this question. Interests as lasting as eternity, are in-
volved. The homes of this great commonwealth thia
day contain anxious hearts, and prayers are going up
that the right may triumph. By our love of virtue
and good order, of domestic happiness and peace
home and its circle our own green land, and God;
by every sacred and hallowing tie which binds the
good man to his hearth altars, kindred, country and
Heaven, let us obey the people and our own conscien-
ces, and vote for this bill ; and so shall the whole land
be filled with joy and thanksgiving, the fire be again
kindled on the desolate hearth, and hope, in the sor-
rowing heart ; men shall get drunk no more ; peace,
happiness and hope shall smile again iri the dark hab-
itations ; the waste places shall be made glad, and
the wilderness blossom as the rose, our stricken wives
and mothers weep, and their children at the hearth
clap their tiny hands for joy ! "
The throng slowly dispersed, but as the sun was set-
ting in the unclouded west, the starry sheet above the
Capitol rolled out more proudly than was wont, and
upon the wings of lightning the news was flashed to
the north, south, east and west, the " MAINE LAW BILL
HAS PASSED ! "
" Too late ! " said our old widow friend of the pre-
vious winter, bat the old drunkard was there, and sat
4:72 MINNIE HEKMON.
down upon the steps of the Capitol, and wept like a
child. Throughout the State, the mother hugged her
child to her bosom with a thrill of gladness, and
from the home altars of a Christian people, glad
hearts lifted their benisons to the God of the right.
THE PLAGUE WAS STAYED!"
OHAPTEE XXXIY.
TWO RESCUES.
" PRAISE be to God for this day. It will live with
the birth-day of our country, and be commemorated
with bonfires and illuminations, and by the prayers
and shouts of a happy people. But oh, if it had come
long years ago, what anguish might have been spared.
A world of sorrow and crime would never have been
written. But thy will, O God, be done."
We recognized ourfrieud, the revivalist, in the gal-
lery of the House, as the Speaker declared the result
of the final ballot, bowing his white head reverently
as he spoke, and for some minutes hiding his face in
his hands. By his side stood a tall, attenuated per-
sonage in singular costume, his beard uncut, and his
thin hair falling negligently upon his shoulders. His
emaciated countenance was pale, but the dark, deep,
sunken eye glowed with steady brilliancy. He had
watched the debate and the vote with the keenest
scrutiny, his lips now and then moving nervously as
he half whispered his thoughts. His left arm hung
nerveless by his side ; and in his right hand he held
a long staff.
" Yes, and it will be done. The wicked shall be
474: MINNIE HEKMON.
overtaken, and the wrongs of the innocent avenged.
The destroying angel has been commissioned to go
forth, and the hosts of hell shall be smitten in all the
land. "Woe ! woe ! for the day has come ! In the might
of the Lord men shall go forth, and the wicked shall
be found in their secret hiding places, and the dark
beverage of hell be given to the flames, or spilled
upon the earth. There's joy in Heaven, peace on the
earth, and good will to men, for the day of the Lord
has come. The chain shall be struck from the cap-
tive and the prison-door be opened. Hallelujah to
God, for to-day the monster is chained, and the plague
is stayed." So vehemently spoke the companion of
the revivalist, as lie stood by the side of his more
meek-appearing companion, bringing his heavy staff
almost fiercely down upon the floor at every sentence.
" Yes, the plague is stayed. God has prospered
the right this day. JSTow to our business, and then for
Oakvale. Sure enough, the prison door shall be
opened."
The two passed out of the chamber, followed by a
crowd who had been attracted by the words and
manner of the tallest speaker. They were seeking
the Governor's mansion, to the great wonderment of
those who had followed them into the street.
The reader will remember, in a previous chapter,
the interview between Minnie Hermon and Walter
Brayton, which was interrupted by Lane. The latter
individual had dogged the footsteps of Minnie to the
jail, and under pretence of doing a pressing errand
TWO RESCUES. 475
to the prisoner, gained admittance to the hall leading
to the cells. He had stolen noiselessly to the door,
and had caught the word " oath," as it fell from Min-
nie's lips.
Two hours from that time, her father put a note
into her hand, purporting to be from a sick woman
over the river, and urging her immediate attendance.
Minnie knew the woman and her situation, and im-
mediately threw on her cloak and started. A fine
snow was falling fast, and the night was so dark that
she could hardly distinguish the outlines of the moun-
tains against the heavy sky. The woman she was
going to see lived in the outskirts of the village, on
an unfrequented by-road leading up into the moun-
tain. As she turned from the main road she felt the
grasp of a heavy hand upon her shoulder, and strong
fingers at her throat. The assault had been so sud-
den that she had no opportunity of raising an alarm,
and in a moment she was gagged and lifted upon a
horse behind another person, and borne rapidly away.
Her eyes were bandaged, but she knew that her course
was up the mountain. She could hear another horse
alongside, and therefore judged that there were two
persons besides herself in the company. She heard
the roaring of the falls, and notwithstanding her sit-
uation, she thought of the circumstance which made
her acquainted with Braytou, and of all the events
which had so rapidly followed that acquaintance
There had been more shadow than sunshine across
the pathway.
476 MINNIE IIEKMON.
After riding a long time, and until she was be-
numbed with cold, a halt was made. The party had
descended the mountain, and were near the " chasm,"
a gorge of dark and lonely character, at the bottom
of which a stream swept fiercely over rocks and falls.
The horses were hitched, and Minnie heard the step-
ping of two persons, as they went back a short dis-
tance and commenced conversation in a suppressed
tone of voice. Her attention was painfully excited,
but she could not distinguish the subject of the con-
versation.
There seemed to be a difference of opinion between
the two individuals in relation to some matter con-
cerning her, and as the dispute waxed warmer, she
caught its import ; and as she recognized the voice
of Jud Lane, a shuddering heart-sickness well-nigh
robbed her of her senses. Knowing the man, as she
did, the unbroken darkness around, and a wild, bleak
mountain seldom trodden, between her and any hu-
man habitation, it is no wonder that her head swam
and her heart grew sick with fear and despair.
" D n it, Jud ! I wouldn't do it, I tell you.
They will miss her at the village, and hunt the whole
country."
" How long is it since you became so tender-heart-
ed ? You say that dead cats never mew."
" Well, I know," and Minnie recognized the speak-
er as Burt Yanderwalt, a notorious desperado, " but
the truth is, I can't say I like this women business;
men, can get along with."
TWO RESCUES. 477
" But if your life depended upon one's gossiping
tongue what then ? "
" Can't say ; but devil hang me if I want to
choke one of 'em to save another man's neck, any
how."
" Not if that would save you from state prison ? "
sneeringly asked Lane.
" Ho, ho ! Jud Lane, think you can frighten a Yan-
derwalt, eh ? A prison better than a deadfall in pub-
lic, Jud Lane ? "
" Pshaw ! Burt, I didn't mean nothing, for you and
I are friends"
"Ought to be, I guess, and without my tipping
this confounded woman into the ' chasm.' "
"But what can we do, Burt?"
" You needn't say we, 'cause I have been with you
in some ugly scrapes, or think that I'll take to kill-
ing women 'cause I love rum. If this was my job,
I should say, take her to Syd's. He'll put her where
all h 11 won't find her. Folks sent there never re-
turn again, you know"
" That's a fact ; but perhaps it's better to do that.
I must be back, though, to-morrow ; but I'll give you
ten dollars to take her there and give Sid the wink."
" Wai, guess I'll do it ! Blasted cold night, though.
Shouldn't wonder if she'd freeze."
" So much the better, if she does."
" No, not for me. Min. Hennon never did me any
harm, Lane, and I cussedly hate to have anything to
do with the business did in the first start."
478 srnrarE HERMON.
" Well, well, no matter ; you can stop at the Old
Morgan Clearing and put up. You can build a fire
in the cabin and stop awhile."
" Not for ten dollars, though, Jud Lane, on such a
night as this."
" How much, then ? "
" Why, if the thing is any object to you, you can
make it twenty, I reckon."
" Make it twenty, then, seem' it's you, and now go
ahead. Bide fast, and keep your eye out. Good,
night."
Lane goaded his horse into a gallop as he turned
his head towards Oakvale, and Yanderwalt, leading
the horse Minnie was on by the bridle, pushed on
through the forest. She was chilled through and
through with severe cold, but felt relieved at the ab-
sence of Lane.
An hour's brisk riding took them to the Morgan
Clearing, a small opening on the mountain side, where
a deserted cabin alone invited the chance wanderer or
the hunter. Yanderwalt lifted Minnie from her horse
in his brawny arms, and then folding his own bear-
skin overcoat around her, proceeded to strike and kin-
dle a fire. It was only after a good deal of effort and
sundry abrupt expletives, that he succeeded in kin-
dling a blaze. Minnie never saw a more cheerful
blaze, though the rude tenement was both empty and
cheerless, and the snow had sifted in through many
a wide opening. As the first light shone directly upon
the darkness, she looked keenly at her companion,
TWO RESCUES. 479
anxious to read his countenance, for the thought of
her situation in the forest was startling. She had
often seen him at her father's tavern ; and on one oc-
casion, she had done him an act of great kindness^
though she did not suppose that one of his character
would remember such acts with gratitude. As the
snow was pushed away and the heat of the fire dried
the ground, he urged her to sit nearer, and even of-
fered to assist her, as he noticed that she could hardly
move her benumbed limbs. For a long time she suf-
fered the most excruciating pains from the effects of
the heat, and as it left her fingers and feet, she could
hardly keep from closing her eyes ; but she dared not
do it. Vanderwalt noticed her weariness, and was at
a loss how to say something which was evidently on
his mind.
" "Not much chance for a lady like you to sleep
here, I reckon, Miss Hermon," said he, with an em-
barrassed air, looking towards an old frame of poles,
covered with dried hemlock boughs, " and ahem
I 'spect we oughtn't to stay here till daybreak. Pla-
guy tough night, though, for a woman to be out.
Darned if I don't wish I'd stayed ter hum."
Minnie had made no answer, though there was a
tone of respect, of honesty in the man's voice, which
gave her hope, and she ventured to ask him why she
had thus been decoyed from home, and brought into
the mountains in such a night.
" I'm sorry swow I be, Miss Hermon, but I can't
tell that. Jud that other man, knows more than I
20
4:80 MINNIE HERMON.
do 'bout that business," answered Burt, looking for
the first time steadily into her face. ' But if I'd a
known what the job was, I wouldn't a come for him
nor no other man swow I wouldn't, Miss Hermon."
" Take me back, then, to Oakvale, and I will re-
member the kindness as long as I live. Take me
back to-night ! "
" No," thoughtfully answered Burt, watching with
surprise the sudden action of Minnie, " can't do that ;
I have have bargained to take you somewhere else,
and it must be done," and the burly ruffian looked
towards the doorway with evident fear, and dropped
his voice to a whisper.
" But let me take the horse, and I will go forward
and escape you," she plead with a meaning look.
" That will not do, either," he muttered, as he edged
his way nearer the door, as if to prevent her from
such a ruse. Minnie started and retreated a step be-
hind the fire.
" Don't never fear me, Miss Hermon, if I have <
hard name. You did me a favor once, and I never
forget such things. I wouldn't harm a hair of your
head, though hadn't it a been for me, I 'spect you
wouldn't a been here now. But I darsn't go back.
Ton shan't be harmed, Miss, while Burt Vanderwalt
is a friend to you. This is an awful n : ght, and I'll
run the risk of staying till daybreak. Too bad, I
BWOW, for any women kind to be out."
Pleading was of no avail, and after exhausting all
her powers of persuasion, Minnie gave up the attempt
TWO RESCUES. 481
in despair, trusting in God to guard her. Burt
stripped the bearskins from the saddles, and with his
own coat made the old bed of boughs as comfortable
as he could, and insisted that she should lie down
close by the fire, and not " worry, for things might all
come around right yet." Pulling a bottle from his
side pocket, he offered it for her to take a drink from.
Minnie recoiled from the tender with ill-concealed
disgust. Seeing that Burt felt hurt at such a recep-
tion of his well-meant offer, she explained, that it had
cursed her and her's, being the fruitful cause of all
her troubles. The people of Oakvale were happy
until rum came among them. Even talk upon the
temperance question passed away the dismal hours ;
and Minnie entered into the subject with an enthusi-
asm that bore her mind away from the circumstances
that surrounded her. As she detailed the effects of
rum in Oakvale, Burt listened respectfully, then with
interest, and as his better nature came once more up-
permost, he felt a warmth in his eyes, and fell to kick-
ing the fire to hide his weakness, as he believed it to
be. As she ceased speaking, after supposing him an
unwilling or angry listener from the violence with
which he kicked the fire, the notorious tippler sat for
a long time in thought, with his bottle in his hand
and its contents untasted.
" True as preachin', every cussed word the gal said,"
he muttered to himself, as he half-angrily put the cork
into the bottle, and replaced it in his pocket. " Ev-
ery word true cuss'd if 'taint. If 'twan't for some
482 MINNIE HERMON.
things rum again, old Burt! " and he ground his
teeth in thought. " If 'twan't for some things, I'd
jine the temp'rance concern, and quit drinking. Bet-
ter done it years ago, Burt. I'll think of that. Any
how, the gall shan't be harmed, if I hang for it. Jud
Lane may go to the devil."
The revivalist suddenly disappeared from Oakvale.
His absence and that of Minnie Ilermon, left a blank
tn the enjoyments of Bray ton which caused his mind
to relapse into despondency and gloom. "With haughty
mien and a heart full of bitter feelings, he gave him-
self up to his fate. He knew not that a single friend
was making an eflbrt to fathom the circumstances
which rendered his case so hopeless.
On the afternoon of a late winter day, a white
headed man was seen wending his way over one of
the bleak mountains of Pennsylvania, his long beard
covered with frost, and his footsteps weary from his
toilsome day's journey. He was well known in that
vicinity, and was cordially welcomed to the homes of
most of the honest-hearted yeomanry. For years,
without money and without price, he had traveled
among them and preached the gospel, his mildness,
unassuming benevolence and humble manners, win-
ning the esteem of the more thoughtless. The reader
will recognize the revivalist in the aged traveler, and
learn that some object of more than usual interest has
induced him to make the toilsome winter journey
frcm Oakvale.
TWO RESCUES. 483
"Are you acquainted with one Sid Lane, who lives
in these parts ? " asked the revivalist of his friends
where he stopped for the night.
" Yes, believe there is such a man back a few miles
over the mountain ; but few know anything of the
man, nor do they seem to want to. He shuns every-
body."
" Does he live in the log house by the ledge? "
" Yes, believe he does."
" Don't know, I suppose, whether he has any con-
nection living? "
" Do not ; and it would be as much as a man'a
head was worth to find out. He's a very bad man.
People say he came from York State for no good."
" Did he come from Oakvale ? '
" Guess that was the place, or some such name,
Pretty hard set there, I guess, if the stories are all
true." The revivalist colored and changed the con-
versation.
" Hasn't there been a report in circulation that &
wild man has been seen in a cavern up the ledge,
and been heard to scream a tall man with a long
beard ? "
" There has ; and between you and me, [lowering
his voice to a whisper,] I guess it's true ; for one of
my brothers was along at the time. They had been
hunting, and just at night cut across the gorge, you
see, to get home before dark. Upon the mountain
they heard a scream like, just as though 'twas some-
thing human. They thought 'twas a panther, and so
484: MINNIE HEKMON.
concluded they would keep a lookout. And then
they heard singing, and a jabbering like some one
crazy. They crept among the rocks, and between
two big ones said they saw a tall, wild-looking critter
behind stout wooden timbers, gnashing his teeth just
as if he was mad, and rattling his chains. While
they were looking, Sid Lane came, and before they
saw him, stood before them with his hand upon his
hunting-knife. He raved terribly, and swore that
if he ever caught a live man on his premises again,
he would be the death of him. I wouldn't go there
for any money. Guess the wild man must be some
crazy relation of his'n."
"I don't know how that may be, but I have particular
reasons for wishing to see this man must see him.
Who is there that can be hired to show me the way
up the ledge ? "
" Don't know of a man in the settlement who would
do it, unless it is my youngest boy, Sam. He is a
perfect dare-devil, and is always in some such scrape.
I don't know but I might consent for him to go with
you just to accommodate, but I am plaguy 'fraid that
trouble will come of it."
" I'll take that risk. Sam, as you call him, need
not go farther than will be necessary to direct me to
the spot where this wild man was seen."
The revivalist found a ready spirit in Sam Janson,
and after breakfast the two started over the moun-
tain. It was a long and exciting journey, the moun-
tain being made up of immense jagged rocks, hcr.ped
TWO RESCUES. 485
in wildest confusion, a scattering growth of spruce
and birch clinging to rift and seam for a rugged sup-
port. Here and there deep chasms were gashed in,
the loose boulders and stunted timber shutting the
sunlight from the gloomy depths. To avoid all chance
of meeting Lane, they took a wide detour, which used
up the best part of the day before they neared the
spot sought. The snow lay over the fissures, and the
ascent of the ledge was toilsome and even dangerous.
As they neared the head of the gorge in which re-
port had located the wild man, the revivalist insist-
ed that Janson should keep a lookout from the crag,
as the height commanded a view of the pass where
the outlaw's cabin was located.
Alone, the old man set out on his strange adven-
ture. After disappearing down the rocks among the
undergrowth, he pulled a pistol from his pocket and
examined it carefully. There was fire in the man's
eye and a vigor in his step, which was in striking con-
trast with one of his character and age, and yet,
asleep or awake, at the evening prayer, or preaching
on the camp-ground, the weapon had for years been
his constant companion. His footsteps had been dog-
ged by a sleepless foe the very man who claimed
the section where he was treading.
The sun had left the gorge in a night-like gloom,
and the old man began to despair of effecting the ob-
ject of his journey, when he noticed a track on the
table below him, leading still deeper into the gorge.
He hesitated a moment to see that the fresh track had
4:86 MINNIE HEKMON.
returned, and then with the vigor of youth he sprang
lightly down and followed the first. As he reached
the bottom of the fearful chasm, he stopped and lis-
tened with breathless attention. Being confident that
whoever might that day have visited the bottom, they
must be beyond hearing, he put his fingers to, his
mouth and gave a low but prolonged and shrill whis-
tle. Three times he repeated the sound with no re-
sponse save the echoes which faintly died away down
the gorge. Night was upon him, but lie could not
abandon his purpose, and he again followed the track
across the bottom until it struck the other ledge, and
wound deftly among the rocks. He whistled again
and awaited the result.
High above, as if in the upper air, a wild and spec
tral ha, ha, burst strangely distinct from some un-
known source. The revivalist grasped his staff with
excitement, and kept his hand upon his pistol, listen-
ing with a heart beating violently with mingled emo-
tions. He heard the same voice again, now swelling
out, in a tone at once melodious and shrill, in afamil
iar hymn often sung in the country meetings.
The revivalist whistled again, though the violence
of his feelings almost unmanned him. He hoped, and
yet feared. There was something in the voice which
thrilled like a well-remembered tone, and should his
hopes be realized, the prayer of his heart, with its
most cherished purpose, would be accomplished.
"Mock, ye human devils! I hear you, but fear
you not. I was sick, and you bound me and cast
TWO RESCUES. 4.87
me into prison, where you visited me not. But an
arm that is mighty to save shall break the bands and
let the captive go free."
There was no mistaking that voice : and with great
difficulty the listener threaded his way up the ledge,
guided somewhat by the voice above, alternating with
denunciation and song. When nearly half-way up
the ascent from the base, the path led between two
huge boulders out upon a shelving rock, hanging per-
pendicular over the precipice. In the high, abrupt
wall immediately back, was a wide seam like an in-
verted letter -y, and from this point the sound still pro-
ceeded. The revivalist doubted no longer, for the
voice was familiar, and he could have shouted for joy.
The thread of plotting wickedness was almost in his
hand. The clear sky reflected upon the high and ex
posed situation, revealing in the fissure a rough frame
work of timbers, let down through a cross-fissure a
few feet back, and firmly wedged. And from such a
fastness the sound of a human voice proceeded. Af-
ter resting a moment from the severity of his ascent
and the oppression of his thoughts, the revivalist ad-
vanced and stood close to the timbers, vainly attempt-
ing to penetrate the darkness within. From an im-
mense depth the sounds still came, with a plaintive
melody, followed by a burst of rage and defiance. The
revivalist again put his hands to his mouth and gave
a low whistle. The v Dice within ceased for a mo-
ment, and then there was a rattling of chains, and a
wild ha, ha !
4:88 MINNIE HERMON.
" Come on ! come on, ye human devils. The Lord
will smite you with his vengeance. Even in chains I
scorn you."
The listener waited a moment, and then in low and
deliberate tones, pronounced a name.
" Ha ! What's that ? Who calls me ? "
"A friend."
" Who can that be my mother ? She comes in
my dreams ; but it's so cold here she cannot stay.
But an angel has promised to let me out and give
me wings, and then, woe to those who bound me.
My swoop shall be terrible."
" How came you here? " continued the revivalist,
as he stood sadly listening to the muttering of the
msane.
" How came I here? ha! ha ! How came human
devils on earth ? Ask Skillott ask Jud Lane ask
the devil down the ledge. How came you here to
deceive, and to cut my throat ? Let me out, and I'll
elay forty and two thousand of you ? "
" I have come to let you out a friend from Oak-
vale. Come nearer."
There was a rattling of chains, and footsteps care-
fully approached the timbers.
" Here," reaching his arm in between them, " put
your hand in mine,"- again speaking that familiar
name, and mentioning some circumstances of the past,
"and know that you have a friend that will save
you."
Lightly, like the touch of a cat, long, cold fingers
TWO RESCUES. 489
were dropped suspiciously upon the revivalist's palm,
the latter all the time speaking in a winning, soothing
tone. Silently the captive felt of the hand, and then
up the arm ; then grasped the palm in both of his,
and stooped and kissed it, the revivalist feeling warm
drops as the hairy lips touched his palm.
"And don't you know me ? Didn't you ever hear
my voice before ? "
" I have, but it was a long while ago ! " The re-
vivalist was overjoyed to witness the soothing effect
of his words, and continued to converse with the cap-
tive. Looking around warily, he put his mouth to
the widest opening, and whispered something in the
captive's ear.
hallelujah!"
" Hush ! never speak that word to mortal ear," and
the startled revivalist again looked behind him un-
easily.
" You know me, then ! "
" I do. And have you come to let me out ? Oh,
if I could go back to Oakvale. There's a great work
there for me to do. But it may be too late. How
long have I been here ? "
" I cannot tell ; but to-morrow night you shall go
free. You must wait and keep silent"
" I'll wait if it's God's will ; but it's so cold and
dark here. You'll surely come ? "
" If I live," and the revivalist slowly withdrew his
hand from the reluctant captive's strong grasp, and
slowly pursued his way down the ledge. At the base
4:90 MINNIE HEKMON.
he met a person in the path, whom, in the darkness,
he could hardly recognize. Hastily cocking his pis-
tol, he demanded who was there.
" Why, Sam Janson ! I didn't know what might
happen, and so kind a walked along a little. No
harm done, I hope ? "
" Oh, no ; but let us hurry on."
In spite of the blunt, though cordial remonstrance
of young Jauson, the revivalist insisted that the for-
mer should return to the settlement and procure an
axe, saw and iron bar, and return by the next eve-
ning, leaving him (the revivalist) on the mountain.
The latter was determined not to be foiled in the ob-
ject of his coming.
He watched eagerly in his concealment for the
coming of the night, often regretting that he had not
himself gone back to the settlement so as to have
made sure of his implements. But just as it began
to grow dusk, a low whistle, as agreed upon, indicated
the return of Janson. He had failed in procuring an
iron bar, and as a substitute, had brought a heavy
crane from the fire-place at home. Silently the two
pursued their way down into the gorge and across
the bottom. Here the revivalist posted young Jan-
eon with his rifle, with instructions to give him timely
warning of any approach from below, and with his
tools commenced the ascent. The silence was bro-
ken only by the lonely hooting of an owl across the
gorge, and the sighing of the winds as they swept
through the stunted mountain pines. Approaching
TWO RESCUES. 491
the entrance, he listened for a moment and then
asked :
" , are you here ? "
" How could I be anywhere else with these ungodly
chains upon me ? " soberly though somewhat bitterly
replied the captive, immediately advancing and
eagerly clasping the hand thrust between the timbers.
"And you have come to let me out ! It seemed so
long since you were here that I feared it was a mad-
man's dream. I have feared I was mad. Do you
think I am ? "
" It's enough to make any one mad a place like
this. But daylight will not find us here," cheerfully
answered the revivalist, laying off his coat and com-
mencing a thorough examination of the timbers. The
iron crane was not of sufficient strength to pry them
apart so as to admit his body, and he commenced
with the saw, often stopping to listen. The sweat
rolled down his face, but he worked with unabating
vigor, and soon cut out one of the heavy timbers.
"With the crane in hand, he stepped into the cavern
and called the captive's name, being immediately
clasped in a strong embrace and loaded with blessings.
Upon examination, he found that one of the legs of
the captive was in irons, the chain fastened to the
ankle by a padlock, and to the heaviest timber of the
doorway by a large staple. Inserting the crooked
end of the crane into the link in the staple, he twisted
it against the latter until it snapped in two. With
the head of the axe carefully applied, the padlock
4:92 MINNIE HEEMON.
was soon broken to pieces, and the fetters unloosed
from the leg. In silence the captive now no longer
so followed his deliverer into the open air, when
he paused, looked up to the sky, drew a long breath,
and then locked his hands in silent prayer.
" Have you strength to follow me, asked the re-
vivalist.
" Strength enough ; havn't starved ; the devils did
not wish that."
" Then follow !"
They had not half made the descent into the bot-
tom of the gorge, when a rifle shot rang out upon the
night air, giving warning of an unwelcome approach,
immediately followed by Janson's footsteps as he
sprang lightly up the steep path. The three immedi-
ately stepped behind a rock and awaited farther re-
sults. The revivalist was intensely anxious about his
companion, fearing that his mind was not sufficiently
sound to meet calmly a new danger ; but his heart
beat lighter as he saw him in the dim light, by his
side, and cool as he ever had been in a time of diffi-
culty and danger.
"While the revivalist was peering around the path
to scan the approach from below, a bullet pierced his
hat and scalp, grazing the skull, and prostrating him
to the ground.
" There, meddler ! I saw your track, and have paid
you for your curiosity, I reckon. I knew you,
, all the time," chuckled Sid Lane, as he ap-
proached the now-struggling revivalist.
TWO RESCUES. 493
"And I know you, Sid Lane ! and the Philistines
be upon you," howled the Hermit, (for it was he,)
springing fiercely upon the former as he stooped to
thrust his knife into the prostrate revivalist, with a
howl almost unearthly from its bitter fierceness.
Lane had been taken by surprise, he supposing tho
gun below was fired by the one whom he had shot,
and not suspecting that there were others in his com-
pany. The struggle was brief. With one desperate
exertion of his strength, the Hermit caught up the
withered old man, and in spite of his struggles, car-
ried him to the edge of the rocky path and hurled
him off, muttering as he listened after the fall below,
and then turned to look to the revivalist. That per-
sonage was not injured, save a severe wound in the
scalp, and had recovered from the stunning effects of
the shot. The three immediately commenced their
night-journey to the settlement.
Lane was not badly injured by his fall, as there
happened to be a table of rocks between him and the
precipice ; but he wisely chose to shun the odds
against him, and trust to other chances to carry out
his purposes. He ground his teeth and swore bitterly
when he found that his enemy had not been killed by
his shot.
They will meet once more.
CHAPTER XXXV.
DJ WHICH THE READER WILL SEE SOME ACQUAINTS CE8
AND THE RESULTS OF THE WOEK.
THERE was a happy day in Oakvale, for the Maine
Law had passed, and drunkenness was to be no more.
The day when the law was to go into force, was to be
commemorated with*bonfires and illuminations ; by
prayers, songs and shouts ; by the ringing of bells and
the firing of cannon. At sunrise, the roaring of the
o * o
latter awoke the people, and ushered in a day of fes-
tivity and joy. The cannon had been placed over
the river and far up the mountain, and the smoke
from its hoarse lungs rolled away like a banner, and
rested in the air of the clear spring morning. There
was not a cloud in the sky. The sparrows and blue-
birds had just returned to sing a welcome to the bud-
ding leaf and flower. There was a constant tramp-
ling of feet upon the walks, as the masses gathered
from the surrounding country, by twos and by scores.
They came on foot, on horse-back, and in carriages.
Many a family had left the house to take care of itself,
so eager were the women and children, especially, to
witness the rejoicings. Groups of children in their
Sunday suits wei'e tripping here and there, and with
few exceptions, all wore smiling countenances. Flags
GOOD RESULTS. 495
from windows and from ropes stretched across the
principal streets, wrought with appropriate devices,
were fluttering gaily in the breeze. Many a drunk
ard, sober from necessity, was observed to watch tho
streamers and listen to the music of the bands, until
he was borne away with the spirit of the day, and
smiled upon the scene. Poorly dressed mothers with
ragged but clean-looking children, came forth for the
first time in years, .and watched the proceedings with
deep interest. The church in which the meeting was
to convene was bedecked with evergreen, tastefully
wrought into vines, festoons, and beautiful devices.
The firing of the cannon shook the dark walls of
the prison, and startled a band of felons which had
just " turned out " for the day's work. In a gang of
hands employed upon a roof of one of the new shops f
were two convicts, who often cast their eyes towards
the smoke curling from the cannon on the mountain
side. They had learned enough to divine the cause
of the universal commotion, and their eagle spirits
chafed as they heard the hum of voices and the strains
of music. The large national banner which rolled
and swayed from the staff on the Square, seemed to
taunt them with its graceful movements in the free
air. Who of the throng thought of them in their
prison-house ?
The two prisoner's were Doctor Howard and "Wal-
ter Brayton ! The sentence of the latter had been
commuted to imprisonment for life on the strength of
the direct testimony of Halton and his daughter.
4:96 MINNIE HEKMON.
Towards noon, our old acquaintance, the revivalist,
travel-worn and haggard, though smiling, knocked at
the warden's door, and inquired for Howard and
Bray ton.
To his statement that he had taken an interest in
those convicts that he believed them to be no com-
mon criminals, the warden sneeringly blurted out an
oath, and put all criminals in the same class cold-
hearted and relentless, never seeing the semblance
of humanity in the wretch that has committed a crime,
and boasting of his cruelty, as though it were an ev-
idence of great capacity for rule. And yet, look at
the physiognomy of the man ! the small, black, hog
eye ; the narrow and ill-shaped brow ; the lisping
tongue, sounding like the serpent's hiss ; and the sen-
sual lips, which grin like an idiot's when the man at-
tempts to be a gentleman, or leer like a devil's
when his nature glares unrestrained upon his repul-
sive features. He has no more idea of the real duties
and responsibilities of his position than the bull-dog
in his kennel. "Without talents to govern men as a
man, his only way to win notoriety is to be a brute
and beat men as brutes. We are not mistaken in that
face. We have read the souls of more cunning men
in our day, and we can decipher the language written
on that physiognomy as plainly as though written in
English. We know the man's whole strength, hia
course of habits, thoughts, and the motives which
govern his action. If he has not committed a state'
prison crime, nature has written false.
GOOD RESULTS. 497
He at first refused to call the two convicts from the
shops, but as the revivalist showed him a sealed pa-
per, his countenance changed to sickening smiles, and
he hastened to send for the men. They entered the
office with a mien unbroken by their degrading po-
sition paler than at the time we saw them last, but
erect and dignified, as in their best days. By permis-
sion of the now obsequious warden, the revivalist
advanced, and without a word of explanation or in-
troduction, handed each a full and complete pardon
from the Governor of the State !
Howard bowed his head on the desk, and with a
sudden and convulsive movement, crushed the paper
in his hand. As suddenly he raised his head again,
and advanced to the window, as if to make sure that
he had read aright. Brayton stood motionless and
silent for a moment, perfectly overwhelmed with the
violence of his emotions. Then his lips began to
quiver, and he burst into a sob which shook his strong
frame as though it had been a child's. Howard first
attempted to speak.
" No, no, my friends ! Though I am a stranger,
you once befriended me in a dark day. I have now
had the happiness of doing you both a kindness in
return. I wish you, as a favor which you will soon
understand, to put yourselves under my direction
this day. Let us go."
The convict garb was soon laid off, and with feel-
ings which cannot be written, Howard and Brayton
followed their stranger friend through the massive
498 MINNIE HEKMON.
iron gate, nearly sinking with the intensity of their
feelings, as it crashed back to its place, and they
stood in the sunshine of the wide, free world.
The church was overflowing. Every place where
a foot could find a place was occupied, and out-doors
the sea of heads reached as far again. The roar of
the cannon and the music of the choir had kept the
vast assemblage in good feeling while awaiting the
procession of the Orders and the arrival of the speak-
ers. Indeed, almost every person seemed to feel well
Skillott had taken a conspicuous stand upon the plat-
form, the sinister smile more prominent than usual.
From one of the open windows back of the plat-
form, the speakers, and leading temperance men,
clergymen, &c., and visitors, came in, and were seat-
ed on the platform. "With John Gault, Halton, and
others of the old veterans, were three persons closely
muffled, who remained so during the exercises, at-
tracting much notice from the curious thousands as-
sembled.
We cannot describe the character of that meeting ;
it were a profanation to attempt it. All hearts were
full, and from their fullness the mouths spake, and
with a three-times-three that mingled proudly with
the pealing of the cannon, the people adjourned to
the Square, where glorious things were to be wit-
nessed. Skillott volunteered to announce his devotion
to the Maine Law, and Dobbs smiled graciously, bufi
the people swept out andjiurried to the Square.
GOOD RESULTS. 4:99
In the middle of the Square were a number of bar-
rels of liquor, seized by Marshal Gaston under the
new law, and which were to be destroyed that day.
Every window in sight of the place was filled with
heads, and surrounding the barrels was a dark mass
of eager and excited people. Overhead, the flag of
our country lifted gracefully on the winds.
"With a smile upon his countenance, Gaston seized
his sledge which he had brought from his shop, and
was about to strike the first head in, when the revi-
valist caught his hand and arrested the blow ; and
mounting the doomed barrel, he said, in a clear
voice :
" Men and women of Oakvale ! - I will not long
avert a blow which you are so anxious to see fall.
As the accursed destroyer has robbed me of all that
loved me, I shall claim of our good friend Gaston
the privilege of wielding the first blow of this right-
eous enactment, in Oakvale. Before I do so, howev-
er, here, before assembled thousands, let justice bo
done to those who have been wronged. You recol-
lect Doctor Howard and Walter Bray ton two as
noble-hearted men as ever lived among you. (Aye,
aye, murmured the crowd ; but Skillott frowned.) I
have taken this occasion to have their good names
vindicated from every stain, and have the proof at
hand. The consequences may be unpleasant to some,
and grate discordantly upon the general character
of the exercises, but I know that you will be glad to
500 MINNIE HERMON.
see innocent men dealt justly with by their neigh-
bors."
" Yes, yes ; that we will," was answered by many
voices, amidst intense feeling and a swaying of the *
crowd as the people attempted to get nearer tha
speaker.
" Doctor Howard did not rob Gerald Bray ton's grave
neither did Walter Brayton murder Nye, the drover
And now to the proof. Here are two witnesses whom
I would believe, for I have known them for years,
and never knew them to lie."
The revivalist then leaped from the barrel and
urged the two closely muffled individuals upon the
small platform, and with his own hands lifted off their
hats and threw their cloaks from their shoulders.
" People of Oak vale ! Doctor Howard and Walter
Brayton stand before you. Let any man say that he
knows aught of crime against them."
The crowd swayed like a deep wave, but still and
breathless. Skillott turned deadly pale as he recog-
nized the two n\en, but quickly recovered his outward
coolness.
" Proof ! " he sneered. " This is a pretty pass.
Convicts breaking prison, and relying upon a Maine
Law excitement to keep them from justice." Howard
and Brayton both tried to catch the eye of the Judge,
but in vain.
" Judge Skillott speaks of breaking prison," said
the reviv alist, again mounting the liquor-cask. " I
GOOD RESULTS. 501
will read the plan of their escape," producing and
reading the two pardons. " But he asks proof. Let
him look at the tall man who has just dropped his
cloak from his face."
The Hermit stood erect and calm before the people
his full eye resting upon Skillott.
" Let him again look at the female whom Mr. Bray
ton has just led before you from the carriage by the
flag- staff."
Embarrassed, but still beautiful and erect, Minnie
Hermon stood with her head uncovered.
" God has blessed our endeavors to scent out wrong,
and here is proof which will be used to clear the in-
nocent and convict the guilty. Friends, Walter
Brayton will speak."
Pale from long confinement, Walter stood up, and
in a voice which had lost none of its wondrous depth
and power, said, in substance :
" Friends ! I will not attempt to speak what is this
day in my heart. You know me and my history. I
have been deeply wronged, as, I thank God, I shall be
able to show. By the influence of enemies, I was
induced to wrong another. Before God and this as-
semblage, I will make all the amends it is mine to do,
though not worthy of the privilege."
The revivalist then asked if there were any who
knew why Walter Brayton and Minnie Hermon
should not be united in the holy bands of marriage ?
There was no response, and he proceeded to pronounce
them man and wife, and then put up a prayer which
502 MINNIE HERHON.
was full of the dark night past and the promising
morning of a better future.
"And now, men and women of Oakvale, James
Ricks strikes the first blow ! " at the same time spring-
ing to the ground and bringing the sledge down upon
the barrel he had stood upon, knocking in the head.
" Depart, ye cursed, to the place prepared for you/'
fiercely shouted the Hermit, as he seized the weapon
and with a powerful sweep crushed through a head
at every blow.
" Old Barney Kitts has turned spirit-rapper," said
that old toper, now cleanly dressed, although it took
three of his feebler strokes to let the spirits out.
The cannon pealed from up the mountain, the bells
rang out a merry chime, and the crowd, no longer
able to control their enthusiasm, shouted until their
voices well-nigh drowned the roar of the cannon ; and
putting Ricks, Howard, Brayton and Minnie, Gault,
Halton, and the Hermit into the wagon, to the music
of the band and deafening hurrahs, escorted them
through the principal streets. As the sun faded out,
fire was set to the liquor, still in pools and in the bro-
ken barrels, the flames leaping and writhing like red
sarpents, as they shot upward towards the sky.
" Too late ! too late ! Oh, if this had been done
years ago, I should not have been robbed of my boy,"
murmured old Mrs. "Weston, and she wept as she sat
in her door and watched the flashing flame.
That evening, as Skillott was sitting in his office,
buried in deep thought, he was startled by a loud rap
GOOD RESULTS. 503
on the door. The door was locked ; but he sprang
from his chair and turned deadly pale. Seizing a
bundle of papers which lay on the table, and thrust-
ing them into his pocket, he hastened through the
house into the back yard. As he leaped the fence
and stood by the river bank, he encountered the one
whom, of all others, he most dreaded.
" Leaving these parts, eh ? You saw me off once,
and I thought I would return the compliment. Are
there not more murderers to try, Judge ? TJiey are
not all hung yet ! ha, ha ! "
The Hermit sat in the boat which Skillott had
provided for an escape. The latter drew his pistol ;
but a strong grasp from behind caught the arm, and
the ball struck the water far beyond the boat.
" Not so good a marksman as when you tried me
before with ball ! Hand a little unsteady, perhaps.
Gerald Brayton's was when he signed the will ! "
chuckled the Hermit as he leaped ashore and assisted
Sheriff Gaston in placing the prisoner in irons. " Been
waiting for you some time. Jud Lane will be glad
to see you at the jail. Your friend, Mr. Hermon, has
left without so much as bidding us good bye."
The Hermit had dogged Skillott's footsteps, and
from his hiding-place watched the arrangements for
escape, and listened to the plans of Skillott and Lane.
Hermon had not waited for darkness, but during the
scene upon the Square had slipped away and made
good his escape. From a manuscript we gather some
of the incidents which followed :
21
ft 04 MINNIE BLERMON.
" OAKVALE, Aug. 5, 18 .
DOCTOR HOWARD:
""We think and talk of you often, and miss you
much, but do not wonder that you do not wish to re-
side in Oakvale, for the associations are sad indeed
I was at poor Mary's grave to-day, and thought of all
the past. I go there often and tend the flowers with
a watchful care. I loved her, for she was a kind and
true friend to me in the dark days. And she lives
not on earth to witness the dawning of a better day I
" You have probably heard ere this, that Skillott
committed suicide in the jail on the day before ho
was to have been executed. Jud Lane was hung, after
making a full confession of his crimes.
" I have been sad to-day, and have wept much.
Last night a poor looking old beggar called at our
door, and in God's name plead for food and rest.
Neither Walter nor myself could refuse the appeal,
and therefore we took him in. This morning he died,
after putting his fleshless arms around my neck and
asking my forgiveness. The poor, wandering beggar
was the once proud and honorable John Hermon, my
father ! How different would have been his end but
for rum ! As the Widow Weston says, the law camo
too late So you perceive that there are
shadows yet flitting here and there in my sky.
" You will remember the Hermit, and how strange-
ly he disappeared while you were under arrest. He
was kidnapped by Skiilott and Lane after being shot
GOOD RESULTS. 505
in the shoulder. But you were made acquainted with
all the facts of his disappearance, imprisonment in the
Ledge, and release by Ricks. You may not know,
however, that he and ' Crazy Alf ' are the same, and
that he is a son of Elder Snyder, and an uncle of
mine ! He had traced father to this place, and after
his reform, became impressed with the belief that he
was an instrument selected to punish his sister's hus-
band my father for his cruelty to her. He is
with us now, meek, kind, and gentle to all, though a
word about rum will arouse him to the fiercest wild-
ness. It would do you good to see him ' smite ' the
liquor barrels wherever they are found. He spends
much of his time by the grave of his mother. He
still persists in carrying his long staff, and in wearing
his beard.
" Bless God for the Maine Law ! It has filled the
land with gladness and joy, and there is rejoicing ev-
erywhere. You can hardly conceive the change it
has wrought in Oakvale. No drunkenness is seen,
and seldom a case of suffering from poverty or want.
Pauperism has almost entirely disappeared, and the
jail is empty, save now and then a prisoner, who may
have been convicted of selling rum. Walter tells me
that there is but little business in the courts. I look
down where the babe is slumbering in the cradle, and
tears of great gladness come freely from a full heart,
and I audibly thank God. My boy, if he lives, will
not be exposed to the sweep of the dark stream that
506 MINNIE HEEMON.
has wrecked so many of my hopes in other dajs.
Walter has recovered his father's property from Skil-
lott, and with this, added to the avails of his practice,
we are surrounded with comfort. We are happy, yet
do not forget your own broken home. . . .
"Sid Lane was recently sentenced to the state pris-
on for a long career of body-snatching. It appears
strange that the infatuated populace should have so
injured you and yours for being suspected of such a
crime, while they supported the business of selling
rum strange to license men to destroy the living,
and imprison men for robbing the dead ! It is cer-
tainly worse to rob the heart and the home, than the
grave.
" Hon. Mr. Fenton was here yesterday. He was
surprised to find that we had but just commenced
the married life. He had gotten the impression that
Walter was the one who turned his family out of
doors to freeze. We were happy to undeceive him.
"Mr. Hudson you have not forgotten Mortimer
Hudson, the elder is well, and his home is as happy
as it can well be. He and Ricks are much together in
works of goodness. The latter lingers and weeps like
a child by the graves of his family. He was arrested
at the instigation of Sid Lane, and tried for an as-
sault with intent to kill the latter, in the rescue of Al-
fred Snyder ; but Alfred testified to the facts, and he
was acquitted. I believe I have detailed the princi-
pal facts you would be glad to hear, though you will
be glad to learn that Deacon McGarr has become a
GOOD EE3ULT8. 507
sober and industrious man, and that old Barney Kitts
lives like a king.
"Yes, my dear friend, we are happy in the light of
this new day. Walter has just come in and lifted
fie my (we have named our habe Henry Howard}
from his cradle, and Alfred and Ricks are conversing
in low tones in the verandah. The sun has crept up
and flooded the sheet, on which I am writing, with
golden light, and the heart reflects it from its un-
clouded depths. A long, dark night has passed away ;
and with the most profound gratitude to God, we
look forward to greet the FULL MOENING OF A BEIGHT-
KE, BETTEE DAY!
" Walter says that you may look for us in October,
in your western hiding-place.
" Till then, adieu !
" MINNIE BEAYTON."
We will not detain the reader longer, though the
subsequent history of our principal characters (and
they are now living) might be interesting.
Alfred Snyder was driven from his home by the
" iron rule," and became reckless and abandoned for
many years. He found, on his return, that his moth-
er had died ; and after drinking deeper than before,
he suddenly formed the resolution to drink no more.
His enthusiastic nature assumed the phase of religious
zeal, and he became a firm believer in his Heaven-di-
rected mission against the rum traffic. The same
" iron rule " had driven an only daughter from home
508 MINNIE HERMON.
because she married Hermon, then a worthy youug
man, but belonging to another denomination. The
Elder is a lonely old man, unloved and shunned by
all, and cannot obtain hearers even, when speaking
against the Temperance Reform.
Alfred was kidnapped and imprisoned in the fast-
nesses of one of the counties of Northern Pennsylva-
nia. He owed his life to the fact that Skillott had
learned that he had become an heir to a large proper-
ty, and it was determined to frighte. him into a sur-
render of the claim.
Howard is a man of sorrow ; for he does not forget
the loss of his accomplished wife. Save now and
then a shadow which flits from the past, Minnie and
Walter are happy. Their deeds are the best record
of their goodness and their standing in the commu
nity where they live.
Old Mrs. Weston lives to rejoice over the Reforma-
tion. Its advent could not restore her son to her old
heart, but it wiE save other sons who are loved as she
loved hers.
MISS BRAYTON DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE.
CHAPTEK XXXVI.
THE JOV i >F DOING GOOD MINNIE AND WALTER BE-
COME INTERESTED IN TiiE GOOD TEMPLAR MOVE-
MENT WALTER MADE GRAND WORTHY TEMPLAR.
SHADOW and sunshine, are set over against each
other in this life ; and whether we are living in the
gloom of an obscured sky, or in the brightness of an
unclouded firmament, the days, months, and years
roll on, and, ere we are aware, we find ourselves past
the noontide of life and our faces toward the setting
sun. Happy is it for us, when the threads of silver
begin to show themselves in the dark tresses that
have adorned our temples, if we can look back on a
life of usefulness, activity, and kindly deeds toward
our fellows. The joy of doing good will efface from
our memory the sorrows and woes of earlier days, or
leave with their remembrance that hallowed and
chastened sorrow which is compatible with the deep-
est and purest enjoyment, or, as Moore has so beauti-
fully sung
" E'en sorrow, touched by thee, grows bright
With more than rapture's ray;
As darkness shows us worlds of light
We never saw by day."
512 MESTNIE HEEMON.
Such had been the experience of our friends, Wab
ter and Minnie Brayton. Some years after the events^
related in the preceding chapter, they had removed to
the vicinity of Hillsboro, Ohio, and in a pleasant
rural home they were striving to rear up their family
in the fear of God and the practice of all Christian
virtues. Walter was now a man of influence, and,
though not affluent, was yet the owner of a good
estate. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church,
and bore a high reputation for piety and earnest
Christian character. Minnie, now known only as Mrs.
Brayton, except to her husband, who could never be
satisfied with any other than the pet name by which
he had known her in girlhood, was a rather grave,
matronly lady ; but the occasional cheery laugh, and
the bright twinkle of her yet beautiful eyes, showed
that the sorrows of her youth had not drowned all
her natural joyousness, and that she did not consider
it necessary to be gloomy in order to be good. Five
children surrounded the family board olive-plants
their father called them, though their complexions
had very little of the olive tint. Of these, the oldest,
Henry Howard Brayton, who has already been intro-
duced, is now a fine, stalwart young man of twenty-
two, intelligent and cultured, and is soon to enter the
ministry, for which he has been preparing for some
years. Ida Maria, who comes next, is a young lady now
in her twentieth year a brave, generous-hearted girl,
with all her mother's early enthusiasm, and uniting
to deep piety a well-trained mind and a joyous, buoy-
ant spirit. She has had the advantage of a full
THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE. 513
course of training in the Elmira Female College,
where she had for an intimate friend and room-mate
Carrie Hudson, the only daughter of our old friend,
Mortimer Hudson, Jr. ; a young lady of excellent
mind and heart.
Freddie, who is the next in age, is an active and
amiable boy of sixteen, who spends his winters in
school, but, having a great love for farming life, is
becoming a valuable helper of his father on the farm.
Nellie, just turned of thirteen, and Wee Willie, the
baby, though now eight years old, and rejoicing in
boots, which he wears over his trousers, make up the
household circle. It had been one object with Wal-
ter Brayton, in removing to Ohio, to separate himself
and his interesting family as far as possible from all
association with persons and scenes which were con-
stantly reminding him and his wife of the sorrowful
scenes through which they had passed. Over and
over again there came up the remembrance of those
dreadful hours in prison ; of the ruin which the rum-
fiend had wrought among those nearest and dearest
to them ; of the violent death of Walter's father, and
the distressing close of Mr. Hermon's career ; and of
the narrow escape which Walter Jiimself had had
from becoming as degraded a drunkard as any of the
rest. There would come over them both at times,
also, the terrible fear lest the inherited appetite for
drink which, as is well known, so often skips over
one generation to make itself felt witli greater power
in the next, should re-appear in their children.
The reminiscences of tue pa^t. which thus made life
514 MINNIE HEEMON.
bitter, could have been endured with more patience,
had there been in Oakvale any considerable measure
of permanent improvement in the matter of temper-
ance. But, as has been the case in many other places,
the reformation was spasmodic in its character; now
advancing apparently with rapid strides, and then
receding almost to the low-watermark of the old
times. The Sons of Temperance had, as we have
seen, made considerable progress, and had secured
many members to their Order; and the passage of
the Maine Law, while they were in the height of
their popularity, had produced for a time grand
results. But, unfortunately, these were not enduring ;
the novelty wore off, and enthusiasm in regard to
the Order, gave place to ndifference, until very
many of the Sons of Temperance became rather
Sons of Intemperance seven-tenths of them, accord-
ing to Dr. Chambers' statement, having broken the
pledge. The Maine Law was not enforced, and it
was claimed could not be, in the larger towns, and
the friends of Temperance having grown cold in
their zeal, the law was repealed after four or five
years of trial. It was inexpressibly painful to Wal-
ter Brayton and his wife to see those "breathing
holes of hell," as Dr. Lyman Beecher so forcibly
described them, again open and sending out the
fumes of these poisonous liquors, to draw unwary
souls down to destruction. So long as it was possi-
ble to enforce the law and keep them closed, Walter
was indefatigable in his efforts to prevent this traffic
in souls ; but when this became impossible, in conse-
THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE. 515
quence of the repeal of the Maine Law, he felt almost
disheartened. There was, however, one organiza-
tion from which, for a time, he entertained some
hopes of good. It was the Independent Order of
Good Templars, like the Sons of Temperance a
secret order, but admitting both sexes to membership.
Originating in Onondaga County, N. Y., in 1852, it
had spread at first slowly, and afterward more rapidly
into other States and Territories, and into the pro-
vinces of British America. Its imposing ritual, and
the energy with which it was pushed, as well as its
features of female membership, and its permission of
official position to its lady-members, gave it a high
degree of popularity for a time, and it seemed to bid
fair to be a powerful agency for the overthrow of
intemperance. Its history, however, proved to be
one of great fluctuations. There were noble, ear-
nest spirits engaged in it, but there were also, as is
so often the case in secret organizations, many who
were only attracted to it as something new, and who
either imperiled the subordinate Ledges wuth which
they were connected by their jealousies and rivalries,
or, becoming indifferent as soon as the novelty wore
off, abandoned alike their obligations and their mem-
bership. This was particularly the case in New
York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. In the first named
State there was a membership in 1854 of 21,000, but
four years later there was but a single lodge in exist-
ence, and this had but a handful of members. It
subsequently regained more than its first prosperity,
and has now nearly 100,000 members in that State.
516
MINNIE IIEHMON.
Walter Brayton had joined it as soon as oppor-
tunity offered, and had been Grand Worthy Templar
of the Lodge in Oakvale; he had also brought his
children into it as soon as they were of sufficient age
to comprehend its obligations. But when all interest
seemed to be lost by the members, and it was impos-
sible to bring together a quorum at the appointed
Lodge meetings, and a similar state of things existed
throughout the State, while, under the excitement of
the beginning of the war, thousands of pledged Good
Templars forgot their vows, plunging into intoxica-
tion without hesitation or apparent consciousness of
wrong, he felt that this measure, like the previous
ones for subduing this giant evil, was of no avail, and
the old dread of a renewal of the scenes of the past,
and those painful apprehensions for the future of hig
children, if they remained in Oakvale or its vicinity,
were renewed with such intensity as to make both.
Walter and his wife at times exceedingly wretched.
O /
Often did they consult together in regard to the best
course to adopt to avoid the evils and sorrows whoso
dark wings seemed already to overshadow them.
Thus far their children had never had the slightesl
intimation of the wretchedness and agony of the early
life of their parents, and they hoped almost against
hope to keep from them all knowledge of the bitter
past.
The hope was vain ; it was now the second year
of the war, when one Wednesday morning, Harry, a
bright, manly, interesting boy of ten years old, had,
as usual, been to school, but came running home, and
THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE. 517
rushing to his mother, the tears rolling down hia
cheeks, sobbed out, " Oh, mother ! it isn't true, is it ?
Jerry Lane got mad at me to-day, and he said he
said, 'You needn't feel so big, Hal Brayton, your
old granddad was a drunken old scamp, and he
helped murder a man so there.' I told him that
was a lie, but he said it was true, and everybody here
knew it. Oh, mother ! tell me that it isn't true I
can't go to school any more, if it is !"
Poor Minnie! her cup was full to overflowing.
She managed to evade any direct reply to Harry's
appeal, and rushed to her room, where soon after
"Walter found her in a perfect agony of tears. " Oh,
Walter," she said, so soon as she could command her
feelings sufficiently to speak, " we cannot stay here.
We must remove to some place far enough from this
point to prevent our children from being taunted
with these horrible crimes and sorrows of the past.
Let us go anywhere, and at any sacrifice, to blot out
these dreadful memories. In another State, where
we shall be among strangers, we may be happy, and
our children never know such anguish as we have
experienced."
CHAPTER XXXVII.
rWENTY TEAKS LATER REMOVAL OF MINNIE AN.
WALTER TO OHIO THE PREVALENCE OF INTEMPER-
ANCE THERE HOW IS IT TO BE RESISTED? THE
WOMEN'S CRUSADE IDA'S LETTER TO CARRIE HUDSON,
WALTER was very willing to follow suggestions so
evidently judicious; and, after some inquiry, they
fixed upon the Ohio village, where we now find them,
as their future home.
The village had, on their first removal thither, but
a small population, and these largely farmers ; but a
branch railway from the Marietta road to Hillsboro
was soon constructed, and they were put in direct
communication with Cincinnati. The growth of the
village now became rapid, and it was soon reckoned
as a part of Hillsboro, in which township it lay.
Like many of the farming towns of Ohio, corn and
rye were the principal crops, and with too many of
the farmers the temptation to sell their grain to the
distillers was too strong to be resisted. Against this,
Walter Brayton had maintained a firm and steady
opposition. He had seen too much of the horrible
results of the liquor traffic to be willing to aid in any
way in the production of the vile liquid. At first,
and for some years, his course brought upon him
the enmity of his neighbors, who had no scruples in
turning wholesome grain into a virulent poison. He
was called a Pharisee, and several times threatened
for his manly and consistent course. But as time
passed, and the f firms of these men grew poorer each
THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE. 519
year, and their sons became addicted to drink, the
wiser and more prudent citizens began to see that his
course was the true one, and he stood higher in their
esteem than any other man in the town.
But there came to him and his estimable wife at
this time the renewal of their old fears, from the
rapid spread of intemperance in Hillsboro and the
adjacent towns. Their own children were indeed
spared thus far from the appetite for liquor. Harry
was a young man of exemplary life, and of remark-
ably pure and devoted piety ; and Freddie manifested
no taste for liquor, and had been a member of the
Good Templars ever since he was old enough to be
received into the order. Ida and Nellie were equally
free from any desire for strong drink in any form.
Relatives they had none in that region ; and, except
an occasional visit from Dr. Howard and Alfred
Snyder, Minnie's uncle now no longer called " Crazy
Alf ," but an active, stern, and somewhat sad-visaged
temperance reformer they had no communication
with Oakvale or its vicinity.
Why, then, should they feel so deeply and keenly
anxious in regard to the spread of intemperance
around them ? It was because they had themselves
experienced so much sorrow from it. The iron had
entered their own souls ; and, as they saw young men
of great promise lured to drink the intoxicating cup,
and young women, full of gayety, life and animation,
offering it to their brothers and lovers, they looked
back shudderingly to the fearful scenes they had wit-
nessed, and felt that something must be done to save
520 MINNIE HERMON.
these young men from a drunkard's grave and a
drunkard's eternity. What was the best and wisest
step to take ? How could they most effectually reach
and save those who were thus being led, blindfolded,
to destruction ?
" I have been talking with our pastor and the ses-
sion, to-day, about the terrible spread of intemper-
ance," said Walter one day to his wife, on his return
from Hillsboro, " but I cannot make them see it as I
do. Our pastor proposed to have a day of fasting
and prayer especially for the reformation of moderate
drinkers and drunkards, and he was right ; but Elder
and Deacon , both of whom have sons who
are going to destruction as fast as they can, couldn't
see any use in it. They thought young people would
be gay and lively, but they didn't see any harm in it.
I told them that there was no safety for any man
who took a drop of the -vile stuff ; but they only
laughed, and said ' Brother Brayton is a little fanat
ical.' Oh ! I wish I could make them see the hor-
rors that are sure to come to their own homes, if their
sons keep on drinking. They would wake up then,
and their hair would stand on end with fright ! "
" I think," said Mrs. Brayton, " that there is but
one resource for us just now, and that is in earnest
and persistent prayer ; prayer that God will convert
our Legislature, and make them willing to enact
laws by which this traffic can be prevented ; prayer
for the rum-sellers and dealers in intoxicating drinks,
that they may be compelled by their own consciences
and the pressure of public sentiment to give up the
THE WOMEN'S CKUSADE. 521
business prayer for these careless and over-indulgent
fathers und mothers, that they may see the dreadful
results of their indifference; and especially prayer
for the young, that they may be delivered from
temptation."
" You are right, my dear Minnie," replied her hus-
band ; " and I believe that you and some of our other
good sisters have been praying for the Legislature to
some purpose already, for I heard to-day that the
Adair bill, which, you know, is for a local option law
that will enable us to close up the grog-shops if we
can get public opinion roused, is likely to pass."
" There will be more need of praying than ever in
that case," was Mrs. Brayton's reply. " There will
be no necessity for resorting to force if we can only
reach the hearts of the rum-sellers by the power of
faith and love."
" But, my dear," said Walter, " are you not reckon-
ing too much on the power of faith and love, in ex-
pecting that the hearts of rum-sellers can be moved
by anything short of force? Whyj most of them
have no conscience and no feeling : they will never
give up their vile traffic unless they are compelled to
do so by the strong arm of the law."
. " Dear Walter," said Mrs. Brayton, with the tears
glistening in her eyes, " have you forgotten that faith
can remove mountains ? that the prayer of faith
moves the hand that moves the world ? Have you
forgotten but, no ! neither you nor I can ever for-
get, what faith and prayer did for us. God can
move the hearts of these poor, sinful wretches, who
522 MINNIE HERMON.
are dealing out death just as easily as He has moved
upon other hearts in the past."
" "Well," said Walter, " I think you are right ; and
if there are more women with as much faith as you
have, you had better have a prayer-meeting of the
women of Hillsboro, to try the effect of prayer on
these hardened rum-sellers. I think there are some
of the men in the different churches who will be
willing to unite in praying for you, while you have
your meeting, and in sustaining you in your further
efforts, should you need their help."
"Walter was thoroughly in earnest in this move-
ment, and he saw that his wife was equally so. He
called upon a number of the most devoted and ear-
nest men in the different congregations in Hillsboro,
and his wife did the same among the ladies, and the
next week it was announced that there would be a
ladies' prayer-meeting at one of the churches on
Wednesday of the following week, to pray especially
for the overthrow of intemperance, and that, at the
same time, there would be a meeting in another
church of Christian men, to pray for Grod's guidance
of the women in their efforts to overthrow this great
evil. The notices were given in all the churches, and
the matter was discussed throughout the town. To
the surprise of many, both meetings were largely at-
tended ; and such was the influence which pervaded
them, that even the rum-sellers began to talk with
bated breath about the prospects of a temperance re-
vival. The women's meeting, at which Mrs. Bray-
lon presided, was quiet and orderly, but was marked
THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE. 523
by deep feeling, and its key-note seemed to have been
struck when Mrs. Brayton, in a few thoughtful, well-
considered words, said "that the object for which
they were especially called to pray at this time was,
that God would so soften the hearts of the dealers in
intoxicating liquors, that they might see the wicked-
ness of the traffic and be persuaded to abandon it
forever." A daughter of Ex-Governor Trimble, of
Ohio, made the first prayer, and remained ever after
one of the most zealous workers in the cause. The
whole audience became greatly interested, and the
inquiry passed from lip to lip, " Is there not some-
thing that we can do to put a stop to this traffic m
the souls and bodies of men?" Another meeting
was appointed for the next day, Mrs. Brayton urging
all present to be persistent in both prayer and effort,
and not to cease their toils till the good work was
accomplished.
The meeting of the men at the same hour was also
interesting, and evinced a strong and earnest purpose
on the part of the best citizens of the town to arrest
the progress of intemperance by such means as should
seem to be best. The liquor-selling interest was
strong in numbers in Hillsboro, and had considerable
wealth at its back, and the people who were selling
their grain to the distillers were not inclined to favor
any movement which would diminish this demand for
their grain. There were, moreover, as there are in
all such places, a considerable number of the more
respectable citizens, who, while they admitted in the
abstra ;t the evils of the sale and use of intoxicating
524 MINNIE HERMON.
drinks, were unwilling to take any active steps to stop
it. " They liked a glass of wine occasionally them-
selves ; cider was a very pleasant drink, and ale and
beer were necessary occasionally ; then, too, the liquor
dealers were, some of them, very pleasant fellows,
and had interesting families ; they did not like to of-
fend them but, as for these low grog-shops, they did
not care how soon they were put down. As to the
druggists, most of whom sold liquors by the glass to
genteel customers, it would be positively wrong to
their patrons to compel them to "give up this part of
their business, as it was well known that people might
need brandy or whiskey or rum for a medicine, when
it was not convenient to get a physician's prescription
for it."
To these respectable allies of the rum-seller Mr.
Brayton and his friends endeavored to show the hor-
rible results of the traffic, and pushed home the ques-
tion, " If your son or daughter had acquired a taste
for liquor, and could gratify it by a resort to these
drug stores and genteel liquor stores, would you not
feel that there should be some means of preventing
them from obtaining it so readily?" "Well, yes;
but then my sons and daughters are not fond of
drink." " Perhaps not," replied Mr. Brayton ; " but
somebody's sons and daughters are, and the moral law
requires you to love your neighbor as yourself."
There was much of this discussion going on in
Hillsboro for several days, and, as a result of the sue
cessive meetings, the women were wrought up to the
conviction that some mode of appeal, directly to the
THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE. 525
liquor dealers, must be adopted and enforced in
such a way as to produce a salutary effect. Just at
this time, about the 20th of December, 1873 and
we are particular in regard to our dates here, because
these "are events of history which we are recording
Dr. Dio Lewis, a well-known lecturer and reformer,
addressed the Hillsboro Lyceum; and, at the close of
his lecture, having already seen how deeply the peo-
ple were interested in the question of temperance,
offered to deliver a free temperance lecture there.
His offer was gratefully accepted, and the largest
church in the town crowded. Dr. Lewis is a man
of great ability as an organizer, and on this oc-
casion he proposed to the women of Hillsboro the
formation of a Temperance League, and suggested
the following plan, which was substantially that pur-
sued subsequently all over Ohio and in other States.
He regarded it as absolutely necessary that they
should have one or two public meetings, or more, if
they chose, with the pastors of the various churches
on the platform, and that the public sentiment of the
best part of the community should be aroused and
arrayed against the traffic ; that the men should be
prepared to sustain the women in their efforts by
prayers, moral support, and pecuniary aid to any ex-
tent that might be necessary ; that committees if
possible, of volunteers of the very best women in
the town, should be appointed by the Temperance
League to go to the keepers of drinking-saloons, ho-
tels, drug stores, etc., taking with them forms of
pledges adapted to their several cases, previously
526 MINNIE IIEKMOX.
drawn up, pledging them to cease retailing liquor for
a beverage, and that these committees of three, four,
or six ladies should courteously request them to sign
these pledges and stop selling liquor. If they com-
plied with the request and carried out the pledge in
good faith, the end desired would be obtained. If
they refused, the women were to endeavor to per-
suade them by exhortation and urgent pleading ; and,
failing in this, to ask permission to sing and pray in
the saloon, store, or hotel, and to continue this by re-
lays of committees, offering the pledge to all who
came as well as to the proprietor. In some instances
it might be necessary to keep up a siege on these
places from morning till night, and perhaps from day
to day, but eventually the power of faith, prayer, and
earnest work would be seen in the surrender even of
the most obdurate. This plan was very heartily ap-
proved; and, on the 23d of December, the League
was formed and work commenced in earnest. Dr.
Lewis proceeded from Hillsboro to Washington C. H.,
Fayette Co., about twenty-five miles distant, where
he found a similar state of preparation, and, on the
25th of December, inaugurated a similar work. From
these two points this great temperance movement,
which has since spread over the entire land, took its
first departure. Dr. Lewis was called further "West
by his engagements, but, early in February, returned
to Ohio, and rendered valuable assistance in extend-
ing the work for about three weeks.
The success of the movement was greatest in the
smaller towns and villages. In the larger cities the
THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE. 527
opposition was so great, and the measures adopted by
the liquor dealers to defend their traffic so violent,
or so crafty, that many of the women shrunk from
encountering the insults to which they were sub-
jected. Still, even in these places much good was
accomplished ; many were led to abandon the traffic
and thousands signed the pledge. But in most of the
smaller towns and villages, where there were from
ten to sixty liquor saloons, the traffic was by per-
sistent effort entirely broken up. At no point among
these were there more difficulties encountered, or
more patient labor bestowed, than in Ilillsboro.
The town had a population of from 3,500 to 4,000,
and more than thirty places in which liquor was sold.
The first month's labor reduced these to five or six ;
but some of these were very obstinate. One drug-
gist, before whose place the women had set up theii
tent or tabernacle, and had held daily meetings foi
weeks, procured an injunction which was served on
one hundred and sixty-eight persons, against their
holding these meetings and commenced a suit, lay<
ing his damages at $10,000 for the interruption to his
business. The excitement was so great that the venue
was changed to another county, but he was finally
defeated and relinquished the sale, and at the end of
three months the entire traffic in liquor ceased there.
In Washington, Fayette Co., the other starting-point
of this new departure, the struggle was not so long ;
there were not so many stores, and all were car-
ried within a menth and those out of the corpora-
tion limits not long after. The good work spread
528 MmHIE HERMON.
not only over all the State, but into Indiana,, Illinois,
Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, New York, and
the New England States. In Ohio, by the 24th of
February, it was reported tiiat 336 diinking saloons
had been closed, and the business of nearly as many
more completely broken up ; that more than 20,000
names had been signed to the pledge, At that date
a convention, was held at Columbus, and a State Wo-
man's Temperance League organized. Subsequent
reports showed a great increase, both in the number
of saloons closed and in the signers of the pledge.
We need not say that, in this great movement, both
Walter and Mrs. Brayton were efficient and patient
workers. Mrs. Brayton, from constitutional diffi-
dence, did not seek to become a leader ; but she gave
herself up to the work, and was often compelled to
lead when she would have preferred a humbler posi-
tion. But we shall best show what she did accom-
plish, by allowing Ida Brayton to tell, in a letter to
her friend, Carrie Hudson, the story of this temper-
ance crusade, and of her mother's part in it.
HILLSBOKO, March , 1874.
MY DEAR CARRIE : Is it possible that nearly
three months have elapsed since the date of my last,
when hitherto I have been the most punctual of cor-
respondents ? To me the time has seemed incredibly
short, as it always does when one is unusually busy.
Shall I tell you what it is that has so absorbed my
thoughts and attention that, for the nonce, even my
dearest Carrie has been almost forgotten 2
THE WOMEN'S ORUSADE. 531
You have seen accounts in the papers of the Tem-
perance Movement, or rather, Woman's Temperance
Movement, as it is termed, and may at first be some-
what surprised to learn that your " quiet little puss,"
as you used so persistently to call me in our school-
life, is engaged heart and soul in the work. Don't
start I have grown neither bold nor boisterous, but
only terribly in earnest in this over-mastering desire
to have some little part in helping to stay the tide of
woe which is sweeping over our beloved land. You
know that my sweet mother is always foremost in
every good work, but into this she throws her whole
soul. Father not only fully approves of her course,
but is her counsellor and support in all that she does.
They are always so thoroughly united in their views
and feelings, that it is no more than I would expect ;
but, you know, there are many men who, through
false pride, object to their wives taking a prominent
stand in any public movement. My own espousal of
the cause was very sudden. I had been out of town
for a visit of several days, and, upon my return
home, entered mother's room unannounced, thinking
to take her by surprise. I found her in earnest con-
versation with father, and as she turned toward me,
the glow upon her countenance gave it an almost
heavenly beauty. " What good thing has happened ? "
I exclaimed ; and, as soon as the kisses of welcome
had been received, I was informed of the new move-
ment just inaugurated. " Your mother has found
her mission," said father, his voice trembling with
.feeling, "and I am persuaded that she has put her
22
532 MINNIE HEKMON.
hand to a great and mighty work." " You know,
Walter," was the quiet reply, " I must work as
well as pray." Do you wonder, Carrie dear, that
catching the inspiration, I placed my hand in hers,
saying: "Please let me work with you, mother;"
and so we have gone, hand in hand, from that time,
though, as you will readily believe, her zeal is more
wide-awake and enduring than mine. Repeatedly
I have been aroused from sleep by the pressure of
her lips upon my forehead before daylight, hurrying
me to an early breakfast, and then to the morning
prayer-meeting as a preparation for the round of
saloon-visiting during the day. You may depend
upon one thing, I do not tarry long at the toilet, over
my back-hair, in these days. There is no time for
any fooling with fashions. And yet, Carrie dear,
this " Crusade," as they term it, is not all poetry, by
any means. There is, oh, so much that would damp-
en one's ardor in a less vital cause ! Revilings and
curses from the low and degraded ; threats which al-
most make the blood curdle in one's veins ; and,
sometimes, even water and beer thrown upon us as
we are bowed in prayer. It is so dreadful, too, to be
surrounded by a disgraceful rabble, that often my
veiy limbs have trembled beneath me, and I should
hare fallen in the way, had not mother's courage and
strength held me up. There is strength, also, in the
thought that we are battling for human life, and
more than all, to save souls from death ; and so it is
that neither drenching rain, driving snow, or bitter
cold has power to quench our ardor. Upon one oc-
TBLE WOMEN'S CRUSADE. 533
oasion the excitement here ran fearfully high. A
tabernacle had been erected for our use before the
store of a druggist who persisted in selling liquor by
the glass. In his anger he got out an injunction
against 168 ladies, in which number mother and my-
self were included, for interfering with his business,
laying his damages at $10,000. The turmoil was so
great, that it became rfecessary to remove the trial
to another county. He was defeated, however, and
subsequently came over to the right side.
You have heard of Dr. Lewis ; but, unless you
have sat under one of his thrilling appeals in behalf
of the cause, you can have no idea of his power as
a speaker. Many of the most bitter opposers of tem-
perance were melted down under his eloquence, and
have come out fully as firm and strong upon the
right side. Upon several occasions I have accom-
panied mother to Washington, in Fayette county,
where the work was simultaneous with that of our
town, and only wish there was time for me to tell
you what we saw and heard there. One hardened
rum-seller prayed for an injunction against the ladies,
on the ground that their prayers were directed not to
heaven, but at the persons whom they wished to
coerce into giving up their business. Judge Safford
granted the injunction, and the tabernacle erected
for the shelter of the ladies was demolished. As in
our own place, there were great indignities offered,
and much cruel persecution endured, but followed
with glorious results. I must tell you of a little in-
cident concerning Mrs. C., who leads the movement
534 MESTNIE HERMON.
in Washington. After the ladies had "been at work
for some time at the saloon of a stubborn dealer, lie
lost patience, and rudely told them to go home and
attend to their own business. Thereupon they also
lost their temper, and told the man that if his con-
duct was repeated, they would send their husbands
after him to enforce the la,w, as they were anxious
already to do. This did not mend the saloon-keeper's
evil mood. But when the ladies retired and prayed
over the matter until nearly midnight, they saw that
they had not acted in the spirit of the Master, nor in
accordance with the true theory of the movement.
Accordingly, on the next morning they went to his
saloon, admitted that they had been in the wrong,
and asked his pardon. From that moment his fate
was sealed, and on the next day he unconditionally
surrendered.
Other victories were won, and now there is not
a rum-shop in either Hillsboro or Washington.
Toward the last of January I accompanied mother
to New Vienna, where the good cause was progress-
ing. There were some exceedingly obstinate cases
there, among whom was a Mr. Yan Pelt, who at the
outset drenched the ladies with dirty water and beer.
He also brandished an axe in order to terrify them.
They, however, kept guard over his saloon, the de-
tachments relieving each other every two hours,
serving daily, through storm and sunshine, for a
period of three weeks, when he iinally succumbed to
the influence of prayer, and hung out (he white flag
as a signal of unconditional surrender. So complete
THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE. 535
was his conversion, that since that day he has been a
faithful and earnest ally in the work, bringing to it
all his energies, and taking the field like a new
Paul.
Soon after this we went to Xenia, which you know
is a large town, and had a great number of drinking
saloons. The women there had thoroughly prepared
themselves for the work, and were full of faith and
zeal. The leader there was Mrs. James Monroe, a
friend of mother's, a member of the Presbyterian
Church, and a lady of the highest standing. The
worst drinking saluori in the town had the very ap-
propriate name of " The Shades of Death," and was
doing an immense business. Mrs. Monroe and her
band of praying women laid siege to this place, and,
after pleading with the proprietor most urgently to
quit the business, without seeming to make any im-
pression, as he would not allow them to pray and
sing in his saloon, they set up a tabernacle in front
of it and beseiged him with their prayers and hymns
from morning till night for three weeks. He seemed
to become more hardened every day, and some of
the women were almost ready to be discouraged, be-
lieving that his heart was too hard to be moved;
but Mrs. Monroe had still strong faith, and they held
out.
She had sent for mother to come and help them,
and we reached Xenia on the morning of the 18th
of February, and went directly to the little tabernacle,
where \ve were heartily welcomed by Mrs. Monroe
and the other ladies. They had already had one
536 MESTNIE HERMON.
prayer-meeting that morning, but there were no
signs of any change. Bloated topers crowded into the
saloon, and came out again wiping their mouths with
the back of their hands, and occasionally muttering a
curse on those " plaguey women that kept spying
around." The saloon-keeper was busy at his bar,
and seemed utterly indifferent. It was said that the
distillers in Cincinnati not only furnished this man
with liquor free, but had sent him money to induce
him to hold out. Well, Mrs. Monroe made one of
the sweetest and most touching prayers I ever heard,
and we had just begun to sing our favorite hymn
"Nearer, my God, to thee,"
when this rum-seller rushed out of his saloon, and
running up to the tabernacle door, called out, " MPS.
Monroe, I can't stand it any longer I give in. The
boys are rolling out my whiskey barrels now, and I
want you to see me spill the whole of it into the
gutter." We all hurried to the 1 door ; it was snow-
ing hard, but there, sure enough, were the whiskey
barrels tumbling out, and as soon as the first one
reached the gutter, the saloon-keeper struck its head
a mighty blow with his axe, and the vile poison soon
flowed in a stream down the street. Barrel after
barrel was served in this way, till the saloon was
emptied. The poor topers looked aghast at such a
waste, but the saloon-keeper's face was radiant with
joy, and the crowd, which had gathered shouted over
the triumph of temperance. The dear women who
had fought such a good fight, and whose faith had
THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE. 537
not faltered, were weeping, laughing and praying,
all together. Mrs. Monroe jumped up on a dry-
goods box and struck up the grand old doxology
"Praise God from whom all blessings flow,"
and everybody joined in, the saloon-keeper, who
had really a very fine voice, singing with a will. In
a few minutes, the church-bells all over town began
to ring merrily for the victory, and within an hour
it was telegraphed all over the state.
There was another scene which I witnessed in
Xenia, that brought tears to the eyes of strong men.
A large band of young school-girls, led by their
teacher, took their station before the saloons, and
sang with inexpressible pathos, such songs as, " Say !
Mr. Barkeeper, has father been here ? " and " Father,
dear father, come home ! " Oh ! these little voices
have a wonderful power of reaching the heart.
Everybody was so terribly in earnest in Xenia, that
I do not believe the siege will be raised until the
last liquor saloon has surrendered.
It was very hard for us to tear ourselves away from
Xenia, but as mother was one of the delegates to the
Convention at Columbus,, we were compelled to re-
sume our journey.
Arriving there on Saturday, we attended a large
temperance meeting the same evening, where there
were about 1,200 ladies assembled, the majority of
whom were ready to do and suffer for the further-
ance of the good cause. Previous to the Conference,
a mass meeting was held, intended to strengthen and
538 MINNIE HERMON.
encourage the women of the city in the work upon
which they were about to enter. Dr. Lewis was
there, and " Mother Stewart," of Springfield, an
accomplished and most lovely old lady, over seventy
years of age, but with all the zeal and fervor of youth,
also the New Vienna convert, Yan Pelt. Women
constituted seven-eighths of the assemblage, did near-
ly all the speaking, and soon became almost enthusi-
astic enough to march in a body upon the dram-shops
of the State capital. The speeches were all in re-
markably good taste, and some were really eloquent.
Tears were brought to many eyes, the house re-
sounded with " Amens " and " Hallelujahs " from
the listening men, and, after every speech, the crowd
arose and sang one of the songs of the campaign with
thrilling effect. These songs were the well-known
hymns, " Nearer, my God, to Thee," " All Hail the*
Power of Jesus' Name," and " Our God is March-
ing On." Mrs. Mattie McClelland Brown and
Mother Stewart held the almost breathless attention
of the audience.
The convention met in the City Hall. Several
hundred delegates were present, and the platform
was occupied by twenty-five clergymen. Dio Lewis
was called to the chair, and, after a most fervent
prayer by Mother Stewart, the doctor invited the
delegates to the platform, which proved entirely too
small for such a large body. Reports were read con-
cerning the progress of the crusade in different towns,
and many a thrilling story was told by those who
were personally cognizant of the facts. Messages
THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE. 539
wore also received from time to time, from different
points, announcing new victories, and calling forth
fresh rejoicings, and a Woman's State Temperance
League was formed. But, Carrie dear, my letter is
growing too long. Come and see me, for I cannot
unburden my heart on paper, and what you read in
the papers seems so tame in the light of reality. I
shall continue in the good work, for there is a great
deal of finishing-up to do yet, and, when all is done
at home, there is enough to do abroad. Hoping to
see you soon, and believing that you will patiently
endure this infliction for the love you bear the cause,
I am, always, your loving
IDA MAT BBAYTON.
5*0 MINNIE HERMON.
THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE.
BY LOUISE S. Ul'HAM.
On ! hark, what cry is sounding, borne clear upon the air !
4 Ring, bells, throughout the nation, ring, ring the call to
prayer 1"
The women now are rising, and the Help in which they
trust
Will give diem strength for victory in the cause that is so
just I
The wires flash joyous greeting ; back and forth, from East
to West,
The words are, " God is with us, and this, of all, is best I"
Ah 1 sordid hearts may fear and quake, for well indeed they
know
The courage bom of suffering will strike the surest blow.
Ho ! all long-suffering mothers, wives, daughters, sing an'd
pi-ay,
For a new crusade they usher your emancipation-day.
They rally round no standard, with no helmet and no shield,
Save their womanly endeavors; but will never yield the
field.
They do not work with pledge alone that says, " We will not
taste
The soul-destroying liquors that run our lives to waste !"
At evil's root they are striking, right valiantly and well,
And the pledge which they insist on is, " We'll never, never
sell !"
They bravely enter places where men would blush tor
shame
To be found by those who know them by their honored
household name.
THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE 541
They bavo found in bar-rooms children, who their little arms
would twine
Round a father's neck, beseeching that he their pledge would
sign.
They seek no law, no conflict ; their labor is of love ;
Their help, the rule of kindness ; their guidance, God above.
O bells! ring out, ring boldly; sound the tocsin everywhere,
While heart to heart is thrilling with woman's call to prayer.
On, on, heroic women ! your warfare cannot fail,
E'en now your foes are shaking like reeds before a gale ;
A million lives are sighing for truer liberty,
A million souls are waiting your glorious victory.
Urged by the suffering legion who have stirred you to the strife,
Down witli the sordid traffic that is taking more than life t j
The day is yours; charge nobly. Crush the tyrant every-
where 1
While the tocsin-peal is ringing brave woman's call to prayer.
BATTLE-HYMN OF THE WOMEN'S CRUSADE.
BY KEY. WILLIAM HUNTER, D.D.
THE light of truth is breaking ;
On the mountain tops it gleams ;
Let it flash along our valleys,
Let it glitter on our streams,
Till all our land awakens
In its flush of golden beaina.
Our God is marching on.
With purpose strong and steady,
In the Great Jehovah's name,
We rise to snatch our kindred
From the depths of woe and shame ;
MINNIE FTERMON.
And the jubilee of freedom
To the slaves of sin proclaim.
Our God is marching on.
From morning's early watches
Till the setting of the sun,
We will never flag nor falter
In the work we have begun,
Till the forts have all surrendered,
And the victory is won.
Our God is marching on.
We wield no carnal weapon,
And we hurl no fiery dart ;
But with words of love and reason
We are sure to win the heart,
And persuade the poor transgressor
To prefer the better part.
Our God is marching on.
When dawns the day of terror,
And the awful trumpet's sound
Shall waken up the sleep< rs
From beneath the quaking ground,
May no blood of fallen brothers
On our startled souls be found !
Our God is marching on.
Our strength is in Jehovah,
And our cause is in His care ;
With Almighty arms to help us,
We have faith to do and dare,
While confiding in the promise
That the Lord will answer prayer.
Our God is marching on.
FRANCIS MURPHV.
THE
LIFE AND WORK
FRANCIS MURPHY
THE
TEMPERANCE REFORMER.
EMBRACING ALSO
ANECDOTES, INCIDENTS, AND THE SPEECHES OF
HIMSELF AND HIS ASSOCIATES.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
PAQB
ALCOHOL THE GREATEST CTJKSE OP THE HUMAN RACE. TEMPER-
ANCE REFORM A COMPARATIVELY RECENT MOVEMENT. THE
FRANCIS MURPHY MOVEMENT. DESCRIPTION OF THE GREAT
IRISH ORATOR 549
CHAPTER II.
THE EARLY LIFE OF FRANCIS MURPHY IN OLD IRELAND. HIS
DEPARTURE FOR AND SETTLEMENT IN AMERICA. HE FINALLY
OPENS A HOTEL AND COMMENCES THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN
PORTLAND, ME. TRIAL AND ACQUITTAL ON THE CHARGE OF
MURDER . 563
CHAPTER m.
MURPHY'S CAREER AS A TEMPERANCE ORATOR OPENS. HIS
STRUGGLES AND PROGRESS IN THE CAUSE OF REFORM. THE
PUBLIC RECOGNIZES HIM AND HIS MISSION. THE GREAT PITTS-
BURGH REVIVAL. FKANCIS MURPHY BECOMES A HOUSEHOLD
NAME THROUGHOUT THE LAND 593
CHAPTER IV.
CONTINUATION OF THE PITTSBURGH WORK. MURPHY'S DEPART-
URE FOLLOWED BY CONTINUED ACTIVITY. FEATURES OF THE
REFORM MOVEMENT. A HOST OF FOLLOWERS AND CO-LABOR-
ERS. THE INAUGURATION OF THE MOVEMENT AT PHILA-
DELPHIA 637
CHAPTER V.
HOW THE WORK PROCEEDED IN THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE.
CO-OPERATION OF THE LADIES AND THE CHURCHES. ANEC-
DOTES, ADDRESSES AND PERSONAL INCIDENTS 663
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 547
CHAPTER VI.
PACK
MURPHY'S SPEECH AT COLUMBUS, OHIO. THE WORK AT ELMIRA,
N. T. INTERESTING SCENES IN THE NEW YORK REVIVAL.
FACTS, INCIDENTS AND FIGURES OF THE RESULTS OF THE MUR-
PHY MOVEMENT IN THE SOUTHERN TIER OF COUNTIES, GROW-
ING OUT OF THE ELMIRA WORK. FRANCIS MURPHY'S SPEECH AT
CHATAUQUA 692
CHAPTER VII.
FRANCIS MURPHY AMONG THE TROJANS. ANOTHER GRAND SEA-
SON OF TEMPERANCE REFORM AND REVIVAL. FORTY THOU-
SAND PLEDGE-TAKERS IN TWO MONTHS. STRIKING PHASES OF
THE CAMPAIGN AT TROY 738
CHAPTER VIII.
FURTHER SPEECHES. FACTS AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS CON-
NECTED WITH THE TROY MOVEMENT. MURPHY'S CO-LABORERS.
ESTIMATE OF THE MAN AND HIS WORK. . .781
THE LIFE AND WORK OF
DR. HENRY A. REYNOLDS. .
CHAPTER IX.
THE EARLY CAREER OF A REMARKABLE MAN. THE OCCASION
OF HIS REFORM AND CONVERSION. FIRST ORGANIZATION OF
KEFORM CLUBS. WORK IN MAINE AND MASSACHUSETTS 813
CHAPTER X.
DR. REYNOLDS' SPEECH AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN
PHILADELPHIA. HE COMMENCES THE GRAND MICHIGAN WORK.
PKOGRESS AND SUCCESS OF A PHENOMENAL MOVEMENT.
INCIDENTS, SPEECHES, AND STATISTICS 839
648 TABLE OF CONTENTS.
f
CHAPTER XL
FA6B
THE TEMPERANCE WORK OF DR. REYNOLDS ^S CONTINUED IN
ILLINOIS. HIS EFFORTS IN THAT STATE. THE CHICAGO RE-
VIVAL. FACTS, SPEECHES, AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
REYNOLDS MOVEMENT IN THE PRAIRIE CITY. CONCLUSION. . . 873
THE
LIFE AND WORK
OP
CHAPTER I.
A-LCOHOL THE GREATEST CURSE OF THE HUMAN RACE. TEM-
PERANCE REFORM A COMPARATIVELY RECENT MOVEMENT.
THE FRANCIS MURPHY MOVEMENT. DESCRIPTION OF THK
GREAT IRISH ORATOR.
FROM the earliest days to the present time the curse of alco-
hol has rained ruin, misery, degradation and crime, on weak
and straggling humanity. History, which is simply "philoso-
phy teaching by example," is full of the most eloquent and
pregnant illustrations of the curse wrought by the love of
stimulants. The Biblical account of Noah's discovery of the
fascination and the effects of wine, typifies the fact that even
while the race was in its infancy, it commenced to be coiled
in the folds of that monstrous appetite, which has grown with
civilization, assuming constantly new phases, and been the
fatal root of the most terrible crimes. Were the element of
alcohol eliminated from the h'dden causes that have made the
records of humanity black and gloomy tragedies, it would
sweep away the larger share of the atrocities that revolt the
student in his investigations. The fall of empires, as well as
the ruin of individuals, may, in numerous instances, be
[549]
550 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
directly traced to the cursed appetite for strong drink. Since
the first dawn of civilization down to the present time, men
have murdered their friends as well as their enemies, ruined
their families, wasted their substance, in a word, transformed
themselves from rational men into raving demons, in obedience
to this deadly craving. From the monarch on his throne to
the peasant in his hut, the insidious poison has wrought its
fiendish work, and introduced moral chaos, lawlessness,
cruelty, and all forms of evil, where thrift, order and virtue,
but for this fell agency, would have been triumphant. It will
be useless to enumerate illustrations of this fact from the
annals of the past. It is one of those sad truisms of history,
sown thick with illustrations through eveiy age, written in
plague, murder, rapine, and all the blackest forms of unbridled
selfishness and passion. Human villany has always sought the
alliance of alcohol, when it would consummate its projects, to
stifle the last faint protests of conscience and enkindle the more
ferocious instincts which reveal the traces of the wild beast
lingering in the human breast. This form of statement may
be called glittering generalization ; but it is designed to call
attention to a fact, which most essayists and historians from
the philosophic Buckle down, have lost sight of, or perhaps de-
liberately overlooked, that among the most potent factors that
have entered into the problem of the human race, the love of
stimulants, of which alcohol is perhaps the chief, has an evil
pre-eminence.
It is a significant and striking fact, that it is only within
the last two centuries that the moral sense of humanity has
awakened to an alarming sense of the real gist of this tre-
mendous question, and attempted to grapple with it practically.
In spite of the innumerable facts staring men in the face, the
love of wine and other forms of stimulant had previously en-
lifted in its cause the specious pleading of so-called philosophy,
the glowing strains of poetry, and the beauties of art ; nay,
it had even dragged religion into a sacreligious alliance, and
daringly cilled on the oracles of God to set the seal of Divine
FRANCIS MURPHY. 551
approval or. the most malign agency which has blasted the
bodies and souls of mankind. In a barbaric age it is easy to
understand the lack of moral distinctions, but it is more diffi-
cult to fully realize the utter want of appreciation, which
made the fine civilizations of the ancient world associate
drunkenness rather with something poetic, refined, and
ennobling, than stigmatize it as the basest and most danger-
ous appetite which has devastated the hearts and hopes of the
race. From the sublime Homer down to. the dainty and licen-
tious Anacreon among the Greeks ; from Ennius, who sang
the praises of a virtuous country life, to the wise and witty
Horace, among the Romans, poetry crowned the reeling Bac-
chus with honors no less than Minerva, the deity of wisdom.
The great philosophers and moralists did not hesitate to in-
voke wine as the genial friend of man, and use their strong-
est logic to strengthen its hold over the human understand-
ing. The same callous and terrible disregard of this frightful
enemy of virtue, health, and public welfare, continued for
many ages after the victory of Christianity over the old forms
of religious error. And it is a sad fact that while the most
pure and blessed of religions was interpreted as tacitly
indorsing the use of strong drink as a beverage, it was left
for the fanatical Arab prophet and reformer, Mohammed, to
brand with his strongest curses even the tasting of the deadly
potion which steals away the brains and consciences of men.
Mr. Leckey, whose work on the history of Morals attracted
so much attention a few years ago, acutely observes that,
while the priests, philosophers, and moralists of former ages
proclaimed the general ethical truths with so much clearness
and eloquence, they left the attempt to grapple with and rem-
edy the practical every-day evils of life to the present utili-
tarian age. Pre-eminently is this the case with temperance
reform, one of the most magnificent movements in its series of
waves, which this nineteenth century, great as it is in improve-
ments relating alike to the moral, intellectual, and physical
man, has known.
552 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
The evil of intoxication, unlike many other vices, has far-
reaching roots of destruction and misery. It propagates itself
by the most insidious feelers, and masks its dangers at the outset
by alluring the unwary with appeals to some of the most de-
lightful and worthy instincts. It borrows the arguments of
society and friendship, and offers the fatal cup with honeyed
smiles and words. The number of victims who have been
led into the habit of drinking, thence to drunkenness, crime,
and utter ruin by the hand of beauty, of kindly feeling, and
regard for the so-called social amenities, is simply numberless.
One may fancy Satan, the genius of evil, laughing with demo-
niac glee, as he witnesses the most dreadful of all the agencies
for the devastation of body and soul, putting on the vestments
of an angel of light, and sapping the dignity and truth of
manhood with pleas drawn from the armories of God. All
the readers of this book will recognize the force of the fact,
as old and threadbare as it may seem. A lovely woman, pure
and good in all her instincts, offers a visitor a glass of wine
in obedience to a common conventionality, with her thought-
lessness a mere matter of form. She" little thinks in doing this
seemingly trifling courtesy, she is opening the gates, per-
haps, which lead the victim down on the broad road of ruin,
till'he ends in the purlieus of the groggery and the brothel
an outcast and a wreck. A dear friend asks one whom, may-
hap, he loves as a brother, to share the social glass with him,
not believing that the cup holds a potion more malignant and
terrible than so much prussic acid. For in the former case,
the issues not only of time, but eternity, hang in the balance.
So the sweetest impulses of the human heart have been
wrenched out of their sphere to allure the weak from their
hold on the one anchor of safety, total abstinence.
A wise Spanish proverb says, that wine is made up of the
blood of three animals, the ape, the bull, and the hog, thereby
typifying the different stages of intoxication foolish chatter
and laughter, when the wits have gone astray ; ferocity, which
uses the knife or the pistol with unsparing hand ; and the
FEANCIS MURPHY. 553
brutish sleep, which expunges the last semblance of man-
hood.
Read the newspaper records that make the columns of the
press a red catalogue of crime sickening to the last degree.
How often does the eye behold such a story of wretched sin
as this :
"A. B., a gentlemanly-looking man, entered the saloon of
John Smith, on X. street, in company with a friend, and drank
several times at the bar. The two seemed in hilarious good
humor and on the firmest terms of amity with each other. At
last A. B. became quarrelsome and noisy. His friend, fearing
some disturbance, sought to persuade him to go home. The man,
intoxicated to the verge of ury, used the most insulting and
opprobious terms, and became utterly unmanageable. His
friend took him by the arm and tried to lead him out into the
street. At last the maniac, raving and frothing at the mouth,
drew a dirk and drove it into the heart of the unfortunate man.
He was arrested by the police and lodged in the city prison on
the charge of murder."
Let us go further and look behind the curtain in this typi-
cal example. A. B. was a man doing a good business, happy
in his social and family relations. Perhaps he left home with
the pure kisses of a devoted wife and sweet children on his
lips, to be gone for a short absence, and expecting soon to
return to the embraces of the beloved ones. Hour after hour
the patient wife waits for the return of her husband. At
last comes the thunderbolt from a clear sky. The partner of
her being, the father of her babes, the idol of her heart, is
bolted within a felon's cell, and the shadow of the gibbet
looms up in the distance. At one dreadful stroke, the happi*
ness of a household is shattered, and a man who might have
been an ornament of life made into an accursed wretch. Such
is tld 3 work of the demon, alcohol.
Is this called an exaggerated example ? No ! it is but one
of many such instances which make the newspaper reader shud-
der, for it is being constantly repeated with variations as infinite
554 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
as the complexities of human life. It has been said that no man
becomes bad all at once, but only by slow gradations of vice.
It is the exclusive privilege of alcohol and its brother poisons
to have the power in many cases to transform the good man
instantly into the devil. The mad Malay, who runs amuck
butchering right and left those in his way, has brother exam-
ples in more civilized regions. But even more general unhap-
piness and vice is caused when the work of alcohol is more
slow than in the instance we have cited.
The victim of the appetite falls from bad to worse, perhaps
with many occasional lapses into virtuous resolutions, which
prove too weak for the force of habit. His family are
deserted and ill-treated, subjected to a slow torture for years.
His wife fades away from rosy health and happiness into an
attenuated, sad-eyed spectre, and his children become ragged
unkempt gutter-snipes, gamins of the street, with an almost cer-
tainty of more than emulating his example. He finally dies
foretasting hell, in the sei*pent evil of delirium tremens. Let us
not laugh lightly at these things. They are not the occasional
cases, which shock the mild philanthropist as he ruminates in
his easy chair into saying with a complacent sigh : " How ter-
rible, but I suppose they can't be helped, for human nature ib
so frail."
No ! these are but citations of innumerable facts that start
us in the face in every street of a great city ; in corner grog-
geries, sown as thick as dragon's teeth ; in haggard faces,
bleary eyes, and tattered garments ; in dilapidated houses and
filthy rookeries ; in crowded .court-houses and jails ; in the
unspeakable squalor, uncleanliness, wretchedness, blasphemy,
sorrow and soul damnation, as well as bodily disease, which
make whole acres of great cities a vast lazar-house of sin and
horror. The imagination can hardly over-paint the picture,
and the pen fails to find words to encompass the dire facts in
fitting expression. What is ordinarily hyperbole gets shriv-
eled into weak corpses of language when it seeks to find the
fitting terms.
FRANCIS MURPHY 555
Yet wide-spread and deep-seated as is the appetite which
wreaks such a curse, the signs of the time are hopeful. The
poet Tennyson sings in the opening stanza of " In Memo-
riam :"
' ' I hold it one with him who sings
On one clear harp of many tones,
That man may rise on stepping-stones
Of his dead self to higher things."
The sky has been brightening for the last century, and
though the gleams of the rosy, auroral morning may be slow
and faint in their increase, they are clear and plain to the
patient watchman on the battlements. Let us compare the
present century with the past, in the case of the Anglo-Saxon
nations, for example. Not much more than a hundred years
ago the crime of intemperance (for in view of its awful results
it becomes more than a vice), was so much the rule in Great-
Britain that the peasant was an habitual sot. Strong ale was
as free in every cottage as water, and the laborer, the miner,
the mechanic welcomed his evening at the pot-house as the
pleasurable part of his hard and grinding lot. Every village
was filled with paupers, and the poor-house crowded to excess.
The working man rarely ended his day without being at least,
somewhat intoxicated. Among the gentry the facts were even
more patent. The dinner almost uniformly ended in debauch,
and the three-bottle man was honored as one of the ornaments
of society. Gentlemen regarded it as one of their duties to
go to bed reeling drunk, and the victor in a protracted revel,
who had drunk his companions under the table, was honored
with the smiles of the women, the approval of society, and the
admiration of his fellows. From the topmost to the lowest
layers of society, men, and oftentimes women, were saturated
through and through with the love of and demand for wine,
gin and beer. This is no extreme statement of the historical
fact. Read the novels of a century since, those vivid social
pictures of men and women as they were in all ranks, and the
556 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
moral to be drawn frightens one accustomed even to the sad
truths of the present time.
No less did the same fact hold in the American colonies,
and even "after the establishment of the republic. North and
South the vice was a paramount social custom, and ministers
of the gospel themselves regarded the daily use of stimulants
as not only excusable, but a rational and proper thing. The
laborer in the fields considered his employer as failing in his
contract unless rum was furnished, and low tipping-shops, even
in those days of cheap liquor, absorbed the earnings of the
poor. The country innkeeper was one of the most important
functionaries of the village, without whose important voice no
political or social council was complete. The higher classes
paraded a battalion of decanters on their sideboards, and the
visitor who refused to drink the health of the host and hostess
was branded as an ill-bred boor, not fit for polite circles. So
the habit of drinking was most firmly intrenched in the hearts
and customs of the community, and the advocate of temper-
ance was looked on as an ignorant fanatic, not even to be
honored with serious argument.
Now let us turn to the present. It is a blessed fact that
refined people, although they may not ignore or taboo the habit
of drinking, regard drunkenness with open aversion or disgust.
The total abstainer is regarded with esteem and admiration,
even if his example be not emulated, and intoxication is
stamped by law as being, not only not a palliation of, but
adding a blacker hue to the wickedness of crime. The
sideboard, loaded with its glittering burden of liquors and
wines, is no longer a necessity of hospitality ; nay, it is to-day
the rare exception. Society sees that it must at least in theory
frown on the alliance of the drinking habit with the usages of
polite life, and many fashionable assemblies occur, without
the host thinking it necessary to furnish wine to his guests.
The New Year's festival is rapidly emerging from the blight
and disgrace, which a few years ago made the anniversary sad
and ominous in spite of the spirit of general good fellowship
FRANCIS MUEPHY. 557
pervading it ; and now the rivalry is not who shall make the
most alluring display of wines, but who shall furnish the
strongest coffee and purest lemonade to the visitor.
Above all, the church has dissolved its unholy alliance with
alcohol, and now lifts its thunders, its pleadings, and persua-
sions agaimst the use of liquor in any form, as one of the cry-
ing evils of the age. The ministers of God are no longer
tipplers, and advocates of what is called with tremendous sar-
casm rational drinking, but practisers as well as preachers of
the virtue of entire abstinence. Chemistry and physiology
have turned their powerful lenses on the scientific side of the
question and reiterated with telling emphasis the indubitable
fact that in the use of stimulants man has nothing to expect
but breaking down of body and brain. These are eloquent
signs that encourage hope, and cheer the weary laborer in the
cause of reform. The change is slow but sure, and though the
disease is still wide-spread, deep-rooted, and sweeps hundreds
of thousands yearly to a dishonored grave, the spirit of God
is leavening the times and working toward a mighty victory.
And now, what has caused all this ? The answer is simple.
The moral atmosphere of the age is purer and stronger. With
the increase of knowledge, the more careful study of social
facts and statistics, the growing tendency of the age to refrain
from mere theory and generalization, and grapple with details,
there has come to be a solid conviction that this question of
drunkenness is one of the terrible problems which society in
very self-protection must solve. It is the mythic sphynx with
its riddle and the inflexible alternative, " Explain me or I will
destroy you.' 1 When to this is added the awakened religious
sense, which now sees the truth in its genuine bearings, we can
understand why the signs of the age are so full of promise.
The traveler in our newer western communities has often
had occasion to observe the following fact. During the early
settlement, the country is infested with malarial fever.
Hardly an inhabitant whose sallow face and chattering teeth
do not betoken the subtile scourge which reeks from the
S58 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
moist black soil, and the prairie-sloughs. After a while, con
tinued cultivation and drainage dry up the marshy lands, and
the warm sunlight permeates through the earth, constantly
turned up with plow and harrow. At last the poisonous ma-
laria is destroyed and the air becomes pure and healthy. Com-
munities pass through similar experiences in a moral sense.
The swamps of ignorance and indifference born of lack of
knowledge must be drained, before the moral atmosphere gets
healthy.
Side by side with this tendency to investigate, must grow
the sense of necessity for investigation, the appreciation of
the evil as it exists. The heart must be stirred as well as the
intellect. The emotional side of temperance reform is one of
its most vital elements. It is like the steam which moves
mighty machinery. The illumination of knowledge must get
its primary motive from some fire in the heart and soul. It is
here that the religious element links itself with such potency
to the scientific side of the temperance problem. It is here
that the eloquence and passion of the orator kindle the inert
mass, made callous and heavy by long habit ! The great waves
of excitement, which so often sweep the land in connection
with religious and moral movements, are essential factors.
It is too much the tendency of those who pride themselves
on being rational and philosophic, to decry what are called
paroxysms. The formalist sneers at the Moody and Sankey
revival as mere blaze without permanent fuel. So, too, we
hear ridicule of such a magnificent movement as the Murphy
Temperance Reform as a false and abnormal thing, whose
effects are only traced in the fatal reaction which follows the
high tension of the emotions after the exciting cause has ceased.
Intelligent men in viewing things in this light fail to study
essential facts in human nature. Brain must have the stimulus
of heart, and unless the feelings are powerfully moved, it is in
vain either in the case of the individual or the community to
expect important changes. No man ever reformed himself, as
the oyster recreates his shell, by a mere law of vital mechanism.
FKANCIS MUEPHY. 559
Among recent phenomena of temperance reform there is
nothing to compare in intensity, enthusiasm and sweep with
the Francis Murphy movement, whose salient features it is the
object of this book to describe in succeeding chapters. It had
been progressing quietly for some years in different parts of the
country, and attained but little more than local celebrity.
During the fall and winter of 1876-'77 it reached Pittsburg,
Pa. Commencing quietly, it grew apace, and finally culmi-
nated in one of those extraordinary uprisings of the moral
sense which sometimes convulse great communities as with an
earthquake, reaching down to the very roots of society, and
effecting results in a short time, which otherwise many years
would fail to achieve. Mr. Murphy was about three months
in Pittsburg, and during that time the astounding number of
eighty thousand men signed the pledge. All classes of society
felt the impetus of the Irish reformer's eloquence and enthusi-
asm. Wealth and fashion locked hands with squalor and misery,
and in the Murphy meetings, night after night could be seen
silks, diamonds and seal-skin cloaks rustling on the same seat
with the rags and tatters of the poor. People of wealth gave
freely of their abundance to advance the movement, and the
milk of luiman kindness poured freely from the fountains
unlocked by the voice of the temperance orator. This was
the inaugural point of Francis Murphy's celebrity, and since
that time his name has rung from one end of the land to
the other in connection with the great cause of temperance
reform. The next great field of his efforts, after a short visit
to the West, was Philadelphia, were six weeks of labor were
attended with results hardly less significant and extraordinary
than at the great manufacturing city at the junction of the
Alleghany and Monongahela rivers. Great throngs signed the
pledge of reform, hundreds of saloon-keepers among them, and
the hearts of innumerable wives and mothers made glad. But
we \rill not anticipate the fuller description of the Irish orator's
work which is to follow.
The name of Francis Murphy has become a household bless-
560 THE LIFE AKD WORK OF
ing far and wid 3. Its sound recalls to the grateful thoughts
of thousands of families the glad day which commenced the
reconstruction of the shattered household idols ; the income
of sunlight, happiness, comfort and virtue, where before all
hopes and joys had been blasted by the demon of rum, the ex-
traordinary and unholy passion, which takes such an irresistible
hold on men, and constitutes one of the great curses of the
race. What wonder, then, that this modern apostle is named
with trembling and eager blessing, and that the hearts of men
and women turn to him as an instrument in the hands of Divine
Providence for the benefaction of his fellows. What greater
gift could he give them than give them back themselves, lost
manhood, the hope of happiness and prosperity, both in this
world and in the world to come ?
The personnel of a man like Francis Murphy must always
be a matter of some interest. With men so remarkable there
is always associated something intensely individual, for what
is sometimes called personal magnetism, which is the outcome
of a fervent temperament, burning faith, and devotion to a
cause, as well as certain peculiar gifts of mind and person, has
been a most potent agent in his mighty work. The mind un-
consciously seeks to form an image of such men, and shape
them to the imagination as living presences, standing before
us in all the dignity of native manhood.
Francis Murphy is a man of noble physique, graceful in his
port and massive in frame. A well-developed head sets closely
on his neck, which rises solidly from broad and heavy shoul-
ders. The frame of the orator, as is generally the case with
men of exceptional powers of eloquence, is strong and symmet-
rical, and indicates a well-balanced, healthy, powerful nature.
Full of vigor and activity in his movements, he makes an
instant and favorable impression on all with whom he comes
in contact. Beneath his massive and bushy eyebrows there
play a pair of piercing gray eyes, that send their glances into s
the very depths of the soul. Yet they are full of kindliness
and sweetness, and the face is lightened by a genial, friendly
FHANCIS MUKPHY. 561
smile, which is irresistible in drawing the regards of his
fellows.
His features are prominent, and even handsome. A large
dark moustache falls over the resolute but kindly mouthj
which, when smiling, discloses white and even teeth. The
head is surmounted with iron-gray hair, giving a slightly ven-
erable appearance to the face. His stature is about five feet
ten inches, and he is rather stout, weighing nearly two hundred
pounds. " This is a hasty physical description of what may be
called a man of unusually fine physique, but it utterly fails to
convey a full impression of the man himself only of his outer
shell or envelope, through which the illuminating power of the
soul shines with splendid radiance. His eyes and his purse
have never been found shut to the appeal of human woe and
suffering. A generous heart, overflowing with love, sympathy,
and charity, beats in every pulse and radiates from the face.
He unites a clear head, keen perceptions, and an almost unerr-
ing judgment. When to these are added an intuitive knowl-
edge of human nature, and a passionate enthusiasm, we get
some clue to the secret of his power. His work is a labor of
love, and he has become its champion and standard-bearer.
The affectionate, sympathetic nature of this truly good man
is overflowing with desires to benefit his fellow-men. His
earnest appeals come right from the heart, and his words, at
times, flow so smoothly and are so full of conviction that they
seem to be inspirational. Truly has it been said of him, that
the eloquent language flows from him like a mighty stream of
sparkling water gushing from a great fountain. Being saved
himself from a drunkard's fate, the fascinating recital of his
redemption never fails to aAvaken the warmest sympathies of
man's nature, and encourage the consumers of strong drink to
pause and consider whither they are drifting. So persuasive,
so earnest, so sincere is he, that he captures the drinkers by
scores and hundreds. Taking them by the hand, he gives such
a genuine, hearty shake as he says, "Brother, let us have your
name to the pledge," that few can resist his earnest appeal.
24
562 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
His very presence inspires confidence and a desire to forswear
forever all intoxicating drinks. Wherever he has labored, his
work has been blessed as the work of no other temperance lec-
turer before him ever was blessed. The people say God-speed
to him, and sustain him in the good work. Within the past
year he has caused a great, peaceful, and beneficial revolution
in this portion of the State.
It is not in his eloquent oratory alone that he makes his
greatness and his usefulness felt. He seeks to save his fellow-
man through impressing the fallen that there is hope for them
that while a man is willing to help himself, others stand
ready to aid him. His appeals so pleasantly made are irresist-
ible. His very experience, sad as it has been, has contributed
to his eloquence and success, the one being inseparable, if not
identical, with the other.
Then, too, his method of securing the aid of reformed men
as active co-laborers, is something that has added much to his
effectiveness. But of this we will say nothing further at pres-
ent, for we started out to describe the personnel of the man,
rather than to dwell upon the methods which he so successfully
employs in his ministrations. We now pass on to his youthful
days, and as the reader progresses through the pages of this
book he will find much of absorbing interest in the life of one
of the greatest, if not the greatest, of revivalists the world haa
ever known.
FRANCIS MURPHY. 563
CHAPTER H.
THE EAKLY LIFE OF FRANCIS MUBPHT IN OLD IRELAND. HIS
DEPASTURE FOR AND SETTLEMENT IN AMERICA. HE FINALLY
OPENS A HOTEL AND COMMENCES THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN
PORTLAND, ME. TRIAL AND ACQUITTAL ON THE CHARGE OF
MURDER.
FRANCIS MURPHY saw the glad light of life on the 24th of
April, 1836, in the town of Wexford, county Wexford, Ireland.
He sprang from the Irish peasantry. A short while before his
birth his father expired, leaving the mother in poor circum-
stances ; so he was ushered into the world under rather a
gloomy aspect. His home was most charmingly and pictur-
esquely situated. It was a thatched cottage, of course, for
these structures are altogether inhabited by the poor of lovely
Erin. It stood on a slight elevation, not pronounced enough
to be dignified as a hill ; and faced the ocean, that is, the
harbor of Wexford, which connects the Atlantic and the Irish
Sea. A small path of gravel led up to the door, and on either
side of the path was a bit of garden-land, all aglow with the
beauty of mother Earth's fair offspring. In the distance
loomed the gray rocks that ran out to greet the foaming
channel, and on one side the smiling hills of green.
Francis Murphy lived his quiet life here. Surely the loveli-
ness of his birth-place must have helped to mould so beautiful
a nature as his ; helped to bring him intimately to God. In
the subsequent dark and dreadful periods of his life the charm-
ing scene must have flashed before his mind's eye and aroused
the slumbering conscience in his breast.
564 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
The Murphys were, and always had been Roman Catholics.
Airs. Murphy M*as earnest and steadfast in her religious princi-
ples, and endeavored to instill them in the minds of her
children.
The peasants of Ireland are obliged to work hard to keep
the wolf from the door. This labor is incessant, and they
know little rest, little pleasure, and little comfort. The Mur-
phys were not exceptions. They shared the common lot with
with their neighbors. They were literally tillers of the soil,
earning their humble substance by the very sweat of their
brow.
Our hero has mentioned in one of his addresses the fact that
after having gleaned in the harvest field, he was obliged to
carry the grain into the cottage, and there thrash it out on the
floor while the world at large was fast asleep.
Despite the lack of this world's goods the Irish are prone to
hospitality. They love to gather their friends about them and
have a pleasant time. This trait is widely known and com-
mended. The Murphys were not so destitute but they could
occasionally get up an entertainment for their friends. In-
deed, this was a courtesy expected and demanded from one to
another, and must be observed, if the good will and esteem of
the neighbors were desired. To let the twelve months go by
without once gathering your friends together, and having a
little feast, was regarded a shabby trick, in fact an insult to
the whole neighborhood. And in an appropriate fashion the
neighborhood would revenge itself and outraged dignity upon
yourself, children, even for months and months. Describing
this hospitality, Mr. Murphy said :
" Public dinners were popular in the old country ; and,
though we could not afford them, our friends would be invited
sometimes, because my mother thought it would be considered
mean if she did not invite them. I enjoyed those days on
which the friends would come to be feasted at the little home.
A ad the table might groan beneath the luxuries, unless there
was liquor upon it something seemed needed for the occasion.
FRANCIS MURPHY. 5C5
"It has been the fashion in my country, irom time inline-
morial, to have liquor on the table ; and it is thus that a great
many young men have been brought into the habit of drink-
ing, resulting in the course of time, in their disgrace and
shame.
"I remember when the table was spread, and all the
arrangements made, how I was allowed to come into the
room and see it. This white Irish linen cover and the little
china tea-cups, with a gilt rim around the edge, looked beauti-
ful upon it. I remember, that when I only touched one of the
cups it would seem to sing like a bird. I could see all the large
raisins in the cake ; and it was with difficulty I could keep my
fingers from them. Of course, I knew that if I touched
them my mother would stir me up.
" When you have a feast in this country the children are
brought into the room and are introduced to the friends. In
O
my country the youngsters are huddled into the kitchen.
This was a part of our entertainments I did not like. My
mother, when everything was ready, would call me aside and
say, ' Come here, be a good boy, keep perfectly still, go
straight out of this, and make no noise.' Thus, I remember
O - * *
being turned out into the kitchen, and how my hand doubled
in perfect indignation. I can yet feel the scalding tears as I
paced back and forth.
" There is no pleasant remembrance about this treatment.
Don't ask your friends to come to your house at the expense
of your children. If there are no chairs, so that they can be
seated at the table, I suggest, that the old folks go out and
wait until the children have eaten.
" On the occasion referred to I kept walking back and forth
in great restlessness. Often I came to the door and put my
ear to it that I might in some way enjoy the laughter and
talking. There was a little latch across, and it would open if
it was touched. Finally patience ceased to be a virtue, and
the latch was touched, whereupon the door opened. At this,
some of the friends noticed me, and beckoned me to come into
566 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
the room. I entered very cautiously, for if my dear mother
had caught me she would have sent me back. The friends
had gotten through eating and were quite merry over their
drink.
" Much has been said about the Irish people drinking intox-
icating liquor ; but, if you were accustomed to the ways in
old Ireland, you would say very little about it. If half a
dozen friends met together they had to have a drop of the
crater, of course ; they couldn't get along without it. A man
would be considered mean unless he had it on special occasions
upon his table ; and no man likes to be called stingy. There
is something fascinating to an Irishman in the thought that he
is a liberal man, and that his friends will say of him : ' I
would like to repeat my visit to his house ; what beautiful
whiskey ; what splendid wine ; it was glorious.'
"My friend would take his glass in his hand ; he was a dear
friend of our family ; and, adding a little water to the whis-
key, would place it in my hand as I stood by his side. I
remember of my looking up in his face and sipping it from a
teaspoon. Thus I first learned to love the taste of liquor. It
was there the appetite was first formed. It was there the seeds
of intemperance were sown which cursed and made a wreck of
me thousands of miles from my native land.
" In justice to the memory of my beloved mother who loved
me as affectionately as your parents have loved you I will
say, there is a way that seemeth right to many of us, but the
end thereof is death."
There was scarcely any time, and very little opportunity in-
deed, to think of or to obtain education among the Murphys.
In the first instance, each member was obliged to toil to earn
his bread ; and in the second, their religion debarred them en-
tirely from the national schools. Dilatory opportunities were
given by the priests in the several parishes to learn how to
read and write, somewhat indifferently, it must be admitted.
Nevertheless, it was education of a certain sort and Francis
Murphy eagerly embraced the opportunity, and applied himself
FRANCIS MURPHY. 567
with an earnest, steadfast will to learn all he could a most
noble characteristic, in truth, which glowingly marked the
future years of gloiy for him to live.
There are some things that live in the mind forever, defying
the kind touch of Time, who soothes, mellows and eases our-
selves, thoughts and actions, having power to upset our repose
and make us wretched. A blow, a harsh word, a look, an act,
little things in themselves, but powerful enough to render us
in our turn cold and unforgiving.
Francis Murphy had been soundly flogged by the priest for
some fault. It was no slight punishment. It was as severe as
it possibly could be. It was inflicted before the whole little
band of scholars, and was dreadful disgrace to him, his being a
most loving, gentle and sensitive disposition.
It lived in his mind always. He always felt he had been
most shamefully dealt with, and he often alluded to it in his
speeches as a wrong which he could not forget, and which for
a number of years he could not forgive.
The lad's youth was one perpetual longing for a greater life
than that before him in Wexford, a vague longing for the
world beyond the shining sea that stretched before his home.
Every time a vessel passed by on its way to other shores, the
same wish would rise up in his heart, and would make him im-
patient for the time when he might go away. He had heard,
as far back as he could recollect, wondei'ful stories of America,
the strange sights to be seen there, and the marvelous success
men made there after leaving poor, oppressed Ireland. What
blessed future might be his, were he only in America ! What
new worlds of happiness, what scenes of novelty and delight !
When he was able to support himself a position was found
under his mother's landlord, who possessed an old castle in the
vicinity. There was nothing in the situation to please him,
ind everything to revolt him. He was sensitive, ambitious,
and of a highly-strung constitution ; and his being a servant,
was rather a source of pain than otherwise. He was more than
willing, in fact eager to help in supporting the family ; and the
568 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
small wages the landlord rewarded him with were of great ser-
vice to his mother. However, he could not reconcile himself
to his fate. He endeavored to endure it patiently. His master
was a true devotee to King Alcohol ; but when he was sober
Francis was a quiet, deferential servant, and when he was in-
toxicated the boy shared the cup with him, becoming his com-
panion and equal. His family felt the dangers that surrounded
him, and suffered great anxiety on his account. The longing
for a new life grew with his growth, and urged him onward.
Even in the hours of severe labor the thought would rush
through him, making him pause, stand still and look, with his
hands shading his eyes, at the smiling waves into the misty
distance. At last the inward voice found relief in impetuous
speech. He confided in his mother. He unfolded all his plans,
ideas and desires, and pointed out the benefits to be gained by
his departure. Naturally she discouraged him. She spoke of
the manifold dangers in store for him should he go, the many
pitfalls for his inexperienced feet, and the ordeals through
which he would be forced to pass. Was he equal to the under-
taking ? Was he sure of himself, and of his powers of endur-
ance ? Was he willing to run all the risks, and brave the
overwhelming uncertainty of success? He had reached his
sixteenth year, and in his own estimation he was a man.
What dangers would brave sixteen-year-old not face ? One is
not so easily frightened at that sunny age ; one is willing, nay,
anxious to rush out, unarmed, unprepared in any way, and
grapple with all the evils known to man, with the noble desii'e
to kill them, each and all. He was ready to go to America, if
his dear, good, kind mother would* only say yes to it. She
could not say it. And besides how could he go had he the
wherewithal ? How bright his face grew at that ! He even
laughed a low, happy laugh ! She looked in his bonnie face,
with a ray of despair in her aged eyes. She knew, instinctively
that he was going, that her hold on him had been severed for-
O O'
ever. To tell him not to go now- would be useless, like com-
manding the breezes to cease, or the blue waves laughing out
FRANCIS MURPHY. 569
in the gay sunlight to be motionless. While ahe realized that
he was going, he told her an excellent chance had turned up in
his favor, and that all he wanted now was her consent and
blessing on the venture. " I shall never forget," Mr. Murphy
has often said, when describing this most momentous period in
his life, " my mother's countenance, when I looked into her
face, and presented my request. Dear soul, she could hardly
speak to me. Her eyes quickly filled up, and her lips parted
so strangely. She said, ' Yes, I think it will be best for you
to gc, my boy.' " The only request she made was that he
should spend his last week in Erin at home with her. This
was most readily and gladly granted. In speaking of this
time of his eventful life, while addressing the public, he said :
" I never shall forget that week. I can see my mother going
backward and forward through the house. Her time was
chiefly spent in making the needful preparations, and packing
up for me. And when she would lift up the clothes and look
at them, I could see the tears running down her cheeks. She
would look at me awhile, as if in deep thought and solicitude,
and then silently walk away. I thank God for the memory of
that week at home. It has been a great blessing to me. I was
only sixteen years of age, yet, blessed be God, the memory of
that home, that face, and that voice, is still fresh and sweet in
my heart.
"And then, the last night came before I was to leave. It
was the custom in old Ireland, when a man was passing his last
night at home, to send for his friends. But mother said, 'My
son, I should like to be alone with you this last night.' There
was no person invited. My trunk was partly packed, and there
were some clothes placed upon the bureau alongside of my
trunk. My mother said to me, ' Get your chair and sit with me
here to-night.' And she took her seat by the table, with her
head resting upon her hand. Sometimes she would lift up her
head and look into my face, and then drop it down upon he r
bosom, and place her hands across her breast. I could see her
struggle to control her grief. We sat there until it was one
670 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
o'clock at night, and I don't think there were twenty words
spoken between us. Mother finally arose from her chair and
said to me, ' My son, I think I will try and finish packing your
trunk.' Never shall I forget that voice, as she arose from the
chair. She spoke so strangely. She walked over to where the
trunk was, looked into it, and then reached over to the clothes
on the bureau, and placed them in it. She smoothed them
down with great care. When the last garment was placed in
it, it was all the dear soul could do to stand up again. After-
ward, she raised up from her stooping position over the trunk,
and walking to the window watched for the carriage that was
to come for her boy. When I was ready to start, mother stood
with her back to me, and I could see her trembling.
" I had not yet received her blessing. It was really about
all she could give me, dear soul. You can hardly find a coun-
tryman of mine in America who would not prize his mother's
blessing. I think sometimes Americans do not value the paren-
tal blessing enough. For my mother to put her hand on my
head, and say, ' God bless you,' was a great deal to me. I
arose from my seat and walked up to where mother was, and
putting my arms about her neck, said, 'Mother, now give me
your blessing before I part from you.' I then knelt at her f eet>
and she, placing her loving hand upon my head, said, 'May the
blessing of God go with you ; and may you remember, my dear
boy, that the same sun that shines on me shines on you ; that
the same God that is watching over us in our humble home,
will care for you in a strange country ; and, oh ! may you not
forget your mother."
It was a long, tedious and unpleasant trip ; but the thoughts
that lived in Francis Murphy's brain flew onward, and made
the time less irksome for him. Lovely castles, standing in
radiant gardens, stretched before his mind's eye in dazzling
glory, dispelling the discomforts and hardships of an emigrant
vessel, and making the weary journey of seven weeks' duration
merely a little jaunt of no importance. Finally the spires and
high house-tops of New York rose on the horizon. How the
FRANCIS MURPHY. 571
boy's heart swelled at the sight ! At last the land of his choice
was reached ! The emigrants quickly left the steamer. Fran-
cis was met by a pleasant-looking gentleman, who offered most
kindly to show him to a nice hotel. Giving him the checks,
he went along with him, talking brightly as he went. They
reached an inn, and here found comfortable rooms and " some-
thing to take," of which our young friend partook rather too
freely. He treated every one in the room to drink after
drink. Seven days he kept up a continual drinking and treat-
ing, and then he discovered that he was without a single penny.
This aroused him somewhat to his situation. The landlord
found he had spent all he had, and he was forthwith compelled
to quit the inn, and find other quarters, if he possibly could.
Homeless, friendless, and moneyless ! What a frightful
condition to be in ! Did he turn his back to the tempter, and
endeavor to retrieve what he had lost ? No. He still kept up
his course of inebriety until every thing he had ever possessed
was gone. In this strait he became sober, and conscious of
his degradation. The prospect was gloomy in the extreme
dark and threatening without the faintest ray of light to shew
him the way. Depressed and alarmed he sought, day in and
day out, something to do. He succeeded in procuring employ-
ment after very many disheartening attempts. He entered on
his work with joy and zeal. It would be an easy matter now
to replace all he had lost, and to put him in an agreeable
position. He calculated beyond his strength. The voice of
the tempter was too strong for him to resist, and the appetite
for drink demanded gratification. He could not hold out a
long time ; he was obliged to submit to the passion at last.
It was, after a while, useless to remain in New York, so he
made up his mind to go to Quebec, Canada. Fickle fortune
seemed wary, and did not attend him. He met with failure in
every attempt he made while in Quebec, and was finally com-
pelled, after his funds were nearly exhausted, to leave there.
He did not have sufficient money to pay his way to the States,
but enough to take him to Montreal. Here he found work for
572 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
the time being, in a hotel. He kept his place in the hotel for
a few years. His habits of intemperance drove him from this
employment ; and instead of seeking other work in Canada he
returned to New York, hoping there to redeem his honor and
manhood from the low depths into which both had fallen. He
found Avork on a farm in NCAV York State. It was hard, out-
door life, and he enjoyed it Avith zest, working steadily all the
time. After many attempts, the difficulty of which is almost
impossible to realize or comprehend, unless, dear reader, you
have been in the same predicament yourself, he subdued his
desire, his intense craving for drink.
" I was compelled to learn the profession of driving oxen on
a farm," he said on a certain occasion, with his peculiarly
SAveet and brightening smile, " and as a green Irish boy, Avith
a goad in hand, I learned so talk to Buck and Bright. I have
seen a man laugh at me while I was chopping a maple log. I
was cutting away at a great rate, and thought I was doing
splendidly, but every time I struck the log he Avould shout and
laugh at me."
He went further into the interior of the State. His life
from this point Avas sober and right in every respect. It was
here he met a generous, noble, and lovely girl, with Avhom he
fell desperately in love. He longed to marry her, to live for
her aloue. Strange and delightful emotions now had posses-
sion of him, never in all his life had he felt as he HOAV did.
There seemed to be one ray of light for him, and it centered
only in this girl. There seemed to be but one life worth liv-
ing, and that was by her side. His present existence appeared
colorless, unworthy, empty, unsatisfactory. He yearned to
change it. He did change it. The gentle girl had learned to
love her bold, impetuous, her handsome, stalwart lover. She
consented to be his wife. He had just reached his eighteenth
year, when he enveloped himself with the trials, responsibili-
ties and felicities of marital life. The years that noAV stretched
before him Avere full of promise. Everything devolved upon
himself. His own happiness Avas in his hands, to make or to
FEAKCIS MURPHY. 573
mar. He fully realized that the future must be steady and
industrious toil, for now there rose others to be cared for, and
self had slipped almost unperceived from out of his life. Six
years, happy, quiet and contented years, went gently by.
Francis Murphy developed into a happy father and husband,
an energetic worker, an upright, esteemed, beloved man.
His wife proved herself one of the best, kindest, and truest
helpmeets a man ever was blessed with. She proved herself a
true Christian, a most faithful follower in the Divine footprints
that alone lead us to our heavenly home. She it was who
made Francis Murphy what he now T was a sober and successful
man. She was always his adviser, counselor and friend. Pie
did not withhold anything from her ; but rather sought her
sympathy and advice in all he undertook to do. Her influence
on him was very great, even unbounded ; and he loved her
with all the fervor of, perhaps, one of the largest, most feeling
hearts of the present time. He has touchingly spoken of her
in his addresses to the people, not directly, but in an indirect
way that proves in what light he regarded her presence at his
side, and the influence she had over him. On one occasion he
said, with a gush of feeling and power that surprised the vast
assemblage before him :
" If you have a good, Christian wife, consult her in all your
business. Give her to feel that she is a partner in life with
you, that you are to work together, and believe in each other,
come what will. Hearts thus joined together by God's Holy
Spirit, nothing should separate. There is no difliculty they
cannot surmount, no obstacle they cannot overcome. With
faith in each other, and faith in God, they will come through
all right,"
The quiet and peaceful flow of their country existence was
disturbed by the advent of one of Francis Murphy's brothers,
who did all in his power to persuade him to branch out into
the great world again. Every one in the little family was
wiping to go, and, after many consultations, they agreed to go
to Portland, Maine, and settle there.
574 LIFE AND WOKK OP
The brothers determined to run a hotel here. This enter-
prise promised them a profitable return. Francis' heart, how-
ever, failed him when he thought of his dear wife and her views
as regards a public-house life, and the results of such a business.
As he expected she opposed the venture strongly. She told
him she was against the business and would always be so ; for
she feared everything from it, and she could have no ease of
mind, no pleasure should he embrace it. She dreaded to see
him placed in a position fraught with so many dangers for
him. What if the old demon of drink should enter his breast
again ? She thought of her little ones, herself and himself,
and said she could never consent to it. " I would sooner beg
for a living in the streets of Portland, than to have you sell
intoxicating liquors," she said, looking him earnestly in the
face. He knew she felt and meant what she said, and nothing
could ever alter his opinion in regard to the business he was
about to enter. He did not feel as she did, but he would not
oppose her. He would act alone. If harm came of it he
would be to blame, not she. As he said in one of his
speeches :
" I consulted her out of courtesy, and if she did not indorse
my way, I pursued it all the same. I never saw a man have
occasion, in the end, to regret having consulted his wife. Men
engaged in the sale of intoxicating liquor do not, in general,
consult their wives. They think they are capable of managing
their own business ; but their wives are worried to death by
it. After all, there's nothing like a man taking his wife into
his confidence, just as he has taken her into his heart. He
should make her to feel that she is loved, and should consult,
and be advised by her in his business. Thus God's Spirit will
both lead and help."
The Bradley House, on the corner of India and Commercial
streets, was rented. It was neatly and comfortably uphol-
stered in fact, a desirable residence. Francis intended that
his family should reside in it. To overcome his wife's scruples,
he told her, encouragingly, "My dear, I am not going to make
FRANCIS MURPHY. 575
any effort to sell liquors, but I will only have it for my cus-
tomers and sell it respectably." In this manner he hushed his
conscience, and overcame his wife's strong objections. His
argument then was to the point and answered his position per-
fectly. In after years he said, having tested his argument to
the very letter : " It is an utter impossibility to sell liquor
respectably. It is the worst business under the sun. The
finest of men, apparently, will come to you and say, ' Give me
another drink ?' You reply, ' You have enough !' They then
urge, ' Don't I know my business ?' And thus you cannot
refuse them without the dreaded quarrel."
Mrs. Murphy could not rest, or consider his plans until he
promised her faithfully not to drink, even if he did sell the
cursed beverage to others. And yet in the next breath she
exclaimed, conscience-stricken, " If you don't drink, yourself,
some other people will take it !" Her mind was clear and
strong, her heart pure and sympathetic. If she were saved
others would suffer at the degradation of their loved ones.
This she saw and felt acutely. From this time fear took pos-
session of her heart. When her husband took her and the
children to the hotel, he carried her through the different
rooms with an eager air, as if he wished her to like and ad-
mire her future home.
" How does it please you, my wife ?" he asked finally.
"I suppose I shall have to be pleased with it," she an-
swered sadly.
" Do not be concerned, I am not going to take intoxicating
liquors," he said soothingly, taking her hand in his.
" Others will," she said, shaking her head ominously.
The business proved to be very successful. The brother
retired, leaving the whole concern to Francis, who was now a
wealthy man. He remained proprietor of the hotel ten years.
He kept his word for a time, or as long as he could, not to im-
bibe ; but he finally fell a victim to the alluring tempter. He
became fond of it, and gratified his desire to excess. The
676 THE LIFE AND WORK OP
business was left to take care of itself ; the money lie had
made was spent regardless of the consequences.
The end came. Francis Murphy was a confirmed drunkard,
a wretched habitual sot. He was turned out in this condition
upon the world, with his poor wife and children, to face the
storms of adversity as best he could. How patiently and re-
signedly did the suffering woman endure her miserable lot !
Not a word of unkindness or reproach did she let fall from
her lips. Never would she let it happen, that he might feel
she was unkind or reproachful towards him, whom she so de-
votedly loved both in adversity and prosperity. Francis Mur-
phy ran a saloon in a limited fashion, to keep the wolf from
the door. The insatiable craving, however, for the flowing
bowl baffled his efforts, and hurried him breathlessly down
the road of crime and ruin.
In a drunken brawl in his saloon he refused to let one of the
men go up-stairs. The man broke away from the crowd, and
went up-stairs. At the top stood Francis Murphy, wild with
passion and heated with drink. They met ; a scuffle ensued ;
both missed their footing, and fell headlong down the stairs.
Francis Murphy was unhurt, but the intoxicated man had been
hurried into eternity to face the Great Judge. Think of stand-
ing before the Lord of lords in that state before the glowing
angels and the glorious saints, with the vile, reeking odors of
rum about him, and the horrible signs of the caresses of King
Alcohol about his person and on his face. Oh ! man, where is
your nobility, your manhood ? Oh, man ! endeavor to be your-
self, your grand, noble, worthy self, so that when the good
time comes you may be allowed to kiss the blessed Redeem-
er's feet, permitted to join the angels, and sing their swelling,
inspired strains !
Francis Murphy was arrested and tried for the life of a fel-
low-creature. He himself had a brief look at death, but he
was acquitted of the charge, and dismissed. Did he pause,
and think of the future ? Did he say to Satan, " Get thee
hence I will have nought to do with thee ' ; ? Did the passing
FEANCIS MURPHY. 577
glance at the valley of death, the damp, chill feeling of it arid
its deep shadows, arouse his soul, and show him how to walk
to be saved ? Did he reform ? No ; he plunged down the
road of ruin recklessly, madly. He gave scarcely a thought to
himself, his poor, sorrow-stricken family, or to the future. He
was an abandoned wretch, lost to everything noble, pure and
good. He was indifferent to both God and man. What would
be the end? Mr. Murphy had now reached that point of
degradation and disgrace when society was obliged to take the
matter into its own hand. His home had been made desolate
by himself ; his wife had reached a state of despair and pain
when the hardest heart in the whole world could not help to
pity and sympathize with her and her children. Society could
not stand by and turn a deaf ear to the sufferings of these
innocent people. It saw but one course to adopt. However,
it will be of far more interest to give Mr. Murphy's account of
this wretched part of his life, as narrated by him to thousands
upon thousands of eager, spell-bound listeners.
And here our digression will be pardoned if we call atten-
tion to Mr. Murphy's graphic and eloquent descriptive powers,
which have enlisted for him the honest hearts of the people,
and which have been a spell of most unusual power and sweet-
ness to all who have heard him speak.
He said : " I lost everything I owned in this world in the City
of Portland. On the night of September 25th, 1869, I was a
bankrupt, without a dollar, and, I think I can say, without a
friend. This is a good deal for a man to say. It is easy
enough for a man to simply say that he has no friends ; but it
is quite another thing for a man to feel it down deep in his
heart.
" When misfortune came my friends passed away. I then
kept on drinking, trying thereby to forget the sorrow that had
come upon me. I did not care much whether I lived or died.
Even the men, who were engaged in the same business I had
followed, gave me the cold shoulder. Generally speaking, if
you have been respected in the liquor business, and become
678 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
unfortunate, you will find a great gulf to come between those
similarly engaged and yourself.
" Some persons thought that the best thing they could do
for me and my family would be to have me Arrested and sent
to the county jail for reformation. Nevertheless, it has been
to me one of the greatest crosses of my life.
" A countryman of mine, a wholesale liquor dealer, and Mr.
Perry, the sheriff, came to my place one day, and asked me to
take a walk down the street with them. I did so, not knowing
what their business with me was. The sheriff had been talk-
ing about things of recent occurrence, when suddenly he said :
" ' I have been requested to have you arrested.'
" ' By whom,' I asked.
" Thereupon he pulled a writ from his pocket, having the
signatures of four men upon it. One of these was in the same
business I followed, and, of course, had not the least sympa-
thy with me. They did not come and talk with me in a manly
way, but determined upon arresting me, like a dog, and thrust-
ing me into a dark dungeon. I asked :
" ' Will you let me go and see my friend Patrick Mc-
Clidgy?"
" ' Yes ; we will go with you to him,' was the reply.
"McClidgy was a man I loved as truly as I did my own
children. We had been drunk and sober together. We had,
so-called, good times in associating together ; and I loved
him. When we went and saw him, he said :
" ' Take him away and lock him up, it's the best thing you
can do for him.'
" At this, it seemed to me my heart would break. It was
about the hardest blow of my life."
" My wife knew nothing of my arrest. My children were
ignorant of it. The sudden misfortune to me had not yet
reached their ears or hearts.
" Soon we came to the dark door of the jail. It stood open
and I stepped into it. Never shall I forget the first moment
in which I entered the building.
FRANCIS MUKPHY. 579
" I was thrust into the little dungeon of about six feet by
three in size. It contained a little iron bedstead, having upon it
a pillow of straw and an army blanket stretched over it. Here
thoughts of the past crowded upon me. The voice that came
to m'e first was that of my sainted mother. I could see her
sweet face and hear her once more. I thank God that it is
utterly impossible to tear from the heart the memory of a good
mother. Then I could understand what the poet meant in his
beautiful language :
" I hear a voice thou canst not hear,
Which says thou shalt not stay;
I see a hand thou canst not see,
Which beckons me away !
" Yes, in the silence of that lone place, I could hear the old
familiar voice. And there I remained, suffering all the terrible
delirium that it is possible for a poor victim of intemperance
to "endure. Of course, I was shut away from the world. I
was altogether deserted by everybody except my faithful wife
and children. And may God bless these ; they never deserted
me ; they never said an unkind word to me. Constantly, al-
most, they passed and repassed in review before me.
" In this place I remained for a considerable time. It was
evidently designed that I should have somewhat of leisure with
my thoughts. My condition was one of extreme sadness.
But, eventually, I realized the truth of the lines :
" ' God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform,
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.' "
Francis Murphy had ample leisure while in confinement to
ponder on his condition, and the dreadful strait in which his
family was now most unfortunately placed. His repentance
and contrition were strong and sincere. If ever a man suffered
acutely that man was the noble fighter against intemperance
580 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
in those sad, dark days in Portland. How his heart and spirit
went out to his lonely, suffering companion, who had so cour-
ageously borne up under the deep sorrow, the manifold trials
he had heaped upon her devoted head ! And yet he could do
absolutely nothing to help her in any way. Could he have
seen her as she was away from him, his heart indeed would
have been broken, and his grief and agony deepened a thou-
sand times deeper than it was. Poor woman ! alone, with six
children to maintain, her lot was exceedingly hard to bear.
There were times when she scarcely knew where to turn for
the necessaries of life ; and times when she dared not think
of what the morrow would bring to her and her helpless little
ones. Long and earnest supplications to Him, who helps the
afflicted, poured from her breaking heart, asking help for her-
self and children, and for him, who was now away from them.
How dark and desolate did life appear to her in these unhappy
days ! If her faith in Jesus had not been so powerful, so .en-
during, she could not have endured the ordeal. As it was, she
was fast losing hold on life, fast slipping away from earth and
the ties that bind us here below, and drifting down that broad,
placid and mighty stream that leads but to one point Eter-
nity.
When we step into the path of glory we are not often im-
pelled that way by ourselves ; we are rather guided along the
shining, flowery road by others. Some kind, guiding hand
stretches forth from out the gloom for us to clasp, and clasp-
ing it firmly, warmly, we walk so before the Lord, in sweet
companionship with some chosen vessel of the most High, who
is familiar with the way.
The world seemed darkest when help and light came to
Francis Murphy. It came in the person of Captain Cyrus Sturdi-
vant, a gentlemen admitted by all who know him to be the kind-
est friend a man could have. Captain Sturdivant felt the " wee
sma' voice " within his breast calling him to do good. To do
good, in his opinion, was to go among the lowest of the low,
the wretched part of humanity. He therefore went, with the
FKANCIS MUEPHY. 581
sheriff 's consent, to the jail in which our embryo lecturer was
confined, with the purpose of talking to the unfortunate beings
that crowded the edifice. However, we will let Mr. Murphy
describe Captain Sturdivant's visit in his fine and much-ad-
mired manner :
" To Captain Sturdivant," said he, " if I have been of any
use in the world, under God, I owe all of it. He commenced
his work on the Sabbath day. The great, dark entrance door
was opened to the Christian people. Quite a number had col-
lected together, and they came in singing,
" 'All hail the power of Jesus' name ;
Let angels prostrate fall ;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all, &c.'
" I was sitting on the little iron bedstead in my cell, when
the keeper came to the door and, looking at me, said :
" ' Mr. Murphy, we would like to have you come out and
attend religious service.'
" ' Please excuse me, I will remain here and not disturb your
people,' was my prompt reply.
" ' Come out, these people are your friends, they will not in-
jure you,' persisted the keeper.
" There was something so kind and agreeable in the face of
the man, that it produced a disposition of assent within me,
and touched my heart. Yet my answer was,
" ' I would sooner stay here.'
" ' Come on, Mr. Murphy,' he continued.
" At this, I concluded I would go. Oh, how my heart had
ached for a kind word ; for some one to say, ' Can I do any-
thing for you ? ' I then responded,
" ' I will go out with you, I believe.'
" I arose from my seat, stepped out the little open door,
walked along about ten paces, and sat down with the rest of the
prisoners. There was Captain Cyrus Sturdivant. His back was
turned toward me as I walked along the corrider. He appeared
582 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
to me then as a larger man than he is just now. When ho
turned about he was weeping as a mother sometimes weeps
for her child. As I looked at his face, I asked myself, ' Who
he is weeping for ; has he lost a son ?' No, it was evident that
he had a heart for others. He was telling of God's goodness.
His words were very sweet to me. He spoke to us of hungry
wives and children. And, at that moment, it seemed I could
see my poor wife and children before me. As he continued
to talk, it seemed to me that my imagination never realized so
powerfully, as it did at that time, the presence of the objects
of my affections. My children seemed to be about me ; and
my dear wife to stand in my presence, as calm and patient as
ever, saying not one word. I queried, ' Does anyone care for
me?' 'I wonder if there is a friendly hand here to be ex-
tended to me ? ' And I said to myself, ' Oh what would I not
give to sit down with that man and tell him the sorrow of my
heart.' Nobody said anything to me, and I spoke to no one.
In spite of myself the tears would course down my cheeks.
" After the meeting I desired to hurriedly get away. I
wanted to get into the little dark room, out of sight, so that I
could, in some way, give expression to the grief that was
almost consuming me. I was walking along the corridor,
when a step came after me, followed quickly with a tap on
my shoulder. My hand was instantly seized, and Captain
Sturdivant stood before me.
" The first words of Captain Sturdivant to me were,
" ' I am sorry to see you here. Would you not like to be
sober, as you once were, and stop the business of selling liquor,
and be at home with your wife and children ?'
" ' Yes, I would like to be respected. I do not want to be
in the business of selling liquor. But,' after a slight pause, I
continued, ' hardly a hope remains for me.'
" Upon this reply, the good-hearted man immediately pulled
nie close to his side, and said :
" ' There is hope for you ; and, if you will only make an
effort to help yourself, we will help you, and God will help you.
FEANCIS MUEPHY. 583
" Oh, how sweetly these words came to my heart. I shall
never forget them. And as I looked up, and into his face, I
saw the tears coursing thick and fast down his cheeks. Then
I said to myself, ' God helping me, I will make an effort to be-
come a sober man.' And, I can say, I secured the victory over
the terrible evil of intemperance through the kindly touch and
words of this Christian."
Never had Francis Murphy felt so touched as he did that
blessed morning. Hope there was still for him. He might
become free again, respected, loved, even happy. How glad
the world seemed as the very thought flashed through his
brain. He detained Captain Sturdivant. He could not let
him go soon. Would he ever see him again ? There was so
much he would like to know, so many questions he would like
to ask. Pie turned to him with a wistful beseeching look in
his eyes, and asked entreatingly :
" Will you please go and see my wife and tell her to keep
up courage ?"
" Indeed, I will, my friend," the captain said earnestly.
" And will you come and see me again soon ? Oh, do !"
And Mr. Murphy held out his hands as he spoke with an eager,
earnest air, that showed how much. he longed to have him
come again to the prison. Captain Sturdivant grasped his
hands fervently in his, and cried : "O, yes ! I will come and
see you again. And oh, may God bless you !" Th,e prisoner
fell back in his cell, and covered his face with his hands. Like a
flash the lovely scene of his birthplace rose before him the
fair, green hills, the frowning gray rocks, and the long
stretch of smiling, sparkling blue sea. His mother's blessing
the broken " God bless you," rang like silver chimes through
the chambers of his heart, and caused the big, salt tears of
regret and remorse to course down his cheeks.
That night was peaceful. He saw the light faintly, flick-
eringly, but surely. A longing for the advent of the next
holy day now took possession of Mr. Murphy. He yearned
for a glimpse of Captain Sturdivant yearned to hear a few
584 THE JJFE AND WORK OF
more words of cheer and encouragement. "There is hope for
you !" Could it be true ? Was it not some happy dream
came to distraught him ? It was a glad reality. He lived
again. He would make his beloved wife, his dear little chil-
dren happy, give them cause to love and bless his name. How
he longed to embrace these darlings of his heart, inform them
that he would reform, and be himself ! With anxious heart
he waited as patiently as he could for Sunday ; and when it
did dawn he was comparatively happy. He said in alluding
to the occasion :
" The Sabbath day came and great interest was shown
throughout the city. It was generally known that the Chris-
tian people had commenced to worship in jail. A large num-
ber of people early gathered about the building. They prin-
cipally came to join in the worship of God, and you may rest
assured there was quite a crowd.
" I did not suppose that my Avife would come to see me. At
least I hoped she would not. But it was ordered otherwise.
Of course I knew that, out of the gladness of her heart, she
would come, if it did not occur to her how painful it would
be to me to see her at such a place and under such surround-
ings. But it seems that where hearts are true they cannot
easily be separated. Prison doors cannot long keep them
apart. You may even put a man on the gallows, the redeem-
ing power- of love will claim its own.
" The doors of the prison were soon opened wide, and a
continuous line of people entered. How different my feelings
now from those I had, at the same hour, one week previous.
I actually longed to see the face of that Christian man, Capt.
Sturdivant. Through the previous week I prayed from my
heart, while alone in my cell, that God would send him to me.
I longed for some friendly hand, and for deliverance, so that I
might, liberated from all bonds, go to my innocent children
and queenly wife.
" As the crowds came in they sang, as before. It was truly
FEAISTCIS MUEPHY. 585
a beautiful and inspiring sight. When the place was well
filled, hundreds of people had to be turned away.
" When I lifted up my head and looked over among the
throng, my eyes fell upon my dear wife. She had stepped
just inside the door, so as to be out of sight as much as possi-
ble, dear child. I see her sweet face now. The moment I
looked upon her, she stepped aside, to be away from my gaze
as soon as possible. The little children were with her. They
had hold of their mother's dress, and I could see them looking
through the audience to see where their father was.
" As I was, seated there on that occasion, I felt in my heart
that I would have thanked God, had he taken me to himself in
an instant of time. My experience was of such a terribly
painful nature, that my poverty of language forbids me to
attempt a description of it.
" When I saw my wife, her lips parted, and her eyes filled
with tears. I had just taken my seat, and kept looking at my
my children. Truly, I realized that my life was far from
desirable.
" At this point, my oldest daughter, Mary, who was then ten
years of age, parted from her mother and pressed along
through the audience. She had a beautiful bouquet in her
hand. Evidently she had brought it to her father. I saw that
the face of the dear child had become as white as linen. Soou
she was at my side. She tried to shake hands with me, but
standing as she was, she could not very well, and passing her
arms around my neck, she said :
" ' Father, oh, father, we have been lonesome for you !'
" ' Daughter, I have been lonesome for you,' I replied, and
at once added, ' and, God helping, I shall make an effort to be
a sober man.' ' :
After the service, which all of the prisoners attended, Cap-
tain Sturdivant with Mrs. Murphy and her children went to
our hero. They all adjourned to his cell. In that gloomy
place a pathetic and solemn scene was enacted ; by far too
solemn for us to narrate, when we have Francis Murphy's
25*
586 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
own touching words to place before our kind readers. He
said :
" Capt. Sturdivant was close by my side. He placed his
arm about my neck, and said, ' Mr. Murphy, give your heart to
Christ and all will be well with you ! '
" In a little while my wife was by my side, with the .chil-
dren.
" I hardly dared to look to heaven, I had been so unfortu-
nate. But a ray of hope came to my poor, aching heart, and
then, with my poor suffering wife and children, we all knelt
down together upon the cold, dark prison floor, and supplicated
God's Throne for Divine mercy and grace.
"The work was then and there done. I arose from my
knees with an evidence of God's acceptance of me. Blessed
he His name. I knew, for myself, that,
" He breaks the power of cancel'd sin ;
He sets the prisoner free ;
His blood can make the foulest clean ;
His blood availed for me !"
From this time forward he was one of God's chosen one to
go among men and save them from sin, shame and crime, and
to lead them along the way of truth and happiness to glory
everlasting. His heart had undergone that great and peculiar
change. He stood now in the light. The obscuring mists
that had blinded him for so many years were no longer there
all was bright, and as clear as day. No more would he stum-
ble, and fall ; his step was firm, his gaze steadfast, unshrink-
ing and directed heavenward. He was a believer ; he was a
convert. He belonged to Jesus ; and henceforth was ordained
to work for him in saving mankind from its worst foe, its
most seductive enemy Alcohol. The last drop of the allur-
ing beverage had passed his lips ; and henceforward he Avas the
savior of those unfortunate souls who imbibed. Francis Mur-
phy came from out the dangers that had beset him, passed
through the ordeal, as a victor, crowned with signal success.
FKANCIS MUKPHY. 587
He stood now a man among men, pure, noble, grand, a king
among his subjects. The divine spirit burned clearly, stead-
ily, within his breast, and rayed out of his eyes with such
grand beauty that few could meet his shining glance unmoved,
unloving. Every one that now came in his presence longed to
shake hands with him, and hear him speak. There was some-
thing about him, a look, an air that attracted all to him, and
made each one feel as though he had just issued from a holy
place. He was saved. God heard his earnest prayer in the
lonely cell, heard the tearful supplication of the loving wife
and offspring, the beseeching words of one of the best, the
truest of men, and came down, and granted the so much de-
sired request. As our subject said :
" Everything became transformed. The very gr'anite of the
prison seemed to me to cut and carved so as to exhibit the
forms of angles."
Thus came peace and joy to him who had for some time
been a total stranger to both.
The service that brought so much good being over, Mr.
Murphy, with his happy family and happy Captain Sturdivant,
quitted the place in which he had suffered so greatly. A long
walk was enjoyed by them with zest ; and everything they
saw seemed brighter" and gladder in God's gay sunshine, that
memorable Sunday.
Francis Murphy was not directly set at liberty. While he
remained imprisoned, he spent his time in deep thought, and
made up his mind in regard to the future, and the course he
should pursue when liberated. Before his mind's eye there
stretched a long, radiant vista, and he longed to walk in the
way of it. To him it seemed the only road for him to follow.
A mighty voice seemed to call him ; a warning hand pointed
to it. For some days he was restless, uncertain, wavering ;
and then all was clear. He saw what was his future. He sent
in a petition to Sheriff Perry. It expressed an earnest desire
to hold a prayer meeting in the jail. His heart went out to
his fellow captives. He felt deeply for them ; he wished to
588 LIFE AND WOEK OF
save them. The meeting was one remarkable for its earnest-
ness, and effect. Francis Murphy spoke to the motley prison
crowd as the poor wretches had never heard anyone speak, and
roused them to their degradation, and to what the future
promised, until each and all shed tears of grief and joy com-
bined. They realized there was hope for them ; that they
could be saved. Like the inspired few that die to save their
fellow creatures, the great temperance advocate stood that day
in the Portland jail. Those who heard him recognized him as
what he was, and is a hero, a being inspired with a devoted
love of his fellows. Carried away with sympathy and desire
to save, he forgot himself, lost the first sensations of embarrass-
ment that had assailed him, and soared to grand heights of
eloquence and fervor. Every heart in that seemingly God-for-
saken crowd, throbbed with him ; and every one recognized
him as a savior, helper and friend.
From that memorable occasion the wonderful good and suc-
cess of the after days of brightness sprang. He understood
his position in the world ; and with God's kind grace and
assistance he was going to clearly define it to mankind. "In
the deep silence of the night the blessed word came to my
soul that God had a work for me to do," Mr. Murphy fer-
vently remarked on one occasion. " I then said to the Lord :
If thou wilt give me to see much fruit from this work, it
shall be the evidence to me that I am called to preach the
gospel."
The fruit came to him before many hours every man in
jail was saved and had been saved by him alone. From that
moment he stood before man a chos'en vessel. His success
had been so signal that the outside world heard of it, and
rejoiced. He had been one of the lowest of the low, a mis-
erable, offensive inebriate, a saloon-keeper ; but now the light
around him was so dazzling that men fell back, and won-
dered at it. Surely the radiance that shone wherever he went
was the holy light God flings about the chosen ! Like a
vivid flash it rayed out upon the dark, sleeping world, and
FRANCIS MURPHY. 589
startled it. What was it ? "Would it last ? might be heard
eagerly demanded by the wondering many. It lasts ; ay, and
forever ! A light that will be always burning, brightly and
steadily, to point the way, to eternal happiness and glory !
Now is the time to be saved therefore be saved ! Think of
the future, the awful hereafter, and dash the maddening cup
of intoxicating drink away from you, and take up the cross !
Oh, be wise while there is yet time ! Sign the pledge, and
swell the hundreds that hurry so joyfully heavenward.
Mr. Murphy's suffering family did not hear of what good
he Avas doing in jail. They little knew how near at hand was
that most devoutly prayed for hour, when they and want
would be strangers, and he, whom they so dearly loved, would
be with them, never to go astray again. As the temperance
apostle said to the great listening throngs that hushed to hear
him speak:
" They were in straitened circumstances. The landlord had
notified my wife and her six little ones to get out of his build-
ing. There was no one to help her.
" What I suffered during that time God himself only knows.
My wife denied herself bread to feed the children, as a good
mother always will, and even to send me a bite by the chil-
dren when they came to see me. Finally, the children could
not come ; they had no money to pay the car fare.
'' It was on the 30th of October, 1870, that I received a letter
from my dear wife. It was the last one I ever received from
her. It appears that she had no meals that day, as she had
nothing to cook. Johnny, the littlest of the six, while walk-
ing up and down the floor, had turned round at last and
pleaded to her : 'Mother, haven't you got a piece of bread for
me ? ' She opened the cupboard, but searched in vain. For
the first time there was actually not even a crust or crumb
for the ' pet,' for whom she had always been able to save at
least something.
" The mother's heart failed her, and then she sat down and
wrote me this letter :
590 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
" ' DEAR HUSBAND : I have had a week of bitter trial.
My strength is failing me. I cannot live long. But do not
be discouraged. My trust is in God.'
" This letter-I received at night. I could not read it in my
dark cell, but I managed to decipher the words by the gas in
the corridor.
" I walked my cell all that night. I cannot speak my ex-
perience on that the most bitter night I ever spent in all my
life. But it is past now, thanks be to God ! never to be lived
over. I detei-mined to put my trust in God. If I lived until
morning I would show that letter to the keeper, and tell him
the circumstances, and ask him to go to Captain Sturdivant,
the only earthly friend I knew. And when daylight came
God's goodness came unto me.
"I was released from prison through the efforts of my
friend, Captain Sturdivant. On my road home I heard a
familiar step behind me, approaching rapidly, and the next
moment the arms of my son Willie were around my neck.
" He whispered in my ear, ' We live down there, father ;
come quick this way, and follow me. No one is looking.'
The poor boy thought it was necessary to hide me. ' I am
released, my boy ! ' I cried to him,
"* Blessed be to God,' he answered, as he fled to break
the news to mother ; and in nearing the house the children
came and flocked around rne, and I felt like old times again."
Mr. Murphy's heart almost broke when he beheld his wife.
He stood still and looked at her a long time. He shuddered,
and then ran to her, with an exclamation of intense grief.
Poor woman ! Life to her had been most difficult, and she
had stepped upon the shadowy threshold of death, soon to be
lost in the deep gloom. " God helping me, dear wife," he said,
sobbiugly, "I will never touch another drop of liquor, and
never sell another drop !" She fell down upon her knees, and
with him and their children prayed to God to assist him in his
noble resolve. He described the effect 'of this earnest suppli-
cation in the following manner :
FRANCIS MURPHY. 591
" And then, all at once, things brightened, and I determined
to erect a family altar. I said, I will go to Captain Sturdi-
vant, who had rescued me, and tell him.
"And that night he brought a lot of friends with him to
erect it, and they brought fruit and garments for the little
children. Oh ! you don't know how they needed them. My
eyes cannot help filling with tears when I remember that crisis
of my life."
The fight with poverty now devolved on the head of the
family. He fell to with a will, and did anything of a respect-
able character that came to him. In the sacred recesses of his
heart he acknowledged a discontented feeling at his lot. He
felt some powerful inward emotion that seemed to demand of
him more than he did, that pushed him on to other things,
higher and greater. He could not help feeling restless and
anxious, and longing for that indefinite state, that condition he
desired without really knowing it, which the future held in
store.
Three weeks went by, and then Mrs. Murphy fell danger-
ously ill of typhoid fever. She lingered some time between
life and death, and finally yielded the mastery to the latter.
The suffering of Mr. Murphy and his children was of a charac-
ter that all who have lost those nearest and dearest to them
have experienced, and which rends their hearts with such ter-
rific pain they wonder how it is they could outlive the agony.
Mr. Murphy felt this great blow in an intense degree. Even
to this day when he narrates his eventful life, 'and comes to
this period of it, his voice trembles and big tears roll down
his cheeks. To his mother and wife are dedicated the greater
part of his most pathetic speeches. When he speaks of these
two good and true women, he rises to eloquent grandeur, and
captures the immense concourses that go to hear him, and
moves them to tears and sobs. On one occasion he said elo-
quently, in speaking of what he was doing :
" I am doing this work because I cannot help it. I can
avoid doing it no more that I can avoid breathing. There is
592 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
no portion of life I do not seem to have tasted. There if, not
a man, who has passed through affliction, except that I have
been called upon to do as much. I have been in the furnace
when the form of the fourth was in it. I knew God was with
me. '
" Could I but give others to see what I have seen, to feel
what I have felt, and to pass through what I have done, none
would be surprised at my eagerness. I found, beyond all
questioning, that God saves to the uttermost. No matter, if
you have been a prisoner, and base rebel, He comes to you
with more than a mother's love.
" How quickly would the mother come to her boy, if she
could, and put her hand fondly upon his head, and draw him
lovingly to her breast. A boy, even in rags, will try to make
himself appear well before her who bore him. But she will
not stop to see his rags ; she will see her face in his, and take
him to her heart. She will not be content to take his hand,
but will fall upon his neck.
" So Christ sees His face in yours, if you will but believe in
Him ; and wherever you may be, or however degraded, He,
the once crucified, oppressed and bleeding, stands ready to fold
you in His arms. Yea, he stands and knocks at the door of
your heart, until His locks are wet with the dew of the even-
ing God always does His part."
EEANCIS MUEPHY. 593
CHAPTER III.
MURPHY'S CAREER AS' A TEMPERANCE ORATOR OPENS. HIS
STRUGGLES AND PROGRESS IN THE CAUSE OF REFORM.
THE PUBLIC RECOGNIZES HIM AND HIS MISSION. THE
GREAT PITTSBURGH REVIVAL. FRANCIS MURPHY BECOMES
A HOUSEHOLD NAME THROUGHOUT THE LAND.
FRANCIS MURPHY delivered his first lecture in the City Hall,
Portland, on the 3rd day of April, 1873. A number of gen-
tlemen who were highly interested in the noble cause of tem-
perance, and interested in him, induced him to do this.
The success of the event was very marked. The hall was
crowded by a curious and eager crowd. Our subject was
somewhat embarrassed as he stepped forward on the platform,
and stood before all those eyes ; but this feeling was transi-
tory. He forgot self and his surroundings, as he spoke of his
life, and argued for his cause, rising often to sonorous elo-
quence. The audience was moved to tears, and then to laugh-
ter, when his well known, genial humor would burst out in
quaint bits of rhetoric.
That evening he received over sixty applications to lecture
in other cities. He was amazed and delighted.
He had felt that he failed in favorably impressing his audi-
ence at first ; but here was substantial proof of his success.
This result prompted him to continue the work he had com-
menced. He began a series of meetings in Portland, and
delivered about forty lectures with most gratifying effect.
A club was organized by those who reformed, and devoted
Christians who longed to save the fallen, and did much to break
down the baniers of King Alcohol. Mr. Murphy's success
594 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
was noised abroad ; and people in other parts of Maine cried
out for him to come to them. He could not be deaf to their
demands. He complied, and went from place to place telling
of his reformation, and urging all to relinquish the use of in-
toxicating liquor. Two years were nobly spent in the State
of Maine, and were productive of great good ; and one passed
in the State of New Hampshire with like result. Out west,
where a large band of people had gathered together to fight
rum, his name went with words of praise and joy. He was
heralded as the savior of the fallen ; he was the appointed
apostle of temperance. The aforesaid band of noble fighters
in a most noble cause begged him to come West, and address
the thousands of unfortunate beings in that section of the
country. He went to Iowa and Illinois. In these States, his
advent was hailed with exclamations of delight. Wherever
he went, he did wonderful good ; and the people loved him.
In Iowa and Illinois, no one is so well known, so respected, and
so admired as Francis Murphy. His name is a household
word. And hundreds upon hundreds fall down on bended
knees, and pray to God to shower blessings on the head of
him, who brought them out of the thick shadows of the valley
of sin and death.
He went to Freeport, by special request. In that town tem-
perance was only made known by a small band of brave wo-
men, who went from saloon to saloon praying. They could
not boast of any signal success. Francis Murphy came, and
things assumed another aspect. He roused the town, and num-
bers of people hitherto indifferent to the cause rushed forward
and swelled the lists, under his magic spell moved to lead pure
lives and eager to do good. His way was vigorous, manly and
inspired. Every one felt he had been sent, and that he was
there to save. His manner won all hearts. It was modest
but manly, and his pathos was genuine. His appeals went
forth, and were obeyed. He was accepted as the apostle of
temperance.
A very successful camp-meeting was conducted at Old Or-
FRANCIS MURPHY. 595
chard Beach, in New York State, in the autumn of 1874. It
was here that Mr. Murphy made one of his most famous
speeches on temperance, carrying the immense concourse with
him from the beginning to the end of it. Dio Lewis, that
world-famed doctor, and lecturer, was present, and, after our
AT LAST. ^* address the people. lie
"When on my day of lite the night is falling, I " I cannot make a speech
And, in the winds from unsunned spaces biOwn, " , ,, ,.
I hear far voices out, of darkness calling speeches tor torty years ;
M> fed to paths unknown. g or over twenty-five years ;
Thou who has made my home of life so pleasant, , r . ^ Tn find's
Leave not its tenant wben its walls decay ! | 3cn as ms to-day. in IrOCl ,s
Love divine, O Helper tver present, . ry a ll over t he land, every
Be tlion my strength and stay ! J
3Be near me when all else from me is drifting- , en g tn are spared."
Earth, sky, home's pictures, days of suade and iarkable for the SUCCCSS of
sbine .
And kindly faces to my own uplifting : ' he carried the hearts or
gained innumerable signers
1 bave but Thee, O Father! Let thv spirit , ,, ,. .
Be with me then to comfort and uphold; notable tor their educa-
3So gate of pear!, no nrancU of palm I merit, lp Ornrpr TTnprlnpatpd
No street of shining gold. as a lectiu ei . u neaucaiea,
Suffice it if my good and ill unreckoned, : 'r? d y and rea ding, though his
And both foreiven through thy abounding r i c h stores of humor and
grace
I find myself by hands familiar beckoned, l devotion to the cause of
Unto my fitting pUce; - ,, ,. . ,. ,.
d the severe discipline of
Some humble door among thy many mansions, ,,
Some sheltering shade where sin and striving [ie ai 't OI public speaking,
And flowHorever through Heaven's greea ex- name blaze like a meteor
pensions 3e( j that peculiar power of
The river of thy peace. r l
TLere from the music round about me stealing !e P tivit J- His intellectual
I fein would learn the nev and holy long, 3ars were fed bv a thousand
And find, at last, beneath ruy trees of healing,
The life lor which I long. reserve torces so necessary
_ igh long years of arduous
toil. Me was becoming tue accomplished master of the instru-
ments that God put in his hand to use to such purposes in the
forging of great results.
The temperance orator used his spare time in reading and
furbishing the weapons in his intellectual armory to a high
degree of polish and sharpness. His style commenced to rise
to a higher dignity than of old, though he has always kept
that conversational ease and directness, which on important
594 THE LIFE AND WOEK OP
was noised abroad ; and people in other parts of Maine cried
out for him to come to them. .He could not be deaf to their
demands. He complied, and went from place to place telling
of his reformation, and urging all to relinquish the use of in-
toxicating liquor. Two years were nobly spent in the State
of Maine, and were productive of great good ; and one passed
in the State of New Hampshire with like result. Out west,
where a large band of people had gathered together to fight
rum, his name went with words of praise and joy. He was
heralded as the savior of the fallen ; he was the appointed
apostle of temperance. The aforesaid band of noble fighters
in a most noble cause begged him to come West, and address
the thousands of unfortunate beings in that section of the
country. He went to Iowa and Illinois. In these States, his
advent was hailed with exclamations of delight. Wherever
he went, he did wonderful good ; and the people loved him.
In Iowa and Illinois, no one is so well known, so respected, and
so admired as Francis Murphy. His name is a household
word. And hundreds upon hundreds fall down on bended
knees, and pray to God to shower blessings on the head of
him, who brought them out of the thick shadows of the valley
of sin and death.
He went to Freeport, by special request. In that town tem-
perance was only made known by a small band of brave wo-
men, who went from saloon to saloon praying. They could
not boast of any signal success. Francis Murphy came, and
things assumed another aspect. He roused the town, and num-
bers of people hitherto indifferent to the cause rushed forward
and swelled the lists, under his magic spell moved to lead pure
lives and eager to do good. His way was vigorous, manly and
inspired. Every one felt he had been sent, and that he was
there to save. His manner won all hearts. It was modest
but manly, and his pathos was genuine. His appeals went
forth, and were obeyed. He was accepted as the apostle of
temperance.
A very successful camp-meeting was conducted at Old Or-
FRANCIS MURPHY. 595
chard Beach, in New York State, in the autumn of 1874. It
was here that Mr. Murphy made one of his most famous
speeches on temperance, caiTying the immense concourse with
him from the beginning to the end of it. Dio Lewis, that
world-famed doctor, and lecturer, was present, and, after our
hero had taken his seat, was asked to address the people. He
rose, and said, with great effect : " I cannot make a speech
after Mr. Murphy. I have heard speeches for forty years ;
have been on the rostrum myself for over twenty-five years ;
but I have never heard such a speech as his to-day. In God's
name, keep that man telling his story all over the land, every
night, as long as his breath and strength are spared."
These earlier years, though remarkable for the success of
Murphy's temperance efforts for he carried the hearts of
thousands wherever he went, and gained innumerable signers
to the pledge were principally notable for their educa-
tional influence on the man himself as a lecturer. Uneducated,
with a mind untrained by early study and reading, though his
imagination was burdened with rich stores of humor and
pathos, and his heart burned with devotion to the cause of
temperance reform, he yet needed the severe discipline of
habit, the practical training in the art of public speaking,
which were afterwards to make his name blaze like a meteor
through the land. Murphy possessed that peculiar power of
strong natures, the power of receptivity. His intellectual
resources during these important years were fed by a thousand
influences. He was absorbing the reserve forces so necessary
to sustain a man on his level through long years of arduous
toil. He was becoming the accomplished master of the instru-
ments that God put in his hand to use to such purposes in the
forging of great results.
The temperance orator used his spare time in reading and
furbishing the weapons in his intellectual armory to a high
degree of polish and sharpness. His style commenced to rise
to a higher dignity than of old, though he has always kept
that conversational ease and directness, which on important
596 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
themes are so much more efficient in grappling the hearts of
men than labored diction and well rounded rhetorical
periods. Above all, the well-spring of his power, his tremend-
ous earnestness and conviction that he was called to his mis-
sion by the voice of God himself, got deepened and settled by
his experiences. Truly a Pentecostal harvest in the salvation
of men had been vouchsafed him, and what might not be ex-
pected of him by those who had early welcomed him, and
foreseen the results that were to follow !
Francis Murphy was too humble, too sincere a Christian not
to feel that the main fountain, which fed his wonderful
power, and dispensed its healing waters in a thousand limpid
and healing rills and rivulets, came by the power of God. It
was in recognition of this fact that the orator kept himself
close to his Heavenly Father in prayer. His public addresses
are full of devout acknowledgments of this source of
strength, and a lesson might be read to the world through
this striking illustration of the dependence of human effort on
the inexhaustible source of all spiritual strength.
It is in virtue of this fact, that Mr. Murphy has always
linked religion with the temperance reform in every possible
way. He had known from terrible experience how difficult it
is for man to stand alone, to battle against temptation and the
hydra evil of a giant appetite, without calling in every possi-
ble aid and resource. He himself had realized the potent re-
enforcement found in the warm Christian sympathy of indi-
viduals and communities. So the Murphy work from the
very outset placed itself side by side with the religious ele-
ment in society, and enlisted not merely the aid of the
individual Christian, but of church societies as organized
institutions for work. This probably has been one of the
powerful influences in the movement throughout, in utilizing
and consolidating results, as well as joining the emotional
nature in the ardent enthusiasm required to commence the
work. Murphy acted on .this principle from the outset with
great earnestness. But in appealing to church influence and
FRANCIS MURPHY. 597
assistance, o'lr orator was careful to avoid any appeal to sec-
tarian bitterness and prejudice. In many cases attempts
were made by powerful denominational influences to get such
an influence on the Murphy movement in certain places, as to
control it and make its results redound to the glory and gain
of particular societies.
All such attempts the subject of our sketch assiduously dis-
countenanced, for he knew what seeds of rankling discord and
discontent could thus be sown. All his tact and good man-
agement were sometimes necessary to prevent evil consequen-
ces from ensuing, and he won, thus early in his career, the
admiration and love of those who watched him, as much by his
skill in riding over these obstacles, as by his fervid eloquence
and force as a platform orator. Mr. Murphy's ' views on this
subject are very well expressed in an extemporaneous speech
he made some time after from the balcony of a hotel at At-
lantic City. Though in chronological order this address anti-
cipates time, it is so pat to the matter under discussion that we
are impelled to give it. It is such a good specimen of his
average style of effort too, that it is presented in full. On
this occasion the great apostle of temperance reform said :
" MY FRIENDS : I thank you for this generous reception
in this beautiful city by the sea. I have a heart that feels
and a memory that never forgets. A good deed brings its
timely reward, and there is a satisfaction in performing good
deeds to those who most need them. There are thousands
throughout the land who need good deeds who need to be
lifted up from where they have fallen through their liking for
strong drink. Let us throw our temperance banner to v the
breeze. Let temperance and charity be our watchwords. I
am glad that I am here to-night to speak to you on this impor-
tant subject, for I feel that each and all of you can do some-
thing toward reclaiming those who need wise counsel and gen-
uine love to dissuade them from their folly. Let us seek the
truth. It is precious more precious than the Avealth of the
world. When we find it, let us disseminate it. Let us show
598 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
the poor, unfortunate man who is being dragged down into
the sloughs of poverty and disgrace, through a diseased appe-
tite, what will be the re3ult of his folly. Speak kindly to
him and try hard to save him.
" We, in our humble places, can make the world better for
having lived in it. The beautiful ocean which looms up before
us thrills us with its beauty and grandeur. It touches the
divinity within us that divinity which teaches us to be purer,
better, and more truthful. In all nature we -find lessons of
portentous import. In all things God's handiwork and His
loving kindness are to be seen. This world is not so bad as we
would make it, for it is a good world, and I would like to stay
in it a great while.
""We are here to talk about a subject old and threadbare
at least, some people say so ; but there is still something to
say against rum-drinking. I am glad to say that the man who
resolves to break away from the terrible curse of drinking has
made great progress. This is a world that is a schoolhouse.
Temptation is on the right hand and on the left hand. The
man is not to be thanked for not falling when there is no
temptation ; but the man who resists temptation is entitled to
commendation.
" The principle for us to teach is that men shall consecrate
themselves to an honorable life. Legislation can never make
people temperate or bring them into the kingdom of God. It
is only the grace of God which can divert men from their evil
course.
" It is not necessary for men to become sectarian in their
views to be God-like men temperate men ; but it is necessary
that men should seek God's mercy to strengthen them in their
righteous resolutions. How are we to be saved, is the great
question of to-day.
" Men want to be cured and saved. "When men have be-
come reckless and lissipated, how are they to be saved ? By
kindness, and kindness only. The kind touch of the Christian
hand is sweet with the fragrance of heaven. I know what
FRANCIS MUEPHY. 599
kindness is, for I've tasted of the bitter dregs in the cup of
dire poverty.
"Kindness i,3 never forgotten by the true heart. I know
what it is. I have had it extended to me. The princi-
ples of Christ as preached on the Mount should be carried out
by every one.
" The reclaiming power of love is great ; aye, it is power-
ful ; yes, it is most potent. I know this, for I have seen the
most degraded taken from the very gutter. It pays to be
kind ; it pays to be merciful. Speak the kind word ; perform
the kind act. It may be your passport to eternal bliss. Away
out in the far-away State of Iowa, I met a man who had fallen
low, yea, to the very depths of dire degradation, through
drinking from the accursed cup. He came to one of my meet-
ings. He signed the pledge, and abandoned the fiend that
dragged him down. The family that he had disgraced was
made happy, and, what is more, he kept the pledge, and ob-
tained fifty thousand signatures to it.
" The Church of God is like the hospital for those who are
sick. The ministers are the physicians. "We must feed the
starving. We can't stop to ask what has made them hungry.
God's love is great. He does not forsake the lowly. Why
should we ? God is in the man, and God is in the woman.
"Don't become discouraged in working among the lowly.
They are a part of God's people. They shall be washed purer
than snow, and be brought back unto the fold of Christ.
" Beware of the wine-cup. It is a snare and it is a delusion,
Six years ago I was not known, except for my dissipation.
Then I could not control myself ; but now I know that I am
redeemed from the accursed cup. Drinking men should make
an effort to help themselves, and others will aid them in their
noble effort.
" Let us be the master and not the servant of King Alcohol.
A glorious victory awaits us, and God shall give us a blessed
deliverance." (Great applause.)
Prior to his great revival season at Pittsburgh, which lifted
600 THE LIFE AND WOEK OP
his name from merely local celebrity to a fame as wide as the
continent, Mr. Murphy had already carefully organized his
plan of Avork and studied the various agencies necessary to
carry on the arduous campaign against a foe so powerfully
intrenched and fortified in the habits and passions of men. His
experience had revealed to him all the insidious appeals which
the love of alcohol makes to the frailty of humanity. To win
back the lost, besotted in their own evil appetites, with their
consciences glozed over by all the specious arguments prompted
by perverse desires and wishes, and bodily functions diseased
by the terrible love for the most dangerous of poisons, it was
necessary to use every resource known to the wisdom of the
student of human nature, as well as the magnetic eloquence of
the temperance orator. First, the religious element must be
utilized, teaching men that they must trust to a higher power
than their own hasty repentance, and calling in the sympathy
and encouragement of the Christian brethren. Secondly, the
powerful influence of woman, so effective for good and evil,
which has played so important a part in all the social and
moral revolutions of the world.
Thirdly, Murphy early saw that to reform the drunkard per-
manentty, he must arouse his sense of self-respect, so long
drugged and deadened. The converted sot must be made to
feel that he is a man among men once more, with the abilit} r
to be useful to others, and to be recognized as one of the
world's workers.
To accomplish this as far as possible, Mr. Murphy borrowed
a feature from the Methodist discipline, the class meeting ; or
to speak more accurately, he engrafted on the conduct of the
temperance movement the systematic narration of experiences
on the part of those who had signed the pledge of total absti-
nence. Aside from the versatility of interest given by this
peculiar method of conducting his public meetings, the con-
tagion of example proved to be catching and inspiring in an
astonishing degree. The friends of the reformed watched these
exhibitions of the birth of a new spirit with breathless inter-
FRANCIS MUTCPHY. 601
est ; and immense throngs were drawn who might not have
been alone attracted by the eloquent appeals of the leader of
the movement himself. The enthusiasm poured into the veins
of society by this novel agency may be easily imagined, and
the acute observer may very well attribute to this course a
large share of the extraordinary success of the Murphy meet-
ings from the very commencement of his phenomenal career as
an agitator of temperance reform.
The influence exerted over men themselves by this interest-
ing and striking method, is described by eye-witnesses as
something thrilling and marvellous. Some poor wretch, just
awakened perhaps to a full sense of his miserable condition,
the light dimly struggling through his clouded brain and
conscience, would hear a familiar voice on the platform. Rais-
ing his eyes he would see the well-known face of the com-
panion of many a foul debauch standing before the vast
audience, telling with broken voice and simple but touching
words the story of his fall, his degradation, and of his new
birth ; the audience trembling with sympathetic attention ;
the speaker himself lifted into manhood and self-respect in the
thought that he had come back like the prodigal son, and was
welcome into the fold of manly usefulness, dignity, and
equality.
Fancy the thrill that would tingle through every nei've and
vein of the listener ! He himself, too, might set the seal of
public confession on the sincerity of his repentance and
thereby induce others to reform ! His tremors, his hopes, his
aspirations for a new life soon seen by some one of the many
watchful and attentive laborers in the cause, anxiously watch-
ing for the blessed signs. In a moment all the sluggish in-
stincts of good, which had become almost dead, would leap
into full-born activity, and another convert to manhood and
respectability have taken his first step in a new life. Many of
the scenen enacted at the Murphy meetings throughout the
land have been startlingly dramatic and striking, and we can-
not wonder that the great wave of reform should have rolled
002 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
with such tremendous sweep throughout different parts of the
nation.
Before entering on any detailed account of the leading re-
vivals which have marked the Murphy movement, let us get
at some clear conception of the man and his methods as actually
at work. The personal appearance and oratorical manner of
the temperance reformer have already been sketched. A man
of massive frame and will, his whole soul is in the great work.
He evidently feels himself a king annointed directly by the
Divine purpose, and he impresses this on the people who hear
him. Let us sketch such a scene as has occurred, with trifling
modifications, a thousand times.
A great audience is assembled waiting for the arrival of the
man who is the centre figure of all the great interest, which
lies pent up in the throng. Eyes are frequently turned to the
door, that they may catch the first glimpse of him. Vagrants
and tatterdemalions, the offscourings of the gutter and the
rum-shop make up a large part of the waiting people. Their
imbruted hearts have been pierced with a ray of keen and
poignant emotion ; for they have, somehow, an idea that this
night may be the turning point of a wretched existence. Sud-
denly a thrill runs through them. A little stir at the door, and
somehow the knowledge passes from heart to heart that Mur-
phy has come. The audience arise to their feet as a single
man. As the broad form of the orator buffets his way through
the eager crowds, it is like a swimmer cleaving the waves,
for they press eagerly around him, closing up in front and
rear, every hand extended to clasp his.
Women with streaming eyes bless him, for their hearts are
full of gratitude to the man who they belieye likely to be the
savior of their husbands, their fathers, their sons. Stalwart
and bearded men shake with emotion, for they have found in
him a strong pillar of hope and encouragement, an influence
mighty to save from the fiendish curse of rum. Murphy's
strong, massive features, wavering between a smile and a tear,
for he has the strong Irish sense of humor, and he is both
FRANCIS MTJEPHT. 603
touched and amused by the feeling he excites, respond to all
the emotions. At last he pushes his way through the human
billows, that choke his way to the platform.
A short, pungent, telling speech follows. Every word preg-
nant with meaning, and hitting the bull's eye like a rifle bullet.
His language has no graces of rhetoric, no ornaments of fine
phrase; but it is terribly earnest and direct, the burning utter-
ance of a heart which looks on its burden as of paramount
importance to humanity. There is no thought to tickle the
fancy or please a fine esthetic taste, but the picture on the
platform is that of a great strong soul wrestling with some
enemy. The impassioned orator quivers with the intensity of
his feeling, gi-eat beads of sweat roll from his face, as he stalks
up and down the platform, which seems to be too narrow for
his standing room, and he strikes the table with resounding
blows from time to time, as if he were smiting some invisible
but yet terrible foe. An experienced and clever critic in
speaking of the Irish temperance orator, says of him :
" His remarks make it apparent that his forte lies rather in
addressing drunkards, and holding meetings for their conver-
sion, than in lecturing to large audiences of temperance people.
The story of his life as related, to be sure, is of interest, but
his pleadings and exhortations are of little force in such in-
stances. He is, indeed, a man like Moody, and other lay
preachers, big with the sense of his mission, possessing a pow-
erful constitution, much magnetism, great hopefulness, and
an indomitable will. These, combined with his Irish versatility
and ready wit, make up the man. Beside he is a fervent
Methodist and an incessant hand-shaker."
As Murphy goes on in his address, sighs of irrepressible fervor
and sympathy break out in the audience. Exclamations break
out similar to those heard at revival and camp-meetings, and
the people sway at every turn to each thought and feeling of
the speaker. When he closes his short and telling speech (for
all his speeches are short), some singer, appointed for the
purpose, leads the audience in a hymn or temperance song,
604 . THE LIFE AND WORK OF
which pours forth with passionate melody as if a necessary
relief for the emotions evoked by Murphy's address. The ex-
ercises which follow are best described in Murphy's own
language, as, for example, in his conversation with a newspaper
reporter at a camp-meeting at Chataqua, N. Y.
REPORTER. " Do you propose to continue your work on
the same plan as it has begun ?"
MR. MURPHY. " Exactly so. It has, under God, been a
great success, and I am confident that it may yet be made
more so."
REPORTER. "But you can't go everywhere and preach
this gospel of reform. How do you expect to have it spread ?"
MR. MURPHY. " I am enlisting young men everywhere I
can find them of the right kind. When a man signs the pledge
and makes up his mind to try, under God, to keep it, I imme-
diately make him talk about it, and about the second or third
time he speaks I announce him for the principal man at a
meeting. I tell him to tell the people how his wife and his
children and himself suffered, and how he spent all his money
on Saturday night before he came home, and then told his
poor discouraged wife, when he arrived home late at night,
that he had been delayed and the firm for which he
worked could not pay him, and thus he got in debt and his
wife got worse and more discouraged and everything was
wrong. When it is announced that this man will speak, his
old associates, with a peculiar turn of the large tobacco quid
in their mouths and a wink of the besotted eye, say to each
other, ' Bill is going to make a temperance lecture to-night ;
let's go.' And they do go, and they arrange themselves right
in front of the stand to scai'e him, you see."
REPORTER. " Don't these men thus put forward break
down in their speeches ?"
MR. MURPHY. " Not often. A man can tell the simple
story of his follies, as I have told you ; and when he rises to
do so, and is introduced by some kind words, he makes a great
effort, and as he goes on with the relation of one foolish and
FEANCIS MUKPHY. 605
simple act after another, his friends hunch each other and say,
' That's so, Tom ; that's just the way we all on us do. Bill
knows just how it is. He is happy now. Did you hear 'im
say as how happy his wife is, and he says his children run to
meet him, now he's sober, when he comes home. Let's us try
it, and see if our wives and children will do as his do.' In
this way, don't you see, the work of these men is very effect-
ive."
REPORTER. " You intend that these men shall do the work,
then ?"
MR. MURPHY. " A large part of it. I shall do all I can so
long as God lets me live. -But the great work I expect to
have done by an army of workers, who shall go over the coun-
try from Maine to California (I started in Maine), and preach
the gospel to the lost. I have had invitations to go to New
York, Chicago, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Boston, and many other
large cities of the country. I have not decided where I shall
go yet, and don't want to decide. I am not at all desirous of
making announcements beforehand. The preparations then
are too elaborate, and I don't like to work by other men's
plans. They are too grand, and consist in too much announc-
ing"
REPORTER. " How long have you been speaking upon the
subject of temperance ?"
Mr. MURPHY. " In my weak way ever since I was made a
free man in 1870. I then began in a very feeble, stammering
way to pray and to speak. At first I would get way up in the
corner, where I thought as few as possible would sae me, and
I talked as low as possible ; but I grew in grace, God helping
me."
As we have before stated, though Mui*phy's labors were
highly successful during the earlier part of his career, it was
not till he came to Pittsburgh in the fall and winter of 1876
-77, that he became a mighty name and recognized power
throughout America. The movement there inaugurated was
so grand as to trumpet forth the man's fame from sea to sea.
606 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
Pittsburgh, the Birmingham or Sheffield of America, the
great city of the workers of steel and iron, was a peculiarly
available city for his efforts. Nowhere in the country was
drunkenness more rife, and the devil of drink so potent a mon-
arch over the hearts of men. The large number of artisans
and mechanics collected, embracing many foreigners of differ-
ent nationalities, gave a peculiar social element to the city
dangerous in the extreme, as the material for that conflagra-
tion of the passions and appetites involved in rum-drinking.
Above the city floats an eternal gray pall, the smoke of in-
numerable furnaces and factories, and the clang of steam and
trip hammers reverberates incessantly on the air like a mighty
roll of drums. The dominion of the rum-seller was like an
iron chain, and perhaps Pittsburgh, and its neighbor, Alleg-
hany, might be selected as in many respects typical cities for
the Murphy work. The time came and the work commenced.
The business of the manufacturers was very much depressed
on account of the hard times, and thousands and thousands of
hands had been thrown out of work or were laboring on half-
time. The large amount of leisure, and the discouragement
consequent on lack of employment, operated with unusual force
to fill the shops of the dealers in liquid death, with customers
anxious to drown their troubles, or to while away the long
dreary hours. The opportunity for a grand work was there.
So the hour and the man also came, and a whole continent
clashed with the echoes of the tremendous results, that were
forged out by the magnetic ardor and powerful will of a strong
leader, aided, to be sure, by eager assistants, but still wrought
in the main by the indomitable force and novel methods, act-
ing on raw material, eminently fit and ready for the ex-
periment.
The father of this great Pittsburgh reform movement is
George Woods, LL. D., the Chancellor of the Western Uni-
versity. This gentleman is studious and scholarly. His life
path runs in an entirely different direction from that of vice
and wickedness, and yet, he has stepped aside, and strives to
FEANCIS MTJEPHY. 607
save those unfortunate beings lost to honor and purity. He
was born in Yarmouth, Maine ; comes from a noble State
that has done more than any of the States in the cause of in-
temperance. It may be here remarked, that the foundations
of the great and noble principles that have captured Pitts-
burgh, and have caused nearly all public emotions to beat in
unison with them, were first laid in that dear old New Eng-
land State ; and that to her we are indebted for untold good
and blessings. George Woods is the possessor of a great heart
a heart that goes out to the sufferers unrestrainedly. He is
very sympathetic, and his love for humanity of no slight
magnitude a love that lives, and grows, despite non-success
and disheartening results. He worked for years to establish
some institution in Pittsburgh of the nature of a reform. He
was greeted with very little sympathy ; he had scarcely any
success. Few persons seemed to care whether the drunkards
were rescued or not. It was a vast deal of trouble, mentally
and physically, to go forward, and try to reclaim these
wretches that were black blots on the community. Even
the laity had the appearance of indifference, and no one
seemed disposed to exert himself practically in the cause.
Intemperance was so black and low, that many, being happily
situated where it only come occasionally, like an ungentle
wind, were not ready, or willing, to meet it face to face, with
the purpose of killing it. It was a kind of contamination to
approach it thus closely. These people were not hard, and
cold, and unsympathetic ; once aroused, they would not hold
aloof from the drunkard. They were simply indifferent.
This was the Chan-cellor's estimation of the Pittsburgh people.
Future developments have proven him correct in his conclu-
sion. He, having failed to awaken the interest and sympathy
of one class, addressed himself to another. Here he met en-
couragement, and the initial of the movement that is now
known throughout this country, and recognized by the fair
lands across the foaming deep. It will be interesting to give
608 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
the first minutes of the proceedings of the society. They are
as follows :
"On the evening of Friday, March 2, 1876, a number of
persons assembled by arrangement in the Chancellor's room,
at the Western University, to consider the advisability of es-
tablishing a temperance organization. After some informal
remarks, the meeting was called to order. Addresses of
g >me length were made by Chancellor Woods and the Rev.
Joseph Travelli, who detailed their experiences in this direc-
tion in other parts of the country. At nine o'clock the meet-
ing adjourned, to assemble in the same place on Tuesday,
March 7, 1876." This was the first step taken towards the
movement from which such infinite good has sprung, and
which is now so well known. At the second meeting, they
came to this agreement : " We form ourselves into an asso-
ciation, with the purpose of abstaining entirely from the use
of all intoxicating liquors, including beer and ale ; and of
inducing, by kindness, sympathy and love, all others, wholly
to abstain from their use."
At the third meeting the following constitution and by-laws
were adopted :
PREAMBLE.
In view of the great evils in every form of intemperance, to
individuals, families, communities, and our nation, especially
of the exposure of our young men to shame, suffering and
ruin, we hereby form ourselves into an association, to be gov-
erned by the following constitution :
Article 1. This association shall be called "The Young
Men's Temperance Union."
Article 2. The object shall be by its members abstaining
entirely from the use of all alcholic liquors, including beer
and ale, and by their kind and sympathizing influence over
each other, and by their efforts for others to bring them into
the association ; to save the young from the dangers to which
they are exposed, and to rescue those who have already be-
come victims to this prolific source of vice and crime.
FRANCIS MURPHY. 609
Article 3. It proposes to accomplish this object by frequent
meetings for discussion, by addresses and social intercourse,
and when its members and means will allow, by securing
pleasant rooms, where its members can meet 'at any hour of the
day or evening, and where newspapers, books, and light re-
freshments of the best quality, at the bare cost, can be had,
to which others can be invited.
Article 4. Its officers shall be a president, five vice-presi-
dents, secretary, treasurer, and executive committee, consist-
ing of five, whose duties shall be such as usually belongs to
such officers.
Article 5. Any person may become a member of this asso-
ciation by signing this constitution and expressing his pur-
pose to conform to article 2.
Article 6. Alterations and amendments may be made to this
constitution by a vote of two-thirds of the members present
at a regular meeting, notice having been given of the pro-
posed alterations and amendments at a regular preceding
meeting.
AMENDMENTS.
1. The president, vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer, and
executive committee, shall be elected on the first Tuesday
evening of April, 1877, and annually thereafter. The execu-
tive committee shall have power to fill any vacancy occasioned
by death or other cause, among the officers or executive com-
mittee.
BY-LAWS.
1. It shall be the duty of each member to attend all meet-
ings, so far as his time and circumstances will permit, and to
exert his influences for the good of the members and others,
who may be addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors.
2. Wherever any member shall fail to keep his purpose, it
shall be the duty of the other members to use all kind and
persuasive influences to restore and save him, in conformity to
the scriptural injunction to be " compassionate to those who
are out of the way."
26*
610 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
i
3. Alterations and amendments may be made to the by-laws,
by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at a regular
meeting, notice having been given of the proposed alterations
or amendments at a regular preceding meeting.
From this time the beloved project that had been in the
Chancellor's head for so long a time assumed the aspect of a
certainty.
From this movement sprang our present great temperance
cause. This association confined itself to one principle and
one purpose. The people in it were Christians ; but Chancel-
lor Woods' plain and practical sense managed to keep them
clear of all elements outside of the aforesaid principle and
purpose. It has been well said by a noted authority that " the
key-note to the grand success of the Young Men's Temperance
Union is ' Good will toward all, but devotion to no particular
one.' "
"In reference," says an early minute of the society, "to
the subject of opening and closing the meetings with prayer,
which was then brought up, it was decided that it should be
left to the discretion of the presiding officer."
Dr. Woods made a motion, " that any one who may have
violated his pledge, or knew of another having done so,
should make it known, if so disposed." This was adopted ;
and there was no such thing in the organization as a black
sheep, or an excommunication. Those that signed the pledge,
and fell, were not expelled from the association, but helped to
regain his footing in the path of right. They were taken in
again, and allowed all the privileges of full membership.
On the 24th day of October, at the meeting, a letter was
read " from Mr. Murphy, a celebrated temperance lecturer."
The president, Mr. W. C. Moreland, was requested to secure
the valuable services of Marshal Swartzwalder, but failed in
doing so. Here we have the first glimpse at Francis Murphy
and Marshal Swartzwalder, giants in the fight against intem-
perance. The last minute of the society was the record of the
meeting of November 21st, and was as follows : "It was voted
FRANCIS MURPHY. 611
that the thanks of the association be tendered to Dr. Woods
for his promptness in writing to Mr. Murphy, and also that
the association fully endorses the action taken by the Chancel-
lor for securing Mr. Murphy's services." It was also voted
that " a committee, consisting of Dr. Woods, and Messrs. Mc-
Masters and Arnold, be appointed to arrange with Mr. Mur-
phy, and settle all the business necessary for holding the
lectures, including the securing of a room or church."
These are the last words recorded ; for the work that
crowded the following week left no time in which to note
the manifold events of one of the grandest'movements known
to man ; for this temperance wave deserves the highest
praise, it being the blessed means of bringing back fallen man
to his pristine glory. Mr. Murphy's engagement was origin-
ally for eight lectures, at twenty-five dollars a lecture. When,
however, the interest and attention of the whole community
was directed to this cause, he was retained for an indefinite
period, the price of his services and expenses being put at a
salary of $125 a week. When the movement was scarted,
about eighty dollars lay in the treasury of the union ; and the
lecturer was engaged while it was in that low state.
The receipts of the Sunday evening lectures in Library Hall
amounted to about $3,000 ; and this defrayed the expenses of
the crusade. The expenses were the salaries to Mr. Murphy,
Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln, as organist and vocal soloists ; rent of
halls, services of janitors, etc., etc., besides the money loaned
the poor men, 'who had reformed, and were destitute. Mr.
Murphy's first lecture was delivered in the Opera House, and
the others delivered in different churches.
He was not successful at the outset. Some men, known in
the smoky city as " rough and tough " specimens of manhood,
found their way up to the famous lecturer's feet and signed
his proffered pledge. This pledge, which is known from one
point to another of this vast country, is as follows :
612 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
YOUNG MEN'S TEMPERANCE UNION.
WITH MALICE TOWARDS NONE AND CHARITY FOR
ALL.
I, the undersigned, do pledge my word and
honor, God helping me, to abstain from all Intox-
icating Liquors as a beverage, and that I will, by
all honorable means, encourage others to abstain.
FRANCIS MURPHY
Among the first signers were Edward Timmony, George
Hall, David Hall, John Irving, Colonel Hetherington, S. T.
Paisley, Frank X. Burns and Captain Barbour.
The first signers were chiefly young men, known as " hard
drinkers." The reader can imagine the ridicule flung at
them by the community. They were the target for all the
ill-humored things one man can say of another. But they were
brave and unflinching. They held their post nobly. And
after awhile hundreds, nay thousands rallied around them,
and hoisted the banner of temperance gladly, eagerly. Mr.
Murphy made a novel, and most interesting departure in the
lecture field he made his converts address the crowds that
rushed to his meetings. The moment a man was enrolled in
the lists of temperance he was put into active service. And
they did great good, working in the cause like Trojans, and
making often brilliant and telling speeches in their warm
enthusiasm.
Curiosity drew a vast number of people to Mr. Murphy's
meetings ; and, after hearing him, these people returned to
their homes filled with hope and faith, and praise of God.
This movement was to reform inebriates, hardly to entertain
those sure of their position, and not given to the indulgence
of intoxicants. To all in need of sympathy, encouragement
and hope, this movement opened wide its arms, and especially
FKANCIS MURPHY. 613
solicitous was it to those poor, imfortunate beings -down in the
low, degrading depths of sin and dishonor.
It was open, frank, and conscientious in every particular ;
and not the lightest shadow of sectarianism fell upon it. No
attempts were made to bully those engaged in the sale of the
poison ; no mask hid the face of this angel of mercy. The
movement stood out from the beginning in its true color, fair
and truthful from first to last. It was indeed the perfect
embodiment of those noble words : " With Malice toward
none, and Charity for all !" It is no wonder that the whole
populace were attracted, captured, and carried away with
delight at this beacon-light of so much hope and promise,
both of joy and peace of to-day, and of the vague, uncertain
to-morrow, that stretches before men's dim sight like some
vast, unknown land enveloped in dark and grim shadows.
The Rev. Mr. Murray's Fifth Avenve M. E. Church was
secured, and from this edifice thundered forth the glowing
words of salvation, through temperance, to hundreds upon
hundreds of eager listeners, sitting under the spell of that
powerful and beloved voice.
This old edifice has become dearer than mere words can
express, to the community of the smoky city. It has been
christened the " Old Home ;" and it well deserves that loving
appellation. Many a weary soul has found comfort within
those walls ; and there many a lonely and suffering soul has
been brought from out of the shade into the sunlight. The
basement of the church was used for charitable purposes ; and
was the scene of many goodly sights. Mr. Murray, the
pastor, worked zealously in the cause, giving his valuable
services whenever there was any need of them, and going
about doing all he could to forward temperance. The esteem
in which he is wrapped, and the love the people have for him
is indeed great ; and the Fifth Avenue M. E. Church is re-
garded affectionately by thousands.
Five thousand persons signed the pledge in the fourth week
of the movement ; and ten weeks afterwards, it reached the
614 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
high figure of forty thousand. These figures show how the
community of Pittsburgh felt, and in what light it regarded
the cause.
The maner in which the meetings were conducted is pecul-
iarly original and interesting. Some reverend gentleman
present would generally open with prayer. At the outset
it was somewhat difficult for Mr. Murphy to find a divine in
the audience. Looking around the audience, he would say :
" If there's any minister of the gospel present, I wish he'd
come up here, and pray for us." This earnest appeal often
went by unheeded ; and he, himself, would be obliged to
kneel down, and conduct the prayer instead. This state of
affairs did not last a very long while, for soon the ministers
gathered about him, and worked nobly and well with him in
the great temperance wave.
The regular business commences after the prayer. The
singing of a volunteer choir, which is always on hand, is one
of the most attractive of the meetings, and is heartily enjoyed,
and participated in by the immense congregations that assem-
ble to hear Francis Murphy speak. The vocal exercises con-
sist of the dear old Bliss and Sankey tunes that we love so
much "Hold the Fort," "What Shall the Harvest Be?"
" Let the Lower Lights be Burning," " The Sweet By-and-By,"
and " I Hear Thy Welcome Voice." The last mentioned song
is Mr. Murphy's favorite ; and he always asks for it. There
are some expressions of the temperance apostle which will live
lovingly in all those who attended the meetings, and worked
with him in the movement. Who can forget, who has once
heard his wind up of " If you please," or " Won't some-
body please say ' Amen ?' " And how can one lose sight
of his " Presbyterian," " Just a word, brothers," and his in-
troductory of " Clothed in his right mind ?"
We have already remarked that Mr. Murphy requests his con-
verts to work. He brings them forward without any thought
whatsoever of their ability to tell their story of reformation
from drunkenness. His introductions always put the speaker
FEANCIS MURPHY. 615
at ease and in excellent humor, and as a matter of course he
speaks well.
For instance, Mr. Murphy will generally say : " Brother
George Magoffin will now tell us how good he feels. Brother
George, tell the people how happy your wife and little ones
are since you signed the pledge." And forthwith, a man of
the people will tell the secret affairs of his family to an im-
mense throng of listeners with an ease and power little short
of the marvellous. Indeed the attention and sympathy of the
vast audiences are with men of humble circumstances, and
these men make often the most telling speeches at the Murphy
meetings.
We find such names prominent in the movement, gentlemen
of social and commercial standing in Pittsburgh who signed
the pledge, and delivered speeches at the various meetings, as
the following : Hon. J. K. Moorhead, James Parks, Jr., Joseph
Dilworth, Josiah Copely, Chancellor Woods, Rev. Travelli,
Dr. Scovel, Marshal Swartzwalder, Colonel Richard Realf,
William C. Moreland, S. T. Paisley, Gilbert McMasters,
George Garber, George and David Hall, F. Johns, George
Potter, John Patterson, William Hill, George Woods, Jr.,
William Weyman, Captain Shannon, Joseph Hunter, Colonel
Hetherington, Edward Timmony, Chief of Police Ross, Frank
Burns, Robert Pollock, Dr. Mundorff, Joseph Woodson, Dr.
McClarren, Joe Cupples, Daniel Burk, Harry McGregor, Felix
R. Brunot, Captain Barbour, Thomas McClellan, and many
others.
" The speeches," says a good authority, " are of every kind,
from grave to humorous. Some touching pathetic recital of
past struggles and sorrows, with the name of loved ones, of
wife, mother or children, connected with it, elicits tears ; while
following this may come some quaint reminiscences of services
in the tanglefoot battalion, which causes a broad smile, which
frequently deepens into a ripple of laughter, among the audi-
ence. Applause is also frequent and unstinted. There is a
sociability about the whole affair that is singular and attract-
61G THE LIFE AND WORK OF
ive. Chatting, so long as it does not interfere with the proceed-
ings, is by no means considered indecorous, and rarely is there
seen a sea of happier faces than fills the " Old Home."
Incidents of interest occur almost every evening. "At the
Smithfield Street M. E. Church," te quote again from the
aforesaid authority, " worthy ' old brimstone corner,' one
evening, a young man stepped up and signed the pledge.
Scarcely had he done so, when a young woman, with a babe
in her arms, came forward, and falling upon his neck, kissed
him and wept. Drink had separated the young couple, and
as with pledge in pocket, and the baby on one arm, and his
wife on the other, the husband walked through the crowd, and
received the congratulations of every body, it is safe to say
that Pittsburgh held not a happier man."
At one of the meetings the following scene excited consid-
erable sympathy :
A lonely, ragged wretch drew nigh. His very air seemed
to say : See, no one cares for me. I am left to myself ! Why
do I wish to be pure and good ? His conscience was awake,
and would not slumber. He takes the pen, and frees himself,
by one stroke of it, from Satan. He turns to quit the place.
He meets smiling faces, and eager extended hands. He is no
longer alone, but with kind friends who will help to lead him
along the only true way.
On one occasion a gentleman of most pleasing aspect walked
up to the table to redeem his honor and himself from the low
depths into which he had fallen by a long course of intemper-
ance. As lie did so, a bright little youngster, in charge of a
lady, clapped his hands gleefully together, and cried out, in
ringing tones : " Oh, auntie, there's papa ! Look, he's going
to put his name to the good paper. Let's hurry home, and
tell dear mamma. She will be so glad !"
Sometimes a sou, whose feet have rambled from the path
of rectitude, will, after signing, return to the author of his
existence, and then, way off in some sheltered corner, mother
and son, pressed to each other's breasts, will mingle their tear?*
FEANCIS MUPPIIY. 617
of love, hope, and happiness together, while the audience draws
around them the respect of privacy. To see a person sign
the pledge scatters away all doubts as to his sincerity, and
earnestness of purpose. He does so with solemnity, and with
an air that forbids the questioning of his motive, or doubting
it. Strong, brawny men go forward, and annex their names
to the pledge, and return to their companions with moistened
eyes, and seem to be changed. They, have overcome their
base appetite, have regained the pristine nobility God endowed
them with ; they are men again. There is a tear in the eye
unused to tears, and a quiver of lips that were set and stern.
They have cut loose from sin ; they have saved themselves.
"Many instances of what Mr. Murphy has been pleased to
term weddings," says the authority from whom we have before
quoted, " have taken place. Family ties that have been broken
by the rude hand of dissipation have been mended, and es-
trangements between husbands and wives brought to a happy
conclusion."
An incident occurred along in the fifth week of the move-
ment, that, though not widely known, is full of interest. A
young man of good social position in Alleghany had long been
paying his attentions to a very pretty and accomplished girl in
Pittsburgh. They were engaged to be married, and undoubt-
edly loved as only lovers know how.
But he took to drink. She stood by him through thick and
thin, and it was not until, while he was under the influence of
liquor, he had offered her an insult beyond the power of her
sex to condone, that she finally, at the importunate solicita-
tions of friends, gave him up. She nearly died, but a sound
constitution prevailed and placed her again in the possession
of health, but loverless. He went-to the dogs. Loss of posi-
tion followed loss of love. For three years he squandered his
patrimony, sacrificed his social position, and ultimately ended
his race in the gutter ; a parody on what he had been, a cari-
catur/3 on what he should be. In tatterdemalion attire he one
evening drifted into the Murphy meeting at the " Old Home,"
618 THE LIFE AND WOKK OH
and signed the pledge. Mr. Murphy seized on him as a sub-
ject for testimony, but all that could be gotten out of him
were a few, fierce, bitter words of hatred for the author of his
ruin, and a few of earnest but cold determination. Then, with
eyes on the floor and tightened lips, he turned, and in his rags
and loneliness, wended his way from the crowd. During this
scene there had sat in the gallery, near a gas jet, a young lady,
in a seal-skin sacque. She expressed no visible emotion, or in-
deed recognition, when the ragged man first made an appear-
ance. But as he spoke his few brief remarks, in a low tone,
the face of the fair one in the gallery became pallid, and her
agitation was noticed by a number who little dreamed of its
cause. As the new convert, after squeezing his way out of the
church, was passing along Fifth street, a seal-skin sacque
brushed against him, a soft little hand was laid on his arm, and
a voice he knew but too well, spoke an endearing name of the
" long ago." That evening was the beginning of a new life,
fraught with much promise and much happiness.
But few weeks had elapsed before the interest of the Pitts-
burgh public became intense, though the meetings had com-
menced coldly. The fact, that some very prominent and
noted men in local circles, men whose intemperate habits had
seemed to be past reclamation, men whose social importance
had been completely sunk and betrayed by the terrible appe-
tites which had enslaved them, had, under the new wave of
power which was sweeping over the city, risen again to the
might of manhood and broken their fetters this fact, we say,
startled society to the core, and aroused even the indifferent
into warmth.
Among the distinguished lawyers of Western Pennsylvania,
for many years has stood primus inter pares, a giant among
his fellows, Marshal Swartzwalder, Esq. Superb in gifts,
a powerful orator, a profoundly read and recondite stu-
dent in all the learning of his profession, a thinker of exten-
sive and rounded culture, this man had become a household
name from the number of celebrated cases in which he had
FKANCIS MURPHY. 619
taken a part. One colossal vice, however, blasted his otherwise
prosperous life. He was what is known as a periodical drunk-
ard, a victim of dipsomania. These frequently recurring
spasms transferred the elegant gentleman and honored citizen
into a dirty vagabond, oscillating between the side-walk and
the gutter, a ragged, mud-bespattered, senseless idiot, the pity
and wonder of the city of which in his sober moments he was
the pride and ornament. All efforts to reform him had
proven futile, and those that loved him best, even, had given him
up as a lost man. Family separation and estrangement had taken
place, and all that was strong and noble in the man seemed
debased by the fearful blight of alcohol. This noble and
gifted man had sunk from one depth to another till there
seemed no hope of rising. Imagine the shock of joy and
amazement that thrilled his friends, when it was announced
that he had yielded to the magnetic influence of Francis Mur-
phy, and planted his feet firmly on the rock of total absti-
nence. As a gentleman of prominence told the writer, the
Murphy movement in Pittsburgh would have been a notable
success, if the sole fruit of it had been the permanent reform-
ation of Swartzwalder alone. The Irish reformer in a speech
afterwards made at Columbus, Ohio, gave a graphic account of
his attack on Mr. Swartzwalder, and the means he used to
raise him from his wretchedness. Let him speak for himself:
" Allow me to use an illustration that I may enforce this
truth, and may God help me. I will speak of a man you
have had in your midst, speaking for you Marshal Swartz-
walder. He was a victim of this habit for a number of
years. He was a companion of my dear brother here on
the platform, and who drank with my Brother Hall from
week to week, and month to month, and year to year. He
was a perfect gentleman when he was sober ; a kingly man,
and has justly been called the patriarch of the Pittsburgh bar,
and the Demosthenes of the profession. Perhaps no man who
has been upon the platform, in the cause of human reform, has
been equal to him. When I first came to the city of Pitts-
020 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
burgh, I was told about Marshal Swartzwalder, that he 'aad
been. a drunkard a great many years for thirty years at least
and they said there was no hope for him. I said I would
like to see him. ' Well,' said they, ' you can see him,' but
said he had been on a tremendous spree. I took particular
pains to find out how I might be received ; they said I would
be received kindly. I got the number of his office for at this
time he stayed in his office, and ate his meals there, and had a
nice back room handsomely furnished where he slept I came
to his office and rapped at his door ; there was a young boy, a
son of his, a beardless boy, about sixteen years of age, I should
judge, that always staid with his father, and never left him ;
he called him Dick. Dick came to the door I wish you could
have seen the poor boy ; he looked so depressed and sad. Said
I, ' Is Mr. Swartzwalder in ?' He replied, ' Yes ; do you wish
to see him ?' I told him ' Yes, sir,' and sent in my card. He
had asked what my name was, and I told him, and he stepped
in and told him that Mr. Murphy was in the office and would
like to see him. Said he, ' Send him in ; I would like to see
him.' So I went to his room, and he rose from his large chair
which he had for his own comfort. He was partially stripped,
having his pantaloons tied around him with his suspenders.
Being a chunky and quite heavy man, as he came towards me
I was a little scared at the man, to tell the truth, as he walked
up to me, looking so earnest, with a keen expression that
seemed to look me through and through. As he approached
he extended his hand and said, ' You are the man that has
been talking temperance here ?' ' Yes,' said I. ' Well,' said
he, ' we never had much good from you temperance peo-
ple ; you come here and sing your songs, and present your
bills and go away. That is the way they do, and I suppose
you are like all the rest of them.' I said, ' I don't know how
that is.' He said, ' Mr. Murphy, I want to talk to you.' ' I
have been u victim of intemperance for more than thirty
years,' said he. 'I have no power to control myself.' He
asked me to be seated in a chair, and I sat down by his side.
FBA.NCIS MUEPHY. 621
Said he, looking strangely in my face, 'Is there any hope for
me ?' Said I, ' There is hope for you.' ' There is ?' he ex-
claimed. ' Yes.' He asked, < How so ?' Said I, With God's
help you can be saved.' With a shake of his head he said,
' Why, for more than twenty years I have been seeking for the
truth, and have read the Bible through and through.' And
he told me about the writings of several men he had read,
seeking for the truth. * And,' said he, ' Mr. Murphy, there is
no help for me.' I commenced talking to him in my hum-
ble way, the best I could. He turned around to Colonel
Hetherington, and said : ' Go and tell Dick to come in.'
The dear boy, when he came in, stepped up to his father's left
side, and the father put his arms around the boy. The poor
boy was so much overcome that he sat down and put his arms
around his father's neck. The child could not control his
feelings, and commenced to weep. The father said, ' Dear
Dick, you never left me.' Turning to me, he said: 'Mr.
Murphy, here is a boy that stays with his father ; here is a
boy that has walked the streets night after night for his
father, and stays with him ; I wish I could tell you how good
he has been, how much I love him.' Before we got through
talking to each other, and reasoning with each other, Mr.
Swartzwalder said : ' Mr. Murphy, I feel a very strange im-
pression on my heart ; I feel as though God had touched me,
so to speak.' I said to him, with all the power of encourage-
ment that God had possessed me with, ' Mr. Swartzwalder, by
the grace of God you shall conquer this evil ; I know it in my
heart.' I left him ; I knew the work was done ; I knew it
was a question of time when that man should come out re-
deemed. Brother David Hall, who is on the platform, carried
him provision, and nursed him, and there is not a better
hearted man walks on this green earth of God's, than this
same Brother Hall. He stayed with him and helped him for
several days ; after six days the Christian people began to
pray for him ; the people would come to me and ask, ' Mr.
Murphy, do you believe Mr. Swartzwalder will be saved?'
622 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
' Do I believe it ? Why,' said I, 'God saves to the uttermost,
and he knows no hard cases.' I gave them all the encourage-
ment I could. The Christian men and women prayed for that
man, for the people of Pittsburgh loved him ; they are proud
of him as a grand pleader at the bar ; the grand counsellor of
the State, with whom the judges of the supreme bench con-
sult. In about six days we had heard from him from day to
day and after some six days this man, majestic in his appear-
ance, with his white flowing locks, well dressed, and with a
nice silk hat shining like a piece of polished gold, and his cane
in his hand, came to the meeting ; there was a grandeur and
majesty about the man ; he seemed to have come to himself
again, with all the grandeur and kingly nobility he formerly
possessed. As he came in, he stood and looked over the mul-
titude of people in the room. When the "man came in, and
stood there', a whisper passed throughout the congregation,
and I noticed that men that hadn't been seen to drop tears
since the meeting commenced were now moved. I could see
their lips begin to tremble, and after a while, I could see them
get out their handkerchiefs. I wondered what was the cause
of all this, but it was the hold the man had upon the people.
By-and-by he walked up the aisle, pressing his way among
the multitude of people, and as they parted to let him in, and
he passed along, you could hear the people say, ' God bless
the man.' And when he came toward the table where the
pledges were, the interest was intense. In the back part of
the room they commenced standing up, to see if he would sign
the pledge, and in a little while, as he stood there silently
meditating, he turned, and seizing a pen, wrote his name upon
the pledge of total abstinence. Then, turning to the congre-
gation again, he said what he had never before said in all his
life ' I want you to pray for me. This is for my life ; this is
the last effort ; if I fail now, I shall never try it again,' That
man went to his office, and asked God to help him.
" I met him when I came to Pittsburgh, and had the pleasure
of putting my arms around him. Said I, ' How are you get-
FBANCIS MUEPHY. 623
ting along, Brother Swartzwalder ?" and he said, 'Bi other
Murphy, every morning I pray ; every day at noon I pray ;
and every night I pray ; and every day when I go past a
saloon I begin to pray for God's power to keep me and sustain
me.'
" This man has been kept by the grace of God, and has
been the means in the hands of God of securing I don't know
but twenty thousand signers to the pledge of total abstinence,
and is standing up to-day in all the dignity and freedom of
this new-born life, saved from the power and dominion of rum.
It pays to be kind, it pays to be merciful and to work in this
blessed cause."
In the same speech, from which we quote, Mr. Murphy gave a
brief sketch of the conversion of the Hall brothers, who after-
wards became such powerful co-laborers in the good work,
that is worthy of citation :
" Now, my dear friends, I see that the time is advancing
when I must close my discourse. If I had time I would like to
bring before you another illustration of this truth. Just a word
about my brothers David Hall and George, and while they are
on the platform they will excuse me for speaking about them.
When I first came to Pittsburgh and spoke in the Opera
House, brother David was there, George was not present.
The next day, passing down the street, I met brother David
near the Seventh Avenue Hotel, on the sidewalk. He stepped
up, and taking me by the hand, said, ' How are you ?' And I
said, ' Very well ; how are you ?' and he said, ' You don't
know me?' I said 'No.' Said he, 'I heard you talk last
night ; I want you to understand that.' Said I, ' Did you ?'
and he replied, ' I was right there.' ' Were you ?' ' Yes,' said
he ; ' and you told my story exactly.' Well, I was wonder-
fully pleased with the expression of his face. ' And now,' re-
marked he, ' there was something left out of the story ; you
didn't tell all.' Said I to David : ' I want you to tell me what
it is.' Said he, ' I want you to tell me whether your wife is
living ?' I told him she was not living. Do you know that
624 THE LIFE AND WORK OP
this man bowed his head on the street there and cried. ' I
want to say to you now,' said brother David, ' I will sign this
pledge with you, and if you let me go down to the hotel
with you I will sign it right there.' And he took another
man with him, John Irving. He said he would go along and
sign it too. We went to my room and he said : ' I have a
saloon ; I want you to understand that.' Said I, ' Have you ?'
' Yes,' replied he. I inquired, ' What are you going to with
it ?' 'I am going to shut it up,' he replied. ' Will you ?' said
I. ' If you will shut it up, brother David, it will be a blessed
thing.' I asked him where his place was, and said I would go
down and see it. ' You have got to come down quick if you
get into it,' said he, ' for I am going to close it up, and I will
never sell another drink of liquor.' When we came in the
room he asked for the pledge and sat down and signed it he
and his companion, John Irving as noble a man as ever God
made, but who had fallen through the power of this evil.
When they signed it they stepped up to each other and took
each other's hand, but didn't speak a word. They turned
their heads away from each other for a little while, then let
go, and David went to one side of the room and John to the
other. I knew that God had touched their hearts, and I want
to say to you that it is these men that have made this move-
ment and not Frank Murphy. These are the men who have
done the work, and called it the Murphy movement. It ought
to be called the Hall movement."
Nobly indeed did these men work, and the appeals of
Swartzwalder, and the two Halls, night after night, were fea-
tures of hardly less importance in the success of the Murphy
meetings than those of the temperance reformer himself. The
sincerity and enthusiasm which lay at the bottom of it all is
best indicated in the fact that such men as these we have men-
tioned, and many others, did not lose their grip after the sub-
sidence of the first great excitement. They have been laboring
assiduously ever since in the good work, not only in Pittsburgh,
but in all the neighboring towns and counties, organizing
FRANCIS MURPHY. 625
Murphy associat ons and meetings, and bringing vast numbers
into the fold of temperance again. This peculiar significance,
found in the steady continuance of the Murphy work, after the
departure of the man himself, shows what a vital tap-root it
has, and how false the sneering charges sometimes made that
these revivals are mere passionate spasms of popular feeling,
without any hold on the more solid foundations of will and
belief.
In describing the growth of the movement in Pittsburgh, we
can best describe the work in a graphic way by referring to
individual cases. So far as the general outlines of the reform
are concerned, they continued the same. Like an avalanche it
was a swift, steady, monotonous movement, magnificent in its
sweep, grand in results, but guided by a few simple laws and ,
conditions. Once started, it became cumulative with such
rapidity, that in a few weeks nothing else was talked of in the
iron city. Thoughts of business, of social recreation, of the
miscellaneous themes that ordinarily occupy the minds of men,
were all swallowed up in the one absorbing topic. Petroleum
oil, iron and steel, manufacturing, stocks and bonds lost their
hold on the minds of men. The grand query was, " How shall
I myself be saved," or " how shall I save my drunken, lost
brother ?"
The church organizations threw their powerful might into the
struggle, without any thought of denominational success, and
were very important factors in solidifying the results of the
movement. The women of Pittsburgh, from the first, had
prayed, and struggled, and labored with the most fervid zeal,
for they saw how deeply involved was the salvation of num-
berless family circles, the rehabilitation of shattered household
gods. Let us now relate to the reader several graphic exam-
ples and incidents, which will illustrate more vividly than any
general description the success and strength of the wave of
temperance reform, once it commenced to roll its pure and
cleansing waters onward in a great wall.
The following incidents are the recitals of prominent men
27
626 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
at the Murphy meetings, and will be read \uth great in-
terest :
David B. Hall was saved through the prayers of his wife.
For years he had been a slave to intoxicating drink, and was
known as such in all Pittsburgh. Now he had embraced relig-
ion ; and he felt he had escaped danger forever. No one has
been a more earnest, sincere co-worker than Mr. Hall in the
Murphy movement. He has succeeded in reclaiming a vast
number of drunkards ; and is still conducting the good work
with zeal.
Mr. Best, of Pittsburgh, had caused his family a great deal
of sorrow by his intemperate habits. He signed the pledge in
the Iron City, and found it the very hardest thing in his whole
life to keep it. However, he conquered ; and he was now a
happy man. He was a devoted " Murphy man."
Mr. Charles Wenzell used to keep a drinking saloon in Pitts-
burgh ; but sold out, on account of the business not paying
well. He concluded that he would go to South America ; and
went to New York to make preparations for the journey.
When there he gave the idea up, and spent all the money he
had with him. Then a great longing came over him for the
old Iron City, and he returned. Murphy meetings were then
being conducted, and to pass the time he dropped in to hear
what these temperance people had to say for their cause. The
next day he attended a church, the first he had been in for
twenty years. The service had a wonderful effect on him he
desired to become a Christian. He also desired to sign the
Murphy pledge. He sought out Francis Murphy, and asked
his advice. If he gave up his old ways, his sporting habits,
how could he make a living ? " God provides a way," said
Murphy ; " He feeds the sparrows and clothes the lilies of the
field." " But I am no sparrow !" Wenzell cried. "Try it,"
Murphy rejoined ; " and you will be provided for."
The upshot of this interview was Mr. Wenzell's dedicating
himself to the cause of total abstinence, becoming a member of
the church, entirely leaving off his former habits. He has
FRANCIS MUKPHY. 621
often remarked in his stirring addresses that he would not
return to his old business if he knew it would bring him in
hundreds of dollars a day. Mr. Wenzell has proved himself
to be one of the strongest advocates of temperance, and a brave
worker in the Murphy movement.
Mr. John M. Kesbitt said at a meeting held in Pittsburgh :
" I have studied law, gone into politics, become a candidate
for Senatorial renown, and one glass of whiskey gained the
victory over me and all my ambition. The morning of the
election I was seen turning down a glass of whiskey by a gen-
tleman who afterwards voted against me. That one vote de-
feated me. I possess considerable stock in my native town. 1
have no money ; but I have stock to the value of ten cents in
every brick of every saloon in the place."
Harry Rawle had formerly been a liquor dealer in Pitts-
burgh, but he signed the pledge and left the trade. He gave
the following quaint testimony at one of the largest meetings
held in the city : " This is the first time I have been before an
audience. I am asked by Brother Murphy to say a few words.
I will say them in my own way. I kept a saloon about four
years ; I drank a great deal. I took a quiet little drink every
morning till Murphy came. One day I thought I would go and
see who and what this gentleman was. I dropped in. A man
who knew me came up to me, and said : ' You had better sign
your name to the pledge.' I said : ' I don't drink much I
don't think it necessary.' 'I have seen you when you had too
much,' he said. I said : ' I'm in the business, and I cannot
sign it now, as I have nothing else to do.' A lady said : ' We
will pray for you.' I said : ' I would be glad of that.' I went
home and told my friends I had seen Murphy. They asked
me what I thought of him. I said : ' He is nice enough, and
that is all there is of him.' I did not take much stock in him
then. After awhile, however, I was caught in the Murphy
net. I have signed the pledge, and I mean to keep it."
The movement was not confined alone to reform, but also
extended to charity. The afflicted were succored, and those
628 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
who had signed the pledge, and had nothing to do, were cared
for until they could help themselves. Dinners were given on
Christmas and New Year's day, in the basement of the " Old
Home," to all who were homeless and hungry. A most inter-
esting description of Christmas that memorable year, in Pitts-
burgh, appeared in one of the newspapers, which we take great
pleasure in presenting to the reader. It is as follows :
" Pittsburgh's Christmas is probably unparalleled in the
annals of American history. It is safe to make the assertion
that never before of a Christmas day, in any city of the west-
ern hemisphere, has an edifice the size of the Fifth Avenue
Methodist Church been so crammed with humanity, from early
dawn till dewy eve, and from dewy eve until late in the night,
with a crowd of people bent on temperance reform. Of all
queer recreations for a Christmas day, temperance crusading
appears to be the queerest. ' A Christmas drunk ' has hereto-
fore been a licensed irregularity, and people who have kept
level-headed the remaining three hundred and sixty-four days
of the year, have felt a moral obligation, arising out of respect
for the hilarity of the season and heirloom festivities of the
1 Merrie Christmas tide,' to indulge in the wassail bowl and
render homage to Bacchus. But Monday a multitude of people
gave Bacchus the cold shoulder, and ignored the traditions of
the past. Tom and Jerry sat lonesomely blinking at one another
over these degenerate days, the proudest plume was pulled out
of the chanticleer's caudal appendage, brandy smashes thought
the times had gone to smash, socially-inclined slings discovered
themselves being slung aside ; and even Holland Torn jammed
his cork down in his throat and gurgled forth his lamenta-
tions, while Colonel Rye Tanglefoot wildly called for his troop-
ers, and wept rivers of bug-juice when he fairly comprehended
that the troopers, from the lamp-post picket to the vidette in
the gutter, had deserted their posts and 'gone up to Murphy's.'
" This temperance movement has thoroughly interested our
citizens, and Christinas day they expressed it. The expression
was not one of froth and foam either, but had the solid body
FEANCIS MUEPHY. 629
of a practi jal and substantial effort attending it, for in the
church, while the crowd up stairs was shouting * Hallelujah !'
the crowd down stairs was sending delegations of turkey,
ham, cold beef, cake, pies and coffee, into the interior depart-
ments to announce the glad tidings that the pledge had been
taken, and the department should no longer be outraged by
the presence of plenipotentiaries from the court of King Al-
cohol. One of the earliest principles introduced in this move-
ment was the concession that it was but little use trying to
convert a man with an empty stomach. So long as a glass of
beer and a hearty lunch can be obtained for five cents, all the
temperance orations ever delivered cannot convince a hungry
man that the glass of beer is not a road to happiness. The
good people of Pittsburgh recognize this fact, and knowing
that the dull times have created a class of very hungry people
in this city, when it was proposed at one of the temperance
meetings to give everybody who wanted it a Christmas din-
ner, hosts of kind-hearted matrons resolved themselves into
committees of one and proceeded to furnish the material.
" The Sunday-school room of the Fifth Avenue Methodist
Church was converted into a dining-room, and the room imme-
diately in its rear transmogrified into a refectory. Eai'ly
Monday morning the provisions commenced to arrive. They
came in boxes and baskets and bundles and barrels ; the
widow's mite jostled the contribution of wealth, the plebeian
ham leaned familiarly against the patrician turkey, and the
humble doughnuts nestled under the shadow of the majestic
pound cake. Stout matrons brought in plethoric baskets, lit-
tle girls tugged along with big bundles, and little and big
boys after the manner of their sex 'rolled them up and
tumbled them up, any way to get them there,' while the sex-
ton's wife and a lady who deserves great praise for her exer-
tions in behalf of the hungry ones, had commenced to boil the
coffee, of which beverage enough was drank to nearly float
the Ajax off a sand bar.
'' During the preparations down stairs, the main body of the
630 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
church above was crowded with all classes of people, and
prayer and temperance testimony were the order of the day.
A short time before twelve o'clock it was announced that
tickets would now be distributed (fifty at a time) to the hun-
gry ones, good for an admittance to the dinner below. And
then the fun commenced. The hungry ones had long been on
hand chanting
" ' We come ! We come !
The voracious bum !
Fee ! Fie ! Foe ! Fum !
Give us grub and we'll give up rum !'
" The tramp brigade had heard of the * blow-out,' and were
on hand in force. There were full delegations from . all the
different lodges of the fraternity ; the ' Texas Rangers of '76,'
' Centennial Cadgers,' ' Hand-out Repudiators ' and ' Free and
Independent Order of United Sit-down Solicitors,' and others
too numerous to mention. All were anxious to secure a ticket,
and it was comical, yet a trifle pathetic, to witness the fears
that some seemed to entertain lest they and the dinner might
fail to connect. Many of them had an idea that it was neces-
sary to sign the pledge before they could get their dinner
(which was not the case, as no distinctions were made), but
under the impression that dinner depended upon it, there took
place a very sudden and laudable inclination to renounce the
world, the flesh and the devil, as typified by whisky, and em-
bark on the high-road to sobriety and something to eat,
through the instrumentality of one of ' Murphy's life-boats.'
Many fell into this mistake, and were highly indignant
when the door-keeper below rejected their ' life-boats,' and
told them to get one of the other kind. For over three hours
there was a majesty of jaw-bone at work in the Sunday-school
room. Tatterdemalion attire covering the gaunt and wasted
forms, the pinched cheeks of hunger and want, the shabby and
thread-bare attempt at respectability, the ' out-of-luck ' air of
hard times, the anxious, restless, trouble-haunted eye, and the
patient, sad look of hearts bowed down by long suffering, and
FRANCIS MUKPHY. 631
lives ground out of shape beneath the heel of poverty, were
all there, and all earnestly at work upon the viands. In a short
time the dinnsr tickets became much soiled and torn, through
constant and rough handling, so that a fragment of one was
accepted as a passport. The great unwashed did not fail to
avail themselves of this advantage. Some, for reasons of their
own, were disinclined to either sign the pledge or go into the
church after a ticket. These would await on the outside for
some braver comrade to sally forth with his piece of paste-
board, and having equitably divided it up before them, three
and sometimes four would go on the same ticket. But no
objections were made and no refusals all was good nature,
affability, good will and fraternity.
" Many ladies were in attendance and assisted in serving out
the good things. Prominent among these was Mrs. Lincoln,
wife of Mr. Lincoln, the organist. This lady's efforts in behalf
of the temperance revival have been earnest and never flag-
ging. Her fascinating vocalism has been given freely and
without affectation or reserve at nearly all of the meetings,
and yesterday the little lady was busy as a bee the whole day
attending to the wants of the hungry multitude.
" Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Long, of the Young Men's Home,
were prominent in originating and carrying out the benevolent
enterprise ; together with the noble assistance of Mrs.
Morris, Miss Hubley, Mrs. Childs, Mrs. Fulton, Miss Annie
Baldwin, Mrs. Frew, Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Duncan, Miss Scott,
Mrs. Davenport, Mrs. and Miss Moore, and others ladies who
literally obeyed the injunction " feed the hungry and clothe
the naked," and who have the blessings of many a heart made
happy on Christmas day through their instrumentality.
" During the day Mr. Murphy received as a Christmas gift
a loaf of bread ten feet long from Mr. J. B. Youngson, the
confectioner. This Staff of Life was on exhibition in the ex-
temporized refectory, and many leaned upon it. About half-
past three o'clock in the afternoon the last hungry man ap-
peared U be satisfied, though the dining-room was kept open
632 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
until after six for all who wished to eat, the crowd died away,
and only solitary and isolated empty stomachs dropped in to
adipose their ribs. The number of those who had partaken of
the good cheer was by actual count 1,205.
"During the gastronomic services below, spiritual services
were in progress in the church above. As before mentioned,
a crowd filled the edifice all day long, among which were many
ladies. The singing was conducted by a volunteer choir, led
by either Mr. or Mrs. Lincoln or Miss Smythe, and an organ
accompaniment by either Mr. Lincoln or Mr. Dunbar. Messrs.
Paisley, Jacobs, Woodson, Barbour, Burns, and a host of
others, are in frequent attendance, while the audience and a
crowd of silvery -voiced ladies scattered through the house are
at all times ready to join in, and it would be difficult to find
better congregational singing than that which takes place.
The songs are the old familiar battle hymns of the revivalists,
' Hold the Fort,' ' What Shall the Harvest Be ?' and others of
that kind. Nothing of the ' Cold "Water Regimental Chorus '
sort has yet been attempted, and it is sincerely to be hoped it
never will.
" Another peculiar feature of this revival is the amount of
' sticking ' that is being done. Heretofore it has been too
often the practice to reform one day and go around as an
awful example the next. But in the present instance it is
different. The pledge has now been opened for signatures
over nine weeks, and out of the forty thousand who have
signed it the ' back-sliders ' would not make a corporal's guard.
The men who sign seem to identify themselves with the move-
ment, and are constantly on hand at all the meetings. They
encourage one another, and it is a very rare thing to hear the
revival spoken of disrespectfully by anyone. Another feature
consists of the generosity of sentiment that has sprung up
among the young men of Pittsburgh. Not that they did not
possess these good qualities before, but they are now more
pronounced and have taken a more active and practical shape.
Let who will put in an appearance, if he is in trouble or desti-
FKANCIS MUEPHY. 633
tute he will find somebody to help him. In fact, Pittsburgh
is experiencing an enlargement of the heart, as well as a tem-
perance revival. Each young fellow constitutes himself a
committee, and if he is applied to and has his hands full, he
passes the applicant around among ' the gang ' until some one
is found who can carry a little more weight."
There had been established a sewing society, and extensive
donations were received, and distributions of clothing made,
under the charge of Captain Shannon, each day at the church.
The dull times rendered it impossible to secure employment
for all, but the worthy citizens of Pittsburgh had strenuously
exerted themselves in the matter, and many idle men were
provided for. The meetings, originally confined to the " Old
Home," were widely extended, and now held each evening in
fully thirty churches in the city and vicinity. Temperance
clubs were organized on all sides, and, in the vernacular of the
river men, the cause was booming.
The laity had been most active in the cause. Among those
churches that threw their doors wide open to temperance re-
form, and gave it so cheering a welcome, were the Wesley M.
E. Chapel, Smithfield Street M. E., Emery M. E., Arch Street
M. E., Alleghany, North Avenue M. E., Alleghany, South
Common M. E., Alleghany, Centennary M. E., Walton M. E.,
South Side Union M. E., First Methodist, Fifth Methodist,
Soho, Second Methodist, South Side, Sharpsburg Methodist,
Birmingham Methodist, Second Presbyterian, Temperanceville
Presbyterian, Central Presbyterian, Cumberland Presbyterian,
and a host of others. The pastors who were active in the
movement are : Rev. Messrs. Clark, Templeton, Thomas,
Frazier, Gill, Donohoo, Senons, Shields, Scovel, Murray, Cowl,
Wallace, Sirites, Hamilton, Smith, Vernon, McGuire, Snyder,
Cox, Baker, Ferguson, and a great many others.
One of Mr. Murphy's hopes is that some day there will be a
home in Pittsburgh for reformed men " a monument," as
some one has aptly said, "to sobriety, and a light-house for
those who had been shipwrecked on the reefs of intemperance."
27*
634 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
This desire on the part of the hero of the cause has, as yet,
not reached consummation ; but there is a place in the
" Smoky City " for the reclaimed. It consists of a pleasant
reading-room, cheap eating-house, and a fine sanitarium. A
meeting was held by those anxious for the erection of a build-
ing, or the renting of one for the aforesaid purpose. There
were nearly all the prominent men of the city present.
Mr. Murphy made one of his effective speeches, in which he
said : " that it was the duty of the citizens of Pittsburgh to
establish a temperance light-house, a beacon for the mariner on
life's stormy sea, and a harbor of refuge for those who sought
to escape the dread maelstrom of drunkenness." He spoke at
some length on the personal efficacy of reform, and argued
that individual effort alone could accomplish what legislative
and municipal authorities had failed to do. Before the meet-
ing adjourned many came forward and subscribed liberally in
aid of the worthy project.
Francis Murphy received a weekly salary of $125, for his
labor in Pittsburgh, from the Young Men's Temperance Union.
He deserved this ; and it was only right that he was paid it.
Some officious parties, however, took it up, and rang such dis-
cordant chimes, making unkind and uncalled for remarks,
both on the lecturer and the cause, that he was forced to
notice it. If any man earned his pay, it was he ; and if other
temperance lecturers are paid for their services in sums of
$100 or $200 a night, surely he ought to receive as much, and
even more ; for, looking at the subject in that light, no one
has ever been as successful as he on the temperance platform.
At one of the noonday meetings, in the midst of this dis-
cussion, Mr. Murphy alluded to it, and said that he did not
approve of a salary, and that hereafter his services would be
gratuitously given. The vast concourse present was brought
to tears, and many denounced, in bitter terms, the parties that
interfered in the matter, and expressed great sympathy and
love for their noble leader. Many came forward, and pledged
themselves to defray all his expenses as long as Pittsburgh
FRANCIS MURPHY. 635
had the honor of his presence. This turn of affairs was the
comment of the whole town, during the day, and one could
see, and judge by the remarks flying about, that Pittsburgh
loved and revered Francis Murphy in no slight degree. No
one could charge him with being grasping and mercenary.
His large heart is in his work ; his purse is open to the appeals
of the unfortunate, and he works to save the fallen, and to
gain the glorious reward of a conscience that acquitted him
of any selfish or interested motive. Mr. Murphy was vehem-
ently assailed by certain newspapers with mere reform dema-
goguism, to use a phrase drawn from another field of effort.
The mere fact that he received a salary seems to have been
the sole foundation undei'lying the accusation. The combined
malignity and childishness of such a charge make themselves
patent to everyone who studies the conditions of the case.
Mr. Murphy's celebrity had already made him an object of
national curiosity. No other man had ever achieved such
results in the history of temperance reform. For his success
was not merely a personal one, i. e., the ability to draw large
and enthusiastic audiences, but extended beyond surface agi-
tation, and struck deep and permanent roots in the hearts of
men. It has never failed to be the case, that after the de-
parture of Murphy from any place, meetings were continued
under his name by able followers in the path he marked out,
the fruits of which were as important almost as those wrought
by the man's personal presence and effort. What better test
than this of the profound significance of this reform movement!
It could not be expected that Francis Murphy, the possessor
of an extraordinary, nay almost unexampled power, and a
poor man at that, with a large family to support and educate,
should live purely on voluntary contributions. The conse-
crated ministers of the gospel do not carry the habit of the
primitive apostolic times into practical usage now-a-days.
The social and religious economy of the nineteenth century do
not permit the preacher and reformer to travel about with a staff,
and sandal-shorn, proclaiming the word of truth as an itinerant
636
pilgrim. Mr. Murphy has shown a very moderate and modest
estimate of his own pecuniary worth, specially as the lecture
bureaus have offered him extraordinary terms for his regular
services on the platform, in the same way as Gough, Beecher,
and other celebrities sell their services.
A candid judgment, then, compels the conviction that Fran-
cis Murphy, whatever else may be his faults, can hardly be
convicted of self-seeking and disinterested motives, so far as
his career up to the present time would indicate.
FKANCIS MURPHY. 637
CHAPTER IV.
CONTINUATION OF THE PITTSBURGH WORK. MURPHY'S DEPART-
URE FOLLOWED BY CONTINUED ACTIVITY. FEATURES OF
THE REFORM MOVEMENT. A HOST OF FOLLOWERS AND
CO-LABORERS. THE INAUGURATION OF THE MOVEMENT AT
PHILADELPHIA.
THE Murphy movement was steadily conducted, and grew
in favor more and more each day. The noon-tide meetings
were quite popular, being very earnest and full of religion.
The night meetings, however, were more largely attended.
Here were found evidences of interest, enthusiasm, and good
little short of marvellous. Daily scores of men, known
throughout the entire community as hard drinkers, stepped up
to the tables, and took the pledge. The " boys " used the
room during the day as a reading, conversation and smoking
room. It was a genuine treat to get with them, and hear them
speak of Francis Murphy. How they loved and revered him !
Verily he is a man among men !
Every one had come generously and heartily to the front to
help on this great work. Ministers, journalists, men of wealth,
and others, had nobly aided the movement, giving liberally of
both their time and money to that purpose. The railroad
companies had passed the Murphy speakers from point to
point, sending also destitute pledge signei's to their friends,
all because they were a part, so to speak, of Murphy. And
men and women had gone to the headquarters every day and
night to keep up the spirit of good, and to push the cause on-
ward as regularly as clock-work, not asking any remuneration
638 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
save that of cheering words and signs of encouragement and
success.
To outsiders the enthusiasm and devotion exhibited by the
Murphyites in their cause was a source of much surprise. That
their love and earnestness should last caused people to think
seriously ; and this serious thinking generally resulted in their
conversion, asd enlisting them in the already mighty army.
The tiny spark lighted in their hearts by their noble leader
burned and would continue to burn was now a flaming light
that shone out in full glory upon the whole civilized world.
The Murphyites loved their work. They attended their
meetings regularly, and prayed, and sung the dear old Gospel
songs with the same power as when Francis Murphy himself
stood in the Smoky City among them like a king. They lived
for their cause ; they lived to save the lost and dying. Stir-
ring speeches were delivered at the meetings by the brave
" boys ;" and now and then he whom they devoutly followed
paid them a flying visit, and roused them to greater work.
Every time he came there, there was a mighty crowd to hear
his graphic and pleasing talk. One night he was announced
to appear in the Central Presbyterian church, and long before
the appointed time the building was packed.
On his appearance the dear " Old Home" choir burst out in
that sweet, and to him, the finest of songs, " I Hear Thy Wel-
come Voice." He shook hands with every one he passed ; his
face beamed with his delight at being again with the " boys."
He addressed them in the following earnest words :
Mr. President and Dear Friends :
I am glad to come to you again. I am glad to see you
again and hear your welcome voices. It is a great pleasure to
know that we are welcome when returning home, and there
is something pleasant about a hearty greeting. We all
feel it, and it does me good to know that I have your esteem
and confidence. I am glad to be with the " boys " again, who
have stood nobly by this movement ever since its commence-
ment. There are some who say we will not keep the pledge,
FRANCIS MURPHY. 639
but time will tell. I had a most delightful trip. Have been
talking and traveling over some of the ground which the boyy
from Pittsburgh have worked, and have found the people
holding them in grateful remembrance for the good they ac-
complished. No matter what people say about us, we will say
no unkin'd words against them. I am a lover of peace, and
believe in the reclaiming power of the gospel of love and kind-
ness. If we do good we must be merciful and kind. When
we come to die it will be sweet to know that we have been
unkind to no one. Let us keep on in this great reform, and
with clean hands and pure hearts we will gain the victory, no
matter who may oppose. I have just come from Lexington,
Ky., where Charles Wenzel is doing a grand work. He has
secured about three thousand signers, and Mr. Nesbitt has ob-
tained about two thousand among the colored people. I once
asked the merchants of Pittsburgh to put up a building, and I
believe they will do so yet. Other cities have their own read-
ing-rooms and tabernacles, and we must have them in this city.
Pittsburgh has done a noble work, and the good cause
will spread wider and deeper ; not because I am in it,
but because it is of God. In God is our trust, and with
our motto we will go on saving men and making homes
happy. I am glad you are in this church. Its pastor, Rev.
Senour, is a noble man ; God bless him ! I expect to com-
mence the work in Troy, New York, some time in November.
We should have an anniversary in this city on the 26th of
November. Now is the time to get ready for it, so that we
may have a grand time. Do . not be discouraged, boys, The
country is waiting for the movement, and why should not
Pittsburgh still be in the front ? What a good thing it is to
see and know of the happy wives and children and homes that
this movement has brought to our land. Then why should wo
be discouraged because some oppose and throw obstacles in
our way ? Let us go on in the right, " With Malice to none
and Charity for all," and God will give us the nation.
One of the notable events of the meetings held a.t the head-
640 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
quarters was the reformation of James Onslow, a politician
and writer of some repute. He had been a hard drinker for a
long time, and had been given up long since by his friends.
The Murphyites, however, despaired not ; and finally suc-
ceeded in converting him. Mr. Onslow delivered the follow-
ing speech, after his reformation :
"Ladies and Gentlemen :
" Those of you who have known me for the last ten, fifteen
or twenty yeai-s (and that number is by no means small), will
doubtless be surprised to see me here to-night, and many of
you will say, * Jim Onslow has drank whisky too long, and
loves it too well, to ever be able to keep his pledge, or become
a sober man.' For entertaining this opinion, my friends, you
are not to blame. My past life justifies you, perhaps, in think-
ing and saying just what I have indicated (although I never
signed the pledge and broke it), but believing in the idea
'that while the lamp of life holds out to burn, the vilest sin-
ner (or drunkard) may return,' I resolved last night, in bed,
all alone, with God's help, aided by your prayers, and sus-
tained and encouraged by your friendship, to make a strong
effort in that direction. Last night, about twelve o'clock,
awakening from an uneasy slumber, a voice seemed to say,
* Oh, my son, remember no drunkai'd can enter the Kingdom
of Heaven ; if you persist in living as you have been doing,
you can never see those who loved you well, and whom you
loved so dearly, while we were all together on the earth
below.' Without believing in dreams, ghosts or hobgoblins,
I must admit that this semi-vision appeared like a call or
warning from above, to halt in my career of dissipation, if I
would avert the wrath to come. I have slept none since, and
this morning my mind was fully made up that whisky and old
' Cussewago ' would part company forever.
"And just here let me say, by way of parenthesis, that those
who expect me to abuse and rail out against my old friends,
the saloon keepers, will be mistaken ; also to remark, for the
benefit of several of those old friends, that while they will not
FRANCIS MURPHY. 641
be called upon to score up any more drinks against a former
good customer, they shall all of them be paid every cent now
chalked down against him ; but here, with the help of Him
who rules and reigns above, whose attributes are mercy, peace
and love, the accounts will close. Fully indorsing the idea of
that great apostle of temperance, my eloquent and enthusiastic
countryman, Francis Murphy, that abusing people is not the
way to reform them, no harsh or unkind word shall ever
escape my lips, either about he who sells, or he who drinks,
the life-destroying liquid. If I can save myself from filling a
drunkard's grave, as many of my former associates are now
doing, and keep some other poor devil like myself from doing
the same thing, it. will, in my humble judgment, be far better
than abusing anyone. And now, in conclusion, let me say a
word to the ladies here present, noble representatives of those
who are going about like angels of mercy, continually doing
good ; representatives of her who was last at the cross and
first at the sepulchre. May God, in his infinite goodness and
mercy, watch over, bless and protect you, now and forever.
May your pathway through this life be strewn with flowers of
the brightest hue, and finally when you have passed the dark
valley and shadow of death, may He take you to Himself?
where you will enjoy the society of those whom you most re-
semble, is the earnest prayer of your humble servant."
The good done by the " Union " cannot be estimated ; it is
impossible to do so. Hundreds upon hundreds were reclaimed
by the brave " boys ;" and now are leading prosperous, happy
lives in all parts of the State. James Onslow, of whose re-
formation we have already spoken, has entered the lists, and
works well and successfully. Dave Hall's work is too well
known to be minutely described here ; it is sufficient to say of
him that he has done nobly for the good cause. Wm. Hill,
Bob Love, T houaas Jones, and the other boys of the " Old
Home " are actively engaged in the Murphy movement ; and
have lone untold good. These " boys " have been called to
all parts of the country to speak to eager, curious crowds of
64-2 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
their reformation, work and their leader. Their speeches have
been earnest and convincing ; and their success has been great
wherever they have spoken. They carry conviction with them
because they are earnest in the extreme ; and because they
have been all drinkers, and were saved. Noble " boys !"
*Your reward will surely be great in the glorious by-and-by ;
and you will be crowned with the universal love of man. and
the blessing of God. Your names will live ; hundreds will
bless you, and murmur your names in their supplications at
the seat of mercy. Verily those that live for the mere sake of
doing good to man shall live, not for a little while, but forever !
A noble feature of the Murphy wave in Pittsburgh is the
work done by those earnest, zealous ladies that have come for-
ward so readily.
Several unions have sprung up ; and are now in a flourish-
ing condition. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union is
known throughout this country for its success in the cause.
The faithful women that compose this society have been
fighting against intemperance for years. " At times," says a
well-known authority, "the meetings were small, and things
looked dark ; but still they held out, praying that God would
give them success. When the Murphy movement was inau-
gurated in this city, many of these women assisted nobly, and
have continued to aid the ' boys ' in every way possible.
This has greatly added to the numbers and interest of their
Sunday meetings, until at the present time the room is crowded
every Sunday afternoon. For a while the Woman's Christian
Temperance Alliance met in the same room, but the two
organizations were consolidated by the Alliance uniting with
the Union, and the two were afterwards known as the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union." On one occasion a very inter-
esting address was delivered by Mrs. M. Cora Bland, of New
York, and formerly editress of the Ladies^ Own Magazine.
We give it in this instance as it clearly defines woman's posi-
tion in the world, and what great good she can do in the
blessed cause of temperance.
FRANCIS MURPHY. 643
Mrs. Bland said :
" ' Woman is the power behind the throne,' ' She moulds
men to do her will,' ' The hand that rocks the cradle is the
hand that rocks the world,' are stereotyped compliments that
have been given from almost every pulpit and rostrum in the
land. To say that she possesses a tithe of the influence attrib-
uted to her, is to accuse her of holding a power for good which
she criminally refuses to exercise, for it is patent to all that
hitherto she has done very little toward staying this great evil
of intemperance. Still she loves virtue and abhors vice. She
would that all men were good and pure, that they were noble
and true and God-like ; and think you she possesses the power
to make them so and refuses to exercise it ? Ah ! no. She
righteously covets the power to say to this flood-tide of intem-
perance, with its attendant evils, 'thus far shalt thougo and no
farther.' Had the power been hers she would have banished
the liquor traffic from the land. Instead," said the speaker,
" the most pious and respectable mothers are compelled to wit-
ness the descent of their loved ones, for whom they have
hoped and prayed so much, go down, down to ruin, while they,
with bleeding hearts, stood powerless to avert their doom.
Tell me not that men do women's bidding when they license
liquor saloons and other haunts of immorality. In view of
the crime, the injustice, the drunkenness and debauchery of
men, it is no compliment to women to say ' they rule the
world.' It is time we were done with polished shams and
glittering falsehoods, and as earnest men and women look at
facts as they exist and take hold of the work understandingly.
My religion teaches me that if the world is to be redeemed
from the dominion of appetite and sensualism, it must be done
by human endeavor, addressed to the work in accordance with
God's method of regenerating mankind. Intemperance is a
physical, social, mental, and moral evil, resulting from viola-
tions of the physical, social, mental, and moral laws."
She here dilated upon the effects of alcohol in past and pres-
ent times ; and closed with this touching appeal :
614 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
" O, women of America, responsibilities rest upon you
greater than any that ever burdened the women of any clime
or country, and this because your privileges are greater,
higher, grander than ever crowned women before. To you as
to none others is the sunlit summit of the mount of wisdom
accessible. 'Tis your privilege to add to the potent yet fleeting
charm of beauty those enduring and more potent graces of the
heart and brain, that comes with the broader and higher cul-
ture so freely offered you. 'Tis yours to preside over homes
made delightful by your natural grace and culture and safe
through your virtue and intelligence. 'Tis yours to guide the
footsteps and form the habits of the young as mother and
teacher, an,d yours also to mould society by models of virtue."
These noblest of noble women have cheered the " boys " in
their fight have made the.darkest days of trial and temptation
light and bright by their ennobling presence, their influence
and earnestness. Very many unfortuates, staggering down
the easy road of sin, and tottering On the brink of the grave,
have been guided gently away from it, out into the glad light
of right and purity ; desolate homes have been brightened,
and made homes again by the blessed reformation, through
the loving labor and prayers of these women, of the dear
ones astray ; and sad hearts cheered, and manhood restored to
its native grandeur. Not once did these Christian women
falter not once did they lose courage and hope ; but steadily
went on, day in and day out, praying, helping and saving.
And they have been crowned with success beyond their expec
tations. God has heard them ; and through them hundreds
have been plucked, " as a brand from the burning," to walk in
sobriety, usefulness and happiness along the way of life to the
gates of Heaven, which will be wide open when they journey
thitherward.
The anniversary of Francis Murphy's advent in Pittsburg
was observed at Library Hall, Sunday night, November
25, 1877. It was conducted under the auspices of the "Old
Home " Union, and was a grand success in every particular.
FRANCIS MURPHY. 645
It was long after twelve o'clock ere the vast assemblage dis-
persed. It was impossible for Francis Murphy to be present ;
but, despite this great drawback and disappointment, the ex-
ercises were of a most interesting character, and were received
with much applause. That giant in the noble army of tem-
perance, Dave Hall, led the meeting in a very felicitous man-
ner ; and short, entertaining remarks were made by a very
large number of the most prominent " boys." The great work
done during the year was reviewed, and congratulations ex-
tended to those who had worked so well. The future fields in
different sections of the country were discussed, and the evil
ahead of them scanned seriously. Hands were grasped in
hearty friendliness, and the "boys" were drawn yet closer to
one another, and strengthened for the long fight. Could
Francis Murphy have seen them, how glad would have been
his great heart ! Could he have been in their midst, and
heard them speak of him, how pleased he would have
been ! It was a night never to be forgotten. It will live in
the minds of those that participated in it forever. It will be
looked back upon with emotions that are utterly indescribable.
At a meeting held in Oakland, one of the suburbs of Pitts-
burgh, the Rev. Mr. Vannote introduced W. C. Moreland,
Esq., before Mr. Murphy, then in Pittsburgh on a short visit,
who delivered a speech as follows :
" There has grown up in this nation a custom of speech-mak-
ing on occasions of this kind when distinguished men meet
with their friends ; and extremely is it my duty to-night to
welcome a man whose reputation for deeds of charity and love
are so well known in this city. I know that he needs no intro-
duction at my hand to those of you here who have felt the
beneficent influence of his good deeds. His name has become
a household word ; his labors of love and charity are so well
known that they require no panegyric from me. I pray God
that his labors shall go on widening until still greater victo-
ries are gained not only amongst us here in this city, but all
over our beloved country. As he has manifested all that is
046 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
good and loving in man, we all hope that he may ever kocp
his name unsullied ; that he may not weary in his good work,
and as his words shall go ringing in our valleys and over our
mountains that they may be both a benison and a benediction.
May there be open hands and homes here % where he may ever
find a welcome. Peace and happiness attend him. And now
I have no need to tell you that I refer to the great' apostle of
temperance, Francis Murphy, who will now speak for himself.
Mr. Murphy was then introduced by the Rev. Mr. Vannote,
and spoke in the following happy manner :
" Mr. President:
"This is an unexpected honor to have an address of welcome
given me in this beautiful temple of worship. I do not know
what inconvenience it will be to me to remain here to-night,
but whatever it might be I think Brother Vannote is responsi-
ble for my being here. He has a faculty for holding on that
I could not overcome ; but I hope that Brother Miller will be
able to send me up the beautiful waters of the Monongahela
in time for me to meet my appointments.
" Anyhow, I am very glad to be here. I feel perfectly at
home in your midst. I have an abiding interest in this city.
My youngest daughter is with Mr. Dravo, who has so kindly
given her a place in his good home. They say that where the
heart is there is home, and my heart is here always. I am
glad to be here and respond to this address of welcome.
" I remember very well the first time I spoke to you. Mr.
Moreland introduced me to the people of Pittsburgh. Feel-
ing my want of education I feared that I would not be able to
command language to express what I wanted to say. I looked
at this young David who has no difficulty in speaking. He is
perfectly at ease in framing his thoughts in such beautiful lan-
guage that one falls in love with him while listening to him.
I call him the golden-mouthed boy of Pittsburgh. From the
beginning of the movement in this city to the present he has
been my steadfast friend. He and Brother Vannote have
stood steadfastly by me. I shall never forget my first meeting
FRANCIS MURPHY. 647
with my dear Brother Vannote. I stepped into his editorial
sanctum to ascertain whether or not he would give me any as-
sistance through his paper. He looked at me for a moment,
and I suppose thought I was a poor excuse for a temperance
lecturer, but he said : ' We will give you a hearing,' and,
blessed be God, he did give me a hearing. Right here on
this stand is the young man who wrote some of the most
favorable reports of the work from the very first. I
should like to have seen the young man who gave the
first report. When I read the report I could not keep
back the tears. May God bless the daily press of Pitts-
burgh for the great assistance it has rendered in this glorious
Avork. The city of Pittsburgh has been called the home of
this great moral reform. There are some people so intent on
saving one portion of the human family that they will let the
other be lost. They do not realize the power of Divine love,
which is so far reaching and infinitely greater than mere human
love. There is a great difference of opinion as to the way of
obtaining total abstinence. This movement in which we are
engaged proposes to save all, and there is no doubt -but that it
will be a grand success in this country. There are good men
engaged in its manufacture. I do not want to conduct a tem-
perance reform that will hurt any man. We must not con-
demn any one. We can succeed better with love and kind-
ness according to our motto, ' With Malice toward none, and
Charity for all.' It will be better for us to present it in such
a way that all men will fall in love with temperance, and not,
compel them to adopt it.
" The moment you begin to fight men that moment you will
find opposition. I have just come from New York where the
hotels are, in the goodness of God, giving up this business.
As long as four-fifths of the population drink, so long will men
engage in selling rum, and it cannot be stopped unless the men
can be induced to s;op drinking. You can't drive them ; they
will find ways of getting it. The stringent law they had in
Portland couldn't stop it. One day I saw there was an old
648 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
lady in the market selling eggs at a dollar and a half a dozen !
The wonderful pullets to lay such eggs ! ! But the eggs had
been emptied of their original contents, filled with whisky and
sealed up again. I never fought the prohibitory law. When
I was engaged in selling liquor in Portland, and the officers
seized my stock, I never attempted to get it back by false
swearing. There were men who were regular false swearers,
and there were those who were ever ready to get them to
swear for them. They were professional swearers who could
be obtained whenever they were wanted.
" This is a handsome picture. This church so nicely decorated.
There are some beautiful pictures that come to us in life. I re-
member seeing one during a trip I once took to the mountains.
It was a beautiful day, and as we drove along under the green
canopy of the forest beautiful birch trees and maples swing-
ing back and forth in the gentle zephyrs and the bright sun-
light of heaven dripping down through the foliage as though
it were liquid gold. We passed on, while on our right and
left the rippling brooks from the hillsides came dancing down
until'they" reached the shaded dell below where they flowed
along in crystal beauty. But we were anxious to get a view
of the still greater beauty that was soon to meet our admiring
gaze. Our horses were urged forward, and onward and up-
ward we went until we reached the crown of the hill and could
see the beautiful valley spread out before us. The majestic
grandeur of the scene which was now presented to our aston-
ished gaze was extremely gratifying. I was thrilled to the
veriest depths of my heart. Away yonder in the distance I
could see the top of a great giant which stood still as though
dead, and nearly concealed by the distant hills, looking like a
veil thrown over it. On all sides we could see the moun-
tains standing in all their glorious majesty with their crowned
heads bowing to each other, as though they themselves felt
the awful grandeur and dignity of their position. I looked up
into the sky and saw the bright clouds God's chariots so
wonderful!] white that there was not a speck upon them ;
FRANCIS MURPHY. 649
there they rolled along, and as it were, enjoying the great
beauty of the scene beneath. I shall never forget the. picture
that was there presented to my wondering view.
" But what was that compared to the scene here to-night.
You are all gathered here to-night, with happy hearts in this
beautiful temple built for the worship of God, to help forward
the glorious cause of truth and justice. More precious is the
picture which we enjoy here to-night than the one I have de-
scribed. I feel that I shall never be able to command language
adequate to give a description of it. Grand and beautiful as
was the mountain scenery I endeavored to describe, it will
pass away. We too, shall soon pass away to our homes above,
to scenes of infinitely greater beauty. Beautiful as is the
world, grand as are many of its scenes, grander and more
beautiful still is a purified soul.
" May it be the delight of our life that no stain or dishonor
shall come upon us ; that Christ shall live in us and reign over
us. This is the sincere prayer of my heart. And when all our
meetings are over here, when all the beautiful things of this
world have passed away, may we all meet in the efernal sun-
light of joy in the world above. Goodnight. God bless you."
The wonderful success achieved by Francis Murphy the
three months he was in Pittsburgh, travelled to Philadelphia,
and awakened a lively interest in many philanthropists and
prominent gentlemen of that city. He had been to a place
notorious for its very drunkenness ; and under his influence
about 80,000 persons appended their names to his pledge of
total abstinence. What untold good he might do in Philadel-
phia ! These gentlemen, true Christians, every one of them,
realized that their city required his presence, and immediately,
at that ; and they felt assured the same remarkable success
following in his track, wherever he went, would but be re-
peated here.
Stimulated by these feelings they came together, and agreed
upon some definite action. Mr. John Wanamaker, known
almost everywhere as one of the most successful of clothiers,
28
650 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
opened a correspondence with the temperance apostle, the re-
sult of which was an earnest, nay urgent invitation to the lat-
ter gentleman from the former to come among them, and do
what he could to lift the thousands of degraded, drunken per-
sons, that were like large black blots on their community, out
of the low position into which they had fallen, to lead useful,
worthy lives. Francis Murphy was not the man to be deaf to
this appeal, or likely to close his heart to it. He received it
gladly, and hastened to the Quaker City as if on flying
pinions.
On Wednesday evening, March 7, 1877, he made his first
appearance in the Academy of Music. The vast hall was
crowded by a most brilliant and appreciative audience. On
the stage were noted clergymen of different denominations.
The well known and beloved philanthropist, George H. Stuart,
presided, and made some happy remarks. Rev. G. Dana Bord-
man read a passage from the Scripture, and Rev. Henry C.
McCook lifted his voice in a shoi't prayer of great power and
fervor.
Colonel G. H. Hetherington, of Pittsburgh, rose, and re-
marked that he had come with Mr. Murphy, and had been con-
verted by him in Pittsburgh, and described what good had
been done there, and what was going on. After other short
speeches from noted gentlemen, Mr. Murphy was introduced.
He stood before them like a king, and every eye in that audi-
ence " took in " his personal appearance. What they beheld
was a man of five feet ten inches, robust and leonine physique,
high, broad shoulders, apparently weighing fully one hundred
and ninety pounds ; a short, thick neck, supporting a long
head, with closely cut iron-gray hair, a low, broad brow, deep
set, piercing black eyes, bushy black eyebrows, and a mouth
wholly concealed by an enormous coal-black moustache. His
presence was attractive and imposing. The audience was in-
stinctively drawn to him by an open, frank, manly way he had,
and a certain animal magnetism, with which he is surely en-
dowed. The moment he opened his lips and spoke, the place
FEANCIS MTTKPHY. 651
was as quiet as the grave ; and many of those present leaned
eagerly forward to catch every tone, every modulation of his
deep, rich, and vibrating voice. His address was felicitous,
and was full of humor. He pathetically told the sad story of
his life, graphically showing how low he had sunk from the
use of intoxicating drink.
There were few of his listeners dry-eyed as he told them of
his prison life, and his reformation while in confinement. With
a power that surprised every one he urged, begged all young
men to abstain from intoxicants and lead pure, sober lives.
At his cordial invitation hundreds came up to where he stood
at the conclusion of the lecture, and signed the pledge.
This was the first appearance of Francis Murphy among the
Philadelphians ; and he created a warm impression. His
auditors went away with his inspired words ringing tuneful
chimes in their hearts, and with his noble presence reflected
glowingly before their mind's eye. It was no easy matter to
forget his imposing front, or the spell it cast on* all that came
within its vicinity ; no easy matter to forget what he said,
so earnest was he from first to last. Mr. Murphy went earn-
estly to work, and a series of meetings were conducted in the
Bethany Sunday-school building, corner of Twenty-second
and Bainbridge streets. The crowds were so dense that the
building could scarcely contain them. Prominent people,
recognizing what great good might result from the cause,
and realizing the feeling of the populace, took hold of it, and
seeing the necessity of a larger hall, secured the gigantic
Tabernacle building on North Broad street. On some occa-
sions this building was likewise found to be of too limited a
space to accommodate the eager crowds that rushed from all
points to see and hear the temperance apostle.
It is impossible to paint the picture presented at each meet-
ing, and whenever or wherever Francis Murphy was to speak.
It was like an ovation. Ladies pushed forward with men in
the general rush and struggle for a seat, and hundreds waited
hours before the appointed time for the doors to be flung
652 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
open. To hear, to see him, seemed to be the only wish in the
hearts of thousands.
When in his presence they sat, or stood, as was more fre-
quently the case, spell-bound, and wondering. His manly
language with the frequent glimpses of eloquence, his gentle
kindness and his bright encouragement, appealed to their bet-
ter nature ; and thousands after thousands of converts have
been made to the cause of temperance. The happy ideas of
giving Sunday morning breakfasts, and of finding clothing
for those in want, and employment for those that could not
procure work, did much to spread the cause, and bring peo-
ple to the pledge-tables. Many poor wretches, friendless,
homeless and moneyless were made glad by the fact that some
one cared for them, and would help them if they would en-
deavor to be good. They were willing and anxious to take
the pledge ; for it promised them so bright a future, and
saved them from the dark, awful, yawning abyss that stretched
at their tottering feet.
The statistics laid before us for inspection show the follow-
ing goodly results : In fourteen days 1942 men were lodged,
and 1920 fed. In three months over 50,000 persons signed the
Murphy pledge. Naturally, among so vast a number of peo-
ple, who pledged themselves to abstain from intoxicants, some
fell, and some were out and out frauds. The former were too
unstable to remain deaf to the alluring voice of the tempter,
and fell, unable to bear up under the trying strain. These
persons are more to be pitied then blamed. The " frauds "
were, however, quickly detected, and received the deserts which
they so richly deserved. One individual was sent to the peni-
tentiary. Having obtained the position as usher at the Murphy
meetings, he went for some time upon his nefarious way un-
suspected. He w T as finally discovered to be a thief ; it was
discovered that he was far gone in crime ; that he had stolen
a gold watch from some one in the audience, and that he was
an old and hardened criminal. He was convicted and sen-
tenced.
FRANCIS MURPHY. 653
There were also a class of persons who signed the pledge
just for the purpose of bettering their condition, and making
their lot in life somewhat easier. They came with a long,
painful stozy of their want, their unhappy lives, and succeeded
in getting in this way clothing, which was immediately taken
off to some pawn-broker, and enough money obtained to secure
a couple of glasses of drink. These characters have been de-
tected ; but they form a very small part, indeed, of those that
swell the temperance wave to such gigantic proportions. As
a whole the movement has been what it was intended it should
be a pure, noble endeavor to reclaim men addicted to intoxi-
cating liquors, and it has been singularly fortunate in being
free of the manifold shams and frauds that crowd other move-
ments, and eventually kill them by their baleful presence. Mr.
Murphy himself claims that ninety per cent, of those persons
who sign the pledge at his meetings, to use the lecturer's own
expression, " stick." Some of the people who came to him
dui'ing the great revival in temperance at Philadelphia were of
the highest social standing in Pennsylvania, people of wealth,
education, and intelligence of the most marked order. They
had fallen into the common pitfall Satan has dug for his vic-
tims, and were going down step by step to a dishonored grave,
regardless of their position in the world, where they were
lights and examples to the thousands beneath them. By the
blessed power of Francis Murphy they were plucked like the
" brand from the burning " saved to go forth like men,
preaching to and saving others.
The greatest number of Mr. Murphy's converts, however,
spring from the humble walks in life. Men who are hardened
by a life-long battle with grim poverty ; who have scarcely
known what it is to have a real holiday ; whose days seem but
one continuous ditty of a monotonous character, without one
redeeming or pleasing quality these creatures were those that
rallied around the temperance hero, and breathed new life,
hope, faith, and joy under his genial smile. To these people
654 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
he is as one sent to them by the Most High he is truly a hero
in every acceptation of the term.
They have listened to him eagerly, and have followed out his
wishes ; they have taken his pledge ; they have embraced re-
ligion ; they have turned over a fresh leaf, and have led new
lives ; they have been imbued with hope and faith in the
hereafter ; they have become men, every one of them true
gentlemen, despite their rough ways, their hard lives, and their
uncultured minds. Of such excellent material has this tem-
perance reform been made, that through its truth and sincerity
it will live forever. It was hard for many to believe the won-
derful remarks and reports flying here, there, and everywhere,
about Mr. Murphy and the good he was doing. It was hard
to believe one man had the power to do so much good ; and
then, too, to accomplish it all in such short time. Was it
really so, or was it but a lot of exaggerated rubbish ? The
unbelievers went to hear him to judge for themselves, an<?
were convinced, before they returned to their homes, that all
that was said of Francis Murphy and his work was the truth.
And they, too, become believers, and sign his pledge. As it has
been most aptly remarked by a noted Philadelphia newspaper :
" The evils of intemperance are known to those whom he
addresses. In almost every breast there lurks a deep desire to
burst from th fetters with which it has bound them ; to lead
new lives, and become honored and respected ^in society.
They well know the many sorrows and trials that a career of
intemperance has brought upon them ; and hence it is when
Mr. Murphy, in a persuasive and affectionate manner, points
out to them the way of relief, and shows the error of their
ways, they are at once convinced of his truthfulness.
" He touches the latent desire for a reformation. By his
'<aquence he arouses a feeling of resolve ; and men are per-
r (, dded to exercise and put into execution a will to do better,
xie shows that if we have not the will so to do, we surely can-
not avoid that temptation which brings contempt, disgrace
and misery."
FRANCIS MURPHY. 655
"He deals in no invectives; wounds not the sensibilities
(for these are possessed by all, in a greater or less degree) of
the fallen ; but persuades and leads them to make an effort
for having once obtained their signature to the pledge, he
knows one great point has been gained. This accomplished, he
encourages them to keep it ; and not by. words alone, but by
deeds.
" A Divine Providence has indeed blessed Mr. Murphy's
labors. Pie has been made the humble instrument of saving
many souls and bringing them within the means of Grace.
" To him, it is a labor of love. Night and day he pursues
his self-imposed task, and with no other desii-e of reward than
that of accomplishing grand results. That his very heart and
soul are wrapped up in his cause, is evident from the fervent
appeals made by him, at each and every meeting, with all the
energy and fire of a true orator."
Throughout his labors he maintained one course in rela-
tion to those parties engaged in the sale of liquors. He would
not spend his valuable time and efforts in abusing them, nor
would he become their defender or apologist. He saw from
the outset of his crusade that there was no possibility whatever
of anathematizing them out of their business ; arid that it was
most unwise to waste his labor in that direction. In this par-
ticular he differed from the general temperance speakers and
workers. All he asked was that all, drunkards, liquor-dealers,
everybody in fact should come to him, and he would prove to
them the right and the wrong of the thing.
In his work he was nerved with the sense of the justice of
the noble cause. He was wrapped up body and soul in one
absorbing object temperance. His truths have lighted up
the dark places, and have shone like celestial torches. People
have been drawn to the movement by his warm affection for
it, by the conviction that God's hand was uppermost in the
work done. Prejudices have been overthrown ; and he has
gone forward, overcoming all hindrances of an unworthy
nature by his truth, faith and earnestness, and making wonder-
656 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
ful success everywhere. His name alone is now enough to
keep the movement alive ; for the thousands that have been
saved by him rush to hear it, and send it up in prayer daily to
the throne of God. He can never be foi'gotten, or regarded in
a cold, indifferent manner by any who has heard him. He is
loved by ^11 ; and he will always be regarded as a grand
crusader in the great cause of temperance.
One of the most intei'esting features of the movement in
Philadelphia was the plan of giving Sunday breakfasts. This
was Mr. Murphy's plan, and it met with wonderful success.
The following account of a newspaper reporter will be pe-
rused with pleasure, as it gives so happy a description of this
successful innovation in temperance reform :
" The success of what may seriously be termed the provi-
dential it is certainly a ' happy idea ' of Mr. Murphy, the
new apostle of temperance, to appeal to the conscience of the
inebriate under the influence of a full stomach was plainly
manifested yesterday morning at the free Sabbath breakfast
given under the auspices of the National Christian Temper-
ance Union, in the annex building of the Academy of Fine
Arts.
" By actual count the breakfast was partaken of by five
hundred and forty three men, twenty or more women, several
children, and a couple of babies ; the latter, although small in
numbers and in their mothers' laps, being the most demonstra-
tive in the expression of the gratitude which was pictured on
each and every countenance, without regard to sex, nativity,
color, ' or previous condition of servitude ' to rum.
" The occasion yesterday was increased in interest from the
fact that the man who, seven years ago, had rescued Mr.
Murphy from prison and shame, and thus restored him to his
manhood, was present on the platform, sitting beside the
man he had restored to society, and subsequently briefly
addressing the assemblage.
" ' I toll you, I'd rather starve than go and be fed like a
pauper,' was the remark that fell on the ear as he passed a
FRANCIS MURPHY. 657
group of seedily-dressed men standing at the corner of Broad
and Race streets shortly before eight o'clock yesterday morn-
ing. The clouds were gathering and a rain was threatening
at every moment.
" I know how it will be ; we will all be gathered like dogs,
or rather hogs, up to a narrow table, and a hundred or more
more of us, blacks and whites, will be tusseling with each
other after a plate of weak soup ; and then we'll have to hal-
loo out psalms and get down on our marrow bones for an hour
or two, and then listen till twelve o'clock all about how wicked
we are and all that, as if we didn't know it already. No ; I
say, boys, I think I can get that fellow over at the corner
where we spent our money last night to 'hang, us up' fora
round of beer, and he'll have a bully lunch a whole lot of
sausage, fixings, and black bread, besides tiptop soup at ten
o'clock, and we can sit down and enjoy it ; what do you say ?
Let's go over and see whether the landlord is up yet.
" Just as a decisive vote was taken by an advance movement
toward the beer shop, the spokesman who led the way was
stopped suddenly by a young lady, plainly but neatly dressed,
and wearing a countenance expressive of pure benevolence.
The innate nature of the man made him gentle enough to
accept a printed card which she had politely extended to him ;
and the others followed his example with a 'Thank you,
miss ! '
" ' Why, it's not a tract,' exclaimed the spokesman, in aston-
ishment, after the young lady had passed on. ' By Jove, if it
ain't a polite invitation for us to go and take breakfast with.
Murphy.'
" ' Well, now, that's another kink. Murphy, I understood,
says he was once as ' hard up ' and as ' down in the heels ' as
we are. We are his peers! and as Mr. Murphy is so polite as
to extend us an invitation in his formal way, why we can't do
anything else but to accept it, or send him a letter of regret.'
" And the speaker and his companions laughed a very hun-
gry laugh, as he gave the order, ' Right about face, boys ! I
28*
658 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
have known iu ray time what polite society requires. Murphy
is a brick, and we mustn't go back on him.'
"And the reporter followed the party into the breakfast
room. The aroma of coffee that met the nostrils as one entered
the door made the appetite keen. A number of well-dressed
young men were quietly but swiftly passing around among
five hundred or more of shabbily-dressed men and women,
politely filling the neat cups of queensware which each of the
latter held in their hands.
" Then followed another company of young men with trays
heaped with the most appetizing sandwiches not the sawdust
sandwiches the traveller has to put up with at the railroad
stations, but sandwiches that ' melted in the mouth,' as it were,
and made the eater an Oliver Twist, wanting ' more.'
"The reporter couldn't stand the temptation, and, although
he had not received any formal invitation from Mr. Murphy,
he went in and ' joined in the crowd,' and the thought of
' what a good provider Mr. Murphy must be' had hardly re-
volved itself in the minds of his guests, as they were laying aside
their cups and wiping their mouths, when the coffee and sand-
wich companies of young men came among them again this
time not only filling the cups, but inviting each and every
guest to take a couple of sandwiches this time, or more if he
felt he could ' go it.'
" And all this time a choir of young ladies were singing the
beautiful hymns, * What a friend a we have in Jesus,' and the
like. So that after all had eaten, and Rev. Dr. Saul, of the
Episcopal Church, had read the ' lesson of the day ' from St.
Matthew, ' No man can serve two masters,' and Rev. Dr.
Kynett had delivered an impressive prayer of thanks, the con-
gregation got quite sociable and became like members of one
family, saying, ' Ain't this jolly,' to each other.
" And then some of the men began to adjust their hair a
little neatly, brushing down the stray locks, etc., and the
women 'spruced up' their bonnets or head gearing and spread
out their dresses in a way to hide any holes or patches.
FEAKCIS MUKPHY. 659
" It was noticeable that the large majority of the men had
clean faces, although their countenances in many cases may
have been a little weather-beaten.
" The dropping of a pin might have been heard when Mrs.
Lincoln sang the beautiful hymn, ' What shall the harvest
be ?' The entire congregation joined in the chorus in voices,
which although coarse, gave evidence of devotion. In the
meantime, Mr. Murphy, Mr. , Stewart, Rev. Dr. Westwood,
Rev. Dr. Curry, and others went among the people, shaking
hands, congratulating those who had already signed and kept
the pledge, and cheering others who had not yet, but contem-
plated doing so ; while a kindly-looking, white-haired physi-
cian went among the mothers giving them advice as to the ail-
ings of their children and babies. One little youngster felt so
contented that he tried ' playing hide-and-seek under the re-
porters' tables, which are located directly in front of the plat-
form.
" Everybody seemed to feel at home and happy ; and as
Mr. Murphy walked down the aisle arm-in-arm with the well-
known journalist familiarly called ' Deacon Jones' his latest
convert of prominence the people began to applaud ; but this
was speedily checked when Mr. Bailey reminded them of the
day."
This movement was not generally considered a struggle in
which, by kind words and gentle acts, men were carefully
guided away from the abyss upon whose brink they stood,
ready to topple over any minute. It was considered by a
great many as a direct fight with King Alcohol ; that men
who fell at this despot's feet in cringing homage had long been
contemplating it ; and that they were only waiting for one
to take the high place of leader at the head of their ranks.
The country was ready for the crusade, as drunkenness
was frowned upon by society and considered disgraceful as
well as criminal ; and the very ones addicted to this awful
indulgence were only awaiting a good and fitting opportunity
to fight their way back to honorable, sober and worthy lives.
660 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
Great movements are, as a rule, created and conducted by a
master mind. God prepares the minds and hearts of the peo-
ple for it ; the very air seems to breathe what is to take place.
All that is required to start the movement, and to arouse the
people, is an instrument of his power. Through the humblest
means he woi'ks miracles. In this great moment Francis
Murphy was chosen and saved, so that he might go and oc-
cupy the position selected for him, and for him alone. And,
realizing some mysterious and all-powerful agency, he accepted
what seemed the only thing for him to do, and nobly went
forth to battle against intemperance. Wherever he went, and
whenever he spoke the power of God seemed to be with him,
crowning his every effort with wonderful success. Indeed he
seemed inspired. His eloquence aroused his hearers into
great and positive enthusiasm, and he swayed them at bis will.
What he did at one point would electrify and start another
into a perfect blaze of earnest effort and warm enthusiasm.
In some places, and even small cities, one-half of the popu-
lation have signed the pledge, and become Murphy men. In
some the whole place has been captured, and not a drop of
liquor has been sold there. In others, every tavern and every
saloon were obliged to close their doors, and the alcoholic liquors
have been, by the proprietors, emptied into the streets to min-
gle with the dirt, amidst the wildest excitement and delight
of the people devoted to the noble cause of total abstinence.
Where this movement will end it is utterly impossible to say ;
and the results that spring from it cannot be estimated. The
country has embraced the cause with a fervor that amazes all;
but amazement gives place to conviction when the unbelievers
are brought within the influence of the hero of it, and his
many zealous and powerful co-workers. Their earnestness, truth
and steadfastness carries everything before them.
On the evening of May 25, 1877, a mass meeting of
churches was held in the Tabernacle M. E. Church on Eleventh
street, Philadelphia, to support the Mayor of Philadelphia in
his efforts to close the drinking saloons on Sunday. There
FRANCIS MURPHY. 661
was an immense audience presenc, for the subject had been
discussed in every phase, and the demand of the people for
some definite action in the matter was no longer to be left
unheeded by those parties in public offices. Many distin-
guished gentlemen were present, and some remarkably fine
addresses were delivered. In the earlier part of the evening
Mr. Murphy was introduced, and received a thundering recep-
tion. For some seconds he was kept bowing to the very hearty
applause, which he did in his affable fashion, so dear to the
thousands who know him. His speech, which we give, was
received with expressions, on all sides, of genuine delight and
interest. He said :
" I am very glad to come here for a few moments before
going to the Annex. I am glad to know that God's people
are going to take hold of this work. I believe that everything
that will make men true and grand will be found in the Church
of Christ. If political meetings were held in churches instead
of in rum shops we would have a better government. My
faith is in the means now being employed in emancipating all
of us from the curse of drunkenness. The Sons of Temper-
ance and Good Templars have done valiant work ; but the
trouble is, there has not been enough. We hardly ever hear
of a man being converted in a Good Templar lodge. The
mistake is not with the young men ; it is with ourselves to-day.
It is the duty of e.very man to so present the truth of God
that they become interested in it. Before I leave the city I
want to get the autograph of every one who has signed my
pledge, and find out what church he would like to attend. It
is a blessed thing we have a temperance movement now that
is non-political. It must be kept from politics and sectarian-
ism. I was not compelled to give up tobacco in consequence
of any brow-beating ; but I made up my mind to leave it off.
I would say to the young men who are not smoking men, don't
do it, as it is a dreadfully unpleasant habit to cultivate. A
great many people believed that I would not keep my pledge
not to drink, and would go to selling liquor again ; but they
662 THE LIFE ATSTD WORK OF
did not know my heart. Instead of closing the saloons one
day let us close them every day in the week, and keep them
closed.
" Do not let us be discouraged. Let us put on the whole
armor of God. Let us stand foot to foot until the last saloon
is closed, and the fire put out of the last distillery. I hope
the rum-shops will be hermetically sealed on Sunday and
closed throughout the week."
FRANCIS MURPHY. 663
CHAPTER V.
HOW THE WORK PROCEEDED IN THE CITY OF BROTHERLY
LOVE. CO-OPERATION" OF THE LADIES AND THE CHURCHES.
ANECDOTES, ADDRESSES, AND PERSONAL INCIDENTS.
A VERY interesting feature of the Philadelphia movement
was the children's meetings. These were largely attended,
and the brave little people succeeded in doing a great deal of
good. They signed the pledge, and got a number to sign also.
Here we see a charming illustration of future excellency and
honor little children going forward, and taking a pledge that
is as binding as any other oath registered before God or man,
promising to avoid all intoxicants as a beverage for the time
being and to come. Here we kill the awful evil before it is
born, and lay a foundation for glorious manhood. Mr. Mur-
phy was always seen at his best at these meetings. A father
himself, and passionately fond of children, he knew exactly
how to address them, and make an impression. His addresses
to them were master-pieces of simplicity and charming rhet-
oric ; and he enjoyed being with them as much as they did
with him. On one occasion Saturday afternoon, April 14th,
Concert Hall was jammed with the little people of all
classes, from the fine miss from an Arch street mansion to the
ragged bootblack. Mr. Murphy was unusually felicitous in
his remarks, and three hundred children went up to the pledge
tables. Those who were present will always remember the
tender look of the famous orator, his affectionate greeting to
each signer, as one by one they came up, and the way he
kissed a happy little one now and then, in his delight and
supreme satisfaction.
664 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
The cause was very much strengthened by the hearty co-
operation of the ladies of Philadelphia. These noble women
were active and zealous, and did more good than mere words
can express. They were anxious and ready to extend to all
in need and suffering a kind, helping hand ; and many a de-
spjuring one, close upon the gloomy region of the valley of
death, was saved by them. They recognized that something
else besides preaching and praying was required to fully
establish temperance, and went quietly and steadily to carry
out their plans in an orderly and systematic manner. The
hungry required food, and. those in rags needed decent rai-
ment. These demands were quickly gratified. The ladies
organized society after society in the various churches ; and
soon they were engaged as busily and as steadfastly in the
movement as any other body connected with it. At the close
of the noonday prayer-meetings, when so very many had been
saved from the delusive snares of intemperance, tables laden
with good substantial food stood free and ready for the hun-
gry. How glad it made the hearts of the poor, unfortunate
beings ! And how eagerly they enjoyed the bounteous repast !
The ladies, at whose head was Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, a
lady well known throughout the country as a true Christian,
and a successful writer and publisher of several Christian
journals, held meetings for several weeks in the lecture room
of the Central Coffee House. This building could not accom-
modate the dense crowds that thronged to the meetings ; and
consequently they moved to the Mission building of the West
Arch Street Presbyterian Church, the use of which was tend-
ered them free of all expense. Here they labored, holding
their prayer-meetings, and supplying the hungry with food
and the ragged with clothes, with wonderful ability, and suc-
ceeded until, it also becoming of too limited a capacity for
their visitors, they rented the hall and rooms at 1635 Market
street. It would be utterly out of the question to give an accu-
rate statistical account of the good these noble women did in the
cause ; for there was 110 time for them to make reports, their
FEANCia MUEPHY. 665
efforts and their work being absorbed by Francis Murphy's
labor at the time. They cast in their labors, asking no recog-
nition for their woman's work. They were willing to push
the mo ement on Avithout their names being brought before
the public in any way ; and nobly did they push it, doing
good in a thousand ways as only true, pure Christian women
know how. A lodging-house for the homeless was provided
by these ladies a few doors below No. 1635. This building
was neatly and comfortably fitted up ; and was a perfect God-
send to the poor wanderers of humanity. Here they could rest
their weary limbs, and enjoy the quiet and sweet repose under
a most hospitable roof, and be cared for by noble, loving women.
In pursuing the history of the salient facts of the Mur-
phy movement, our readers will already have seen the dif-
ficulty of pursuing the consecutively narrative form, or being
strictly faithful to chronological order. The facts repeated
themselves under new phases at each place visited by Mr. Mur-
phy, the meetings were conducted on the same principles, and
of course there was a certain monotony in the general features
of Murphy's efforts, though there was never-failing and intense
interest, no matter how long the revival season might be.
Still there were certain characteristics peculiar to each place,
that were reproduced in the external embodiment of the cause
and the efforts used to push it. After all no more vivid and
truthful clues can be given to the real marrow and signifi-
cance of the Murphy movement than in personal traits,
incidents, and addresses. So before completing a general sum-
mary and weighing the aggregate results of the great temper-
ance advocate's efforts at Philadelphia, our readers will be
interested in a series of sketches and anecdotes, as well as ex-
tracts from speeches. These we shall offer without direct
reference to the time of happening, as they are all interesting
illustrations, which might have happened at any period of the
Quaker City revival.
Francis Murphy and Mr. J. L. Bailey, were, on one occasion,
walking to the hall where the meetings were held. They were
666 THE LIFE AND WORK OP
about passing the doors of a saloon when Mr. Murphy turned
abruptly, and said quickly, " Let us go in here." They walked
into the saloon, and up to the bar, iu front of which stood
three fine-looking young men each having a tumbler contain-
ing liquor before him. The entrance of the two strange gen-
tlemen suspended the drinking just as it was about to begin.
Mr. Murphy stepped up to the bar-tender and grasping his
hand, said, " How are you, sir ? God bless you !" He turned
to the young men, and shook hands with each of them, giving
each in turn his blessing, and then said, pointing to the glasses,
"Brothers, I wouldn't drink that. I wish you would come
with me to our meeting." He made himself known to the men,
and, after some kindly remarks to the bar-tender, left the place
followed by the three young men, who left the liquor they had
paid for untouched on the bar.
W. R. Bucknell said in the Tabernacle that he had arrived
at that despairing point in life when hope seemed a mere myth,
and thought himself lost to all things honorable and correct,
until God in his infinite mercy saw fit to bring him back. He
felt certain that, if he could be saved, there was not a single
person in the building that could not be. He earnestly be-
sought moderate drinkers to abstain altogether from intoxi-
cants, and to sign the pledge. They could at least do great
good by praying for their friends ; God was a true hearer and
answerer of prayers.
Mr. Warden gave a most interesting account of an acquaint-
ance of his, who had come from Pittsburg to Philadelphia
during the proceedings of the temperance movement, and who
had been urged again and again to sign the pledge. He posi-
tively refused to do so, saying that, although he did drink and
sometimes drank more than he should, he could abstain when
he pleased, and did not need the restraints of a pledge to keep
him from going wrong. When, however, he had yielded to
the urgency of his friends, and had attended one or two meet-
ings he made up his mind to sign the pledge. Going back to
Pittsburgh he was not satisfied to remain idle, so exerted
FBANCIS MUEPHY. 667
himself to save others, and was now doing a good work
there.
Mr. Emory said felicitously, before an immense audience,
that he had turned away from his former habits only fourteen
days ago. He had sunk to a lamentable depth of degradation,
after being a good member of the church and a Sunday-school
teacher. He expected to encounter temptations ; but with
God's help, meant to steer clear of them. He entreated all
present to pray for him.
A son from green Erin was, on one occasion, brought for-
ward with some difficulty, and urged to tell his experience to
the listening crowd. He was received with applause, and he
quaintly said : " Ladies and gentlemen I have been a very
bad man, and have been in the habit of drinking for many
years ; but I signed the pledge yesterday, and I tell you all
that I mean to keep it."
Professor Kelley, of Pittsburgh, was introduced at one of
the meetings, and said that he felt a stronger and much better
man than he was two weeks ago, and God helping and giving
him strength, he was determined to stand by the noble cause
of total abstinence. On his return to Pittsburgh, he would
tell the good news from Philadelphia. He looked forward to
the glorious time when the banner of temperance would wave
from Maine to Georgia, and from the Atlantic ocean to the
Pacific.
Captain Saunders made the following neat little speech at
one of the meetings : " I was induced to join the temperance
society, the other day, not because I was a drunkard, but
because I was one of the moderate drinkers. Before another
glass of beer or whiskey passes down my throat, it must be
when I am dead ; but never while I am alive. I have seen
many a man fall from aloft and overboard from the effects of
liquor. For the last three days I have not been suffering from
dyspepsia, and I account for it by my abstaining. When Mr.
Murphy goes from us I want this noble work to go on. I
expect to live fifty years longer, God willing, and then I will
668 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
be only as old as my father was, who died at the good old ago
of one hundred and four.
John Myers said he was reformed, and that he felt stronger
every day. The day after he took the pledge, a German
asked him to take a drink with him, but he answered that he
drank nothing now but Murphy punches. He said, in Phila-
delphia there were many men, and women too, who sent their
children into beer saloons for drink, and that this eventually
proved their ruin.
Samuel P. Godwin said in an address at one of the Murphy
meetings, that while the Board of Managers of the Franklin
Reformatory Home were in session, a young man, whom he
knew ten or twelve years ago to be living in opulence, came to
them saying he had no home, no friends, no money, and look-
ing fully sixty years of age. Drunkenness had brought him to
this condition. He signed the pledge ; ad was now working
his way up in the world again.
Samuel McClary made a most telling speech, in which he
said : " I am an ex-convict. I am not ashamed to confess it
now that I have reformed. My love of liquor brought me to
jail, and completely wrecked my life. I could not abstain;
but now I have signed Mr. Murphy's pledge, and I shall keep
it, God helping me ! "
David Warburton, a middle-aged man, said he had been
constantly intoxicated for the last twenty-five years, and had
been reduced to so low a grade of society that he considered
himself a shame and a disgrace. He informed the audience
that he was a poet by nature, and proceeded to recite some
verses, which he had composed the night previous, and which
he had committed to memory.
Mr. McLean said : " I have been a drinking man since my
fourteenth year, and I was a very hard case. I am only four
weeks old to-day ; but I feel a great deal better since I signed
the pledge."
William G. McMullen, an attorney at law, said, before a
large audience : " Mr. Murphy asked me yesterday, ' Can I
FRANCIS MURPHY. 669
depend on your word, brother ?' and I must say I have indeed
kept my pledge. I hope that, with the help of God, having
written my name to the pledge, I will remain true to it. I
would say to others, come and do as I have done come
straight forward, and then you will have the eyes of the people
upon you, and when they meet you afterward they will know
if you have kept the pledge."
Charles Haigh, formerly a liquor dealer, said he had read
the report of one of Francis .Murphy's addresses in Concert
Hall in the " Times," and feeling convinced, he concluded to
quit the business. As long as God spared his life he would
lift his voice in favor of temperance, and do all in his power
to help others to sign the pledge, and further the cause.
George F. B. Collins, attorney at law, said he spoke to mod-
erate drinkers when he begged persons to come forward and
sign the pledge. He said his analysis of a glass of whisky
consisted of crutches, scaffolds, law-suits, divorces, imitations
of prisons, assaults, and general degradation. The only way
to save yourself from these is to abstain now and forever. In
a glass of whisky or any other intoxicating drink he could see
no faith, hope or charity.
Brother Gore said he had been a man only two weeks.
Previous to that time he had been worse than a brute ; for a
brute would not have drunk whisky as he had done. He was
formerly a liquor-dealer. God had now given him a new
heart, pure and manly, and he was exceedingly glad, and
meant to try and retain it.
E. G. Evans said he was just thirteen days old. In his
opinion open confession was good for the soul ; and therefore
he would confess everything. Fifteen months ago his wife
gave birth to twins. He and she were perfectly delighted
with them. When they were two weeks old he felt very
happy. The devil put it into his head to take a walk one
afternoon. He did s'o, got into a saloon, took a drink, and
kept drinking until thirteen days ago. He had now signed
670 THE LIFE ATSTD WOEK OF
the pledge, and his wife and twins were very glad over it.
He meant to keep it.
Thomas Falladay, a sea-faring man, spoke as follows at a
Murphy meeting : "I joined the temperance society in 1864.
I have seen the time when I used to lie down in the ditches of
France and Italy, so drunk was I ; and if there are any sailors
here to-night, I hope they will come forward and sign the
pledge. I mean to keep the pledge."
One of Mr. Murphy's converts, on being brought forward
and Introduced by the great temperance apostle, said : " I
was sick all over, from top to bottom, from tooth to toe-nail,
when I first " quit ; " but now I am all right. I have been a
bad man ; a hard drinker. I signed the pledge only nine days
ago. I intend to keep it as long as I live."
Joseph James addressed Mr. Murphy in the following man-
ner before a large audience : " Francis Murphy, it is certainly
embarrassing for me to get up before this vast audience ; but
I see by the fire in your eye, that you won't take " no " for an
answer. Therefore, I wish to say, Francis Murphy, that two
days ago, I would have sold my soul for a glass of beer ; and
I wish to say, Francis Murphy, that to-day I would rather die
than touch it."
George" W. South worth confessed that he had been a mod-
erate drinker. He had often resolved to cease drinking ; but
his appetite was far stronger than his mental promises. Finally
he managed to sign the Murphy pledge, and was now a better
and happier man.
J. C. Love, a gentleman who became identified with the
Murphy work, and who is now working away with a will in it,
said to a large meeting that his signature to the pledge looked
like a Chinaman's mark, and Mr. Murphy had to hold him up
when he spoke. Slowly but surely strength, both of body and
mind, came back to him. He left his business for six weeks
entirely to take care of itself, and commenced to work for
the cause. He had been one of the worst drunkards on record,
always full and always wanting more ; but now he had con-
FEANCIS MUKPHY. 671
quered the terrible appetite, and would never be under its in-
fluence again as long as he lived. The pledge saved him.
John Andrews said he was three weeks old. He was born
at the Central Coffee House, where he had given his heart to
God, and had reformed. The desire for intoxicants had made
him very miserable, and had ruined his prospects in life more
than once. Through Mr. Murphy's cheering words of future
happiness he had seen his errors, and had signed the pledge.
Things looked clearer and brighter already.
Thomas Halliday, a sailor, blessed God that now he could
put on a good pair of trousers and a decent coat, and have
one dollar in his pocket. Signing the pledge and abstaining
gave him these.
John Columny said he had stood at the bar fifteen years
monopolizing drinking altogether. He was now on another
track, a sure and straight road to happiness and prosperity
total abstinence. He had signed, the pledge, and his boys
would now have an example. If the fathers patronize the
saloons is it to be much wondered at that the children come
home drunk ? Would to God all fathers would sign the pledge
as he had done !
" I have heard," said a reformed man at one of the Murphy
meetings, " chemists describe all that they could see in a drop
of water. Shall I tell you what I see in a glass of whisky ?
I see a rip in the coat way up behind ; I see pants a foot too
short for a man ; I see torn shoes that won't cover a man's
toes ; I see red eyes and black eyes, and I see shin plasters
that won't pay for a man's dinner.
" There are some men with brass enough to make a preserv-
ing kettle, but when a fellow like some of these who've always
needed an oyster knife to pry their mouths open will stand up
and tell how they are saved by the grace of God, it makes a
corner in the liquor trade, I can tell you.
" One reason why the devil tempts men to drink is because
since he was kicked out of a better place he wants company
where he is.
672 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
" I'm just forty-eight hours old and I am too nervous to stand
up very straight, but that's my first speech."
Mr. Samuel McLain's testimony at the Philadelphia Taber-
nacle, before a large audience was this : " I am a reformed
man, and I intend to remain that. I have known times when
I would actually sell the clothes I wore for whisky. I have
known what it is to be despised by Christian parents. I have
known what it is to be homeless. I have known what it is to
be in the penitentiary. I have signed the pledge. Before
that I had nothing, and now see the change. I have respect-
able friends and comfortable clothes. God be praised for the
change in me. The money brokers will no longer get my
clothes ; the liquor-dealers my money, my honor, my soul."
John Carrigan admitted with contrite heart at a gathering
in the good old Quaker Town that he had been a mere pro-
fessional pledge-taker. His pledges lasted a day, and he had
taken enough to fill an immense trunk. He was all right now
the light of truth having lighted up the chambers of his
heart and soul, completely scaring from thence the dark, grim
shadows of sin.
The very first signers of the pledge at the Temperance
Tabernacle, Philadelphia, were two men, rather the worse for
liquor. While the inspiring exercises were being conducted
they came up to the table, swaying somewhat wildly to and
fro. "I'm drunk now," said one of them, managing in some
way to write his name, " but it's the last time. I'm going to
sign. Will ye sign too, Charley, me boy ?" " Yes." " Thin
shake hands," and they shook hands as well as they could in
their present state, after which they urged the ushers at the
table to shake hands also, and witness their good action.
Mr. ,T. A. South wick, a merchant of some prominence in
Philadelphia, said before an immense audience in the Taber-
nacle : "I signed the pledge on Easter Sunday night, and it
was the gladdest day of the whole year to me, and will be that
forever. I gave my soul then to Chirst. I have been a drink-
ing man for years. More than once I have been prostrated by
FEATTCIS MUEPHY. 673
serious illness ; but recovered only to return to drinking. To
save myself I joined a temperance society ; but I could not
resist the tempter. I see now why I could not abstain I did
not pray to Him to be helped. I have signed the pledge, and
mean to keep it, by praying to Jesus, and by His kind assist-
ance.
Dr. J. S. Cram spoke as follows, at a Murphy meeting in
Philadelphia : " I am glad to be here. I am attracted hither
in spite of myself. I heard Mr. Murphy speak in Pittsburgh
six months ago, but I did not believe in him ; he seemed a
fanatic to me. I was induced to append my name to the
pledge in Concert Hall by my wife, who had done so. Six
weeks ago I went to our beloved Savior, and now I am
happier than I have ever been in my whole life. I thank Him
for that undertow of temperance which bore me along until I
was landed safely at His feet."
Francis Murphy is a true lover of nature. He is very fond
, of flowers, and is partial to a sweet button-hole bouquet. In
many instances these lovely children of mother earth have
been the means of saving men. At the Philadelphia Taber-
nacle, one night in May, a man by the name of McMullan,
who had just signed the pledge, confessed that a flower had
brought him to do it. He had presented it to Mr. Murphy,
who entreated him to visit the Tabernacle in the evening.
He promised to come. He went, and saved himself from sin.
William J. Jones, better known as " Deacon Jones," had
been for many years a very successful representative of the
press. His position in the world of letters was honorable and
high ; but a desire for strong drink hurled him from it. He
became a drunkard. While reeling through the streets one
day, Mr. Murphy came across him. The great temperance
orator paused, took his fresh nosegay frojn his button-hole,
and pinned it on the " Deacon's " breast. When he recovered,
the flowers aroused the sleeping conscience, and stirred his
degenerate manhood. That evening he signed the pledge,
and redeemed thereby his claim to the noble title of man.
29
674 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
Mr. Charles Wenzell, the reformed sporting man, related a
curious incident that came to his knowledge. A man, on his
return home, after a "jolly good time," generally, wanted
something to eat. He discovered a bowl of milk, into which
a ball of thread had dropped, and a bit of bread. He dis-
patched the milk, thread and bread. The thread caught in
his teeth, and he began to pull it out. He became alarmed at
seeing no end, and called his wife. " I'm unraveling !" he
cried, anxiously. " Boys," said Mi-. Wenzell, " we want you
too to unravel unravel the chain of sin."
John L. Linton was one of the noblest instances of faithful-
ness and devotion in the Murphy movement. He had a com-
fortable home on the banks of the Delaware, containing an
extensive wine-cellar. "It was the wine-cellar that caused the
loss of the entire home, and the temporary ruin oi its builder
and owner," Mr. Linton confessed. He embraced temperance,
and did much good in the movement ; and is now working for
it in Philadelphia with considerable success.
John Tennyson delivered the following address at a Murphy
meeting in the Tabernacle :
" If I were to take the time to tell you all the benefits I
have received from signing the pledge, you would have to
' amen ' me down like Brother Murphy. I am doing well,
better than I ever did before. I have been lifted from the
depths of a life of degradation into a better life. A few weeks
ago I was discarded from a home of luxury and ease to that
of woe and want. Nine weeks ago last Saturday night, I
entered Concert Hall in a semi-intoxicated condition. I took
a seat in the remotest corner of the hall where I might hide
my tattered garments from the rude gaze of the people, and
you may know how much interest I felt in the meeting when
I tell you I fell asleep, and was not awakened until Mr. Mur-
phy was making his closing speech. The next day at noon I
signed the pledge, and have not since regretted that step.
" Soon after the war I became intimately acquainted with a
young man, whose life in this world bade fair to lead him on
FRANCIS MURPHY. 675
to fortune. His was a jovial disposition, frank and open-
hearted, and it was his wont to meet with convivial friends
on a set night and make a time of it. One cold winter morn-
ing in the year 1868, after indulging more than usual, that
morning, he proceeded to his work, which consisted in putting
a tin roof upon a building. He had been there only a few
hours, when making a mis-step he fell backward through the
skylight, a distance of forty feet, and was picked up in a life-
less condition. An eminent physician was sent for, who said :
' I cannot add tortures to his miseries ; he cannot live.' He
was taken to the Pennsylvania Hospital, his relatives were
sent for, and the first at his bedside was his mother. As she
bended her slender form over the bed of that oldest son, with
an agonized eye she looked into the eyes of the physician,
saying, ' Oh, sir ! can he live ? Can my boy live ?' She did
not want him to be sent to a drunkard's grave. The physician
replied : ' We cannot tell, his life is in a higher power than
ours.' All through that dreary winter she carried him nour-
ishment and consolation. He was removed to her home only
to rise from that bed a cripple for life. It is unnecessary for
me to tell you that that man and myself are the same person.
I hate the vile groggery ; it has robbed me of the use of a
good right arm, it has invaded our social and family circles
and removed our best friends. Oh, men, arise and assert your
liberty by enrolling your name on the roll of honor. Oh, men!
why bow ye down to images of stone ! Now, rise ! be free !
trust in the God above, for with him is mercy and goodness.
Come forward, then, to-night, and sign the pledge. Take the
advice of one who has known the miseries which result from
the use of intoxicating drink, and who is now free from it and
enjoying a life of temperance."
The following words were uttered by Mr. Frank Burns, oi
Pittsburgh, at the Murphy Tabernacle, in Philadelphia:
" I am amazed at the immense size of this building, which I
expected so little to see. I came here to-day to see Mr.
Murphy, because I have been so weary with the work in Pitts-
676 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
burg that I wished a little rest ; and, I thought I would get a
little rest by coming to see him, as he has been a friend to me.
As I was sitting here to-night my thoughts went back to a little
over five years ago, when I was in your city, about to leave it
for Pittsburgh, accompanying my father's body home. He
died, while on a visit here, of pneumonia, after five days' ill-
ness. I was at that time attending Jefferson Medical College.
When he died I became heir to a fortune of over $80,000. As
I was his only child, and as my mother had died four years
previously, I did not have the right people to counsel me. I
spent a portion of my time in this city. I then went into the
liquor business in New York. I next went down to Pittsburgh
and got married, and made a wedding tour to Europe, through
Ireland and England. I assure you Irish whisky did not im-
prove matters with me. I returned, and, to make a long story
short, I gradually went on till I got from the top of the ladder
to the foot almost. Thank God, to-night I am saved ; but I
might have been saved sooner. About four months ago I had
a drinking spree of about five days. I had not heard of Mr.
Murphy being in Pittsburgh, but one morning I met brother
David Hall, who asked me to come and hear Murphy. I said:
' All right.' I didn't know where Murphy was. I thought it
was some new saloon. I said : ' Yes, I would as soon drink
Murphy's whisky as anybody else's.' So he took me up to
the University and we saw Murphy. It was not the Murphy
I expected to see. I signed the pledge. I have been saved
through the instrumentality of Mr. Murphy, by the grace of
God, from a drunkard's grave. I did not come here to praise
him. But I know the good he has done me, and I know what
he has done for Pittsburgh."
Mr. John H. Love, of Philadelphia, said before a great
Tabernacle meeting :
" At the age of sixteen I had an iron constitution. For
( twenty-five years I was a moderate drinker. I could start on
fire glasses and keep on drinking and still remain pretty sober.
The habit was increasing upon me year after year, and my
FRANCIS MURPHY. 677
ay petite for drink got stronger and stronger, so that I could
not do without it. The accursed stuff was dragging me down
into the lowest depths, and poisoning me. I had power over
everything but that. Whisky had the mastery over me.
Now, thank God, since I have signed the pledge, I am master ;
and, by the help of God, I will be master. It is something
noble for you, young men, to throw the cursed shackles from
off your feet. There is not a man living but can stop drinking
and be a man. This country is large. There is not a man
in the country, or city, but what there is employment for, if
he will go about it in the right way. Some say : ' There is no
use in my signing it, I cannot keep it.' Whenever the tempta-
tion comes to you, even if you have the whisky poured out,
get on your knees first, and I will guarantee that the whisky
is thrown on the floor, and you will go off feeling a better
man. I have had trials, but I can look back and say I ani
master now."
The two following incidents were given by Mr. Murphy
himself with great power and applause in his talks at the
Tabernacle :
" I was speaking upon the subject of temperance in New
Brighton, Connecticut. After I got through, a lady came
upon the platform, and taking me to one side, said : ' I wish
you would please come to my home.' Well, I was delighted to
hear the sweet, musical voice of my countrywoman, and I went
home with her and her beautiful daughter Mary. She said,
before we reached home, ' I wish you could see James, my
husband.'
" He had bought property in New Brighton and it had since
increased very rapidly in value ; it had cost only two thousand
dollars and it was now worth forty thousand. He was a
moulder by trade, and came into wealth, and, being possessed
of true Irish hospitality, he was always ready with a drop of
the creature. Having arrived at his house, his wife called to
h.m, 'Come down, James O'Connor.' James came down, and
I said : ' How are you ?' He looked kindly into my face and
G78 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
said, 'I am all right.' I said, 'James, I am afraid you are
all wrong.' 'Nevermind,' said he, 'just take a drop.' So he
went to the pantry and brought out his bottle in grand style,
' and now,' said he, ' give us a little boiling water and some
sugar.' ' If you please,' said I, * I cannot touch it.' ' Ah,'
said he, ' you're the temperance man ?' ' Yes,' said I. We
then talked and reasoned together. During this time, I
noticed a little mark over the forehead of the mother, and she
had a welt of her hair brought down to cover it. I said :
' Mrs. O'Connor, what happened to your face ?' She said,
'Don't say anything about that.' A countryman of mine sold
her husband liquor ; there he spent his nights ; and that was
the origin of the mark. I said to her : ' Will you tell me
where this countryman lives ?' She told me, and I spoke to
him about it. He was a true Irishman, and he loved the
family, and he said : ' If it has made James O'Connor put that
mark on his wife, never shall I again sell a drop of intoxicating
liquor.' And he never did, and he has made a respectable
living since he quit selling it.
" A dear countryman came to America in search of a f 01
tune. He had a beautiful family, and was a stone mason by
trade. He had brothers in the city of Portland who repre-
sented a large amount of wealth, and he thought he would go
into the liquor traffic.
" My brother engaged in the business. He had a beautiful
son whom he took in the business with him ; and he had two
beautiful girls. He commenced in the liquor traffic and he
made a large amount of money. When his son was twenty
years of age he had twenty thousand dollars' worth of prop-
erty. His son drank constantly and kept on drinking. Fin-
ally, at the age of twenty-one, this boy, this darling of his life,
was taken with the delirium tremens and died ; his father was
at his side. His dear mother, who had been so proud of him,
worried and walked up and down her home until she sickened
and died from a broken heart. I was personally acquainted
with the father. I knew him to be a genuine, noble-hearted
FRANCIS MUEPHY. 679
Christian man. But he commenced to drink, and to such an
excesH that his own 1 wo brothers had him arrested and carried
to the county jail.
" While he was incarcerated I made it my duty to visit him.
I wish I had the power of a Dickens to describe the man. He
was in one of those little dark cells, and had nothing on him
but his pantaloons, his hair was standing up on his head, his
hands and fingers looked like the claws of an eagle, they were
so spare and thin. When he saw me he came to the door, and
in his sweet, loving way he said, ' Ah, Mr. Murphy, that's you.'
And the tears ran down his cheeks as he spoke of his darling
boy. Poor Willie died, whipped into eternity with the scor-
pions chasing him, whilst his father held him.
" His sister was one of the finest girls in Portland, and she,
poor Mary, took to drink, and died from the effects of intoxi-
cating liquor. I have attended the funerals of the father,
mother, son and daughter ; and I saw them placed side by
side in the grave-yard.
" There is no marble slab, to-day, to tell of the last resting
place of this mother and her children, but if the truth could be
written over their graves, it would be said, ' Rum killed them.' "
The following clipping from the Philadelphia Daily Ex-
press, proving the unselfishness and extensiveness of Francis
Murphy's work, will be perused with interest :
" Midnight witnessed an impressive scene. Frank Murphy,
escorted by Sergeant Pearson and a couple of police officers,
and accompanied by a full delegation of newspaper men, was
standing in the garret of the tenement house on Ramcat alley
and St. Mary street. Lying on the floor (some in a nude con-
dition) and standing around him were colored and white women.
Some of the latter hid their faces in their hands, while others
welcomed the visitors.
" ' I am married, and my name is Mrs. Annie Howard,' said
a fair-haired woman, with a soft voice. ' I have seen better
days, and I still trust in the Almighty. I love my husband,
and he is good to me.'
680 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
" Some of the rooms were even wretched, and the inmates
sullen and constrained, while in others Mr. Murphy was gi-eeted
with great cordiality.
"The 'bosses' of the rooms paid a rental of $4.50 to $7 per
month. They sub-let them to several families. Some were
occupied by eight or ten persons. The atmosphere was so
close and foetid that several of the visitors were forced to seek
the fresh air of the street.
" ' These properties are owned by a wealthy retired Market
street merchant,' said the sergeant. ' He is now in Europe
living on the proceeds. The agent is a Mr. Dunlap, and the
rental of the buildings amounts to $2,100 a year.'
" In one of the rooms Mr. Murphy was most cordially re-
ceived by two fine-looking black men, both of whom had
signed the pledge. One of them (John Folk) was a banjo
player. He had lamed his foot in the army.
" ' Are you married to Ellen ?' asked Mr. Murphy, pointing
to a woman who was lying on the floor with her face closely
covered up.
" ' Well, I'm married in a certain way ; I ain't in the regular
way, because I ain't got the money to pay for a minister.
It's all I can do to raise money enough to eat ; and I give folks
I know a rest here in the room rather than let them stay on
the streets. They can't pay, because they've got nothing.'
" ' Well, will you marry her if I pay the minister ?'
" ' Oh, yes,' he cried, candidly. ' That is if she says so ; I
love her well enough.'
" Will you consent, Ellen ?'
" ' Yes, I'd like to very much,' she replied, as she threw the bed
clothes off her face, and accepted Mr. Murphy's extended hand.
" ' Then, come up to the Annex building on next Sunday
morning and we'll have a marriage ; I'll pay the minister,'
said Mr. Murphy.
" John took down his banjo and played ' Down the Swanee
River,' while Mr. Murphy's son, who accompanied him, passed
around the hat and a dollar was collected for the player.
FRANCIS MURPHY. 681
" This put John in great glee, and he sang ' Yaller Girl
Picking Cotton.'
" It was almost loo late an hour for the visit, but Mr.
Murphy had been detained from starting out at half-past ten
o'clock, as had been arranged. Many of the barrel houses
were closed, but Mr. Murphy visited those that were open,
and was everywhere received with respect. Many said they
had heard him speak, and all appeared to have a cordial wel-
come for him.
" The reporter left them still climbing the rickety stairs at
one o'clock this morning. It was surprising to see so few
drunken persons.
" * I guess they must have known Murphy was coming, and
kept on their good behavior,' observed an officer.
" ' How can a man stand over a range all 'day without taking
a drop of porter now and then?' asked one respectable colored
man who had been a sailor.
"'Take coffee instead,' replied Mr. Murphy. 'Its like a
steamboat. If you pile on grease and oil you will kindle a
hot fire, but it soon wants replenishing ; but put in good coal
and you have a solid fire. So it is with coffee and bread. It's
substantial, while the porter and gin give nourishment for
only a time.'
" ' Dat's cle God's truf,' exclaimed John Green, the ex-
sailor ; ' I guess I'll have to try it. Anyhow I'll be up to
your Sunday breakfast, Mr. Murphy.' "
A visit to some of the fire houses in Philadelphia led Mr.
Murphy to a new idea. " Why does such a man as you drink ?"
lie asked of a large, well-built man, whose face bore indica-
tions of dissipation.
" Well, you see," answered the man, " we must have some
stimulant when we are soaking wet at a fire, after being up all
night, and that keeps up the appetite."
" Wouldn't a good cup of coffee and a sandwich do as well,
if not much better ?"
" Yes," laughingly answered all the hands ; "but howin the
682 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
world are we to get the coffee and sandwiches at midnight or
daybreak, when buildings are threatened on all sides ?"
" You should be served by the authorities. Come up to the
meetings and sign the pledge in a body and I will endeavor to
create an interest in the public mind so that you will be sup-
plied with a good cup of coffee and plenty of sandwiches, as
you are holding the pipe or passing on the water."
" Go ahead," was the hearty, unanimous reply, " We are
with you."
The following testimonies by reformed men will be read
with much interest :
" Three weeks ago, my friends, I had on my hands a hotel
and a bar, and over my counter death and damnation was pass-
ing to my fellow creatures as fast as they could drink it or find
the money to pay for it. I drank myself, I smoked, I chewed,
I gambled. I was a servant of sin in every form. To-day I
stand free in Christ, with my time, my money, and my life
fully and forever given to God, and to God's work of saving
men. I wouldn't give a day of this existence for a lifetime of
the old life. I wouldn't change the joy of helping one poor
soul out of the mire for all the world could offer."
" I had fallen so low that I hadn't left an unpawned chair to
sit on, or a bed to lie on. I wouldn't wait in the morning to
' O
go for my early drink until I had my shoes on, but would rush
out bare-footed ; and, of course, it did not take long to bring
me to a place where I had no shoes to put on. I became so
ragged and debased that I skulked sidewise into my own door.
I had one only feeling that was not utterly degraded. I did
love my child, a beautiful and loving little boy. With this
child in my arms I was another creature, and often I held him
tight, and whispered to him that I would be a better man.
Yet when this boy sickened before my eyes, I got drunk ; when
this boy died, I was drunk ; when my boy was buried, I was
lying in the Tombs, drunk. I served the devil fifteen years,
for I began when a youth of eighteen, and all that precious
time is lost out of my life. Only God could have helped me ;
FRANCIS MUEPHY. 683
only God can keep one ; but he does keep me, and I have faith
to believe He will."
" I do not know to this day what was said, but I was suffi-
ciently impressed to desire, when the invitation was given, to
go into the inquiry room. But I was ashamed to go before my
compaiiion, and I have since known that he wanted me to go,
but was ashamed to go before me. I said to him, when the
offer was repeated, * Are you going ?' and he said, ' No ; are
you '?' and I said, ' No.' So we went out together, and he told
me he was going home to his babies, and I thought I would go
and get a drink. At this saloon something stopped me, and I
did not drink : I only said, ' Give me a cigar,' and with this I
strolled back in the direction of the meeting. I passed a
church in which overflowing prayer-meetings were being held,
and I peeped in. They were just asking those who wanted to
be helped to rise for prayer. I meant to go in, and had started,
when, whom should I see rising with the rest, but my friend
who had told me he was going home to see his babies. When
I saw him I wouldn't go in. When he saw me he wouldn't
rise, but deliberately pulled off his overcoat and sat down as if
he had found the place too hot for him. Ah ! so he had, it
was too hot for him, and too hot for me. I went home, but I
drank no more that night. When the next evening came, I
went again to the meeting, and this time I took care to go
alone. This time, when invited to go into the inquiry room I
went, and when there, found my help lay in Christ, and I gave
my heart to Him. Then began my trial, for I was afraid of
my companions and my fellow-workmen. There were several
hundreds of them, and only about twenty-five Christians ; but
when they saw what a new and happy man religion made of
me, many of them were persuaded, and now we have over a
hundred men who have turned from their ways of drunkenness
and sin, and are living noble Christian lives."
Samuel P. Godwin delivered the following telling remarks
to an immense audience in the Tabernacle on April 6, 1877,
amid great applause : " I could say a great many words when
684 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
I beheld a man on my left band, who has been the subject of
rny prayers for the last twelve months, giving testimony in
behalf of this great work. If Brother Murphy had accom-
plished no other .good in the "hands of the Lord but the turning
of this one young man to Christ, he would have done more
than you or I have done in a lifetime. It is nothing for you
and I to stand up in behalf of total abstinence, but it is some-
thing for these dear souls that have dared to do right and to
conquer. I feel like bowing down in reverence at the feet of
men who have dared to come boldly and sign the pledge and
keep it through the grace of God, and we ought to do all we
can to advance the interest of such men. Let us do all we
can to replace them in their position in society and the family
circle, and lift them up to true manhood."
The success of the Murphy movement in Philadelphia was
furthered by the cheap coffee-houses which had been estab-
lished some years before. The cure of the drunkard is always
attended with great difficulties, for every temptation must be
removed, while he is as yet convalescing from the terrible
disease. Liquor saloons to enhance their attractions have
been in the habit of spreading a free lunch for the purchaser
of their liquid poison, and the hungry man is thus tempted to
do that which tends to his eternal ruin by all the subtile arts
of appeal t<3 his necessities. So much has this become the
case throughout the land that thous-ands have been drawn into
the coil, who otherwise might have remained honored and
respectable citizens. When to this fact is added the equally
dangerous one that every reputable restaurant, except such as
are conducted on purely temperance principles, has a bar in
connection with its other business, we commence to realize
how insidious and well masked are the snares set for the care-
less and unwary. The system set on foot in Philadelphia
gave the working man a good lunch, or a morning or evening
meal for five or ten cents, as the case might be, and instead of
the deadly drain of the so-called " free lunch," he got a large
bowl of excellent coffee, with rich cream and sugar. The
FRANCIS MURPHY. 685
remarkable success of this enterprise merits a few words
descriptive of its inception and progress. We cannot do
better than to quote the clear and compact account of a
well known temperance writer, who was familiar with all the
facts of the matter: "In the fall of 1874 Joshua L. Bailey,
one of our most active, clear-headed merchants, who had been
for many years an earnest temperance man, determined to
give the cheap coffee-house experiment a fair trial, cost what
it might ; for he saw that if it could be made successful, it
would be a powerful agency in the work of prevention. He
began in a small way, taking a modest store at the corner of
Market and Fifteenth streets., and fitting it up in a neat and
attractive manner. With a few pounds of coffee and a few
dozens of rolls, the place was opened, the single attendant, a
woman, acting the double part of cook and waiter. For five
cents a pint mug of the best Java coffee, with milk and sugar,
and a good-sized roll, were furnished.
" From the very start ' The Workingmen's Central Coffee-
House,' as Mr. Bailey called it, was successful. In the imme-
diate neighborhood five hundred workmen were employed on
the city buildings, and opposite stood the Pennsylvania Rail-
road freight depot, to which came daily about the same num-
ber of men draymen, teamsters and others. It took but a
few days to so crowd the new coffee-room at the usual lunching
time as to require an additional assistant. From day to day
the business went on increasing, until more help and larger
accommodations became necessary. Soon a complete kitchen
had to built in the basement, and the adjoining store added,
in order to meet the steadily-enlarging demands upon the new
establishment. The fame of the good coffee, which was bet-
ter than most people found at home, spread far and near, and
larger and larger numbers of clerks, workingmen and others,
turned their steps daily, at lunch time, towards the Central
Coffee-House. Jt was so much better than the poor stuff
served in most of the eating-houses ; and, with the sweet roll
added, so much better than the free lunch and glass of beer or
686 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
whisky with which too many had been accustomed to regale
themselves.
" Steadily swelled the tide of custom. Within a year a third
store adjoining was added. But the enlarged premises soon
proved inadequate to the accommodation of the still-increasing
crowd.
" At this writing ' The Central ' is from six. to seven times
larger than when first opened ; and there lunch in its rooms,
daily, nearly two thousand persons. One -room has been fitted
up for ladies exclusively, in which from forty to fifty can
lunch at one time.
" But Mr. Bailey looked beyortd the cheap coffee and rolls by
which he was able to keep, so many away from bar-rooms and
restaurants where liquor was sold. He believed in other influ-
ences and safeguards. And to this end, and at his own cost,
he fitted up the various rooms over the seven stores extend-
ing along Market street from Fifteenth to Broad, in which the
coffee-rooms are located, and set them apart for various uses.
Here is a lecture-hall, capable of seating four hundred persons ;
a free reading-room, well warmed and lighted and supplied
with the best daily newspapers, American and English illus-
trated publications, and the standard periodicals ; besides four
other rooms that will hold from seventy to one hundred per-
sons, which are used for various meeting purposes, all in con-
nection with temperance. Five regular services are held in
the lecture-room every week, viz. : ' Bible Reading,' on Sun-
day afternoon ; ' Temperance Experience Meeting,' on Lien-
day evening ; ' Prayer and Praise Meeting,' Tuesday evening ;
' Gospel Temperance Meeting,' on Thursday evening ; and
* Youths' Temperance Meeting,' Friday evening. These meet-
ings are often crowded, and, like the coffee-rooms below,
attract audiences made up from every rank in society. At
many of these meetings, Mr. Bailey presides in person.
" Encouraged by the success of this first effort, Mr. Bailey
opened another cheap coffee-house in the very centre of the
wholesale trade of the city, where thousands of clerks, work-
FRANCIS MURPHY. 687
ingmen and merchants were in the habit of resorting for lunch
or dinner to the restaurants and bar-rooms in the neighborhood.
This, located at No. 31 South Fourth street, he called 'The
Model Coffee-House.'
" From the first it was crowded even to an uncomfortable
sxtent. The demands of its patrons soon rendered larger
quarters a necessity. A new building was erected specially
adapted to the purpose, many novel features being introduced
which a twelve months' experience had suggested.
"The new 'Model' opened June 1, 1876. Many persons
thought it was too large, and that it would never be filled.
But it was thronged on the day of opening, and on every day
since the demands upon it have been fully up to its capacity.
The number lunching here daily is about three thousand.
" In. the establishment of the coffee-houses there were, of
course, many mistakes, the results of inexperience. Many
things had to be unlearned as well as many learned. But mis-
takes were promptly corrected. With the growth of the
work, ability to provide for it seemed to keep pace, and modi-
fications in the management were adopted as necessity dic-
tated. Not much was anticipated at the commencement be-
yond furnishing a mug of coffee and a roll of bread, but it
soon became apparent that something more than this was
needed. To meet this necessity, the coffee-house bill of fare
was greatly extended, and now quite a variety of nutritious
and substantial dishes are provided, and each at the uniform
price of jive cents. The main feature the coffee is, how-
ever, preserved. A full pint mug of the best Java (equal to
two ordinary cups) with pure, rich milk and white sugar, and
two ounces of either wheat or brown bread, all for jive cents,
is the every-day lunch of many a man who, but for this pro-
visions, would be found in the dram shop.
" No dish, as we have said, costs over five cents, which is
the standard price the year round, whatever the fluctuations
of markets may be. In addition to the bread and coffee
already mentioned for five cents, the bill of fare comprises
688 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
puddings of rice, tapioca and corn starch, baked apples
dressed with sugar and milk, ail sorts of pies (half a pie being
given for a portion), mushes of cracked wheat, corn and oat-
meal, dumplings, eggs, potatoes, beans, ham, corned beef,
liver, 'scrapple,' sausage, custards, soups, pickles, and in sea-
son, fresh fruits. Of bread, there are Boston and Philadel-
phia brown, wheat, Philadelphia and Vienna rolls. A pint
glass of milk with a roll costs five cents ; butter three cents,
and extra rolls one cent each ; so that for ten or fifteen cents
a man gets a full luncheon, as every portion of food is equal to
a large saucer heaped.
"These establishments require, of course, the most methodi-
cal, orderly and careful management, with capable matrons at
the head of each, and a steward or superintendent to make
intelligent purchases. At the ' Model Coffee-House,' there are
nearly fifty employees, and, excepting three or four men, they
are girls and women. The upper rooms of the building are
for the lodgings, offices, laundry and drawing-room, for the
use of the employees. The girls, who are mostly of country
birth and training, are thus furnished with a good and safe
home, where they have books and music, large and well-fur-
nished chambers, a good table they dine at one family table
in their own dining-room and have their washing and ironing
done in the house. They are required to be neat and tidy in
appearance, respectable and discreet in character and manner."
We have already alluded to the further extension of this
cheap coffee-house system, under the special patronage of the
ladies of Philadelphia, when the Murphy enthusiasm stirred
society to its bottom depths. Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, and
other good Samaritans among her noble-hearted sex, labored
assiduously in this direction, and no one, outside of those who
w r atched all the tides and currents of influence that were work-
ing under the promptings of God's spirit, can fully appreciate
the immense help ;hat Francis Murphy got through this
agency. He, himself, has been free to acknowledge it in
glowing terms, as indeed this man has ever, in the words of
<( ( 'SBui}si.iq;}
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ajnssajd ajjuaS
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jo uoissassod aqj ui Supiofaa aaUBj aq; 'uMOjg jnquv" P UB uBsng
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p3Aju;s Suisq jo pB3;sui poo} 3uio>3iot(A\ jo
A";up[d puB !S.BJ jo 3DEjd ui ssq;op pooS isAiojq jo pBa;su; spJOAV
pu;>( 3AI333J pjnoAV Xaq; ajaqAv 08 o; JS^ES 3J3A\ usapjiqD sqx
, ( -BuituBiu puB i:dBd AUI SB 3[dosd pui^ qDns Jou
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noA 'qo 30103 ,, 'XBS O} ji SE 'spuBq A"qqnq3 J3q }no p3qa;3a}S
'jni[;jv P UB aisng uodn ;s3}33A\s J3q Sui[iuis 'oqM 'XqBq SuiqSnEi
'SuiA\oJ3 B SUUE asq ui Suipjoq 'S3}eun}aojun a[};ii 3q; aas o; uiooj
aq; oiui auiBD 3JIAV p3Di:j-;uBSB3[d s, \ -aj^ -AJO;S ^nji;id apq}
pio; puE 'uoissijv; pug q}^ox uo}sog 3q} jo ;u3pu3;ui43dns pui>(
',. the meetings
e storm of ex-
Many of his
rked with him,
great temper-
elds of labor,
in Pittsburgh
result of the
orious harvest
irse, it is diffi-
s of a mighty
cimate to the
ber of drunk-
which may be
oents at Pitts-
fruits of the
y be set down
mes started a
/
ung or appar-
ip of feeling,
ready for the
ery well, and
ificant causes,
e worst towns
there in a day
then in any other town of its size ; according to the verdict of
a resident.
" In political times whisky used to flow in the streets. The
side that could stand the largest number of drinks won the
fight. ' The boys 'Col. Caldwell, Gen. Gregg, and others-
used to go up from Elmira and hold meetings that generally
ended in glorious drunks. Why, they laughed at the cru-
saders, and thought it good fun.
fi88 THE LIFE AND WORK OP
puddings of rice, tapioca and corn starch, baked apples
dressed with sugar and milk, all sorts of pies (half a pie being
given for a portion), mushes of cracked wheat, corn and oat-
meal, dumplings, eggs, potatoes, beans, ham, corned beef,
liver, 'scrapple,' sausage, custards, soups, pickles, and in sea-
son, fresh fruits. Of bread, there are Boston and Philadel-
phia brown, wheat, Philadelphia and Vienna rolls. A pint
glass of milk with a roll costs five cents ; butter three cents,
and extra rolls one cent each ; so that for ten or fifteen cents
a man gets a full luncheon, as every portion of food is equal to
a large saucer heaped.
"These establishments require, of course, the most methodi-
cal, orderly and careful management, with capable matrons at
the head of each, and a steward or superintendent to make
intelligent purchases. At the ' Model Coffee-House,' there are
nearly fifty employees, and, excepting three or four men, they
are girls and women. The upper rooms of the building are
for the lodgings, offices, laundry and drawing-room, for the
use of the employees. The girls, who are mostly of country
birth and training, are thus furnished with a good and safe
home, where they have books and music, large and well-fur-
nished chambers, a good table they dine at one family table
in their own dining-room and have their washing and ironing
done in the house. They are required to be neat and tidy in
appearance, respectable and discreet in character and manner."
We have already alluded to the further extension of this
cheap coffee-house system, under the special patronage of the
ladies of Philadelphia, when the Murphy enthusiasm stirred
society to its bottom depths. Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, and
other good Samaritans among her noble-hearted sex, labored
assiduously in this direction, and no one, outside of those who
watched all the tides and currents of influence that were work-
ing under the promptings of God's spirit, can fully appreciate
the immense help :hat Francis Murphy got through this
agency. He, himself, has been free to acknowledge it in
glowing terms, as indeed this man has ever, in the words of
FRANCIS MURPHY. 689
the frankest hi.mility, been prompt to concede the fullest
measure of praise to others.
The Murphy work in Philadelphia, including the meetings
held under his name, and the ground swell of the storm of ex-
citement itself, lasted for nearly two months. Many of his
distinguished co-laborers of Pittsburgh fame worked with him,
and conducted enthusiastic meetings after the great temper-
ance reformer himself had departed for other fields of labor.
The number of signers of the Murphy pledge in Pittsburgh
was estimated at not less than 80,000 ; and as a result of the
Philadelphia work, a two months precious and glorious harvest
there were about 120,000 (so stated). Of course, it is diffi-
cult to get exact figures, in estimating the results of a mighty
wave of enthusiasm, but the foregoing approximate to the
truth. When to the.se are added the large number of drunk-
ards reclaimed in the various local movements, which may be
called the overflow of the great central excitements at Pitts-
burgh and Philadelphia, the aggregate of the fruits of the
Murphy temperance reform in Pennsylvania may be set down
as not far from 400,000.
It is curious how a little incident has sometimes started a
Murphy movement in a town, without any warning or appar-
ently sufficient reason for so powerful a sweep of feeling.
Truly the harvest has always proven itself to be ready for the
reapers. The following cases illustrate this very well, and
show what great results may come from insignificant causes.
Van Ettenville, N. Y., was probably one of the worst towns
in the State, as probably more liquor was drunk there in a day
then in any other town of its size ; according to the verdict of
a resident.
" In political times whisky used to flow in the streets. The
side that could stand the largest number of drinks won the
fight. ' The boys ' Col. Caldwell, Gen. Gregg, and others
used to go up from Elmira and hold meetings that generally
ended in glorious drunks. Why, they laughed at the cru-
saders, and thought it good fun.
690 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
" About six weeks ago one of the best fellows there was go-
ing along the street one morning, and met another. The first
said : " You're looking better lately than I've seen you in a
long time.' ' Well, I am better. Fact is, I haven't been
drinking anything for about two weeks, and I've about made
up my mind that I'll stop.' ' Just what I've been thinking of
myself. Haven't we been making fools of ourselves long
enough ? '
" Out of such a conversation as this the movement in Van
Ettenville was begun. These two, with a few others, sent to
Elmira for speakers for a meeting. The men who arranged
for the meeting, who did all the work, and who packed the
house were, or had been drinking men. The place was carried
completely.
"Another instance, in demonstration of the truth of our
remarks, may, perhaps, satisfy the reader :
" The inauguration of the movement at Somerset, Ohio, was
so peculiar as to warrant notice, and shows how slight an
instrument may set this great machinery of reform in motion.
Two carpenters, Taylor and Eagle, having squandered nearly
all their pay for a certain work in drink, were finishing up in
Stein's saloon. Taylor produced a Murphy pledge, which his
brother, a reformed drinker at Lancaster, had sent him, and
began to talk of the movement. Stein jeered at him, and
offered him ten cents to sign. He regarded it as an immense
joke when Taylor did sign ; and Eagle, having no other pledge,
signed the same card. A few days later, Dr. Rickey, one of
Lancaster's noble workers, saw Taylor here, and gave him the
eight pledges he happened to have with him. In less than an
hour he was back for more. -New pledges were ordered
printed, and in a very short time the enthusiasm called for
public meetings and the Murphy movement was begun.
" And thus we find it through Indiana, New York, Pennsyl-
vania, Maryland, and throughout most of the States. By
insignificant beginnings a flame of enthusiasm has been
kindled."
FRANCIS MURPHY. 691
The Murphy movement is distinguished on the part of its
followers by tt.e wearing of a bit of blue ribbon worn in the
button-hole of the coat. Other reform movements are desig-
nated by different colors, as for instance that of Dr. Reynolds,
by red. In various parts of the West, it is common to notice
on the part of almost everybody on the street, the bit of rib-
bon, which indicates adherence to one or the other of the
different reform currents. Of course there is a slight differ-
ence in the organization of the various leagues. The white-
ribbon is a sort of side degree, so to speak, of the red-ribbon
league, as it is worn only by women and young men under
eighteen. The difference between the red-ribbon pledge and
that which has already been given may be seen in the follow-
ing :
" We the undersigned, for our own good, and the good of
the world in which we live, do hereby promise and engage
with the help of Almighty God, to abstain from, buying,
selling or using alcoholic or malt beverages, wine or cider in-
cluded."
The wearing of the ribbon has this grand advantage ; it
saves the wearer from the danger of an invitation to drink.
Of course this building up of barriers -around the reformed
drunkard is the great object of all organizations in the carry-
ing on of the work, after the first swell of excitement has
passed by. To save the results and utilize the fruits of the
work is even a more important function than that of kindling'
the flame. The Murphy work at the outset did not sufficiently
cover this important branch of the labor of saving the drunk-
ard ; but with time and development the reformer himself,
and the able and experienced men whom he has gathered
around him have fully wrought out a system for perpetuating
the influence. 5, once planted, into a permanence.
892 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
CHAPTER VI.
MUTJPHY'S SPEECH AT COLUMBUS, OHIO. THE WOBK AT ELMIEA,
N. T. INTERESTING SCENES IN THE NEW YORK REVIVAL.
FACTS, INCIDENTS AND FIGURES OF THE RESULTS OF THE
MURPHY MOVEMENT IN THE SOUTHERN TIER OF COUNTIES,
GROWING OUT OF THE ELMIRA WORK. FRANCIS MURPHY'S
SPEECH AT CHATAUQUA.
FRANCIS MURPHY'S labors are in such demand that to utilize
the good to be accomplished in the highest possible degree, he
has been obliged to scatter his personal efforts over different
points, himself starting the conflagration, and trusting the
feeding and extension of the work to the labors of local
speakers under the leadership of his lieutenants. After start-
ing the reform movement at Elmira, N. Y., Mr. Murphy de-
parted, but the glorious tide of enthusiasm swelled and grew
without ceasing till the end, and the whole tier of Southern
counties felt the effects in a series of successive local excite-
ments. This portion of the Murphy work, for such it is en-
titled to be called, no less than if he had been continually pres-
ent, it will be the object of the present chapter to describe.
But before recurring to the Elmira work proper, we shall take
occasion to present to our readers an excellent specimen of
Murphy's oratory in the speech he delivered at Columbus,
Ohio, in June, 1877. It is of characteristic flavor, and will
amply repay perusal. Of course, Mr. Murphy's speeches, like
those of most powerful orators, are made to be heard rather
than read, full of those strokes which get their value from the
personal force of the man. The Columbus speech, however, is
full of good things, and would do credit to a man of more
FRANCIS MURPHY, 693
culture and experience than the great temperance reformer can
lay claim to. The portions we give are as follows :
" Mr, Chairman / My Friends :
"I am glad to be here to-night and listen to the testimony
of these two Christian gentlemen who have been the means,
under God, of bringing joy and peace to so many hearts. I
am glad to be here, and to stand on this platform and have the
honor of being introduced by this young gentleman, who has
been redeemed through the kind ministrations of my brother
David Hall, and who to-night, stands erect in all the dignity
of his new-born life, and can stand up and say, 'I know that
if the earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, I have
a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens.' And though this work should cease, and though
nothing else should have been accomplished through the visit
to your city but the redemption, the complete redemption, of
this young man would be a sufficient remuneration for every
cent that you have paid out, for every night that you have
spent, and for every prayer that you have uttered. May God
bless the movement, and may it continue to go on until the
last wandering son has been redeemed and brought back to his
father's house, and received the best robe and the gold ring and
pair of shoes. Thanks be to God for the triumphs of this
moral reform that has nothing in it of malice, nothing in it of
hatred, nothing in it of egotism, nothing in it of self-right-
eousness ; for we don't stand off and pray and thank God that
we are not like other people ; that we pay our taxes and tithes,
and such things as that ; we prefer to stand by the foot of the
cross and say, ' Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.' That is our
prayer ; and with it we shall go forth, not claiming any self-
righteousness, not claiming that we are holier than others, and
fear to come in contact with our fellow-men when we meet
them, lest our garments become soiled ; but if you are men,
^y the grace of God ; if the golden links of the brotherhood
of man hai e been, so to speak, clinched around our hearts, and
by God's invisible angel carried to the everlasting throne and
694 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
there securely fastened if this has been done, we can go
down into the wilderness, blessed be God ; we can go down
into the wilderness and .to the solitary places, and to the
prisons of this country and proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of a better life to the oppressed of this coun-
try, to the weeping wives and starving children.
" I would like to pay a fitting tribute to the men who have
been engaged in this work. I have no need of saying any-
thing of these men to you ; a eulogy is not called for ; but I
want to say that these two plain men you see on this platform
Brother David and Brother George in the city of Pitts-
burgh, when they came to sign the pledge, astonished the
natives, to use a homely expression ; and if this movement has
been a success in the city of Pittsburgh, I wish to say to you
that these men have contributed as much to that success as
Frank Murphy. I have done very little for this movement in
comparison With what other men have.
" The press of this country has done a great work for this
movement, and I wish now to express my heartfelt thanks for
the kind consideration I have received in your city, knowing
well that I come to you making no profession of scholarship
or oratory, for I was starved in the morning of my life ;
school-houses were scarce where I was born, and it was con-
sidered best not to allow the boys to go over there beyond
where he might receive a religious education, for fear his reli-
gions ideas might be proselyted to some extent, and hence I
had to be caged up.
" And let me say to you I would not advise you not to go to
school, no matter what the religious belief of the teacher is,
because knowledge is power wherever you go, and it is knowl-
edge that makes men strong and noble, and enables them to
stand up so evenly-balanced with such a magnanimous spirit
and heart that all who know them can stand up and say,
'There, that is a man.' And it is a pity for us who have been
deprived of an education and are compelled to stand before
the world feeling the necessity of it. It is a beautiful thing
FRANCIS MUTCPHY. 695
for the American people that when an American comes np to
sign the pledge, but very few of them will stand up and just
make an excuse, with their finger on their forehead and say,
'Will you please sign ray name ?' You will see very few of
them make their scratch. It is something you have reason to
be proud of. The foundations of truth and justice are laid in
intelligence in this country. I believe that is the power that
moves the whole of this country.
" It is the grandest thought that can come to me to-night,
that I am a man with a living, breathing soul within me, and
that the world, grand and glorious as it is to-night, with its
sloping hillsides decorated with God's precious flowers lilies
of the valley, attired in their wonderful splendor as God has
woven them into His carpet ; they, too, speak to us ; yes, and
from babbling springs, and from flowing brooks, and from
great streams that leap to the ocean, and from the grand
mountains that break forth before you into singing, and the
golden harvest-fields that wave before you, bringing God so
near to you that, i*everently, man should take off his hat while
lie speaks to us in everything. Standing before you in the
limitless prairie, and heaven, with its bright constellations
looking down upon us with so sweet,' so pure, so holy a light,
oh, how they touch the divinity that is within ! how the long-
ing soul seeks for that transparent beauty that speaks to us in
these bright gems that are put there by the sacred power of
God Himself, beyond the reach of sin, beyond the reach of
wrong, the living, perpetual and eternal testimony of His own
power ; omnipotent in Himself, speaking to us to-night with
a language too holy for utterance ; and from the sea that He
holds in the palm of His hand, and from the mountains that
have been Aveighed in the balance ; the seasons that come
and go, touching everything about us, telling of their
approach and their departure. When these things shall have
passed away, the immortal soul, the divine power that is
within us, by a power known only to itself, on the invisible
wings of its own faith and own might, can soar beyond all
696 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
this and pass in the twinkling of an eye to the very constella-
tions, and stand and gaze upon their beauty ; sweep beyond
them through the milky way and stand at the pearly gates of
God's eternal city and into the golden streets, and can stand
on tHe banks of the river of life and can behold the water of
life as it courses from the throne of God, can stand under the
shadow of the tree of life, and by a faith beyond the power
of darkness or distance to dim, can see the golden streets and
purple fruit that is made for the healing of the nations. Oh,
to be a sober man ! What a grand thought ! To be a sober
man, redeemed, saved, and every chain broken ; a man restored
to his sober, virtuous, Christian manhood. I thank God that
I am a man ; I thank God that he made me so ; I am no ma-
terial thing, .but a living, breathing soul; and the world, to-
night, with all its beauty and grandeur, when it is swept out
of existence, this soul shall live on forever, during the cease-
less ages of eternity ; blessed be God for this thought.
" Yes, it pays to be sober it pays to be sober. This
new life that comes to me to-night, I have no language to
describe it to you. It is universally admitted among sensible
and candid people, everywhere, that drunkenness is the great
curse of our social national life. It is not characteristic of
Americans, for the same may be said with greater emphasis of
the social life of Great Britain ; but it is one of the things
about which there can be no doubt, that cholera and typhoid
fever, and all the rest of diseases that come to us, bring less
of fatality and infinitely less of sorrow. There are wives,
mothers and children to-night, within every circle that em-
braces the young lives, who are weeping over some victim of
the seductive destroyer. East, West, North and South there
are men and women who can not be trusted with liquor in
their hands ; men and women who have ceased to tight the
appetite that has power within itself to destroy everything
that makes life desirable ; men and women who, when they
see tiie labels of intoxication painted on the windows, as they
pass by, feel the jlood coursing faster in their veins ; BO to
FKANCIS MUEPHY. 697
speak, they can almost taste it in their mouths, because of this
terrible appetite that they have cultivated and brought to
such wonderful perfection. In passing along the street where
liquor is they will inhale the fragrance, and are almost com-
pelled to stop and wait around. There is a fascination about
it ; they feel the want and necessity of it ; want of just this
stimulant to lift them up ; they are dreary and weary and dis-
consolate, and just a little sick. Oh, how precious it would
be to the longing appetite ! And, I think, to-night, in this
great work of reform how much we need Christian charity
and Christian sympathy to be able to measure the strength of
appetite. Men are not brought there immediately, but after
years of respectability and years of pleasant life, and of pass-
ing back and forth through respectable society, and being
toasted as the acknowledged guests and brightest stars in your
city, have cultivated this appetite until it became a mad pas-
sion, and they lose control of themselves, and then are, so to
speak, kicked out on the street, and it is said, 'You are a
miserable drunkard, and good for nothing.' And the case of
these men has been looked upon as entirely hopeless, and no
person cares for them. I think that this movement is a special
dispensation from God Himself, to redeem the poor unfortu-
nate drunkard ; and while the great temperance movements
heretofore sought to keep men from becoming drunkards,
while the poor men who have been wounded in the battle,
whose arms have been broken and their reason dethroned, and
they become maniacs on the street, are left with no person to
take them to an inn and pay their bills, this movement seems
to be a necessity of the present state of temperance, and must,
and by the grace of God it will, quicken the Church and the
hearts of humanity. I believe it will compel us to go out into
the world and save these poor wanderers.
" In spite of what we see of men, socially, and the ter-
rible appetite, the terrible temptation, and the power it
has over some men, notwithstanding the fact that all this is
known, yet there are gentlemen in society who give parties,
80
698 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
and ladies' who issue their cards, and send them out to William
and James and John, saying that ' Susan desires the pleasure of
their company at her house on a certain evening.' All this is
very nice, and Susan is a splendid girl, and James and Wil-
liam don their best suits and get their girls, and how they will
go down there ! Yes, sir, the arrangements have all been
made. It is among the bon ton, the best people of the place.
It is just the place for a fine time, and William is just the man
to give it. His heart is as great as he is wealthy ; what a
queenly wife he has, too, and how she adorns things about the
place ! Yes, indeed.
" The young men look forward with anticipation, and the
ladies have their suits made ; the young men have theirs pre-
pared for the occasion ; the coachmen are dressed in their
livery, don their high collars and silk hats and the horses are
all aglow, if you please, for the occasion ; they seem to catch
the spirit of it. The drivers are more erect and graceful, and
their whips have a silvery tongue to them that the horses seem
to understand. Why, the whole air is pregnant with the
spirit of the occasion ; the carriages start off, and soon the
house can be seen on the hillside. You can see the beautiful
pine trees, and the beautiful blossoming trees, and the weeping
willow gracefully bending almost to the earth to kiss it.
Through the trees can be seen the strange intoxicating light
of the Chinese lanterns, that tell you the whole palace is alive
with joy. Soon the carriages roll up, one after another. The
bell rings and there is a committee of gentlemen and ladies in
waiting to receive you, with a 'How are you? Welcome,
welcome ; here, in this way ; this way, if you please ; ' and
their hats and coats are taken, and everything is arranged in
the most classical style. Why, we become as young as we
used to be, as we step into the spacious reception rooms filled
with the fragrance and beautiful bouquets, and see the young
and beautiful guests. It seems to be a new paradise that has
openel up before Charles and William and James. There are
folding doors that extend across, between the rooms, and
FRANCIS MURPHY. 699
Susan has opened them. By-and-by the most exquisite lady in
the room has been called to touch the musical box ; as she
nicely adjusts the stool to its proper height, and, being seated,
she manipulates the keys, pouring forth the sweetest strains of
music, the boys step out and get their partners and walk
around a little, at first very gracefully, you know, as they hear
the music. By-and-by they get a little intoxicated with the
music and the boys get to waltzing around a little. It is a
splendid entertainment, yes, indeed. Soon beautiful ladies
come with silver trays and cut glass filled with sparkling wine,
with grace and glory, and with hands so plump and beautiful
that they outrival the gems that flash upon them, and almost
dazzle your eyes. I tell you it is no inferior class of society,
but the queenly women who have been cultured to perfection
and understand what the etiquette is that goes to make
up a place of this kind. These ladies approach and say,
'Please take a glass of wine, if you please, James, with me.'
James says, ' Well, I don't wish to.' ' Why, James, take a
glass with me, if you please ; take a glass now with Susan ; just
take a glass to-night.' It requires a great deal of courage for
a young man to straighten back in his chair and say : 'No,
miss, I don't indulge in the use of wine on any occasion.' It
requires a great deal of courage to say that, although it may
seem a small thing to do. But a man who can do that, and
do it nobly, has won a greater victory than Grant ever won,
even when he received the sword of Lee on the battle-ground
of Appomattox. You say it is a small thing. It may seem a
small thing to many of you, but there is, so to speak, a dignity
of manhood and a courtesy that belongs to the young lady,
and the courtesies that are to be extended to her from a young
gentleman who claims to be gallant, and who holds his head
erect, and who is expected to be looked upon with some degree
of inferiority if he does not accept a little wine on such an oc-
casion as this. They will say to him : 'Why, I am perfectly
astonished at you.' Oh, yes ; but let me say to- you, young
man, be true to yourself ; yield obedience to the dictates of an
700 TH LIFE A1STD WORK OF
honest heart. Remember the baptism of your mother ; remem-
ber the counsels of your father ; remember the sacred duties
that are devolving upon you ; remember the sacred trusts that
rest upon you. You are, perhaps, placed in some position ; per-
haps the most honorable in the city ; perhaps you are at the
counting room of a banker, or counter of some merchant prince,
and have control of his business and the direction of it ; and it
will be one of the grandest events in your life to have the fact
come to that man that William refused to take wine at that
party. It will increase his confidence in you a hundred per
cent., and though he may never mention it to you, you will see
a change in the conduct of that man towards you, and at
no distant day will he reward you in a way that will do you
good and give you a stimulus that will aid you all your life.
" I am one of those that believe that if the wine cellars
were cleared out we wouldn't have much trouble with saloons.
I believe that wine cellars have a great deal to do in making
saloon drinking. I believe if the wealthy men and women in
this country would come down to assist those whom they con-
sider the worthless and unfortunate, who are the victims of
intemperance, the work would be done in less than three
months. There are women in this city who have not yet
signed the pledge, and there are men in this city who have not
signed the pledge who should have done so ; and if they would
do so, I tell you it would shake the city to its very foundations,
and a greater and grander victory would come to you than we
have ever had yet, if we would only do what we might in this
blessed work.
" There are some men who will say they can drink or let it
alone when they have a mind to. I grant you that some men
can do so, but we know that liquor has a wonderful fascination
for some men ; we know that it has a wonderful power over
them ; young men occasionally drinking together become
married to each other, and there is a friendship existing among
them that does not exist among other persons. If Tom had
FRANCIS MURPHY. 701
been in the habit of getting off a little, here is Bill that will
step around and -hunt him up, and when he finds him ten
chances to one if he finds him he will prevail on his taking
something. He will say, ' Come Tom, let us take something.'
Tom says, ' I ain't a going to do it.' ' Don't bother ; come
along, Tom ; come up and take something ; just take one
drink,' and thus would their kind persuasion overcome their
comrades. I think if Christian men were just as much in
earnest as drinking men are we would have a wonderful re-
vival. But, for instance, if you go into a church, and no per-
son speaks to you, you will not attend much ; when you go in,
there is a man dressed in black who points you to a seat, but
never says ' I am glad to see you,' or makes any inquiry where
you are from. When you go out the people crowd the aisles
and do not speak to you ; do you suppose that drinking men
are going back to hear you preach ? Not much ; they don't
want any such entertainment. It would be better for you to
pass by the men yon are in the habit of speaking to every day,
and speak to the strangers. If you meet a young man, ask
him where he boards, and what his circumstances are ; if he
has come to your city, who his employer is, and where he is
boarding. Perhaps you will find he is in an attic chamber, and
in needy circumstances ; he is some mother's son ; invite him
down to take dinner with you ; be a father to him ; perhaps
some one may be a father to your boy. Don't be so self-
righteous that you will allow people to go out of the church
without making their acquaintance. Be sociable and friendly,
and they will come back to you, but not till then. Think of
these men that chase each other around the street, trying co
find each other. I remember the time when I was in the habit
of taking a little something for my stomach's sake ; I was one
of the boys who stuck at it ; when I got hold of a customer I
didn't let him go away without taking something to drink, and
having some fun. 'Just take one drink,' and that one drink,
in all probability, leads to a spree."
Mr. Murphy here illustrated the strong attachment shown by
702 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
companions in drink for one another by relating the story that
is told of two Irishmen, upon their recent -arrival here from
their mother country, describing the tenacity with which the
musquitoes hung to them in a swamp. The speaker rendered
the story with great effect by telling it in the genuine brogue
of his countrymen, and as he concluded his picture of the
scene, with the remark of one of those traveling companions,
who, upon peeping from under his blanket, beheld a fire-fly,
thinking it one of their tormentors still in search of them,
' Fergus, we might as well be afther getting out now, for here
is one of the crathurs, with his lantern, looking for us,' the
laughter and applause were tremendous.
" So," continued the speaker, " I have been in about the
same position of my countrymen ; I have had to run away
from my friends with whom I have been associated ; I have
had to run away to escape intoxication ; there is no getting
away from them ; they will hold on to you asking you to take
something, 'just one dz-ink,' but that 'just one drink' would
perhaps end in a spree of three days, and the wind-up be a
sorrowful one, I assure you.
" Let me say to you to-night, young man, you who are free
from this terrible evil ; let me say to you, husband, to-night,
if you are expecting to drink or let it alone whenever you
have a mind to, remember there is a wonderful hidden power
in this dreadful habit ; remember that it is a silken thread
you can hardly see, but that it will wind itself around
and around you until it will have you enchained beneath its
power, and when you undertake to break away, will cost you
all the strength you have got, and, perhaps, like many of us,
you will not be able of yourself to break the chain that has
held you bound down to a habit that will rob you of all your
property ;' rob you of your reason ; destroy your sense of
honor, and steal from you your good name. ' He that steals
my purse steals trash, but he, sir, who steals from me my
good name, takes that which doth not enrich him, but makes
me poor in leed.'
FRANCIS MURPHY. 703
" Thou fiend of rum, Oh, thou invisible spirit ! if we had
no name to know thee by, why not call thee devil !
" From this platform, in this hall of yours, where the eloquent
tongues of your statesmen have inspired you with confidence
in the right, with confidence in justice, with confidence in truth,
that our forefathers placed upon the altar of our country, though
it was dimmed by the infernal shadow of bloody slavery ;
though, so to speak, its like had almost gone out beneath the
iron hand of oppression, from this platform have come the voices,
have come the manhood, have come the virtues that have
touched your manly hearts, and have made each man and each
woman stand erect again stand erect clothed with a power be-
yond the reach of slavery, clothed you with a strength equal to
Hercules, making you almost omnipotent, and you have
marched from this capital with a heart filled with the love of
truth, with a patriotism that encompassed our beloved country,
done your duty and have won a victory for all time for the
cause of justice, and for republicanism. But to-night there
is a grander cause pleading for you, and a grander silence
that speaks to you. I hear to-night the wail of the oppressed
mothers of this country ; I hear five hundred thousand vic-
tims that are chained to-night in the living tombs of this
country, who have been poisoned by the malaria of the upas
tree of death. This upas tree has got its roots in the sacred
soil of this country. Is it possible that God's sunlight has
ever touched it ? that God's rain has ever watered it ? Never,
never, never. It has been watered by the blood of mothers'
hearts. Yes, on its branches to-night hang the death-war-
rants of more than twenty millions of the bravest men and
the queenliest women that God ever gave to the world. Let
us cut it down, Jimmy ; let us cut it down, David ; let us cut
it down, men. With pledges in your hands, come to the res-
cue. Let us strike a blow into its infernal trunk. Let us hate
it, men, let us hate it. See it stagger. Clear the way, and
give it a place to fall. Let us trim its branches ; let us log its
dead, infernal trunk ; let us set fire to it. Let us have a bon-
704 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
fire in Columbus, and burn it to ashes, and bury the ashes so
deep down in the bowels of the earth, that by the blessing of
God, by the blessing of heaven, it shall never, never, NEVER,
NEVER have a resurrection. May God bless you."
The Murphy movement in Elmira, N. Y., was put into
motion by the Rev. \V. E. Knox, a gentleman whose name has
become a "household word" in every house in that city.
Reading the glowing and almost incredible accounts in the
different journals of the great and wonderful temperance
wave that had struck the city of Pittsburgh, and swept over it,
carrying all things before and with it, he felt what a blessed
thing it would be if such a "tidal wave" as that could sweep
over Elmira in the same fashion, and with the same glorious
results. This feeling entered him, and took such firm posses-
sion of his being that he could not pass a single day without
being haunted by it. Finally it became a determination. He
resolved that Elmira should have a shock a grand sweep of the
temperance reform, which indeed it most sorely needed. The
Elmirans had become apparently indifferent to drunkenness
and drunkards in their midst ; and went their way, seemingly
caring very little whether the awful evil was killed forever, or
whether the drunkard was brought to the correct estimation of
h,is degraded condition, and helped to a blessed reformation.
The place was full of drinking saloons, and a man reeling
through the streets had become a familiar object, exciting very
little if any surprise or sorrow. The youth of the city resorted
to the numerous " corners," and there acquired a desire for
intoxicating liquors. What was to be done to put a stop to
all this evil ? The reverend gentleman went to the different
pastors of the churches and broached the subject to them, pic-
turing the state of Elmira affairs, as they really were, and
besought them to co-opei - ate with him in bi'inging the matter
home to the people.
He was received with much interest and attention, and his
plan fully discussed. They were perfectly willing and ready
to join him in his work ; they fully agreed with him as to the
FRANCIS MUEPHY. 705
crying necessity for reform in this direction in their town ; but
they could not see how the means were to be obtained to con-
duct a temperance movement. Each pastor had his own work
to carry out, and each seemed doubtful and uncertain as to the
ultimate result of a temperance revival. Nothing daunted, the
Rev. Mr. Knox went to the leading gentlemen of the place, and
laid the matter before them for their consideration, pointing out
plainly and emphatically how much this thing was needed, and
how much good would certainly be the result. These gentlemen
regarded the matter in a very favorable light, and were posi-
tive that if such a movement were started in Elmira the public
would receive it cordially, respond to it, and its success would
be sure and signal. They were not willing to embark in it ;
but after more talk they agreed to give it all the assistance
they possibly could, if the people received the idea favorably,
and the movement met with favor.
Mr. Knox then went cheerily to work, and opened a corres-
pondence with the temperance advocates in Pittsburgh,
inquiring their mode of conducting movements; if they had
any special theories what kind of men they would send to
conduct Murphy meetings in Elmira, and what the expenses
would be. The answers were all satisfactory, and the arrange-
ments made. Mr. Eccles Robinson, in company with another
gentleman, were to be sent from Pittsburgh to conduct the
movement. The former gentleman was a very recent convert
of Murphy's, and was commended in so high a manner that
Mr. Knox and the other parties who had interested themselves
in the cause were glad he was the one appointed for the
Elmira work.
All the arrangements were made for the reception of the
reformers, every one in the city and vicinity was duly notified
through the medium of frequent and extensive 'newspaper
notices and pulpit announcements ; and considerable interest
and enthusiasm were fait and manifested. At last informa-
tion was received from Pittsburgh that Mr. Robinson and his
companion would arrive in Elmira in due season to open the
30*
706 THE LIFE AND WOEK OP
meetings early in the spring time. They were informed that
the strangers would be in Elmira on March 22. Forth-
with preparations were made to give them a reception,
and to have a gathering of the different members of the laity,
the prominent persons of the place, and in fact all those inter-
ested in the glorious cause, in the First Presbyterian Church.
The night came, and with it an immense concourse of people
to the church, crowding every nook of that commodious edi-
fice, filling the aisles and corners until it was a perfect " jam."
Such a crowd was cheering, and it was plainly evident that
the Elmirans were anxious, nay eager, to welcome the Pitts-
burgh reformers. In the ante-room was displayed a scene
worthy to be made the subject of a cartoon by the genius of
Thomas Nast. The reverend gentlemen were gathered to-
gether and gesticulating in quite an excited manner, their
faces drawn down to serious length and expressive of the ut-
most consternation, perplexity and dismay. The time ap-
pointed for the commencement of the meeting had arrived,
but no Eccles Robinson nor companion, nobody from Pitts-
burgh. No information had been received of their arrival in
the city ; it had been expressly given out that they would
assuredly be present, and the people had come to welcome
them. What was to be done ? Mr. Knox in the great emer-
gency hit upon the only right way out of the dilemma. He
called his colleagues to him and said : " We must go out to the
audience now ; we cannot stay here a moment longer. We'll
go out and commence the meeting and render it as interesting
as we possibly can, making no mention whatever of Eccles
Robinson and his co-laborer." They then filed out of the
ante-room, and ascended the platform. Mr. Knox opened in
a very happy address, thanking the people for coming so
largely forward to the call made to them, and asking for
gospel songs of the most spirited and pleasing order. The
people entered into the work with great interest and enthu-
siasm ; the several ministers called upon spoke in their most
felicitous style indeed they never spoke better than they did
FIANCIS MURPHY. 707
that night and time slipped by without any special attention
being taken of the non-introduction of the reformers. The
audience evidently were under the supposition that the latter
were seated with them, and that not being ordained ministers
of the gospel they did not occupy seats on the platform.
Finally, when the disappointment could not possibly be kept
back any longer, the Rev. Mr. Knox rose, and made some
telling remarks relative to temperance, and closed by saying :
" But there is one thing that I do not like about it, and it is
something very disappointing Eccles Robinson and his fel-
low-worker are not here. We were told they would be here
surely ; but they have not arrived. However, you must all
come again, and the next time we meet the Pittsburgh reform-
ers will have the floor all to themselves, and the work will
commence. In the meantime, we will have Brother Clarke's
speech. He has one prepared especially for this occasion,
and he is glum enough now because he has not been called
upon. I think we will now have the address of our Brother
Clarke." Thus the immense audience was put into a fine
humor ; and, on the whole, the meeting was one of the most
interesting and enthusiastic Elmira had ever known.
After the crowd had dispersed the Rev. Mr. Knox proposed
to his friends that they should go to the station, and see the
ten o'clock train come in. Perhaps Eccles Robinson and his
companion would arrive on that. As they watched the per-
sons alight from the train they signalled out a young man,
and went up to him.
" Are you Mr. Eccles Robinson ? " asked the Rev. Knox.
" Yes ; I am Eccles Robinson. I have just got here. I ex-
pected to be here by eight o'clock, and it is now past ten. I
am all alone. My friends sent me by myself. I do not know
why they sent me here, I am no orator ; I do not know how
to conduct meetings. I feel I ought to take the next train
back home."
He spoke t ery despondently, seemed embarrassed, doubtful
of himself and what he was to do in Elmira, and hesitated
708 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
about staying. The reverend gentlemen reasoned with him,
and cheered him as best they could. They finally succeeded
in pursuading him to remain, and make at least one effort to
carry out a Murphy movement. They despatched a boy with
him to show him the way to his boarding-place.
" I wonder what the Pittsburgh people mean by sending us
such a man," said the Rev. Clarke, as he and his friend were
walking homeward. " For such a work too. Why, he will
never be able to do any good, or stir the people in the cause."
" I am sure there is something in him," rejoined Mr. Knox.
"The Pittsburgh people would not lie, and they would not
have written so favorably of him if he were no good. Just
take this letter from them home with you, and read what they
say of him. We will give Eccles Robinson a chance anyway.
I pray he will make great success."
On Monday evening, March 27, the First Presbyterian
Church was crowded once more. It had been announced that
the Murphy converts would appear, and then and there open
the Murphy temperance meetings. There was not a vacant
seat in the building, nor was there a nook empty where a
chair might be placed to advantage. All the clergymen of
the town were present on the platform, and the prominent
people were there in close proximity with those that walked
in the lower ways of life. The excitement was general, when,
after a most earnest prayer, and a beautiful gospel song, Mr.
Knox introduced Eccles Robinson to the audience : the man
who had come to help them, to save them from the cursed in-
fluence of King Alcohol. Heads were intently, eagerly in-
clined to forward, and moi'e than a thousand eyes were fixed
on one object, while many hands clapped a rousing, cheery
greeting. They beheld a young man, not over thirty years of
age, of a very modest and unpretending appearance ; of a
slight, delicate frame, and on the whole of rather & boyish
carriage.
He bowed his acknowledgments to the hearty and pro-
longed applause in the stiffest, most awkward fashion imagin-
FRANCIS MURPHY. 709
able, and appeared to be exceedingly embarrassed and ill at
ease.
The church suddenly became as quite as a tomb. Every one
in- it was on the qui vive, and waited, while they curiously
scanned his person, to hear him speak. Every one wondered
how he would commence, and what he would say.
Blushing, hanging his head down on his chest, rivetting his
eyes on the platform, putting his hands in the pockets of his
trousers, and protruding his arms out in a very awkward way,
he opened his mouth, and spoke. Never was so large and so
select an audience called forth to hear the efforts of so em-
barrassed or shame-faced looking an individual before. The
people did not know how to take it, they were so very much
surprised.
He spoke so timidly and so softly scarcely fifty persons
could distinctly hear what he said. The place became quieter
and quieter, so anxious was every one to catch his words.
" I am no orator," he said, without lifting his eyes. " I do
not even know how to make a speech of any kind. I do not
kno\v why they sent me here. There were other men that could
have done far better than I. I never spoke in public before."
He paused, and then he raised his head, and looked the
crowd full in the face, while his face fairly beamed with a look
that amazed every one before him. " But," he cried in a ring
ing voice, so clear and distinct that the audience seemed spell-
bound under it ; "I can ask you to do something. I can ask
you to come up here and take the pledge. I can tell you that
it is the only way to be saved from drunkenness, the only way
to restore you to your lost manhood. I can ask every one of
you, men and women and children, old and young every one
of you to come here and sign the blessed pledge. There are
some of you here who are addicted to drink, some who drink
secretly thinking no one knows it, and some who never touch
intoxicants. All of you come, and take the pledge. First,
let all of the ministers come and do so, for example's sake.
We want them first. Will you come ?" And he continued in
710 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
this strain until the audience lost control of itself, and rushed
forward to the pledge tables. His talk went through the peo-
ple like an electric shock. He seemed to be moved by some
higher power. He lost his embarrassment and his awkwardness.
He greeted each person that took the pledge in the most
genial way ; and surprised all by his affectionate and affable
manner. The nervous, frightened man who had stood before
them but a while since was lost sight of altogether ; and Eccles
Robinson, genial, strong and lovable, one of the stanchest
of temperance advocates, took possession of the hearts of the
Elmirans completely and unreservedly. From that memorable
night he was, to the day he left, the favorite of Elmira. No
stranger had ever made so favorable an impression, or suc-
ceeded in enlisting every one in his favor as he. And he did
this unconsciously. His work was from the veiy outset sur-
prisingly successful.
The people took the matter up with more zeal and enthu-
siasm than even those deeply interested in the noble cause
dreamed of or expected from them. It swept over the place
like an immense wave, carrying all things before and with
it. It was the theme of conversation in every part of
the town, no matter where one went. No one had anything
to discuss but the subject of total abstinence ; and that was
discussed at all times and in all places. The churches entered
largely into the excitement, and did nobly. Meetings were
held three and four times a day. In a short space of time it
was found absolutely necessary that a local committee should
be organized to conduct the work. It was utterly impossible
to go on with it unless there was some such organization ; so
the temperance advocates met, and formed a local committee,
of which the Rev. W. E. Knox was unanimously elected presi-
dent.
Here was the right man in the right place. Their choice of
a president could not have been more wise ; and most nobly
and successfully did he occupy and fulfill his very important
position.
FEANCIS MUEPHY. 711
The temperance wave swept over the whole town, and ex-
tended to the neighboring places. The churches were soon
found perfectly incapable of containing the great crowds that
rushed to hear the telling words that fell like so many spark-
ling drops of healing water from the lips of Eccles Robinson.
Some building large enough to accommodate all who came to
hear him must be engaged ; so the Opera House, the largest
auditorium in Elmira, was called into use, and answered the
purpose admirably. The crowds that filled this edifice were
vast. Hours before the meetings commenced the street was
thronged, blockaded, in fact, by excited people, who willingly
stood their ground until the doors were flung open to them.
It was hardly safe to be in the rush when the doors were
opened ; and if you escaped with only a sore feeling and
rather dishevelled appearance, it was a piece of good fortune.
In 'this building scenes were enacted that might fill a large
duodecimo volume with highly interesting matter of every
phase, from the pathetic to the humorous, and from the grave
to the inspired. The people were carried entirely away with
the movement as they had been in other places, and responded
to the call to free themselves from the evil of intoxicating
drink in a manner that was more than surprising, arousing the
most callous and indifferent into positive enthusiasm, and com-
pelling them to do likewise. Little children would hurry to
the pledge tables and sign the pledge ; women and men pressed
forward eagerly to annex their signatures. Men tottering near
the grave, with hair and beard white as the driven snow with
Time's touch, would rise, and confess to listening multitudes
that they had had an intimate association with King Alcohol
for upwards of thirty or forty years ; and rejoiced greatly now
at being able to say they saw the right and only way to hap-
piness and prosperity, and were able to testify to the manifold
pains and ti'ials a strong appetite for liquor had brought home
to them. Men flushed with youth and glowing manhood
would take the pledge and promise to keep it, their eyes, unac-
customed to tears, wet and downcast, and go to their happy
712 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
mothers or wives with fast throbbing heart ar.d joyful
mien.
Such scenes were never witnessed in the city of Elmira
before ; and it is little wonder that the whole place was so
affected, roused to the wildest enthusiasm and excitement. In
one week there were 1,886 signers of the Murphy pledge.
Thus, it will be readily comprehended what a great movement
it was, and how heartily the people embraced it. Undoubtedly
the presence of God was with, it from first to last.
One evening the list of signers was unrolled before an im-
mense audience in the Opera House. It was sixty feet long,
and reached more than half way across the stage ; and some
portion of the paper was written on both sides. What a
burst of applause was sent up at the sight.
The interest and enthusiasm in the temperance wave was not
wholly confined to Elmira ; but extended to all the neighbor-
ing towns, creating the same results as in other places. In the
town of Corning the enthusiasm was intense. Four hundred
and twenty persons signed the pledge one evening at this
place ; and in a few weeks there were seven hundred on the
list. At Jamestown the total number was 5,066 ; and two
weeks only in the town of Havana secured 390 signers. Hor-
nellsville in two evenings had 1,000 names appended to the
pledge. The population of Tioga County is 40,000 ; there
were 30,000 persons who took the pledge. In Elmira there
were over 7,000 signers. These statistics show what a re
markable work it was. Never had such an universal excitement
been known in that region of New York State ; and it has not
ceased yet to be a wonder to all who calmly consider the mat-
ter in all its phases. It was as if God had sent the movement
there, and caused all to recognize it in its true character. It
was esteemed an honor to be a pledge-taker, and a privilege to
attend the meetings. The different clergymen did great work,
and pushed the movement on extensively. The local reformed
men were able co-laborers.
The two prominent local figures in the crowd that gathered
FRANCIS MURPHY. 713
round Eccles Robinson, and assisted him in his grand and
good work, were W. H. Maxwell, better known as " Billy,"
and Colonel Luther Caldwell, the former proprietor of the
Rathbun House. The former gentleman is connected with the
Elmira Advertiser. He springs from one of the oldest and
most aristocratic families of southern New York, a family
noted at home and abroad for their ability, wealth and high
social position. His father had been an honorable representa-
tive at Washington, and was a man esteemed for the noble
qualities of both his mind and person. " Billy's" home was
one of the most beautiful and comfortable in the whole sec-
tion. He received all the educational advantages wealth could
procure ; and every wish he expressed was gratified. Early in
life, when he was but a child, he contracted a strong taste for
intoxicating liquors, which eventually proved his ruin. Not-
withstanding the position his family occupied and the honor-
able name he bore, he commenced a life of recklessness, and
led it for certainly twenty-five years or more. There was not
a person in Elmira or vicinity as low or as degraded as he
was. From his high position he sank to such a low depth that
society could not notice him in any way. It was almost an
hourly occurrence to see him reeling through the streets under
the influence of liquor. His devoted wife's prayers and tears
seemed to be of no avail ; but she never gave way to despair.
She would follow him from place to place, and scarcely ever
let him out of her sight. Finally, after many years of patient
waiting, she received her reward he came to realize the awful
results of the course he was pursuing, and promised her to try
and abstain. That was about a year and a half before Eccles
Robinson came to Elmira and started the Murphy movement
When, however, the movement was started, he entered into
it with all his heart and soul, and gave up everything so that
he might work zealously in the cause, and fui'ther its success.
No one was so prominent, after Eccles Robinson, in the
Elmira movement as he ; and no one was more successful. His
speeches were forcible, attractive, and telling ; and the an-
714 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
nouncement of his name was sufficient inducement to attract
an immense crowd to hear him. The good he has done in El-
rmp& and the neighboring towns cannot be possibly estimated;
but the name of " Billy " Maxwell will live forever in the
minds of hundreds who were led by him into the only true path.
" I was drunk thirty years," says Maxwell, in one of his
temperance lectures. " I have had the delirium tremens six
times, and been in a county jail in every State in the Union
but six, for drunkenness." It was through his efforts that not
a drunken man was seen in Hornellsville, at the time of the
Erie strike.
Col. Luther Caldwell became deeply interested in the tem-
perance movement in Elmira, and worked steadily in it side by
side with Eccles Robinson and W. E. Maxwell. He gave up
the Rathbun House, so that his time could be only devoted to
the cause of temperance ; and he is now going from place to
place to address people on the subject. On one occasion he
read the following letter from his daughter, to one of the
largest audiences that ever filled the Opera House, and re-
ceived a perfect storm of applause :
WASHINGTON CITY, April 3, 1877.
My dear, dear Father :
Oh ! I am so glad to hear of your signing the pledge. It
was a blessed good thing to do, and a good day to do it on.
Pa, there is one thing else that I want you to do, that is to
join the church. You can do so. You do believe Jesus died
for you. You know he did, and all that you or any one else
can do is just to believe that, and strive with all their might
and God's help to do right, and not to do anything wrong. I
just hope that the next time I hear from you that shall be the
good news I shall hear. I have been praying for it for almost
a year now, and I know I shall get an answer some time to
that prayer. God will bless you for what you did on Sunday.
I am so glad. I hope and believe Cush and the boys will fol-
low your good example. With lots of love,
Tour daughter, LINA GUSHING.
FRANCIS MURPHY. 715
The colonel said in one of his temperance addresses
that he was willing to tell what had prompted him to
come out for total abstinence. He had made up his mind
that it was about time for him to stop drinking. He had felt
that it was in the very air, for some time, a kind of strange
influence. He had not been one to stand back when invited
up to the bar on the contrary, he had been rather inclined to
" keep up his end of the log." He had with others practiced
drinking, the while feeling sorry to see the intemperance. He
presumed the rest of his friends were thinking about the same
way. He spoke of the continued resolutions he had made to
stop drinking, but he could not keep a promise made to him-
self, wife and friends. The days on which he struggled hard-
est to refrain, he drank the most. But when he went up,
marching down before a whole audience in Elmira, to sign the
pledge, he knew he could keep it. That was the open avowal.
Moderate drinkers become immoderate, and the immoderate
become drunkards. There was no argument about it ; it was
simply a matter of will. He knew he was on the road to
drunkenness, and so he signed his name to the Murphy pledge.
" With Malice towards none, and Charity for all," and
"clothed in his right mind," he went into the movement
and took up the banner of temperance, and began to walk in
the way made so straight, clear and shining by the noble host
of men who had gone before.
Colonel Caldwell has turned his hand to song writing.
The following fairly illustrates his literary style, and also
the conspicuousness of the blue-ribbon insignia in the move-
ment :
" God helping me," the drinker said,
And trembling signed the Murphy pledge.
Poor Peter cried, "Oh! Jesus, save,
Or else I sink beneath the wave ! "
Oh! blessed pledge, oh, holy word I
It has in sorrow oft been heard.
716 THE LIFE AND WOKK OP
The Saviour lifts poor Peter up
And saves the drinker from his cup.
"God helping me," by faith I cry,
And the dear Saviour cometh nigh ;
So the blue-ribbon which we wear
Shall be a signal and a prayer.
The loving hand, dear Jesus, give,
And bid the fallen brother live.
Oh ! gracious Lord, come near each day,
To lead us in the better way ;
And the blue-ribbon e'er shall be
A signal that "God is helping me."
Another earnest worker in the cause was Mr. P.ittison.
Reformed through the influence of Eccles Robinson he entered
the lists and did untold good. His name has become known
to all. The employees of the Erie railroad signed the pledge,
as well as those of the post-office, in the earlier days of the
movement, and were greeted with deafening applause and
cheers.
The " 76 " Social Club, composed of the leading young men
of the place, followed the good examples, and signed the
pledge in a body. Thirty members of the Hook and Ladder,
and one hundred and twelve Odd Fellows were not to be
beaten, and did likewise.
The following telling speech was made by an Elmiran in
the Opera House :
"Two weeks ago I was drinking myself drunk in a saloon
in Elmira. I called for still another glass and the saloon
keeper said, ' Young man, you have had enough, you had better
go and sign the Murphy pledge.' I took him at his word, and
walked out with his warning ringing in his ears. I signed the
pledge, and such joy as I have known for two weeks ! But I
feel that I need something that is still higher and better.
Pray for me that I may become a true Christian."
One of the most interesting features of the movement was
FRANCIS MURPHY, 717
the Sunday service Messrs. Kenfield and Farwell conducted, a
temperance meeting in the jail for the benefit of the prisoners.
Out of the twenty-five confined men seventeen signed the
pledge. There was no blue ribbon to give the poor fellows ;
so the ladies who were present kindly cut enough of the color
from what they wore. In this way there was found
sufficient of that " true " color to adorn the ugly prison
apparel.
Before many weeks had passed it was found to be an im-
perative matter that a permanent place should be rented where
temperance could have a home. All the leading gentlemen
and ladies entered into the spirit of the thing ; and the result
of the several meetings was that the hall, corner of Lake and
Carroll streets, was secured for the much desired purpose.
The ladies decorated the hall neatly and tastefully with appro-
priate mottoes. On one side of the room the eye was di-awn to
" Malice towards none and Charity for all," worked in ever-
greens ; and on another side "Blessed are the Poor in Spirit."
Above the platform was hung a most faithful and excellent
portrait, handsomely framed, of Eccles Robinson, the father
of the Elmira movement. An elegant water-cooler of britan-
riia ware, and a silver vase of unique design standing on a
walnut bracket under the portrait, added to the place a cerlain
nameless grace and charm very suggestive of woman's beauti-
fying presence. Here was the home and the headquarters of
temperance, and the scene of the labors of its earnest and
valiant advocates. Meetings were here held four and some-
times six times a day, meetings ripe in promise and fruition,
and which will always form an important part of the Elmira
annals.
The interest and enthusiasm became of so intense a char-
acter, as the movement progressed, that demands had to be
made on the " Smoky City " for more reformers. The call
was heartily responded to, and men were sent who did a vast
deal of good. There was, however, a longing desire to see
and hear the great man who had originated this wave. There
718 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
was an universal cry for Francis Murphy. In almost every
speech made to the people, his name was mentioned with the
most loving and reverend of tones ; and Eccles Robinson
would say, continually : " You all should see the man who
reformed me. He is so good, so grand." At last arrange-
ments were completed to bring him in their midst. The
Young Men's Christian Association engaged him to deliver a
lecture at the Opera House. Early in the month of May the
following characteristic letter was received from the great
temperance apostle :
" My dear Brother : Your favor is at hand. It is all right
for Elmira, Tuesday, May 22. God help you. Will let you
know to-morrow by what train I shall arrive in your city on
Monday night. Love to all the people.
" P. S. The work goes bravely on in Philadelphia.
"FRANCIS MURPHY."
This announcement was made to the people, and caused
general excitement. Every one was on the alert to see the
man who had made so great a stir in society, and was spoken
of wherever one went, and whose name was a constant theme
for newspaper gossip.
He came, and completely conquered. The Opera House was
crowded ; and the lecturer was received with great fervor. He
told in his usual, and so well known way, the story of his life,
eliciting tears and sobs in one breath, and roars of laughter in
another. A most touching incident of the evening was the
reply he made to a gentleman in the audience who asked him
if his mother lived to witness his reformation. When the
great reformer said no, but told sadly of his mother's death
shortly after her arrival in this country, whither she had come
to see her dear boy, there was many a tear escaped from the
control of its possessor, and hard were the efforts made to
keep back the flowing tide of sympathy. He stormed the
town ; and the demand was so great to hear him that he was
obliged to visit Elmira again, which he did Tuesday, June
20. On both occasions he made a most favorable and
FRANCIS MURPHY. V19
marked impression. He, however, was not the father of the
Elmira movement ; he only delivered a few addresses to the
thousands who went to hear him. All honor and praise must
be credited to Eccles Robinson. It was purely and wholly his
work from first to last. The people accepted him as their re-
former ; and he proved himself that. It will be interesting to
here tell the kind reader how Eccles Robinson was converted.
We will quote his own graphic words :
" There were four young men just beginning the study of
law in Pittsburg. They were all of them members of families
of respectability and property, with fair talents and good pros-
pects. One evening one of them said, * Let us have a bottle of
wine together.' Another said, ' Boys, who knows, if we should,
how it will interfere with our studies. May be will not get as
far as the practice of the law ?' They laughed and sent for
the wine. While drinking and beginning to feel good, an old
beggar put his head within the door and asked them for some
money. They rallied him for his appearance and interruption
of their festivities, but tossed him a small piece of coin, and as
he turned away, he said : * Young man, the time may come
when you will be around begging for a dime, as I am to-night.'
" And as sure as one bottle after another came to their rooms
did that time come to those young men. Three of them lie
to-night in drunkards' graves ; one of them still reels about
the streets of Pittsburgh. I only am escaped out of the depths
of drunkenness to tell you this true story. Young men, come
up here and sign the pledge. It is better to sign the Murphy
pledge than to wallow in the ditch or lie down on saw-dust
floors."
Eccles Robinson was a member of one of the oldest ana
most influential Pennsylvania families. He entered the" col-
lege at Princeton, and after being there a short while was ex-
pelled on account of his wild spirits.
" He commenced to drink when quite young, and soon got en-
tirely under the influence of liquor. He became well known in
the " Sm >ky City " as one of the worst, if not the worst,
720 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
drunkards in the whole place. While he was drinking in a
saloon one day, a gentleman entered, and looking around the
room, saw him. He approached him, and asked politely :
" Are you Mr. Eccles Robinson ? "
Mr. Robinson felt as if some one had shaken him. It was
the first time in many a long day that he had been kindly
spoken to ; the first time in years he was addressed as " Mr."
" Yes ; I am Eccles Robinson," he said shortly, more to hide
his feelings than anything else.
"I want you to come to my meetings," the gentleman said
kindly ; " I am Francis Murphy. Will you come ? "
" No."
" But I want you to come. It will do you good, and you
will like it. Wouldn't you like to be as you were before you
commenced drinking ? "
" Yes ; I would." And something rose up in the breast of
Eccles Robinson, and dimmed his eyes. His conscience
awoke. A few kind words had done the work. Ah, a gentle
word is a powerful thing when used to those who have been
strangers to it ! It was seldom that Eccles Robinson was
spoken to thus. " You will be restored to your manhood,"
said Mr. Murphy earnestly ; " and all will be well with you it
you only sign my pledge. Come to me to-night ? "
The promise was given. That evening Mr. Murphy looked
for his friend in the hall, and found him. Never had he flung
so much fervor in his work as he did that night. Eccles Robin-
son was aroused, amazed ; and realized his present position.
He plainly saw what frightful risks he ran, and what an awful
end awaited him. He signed the pledge. As he did so Mr,
Murphy stooped down, held out his hand, and said :
" I want you to come up here beside me." The new convert
went on the stage. " I want you to tell the people
your experience," he said. The convert looked at the
sea of faces, and shrank back frightened and embar-
rassed. He could not do it. " Then kneel down, and pray
to God to help you keep your pledge." "I can't." "Don't
FRANCIS MUKPHT. 721
you want to keep it ? " " Yes." " Well, then, pray." Eccles
Robinson had not said a prayer for a number of years. The
time when he used to kneel and pray to God seemed as some
strange dream. He knelt down ; and with wildly throbbing
heart, before that immense crowd of people, begged the
Heavenly assistance and protection. It was a simple little
prayer. The audience was so hushed you could almost count
your heart-beats. From that never-to-be-forgotten night
the desire for intoxicating drink left him ; and Eccles Robin-
son was a saved man snatched from the road of sin to walk
along the way of right and truth, to save and redeem others
from a dreadful end. He entered so completely into the warm
affection of the Elmirans that before he left them for other
fields of usefulness they agreed to tender him a benefit. He
had not been paid for his work among them ; it had been
purely a matter of duty and love.
The occasion was a most interesting one. A great crowd
greeted him ; many felicitous speeches were made ; and it was
altogether a most joyous and delightful evening. He was pre-
sented, among other "good" things, with a very elegant gold
cross an appropriate gift, as he had taken it up and was
walking under its gracious load straight towards the golden
gates of heaven. " May the richest blessings of God rest upon
Eccles Robinson," is the prayer to-day of the people of Elmira.
The temperance wave reached Utica, N. Y., and swept over
it with grand results, as the following article graphically shows :
" The temperance tidal wave has reached Utica. This is
evident to every one who has noticed the crowd attending the
temperance lectures at Mechanics' Hall nightly, and the blue
ribbons worn upon the street. Saturday evening another large
meeting was held at Mechanics' Hall. Prof. Evans spoke to
workingmen especially, his subject being " Saturday Xight."
He dwelt particularly on the folly shown by many in working
hard all the week, and spending the fruit of their labor in
drink in a few short hours on Saturday night. The good re.
suits of signing the pledge and turning the week's earnings
31
722 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
into their proper channel were also shown. After the address
about one hundred signatures to the temperance pledge were
obtained.
" The tempei'anee meeting at the Opera House, yesterday
afternoon, was a source of surprise to everybody. It had been
announced to begin at 3:30 P. M., but at that time every seat
in the house was filled, all standing room in the aisles and
around the side of the room, both on the lower floor and gal-
lery, was occupied, while a large number found seats on the
stage. From 3:30 to 4 P. M., hundreds of people came to the
hall, only to be turned away for want of room. Over two
thousand persons were present. Revs. L. D. White, R. G.
Jones, Rev. Dr. P. H. Fowler and Captain L. Moore, of Utica,
and Rev. J. H. Lamb, of Madison, occupied seats on the stage.
The meeting was opened with singing and brief remarks by
Rev. L. D. White. Prof. Evans read the parable of the prod-
igal son, putting an earnestness seldom heard into his words.
He then proceeded to speak on the subject, dwelling especially
on the sin of drunkenness. His mission, he said, was to try
and arouse a sentiment that shall bring prodigals to themselves
and home. He explained the parable of the prodigal son, in
simple yet earnest, and often beautiful language, applying the
lesson at different points to those who act the same part to-day.
The base ingratitude of the pi-odigal was shown by a picture
of a young man leaving home, depicted in well-chosen words,
showing the depth of filial affection. The downfall of a
young man living a fast life was also vividly portrayed. The
prodigal of old, after his fall, would fain fill himself with the
husks the swine did eat. The prodigal to-day having spent
his money in riotous living, his friends cut him, and he waits
around on the outside of the crowd to be asked to drink. He
is also after husks. When his money is gone he is told he may
sweep out the saloon for his drink ; he has become a swineherd.
The pi'odigal of old was too noble to steal, too manly to beg,
and hail sense enough to realize his position and resolve to go
back to his father's house and make the best of it. The
FRANCIS MUEPHY. 723
father's. anxiety over his absence and joy at his return were
forcibly presented in words and gestures. Like the brother
who was angered at the reception given to the prodigal, there
are many to-day, who, if they cannot be at the head of a pro-
ject when invited to participate, turn and say, ' I won't.' Oh,
for a time when we can forget sectional differences ! ' We
ask you all, irrespective of creed or belief, to join this move-
ment. We desire the co-operation of the churches to bring
those who are without into the fold. It is a glorious work for
humanity. Every man who is saved begins to live aright. He
pays his debts and his money goes into proper channels.
Every man who is reformed, is saved for the community and
church as well as for himself. Give us your hand, your heart
and your voice to aid in this movement. The work will have
to be taken up and carried forward in a systematic manner.
It is my prayer that the work may go forward until every man
in the city shall stand on a higher plane than he did before.'
" James G. Clark sang one of his songs, and in response to
an encore sang ' Ninety and Nine.'
" Rev. L. D. White then spoke in relation to the continuance
of the meetings. He said that in obedience to public senti-
ment, meetings would be held in the Opera House every even-
ing this week, with the exception of Wednesday, when the
house will be otherwise occupied. The meetings have been
inaugurated on the conviction that there is a sentiment, will
and money in the community to carry them on.
" Mr. Clark sang a temperance song, ' Dare to Say No,' which
was enthusiastically applauded.
" Those desiring to do so were invited to come and sign the
pledge, and 250 responded to the invitation, making 350 sig-
natui'es obtained in two days.
" There will be a temperance prayer-meeting at the Opera
House, between 12 and 1 P. M., to-day. Entrance, for thia
session only, will be through the Washington street stairway.
The movement is increasing in popularity from day to day."
William M. Evans was the main worker of the Utica tern
724 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
perance movement. Sent here from the headquarters he
worked nobly ; but we will let the gentleman himself give
the kind reader an idea of his success in a letter of his to the
Pittsburgh Temperance Ensign :
" UTICA, K Y.
"Editor Ensign : I have been here now six weeks to-night,
and have secured over 6,000 signers. The enthusiasm is in-
tense. Some nights I have been compelled to attend three
meetings, being driven from one to another, and people fol-
lowing. I expect to organize a central union and four or five
auxiliaries during the coming weeek, and intend to keep the
fires burning over the holidays, when I shall have to leave the
unions to take care of themselves. I have engagements to
lecture in Dunkirk, Titusville, and many places in New York.
I may be with you for one night. I had a grand benefit on
Wednesday night, over 1,100 people being present. I had
splendid floral offerings. I am getting invitations for next
winter's lecture course. John B. Gough voluntarily indorsed
me here and at Rome, and the lecture committee have told
me I must take his place next season, as he will be in Europe.
I have my lectures under preparation. I am writing this after
having spoken one hour and secured over 200 signers. To-
morrow evening I shall have an audience of over 2,000 in the
Opera House, and I shall present the claims of the Union. I
am pleased to read your paper's goodly news of temperance, and
hope the good cause will steadily go on until our land shall
be free from the curse of alcohol. WM. MASON EVANS."
We take pleasure in placing the following very interesting
account before our readers as it graphically tells of the glori-
ous work in the city of Utica, and gives a faithful idea of the
reception the people gave the cause. We print these fresh
and living photographs of the grand effects of the Murphy
reform, because, written on the spot, they are instinct with the
feeling and atmosphere, which transfigured society into some-
thing brighter and better, and paint with more glowing color,
than could any resume of ours, the strength and depth of the
FRANCIS MURPHY. 725
impulse that shook all classes to the center. The Utica Herald
contained a sketch of a " Thanksgiving," as sweet and touch-
ing, almost, in its simple realism, as one of Charles Dickens'
exquisite Christmas stories :
" Yesterday was a Thanksgiving to be long remembered by
many in Utica. It was cold, rainy, snowy and cheerless with-
out, but within door innumerable happy events occurred. The
aLtendance at the churches was much larger than usual and
the sermons were quite interesting.
" Thanks to the happy thought of Prof. Evans, the indefati-
gable efforts of the Women's Christian Temperance Union,
and the Utica Reform Club, and aided by the generosity of
citizens generally, nearly two thousand poor men, women and
children enjoyed as hearty a Thanksgiving dinner as they
could possibly desire. The Blue-ribbon Brigade, smiling and
happy, with their young lady friends, joined hearts and hands
with the members of the Women's Christian Temperance
Union, at an early hour, yesterday morning. Soon after the
vast assemblv room in the Carton Block was besieged with
w O
big-hearted men, women and children bearing baskets full of
everything good to eat ; from turkeys and tarts down to pies,
pickles and pippins. They came from the homes of the
wealthy and the cottages of the mechanics and laborers ; and
out of the scanty stores of many a poor wife, widow and sew-
ing girl, were carried humble gifts that would overweigh the
product dollars of the rich in the scale of genuine charity.
They were heart tributes of gratitude to the glorious cause of
temperance reform, which has lifted great burdens of sorrow
and grief from their homes by'the reformation of heretofore
unfortunate husbands, sons or brothers ; men who were down
in the mire last Thanksgiving, with no certainty of getting a
dinner for themselves and careless whether their families ate
or starved, joined the throng and added their gifts to the
bountiful feast prepared for others less fortunate. The amount
and variety of the delicacies and substantial^ that were piled
up in the east end of Carton Hall was really surprising. Three
726 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
tables were set nearly the v hole length of the hall, and in the
east end were stationed a corps of skillful amateur carvers and
busy ladies, who labored only as kind-hearted men and women
can labor in a good cause. It is impossible and useless to give
the bill of fare suffice to say that no first-class hotel in Utica
or elsewhere gave its guests a better or more palatable dinner.
" A reporter of the Herald dropped into the hall at 1 o'clock
P. M., one hour before the time announced for the feast, but
dinner was ready. Such a sight has never before been seen in
Utica. It was one that would warm the heart of a miser, and
compel even the rumseller to throw up his hat and bid God
speed to the temperance reform workers. It was a practical
demonstration of the fact that temperance reform means good
to all warm clothing over light hearts and good dinners to
take the wrinkles out of lean and hungry stomachs.
" The grown people, white and black, old men and women,
residents and strangers, red-nosed bottle tipplers and pale
poverty-stricken people, ate only as hungry people can eat when
they have plenty, but the fun came in Avhere the boys and
girls were. Boot-blacks, newsboys, peanut peddlers, street
Arabs of every nationality, color and creed had a harvest.
Shivering, half clad, bare-footed, sorrel-topped, wan, pale, thin,
cadaverous, pinched, sunken-cheeked, half-starved boys and
girls reveled in turkey, goose, duck, cranberry sauce, mince
pies, cake, doughnuts, puddings, apples, oranges, coffee, tea,
milk, and water till they nearly burst. The kind matrons,
rosy-cheeked and bright-eyed young ladies, and jovial members
of the Reform Club followed Bob Ingersoll's rule just for
once and let the gamm commence their dinner with pie, or
finish it with turkey 01 chicken, just as they pleased. They
were not restricted in any way, and to their credit be it said,
they behaved one hundred per cent, better than the average
attendants at ' opening nights,' or lunch fiends in a bar-
room. How they did eat ! And how it pleased the smiling
spectators to see the urchins cram. One Arab with a patch on
his nose and radiant in a summer duster, half a shirt and two-
FRANCIS MURPHY. 727
thirds of a pair of pantaloons, covered a piece of mince pie
with one dirty hand, and a lump of pound cake with the other,
while he was grinding the brown meat on the drum of a turkey
with his teeth. A busier or more interested lad was never
seen. Then when he began to wrestle with the pie there was
fun. After making two goodly-sized half -moon indications in
the side, his appetite gave out. . He picked up four big fat
raisins, the left hand bearing the pie dropped involuntarily to
the table, the lad leaned back in the chair and a deathly pallor
spread over his face. That boy had evidently eaten too much,
or as they say down South, he had ' bitten off more than he
could chaw !' Prof. Evans and his good wife, Mrs. Northrup,
President of the Woman's Union, President Latimore of the
Reform Club, and their coadjutors were ubiquitous. The work
went on from noon until dark. At least 2,000 were fed, and
hundreds of baskets full of good provisions were sent out to
worthy people, the sick poor, who could not come. What is
left will be distributed from the Court street Home around the
city by the ladies to-day.
" Expert writers were kept busy filling up pledges and nimble
fingers pinned blue ribbons on to 400 persons yesterday. Don't
ask ' How many of them will keep it ? ' but follow suit and
do what you can to help the weak to stand by their pledges
and be true to their manhood.
" 'Did you have a good dinner?' inquired & Herald reporter
of three wee Arabs who sat on a pile of lumber by the new
station-house. ' Have a good dinner ? ' they replied. ' Guess
we did have a bully dinner, but we're so sick ! ' They need
not have told this, for their pale faces showed it, and their un-
buttoned jackets proved that the pitcher had gone to the well
too often. In spite of being sick, they were eager in their
chase for the stump of a discarded cigar. It didn't hurt them
to get sick as long as they had one good square Thanksgiving
dinner. They may go hungry to-day, but they had a 'bully
dinner' (inelegant but full of meaning to the boys) yesterday.
That is what about everybody said who enjoyed yesterday's
728 THE LI1 E AND WORK OF
good work. Not one-tenth of our practical Christians enjoyed
the experiment of yesterday. Some thought there wouldn't be
anything to eat, and others that there would be no one to eat
what they did have. Now that Prof. Evans and the temper-
ance ladies have opened the ball, let it be kept rolling and end
up with another old-fashioned Christmas dinner for the poor.
Some who were not poor ate at Carton Hall yesterday, but
many of the hardest workers among the men and women were
so anxious to help others that they forgot to eat their own
dinners, and that equalized things. 'Let scallawa.gs eat, if
they wish,' said Professor Evans, ' as long as the worthy and
hungry have enough.' "
The Hornellsville Times said :
"The blue-ribbon cure is better than blue glass. It re-
moves pain from the heart, dizziness from the head, splinters
from the eyes and straightens the hair. Not only this, but it
is a specific for melancholy and brooding diseases of the
mind, afflicting whole families.
" At Olean, the daughter of a man who signed the pledge
and put on the blue ribbon, went dancing along the street say-
ing to every one she met, * Oh, I'm so glad, so glad, I don't
know what to do. My father has signed the pledge, and
mother's glad, and I am s:> glad ! Now we are just as good
as anybody, and so is my father, too. Oh, goody, goody !'
and she danced along the street telling the good news to
every schoolmate that her sick father had been cured of a
loathsome disease. And here in Hornellsville last Saturday
night a husband and father clothed in his right mind for the
first time in many years, went to one of our stores with money
in his pocket, and bought stockings for his children and other
articles for himself and wife. It was the blue ribbon that
did it. It was the blue-ribbon cure."
This touching epistle appeared in the Oneida Dispatch,
N. Y. :
" Dear Friends : I have thought as I sat and listened to
the various statements and appeals which have been made at
FRANCIS MURPHY. 729
these meetings, that too little has been said in regard to that
kind of dissipation styled ' moderate drinking.'
" I have often heard men say, ' Oh ! I am not a drunkard ;
I take a glass now and then, but I don't get drunk.' It seems
to me that there lies a peculiar danger. It is as if one should
venture in a frail boat among the rapids, just above the mighty
cataract of Niagara, and shutting their eyes and ears to the
grand spectacle and the deafening roar should say as the little
boat neared the fearful precipice ' I am not in danger ! I am
only taking a row on the river ! I shall not go over !'
" Oh ! my friends ! not more surely will that little boat with
its living freight go down to a dreadful death than will the
moderate drinker become eventually a drunkard, blight his
home, break the hearts of his friends and wreck the promise
of his early manhood.
" Among all the accounts related here, I have heard but
little of the sorrows of the wives of moderate drinkers ; and
since it has been my unfortunate lot to be one of these, I have
felt it my duty to give you a brief sketch of my life.
" I have always kept my trouble to myself, confiding in
none but God.
" When I was married, there was no happier and prouder
bride, and there never was a better and kinder husband than
mine until he began to drink ; and now I have nothing to
complain of when he is not .under the influence of liquor.
" But how can I tell you the sorrow and agony I have felt
to see my dear husband trail his manhood in the dust, come
home to me in the small hours of the morning drunk !
" How many such vigils as mine are kept ? How many
weeping wives have ' watched the stars out,' waiting in an
agony of fear, to hear the unsteady step, and senseless speech,
of the man who she vowed to love and honor. Ah, me ! were
women not as true and faithful as they are, how would love
and honor pale and die- as the wife heart-broken and ashamed
looks for the first time on her beloved husband drunk !
" Oh, moderate drinker ! taking ' only a. glass now and then,'
31*
730 THE TJFE AND WORK OF
pause now set down the gl-ass untasted -go and get a blue
ribbon and go home to your wife and children a manly man
one from which they shall not shrink in fear and disgust.
" Every week the papers are filled with the heartrending
details of wives and children beaten cruelly, or murdered in a
drunken fury, by men who, doubtless, once took ' only a glass
now and then.'
" The first glass ! to what does it not lead ? Another, and
another ! and the hard earned dollars melt like the snowflake !
Then in his desperation, seeing his family's distress and suffer-
ing, the unhappy man resorts to the gaming table ! He loses !
and drinks to drown his disappointment, and the paling morn-
ing star sees him rolling home to find perhaps a child, a wife
dying or dead !
" I am sure my husband did not mean to drink again when
he knelt one night, with sobs and tears, beside our dying child,
but the tempter was too powerful, and again he fell, and the
night watches have been repeated while my aching heart was
well nigh broken.
" But now thanks to those noble men, Messrs. McCurry
and McMaster, who have striven so earnestly and well to
rescue and raise the fallen ; and thanks to God for putting it
in their hearts to come to Oneida my dear husband wears
the ' blue ribbon,' and I ask the prayers of all in our behalf,
that he may be steadfast, and not yield again to the accursed
tempter.
" I have always worked hard, and am neither afraid nor
ashamed. My husband would % tell you I have been a good
wife and a helper, and row my one wish and desire is to keep
our happy home unsullied, and to go down the hill of life
hand-in-hand together, and when death comes, trusting in
God's mercy, we may go together to meet our darling child.
" I pray God to give my husband, and all like him (and
there have been only too many of these in Oneida), to give
him strength to keep the pledge for the rest of his life.
" And if this brief sketch shall open the eyes of anyone
FRANCIS MURPHY. 731
who takes ' only a glass now and then,' to the insidious
danger lurking in that, and lead him to stop now, and don the
' blue ribbon ' i o-niyht, I shall have ray reward.
" May God grant it, is the heartfelt prayer of
" ONE OF THE WIVES."
So the good work went on without any abatement through
Southern New York, each town of any importance feeling in
some degree the force of the movement which was sweeping
through the country. It is stated in rough estimate that at
least a hundred thousand people throughout these southern
counties of the Empire State became reformed. The charge
so often made that only a small number of the Murphy con-
verts " stick " is false and malignant. On excellent authority
it is claimed that a fair proportion of two-thirds remain true
to the solemn pledges taken. Before following Francis Murphy
to other sections of the field, we give our readers a speech
made by the great reformer before a religious convention in
Western New York.
Saturday, August 4, 1877, was the opening day of the
fourth annual session of the Chatauqua Assembly. The beau-
tiful groves were thronged with delighted visitors, all of
whom were very curious and anxious to attend the lecture by
Francis Murphy, the great apostle of temperance. In the
afternoon Eccles Robinson, who had so suddenly done such
great work in Elmira, was introduced, and delivered an inter-
esting account of his life.
The Rev. Mr. Mead, of Hornellsville, N. Y., followed him
with a graphic narrative of the movement in the southern tier
of counties in his State.
Francis Murphy was then introduced by the Rev. Dr. Vin-
cent, and received a grand welcome. After the deafening ap-
plause had died away, he advanced and said :
" Mr. President and Friends : I hope and trust that, as I
shall try to speak to you this afternoon, I shall have your
prayers and sympathy, that God's blessing may rest upon us,
and that all I shall say this afternoon may be directed to God's
732 THE LIFE A1STD WORK OF
holy spirit. For if God be with us, who can be against us? It
has been a good day for me, and I am glad that I came here
and have had the pleasure of hearing of the world's Redeemer.
That One, of whom we heard to-day, by the sweet influence
of His holy spirit came to me and took the scales from my
eyes and opened the prison-house of bondage ; and through
the name of Christ I am permitted to stand before you, saved
by His grace, and I trust not only reformed, but transformed
by the renewing of the mind, and that by-and-by I may be
able to prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect
will of God concerning me. You have heard from the lips of
this young man to-day how he was rescued. Brother Eccles
Robinson and you will excuse me whilst I say a word respect-
ing him. I have had the good fortune of meeting him, and I
wish to say in the presence of this vast multitude that the boy
seems to have been a greater blessing to me than I have been
to him. I wish to say to you, that if any of you are getting
great wealth on account of a sober life, on account of some kind
act some person may have done you, I believe to-day I am
getting the greatest joy of any of you, in the fact that I saw
this young man standing up and saved by the grace of God ;
arid he has a happy wife and family in the city of Elmira, and
another happy family in Pittsburgh, where he has a loyal and
Christian mother who has hoped for the reformation of her
boy. She has other boys who are not yet saved, and I will
ask your prayers for them to-day, that God may reach them,
and that her heart may be made happy in the complete salva-
tion of all her children. He squandered a fortune of some
seventy th:usand dollars, and paid particular attention to
getting rid of it, as lots of young men do who never knew
how they get money, only their fathers gave it to them,
and they do not know the value of it, and consequently
they go to work and spend it. And I think sometimes when
God's people need some money to carry on their work that you
people who are buying United States bonds, and extending
your broad acres, if you please, and constantly spending your
FRANCIS MURPHY. 733
money in that way, instead of giving it to God's people, to
build a fence around your boys to keep them from going to
destruction that you will be sorry by-and-by that you didn't
do it. Remember that all you have got to-day belongs to Him,
and by-and-by you will have to give it all up, and I hope and
trust you will feel when God calls you that you have been a
faithful steward and have done your duty. Excuse me for
this reference, because the work we are engaged in is the tem-
perance reform. But it almost breaks my heart when I see
some of God's ministers noble men who have become almost
superannuated, so to speak ; who have worked all the days of
their lives for their people, giving themselves away, and almost
starving themselves, and right under the eaves of his house is
the palatial residence of a man who says he is a brother, but
simply in name, not in practice. May God help us to open
our hearts to God's poor. This is not temperance, but I am
not to be trusted on this subject. I did not tell you I was an
Irishman, and you know that an Irishman is always permitted
to speak until he is understood.
" I will talk to you this afternoon a little while on the subject
of gospel temperance. My good brother who introduced me,
Dr. Vincent, whose name is familiar to all the good people in
this country, bringing us into closer relations with God and
each other, has announced it as the new temperance movement.
I say to you that I will call it a leaf from real life, and if there
are men who drink or sell intoxicating liquors here I have no
quarrel with you, not a word. I came here to-day with that
blessed motto of Abraham Lincoln, ' With Malice towards
none, with Charity for all,' and hence it is, I believe, safe for us
to leave our hearts in the hands of God and permit Him to do
something for us, so that if words offensive shall pass from my
lips, on my part they are not intended. Real life always fur-
nishes stranger stories '.ban romance ever dreamed of, and the
truth is always more startling than fiction. On April 24,
1836, I wis born in the village of Turgot, county Wexford, in
the eastern part of ^reland, three thousand miles across the
734 THE LIFE AND WORK" OT?
Atlantic ocean, in a humble little thatched cottage, situated
upon a beautiful mound of land overlooking the sea ; and
although separated from that humble home for more than
twenty years, by a distance of thousands of miles, yet in
imagination I can see it as it was, and sometimes memory will
take wings and fly to the humble cottage home and with rapt-
urous delight feed upon boyhood's days. Well do I remem-
ber, when a youth, kneeling with my mother in silent prayer
and asking God to watch over my helpless infancy, and keep
my riper years in the way of peace. The front garden was
filled with choicest flowers, planted by my own hands,
making the air fragrant with their richest perfume ; the slop-
ing hills kissed by the rays of the morning sun, whilst the
grand old ocean rolled at the foot of the hill singing its cease-
less hymn of praise to Him who bids a thousand fleets sweep
over it and write no furrow on its ever youthful brow. I have
stood in the little cottage door and looked out on its bright,
green, throbbing bosom, over which the vessels passed and
repassed with their white, silken sails, bearing their precious
freight to the land of the free and the home of the brave. I
had read of this new world, its golden mines and silver lakes,
and longed for the time to come when I, too, could sail for this
free land. But it seemed to me like hoping against fate. We
were poor and had to struggle against poverty and drive it
out of the house the best we could. I do not know that you
are afflicted with the disease in this charming locality, but we
were particularly afflicted with poverty in the little house
'beyant the say.' I remember at the time of the golden har-
vest, of coming in at night and lying down with the grain we
had gathered, and at noontime we pushed away the little fur-
niture and threshed out the barley, and in this way your
speaker first commenced to make a living. If there is a be-
setting sin in this country to-day, one that is undermining the
soul of honor, it is because young men have become ashamed
of honest labor ; and allow me to say to you, young man,
who have taken your stand upon the world's broad field of
FRANCIS MURPHY. 735
battle, never be ashamed of honest labor, and whatever thy
hand findeth to do, that is honorable, do it with all thy might,
and the blessing of him who hath made us in the express
image of himself will crown your efforts with success. Then
if there is a man in this congregation to-day who is in the
darkness of despair and who is walking in the valley of humili-
ation, that the iron hand of poverty has got a close hold upon
ah, there is hope for you, my brother. You can buy your
release from this tyrant if you are willing, by the grace
of God assisting you, to take the hand of honest labor
and let it lead you. It is the golden highway of honor
to-day that is cast up for the ransom of his people.
I care not whether it is the tinker, the tailor, the me-
chanic or the man who studies in the office, the only way to
honor, to true manhood, is by the golden way of honest toil.
Then, my dear brother, take heart, do not be discouraged, let
us go up and possess the land. But, you say, there are diffi-
culties in the way, there are boulders to be removed, yes, and
mountains to be cast into the sea ; but what of it ? blessed be
God, this divine, this kingly, this immortal spirit that beats
and longs for freedom and noble life, shall give them power to
remove the boulders. Excelsior ! thou kingly spirit ! Come
on, men ! let's go up into this land, where it is crowned with
the eternal sun, and stand with the best and truest, with our
life of deathless honor won from honest labor.
" After years of persevering toil, wealth came, and after
wealth came, fashion was introduced. I trust you are not
afflicted with this yourselves, but I have no time to talk to you
about fashions ; but let me say just a word, and I say it to my
children, have the manly courage to live within your means.
This is the secret of virtuous manhood. Don't barter away
your honor ; don't do it for a suit of clothes ; don't pawn
your word. Be free. Be a man and breathe God's pure air.
C irry a heart true and loyal within your breast ; that if it is
turned inside out there is no stain upon it, and you are a man
as noble as walks the earth. Public opinion mother would
736 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
to ; and for weeks previous to the arrival of company,
she would be in the pantry preparing her pies and cakes ; and
the table might be ever so well laden, unless the liquor be
placed upon it it would not be acceptable. In my country,
when a boy, I was not admitted to the social circle. But I
notice in this country that Bobbin's chair is bixmght to the
head of the table, and all the company are introduced to Bob-
bin : but in my country all the youngsters are huddled to-
gether out in the kitchen, and this part of the entertainment I
didn't like very well, for I was one of the boys who subsisted
largely on what I ate, and was passionately fond of hearing
what was going on, and I was pleased to see what pains
mother took. And it was in this little tidy kitchen our food
was prepared, and the little white Irish linen cloth, whiter than
snow, was put on the table ; and white China tea dishes, with
gold edges around them, kept in the closet but for these special
occasions, and if you touched them they would sing like a bird.
I could see the frosted cake where the knife had cut through
it, and see the great nice raisins, and it was not on account of
any goodness in me that I didn't pick them out. Mother
would call me into the other room and say : ' Come here, my
boy, be a good boy, and keep perfectly still out in the kitchen.'
' Ho, dear, oh, dear.' ' Stop your noise and go into the kit-
chen.' ' Oh, dear, oh, dear.' There was no alternative but
into the kitchen, with the tears running down my cheeks. I
longed for the time to be a man and eat with the rest of the
people. I was peeping through the door when one of the
company beckoned to me and I crept in, and he put his arms
around me as I stood by him, little codger as I was. They
had got through eating and had commenced to drink their
toddy. My friend had a glass in his hand, put sugar in it and
diluted the liquor and passed it into my little hand ; and I
remember standing by his side and sipping it, and I remember
the first flash of intoxication that passed through my system.
It was at home, in the social circle, in the little house I have
described, that your speaker first learned to drink intoxicating
FKANCIS MURPHY. 737
liquor, and where the seeds of intemperance 'were first sown,
and I believe my mother loved me as well as any of you
parents love your children. Let me beseech you, for your
children's sake, to remove this evil from your house and give
them the benefit of a life of total abstinence. It is one of the
grandest gifts you can give to your children to-day.
" I wish I had the power to tell you how I longed to see this
blessed country, where all men stand free and equal. When I
told mother I meant to come I remember how the big tear-
drops stood in her eyes. And well I remember, too, her pack-
ing up my little trunk, and the tears would drop on the articles
as she placed them there."
Mr. Murphy affectingly described his parting, the voyage to
America, and his experience until his conversion in the jail at
Portland. He concluded his address with one of his wonderful
bursts of eloquence;, amidst the loud and continued applause
of the large audience.
738 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
CHAPTER VII
FRANCIS MURPHY AMONG THE TROJANS. ANOTHER GRAND
SEASON OF TEMPERANCE REFORM AND REVIVAL. FORTY
THOUSAND PLEDGE-TAKERS IN TWO MONTHS. STRIKING
PHASES OF THE CAMPAIGN AT TROY.
THE next remarkable campaign of the temperance reformer
was at Troy, N. Y., one of the largest manufacturing centers
of the Empire State. His advent was looked forward to for
weeks in advance with the greatest curiosity ; and a fever of
interest and expectation excited over the man, who will pro-
bably be known as the greatest temperance revivalist since the
death of Father Matthew. Preparations were made for the
coming event, and every step taken by the influential and rep-
utable citizens to make the season rich in faithfulness. The
newspapers, especially, interested themselves deeply in the mat-
ter, and when Murphy arrived, he found the field splendidly
prepared for the sewing of the seed. So strong was the public
feeling that the Common Council proffered the reformer the
use of the large audience room in the City Hall for the inaug-
ural meeting. His novel methods and peculiarly original and
effective plan of attacking the sodden heart and conscience of
the drunkard were the themes* of general discussion, and as
several interviews with Murphy by the newspaper reporters
had been published, the public mind was well enlightened as
to the plan of battle, which the great temperance general was
to inaugurate. In one of these interviews Mr. Murphy said :
" This cause, I wish you to distinctly understand, is neither
political nor sectarian. It is for the Roman Catholic as well
FKANCIS MUKPHY. 739
as the Protestant, and we can all shake hands together over
the success of the movement.
" My motto is ' with Malice toward none, with Charity for
all,' and I distinctly adhere to it upon all occasions. I make
no tirade against liquor sellers ; there are some good men in
the business, but they cannot be driven out by abuse. I am
convinced that the only true method of total abstinence is to
prevail upon men to stop drinking, and theii the other men will
cease selling, as there will be no demand for their whisky.
There can be no reduction in the sale of intoxicating drink so
long as men continue to use it. Therefore, my idea is to per-
suade men to abstain, for you can have no stronger sentiment
in the community than that in the real life of the people.
" You may legislate to any extent concerning the closing of
saloons, but you do not reach the hearts of the people. You
must prevail upon a man to stop drinking and turn his atten-
tion to his home, and instead of spending his money in a grog-
shop, induce him to carry it home to his wife and children."
Mr. Murphy expresses his doubt of the efficacy of legislation
in securing the reform of men addicted to spirituous drink and
confirmed inebriates. Kind words, gentleness and warm-
hearted sympathy he thinks will accomplish a great deal
more. He, said in conversation, " I believe that kindness will
go a great way in saving these men. They are too much
neglected now and passed by as though outcasts from society.
And yet these very men, if they could only receive a kind
word and some little attention, if they received treatment of
that kind, I believe in my heart that nearly all could be saved.
My experience in this movement has convinced me of that
fact, for in my own life it was kindness that saved me."
The two men selected by Murphy, in accordance with his
method of work, to assist him, Avere Eccles Robinson, who had
carried on the Elmira work, and Col. Luther Caldwell, one of
the notable converts of that work. Of the former, the reader
has already had a sketch. The latter-named gentleman, who
had been quite prominent, both in social and public life, in his
740 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
region, is worthy of some special description, before we pro-
ceed further with the Murphy crusade in Troy, as he was a
most powerful" and enthusiastic assistant in the work accom-
plished.
The striking fact is that Col. Caldwell, formerly proprietor
of the Rathbun House, Elrnira, signed the pledge through the
instrumentality of the young man, Eccles Robinson, sold the
hotel, and has become one of Mr. Murphy's most devoted
assistants. Col. Caldwell was a man of no little prominence
in central and western New York ; 'was proprietor of the
Elmira Advertiser; for two consecutive sessions clerk of the
assembly, secretary of the State constitutional convention, and
some four years ago was elected mayor of the city of Elmira,
proving to be a very popular chief magistrate. He is a fervent,
earnest man, and possessed of a strong, clear voice, which has
always given him a famous reputation as a reader.
He ascribed his conversion to the fact that his wife inter-
ested herself in the movement, and in that way his thought
and attention were attracted. One Sunday afternoon he at-
tended a meeting in the Opera House in Elmira, in company
with his wife, and before he left the building, he became an
enthusiastic convert to the cause of temperance.
On Monday, the following day, he received an invitation to
deliver an address in the village of Corning. He hesitated,
doubting his ability to speak upon the subject of temperance,
but finally accepted the offer, and in his debut is said to have
made a great impression upon all of his hearers, and accom
plished much good. His time after that was occupied to such
an extent with the work he had entered upon, that he finally
. sold out his interest in the hotel, and has since devoted himself
exclusively to the movement he joined. Mr. Murphy pro-
nounces him an able and eloquent orator.
Col. Caldwell declared that previous to his conversion he
had been bitterly opposed to the cause of temperance, on
accoint of the severe denunciations and terrific tirades all
reformers had indulged in towards those who had connection
FRANCIS MURPHY. 741
in any way whatever witr the liquor business. Out of curi-
osity to hear what the young man, Mr. Robinson, had to say
upon the then much agitated subject in Elmira, and whose
mottc he learned was " Malice towards none, Charity for all,"
in appealing to audiences, Col. Caldwell decided to attend the
meeting, with the above-mentioned result.
The impulse which led to Mr. Murphy's being called to
Tioy was purely of a religious character. The ministerial
association appointed a committee, of which Rev. Dr. Bald-
win was chairman, for the purpose of negotiating with Mr.
Murphy, and preparing the way for his labors, with what re-
sults we have already indicated. The heartiness with which
the city govei'nment and the general public co-operated, left
no doubt as to the success of the plan. Mr. Murphy arrived
at Troy on Saturday night, Nov. 10, 1877. Before com-
mencing his labors, he took a couple of days for rest, of which
he stood in great need. On Sunday night, Dr. Baldwin in-
troduced him to the congregation of the Third Street Baptist
Church, whom he addressed in a few earnest and telling re-
marks, concluding with a fervent prayer to the Almighty,
that his labors might be blessed in their city. Before giving
a connected account of the Troy work, Mr. Murphy's views
and feelings, as expressed in a conversation with a local
journalist, will be of decided interest, and we quote the more
important parts of the interview :
" I tell you, my friend," he remarked, " I have gone into
this blessed field body and soul, and I am going to stick to it,
sink or swim. You may not be sanguine of the success of the
great movement here, but I am morally certain that unex-
pected results will crown our labors in this city."
" What are your impressions of Troy, Mr. Murphy ?"
" I am favorably impressed with your city, and feel satisfied
in my own mind that an opportunity is offered here for me to
do great good, and that too many of your citizens are slaves
to the habit of drink. I do not believe in having the love of
God as a respecter of persons, but consider one man is no
742 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
better than another any further than his conduct justifies.
It is utterly impossible to separate the poor from the rich, or
the ignorant from the intelligent. Our interests are mutually
bound up together ; thei'efore it is the duty of all to do what
they can, consistently with their convictions of right, to eman-
cipate mankind from the slavery of spirituous liquors."
"How do you propose to inaugurate your movement here? 1 '
" By a public address, in which I shall appeal to the honor,
intelligence, integrity and love of truth and justice. The
pledge will be offered upon that occasion, but it is not my
wish to have anybody subscribe his name to the obligation
unless he feels it his duty to do so. Afterwards noonday
prayer-meetings will be held for the purpose of asking the
blessing of God upon our united efforts to reclaim men from
the power of intoxicating drink, and then I can have a per-
sonal interview with these individuals, take them by the hand,
look into their faces and give such counsel as I think they
stand in need of. The work is truly one of love and kindness,
and our motto is, ' Malice toward none, and Charity for all.'
There is no denunciation of liquor dealers ; if men will stop
buying, the sale will cease. Drinking is a voluntary act ; if
men drink they certainly have the right to cease doing so.
But to accomplish this end and overcome the pernicious appe-
tite, divine help is needed."
" How do you propose, Mr. Murphy, to carry out your work
and make it permanent after it is once fairly established ?"
" I firmly believe that every man has religious convictions ;
that he is friendly to some religious society in the city in
which he lives ; that it is a duty which he owes to himself and
his family to become connected with a religious body in order
to encircle himself, after he has resolved upon a reform, with
restraints and influences which will tend to assist him in main-
taining his word of honor. I think we should establish read-
ing-rooms in different sections of the city, and supply them
with the daily papers, scientific and mechanical journals, the
leading monthlies and periodicals, where the workingmen can
FRANCIS MURPHY. 743
assemble, read the current news and spend an evening profit-
ably to themselves ' and to their vocations. I would connect
with each of these reading-rooms a post-office where young
mechanics and others may have their letters and postal matter
mailed to them, in that way inducing an attendance and popu-
larizing the ' walks of temperance.' "
" I should like to ask you a question, Mr. Murphy, which
would naturally interest the readers of the Times. Will the
movement be connected with any church organization in the
city?"
" Decidedly, none whatever. It is thoroughly Christian in
its spirit, and all may co-operate with us as our platform is
broad. It is neither sectarian nor political, but Christian and
humanitarian, and a purely temperance movement conducted
on Christian principles."
" Still, do you think a religious movement inseparable from
tempei'ance reform ?"
" I do, because the moment a man becomes sober he com-
mences living better by providing for his family, beautifying
his home, educating his children, and experiences a more sin-
cere love for truth. Religion, to my mind, really consists in
living well. Our temperance movement will have in it all
the elements that enrich and ennoble human life."
" How long do you propose to remain in Troy ?"
" I have no definite knowledge of the length of time, but will
probably remain here as long as I feel I can accomplish good."
" What remuneration are you to receive for your services
in Troy ?"
" There is no stated sum ; it is left with a committee of
citizens to pay me what they may see fit after I have com-
pleted my labors here, and however small the amount, I assure
you I shall not grumble."
" Do you expect to enlist Christian women of our city in
yo(r enterprise, Mr. Murphy ?"
" Certainly I do."
" How do you desire them to assist you V
744 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
" I trust they will form a commission with their headquarters
at some point in close proximity to the hall where the meet-
ings are held, and that they will provide sandwiches for the
hungry and furnish such clothing as the unfortunate poor are
in great need of."
" Do you expect immediate abstinence from the confirmed
inebriate ?"
" No, sir. That man needs to be nursed, to be treated med-
icinally, and receive good food in order to prepare him for the
.great change which he must necessarily undergo before he
can be fairly established in the paths of temperance."
" Is there any foundation, Mr. Murphy, in the statement
that has been widely circulated by the press throughout the
country, to the effect that you have insisted upon the pay-
ment of $200 for each night you have lectured ?"
" The assertion is conspicuously false in every respect. I
have never asked or demanded pay for services I have rend-
ered. Very flattering inducements have been frequently
offered me to travel through the countiy as a lecturer, but my
sense of right would not permit me to accept such offers.
You will admit yourself that the moment I enlist my labors
in a movement for which I receive a certain fixed price, my
work as a reformer ceases. With the view of assisting me
in my straitened circumstances, the executive committee oi
the National Christian Temperance Association made a series
of engagements for me in western cities, with the understand-
ing that I was to be paid $200 a night, but they were all cau
celed by me, contrary to the wishes of the committee, for fear
that it would hurt the cause to which I was so devoted."
" What has been your success in large cities ?"
" In Pittsburgh and Alleghany City we succeeded in three
months in obtaining 95,000 signatures to the pledge, and I am
informed that during the past year not one per cent, has
fallen off. In Philadelphia 110,000 people signed the pledge
during my stay there. Do not be discouraged, bright times
are coming for Troy, and I am convinced they are not far off."
FEANCIS MURPHY. 745
"What do you think of Father Mathew as a reformer?"
" I think he was the greatest benefactor that God ever gave
to Ireland. I have met with many of my countrymen who
signed the pledge with Father Mathew, and who have faith-
fully kept it, and as a result, they have paid for their homes,
educated their children, and are now honored and respected
citizens."
" What are your impressions of John B. Gough ?"
" He is second to none as a reformer. He is one who has
always yielded obedience to the subject as God has given him
to see it. He is not jealous or envious he is too great in him-
self to be jealous of any man."
Francis Murphy's initial meeting in Troy was a most re-
markable one. The audience room of the City Hall was
crowded to an uncomfortable degree ; and it was estimated
fully 1,000 persons were utterly unable to get even within
hearing of the great speaker, and consequently were obliged
to go away.
The reception given to Mr. Murphy was hearty in the ex-
treme, and plainly indicated what feelings he aroused wherever
he went. His heart must have felt very glad at the success of
the opening day of his work here. His address consisted
chiefly of a rapid sketch of his life ; and was replete with pas-
sionate and eloquent appeals to his hearers. Many of his de
scriptions were so pathetic that persons wept unreserved-ly.
Now and then he would lapse into a full, rich brogue, and tell
some humorous story that would set the audience into peals of
hearty laughter.
The opening part of Mr. Murphy's inaugural address to the
people of Troy, we give as follows :
" Ladies and Gentlemen :
"My dear friends, I thank you again and again for this royal
reception to the city of Troy, and I assure you all 1 have a
heai't that feels and a memory that docs not forget. The
welcome I have received from your clergy will be a bene-
diction for a-11 time to come. I have met your mayor, and a
33
746 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
more agreeable reception I have never experienced. I am
proud that he is the chief magistrate of the city ; that he is
an Irishman, and that his name is Murphy. I love my country
and my countrymen I don't go behind the bush to conceal it
and it is always a source of great satisfaction to see their
Thames high up on the roll of honor.
" For the past week I have been in your city resting, and I
am delighted with its general appearance. Looking at the
long rows of trees on either side of the streets, I thought how
beautiful they must have looked as the green clasped the green
across them. Troy is certainly a grand place to live in, situate
as it is close to the noble Hudson and overshadowed by
mountains like Jerusalem. It is worth a lifetime to be intro-
duced to such an interested audience upon an occasion similar
to this, and the grand exhibition at Philadelphia did not pre-
sent as glorious a spectacle. It was with great satisfaction
that I had an interview with my dear friend, Father Haver-
mans, and received his blessing and God-speed in the move-
ment I came here to inaugurate. It is my purpose, in coming
here, to do good, if possible.
" I have no unkind word for liquor dealers. If men stop
drinking whisky, its sale will cease. With peace on earth and
good will towards all men, we are here, believing that we can
only accomplish good by introducing God's love and mercy.
I have a request to make that you will pray for me, and that
all I do and say will be prompted by God's spirit.
" My theme this afternoon is real life, in which I myself am
chiefly concerned. Life has always furnished stranger stories
than romance, and truth is stranger than fiction. On April 24,
1836, I was born in the southern part of Ireland in the county
of Wexford. My home was an humble little thatched cottage
sitting upon a grassy mound overlooking the sea. Although
separated from that humble place for more than twenty years,
and to-night by thousands of miles, I look back to the sacred
spot and in imagination see it as it was. Well do I remember
my sainted mother kneeling by my side in prayer and asking
FRANCIS MURPHY. 747
God to watch over and protect me. Well do I remember how
often I stood in the little cottage door, looked out on the
bright bosom of the sea and watched the vessels pass and rcpass
with their snowy white sails, toward the land of the brave and
the home of the free. I had heard of this wonderful country
with its templed hills, its golden mines, until my young heart
thirsted and longed for the time to come when I might sail for
the land of liberty.
''But this seemed to me like hoping against fate, for we were
poor and had to struggle with poverty to fight against it and
drive it out of the house as best we could. I trust you who
are before me this afternoon are not afflicted with that disease,
but we were peculiarly troubled with it in the little cottage
'beyant the say.' In an humble way following reapers in
the fields and gathering the sheaves I began to earn my living,
but right here I want to say, young men, do not be ashamed of
honest labor. Whatever thy hand findeth to do that is honor-
able, do it with thy might, with all thy strength, and the bless-
ing of Him who made us in the express image of Himself will
crown your efforts with success.
" Don't stand with folded hands calling upon Hercules for as-
sistance, but take the help of honeat labor and let it lead you,
whether it is in the workshop, the office, or in the furrowed
field. Shame upon you who are waiting for an uncle to die to
leave you money, but with a brave heart stand out and earn
your bread by the sweat of your brow. The secret of a suc-
cessful life and honest manhood is to live within your income.
" The feeling of being obliged to turn around and walk in
an opposite direction when you see a creditor coming towards
you, is not an agreeable one. Whatever you pledge your word
of honor to do, do it like a man, but be careful what you
pledge. It is the man who has the will, the courage, the kingly
nobility within him to take part manfully in the battle of life
that will work out his own salvation successfully. It is the
man who will stand up like a man amongst men and earn his
own bread."
748 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
The remainder of the oration was devoted to a sketch of his
own career, the details of which have already been given in
this book. After the address Mr. and Mrs. Taylor sang " Hold
the Fort " in a stirring fashion, all joining in the chorus. The
evening session of the same day was signalized by brief
speeches by Col. Caldwell and Eccles Robinson. The former
said :
" Thomas De Quincy, in one of his essays, remarked that
' When eagles soared to heaven, bats and owls should retire to
their dens ; ' and after you have listened to the grand efforts
of Francis Murphy this afternoon, it seems almost sacrilegious
that I should say a single word to this audience. But Mr.
Murphy is not a flowing well, and cannot talk all the time, so
I am here to speak upon the subject of temperance. I must
preface my remarks by saying that I am only a young con-
vert to the cause. For fifty-five years I lived without sign-
ing a total abstinence pledge, and I confess I didn't believe in
it ; and to a certain extent I made use of spirituous liquors. I
held with indifference those who gave their support to the
temperance cause, and looked upon it as a movement in which
pious Christian women might with propriety interest them-
selves. It always seemed to me that the temperance adherents
or followers commenced by denouncing liquor sellers and
declaring that those who drank intoxicating beverages should
be kept at arm's length, while the sellers themselves were lost
beyond all prayers. I was informed by these partisans that all
drinkers, together with the dealers, were scoundrels and ruf-
fians, and outside of the pale of redemption. Now, as I myself
was engaged in the business, I did not, as you may imagine,
particularly appreciate these tirades. About a year ago I
heard of an Irishman in Pittsburgh, named Francis Murphy,
who preached there in behalf of the ' cold water ' cause under
the motto * Malice toward none, Charity for all,' and I was
somewhat struck with the difference between his platform and
that of other reformers. The good temperance people of
Elraira prosecuted the poor, insignificant rum-sellers who were
FRANCIS MURPHY. 740
running their small shops in violation of the license law. This
action, of course, pleased us large dealers, and we approved of
this course because it naturally added to our business consider-
ably. Hearing of Murphy's motto, with the mantle of charity
thrown around it, I determined to listen to this man if he ever
visited my city.
" My wife expressed the wish that I should attend a temper-
ance meeting given in Elmira last winter, and presided orer
by a young man named Eccles Robinson, who is here and will
address you to-night. If you can show me a wife who does
not want her husband a total abstinence man I will show you
a curiosity ! I will not recite the particulars of my signing
the pledge, and the earnest solicitations of my wife urging me
to take the step. I had always been previous to that time
what is generally termed a moderate, drinker ; but there are
many who go down to their graves, killed by drink, believing
they, too, are only ' moderate ' drinkers. The only safety is in
total abstinence.
" It is a most singular fact that the two men who have accom-
plished the most good for the cause of temperance are both
Irishmen, Father Mathew and this gentlemen on my left,
Francis Murphy.
" Father Mathew administered the total abstinence pledge
with the solemnity of a saint, and gave to the ceremony all the
sanction of the church, the oldest Christian church of the
world. He went through all Ireland with the pledge, and
gave it as a benediction to thousands upon thousands of
people. Not satisfied with this, he crossed the Atlantic and
reared a monument to his goodness and love here that will
last while countless ages shall roll by. Father Mathew not
only preached temperance, but he persuaded men in words of
love and charity to sign the pledge and become better men.
The hundreds of ' Father Mathew total abstinence societies '
all over our land attest that though dead he yet speaketh.
"Francis Murphy, like this famed Irish priest, goes with the
pledge in one hand and the religion of the Bible in the other,
750 THE LIFE AND WOEK OP
and preaches that, with ' Malice toward none, with Charity to
all,' men engaged in the traffic of intoxicating liquors and
those who drink the same are all to be saved by preaching
words of love and kindness. And so these two Irishmen,
Father Mathew and Francis Murphy, will stand in history as
the two greatest temperance reformers of this age.
" They have done more for the cause than all of the lecturers
combined. While John B. Gough is a great orator his actual
results among the people cannot be compared with those of the
other two. Both of the latter join with their work the relig-
ious spirit. Mr. Murphy, the advocate of gospel temperance,
comes to this city, feeling that he is commissioned by heaven
to undertake and carry out this good work. He does not come
for the purpose of advancing or injuring the interests of any
political party, nor is he here under the auspices of any religious
sect or denomination ; but he comes here to preach from the
platform of Christ to induce men to come forward and sign
the pledge. God forbid that I should say anything to injure
the feelings of other temperance reformers or workers who
have labored so hard for the cause, but I feel they have all
been too long in the same rut, and should get out of it. You
well remember the parable of the fishermen who cast their nets
upon one side of their boat and were unsuccessful, and follow-
ing the counsel of Jesus they tried the other side and were
rewarded by an immense haul. It is the same with other
temperance reformers, they have been fishing on the wrong
side, while Father Mathew and Francis Murphy have been
casting their nets upon the right side with success.
" I believe there are men here to-night who want to break off
intemperate habits and all they require is a friendly hand to
assist them. We have not come here to save confirmed inebri-
ates alone, but we want to rescue the young men who labor
under the impression that it is something manty to drink
liquor. W 3 have come here, too, in the name of Christ, to save
the hard working mechanics who spend their money for rum
instead of carrying it home to their wives ; to save the nioder-
FEANCIS MT7KPHY. 751
ate drinkers, and in fact to save all who are addicted to intem-
perate habits. We ask the co-operation of you all the clergy,
laymen and the public press, which spreads in the community
the results of the good work as they occur. Give us, my dear
friends, your prayers and efforts in this good work. Good-
night."
The remarks of Eccles Robinson at the same meeting were
these :
" Friends : It is with great trepidation that I speak to you
to-night, but I am willing to do anything in my feeble power
to save young men from doing as I have done. To this class
I particularly address myself and desire their attention. The
old Connecticut ' blue ' law, which prohibited a husband kiss-
ing his wife on Sunday, was evaded by husbands kissing other
people's wives upon that day, and in the same way all legisla-
tion in the matter of the sale of intoxicating liquors may be
dodged. The drinking men I do not consider the worst in
your community, though they are marked by society, while
rich men committing greater crimes are upheld and tolerated.
Let us with the spirit of charity do all we can for the drinking
men, and exert our utmost to save fallen victims.
" Parents should not set temptations before their children.
When I was young I had the best of resolutions and never
expected to fall as low as I subsequently did. I remember
being called before President McCosh after a spree and told
by him that I must leave college. I tried to induce him to
give me another chance to reform, pledging myself that I
would be a man among men, but he said ' No.' After leav-
ing college I returned to my home in Pittsburgh, and though
I made many good resolves I could not withstand the tempta-
tion to drink. I even went out West upon the plains in order
to overcome, if possible, the fearful appetite, but without suc-
cess. At last I became friendless and penniless in the streets.
The only friend true to me through all my misery was my
wife. For three weeks I kept a saloon in Pittsburgh, but the
following circumstance induced me to give up the business.
752 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
One night I played cards and drank liquor with a young me-
chanic until four o'clock in the morning, and he left me under
the influence of the drug. The next morning I heard that he
had been killed while coupling cars at the depot, and I felt
that I was partly responsible for his death.
" Last Christmas my physician said ' Your constitution is
gone, you must soon die, and I would advise you to make your
preparations for that event.' It was at that time I met Mr.
Murphy, who told me by the exercise of my will and God's
grace I could become a sober man and do some good in the
community. By the grace of the Lord, I am now a free man
and will die one, and the shackles are not forged that can bind
me down again to the curse of intemperance."
The result of the morning meeting was a perfect headlong
rush to the stage, of people who wished to sign the pledge,
Mr. Murphy encouraging them with kindly and inspiring
words. Over three hundred then and there subscribed and
quitted the hall, decorated with the bit of blue ribbon, which
is the emblem of open adherence to the temperance cause, as
organized in the Murphy leagues.
In the evening, the crowd was fully as great and clamorous
for seats as that of the afternoon, and far more enthusiastic.
After the sweet hymn, " I Will Sing of My Redeemer,"
was rendered, Mr. Murphy stepped forward and said, in a
most touching way : " I thank God for this sweet music, and
the man who penned those beautiful lines. My friends, the
lady who just sang was the sister of the late Mr. Bliss, the
composer of the song/' Mrs. Wilson was affected to tears.
Col. Luther Caldwe,i was introduced to the audience in a
most friendly fashion by Mr. Murphy as a " Christian gentle-
man, an ex-officer in the rebellion, and late mayor of the city of
Eimira, who possesses one of the greatest hearts I have en-
countered."
The remarks made by the gallant colonel, which we have
abeady given, were listened to with deep interest, and were so
FRANCIS MURPHY. 753
full of common sense and sound logic, and withal so genial,
that he was much applauded.
As he is a prominent figure in the cause, our disgression
will be pardoned and appreciated by the kind reader, before
whom we place the following faithful description of the colo-
nel's tout ensemble, quoted from an excellent authority : " He
is about fifty-four years of age, and of medium height ; of
full proportions, and rather inclines to stoutness ; with an
open, genial face, clearly showing the kindly spirit possessed
by its owner ; with a strong, powerful voice, which could be
heard in every part of the hall ; with a clear, bright eye, and
a pleasant smile, that seemed to exert a magnetic influence
upon his listeners, and an earnestness in delivery which
rivited the attention of all."
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson sang that beautiful song, entitled, " I
am on the Lord's side, Bless the Lord ;" after which Mr. Mur-
Murphy said he " took great pleasure in introducing to the
audience a young man who had a fortune left him of $70,000,
which he threw away in three years in dissipation. He be-
came tired and weary of life, but he was induced to reform,
and is now a most conscientious worker for the cause of tem-
perance ; and through his instrumentality thousands had
signed the pledge."
This young man was Eccles Robinson, who had conducted
so very successfully a Murphy movement in the city of El-
mira. He received a warm reception. He is a man of about
twenty-seven years of age, and possesses an impressive man-
ner and very earnest delivery. The audience betrayed. an
almost breathl ^ss attention as it listened to his telling recital
of his experien ;es, and fruitless efforts to break off from the
habit of intemperance.
After a j athetic song from the Wilsons, Mr. Murphy spoke
for twenty minutes in a most stirring and effective manner,
carrying the immense concourse of people with him from his
first words to his last.
The people sat spell-bound under his wonderful magnetic
82*
754 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
influence. His naturally fine dramatic powers were fully de-
veloped in the descriptions of intemperance as a venomous
serpent ; and when in closing he asked all present to step for-
ward and take the pledge, certainly, hundreds upon hundreds
did so. One thousand persons signed the pledge that memo-
rable day in Troy.
The meeting on Wednesday was greater in attendance, and
even more successful than any of the previous ones. The
City Hall was perfectly jammed, containing fully one thou-
sand four hundred persons.
Mr. Murphy's address was very effective. In speaking of
liquor sellers, he said, " You cannot induce these men to close
their saloons by vituperation or abuse. They must be dealt
with in an entirely different way. They will not stop selling
liquors until men cease drinking them, and there is no demand.
Social companionship induces many to become intoxicated,
brought about by the system observed when there is a large
party together, of ' setting 'em up, and down they go.' It- is
only on account of the demand that saloons exist.
" I tell you, my friends," said Mr. Murphy, " you can tell
of the strength, culture and refinement of a people by the ap-
pearance the city in which they live presents. If you go to
saloon keepers and vent abuse directly at them, the probabili-
ties are you will b forcibly ejected from their establishments,
and the saying that 'more flies can be caught by molasses than
by vinegar,' is true in regard to liquor sellers.
" The world is to be saved by kindness, and in no other way.
How many are saved who are turned out of jails and State
prisons ? But men who believe in and practice mercy towards
the fallen, have saved many by affectionate words and looks."
After Mr. Murphy had resumed his seat and the sweet
singers, the Wilsons, had sung, Col. Caldwell introduced
Edward Murphy, the son of the temperance apostle, to tho
audience. The young man was greeted with a hearty burst of
applause.
He delivered a pithy and able address of fifteen minutes'
FRANCIS MtTRPHY. 755
duration, which showed him to be the fortunate possessor of the
natural oratorical abilities and fluency so prominent in his father.
An overflow meeting was held in Dr. Baldwin's church ad-
joining the City Hall, which was an ovation in its way. The
sacred edifice was crowded, and the people were very demon-
strative.
Mr. Murphy, Col. Caldwell, and Eccles Robinson addressed
the people, and were received with marked favor and a great
deal of genuine enthusiasm.
The Saturday night meeting was made doubly interesting
by the brief and telling speeches of the reformed men. No
one could doubt the good Mr. Murphy had already done when
one saw the hardest drinkers in the city standing before an im-
mense audience, and confessing their desire for reformation.
Gilbert McMasters, an attorney at law, of Pittsburgh, and a
most zealous laborer in the noble cause, was introduced by
Mr. Murphy, who said he was a recent convert, and told what
good he had done. Mr. McMasters' remarks were to the
point, and delivered in a'n earnest manner, enlisted the atten-
tion and interest of the audience in his behalf.
Angelo Packard, of Troy, and a recent convert, was brought
forward by the apostle, and spoke in the following feeling
manner :
"Ladles and Gentlemen:
" I have never before addressed an audience, and it is with
no small degree of trepidation that I take my position upon this
platform to-night. If I can say anything which will be pro-
ductive of good, I shall consider myself amply repaid. I was
a drinking inai>i and used intoxicating liquor steadily for three
or four years. I nearly broke the hearts of my mother and
my wife, and my friends all lost their respect for me. My
appetite became so strong that I drank each day from thirty
to forty glasses, and robbed my family of means for support.
A gentleman yesterday said to me, ' Why, Packard, you are
a fool to give yourself away, nobody knew that you were a
drinking man.' But I tell you, somebody did know I drank.
756 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
My parents knew I drank, and so did my wife. Some of you
may say I am going to break my pledge, but I think there is
no power that could induce me to do so ; and I earnestly
appeal to all young men to come forward and do as I have
done."
Mr. Murphy next introduced Andrew J. Felter, a well-
known mechanic, whose appearance upon the platform created
great surprise among the audience, arid caused loud and pro-
longed applause. " Though his remarks were short," says an
excellent authority, u they were delivered in a straightfor-
ward, honest way, and were doubtless more effective than a
long, scholarly effort from Gough would have proved undei
the circumstances." Pie said : " I never made a speech before
in my life, unless it was in a bar-room. When Mr. Murphy
came here, I attended the first meeting, took the pledge, and
by the help of God, I mean to keep it."
Henry C. Ellis was well known in Troy as a man over-fond
of his cup. Not unfrequently did he figure in the police
courts. When he, after Mr. Murphy's introduction, advanced
on the platform, the audience was very much amazed. He
received a burst of deafening applause. He said : " I was in-
duced to sign the pledge last night through remarks made by
this gentleman (pointing to Mr. Murphy), which touched my
heart. Some people say, ' You cannot keep it.' Why, here I
have kept it already twenty-four hours. Thank God I am
here, and I propose to keep the pledge in spite of whatever
may be said to me."
One of the most interesting features of this meeting was
the conversion of a mute, who held quite an animated and
long conversation with Mr. Murphy, through the aid of an
interpreter. The crowds were so large that a plan had to be
devised to accommodate them ; so it was agreed to have
separate neetings for children. The first matinee was held
on Saturday afternoon, and was very largely attended by the
Troy youth, accompanied by their mothers. Considerable
juvenile enthusiasm among the audience was manifested dur-
FRANCIS MURPHY. 757
ing the cheery and pleasant " talks," delivered by Thomas
Cooper, of Pittsburgh, Mrs. Wilson, the vocalist, and Col.
Luther Caldwell.
On Wednesday night, November 30, the City Hall was un-
comfortably crowded, and the people demonstrated that the
interest Francis Murphy had aroused in Troy was not of
a transitory character. Thomas E. Murphy, son of the tem-
perance advocate, conducted the overflow meeting at the
Third Street Baptist Church, with considerable success. It
was very largely attended, and the speeches made by Col.
Caldwell, Capt. Lyons, of Elmira, and others were greeted
with frequent and marked expressions of hearty approval.
Francis Murphy made one of his forcible and characteristic
speeches in which he said he thoroughly believed in a republic ;
that it was possible for one to heal and correct all the wrongs
that affect society. The recent slavery in the South and its
abolition was cited as an example; but the slavery which
whisky brings upon people entails more suffering and sorrow
than was the oppression of the colored race. The laws of
human life denounced the institution of slavery, and that
noble patriot, John Brown, suffered death for the position he
assumed and maintained upon the subject. It was this man
who first raised his voice in favor of emancipation of the col-
ored man and while on his way to the gallows, the morning he
was executed, he met a little colored child, whom he kissed,
saying; " I die for you, my boy ! " This talk relative to
the emancipation of the negro was received with great ap-
plause.
Mr. Murphy, after his address, introduced a Pittsburgh con-
vert by the name of McCurry, who said he was thankful he
could bring good news to them. He had been laboring for
some time past at Little Falls, in the temperance cause ; the
battle had been hard, but by prayer and earnest work, the
walls had been scaled and the struggle had resulted success'
fully. Seventeen hundred signers to the pledge had beeu
secured, hundreds were continuing to take their places in the
758 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
ranks of gospel temperance, and in a few more days the vil-
lage would be rescued entirely from intemperance.
Mr. Myers, a gentleman from Pittsburgh, followed, who
said he supposed he could control his appetite, but found out
his mistake by an experience which induced him to sign the
total abstinence pledge. While on a visit South, he was in-
vited to dinner with a friend, and partook so freely of apple
brandy the effects of which he did not understand that he
discovered his inability to leave his chair. He thought he was
drunk ; in fact he knew he was drunk. In a similar way, said
the speaker, you will be tripped up in your good morals unless
you put your name to the pledge.
Henry C. Ellis, who has contributed not a little to the in-
terest of the meetings by the entertaining and very character-
istic way in which he recited some of the thrilling experiences
of his eventful life, was next called upon, and made a short
address. At the conclusion of his remarks there was great
applause, and Mr. Murphy called for three cheers from the
audience, which were given in a style which certainly must
have pleased the ex-drunkard, Henry C. Ellis.
Col. Caldwell perused an epistle he had just received from
the proprietor of the Elmira Advertiser, informing him that
James Gilson, his bar-tender when he owned the Rathbun
House, had signed the pledge, and given up the business.
Capt. Lyons next addressed the audience in a telling manne*
describing his degraded condition previous to his conversion
to the cause of total abstinence, and in a very demonstrative
way advised all young men to sign the pledge, and avoid the
manifold perils of rum.
The services on Thanksgiving night were unusually inter-
esting. The weather was exceedingly inclement, and it was
feared few would brave the storm to listen to temperance
talk ; but the hall was as full as ever, and even standing room
was considered desirable.
" Real merit," Francis Murphy said, "was the test of dis-
cipleship." Every upright person in this country could climb
FRANCIS MURPHY. "59
up the rugged way to success, step by step, and though very
weary at times, the blessed thought that he was a man would
steadily urge him on, and at last permit him to stand on the
summit of prosperity "crowned with eternal sun." Our
country was the grandest in the world, continued the speaker,
and it did not take him long after reaching New York to learn
the energy and activity of the Yankee temperament together
with the busy struggle everywhere to amass wealth. In fact, this
country could be compared to the rest of the world as a watch-
spring to the mechanism of a time-keeper. He referred in a
forcible way to our ancestors who, though numbering but three
and a half millions, were determined to free themselves from
the old world, which they did nobly. Are we to become free
men, to obtain a freedom greater than that of our forefathers ?
Nearly, if not quite, said Mr. Murphy, 5,000,000 people in this
country had already signed the pledge of total abstinence. It
was the duty of all to do what they could towards bringing
about this temperance reform. No one should falter in their
faith or trust in the One who protected their fathers in the
beautiful land given them. This country is ours, and like the
army in blue that marched down South with the cry, " we are
coming 500,000 more," our shout will be, "we are coming
45,000,000 strong" to drive rum from the land saved by the
hand of God.
The Hon. Robert Love, ex-mayor of Steubenville, Ohio, fol-
lowed in a clever and impressive speech, substantially as fol-
lows :
He said he was a sinner saved by grace, and there was no
man in Troy who had suffered more from the effects of intern
perance than himself ; that the past year of total abstinence
had been the happiest of his life. Look at the effects of rum
upon this country, and take warning. He pitied from the
depths of his heart confirmed drunkards and liquor-sellers, but
he thought the only way to win them to the side of temperance
was by kindness, for law by its penalties and the vituperation
of hate had alike proved unavailing. Let us raise the banner
?60 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
of " Malice towards none and Charity for all," and we shall
finally stand by the grave of the curse intemperance and sing,
" Hallelujah, 'tis done."
George Hall, formerly a gambler and saloon-keeper at
Pittsburgh, next addressed the audience. He thanked God
he was able to stand upon that platform a sober man and in
his right mind. He had sold liquor and kept gambling-houses,
but he was glad to say he was out of the business entirely.
He did not make this remark with any wish to injure the feel-
ings of those present in the audience who sold whisky or were
accustomed to sitting behind green covered tables. Many
true-hearted and noble men were occupied in that way who
would gladly pursue another business if one was opened to
them. The speaker said he did not think the habit would
fasten itself upon him when he first began drinking, but he
discovered he was mistaken. He was forty years old, and he was
certain one-fourth of his life had been passed in prison. He
referred in a touching way to the sufferings of his wife when
he was incarcerated in jail ; that he loved his wife dearly, and
upon gaining his liberty always made good resolutions to
reform, but his appetite for rum was too strong for him to
resist, until he met and received words of encouragement from
Mr. Murphy. He warned young married men to beware of
the ruinous effects of drink, which " biteth like a serpent and
stingeth like an adder." " Be men and do not touch the ac-
cursed stuff to your lips," eloquently pleaded the speaker. If he
had not been saved by Mr. Murphy, he knew he would have
been on the wrong side during the recent riots, and perhaps
met with death.
He was followed by Martin Peelor, who made an impres-
sive address, which was very well received by the audience.
He said while sitting there memory had been busy and his
thoughts had carried him back a year ago when he was con-
fined in the Albany penitentiary. He was thankful that Mur-
phy's life-boat had drifted near him and thanked God he was
uow on the right side. It was by first taking the " occasional"
FEANCIS HT7KPHY. 761
glass that he had by successive stages reached his present de-
graded position. We may foster the delusion that we can
quaff the social glass with impunity, but there is danger in the
experiment and it was not safe to attempt it, for no social
position or wealth can save you. It was only by the means of
this (showing a Murphy pledge) that your preservation is
assured and you find yourself a free man. Mr. Peelor was
followed by Dr. Searle, who made a short and characteristic
speech. He spoke of the fact that many husbands had eaten
their Thanksgiving dinners that day at home with their fam-
ilies who had not done so for years on account of having been
drunk. He thought this city was going to be redeemed be-
cause men were pledging by God's help to abstain from intoxi-
cating liquors. " Would it be a pleasing episode in the life of
a father who took an occasional glass to see his son a drunk-
ard and hear him say, ' You are the cause of my degradation,
father ' ? "
The work of gospel temperance was commenced at Lansing-
burgh by Francis Murphy, on Wednesday, November 28, at
8:30 o'clock, P. M. The large audience room of the Methodist
Church was packed with people, not even standing room being
left. Mr. Murphy appeared promptly at the appointed hour,
accompanied by Col. Caldwell, the sweet singers, Mr. and
Mrs. Wilson, and they were greeted by the audience in a most
emphatic and enthusiastic manner. Col. Caldwell was first
introduced, and for half an hour spoke to the people in words
of burning eloquence and exquisite pathos. Then came the
man, whose name is now known throughout all America, who
stands before the whole civilized world as a hero in the in-
terests of moral reform. Every one present cheered as he
stood before them ; and gazed intently at that handsome mus-
cular form now so familiar and loved by thousands upon
thousands.
For fully one hour he spoke in his happiest vein, and carried
every one with him, from tears and sobs, to shouts of laughter,
as he chose. Certainly no man has ever made so powerful
762 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
and wonderful an impression on the Lansiugburghers as
Francis Murphy. They recognized him as specially sent
to arouse the people of this country to the awful results of
intemperance, and the glorious and blessed cause of total ab-
stinence. At the close of his stirring address he most cordially
invited all to come and sign the pledge, and hundreds availed
themselves of the kind privilege. Many leading citizens who
never had before taken an active part in temperance, came
forward, and signed, among whom may be mentioned the
postmaster, ex-Sheriff Cornell. Nearly eight hundred signed
the Murphy pledge. George Hall and Robert Lane were
among the workers, and had entire charge of the meetings.
Meetings were held in this place every afternoon and evening,
and the excitement spread like wild-fire all over this section of
the country.
The temperance wave reached Hart's Falls, and swept over
it with astounding results. Baker's Hall was crowded nightly,
and the enthusiasm was very intense. In a short space of
time five hundred and sixty persons in this place signed their
names to the pledge. A like result was felt at Glenn's Falls.
The large auditorium, galleries and aisles of the Opera House
were excessively crowded every night ; and in one week only
there were over four hundred names appended to the Murphy
pledge. C. C. Frost, the eminent lecturer, awakened an in-
terest in temperance matters that greatly exceeded anything
heretofore known at Glenn's Falls. Five young men, habitual
sots, belonging to the wealthiest and most influential families
in the place, were induced to take the pledge.
In West Troy the excitement was similar. The people
seemed to have but one wish, and that was to be Murphy
men. Here, in only one evening, there were three hundred
signers to the pledge. Francis Murphy's advent was a perfect
ovation, and productive of untold good.
On Friday night, the last day in that most memorable month
of November, the audience in the City Hall was as crowded as
on former occasions. Mr. Murphy made a brief speech, in
FRANCIS MURPHY. 763
which he most aptly said, " that fathers made a a mistake in
not associating more with their sons, and making companions
of them. If more care was taken in their training, they would
become better and more useful men." Addressing himself to
the young ladies present in the audience, the speaker said, " If
they would endeavor to make it pleasant for their brothers as
they did for other gii'ls' brothers, their own would stay at
home more, and not seek amusement elsewhere. If young
men before him, like the prodigal son, who had deserted their
homes, could only become aware of the love and longing felt
for them by their parents and friends, and the pleasure in
store for them upon their return, he was confident there would
be no hesitancy on their part to reform and lead in the future
strictly temperance lives."
He then introduced, in his usual happy way, Mr. Fulsom, of
Binghamton, who said, " It was needless for him to say it
was a pleasure to be there and address such an audience upon
the theme of temperance. God, through His infinite mercy,
had saved him by this gospel temperance, and he felt it his
duty to do what he could for the cause. He said he was
stopped at the brink of a drunkard's grave by Francis Mur-
phy ; that he attended a temperance meeting at Binghamton,
and went reeling down one of the aisles of the hall, and
signed the pledge, for the purpose of casting a slur upon the
movement. The next day he resolved, upon consideration, to
adhere to the pledge, and God had given him strength to pre-
serve it. Thanksgiving day," he added, " a sober man, sur-
rounded by his wife and children, he was happy, and certainly
had something for which to be thankful. Appealing to the
men, he implored them to take the pledge ; though people
might say they were signing away their liberty, they were, on
the contrary, by so doing, assuming their liberty." " Come,"
he added, " cast off the chains which keep you in bondage,
and become free men."
Angelo Packard made a very effective speech, and was
much applauded. The Rev. Mr. Daniels, of Chicago, made a
764 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
short address. The latter said he was horn in the theological
seminary of which Francis Murphy was president. Though
the studies taught were somewhat different in this than any
other theological institution, still, the doctrines were sound
and logical, and he thanked the professor (turning to Mr.
Murphy) for his instruction. The scattering and diffusion of
the doctrines of this gospel temperance reform in neighboring
towns and villages, he compared with illuminating a hall with
electricity. He said that speakers generally addressed people
in rear part of the hall, while the worst sinners riot infre-
quently occupied the front seats. His remarks were received
with applause by the audience. Rev. Mr. Sawyer said he
was very much interested in the success of the temperance
movement here, as he thought the influence of the good work
would be felt in Albany. In regard to this reform, he said he
had been very much impressed with two things first, the
power of kindness ; and secondly, the power of God and the
ability of men experiencing it to do right. He felt that Mr.
Murphy was destined to accomplish the greatest temperance
reform ever known to the world. The Rev. Mr. Thompson,
of Albany, followed with a few remarks. He was unable to
say anything in the way of experience, because he had never
tasted intoxicating drink. He said when Bell and Everett ran
in the political field several years ago, the former was eulogized
at a meeting by the speaker, for his scholastic attainments ;
but declared, upon one occasion, when he was sitting in a
dentist's chair, the operator made a mistake, and instead of
extracting a, tooth, pulled out his backbone. He closed by
warning young men who had taken the pledge not to allow
their backbones to be pulled out, but to remain true to the
obligations they had assumed, through encouragements and
discouragements. S. W. Brown, of Galesburg, 111., followed
with a short, pointed speech, and closed by saying God would
bless those who went to prison cells, and taking criminals by
the hand, said there was still hope for them. Martin Peelor
was the next speaker. He said he was unable to give the
FRANCIS MURPHY. 765
audience any idea how happy he had been since signing the
pledgr Many had seen him stumbling through the streets,
drunk, but it would never happen again, for he believed he
was free from the curse of intemperance.
Monday, December 3, was the commencement of the third
week of the Murphy movement in Troy. Mr. Murphy and his
zealous co-laborers had every reason to feel very gratified with
the results they had so far accomplished. As the Troy Times
said at that time : " When the temperance apostle first came
here, many persons doubtingly shook their heads and declared
the impossibility of his obtaining or awakening an interest in
his work among the so-called ' bummer ' class. But the
falsity of their predictions has already been conclusively
proved, and, in addition, the assertion made by Mr. Murphy
when he first arrived here that the movement, with Troy as
its centre, would radiate in all directions, and be felt alike in
the neighboring towns and villages, has been verified. The
friends of the cause are sanguine of still greater success during
the coming week."
On Saturday night Francis Murphy, before a very large and
attentive audience, opened his remarks by referring to the
beautiful in life which abounded in love of the purest quality.
Reminiscences were like life-preservers ; when the memory re-
called those of early boyhood they were often instrumental in
rescuing men from fallen, degraded positions. The precept
always observed by a w mother was " overcome not good with
evil, but overcome evil with good," and the speaker aptly
illustrated this by several incidents in real life. If all do their
duty they will succeed in their work, in which an opportunity
is offered each and every one to accomplish something. The
man selling liquor should be treated charitably, for he Avas
doing so against the convictions of his own heart, and so long
as the demand existed for alcoholic drink the sale would con-
tinue. It was a crime against humanity and God to sell liquor,
but those who bought it were partners with the dealers. He
said he did not want men to sign the pledge unless they be-
766 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
heveJ in it, and he told the Catholics that he himself would
go with them to their priest and take it. He thanked God
that the movement was above sectarianism. All he wanted
was a man to cease drinking intoxicating liquor and adhere to
his. determination.
The five minutes speakers then had the platform to them-
Belves and did some very good talking. One of these men,
by name Daniel Ellis, caused no little merriment among the
audience by his peculiar expressions and illustrative antics.
He said he had heard bad news that morning that he had
been drunk, and the rum-sellers were only going to give him a
vacation of a month. It was all false, however, and he never
intended to violate the pledge he had taken, but proposed to
remain true to the cause he had espoused, and as he returned to
his seat he swung a large blue handkerchief over his head
amid the vociferous laughter and applause of the audience.
Mr. Murphy, with beaming face and sparkling eyes, ad-
vanced on the stage and said he had received a bit of very
good news indeed ; and said his heart felt exceedingly glad.
He produced a piece of paper, and read out in a tone of voice
that rang through the hall like a blast of the hunting horn :
LANSINGBUKGH, Dec. 1 8 P. M.
Francis Murphy, Glty Hall, Troy :
Blessed be God ! The throne of alcohol is tottering and
must fall. Lansingburgh hails Troy with 1,000 signatures.
LOVE & HALL.
What cheers went forth at that ! The building fairly shook
with the ringing sounds. After the excitement had grown a
little less warm, Mr. Murphy introduced the Rev. James H.
Ross, who made a most impressive speech, in which he feelingly
referred to Eccles Robinson, with whom he had an acquaint-
ance at Princeton College in his freshman year. That gentle-
man was habitually intoxicated while there, and he was greatly
surprised to learn of the change that had since come over him.
He added it was the popular impression when a man had
become low and degraded that it was impossible to raise him
FEANCIS MUBPHY. 767
up. People should do away with this idea, for the evidence
presented upon that platform during the past two weiks indi-
cates that any man can be saved and become a respectable and
honored member of society ; that Mr. Murphy himself was an
example in question. A change of personal appearance always
followed the reform of an inebriate, and, in his mind, this was
a test of the sincerity of the man in reform. He had learned
that a saloon-keeper reported his receipts for a given day to
have been only eighty cents [" Thank the Lord," said Mr.
Murphy], and expressed a wish that Mr. Murphy would leave
town as soon as possible [" God bless him," interrupted Mr.
Murphy]. He had been informed by the proprietor of a drug
store that the sale of temperance beverages had greatly in-
creased since the organization of the Murphy movement in
this city. The speaker closed by saying he would do all in his
power to advance the interests of the temperance apostle and
his associates in this city.
The Sunday night meeting was not so large as that of Satur-
day, nor was it expected to be, as an admission fee of twenty-
five cents was charged. This was done every sabbath evening
simply for the purpose of defraying incidental expenses that
occurred in using the City Hall, which were not very light.
Col. Caldwell was the first speaker. He said it had always
been a great pleasure for him to address audiences upon polit-
ical questions during exciting campaigns, but in all his ex-
perience he never heard of his making a single convert by his
efforts, nor had he ever learned of any other political speaker
accomplishing such a result. When he commenced speaking
upon gospel temperance, it was entirely different. At the
very first meeting he addressed, over three hundred people
signed the pledge, including the editor of a newspaper that
had always been inimical to the movement. It was the source
of great satisfaction to feel that he could accomplish some-
thing and was able to witness the results of his labors. It was
a pleasure to receive the thanks of individuals for being in-
strumental in saving their friends and relatives from the
V68 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
intoxicating cup. In Elmira, his native city, 9,000 were in-
duced to sign the pledge, and in Tioga county, Pennsylvania
having a population of 85,000 21,000 had taken the total
abstinence obligation. Wonderful work had been accom-
plished among the miners in that locality, and revivals were
still going on. In this State one hundred men were preaching
temperance in the different sections in an earnest and sincere
manner. In the blue grass region of Kentucky [" Pull 'em
out !" shouted Mr. Murphy] the good work was being pushed
rapidly forward, and great results would be effected. " The
banner of temperance," said the speaker, " shall float high
over the heads of all, and the movement will spread like fire
through the northern districts, up the Mohawk valley and
along the Hudson river to New York." They had every rea-
son, to feel proud of the results that had been accomplished
during the past two weeks. In that time 17,000 pledges had
been distributed from their headquarters to Lansingburgh,
Hart's Falls, Schuylerville and West Troy, but a large propor-
tion of that number had been scattered over Troy. Urgent
invitations had been received by Mr. Murphy to visit other
cities before he came here, but he invariably replied that he
proposed to inaugurate the work in this city first. If one man
had been saved from a di'unkard's grave they considered them-
selves amply repaid for all efforts and expense. They did not
desire, however, to stir up animosities, nor would they ask
anybody to abandon any particular religious sect or political
party. They came here with only one work before them, that
of temperance gospel. The interest developed in the move-
ment here has been remarkable, and they desired to thank the
Christian men and women for their earnest support. The
press was also thanked for the cordial aid and encouragement
it had given the temperance movement. People were natur-
ally interested in the proceedings of the great and good work
now goiug on in this vicinity. Mr. Murphy had announced
his determination to " fight it out on this line if it takes all
winter," and the siege of Troy would not be given up until
FKANCIS MURPHY. 769
unexpected reformatory results took place. God would help
the cause of justice and truth and the gospel temperance light
would beam brighter and brighter every day.
The Wilsons then sang a song, after which Francis Murphy
made one of his excellent speeches. He said, very eloquently,
he was grateful to Him who does all things well, and grateful
for the fair hearing he had been given during his stay in this
city by all. classes of citizens. He had the unshaken faith in
God and man that the liquor-sellers would in a measure co-
operate with him in this temperance movement. Argument,
he thought, could accomplish everything. Charles Sumner, in
his arraignment of slavery, employed only that means. Phys-
ical violence, instead of peaceable argument, in matters of
controversy, shows ignorance and barbarism. Intelligence
and reasoning succeeded in freeing the slaves of this country.
The next legislature may be petitioned to grant $500,000 for
the purpose of building a new prison, when if the people
would generally take the temperance pledge there would be
no necessity of such a measure. Four-fifths of all the crim-
inals were made so through the means of liquor.
The days of impossibilities are past. People laughed and
scoffed at Cyrus Field and the Atlantic cable. But its " click,
click," was in his heart, and he could not dispossess himself of
it, even if he desired to do so, for he knew he was destined to
remove skepticism and doubt. " But," added Mr. Murphy, " a
greater victory is in store for us, and do not close the windows
of your soul to the movement." In closing his remarks the
speaker depicted the scene at the death-bed of his wife in such
a touching manner there were few people in the audience who
were not affected to tears.
On Monday night, December 3, Col. Caldwell addressed
the largest audience of the entire season i,i a powerful manner,
saying : There were some things in temperance that could not
be computed t"ie gains and losses arising thereby. Con
nected with the soul, heart and human happiness were many
matters which would not permit of ordinary treatment. But
33
770 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
mathematics would in a certain degree elucidate some of the
problems. He had been informed that temperance was a
money-making business, and the lecturers became wealthy
through their efforts. This was not so, but in his experience
he found it less expensive to contribute for the movement than
it had been to pay his former liquor bills. The month pre-
vious to his taking the pledge he had expended $52 for liquor,
and the month after joining the temperance movement he had
only expended $25 toward that cause his actual gain being
therefore $27.
The following figures, taken from the reports of E. S. Young,
chief of the United States statistical bureau, and from Com-
missioner Wells' report to Congress in 1869, are certainly un-
deniable and conclusive. The amount of sales by the retail
liquor dealers in the United States was $1,483,491,865. This
was six tenths of the entire amount of the national debt at the
time, i. e., 1869. In the State of New York, with a population
of 4,000,000, the total amount of sales was $246,617,520, or
the sum of $62.50 was paid by each man, woman and child pro
rata. The yearly deaths from intemperance in this country
amount to 75,000 ; of these 71,000 are males and 4,000
females. It is estimated there are at present in the United
States 300,000 hard drinkers and 1,500,000 moderate drinkers,
while the occasional " smilers " aggregate to 2,000,000. Cal-
culation shows that in one ton of silver there is $31,200. In
$1,483,491,865 (the amount of retail liquor sales in the United
States) there would therefore be 47,740 tons of silver. Allow-
ing 10 tons of silver to each car, 4,774 freight cars would con-
sequently be loaded. These in a continuous line would extend
143,220 feet, or 25 1-5 miles. If one-half of the money ex-
pended annually for liquor could be applied to charitable pur-
poses there would be no want at all felt among the poor in this
country. The army of 75,000 hard drinkers must be recruited
annually. The recruiting officers were in all sections of the
country, and in force in this city offering flattering induce-
ments to those who were open to temptation. People stood
FRANCIS MURPHY. 771
idly by and did not attempt to remove the evil which was
raging to such an extent under the church spires. " In the
name of all that is holy and pure," added the speaker in clos-
ing, "I beseech you to join the army under the banner of blue.
You need not be ashamed to do this, for it will render you
physically strong, replenish your purse and make you acceptable
in the sight of the Lord. May God induce you to put yourself
on the right side."
After the choir had rendered, " Just as I Am," Col. Caldwell
advanced to the front of the platform and said he would in-
troduce one who occasionally talked on temperance, Francis
Murphy. That gentleman said he had been very much im-
pressed with the power of rum, and none but those who had
suffered from the accui-sed appetite could know its strength.
The speaker graphically pictured the alluring attractions of
what he termed "jnfant inebriety," and the unconscious, inex-
orable power of the craving for strong drink after the habit
had become firmly fastened upon one, which neither money,
children nor happy homes could satisfy. " Let us not falter,"
said Mr. Murphy, "but decide to-night to neither touch nor
handle the accursed beverage in the future. Don the blue and
let us do what we can to dry up this fountain of sorrow that
is degrading manhood and breaking so many hearts. I thank
God that he gave me a heart and a strong arm to be one of the
laborers to build up this structure of temperance. Let all, by
adding a stone here and there, do what they can towards its
completion."
Since the inauguration of the movement in Troy upon no
occasion was there so much enthusiasm displayed as at the
meeting of Tuesday, December 4th. There were also more
signatures to the pledge than at any other previous time. Mr.
Murphy advanced to the front of the platform and addressed
a few remarks to the audience. He said intemperance visited
the palace of the rich and the humble cottage of the poor
alike, but introduced misery, hunger, and pinching want into
the latter. In a few appropriate words the temperance re-
772 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
former cordially thanked the press of this city for the support
it had given him in this movement, and for the favorable
criticism which all of his efforts had received, adding that it
was necessary to have the public sentiment with them in order
to accomplish the desired reform. The living testimony of
that which a man knew himself by experience was the most
effective, and those in the audience who had suffered from the
curse of intemperance he asked to speak truly and from the
bottom of their hearts for the benefit of the cause. Mr.
Murphy then introduced to the audience Mr. Babcock, who
made a short, telling address. He said it had taken him two
weeks to make up his mind to sign the pledge. Three-fourths
of the audience were doubtless acquainted with him, and well
aware what his habits had been for the last ten years, and it
was therefore unnecessary for him to detail the particulars of
his life. He first began drinking by taking one or two glasses
of ale a day, but in two years it required a dozen to produce a
similar effect. He then discovered that ale was injurious to
his health, and a friend advised him to change his beverage to
whisky. The advice was taken, and he " switched off " in
earnest. The people present knew what the accursed stimulant
accomplished in his case, and he did not propose to make a
confession there of its effects upon him. He recognized in
the audience at least fifty of the " boys " friends of his who
had often drank with him [" Come up, boys, and sign the
pledge," said Mr. Murphy], and he hoped they would do as he
had done the night before by subscribing their names to the
total abstinence pledge. During the late war thousands had
gathered around the glorious emblem of our country and
fought and bled for it. The same would be true in the cause
of temperance under the noble color bearer (pointing to Mr.
Murphy). The speaker closed by asking the audience to sup-
port the great reformer in his efforts.
While the choir was rendering that stirring song " Hold the
Fort," and the people were hurrying up to the pledge-tables,
Mr. Murphy called for recent converts to speak to the audi-
FRANCIS MURPHY. 773
ence. James Morehead announced that he had taken the
pledge and proposed to keep it. Mr. Bane said that he had
accepted Francis Murphy's advice, and was determined to
join the total abstinence ranks ; that he was a working-
man and instead of spending his money for drink in the.'
future he would carry it to his wife and children. Mr.
Dixon declared the speeches he had heard delivered by Mr.
Murphy and Col. Caldwell had (to use his own expression)
" knocked the drink all out of him." He had been an occa-
sional drinker or " smiler," but he was glad to say he had
taken his last drink yesterday. He had " signed the pledge
and was done drinking."
Judge W. J. Groo, of Orange county, was introduced by
Francis Murphy, and made a fine speech, in which he said he
was deeply interested in the cause of temperance, and that it
was near and dear to his heart. The evil growing out of the
sale of intoxicating drink could not be computed, and it was
one which penetrated into every hamlet and village through-
out the country. At the breaking out of the rebellion the
people, considering it a war against their common country,
united ; the flag was honored and the land saved. The same
might be said in a certain sense of the temperance cause, which
included people of every religious sect and nationality. There
was more danger threatening the prosperity and welfare of
the country to-day from intemperance than has ever menaced
it from war. This was clearly proved by the statistics so
cleverly presented by Col. Caldwell Monday night. It was
simply impossible for language to express the new danger of
this evil, and the speaker declared it as his opinion that the
damage resulting annually, if reduced to dollars and cents,
would be more than sufficient to liquidate the national debt
this, of course, including the maintenance of criminals and the
loss and injury of property through the indirect effects of
liquor. By computation it had been discovered that in this
country 165 drunkards die daily. If all these facts were
soberly considered the people would rise up and declare this
774 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
evil must cease to exist. Upon the day of judgment each one
must answer for the personal responsibility resting upon hia
shoulders.
A forcible illustration of this point was drawn by the sup-
position that a man walking along a railroad track, near a
bridge, and perceiving a small stone upon the rails does not
remove it, considering it unimportant ; but a train coming-
along is thrown off the track thereby and into the river.
Then, after the accident had occurred, the man would
have given everything if the past could have been recalled
and the obstruction taken off the track before the train ar-
rived. Fathers and mothers should remove temptations from
their sons and save them before it was too late. Several
years ago, at Philadelphia, a large number of barrels of kero-
sene were on fire in front of a building. A police officer rushed
through the flames to rescue a woman, and, as he reached an
apparent place of safety and the assembled crowd were ap-
plauding the brave action, the wind changed, and both, envel-
oped by the fire, perished. A costly monument was erected
by the citizens and the heroic officer's name inscribed upon it,
not because he saved, but because he tried to do so. In an
eloquent manner the speaker closed by appealing to the audi-
ence to do what they could towards saving the fallen and
rescuing the perishing. Though their names might not be in-
scribed upon marble monuments they would be written in the
" Lamb's book of life and remain forever in eternity."
The " weather clerk" ushered in Wednesday night, Decem-
ber 6, with frowns ; but despite the inclement condition a
very large audience filled the City Hall to listen to the elo-
quent words of Francis Murphy.
It will not be amiss here to remark that the most pleasing,
and one of the most interesting features of the temperance
movement in Troy was the vocalization of Mr. and Mrs. Wil-
son. Possessors of really excellent voices, well cultivated, and
imbued with a deep sense of religion, they were the right per-
sons in the right place. They knew exactly in what manner
FEANCIS MUEPHY. 775
to render the simple, yet dear and beautiful gospel songs ; and
were instrumental in doing much good. These same old tunes
worked magically on many a hardened heart, and aroused
many a conscience that had slumbered for years. Francis
Murphy believed in the efficacy of music. On one occasion he
said with fine effect, and in a thrilling voice, that " song was
to moral reform what a band of music was to us in our
national difficulty."
J. E. Hoag, of Troy, was introduced on Wednesday evening,
and made a manly and stirring speech. He prefaced his re-
marks by quoting the motto of gospel temperance, " With
Malice toward none and Charity for all." There was a time
within his own recollection when the spirit of the above motto
was never employed by temperance reformers, but instead open
war was waged against both saloon-keepers and drinkers, and
only vituperation and gross abuse used. Love and charity
were never extended the fallen and degraded. But in the
march of human progress we are to be thankful that day has
passed. The principle advocated by Francis Murphy was the
only true one, in his estimation, yet we could not be whipped
or forced to observe it and do what was right. Many of those
who were engaged in the liquor traffic possessed noble quali-
ties, and were always ready to extend a helping hand to the
poverty-stricken and unfortunate. Rum-sellers seldom, became
affected by intoxicating drink, and for that reason would com-
pare favorably with the men who drank at their bars, though
the latter might hold higher positions in society. Thus it was
evident that they were men like ourselves, and could only be
affected by those means which would produce an effect upon
us. Love and charity can alone win them from their vocation.
Nevertheless, wh^jle these men were generous and possessed
many noble characteristics, a warfare must be waged against
them. You paid them your money and in return received
poverty ; you paid them your silver and in return received
shame ; you paid them your gold and in return received broken
hearts and a disabled body ; you paid them all, and received in
776 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
return a condemned soul. The speaker declared the liquor he
had used in his own experience had been doubled with each
successive year. This he knew to be a fact. Though he be-
lieved he had as much courage as the generality of men, he
was obliged to confess he was afraid of rum. He did not
have stability of character enough to use intoxicating bever-
ages with moderation, and for that reason he resolved to break
off the habit entirely. This^he believed the only safe policy
to pursue and the only way in which to lead a successful life.
" Somewhere on this earthly planet,
In the dust of flowers to be ;
In the dewdrops, in the sunshine,
Sleeps a solemn day for me."
"A solemn day," said the speaker, "sleeps not only for me
but for you all, and when that day comes I hope to leave this
world without a drop of liquor in my system, and be clothed
in my right sober mind. Sobriety will certainly injure no
man, and you are all well aware of the terrible effects of
rum."
The Rev. H. C. Farrar then followed in an effective address,
in which he said he had never touched intoxicating liquor
hardly knew its different names nor had it ever affected any
member of his family in any way, yet he hated it with all his
heart. God had given him a nervous disposition, and he knew
his feelings too well to dare to taste liquor, for he was confi-
dent if he did so, in five years people would point him out as
he passed along in the streets, and say, " There goes the poor,
drunken preacher." Yes, indeed, he confessed it was an
enemy he did not have the courage to meet, and that by
taking the pledge he felt stronger in his goo$ resolutions. He
related a story of a mother who stood on a river bank, and
saw her son drown in the stream, and was never able after-
wards to look at the spot. In the same way mothers in this
city shuddered, and could not look at " gehennas " (rum
shops) in passing, where they knew their boys had been lost.
FEANCIS MTJRPHY. 77Y
The speaker said, several years ago, while attending the uni-
versity in this city, he made acquaintance of the members of a.
social club. He was absent ten years, and on returning to
Troy, made inquiries concerning the young men, and learned
that they were all either dead, or leading low, degraded lives.
Daniel Ellis spoke, and elicited great applause, and not a
little laughter. He said he had kept his pledge, and was
never going to get drunk any more. [" Louder," shouted
somebody in the audience.] "I tell you I have kept my
pledge /" shrieked Daniel, at the top of his voice, which elic-
ited laughter from all present. He said he had something in
his soul now to help him in keeping his pledge, which he never
before possessed, and that was the help of God. He thanked
God he no longer craved for whisky. He declared the follow-
ing lines should be placed, as an epitaph, on the tombstones of
many of the drunkards in this city :
" He became a perfect bum,
By his drinking 'two for one.'"
Thursday evening, December 6, Mr. Murphy made the in-
teresting statement that during his stay here 20,000 persons
had signed their names to his pledge, that is in Troy and its
vicinity. He said there were hundreds still to follow, and
asked in a thrilling way, " Are you afraid to join this army ?
Are you afraid to put on the blue when so many have done so
before ? The color is now the emblem of all that is good and
pure and noble. Its wearers are bound together by as strong
a tie as brotherly love is capable of weaving. Don't be
ashamed to don it. Be true to yourself, be true to your
country, be true to your God, and let that alone which brings
only evils from the use of it. I know young men say, 'Ah,
wait till after New Year's. Then I'll swear off.' But don't
let them forget that ' procrastination is the thief of time.' "
Mr. Murphy then led Col. Luther Caldwell to the front of
the stage, and after a very hearty greeting from the large
audience, that gentleman announced his intention of leaving
33*
778 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
Troy for Greenwich, Washington county, saying that so many
had been redeemed who could speak that he was not
needed here. Mr. Murphy, however, will remain in the city
and labor for the advancement of the cause, although he is
loudly called to other fields. Washington, the capital of our
nation, sends np a cry for him to come. But now, just as he
has succeeded in awakening a lively interest among the people,
he felt that it would be wicked to bring his work to a close.
Soon he must go, howevei", and that fact was urged upon the
audience as one reason why they should join heartily in the
reformation and send up the temperance cry loudly, that it
might penetrate into the lowest depths, and bring up fallen
humanity found struggling there. To the moderate drinkers
and "occasional smilcrs" Col. Caldwell then spoke. He said it
was no use to speak to drunkards, for nobody would own that
title, so he intended to ask all those who were not drunkards
to come and sign the pledge. The drunkards could keep their
seats. Concluding, Mr. Caldwell said :
"I have been a drinking man, and have engaged in the traffic
of liquor, and when I talk about temperance I know my sub-
ject. Dr. Crosby is wrong when he says * let the fashionable
saloons alone, and close up the low resorts.' It is not in the
common groggeries that drunkards are made. It is there
where a man winds up his career, 'who has commenced drink-
ing in the gilded saloons and fashionable club-rooms. Ii is
there where you find the red-nosed and blear-eyed specimens
of humanity. They totter unsteadily up to the bar and call
for whisky, and when it is produced pay for it with their last
five cents, then pouring the vile stuff into a glass which they
cover with their hands, as if ashamed of the draught even in
their degradation, swallow it at a gulp. And what is the stuff
which that last five cents buys? Jersey lightning! It is
distilled damnation of the worst kind ! Let Brother Crosby
first close up the club-rooms and fashionable saloons of New
York, and then there will be no customers for the lower
places."
FRANCIS MTJKPHY. 779
Mr. Murphy related the story of a western man who had
been a drunkard many years. One night he visited a meeting
held by Mr. Murphy, and signed the pledge. Since that time
he has never tasted liquor, has paid for his house and owns
$1,000 in the bank. "And this, my friends, is temperance!
Come and sign the pledge !"
Eccles Robinson's success at Hart's Falls was great. He
carried the whole place with him from the outset ; and in a
short while obtained a long list of signers. The feeling ex-
pressed by many of the reformed men for their release from
the appetite of strong drink, was truly touching. Meetings
were held every night, and were very largely attended by all
classes, the rich and the poor alike crowding for a seat at the
temperance advocate's feet. To say Eccles Robinson labored
well would be faint praise ; for he went about his Master's
work with an energetic, inspired will that set all wondering,
and succeeded in conquering all the difficulties before him.
Messrs. Hall and Love were identified with the movement
at Lansingburgh. Both being earnest, sympathetic " Murphy
boys," they were able to work with considerable success. It
was at this point that Thomas E. Murphy, the clever son of
the great temperance apostle, showed what was in him. He
delivered several addresses at the different gatherings, and
made a marked impression on the people by his fervor, sin-
cerity, and eloquence. He proved himself to be a worthy son
of a most worthy father.
Throughout some of the adjacent counties the blue-ribbon
agitation was conducted to an extent that greatly exceeded
any past popular demonstrations in the behalf of the temp'er-
ance cause. The most noteworthy of these was the one at
Glenn's Falls.
C. C. and David G. Frost, brothers, inaugurated the move-
ment. These gentlemen, both comparatively young men, were
formerly very hard drinkers. The former had been a lawyer,
and the latter, until his conversion, had been a saloon-keeper
in Boston.
780 THE LIFE A1STD WORK OF
They advocate the formation of what is commonly known
in the eastern States as reform clubs, excepting theirs is termed
a, " cast-iron pledge," which prohibits buying, manufacturing,
or using intoxicating liquors, including wine or cider. These
men held similar meetings in the western part of the State of
New York, at Clyde, Rome, Syracuse, Rochester, Ilion and
Hudson. In the former place they procured 5,000 signatures
to the pledge, and at the latter 3,000. One week only at
Glenn's Falls secured them fully 2,500 signers.
FRANCIS MURPHY. 781
CHAPTER VIIL
FURTHER SPEECHES. FACTS AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS CON-
NECTED WITH THE TROY MOVEMENT. MURPHY*S CO-LABOR-
ERS. ESTIMATE OF THE MAN AND HIS WORKS.
FROM Troy there radiated powerful streams of influence,
like the spokes of a wheel, reaching the outlying range of
towns. Here the gallant and enthusiastic subordinates of
Murphy labored, and occasionally the temperance apostle him-
self visited each place, and left behind him burning words
like coals of fire, fresh from the altar. In measuring the
depth and force of the Murphy movements, we must not forget
that the vital meaning of his method is to set everyone whom
he can influence, and who possesses the heart and the brain
of the public speaker, whether educated or not, to working in
co-operation. In accordance with this, each large city has
been made, as it were, a giant heart, pumping blood into all the
adjacent places. Troy, as a center of reform temperance in-
fluence, must be credited, directly and indirectly, with not less
than 50,000 pledge-takers, a glorious head-roll which makes it
a jewel of honor in the crown of Murphy's honor, not less
glowing than Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It will be of
interest to the reader to read some of the more striking
speeches made by Murphy and his co-laborers while at Troy,
such as we have not hitherto given. The extracts from ad-
dresses by the devoted and eloquent Caldwell will be of special
value, for he brought to his work not a little culture and ex-
perience in oratory, as well as a magnificent enthusiasm for
782 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
the work. At one of the Saturday afternoon meetings, he
said :
" Since I was a young man I have been placed in positions
where it was devolved upon me to address political meetings,
but in all my experience I never knew of one man whose po-
litical proclivities I had been the instrument of changing, but
upon the first occasion of my addressing a temperance meet-
ing, three hundred changed their course, and among them
some have taken the work into their own hands and are now
laboring to advance the cause of temperance. It is a pleasure
to know that some of those men have taken their stand upon
the platform of temperance. It is a pleasure to have a wife
come and say, ' My husband has signed a pledge,' or to have
a mother say, ' My son, who has always been a hard drinker,
has been influenced by you to sign the pledge.' I have, per-
haps, addressed over two hundred thousand people within the
past year. At Elmira nine thousand signed the pledge. The
result in Tioga and Chemung counties, Pennsylvania over
twenty-one thousand signed the pledge. It is impossible to
stop the temperance work wherever it has been commenced.
There are over one hundred men scattered through this State
who are earnestly laboring for the cause of temperance. Mr.
Murphy is receiving communications from all directions to
extend his movement there. The cause is spreading all around
Troy, Cohoes, Fort Edward, Waterford, Lansingburgh, White-
hall, and many other places are being awakened by the ravages
that rum is causing in their midst. This work is no respecter
of party or sex, but with its motto, ' With Malice toward none
and Charity for all,' the gospel temperance is fast developing and
will soon extend all over the entire country. We have been
wonderfully blessed during our labors in this city, both in this
hall and in the prayer-meetings which have been held at the
Fifth street Baptist church. It is surprising, how many of the
laboring classes have sacrificed time to attend these noonday
prayer-meetings. We feel grateful to the citizens of Troy for
the greeting they have given us, and to the press of the city
FRANCIS MURPHY. 783
of Troy, who had given both time and space to the advance-
ment of the temperance work, and many times at great ex-
pense. I have been in the newspaper business, and know the
worth of a column of space in a daily paper. The people
want to know something more.thjin who has got control,
Conover or Patterson, down in the Senate. What does it
matter who rules in Washington to a woman who has a hus-
band who drinks rum. It is a question with her, will her
husband sign the pledge and thus make her home happy, for
this world is growing too dark with drunken husbands. But
my friends, I can to-night congratulate you upon the favorable
outlook as regards the reformation from intemperance. Mr.
Murphy intends to 'fight it out on this line if it takes all
winter? Last night the proprietor of the principal hotel in
this city came to me, and handing me $50, said, 'Put my
name on the temperance committee, and if that is not enough
I will give more.' So you see these men who sell liquor
have hearts as large as a steamboat. If you want a re-
vival of religion in this city you must encourage this cause.
If you find it more difficult to keep the motto than the pledge
we will keep the motto, ' \Vith Malice toward none ' uncontam-
inated till we overcome the great obstacle."
Again on another occasion : " I like good children, and
it has been our custom to hold what is called a children's
meeting, in places where we have labored before ; so you wall
not be surprised to learn that the proposition has been made
that we hold a similar meeting in this city. As I said before,
I like good little boys and girls, but when I see a little boy
smoking or swearing, it is sufficient evidence to me that he is
not good, and it is but a question of time when he will acquire
greater vices. It is strange, my friends, how closely whisky,
tobacco and blasphemy, are linked together. The one leads on
to the other, and it is best for parents to prohibit the use of
either by their children. Boys that swear and smoke soon
take to whisky drinking, and then their sole ambition is to
tend a bar. I know it is so, for when I drank the bartender
784 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
was my admiration, and I delighted to look upon the gilded
fixings of the bar-room gilded, I suppose, to make the path
to hell pleasanter.
" I remember last decoration day at Elmira I was in the
army, and so belonged to the. G. A. R. we visited the graves
of our fellow-comrades, and decorated them with flowers and
wreaths and other devices, and above each grave was planted
a tiny representation of the flag under which they had fought
so well. And I remember on that day a widow, one of my
neighbors, stood by the grave of her son, and I recollect how
proud she was to see her loved one's grave beautified by the
floral tributes to his bravery. Another widow stood by her
son's grave. But no flag marked his resting place he died a
drunkard. I looked at the little mound of earth, and the
thought flashed through my mind, ' No drunkard shall enter
the Kingdom of Heaven.' There was no joy or pride for that
mother ; but I doubt not that at one time she was proud of
her boy. He graduated at the high school in Elmira. He
studied for a profession that would have paid him well, but he
began to drink. After a while the gate of despair was opened
to his mother, and he died a drunkard.
".How sad ! Yet he is but one of 70,000 who die yearly,
die as he died, in these United States. What an army ! I
remember on the peninsula under McClellan, I was sent to lay
a corduroy road, over which the army was to pass, and after
it was finished myself and men stopped to see the men go by.
All day. long and the next, the soldiers went tramp, tramp,
tramp, and it seemed to me there were men enough there to
take a dozen Richmonds. But there was only 100,000. Now
in the United States we have an army almost as large, march-
ing steadily and surely to drunkards' graves. Look at them
faithless husbands, fallen business men, prodigal sons as they
go on to destruction. And this army is being recruited in
Troy.
" It concerns you, then, to see to it that your friends and
dear ones do not enlist. A young man commences to diink in
FRANCIS MURPHY. 785
a fashionable resort, but when death claims him, it finds him
in some corner grocery. The drinker after he has reached a
certain point finds himself avoided by his former companions,
and he seeks others. If he is employed in any business, he is
the first to go when trade slackens. His physical condition,
too, is ruined. But not only is he injured physically, socially
and in a business point of view, but he is injured morally.
Whisky fills up your poorhouses and prisons. It seems to me
that everybody has a duty to perform in the work of redeem-
ing drundards. But how many of you say, ' I am not my
brother's keeper !' Maybe you have lager or cider in your
cellar and give it to your children. Tell me you are not your
brother's keeper ! You are, if you love your children."
The movement was generously seconded and aided by the
clergymen of Troy, some of whom became stanch and de-
voted Murphyites. Foremost among these divines stood, the
Rev. Drs. Baldwin and Farrar. Their time and services were
freely given to aid Francis Murphy and his noble cause, and
it would be an impossible matter to transcribe the great and
almost wonderful good they did in the movement. Their
earnest and inspiring supplications to the throne of everlast-
ing grace, and their thrilling addresses at the meetings, will
live in the memory of thousands for years to come. The
laity has grasped the hand of temperance and together they
walk amicably, doing remarkable good, in fact, carrying
everything with and before them. The beautiful and enno-
bling phase of total abstinence is its close connection with
religion the powerful and plain evidence that God bends
over it, and preserves it. Divine aid is petitioned ; and its
wonderful success, its startling results are due simply to God's
dear kindness and mercy.
One of the most remarkable discourses that was ever heard
in Troy was a very fervent address on intemperance and tem-
perance, delivered by the popular pastor of the Unitarian
church, the Rev. William Fish, Jr. He said probably more
had been attempted for the temperance cause through the in-
786 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
strumentalities of the law in two or three American States than
in any other part of the world. He forcibly said : " Through
the frequent changes to which the law has been subjected,
according as the party of license or prohibition triumphed at
the polls, the law has been brought into contempt ; the feel-
ings of large numbers of people have been embittered ; arti-
fice and deceit have been directly fostered and encouraged."
In speaking of the influence of education on temperance
the gentleman aptly remarked : " Ignorance is one of the most
prominent causes of intemperance. An ignorant generation
or race, like an ignorant man, seeks in intoxicating drink the
stimulus and excitement which, were it more highly educated,
it would find in a hundred other and better ways. Intemper-
ance commonly diminishes as education and the moral and social
influences accompanying it advance. The general intellectual
and moral elevation of mankind is the aim for which the true
friend of temperance can labor with the best hopes of perma-
nent success. The school and the church, pure literature, the
mechanics' institutes and the workmen's clubs are, when prop-
erly conducted, the most efficient temperance agencies."
Discussing the social habit of passing around wine, he said
that it was trite to say that many a man dated his ruin to the
first social glass, taken because others took it and invited him to
do so, or at all events to habits formed under the influence of
a desire not to appear singular, and yet it was literally true.
He went on to say :
"There has been so much heated controversy over the
question of total abstinence, that the plain and simple issue
has been needlessly obscured. A great deal of narrowness
and bigotry have been exhibited on both sides. They seem
to forget that it is a simple matter of self-denial just like hun-
dreds of other, and that every individual ought to determine
his duty in his own conscience, according to his own estimate
of his responsibilities and obligations. Total abstainers be-
come convinced that many are led to destruction by the ex-
ample of others, and they are determined to avoid the smallest
FEANCIS MUEPHY. 78?
risk of doing such a terrible harm by denying themselves a
small gratification. And are they not deserving of honor
rather than of the scoffs which they so often receive ? When
we remember how many victims of intemperate habits even
the cultivated circles furnish, and consider what a far-reach-
ing influence the customs established in those circles have,
does it not seem likely that the gain to the community at large
would be much greater than the loss if the habitual use of
wine in society were to be abolished ? I am convinced that
the cause of temperance, which is the cause of order, decency,
and of general virtue and happiness, would be very materially
promoted if all persons in the community who aim to act from
conscientious motives would unite in discountenancing the use
of dangerous stimulants at parties and on most of the ordinary
occasions of social intercourse. But these are questions on
which no one should dogmatize ' Let every man be fully
persuaded in his own mind.' Let us be actuated by reason
and conscience and not by mere impulse or recklessness, and
let us not forget our responsibilities toward others especially
toward those who, perhaps, through an inherited or otherwise
inherent physical predisposition, are as weak morally as a
little child tottering on the edge of a dangerous precipice is
physically."
In conclusion he said in a masterly manner :
" No one with a spark of genuine manhood in him will hesi-
tate to sacrifice his own comfort when the clear alternative is
another's destruction. To avoid temptation maybe cowardly;
but to thrust it upon one whom we know to have no power to
resist, is diabolic. In all such cases let us take our stand on
the noble and unselfish declaration of St. Paul, and say, in his
spirit, if not in his exact words : " If wine make my brother
to offend, I will drink no wine while the world standeth, lest I
make my brother to offend."
On one occasion the Rev. Dr. Daniels, of Chicago, made a
glowing little address, addressed with peculiar eloquence to
the last man. He said as a pastor of a Christian church he
788 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
had known a great deal about drunkenness and its effects upon
households, and related a vivid narrative of personal experi-
ence with a dissipated parishioner who suffered from an attack
of delirium tremens. In an eloquent manner the speaker de-
clared he wished to address himself particularly to the last
man, who, faltering in purpose, had failed to sign the pledge
that night. There was still an opportunity offered, and he
entreated him to embrace it before he left the hall. People
were inclined to be too uncharitable to the confirmed inebriate.
One of that class was certainly entitled to more credit for
being sober one-half of the time than he himself should receive
for leading a perfectly temperate life, because he never had
any temptation to overcome. The clergy and all temperance
reformers in the past had been working upon a wrong system,
and the policy or idea introduced by Mr. Murphy rather stag-
gered them, but they would soon see its wisdom and practical
way of treating the question. Referring to the children of
drunkards, he said it would be better for their future good
that they die young, while they are untainted, than to grow
up and follow the example of their fathers. In a striking way,
he compared a drunkard's life to a pane of window glass, which
on a wet day was blurred and obscured. " Oh, you last man,"
exclaimed the speaker, "wouldn't you be glad to live your life
over again ? Would you begin as a moderate drinker ? [Mr.
Murphy cried out ' never.'] You can be born again and now
is your chance. 'He will save unto the uttermost all who
come to Him in the name of Jesus Christ.' You are forever
lost unless you take hold of the hand of heaven that is ex-
tended to you." Turning to Mr. Murphy, the Rev. Dr. Daniels
said, "Invite him, Brother Murphy, you have such a persuasive
way, and I do want that ' last ' man to come up and sign the
pledge."
During tne Troy excitement over the cause of temperance
reform, an open letter from Benjamin H. Baldwin, of White-
hall, N. Y., to Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby, of New York city,
on this great subject, was published ; and it was so frequently
FRANCIS MURPHY. 789
alluded to and made the l/ext for discussion both from the
platform and the editor's sanctum, that in referring to the mis-
cellaneous matters of interest involved in the campaign in
Eastern New York, we feel impelled to give it in full. Its
strength and pungency make it a valuable contribution to tem-
perance literature :
" 'If wine make my brother to offend, I will drink no wine While
the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.'
"WHITEHALL, N. Y., Nov. 30, 1877.
" Rev. HOWARD CKOSBT, D. D., New York city.
" Reverend Sir :
In September last I addressed you an open letter through
the public press, expostulating with you against your public
advocacy of the indiscriminate use of wine and strong beer as
a beverage. In pleading with you to abandon your open hos-
tility to the doctrine of total abstinence, I brought to your
view, I thought quite plainly, the great temptation you were
presenting to reformed men to tamper with intoxicating drinks,
and I pointed out the danger of doing so, even with those of
the mildest forms. As an exact case in point, I cited my own,
which was based upon an experience of thirty years of inebri-
ation, and I stated to you truly, that after four years of strict
total abstinence, the old fires were not quenched, nor the
old appetite obliterated, but were merely lying dormant, held
so by the restraining forces brought to bear upon them, such
as strict total abstinence, the singing of the pledge with its
constant reminder, a determined will, proper social surround-
ings, freedom from temptation, etc., and always including the
mercy of God. I stated to you truly, sir, that but a single
taste from the fascinating cup which you are holding out for
acceptance, as if in mockery against the better intelligence of
the country, would unchain the insatiable monster within
me, and lead me straight down to a drunkard's doom. On
October 2 last, I addressed a letter to you through the mail /
and in it informed you that my open letter above (a copy
of which I enclosed), had been published in several news-
790 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
papers, which I named. I also enclosed a photograph of a man
who is 63 years old to-day, and who has almost been destroyed
by the use of intoxicating liquor, and upon the fly-leaf I wrote as
follows : 'Ruined by strong drink now sober do not, I pray
you, tempt me back to death, by offering me wine and ale.' I
Bhould have supposed that the wrinkled and sorrowful coun-
tenance beneath the whitened locks of that picture, coupled
,vith the piteous appeal accompanying it, would have moved
four heart to at least have sent me a word of encouragement
that you would have wafted a prayer even to my ears bidding
me be of good cheer and to stand steadfast, notwithstanding
the temptations which your theory and practice subjected me
to. I was charitable enough to believe that you did not intend
that your advocacy of moderate drinking should apply to re-
formed inebriates, enticing them back to dissipation, and that
you did not realize the danger which would attach to that
class by the promulgation of your doctrine ; and I had so
much faith in the honor of mankind, that I believed you would
retract the dangerous heresy in which you had become involved,
as I appealed to you in the most earnest manner to dp.
"The alarming increase of lager beer saloons throughout
the country, stimulated and encouraged by your countenance
and support, together with your late public opposition to the
healthful restraints sought to be imposed upon the large
hotels of New York city in regard to closing their bars on
Sunday, and abstaining from the sale of liquor between the
hours of 1 o'clock and 5 o'clock A. M., as the law requires,
as also your late public recommendation through the New
York press, that liquor licenses be granted to all hotels and
respectable saloons, and that beer licenses be granted indis-
criminately, justifies me, in my own behalf, as well as that of
oppressed humanity, to again enter my solemn protest. That
I may not seem to be alone in this feeling of disapproval of
your course, I can assure you that such feeling is very general,
and I will cite a case in point, as follows : On the 25th inst.,
an entertainment was given, in New York by the American
FRANCIS MURPHY. 791
Temperance Union to the English temperance advocate, Wil-
liam Noble, on the eve of his departure for England, and Mr.
Noble was presented with several valuable presents as testi-
monials, and while acknowledging his thanks in a short total
abstinence speech, he boldly criticised your course as follows :
' To him (yourself) I say, you came before the public in an
interview with the Tribune, and you say you keep wine upon
your table. I tell you the devil is in that wine? I agree with
Mr. Noble, sir, and I now make the same assertion. I have
reason for doing so, and have better proof than he, for ' I
know how it is' myself. From 1850 to 1860 I was a total
abstinence man, and was so rigid and straight in my observ-
ance that it might be said I fairly leaned over backward. At
this last period, fortune drove me into a hotel, and seemed to
drive me also to stock its cellar with a small quantity of wines
and liquors, supposed to be necessary for guests at its table.
The tempter could not force me to keep a bar, as I once
had done, but at an opportune and fatal moment, while
I was suffering from exhaustion, he did tempt me to partake
of a little simple claret wine, a beverage scarcely more
intoxicating than cider. The devil was aroused on the in-
stant. I was that moment lost. In less than an hour a bot-
tle of champagne was swallowed, and before twenty-four
hours had elapsed I had resorted to brandy. Thirteen consec-
utive years of inebriation followed, without any cessation,
and my rescue at last was brought about by means something
akin to a special interposition of Providence. In self-defense,
therefore, as well as in behalf of imperilled humanity, and
especially of reformed inebriates generally, I now repeat my
protest, as I have a right to do, against your insidious and
most pernicious doctrine. Although God's forbearance may
be for a long time extended, I now give you warning, sir, that
your doctrine and its following will surely come to grief ;
not perhaps until after thousands shall ha\e fallen, and have
beew slain, but yet, not the less surely, for God in his mercy
is even now raising up ' an army with banners,' whose glitter-
792 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
ing swords and spears have been dipped in the divine essence
of charity, love and good will, and this band of invincible
heroes and heroines, marshalled by such captains as Francis
Murphy, are rushing forward to raise the fallen, to ' rescue the
perishing,' and dry up the founts from whence their miseries
flow. When the last wail of anguish shall come up from the
besotted and their beloved ones, when the last coiled worm
of the distillery, the last mash-tub of the brewery, and the
last cider mill and wine press, or other kindred device of the
enemy, shall have passed away forever, then will this army of
blessed Christian knights declare their forces disbanded ; but
never before, Dr. Crosby, never, never, NEVER !
"BENJ. H. BALDWIN."
A man, named Frank Brady, was led forward on the plat-
form one night by Mr. Murphy, and he said that he felt like a
lost boy glad to see his father. He said that it was the kind
words of Francis Murphy that had made him what he was. He
was in an intoxicated condition when he took the pledge, but
he had kept it so f a/ and he was certain he could always keep it.
Mr. Murphy related a touching anecdote of the reformation
of a man out West who, once wealthy and respected, had be-
come poor and disgraced through the use of intoxicating
liquors, and finally by kindness was induced to sign the total
abstinence pledge, and became a respectable citizen. With an
earnest appeal to the people to come forward and sign the
pledge in the presence of the audience, their wives and their
country, and be saved, Mi". Murphy wished them all good-
night.
The following incident will be read with interest :
" Three old, long and lean drinkers of this city joined the
Murphy movement just one month ago, and were weighed a
day or two ago. One, the longest and leanest, had gained ex-
actly ten pounds, the others eight and a half pounds each.
The first figured up his account with the temperance cause
about thus : Cash saved, $75 ; flesh gained ($5 per pound),
$50 ; in feeling, 500 ; to his family, $10,000 ; total, 10,625."
FKANCIS MURPHY. 793
A frequent customer before the Rochester police courts for
drunkenness was Thomas Jones (or rather that was his alias),
who was once chaplain to one of the most powerful inonarchs
of Europe. He had just been suspended from a flourishing
pastorate because of his uncontrollable appetite. While un-
dergoing examination the other day a glass of whisky was
given him to enable him to "brace up." What a tempei-ance
lecture was such a life !
In the Syracuse Journal an article appeared, which well
described, the life of a drunkard, from the rosy flush of a life
full of glad promise, to the dark and terrible end. It is as
follows :
" Fifteen years ago, there were few more prominent or pros-
perous young men in Onondago county. He moved in the
first circles of society, was prominent in an orthodox church,
and was financially prosperous. He was popular with the pub-
lic, and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him.
" He was one of the first to volunteer in the war of the rebel-
lion, and afterwards occupied the position of Provost Marshal
for this district. Subsequently he was elected treasurer of
Onoudago county. While in office, he became addicted to the
use of intoxicating beverages, and from that time till to-day,
he has known no contentment of mind and has gradually sunk
deeper and deeper into the terrible abyss, which has finally
utterly engulfed him.
" To-day he was sentenced to prison for fifteen years ; sen-
tenced for life unquestionably.
" It is with sorrow and pain that we reflect upon his career,
and we call it to mind only that it may prove a warning to
young men. He is more the victim of intoxicating drinks
than of evil inclinations ; the strait in which his appetite
placed him influenced to the commission of evil. There is a
sad lesson in this sentence."
Mr. Alexander Cooper of Port Jervis, a convert and strong
advocate of total abstinenc^, was on one occasion introduced
by Mr. Murphy, and made the following speech, which ro-
34
794 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
ceived great favor from the large audience to whom he ad-
dressed it :
" MI/ Friends :
' I feel a great pleasure in being present with you to-night,
so near to my dear brother Murphy, and I consider it a glori-
ous privilege that we are all enabled to take part in this grand
work of reclaiming the fallen. One year ago to-day I was a
poor drunkard in the city of Pittsburgh. But you will forgive
me if I do not dwell long on that period in my life, for the re-
collection is too horrible almost to be endured. I will simply
speak of my reformation. I was traveling down one of our
principal streets one evening, when I saw a large crowd in front
of an opera house. Inquiry brought the answer that there was
a temperance advocate lecturing inside. Now, I had never
before experienced a desire to hear a temperance lecturer, for
with them were associated in my mind thoughts of vituperative
denouncements of all drunkards, including myself. But some-
how an irresistible impulse urged me to enter the hall, and I
did so. Still expecting nothing but abuse, you can imagine
my surprise at the words of kindness which fell from Mr.
Murphy for it was he who was addressing the meeting and
when he concluded I was deeply touched. I still lacked the
power to sign my name to the pledge, however, and I waited
for somebody to invite me forward. But I had fallen so low
that the good men and ladies in the aisle where I stood avoided
me, as if I were contamination, and my good resolutions were
wavering, when Mr. Murphy advanced towards me and grasp-
ing my hand, urged me to break off my evil ways, as, he said,
there was hope for me yet. I could not resist the appeal. I
signed the pledge, and asked God to help me keep it. When
I had done so, I felt as if I had at last done something, which,
if I could keep my resolution, would make me a man again,
I went home and there battled with my awful appetite, battled
as only those who have passed through a similar experience
can have any app reciation of. BuV God gave me strength, and
after I had conquered with His help, I felt as if I had a duty
FEA1STCIS MUKPHY. 795
to perform. I felt that in this world there are thousands who
are like I was, and they are lost if Christians refuse to aid
them. Go out and tell them they are not despised. Don't
shun them as if their very touch were pollution, but by kind-
ness raise them to a higher level.
" When we speak of intemperance, we usually refer to the
vice as it prevails among the lower orders of society, but to-
night I shall speak of it as it exists everywhere, among the
high as well as the low. When you think of intoxicating
liquors, you think of saloons and bar-rooms, but I mean to go
to the fountain head, where liquor drinking is made a feature
of fashion and social respectability. We must first drive the
deadly cup from such places if we would redeem the land
from intemperance. In hundreds of thousands of first-class
families, side-boards are just as respectable as the table
whereon the Bible lies the family altar, if you please. Gen-
tlemen take pleasure in showing friends who visit them their
cellar well stowed with alcoholic liquors. In this fashionable
drinking originates the major part of the evil of intemper-
ance. People that would abhor taking a friend to a saloon to
drink are not ashamed to make bar keepers of themselves. I
know about this business, and I say that those who keep
saloons are often more manly, and less dangerous to society,
than these patrons of the vice in its gilded forms.
" I say that to-day you can go into saloons and raise more
money for charitable purposes than you can get in the prayer-
meetings. This is because these men, so low down in the
social scale, have hearts as big as steamboats. I mean to say
they are men, and you must go to them in the spirit of the
sermon on the mount, if you would do them good. James
Parton says that for forty years total abstainers have made
no advance, and Dr. Trail still further declares that while this
class of temperance men have been giving their sole attention
to their theories, the practical work of reform has been ne-
glects d. They have riot gone into the highways and hedges
after the lost."
796 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
Col. Caldwell paid the following glowing tribute to the
Western crusaders, the bands of temperance women whose
work is yet, and always will be, the romance of all temperance
movements :
" The great good they did was in demonstrating the efficacy
of prayer. It is fit that women should work in the temper-
ance cause. They are the principal sufferers from the evil,
and their influence is especially potent with erring fathers,
husbands and sons. No one feels more than Francis Murphy
that this work is of God. Was it the touch alone of the little
girl to the key of the electric battery that scattered the sub-
marine rocks at Hellgate, in the East river, and that deserves
mention in connection with the event ; or, rather, was it not
the thousands of days' work laid out in honey-combing the
rocks, the toil for years of diggers and other laborers that
made the explosion possible, that should be remembered and
honored ? So it is with this work here to-day. We are only
reaping the fruits of the prayers and the labors of temperance
men and women for years past."
Thomas E. Murphy delivered his first speech in Troy in the
following felicitous fashion, eliciting considerable applause :
" Mr. Chairman and my dear friends :
"As already stated by my introducer, Col. Caldwell was the
first to present me to an audience, and never will I forget the
trepidation and anxiety I experienced in making my first
speech, but I thank God I was permitted to enlist my efforts in
this noble cause of temperance. I can look back and remem-
ber our pleasant and happy home, which was afterwards ruined
through the medium of rum and intemperance, but I trust,
now since we have consecrated ourselves to the work of tem-
perance reform, we have all been pardoned by the heavenly
Father who forgets and forgives the truly penitent and re-
formed. Each and every one of us are capable of exerting
some influence, and it is our duty to direct our efforts and ex-
tend a helping hand towards the amelioration of our fallen
brethren. Let us employ kind words alone, for they certainly
FRANCIS MURPHY. 797
go a great ways, and when you meet a man in your streets
who has unfortunately become a victim of intemperance speak
kindly to him and endeavor to accomplish his reformation.
Looking at the matter from a financial standpoint, it costs a
great deal to indulge in intoxicating drinks, and few men can
afford to do so. Let us then make up our minds to abstain,
sign the total abstinence pledge, and unite our efforts in
strengthening this gospel temperance, and labor with noble
action in the blessed cause. The fact that a man is instru-
mental in saving a soul will cover a multitude of sins. Let us
work bravely on, with the motto ever in mind : * Malice
towards none and Charity for all.' Good night."
Another brief address, delivered by young Murphy, who has
shown himself to be the genuine son of his father, contained
this well put passage :
" I thank God for what I see and hear and know of the
blessed \vork of temperance. It is a grand thing to be a young
man who has resolved to lead a life of righteousness, and in-
terested in a cause from which only untold benefit to the
masses can accrue. It is a cause in which every body can labor,
and do something good. Young man, never start out in life,
by drinking ale ! You all know the story of Richard Yates.
He was a man whose abilities at one time were the pride of
the nation, and had he never contracted the habit of drinking,
would have a reputation for himself second only to the names
of Washington and Lincoln. But he fell, and only through
his confidence in himself supposing that he could tamper
with the serpent without' being stung."
On one occasion Mr. Murphy made an interesting speech, in
which he referred to the educational facilities of our country.
He said there was no reason for poor people to say they could
not afford to educate their children, for an equal advantage
was given to rich and poor, and the poor boy might, if he
chose, acquire an education equal to the son of a prince.
Every man has /;he ability to educate his children. He said
that d a man did not put anything in his mouth which would
798 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
take away his brain he would be able to educate his children.
The speaker said that the people of to-day were too anxious
to amass fortunes, and after they had accumulated several
thousand dollars they were not contented with it.
Fashions, he said, had a great tendency to make a man poor.
He believed that it lay in the power of every man to make
himself honorable and independent, but no man would ever
arrive at that standpoint till he was willing to help himself.
Mr. Murphy told at one of the meetings of the reformation
of a poor drunkard who, while intoxicated, signed the prohib-
itory oath because he thought it would do somebody else
good. In the immense audience which greeted Mr. Murphy
on that occasion were the man's wife and three small children,
and as he tottered along the aisle toward the stand the
anxiety upon the woman's face was almost painful. Reach-
ing the stand, William that was his name took the pen in
his hand and affixed his name at the bottom of the page.
While he was writing his wife moved from her position and
when he had finished, threw both her thin, white arms around
his neck and kissed him. Subsequently Mr. Murphy was in-
vited to dine with the now happy family, and while at the
house, the wife told him how terrible had been her struggle.
At one time she had determined to die, but while on her way
to the wood-shed with suicide in her mind, she was met by a
little infant child, who asked her where she was going. For
a while resolution wavered, and at last natural instinct pre-
vailed, and she determined to live to fight for her children.
" Oh, husbands, men !" said Mr. Murphy, concluding, " let us
redeem the past ! Come forward and sign the pledge !"
We must bring our record of the Murphy movement at
Troy, in its details, and its overflow into the surrounding
towns, to a close. It has become the devotion of a life-time
with this great missionary of temperance truth, and the strik-
ing results of his efforts are continually accumulating. Hardly
a week passes without adding new and startling phenomena to
the sum total of his life ; not new in the essential principles,
FEAXCIS MUEPHY. V99
but striking in the dramatic forms in which they shape them-
selves. The worst passions of humanity form the back-ground
on which the glorious results are set ; into it enter the tears
alike of despair and joy, pouring from the eyes of mothers,
sisters, wives, sweethearts and children ; the misery and re-
pentance of strong men wrested from the clutch of the fiend
of rum, and made to feel that they are once more men with
the right to look their fellow-men frankly and clearly in the
eyes.
Other strong-minded and strong-willed enthusiasts in the
cause of good have done this in certain measure also. But
there is but one Francis Murphy, and the work he has accom-
plished is so extraordinary as to make him a hero and a giant
among his fellow-workers. In dedicating his life to this duty
of rescuing his fellow-men from the infamous degradation of
drunkenness, Murphy has recognized the supreme necessity
inherent in the social life of to-day. Alcohol in its various
forms destroys more men than war, plague, pestilence and
famine, slaying the soul with the body. The lunatic asylum
and the prison draw from its powerful aid, as a recruiting
sergeant, the majority of the army of wretches that fill them ;
and, strange to say, among the refined and intelligent classes
we find a deep obtuseness on this subject. Clergymen and
physicians even yet palliate the use of wine and spirits as a
beverage ; though, thanks to an enlightened public sentiment
which is daily becoming stronger, it is far better than of old.
Gough, in one of his temperance lectures, tells a thrilling story,
which illustrates the tremendous responsibility imposed on
those men whose profession and intellectual culture make
them public guides. Mr. Gough's rccountal is as follows :
" At a certain town meeting in Pennsylvania, the question
came up whether any persons should be licensed to sell rum.
The clergyman, the deacon, the physician, strange as it may
now appear, all favored it ; one man only spoke against it, be-
cause of the mischief it did. The question was about to be
put, when there arose from one corner of the room a miserable
800
woman. She was thinly clad, and her appearance indicated
the utmost wretchedness, and that her mortal career was almost
closed. After a moment's silence, and all eyes being fixed
upon her, she stretched her attenuated body to its utmost
height, and then her long arms to their greatest length, and
raising her voice to a shrill pitch, she called to all to look upon
her.
"'Yes !' she said, 'look upon me, and then hear me. All
that the last speaker has said relative to temperate drink-
ing, as being the father of drunkenness, is true. All practice,
all experience, declares its truth. All drinking of alcoholic
poison, as a beverage in health, is excess. Look upon me!
You all know me, or once did. You all know I was once the
mistress of the best farm in the town. You all know, too, I
had one of the best the most devoted of husbands. You all
know that I had fine, noble-hearted, industrious boys. Where
are they now ? Doctor, where are they now ? You all know.
You all know they lie in a row, side by side, in yonder church-
yard ; all every one of them filling the drunkard's grave !
They were all taught to believe that temperate drinking was
safe that excess alone ought to be avoided ; and they never
acknowledged excess. They quoted you, and you, and you,'
pointing with her shred of a finger to the minister, deacon and
doctor, ' as authority. They thought themselves safe under
such teachers. But I saw the gradual change coming over my
family and its prospects, with dismay and horror. I felt we
were all to be overwhelmed in one common ruin. I tried to
ward off the blow ; I tried to break the spell, the delusive
spell, in which the idea of the benefits of temperate drinking
had involved my husband and sons. I begged, I prayed ; but
the odds were against me.
" ' The minister said the poison that was destroying my hus-
band and boys was a good creature of God ; the deacon who
sits under the pulpit there, and took our farm to pay his rum
bills, sold them, the poison ; the doctor said a little was good,
and the excess only ought to be avoided. My poor husband
FRAXCIS MURPHY. 801
and my dear boys fell into the snare, and they could not
escape ; and one after another were conveyed to the sorrow-
ful grave of the drunkard. Now look at me again. You prob-
ably see me for the last time. My sands have almost run. I
have dragged my exhausted frame from my present home
your poor-house- to warn you all ; to warn you, deacon ! to
warn you, false teacher of God's words !' And with her arms
flung high, and her tall form stretched to its utmost, and her
voice raised to an unearthly pitch, she exclaimed, ' I shall soon
stand before the judgment seat of God. I shall meet you
there, you false guides, and be a witness against you all !'
" The miserable woman vanished. A dead silence pervaded
the assembly ; the minister, the deacon, and physician hung
their heads ; and when the president of the meeting put the
question, ' Shall any licenses be granted for the sale of spirit-
uous liquors ?' the unanimous response was * No !' "
Again, Mr. Gough says, in illustrating the danger that lurks
in the seductions of liquor, even for those who, we would
fancy, are the best fortified against it :
" A minister of the Gospel writes me : ' I was deposed by
my church for drunkenness ; some of them had confidence in
me and they gathered together and formed a little church,
and we worshipped in a hall ; I preached for them six or eight
weeks ; I then came down to Boston to buy hyrnn-books ; I
met with a friend who asked me to dine, and I drank a glass
of wine, and for three days I knew nothing, and now I am
ruined for time, and I fear for eternity.' I have a letter from
a minister of the Gospel who says this :
" ' My grandfather died of delirium tremens, my mother
died a drunkard ; I have inherited an appetite for liquor.
When I went into the ministry I sought the hardest work I
could get, and went as a Home Missionary ; I am now broken
down ; I have covered my whole life with prayer as with a
garment ; I have spent hundreds of dollars at water-cure estab-
lishments to wash this devil out of 'me ; I have gone without
animal food for two years, yet I tremble every day on the
34*
802 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
awful verge of the precipice of indulgence.' Now mark me.
I don't say that the grace of God cannot take away every
particle of that appetite, as the infinite power of God can cure
every disease, but what I want is this : that no man shall go
away from these meetings filled with the new sensation that
comes to a changed man ; when the battle face to face, comes,
he is away from siich influences as these, and says : ' I have
the grace of God in my heart ; I have no appetite now.' But
let one of these men who have been drunkards and who have
abstained for ten years, take one glass, and see if he hasn't
got the appetite there. Like the slumbering fh'e of a volcano,
that one glass will rise into fury, drenching, perhaps, body and
soul in the lava of drunkenness. Now, then, if I have any
grace in my heart I know that that has been taught in this
Tabernacle if I have any grace in my heart it prompts me to
pray, 'Lead me not into temptation.' I have His word for it
I shall never be tempted more than I am able to bear, for
there is a way of escape for me from every temptation ; but if
I have suc'h views of the grace of God that will induce me to
say, ' I have so much grace that I can now walk into the temp-
tation, and that grace will save me from falling,' it is very
doubtful to me whether such a man has the true idea of the
grace of God. Therefore, I say to reformed men, Christian
men, your hope is in Jesus to keep yourselves unspotted.
Touch not, taste not, handle not, meddle not with it."
There is no safety except in total abstinence, and even then
the appetite is so strong, that only the help of the Almighty
enables the struggling victim to emancipate himself. Again
let us quote from the eloquent temperance orator whom we
have already alluded to :
" Some of us remember when we fought a hard battle for
temperance ; some of us remember the riots in Faneuil Hall,
when the liquor sellers declared that we should not occupy
that platform, and for three successive nights they beat us off,
put their own chairman in the meeting ; we remember very
well when it was a reproach to be a temperance man, and
FRANCIS MURPHY. 80S
temperance men were persecuted. Now it seems as if I was
going to say it was becoming popular, but I don't like that
word popular. I believe the principle is becoming universal
from Maine to Louisiana, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific
slope, and it is because it was begun in prayer, and it will end
in thanksgiving. The women of Pittsburgh before Christmas
met together for prayer ; it was the outcropping of the
women's crusade movement ; that phase of it has passed away,
but the foundation of the movement was prayer, and they
continued praying even when they gave up the saloon visit-
ing, and what is the consequence ? From 60,000 to 70,000 in
Pittsburgh and Alleghany city alone, the past three months,
have signed the pledge ! It is in Cleveland, in Omaha, in all
the West, away down in Maine, it is reaching to San Fran-
cisco, it is everywhere, and Christian men and women are
being raised up to do battle against this fearful enemy."
It is true the temperance wave is rolling like a flood, but
the strength of the enemy is deep-seated, with almost an in-
vincible hold on the passions, prejudices and appetites. Its
roots and fibres run all through the social system, and it tias
a thousand false and smiling faces with which to deceive the
unwary. How many great men have fallen under its insidious
temptation! The brilliant lights in literature, art, politics, and
law, have in many cases been snuffed out in an untimely end
by their weakness for this most dangerous of appetites. What
a sigh from the depths of his dispair is breathed out by
Charles Lamb, the gentle and gifted " Elia," in these words :
" The waters have gone over me. But out of the black
depths, could I be heard, I would cry out to all those who
have but set foot in the perilous flood. Could the youth, to
whom the flavor of his first wine is delicious as the opening
scenes of life, or the entering upon some newly discovered
paradise, look into my desolation, and be made to understand
what a dreary thing it is when a man shall feel himself going
down a precipice with open eyes and a passive will ; to see his
destruction, and have no power to stop it, and yet to feel it all
804 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
the way emanating from himself ; to perceive all goodness
emptied out of him, and yet not to be able to forget a time
when it was otherwise ; to hear about the piteous spectacle of
his own self-ruin ; could he see my fevered eye, feverish with
last night's" drinking, and feverishly looking forward for this
night's repetition of the folly ; could he feel the death, out of
which I cry hourly with feebler outcry to be delivered, it
were enough to make him dash the sparkling beverage to the
earth in all the pride of its mantling temptation."
To the false teachings in times past of medical science (so
called) is the difficulty of dealing with the question of alcoholic
stimulants to some extent due. Physicians have blindly ac-
cepted sophisms and falsities, and taught them as scientific
truths. Could we know the numbers of drunkards of both
sexes who have formed the fatal appetite in consequence of
physicians' prescriptions, we should be startled at another in-
stance of the devil transforming himself into an- angel of light.
But the change of opinion among the better class of physicians
to-day is working a salutary influence. Let us offer a few of
the testimonies on this subject :
Dr. Carson, an eminent physician of Philadelphia, writes
these wise words : "The profession teaches that it is a valuable
remedy for disease/ The graduate passes into the community,
and in dysentery, typhoid and typhus fevers, cholera, and in
every phase of real or apparent weakness, prescribes it for his
patient ; thus not only fostering that fierce appetite for alcohol,
which ceases only with death, but impressing the community
with the belief that alcoholic drinks are absolutely essential to
the preservation of health and the cure of disease. What can
moral suasion do ? What can the Maine law effect in opposi-
tion to such a sentiment among the masses of the people,
founded, sustained and encouraged by the medical profession ?
Is there a disease of the heart, the head, the lungs, the liver
or the kidneys, that has not been produced a thousand times
by alcoholic drinks ? Is there a single one of these diseases
which demands their use as a remedy ? Alcoholic stimulants
FRANCIS MURPHY. 805
are not necessary in the treatment of any disease. Think, gen-
tlemen, of the five hundred young physicians being annually
sent from this city (Philadelphia) to the various States of the
Union to practice their profession, placing the brandy bottle in
tens of thousands of the families as a remedy ! Who can cal-
culate the mischief that they will produce ? It were better for
mankind that they had never been born."
In the Medical Journal, of Boston, Dr. Fuller thus very
pointedly remarks : " The use cannot be separated from the
abuse, either as a beverage or as a medicine. We cannot pre-
vent the use of alcohol as a beverage without discarding its
use. I think that the profession cannot but perceive that
while alcoholic prescriptions are so universal, and while it is
recommended as a domestic medicine, it will continue to be
used as a beverage, and its lamentable effects will follow."
The well-known medical writer, and founder of a successful
medical college in New York, Dr. Trail, thus reflects : " The
effects of intemperance may be summed up in a few w r ords
vice, crime, pauperism, social corruption and national decline ;
and the root of the evil is alcoholic medication. It is true
now, as it has ever been, that just to the extent that medical
men advise and prescribe alcohol as a medicine will the people
drink it as a beverage. The use of alcoholic drinks always
did, and always will, follow in the wake of alcoholic medica-
tion."
The Medical Times, of New York city, an ably managed
and influential journal, thus appeals to the good sense of the
medical profession : " The alarming extent to which alcoholic
stimulants are being resorted to as a beverage, by the public,
should attract the serious consideration of physicians. The
opinion is becoming prevalent that stimulus is beneficial.
The various quacks who trump their ' bitters ' into the mar-
ket, are beginning to understand this, and have already reaped
a golden harvest from a very extensive sale of their nos-
trums."
" On one occasion," said Dr. Blakeman, in narrating the in-
806 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
stance ol : a young lady, before the Academy of Medicine, " in
consequence of the prescription of a physician, she was led
into habits of intemperance to such an extent that in the
course of eight months she was accustomed to take two and
one-half pints of brandy daily. She died a drunkard."
Professor Benjamin F. Barker, of the New York College of
Medicine, said : " I have known several ladies to become
habitual drunkards, the primary cause being a taste for stim-
ulus, which was acquired by alcoholic drinks being adminis-
tered to them as medicine."
In the " Materia Medica," of Dr. Chapin, the following
words have escaped the editor's pen : " It is the sacred duty
of everyone exercising the profession of medicine, to unite
with the moralist, the divine, and the economist, in discourag-
ing the consumption of these baneful articles ; and, as the
first step in the scheme of reformation, to discountenance the
baneful notion of their remedial efficacy."
Before the Academy of Medicine, in New York, Professor
Post instanced the case of a patient a young man who was
hereditarily predisposed to consumption of the lungs. Acting
upon the advice of a physician, he freely took to the use of
alcholic stimulants, became an inebriate, and died of delirium
tremens. In this we have the peculiar wisdom of a class of
physicians set before us. Better had he fallen by his pul-
monary affection, a thousand fold.
Dr. Post also employed these words : "Even as a medicine
alcohol is ' a mocker,' and all the bitters, tonics, etc., which
men use who would scorn to enter a rum shop, are disguised
assassins in Satan's service."
Professor Mussey of the State Medical College of Ohio, says :
" I deny that alcoholic spirit is essential to the practice of
either physic or surgery. So long as it retains a place among
sick patients, so long will there be drunkards."
The venerable Dr. Porter, of Portland City, Maine, after an
experience of sixty years in his profession, declared as fol-
lows : " I exceedingly regret the exception (in favor of ardent
FRANCIS MUEPHY. 807
spirit as a medicine) in the constitutions of temperance socie-
ties."
Professor Emlen, of the Philadelphia Medical College, uttered
these words : " All the use of ardent spirits is an abuse. They
are mischevious under all circumstances."
Dr. Johnson curtly said of alcohol : '" I have known it to do
much harm, and never any good."
These and a thousand other strong and intelligent wit-
nesses, who have made a specialty of the subject, might be
adduced to prove that, to use the forcible language of Dr.
Bostock, " Alcohol is a blind experiment on the vitality of the
patient ; and supports life in precisely the same way that a
wild hyena would, if let loose among a crowd."
It is true that many otherwise excellent physicians, who
themselves do not use alcohol, prescribe it in various diseases.
They do this because they have been trained to do it, just as
they were once trained not to use cold water or allow free
ventilation of the sick room in many ailments, where a better
science teaches them to be absolutely requisite. The opinions
of the wisest scientists to-day on the subject of alcohol are
that it aids the system, just as a goad and heavy plow give
the tired ox more ease and rest. The system frets under it,
tries to throw off the terrible burden, and suffers in conse-
quence, no matter how slight the quantity taken. Any of the
well-known poisons may be used in certain forms of disease
with just as little jeopardy as alcohol.
So the intrenchments, with which the " rum " power has
fortified itself, have been built by the hand of a pseudo-
science, as well as by the appetites and lusts of the ignorant ;
cemented by the social elegancies of life as well as by the
coarseness and crudity of the lower classes. The most subtile
agent of evil, it has entwined itself through every branch of
the social system from highest to lowest.
It is in vain to tell men in studied phrase that they are
ruining body and soul by the practice of drinking stimulants ;
to prove analytically that alcohol is a poison, has all the effects
808 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
of a poison, is nothing but a poison. Where habit has taken
its tyrant hold on the nature, the intellect alone is slow to re-
spond to the calls made on it. The crust of custom must be
broken by some powerful emotional shock. It is just here
that the grand usefulness and value of such a man as Francis
Murphy come to the fore, and stamp themselves in an undy-
ing record on the page of society.
A man of the people, who himself has passed through the de-
grading and brutal experiences, from which he would now wean
his fellow-men, he appeals to the masses with that magnetism
and sympathy which sweep everything before them. Simple,
earnest and uneducated, his words come straight from the
heart, and go straight to the heart. He is a man moulded by
nature and circumstance for the peculiar work to which he has
dedicated himself, and he has shown a deep insight into the
hearts of men and the conditions involved in moving them by
the very novel and remarkable methods he has adopted. The
results accomplished by such men as Moody the evangelist,
and Francis Murphy the temperance revivalist are very signifi-
cant phenomena ; and show that in spite of the materialism,
the cynical, critical intellectuality which have been imputed
to our age, the popular heart is as much to-day a sensitive in-
strument responsive to the intense earnestness and enthusiasm
of the reformer and the orator, as it was in the days when
Peter the Hermit and St. Bernard aroused the people of
Europe to wrest the Holy Sepulchre from the hand of the
Saracen.
A summary of the results wrought by Murphy, during the
last four or five years, measuring these as nearly as possible,
would indicate that over a million of people have been in-
duced, directly or indirectly, to sign the pledge of total abstin-
ence through his influence. Some statements have been made
doubling or even trebling this amount. But there is always
somewhat of exaggeration in the enthusiasm which underlies
the admiration of mankind for a great work of this nature.
The more moderate figure, while certainly within the truth, is
FRANCIS MUEPHY. 809
a result so great as to place the Murphy crusade against rum
as one of the grandest achievements in reform during the last
century. Nothing is gained by exaggerating that which is in
itself, so great. Francis Murphy has been and is a mighty
torch, flaming with enthusiastic devotion to a grand cause,
and lighting up the hearts of humanity with an illumination,
which exposes the heights and depths, the infinite misery, suf-
fering, and wickedness involved in the love of stimulants.
Others, perhaps, have been more successful in organizing re-
sults, in systematizing feelings once kindled into a permanent
and steady glow ; in surrounding the reformed drunkard with
restraints and conditions that assist him in fighting the battle,
which has only commenced when he signs the pledge of total
abstinence, through to a final victory over the love of drinking.
But to every man is given his special power and function.
" Paul may plant and Apollos may water, but God alone
giveth the increase." And it is by the power of God that
these men work so successfully. If a praying, earnest Christian
heart were not at the foundation of their efforts, if they did
not draw their inspiration from a profound conviction that
they were instruments in the hands of a Higher Power, we
should look in vain for the wonderful achievements they have
wrought.
" God bless Francis Murphy !" is the sincere cry of thou-
sands and hundreds of thousands of men and women. That
he may long live to continue his mighty work, and advance
the cause of which he is so splendid an exponent, is the prayer
of every one that loves humanity, and looks forward to that
regeneration of society, so beautifully pictured in the Biblical
fisnire of the millenium.
THE
LIFE AND WORK
OF
DR. HENRY A. REYNOLDS
THE
TEMPERANCE REFORMER.
\
DR. HENRY A. REYNOLDS.
THE
LIFE AND WORK
DR. HENRY A. REYNOLDS,
CHAPTER IX.
THE EARLY CAREER OF A REMARKABLE MAN. THE OCCASION
OF HIS REFORM AND CONVERSION. FIRST ORGANIZATION
OF REFORM CLUBS. WORK IN MAINE AND MASSACHU-
SETTS.
No history of the recent temperance movements in the
United States would have any completeness without doing
justice to the splendid results attained under the leadership of
Dr. Henry A. Reynolds. This laborer in the reform vineyard
is not so universally known in the Eastern states, though
Maine and Massachusetts were the early field of his labors.
His most remarkable work, that which has given him a
national reputation, has been in Michigan and Illinois. His
efforts in detail, owing to his methods, have not in them that
popular and picturesque interest which attaches to the
Murphy movement. But a study of the Reynolds work ex-
poses matters of interest to the more thoughtful student of
social phenomena, not less than that of his more eloquent
and magnetic compeer, and stands equally on its own basis as
an astonishing fact. Like all the men who have accomplished
[813]
814 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
great things, Reynolds passed through a terrible personal ex-
perience, for the roots of strength are nurtured in suffering.
His power was born of his own wretchedness and misery iu
those days, when he was a slave to the fearful love of alcohol,
and a constant sufferer from its effects.
In spite of all the extraordinary factors that have moved in
it, the history of temperance reform has no feature more im-
portant, or more interesting, than that which bears the soul-
stirring and appropriate watchword " Dare to do right !"
The thousands upon thousands that have enlisted themselves
in the mighty lists that carry this banner, and proudly wear
the red-ribbon badge, are bent upon one aim, a fight against
intemperance and in favor of total abstinence. The success
these people have achieved is very great, and by their means,
temperance reform has been made firmer, surer and more
certain.
In places where but a few years ago temperance move-
ments were never thought of, the entire community has be-
come a branch of the reform, and has turned out zealous
workers in the noble cause.
The reform clubs were inaugurated by men who were ad-
dicted to intoxicating liquors for many years. These men,
aroused to their condition, the fearful risks they ran, and the
awful fate that awaited them, saw the necessity of a change
and a decided reformation. They placed themselves in the
care of God, and besought His merciful protection and guid-
ance. Earnest supplication is heard and answered by Provi-
dence. In God this movement finds its best and truest advo-
cate ; in prayer, its greatest help and stronghold. In this
instance it and the woman's crusade are alike. This depend-
ence upon Divine assistance helps those who are too weak to
control their appetite, and they go readily to Him for the
strength and power, by which alone they can be saved and
preserved.
Mr. J. K. Osgood, of Gardiner, Maine, started a movement
among drinking men of his native town in January, 1872.
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 815
He himself was a reformed man. He belonged to a family
of high social standing, but fifteen years of incessant indul-
gence in intoxicants brought him as low as any man ever fell.
The year previous to his reformation found him out of busi-
ness, friendless and entirely moneyless. His description of
that time and what followed is highly interesting and very
pathetic. It appears that on his return home late one evening
he saw, through the window of his house, his wife waiting for
him, as was her wont. Her patience and devotion, as well as
her pitiable condition, went right to his heart, and made him
feel so very badly that then and there he made up his mind to
abstain forever, God helping him.
This noble resolve he was able to keep, earnest and devout
prayer sustaining him in it ; and some months later he entered
public life as a temperance reformer. He was led to this step
by the reformation, through his means, of an old friend, an
attorney-at-law, who had been addicted to the use of liquors
fully as long as himself.
Mr. Osgood drew up the following call for a meeting,
signed by his friend, and had it inserted in the newspapers :
"REFORMERS' MEETING. There will be a meeting of
reformed drinkers at City Hall, Gardiner, Friday evening,
January 19, at seven o'clock.
" A cordial invitation is extended to all occasional drinkers,
constant drinkers, hard drinkers, and young men who are
tempted to drink, to -come and hear what rum has done for us."
The hall was crowded by curious people. Mr. Osgood and
his friend spoke with great power and eloquence, born of suffer-
ing arid deliverance, and impressed the crowd in no slight
manner. This initial meeting was very successful, and consid-
erable enthusiasm was aroused in the people.
The result was the immediate organization of the " Gardiner
Temperance Reform Club." In a very short space of time the
club numbered one hundred men, all of whom had been,
more or less, habitual drunkards.
The great success of the movement and the excitement and
816 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
enthusiasm of the people travelled all over the country, and
in a few months reform clubs had sprung up here, there, and
everywhere, their membership numbering thousands.
From Maine Mr. Osgood went to the State of Massachu-
setts, and here did noble work under the auspices of the
Massachusetts Temperance Alliance. Fully forty clubs were
organized in this State alone.
At the head of the mighty army, wearing the red ribbon,
stands the man that everyone loves and honors Dr. Henry
A. Reynolds.
It is beyond dispute that often when the shadows are dark-
est, and when the despairing heart well-nigh breaks with in-
tense grief and long suffering, and it seems utterly useless to
live another day, light comes to us making all things bright
and full of hope again. Well has that sweet singer said :
"Grim clouds precede the brightest morn;
The darkest hour's before the dawn."
We are apt to succumb to what, to us, has the stern bearing
of fatality, and weakly bowing under it, let loose our hold on
life, and float down the swift current. A way is sometimes
then pointed out to us, which we unhesitatingly follow ; for
we know He has marked it out with an especial meaning, and
we are bound to follow. We take our cross and gladly bear
the burden, no matter how heavy it may be.
Henry A. Reynolds had stood in dark shadow for many
years. Not many men have gone through as much degrada-
tion and adversity as he ; and not many have had such an ex-
perience as that which now crowns him, and makes him a
beacon light to thousands upon thousands of men coiled in the
folds of that vicious and terrible evil we call alcohol. It was
quite early in life that the desire for intoxicating drink took
possession of him, and it is only of late years that he has been
successful in destroying it.
This awful appetite grew with his growth, and eventually
brought him to the brink of a frightful abyss which yawned
HENKY A. KEYNOLDS. 817
before him, and threatened his life. He was born in Bangor,
Maine, in the year 1839. He entered the Medical College of
Harvard University, and was there well known and respected
for his studious application, his tine natural abilities, and the
remarkable ease with which he mastered every branch of edu-
cation he undertook. He graduated with high honors, and
left the classic walls of old Harvard with many wishes and
wise predictions relative to his future success.
His life was cast in circles where the use of wines and
liquors was regarded as a matter of course. He was entirely
left to the influences of fashionable life ; and, like so many
young men of talent and promise in the same circumstances,
he began to dissipate. A strong desire for drink took posses-
sion of him, and giving way to it he sank lower and lower in
the social scale.
The late war broke out, and following the bent of an ardent
inclination, he enlisted in the Union army as assistant surgeon
in the First Maine Regiment of Heavy Artillery. He served
during the last two years of the war, and at the close of the
long struggle he returned home honorably discharged, and
entered upon the professional practice of a physician in his
native city. He commenced very successfully ; but the grow-
ing habit of intemperance increased with him to such an ex-
tent that his practice was seriously injured. " Dr. Reynolds'
practice," one of the leading physicians of Bangor says, " if
attended to, would have been worth at least five thousand
dollars a year." For a time he occupied the high position of
city physician. His downward course was rapid, and he soon
became a slave to his awful appetite. In telling the story of
his life, the doctor says :
" I am one of the unfortunate men who inherited an appetite
for strong drink. I love liquor as well as a baby loves milk.
When I was but a child of less than eight years of age I
began to strengthen that appetite first by drinking cider.
Cider I call the devil's kindling-wood. Next I used to drink
native wines, then ale and lager bier, and the stronger drinks.
818 THE LIFE AND WOEK OP
I drank at parties, weddings, dances, etc. ; I had liquors on my
table while keeping house, and treated all friends who called
on me in my office or at home, for this I thought necessary to
their 'proper entertainment: I have really been a drinking
man, to a greater or less extent, for twenty years, the last six
of these years to a greater rather than a less extent. I was a
periodical drinker from necessity, as I could not drink all the
time ; but a periodical drunk with me usually lasted six weeks.
I have had the delirium tremens, and suffered the torments of
the lost ; but, for all that, I brought myself to the verge of
the same suffering a hundred times afterward, knowing that
I could not, in all probability, live through another attack. I
was a slave to my appetite, and actually did not know how to
rid myself of it.
"I am compelled to give the same painful testimony that so
many do, that no one asked me to turn over a new leaf, or
said an encouraging word to me in the way of urging me to
try and live a sober life. Had some kind friend shown me
the way out of it, and whispered in my ear that I could be a
better man, I might have been so. I attribute my salvation
from a drunkard's grave to the Woman's Temperance Crusade ;
or, rather, I consider myself as a brand plucked from the
burning through the prayers of the Christian women of
America."
Dr. Reynolds, finding himself on the verge of delirium tre-
mens, sought, as a last resort, help from" God in overcoming
his strong appetite for alcoholic drinks.
He knelt in his office and yielded himself to God as His
servant, and swore a solemn and sacred oath that he would
sign the pledge publicly as soon as a fitting opportunity
offered itself. Only two days later the opportunity came.
The women's crusade of Bangor was conducting a public
meeting in the City Hall, and he went in to observe it.
The large audience was much amazed to see him come in,
for he was notorious for his intemperate habits. The people
were more amazed when he pressed his way through the mass,
HEISTKY A. REYNOLDS. 819
and reached the pledge-table, where he deliberately signed his
name. For a little while the place was very still, and then
such a shout went up ! Then many came forward, shook his
hand warmly, and most heartily congratulated him on what
he had done. It was hard to believe he would be able to
keep the pledge ; but he did. He entered heartily into the
work, and began to induce others to follow his example.
He talked to his acquaintances, and spoke at the temperance
meetings, where he had become a regular attendant. In his
speeches he eloquently pointed out the many dire consequences
intoxicating drink brought to its victims, persuaded them to
sign the pledge, and in other ways sought to draw his unfor-
tunate and suffering brothers into the new and good life upon
which he had entered. His work was so acceptable, so suc-
cessful, that he received numerous invitations to visit other
places, and address the people upon the subject of total absti-
nence. He labored earnestly, and grew more and more at-
tached to the glorious cause day after day.
However, it soon became evident to him that to insure suc-
cess and permanency there must be an organization, and he
conceived the plan, under God, of organizing a Reform Club
made up wholly of men who had drunk to a greater or less
extent, believing then, as now, that there exists " between two
drinking mefl," to quote his own words " that sympathy which
cannot exist between a man who has and one who has not
drunk." He published notices in the different daily news-
papers cordially inviting all drinking men to meet at a certain
time and place. Eleven came forward at the call, and the Ban-
gor Reform Club, the very first of the kind, was organized Sep-
tember 10, 1874, adopting as its motto " Dare to do right."
Henry A. Reynolds was unanimously elected president of it.
Other meetings were held ; meanwhile, the members, with
true missionary zeal, did their utmost to bring in new members,
and in the course of a few weeks the club numbered hundreds;
the city was shaken and aroused for God and humanity as
never before. The success of this movement went all over the
820 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
country like a flash, and created great surprise and much inter-
est. Many cordial invitations to inaugurate a similar work
came from all quarters and were accepted by Dr. Reynolds
and his earnest fellow-laborers with zeal and enthusiam. In
one year Reform Clubs of this kind were organized through-
out the entire State of Maine. The people entered into the
movement eagerly, and embraced it heartily and warmly, and
Dr. Reynolds was received everywhere with great enthusiam.
The work in Maine was very successful. In three years the
number of reformed men was given in as forty-six thousand.
The origin of the red ribbon took place some months after
the doctor's conversion. He had called a convention of re-
formed men to meet in Bangor, Maine, and while he was
seated in his office, the day of the meeting, September 10,
1874, he fancied that it would be a good idea if the men had
some sign or badge by which they might recognize each other.
He thought for a long time, and finally sent his office-boy
across the street to a dry-goods store for several yards of red
ribbon. Having obtained this the doctor cut it up into six-
inch lengths, tied one in the lapel of his coat, and did like-
wise by all of the delegates.
Another convention was held in June of the following year,
at which these men wore the red ribbon in memory of the
other meeting. Before Dr. Reynolds started out on his
Massachusetts campaign he made the red ribbon a badge of
membership of the Reform Club. The ribbon played by far
a more important part in the State of Michigan than in those
of Massachusetts and Maine. In this State it became almost a
sacred thing. To the reformed men who wore it, it was a
solemn reminder of their promise of life-long abstinence from
intoxicating liquors. The wearer of it is respected and ad-
mired, and it is said that " in some of the Michigan saloons, if
a man wearing the red ribbon should come in and order a
glass of liquor, he would be refused." At Jackson, an instance
of this kind lately occurred, as follows:
" A reformed man with a red ribbon in his button-hole was
HENEY A. REYNOLDS. 821
overcome by his appetite for strong drink, went into a saloon,
and called for liquor. 'No,' said the saloon-keeper, who had
known the man as a miserable drunkard for many years, 'I
will not give you anything to drink. A man who has been
damaged by liquor as much as you have been, and who has
been helped by letting it alone, as much as you have, ought to
know better than to touch it again. Your family are happy,
too, and I will not be the man to destroy you and them.'"
Perhaps the best description that has appeared of Dr.
Reynolds, is that given by Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, the successful
missionary of Rockford, 111., and the editor of that clever
sheet, the Rockford Register. It is as follows:
" Dr. Reynolds is a man all by himself. He continually
provokes the inquiry : What is the source of his power? In
personal appearance the doctor is rather commanding, meas-
uring six feet, well proportioned, straight as an arrow, moves
with energy and grace. His complexion is a little of the florid
order. He wears a sandy moustache, and in address and gen-
eral appearance he is a gentleman. He makes no pretensions
to oratory. Plis woi'ds are few ; his style pleasing and
smooth. He never lifts his voice above the conversational
tone ; never makes any effort to play on the emotions, but
deals in stern, naked truth, using his own experience, and that
of others simply as illustrations. His appeals are to the com-
mon sense and manhood of his hearers, and to their moral
feelings. When he tells of his life he uses terms that a half-
drunken man would understand. He says 'drunkard' instead
of ' inebriate,' and calls himself 'a reformed drunkard.' He
seems to look at this question of drunkenness and reformation
from the stand-point of those who have suffered from the one,
and who are in need of the other ; and the first thought which
seems to take possession of the unfortunate men who hear
him is, ' Well, now, he was such a man as I ; may be I could
be saved if I try the same way he did. P'll try?
" The secret of his success is the absolute absence of every-
thing like pretense, and in the inspiration of work which he
822 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
carries with him, while his own sole reliance is upon the sup-
port of God. ' Old Business,' he is frequently called ; and
the thoroughness of his methods of organization warrants the
title.
" His creed, which he announces whenever there is occasion
for it, is this : ' I believe in God ; I believe in prayer ; I be-
lieve in everything between the two lids of the Bible, whether
I understand it or not ; and I believe I am a saved man to-
day, through the instrumentality of the prayers and work of
the women of my country.'
" With respect to the vai'ious political questions arising in
temperance, the doctor says : 'Let everything else alone.
You reformed men have enough business on your hands to
take care of yourselves, without being made cat's-paws for
politicians to pull their chestnuts out of the fire.' "
Mrs. Mary G. Ward, President of the Woman's Temperance
Union of Salem, Massachusetts, learned of the wonderful
work of reform progressing in Maine, under the very success-
ful leadership of Dr. Reynolds, and while at the old Orchard
Beach Camp-meeting in 1875 she cordially extended an invita-
tion to him to inaugurate his movement in Massachusetts.
He went to Salem, and made his first appearance in March,
1876. A full account of his labor here, as given by himself in
a report 1,0 the Boston Traveller, is as follows :
" A few months ago I came to Salem by the invitation of
the Woman's Christian Union for the first time. Then, by
their aid, and through their prayers, commenced this grand
awakening, whereby thousands of homes have been made
happy, and thousands of men have been turned to God. Not
me is due the praise, but to our Father in heaven, who has
chosen me to do the work.
" I believe that women do more for fallen men than men will
or can do for themselves ; and I thank God that the women of
the United States had commenced their crusade, and the
wave had spread eastwai'd till it reached my home in Bangor.
" We organized a little club of eleven reformed drunkards in
HEKRY A. EEYNOLDS. 823
Bangor, for the purpose of encouraging one another to dare to
do right ; and from that the movement spread. Once we
went to St. Johns, New Brunswick, where a small reform club
was started. It proved to be the little leaven Avhich leavened
the whole lump, for this club of a few has become a club of
very many, and its influence has extended through the British
Provinces.
" The reform movement seems to me sometimes like the
crusade of John the Baptist, and if anything can be found to
do more good I should like to know it. I am in sympathy
with all kinds of temperance movements and with all branches
of the Church of God, but this is the work to which God has
called me, a work like the mission of our' blessed Saviour him-
self, to go out into the highways and byways, hedges and
ditches, and raise up the fallen ones.
" Two years ago I was rescued from the verge of a drunk-
ard's grave by the Christian women of Bangor. I joined the
Young Men's Crusade Club. It was composed of men who
had led a sober life, of those who had been moderate drink-
ers, and of those who had been common drunkards. The re-
sult was continual quarreling and strife. The organization
died. It then occurred to me to form a society composed
entirely of reformed men. There is a bond of sympathy
between reformed men which binds them together. Such a
club was formed in Bangor : it increased to an unprecedented
number. I then resolved henceforth to form such clubs,
and do all I could for the cause of temperance."
He worked in Massachusetts about thirteen months, during
which time he extended his field to Connecticut, New Hamp-
shire and Rhode Island. The center of his labor, however,
was in the counties of Essex and Middlesex, though at intervals
he found his way into the interior of the State.
Gloucester was one of the first towns he visited. The
movement here was so signally successful that a list of twenty-
two vessels, sailing from that port, was published, whose
entire crews were temperance men, and most of them raern-
824 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
bers of the Reynolds Reform Club. In Salem, a club of two
hundred and twenty-five members was formed ; at Marble-
head, one of two hundred ; in Lynn, one of forty ; in Pea-
body, one of eighty. Place after place was carried by storm,
and in a very short space of time there were fully seventy
red-ribbon, or reform clubs, in this State. He received in
Salem a complimentary benefit at the conclusion of his labor,
which was highly gratifying in every particular. He was
received in every place with grand ovations, and received ad-
ulation enough to spoil one of the best of men ; but there was
something always with him that kept him away from all
dangers, and led him onward. This all-powerful, though in-
visible presence, saved him from such a peril. He walked
along his life-path, with clear eyes steadily and hopefully
gazing heavenward. He who had been a curse and a blot on
humanity had now become a blessing. He who had been as
low and as vile as man could be, a habitual sot, was now
clothed with a light that set the unbelieving world wondering-
Surely he was one of the appointed of the Lord.
In speaking of the temperance movement conducted by Dr.
Reynolds, the Congregationalist, of Boston, under the date of
March 29, 1876, says:
" The work of Dr. H. A. Reynolds is little short of a
miracle. For example, upon Saturday, March 25, he went in
a furious storm to the town of Ashland, by a night train, met
a hundred men at the town hall, and talked with them an
hour in a free, conversational way ; then met a hundred in
the same place on Sunday afternoon, mostly drinking men.
He organized a reform club of forty. In the evening he ob-
tained sixty more members to the club, and left town Monday
morning, leaving a temperance organization which, within a
few weeks, had gathered in drinking men by the score. This
work is repeated in three towns and cities every week, and in
every place with substantially the same success. Within
eighteen weeks thirteen thousand reformed men have been
organized by Dr. Reynolds in Eastern Massachusetts.
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 825
" His club plan is such that the men hold each other up.
Eighty-five per cent, of the thirty-four thousand reformed
men who have taken the pledge within nineteen months are
holding to it to this day.
" At Waltham, the work has been a most remarkable one.
On Thursday of last week, on his return to that town again,
Dr. Reynolds was met at the depot by an array of three
hundred reformed men, and escorted through the principal
streets, to the vestry of the Congregational Church, where a
collation had been provided by the ladies of the Christian
Union. In the afternoon and evening there was a grand mass
meeting, and the reform already accomplished in the town
corresponds with that in Gloucester This grand temperance
wave is already reaching the men in the towns in the region
of Boston."
Dr. Reynolds carried that great manufacturing city, Lowell,
completely by storm. At one of the meetings here he de-
livered with fine effect the following address:
"I am a graduate of Harvard College, and received a
thorough medical education ; but I have been drunk four
times a day in my office, and if there is any worse hell than I
have suffered I don't want to be there. No nobler class of
men walk the earth than some who are drinking men. They
are naturally generous, whole-souled, genial, jolly ; but by
intemperance their minds become diseased. They become
scorned and degraded outcasts in the ditch, kept there by
thoughtless people, less generous and honorable by nature than
themselves. But for rum, these might be on the throne instead
of in the gutter.
" Drunkards are not all fools, as some people believe ; but
every man who drinks is living a life of self-condemnation.
" I never insult men who sell liquor. Some men can sell it
conscientiously, in some cases, because they are educated to it.
At Gloucester, where I was last year, two rum-sellers have
left the business and signed the pledge. The only difference
between the respectable rum-shop and the low groggery is
820 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
that the one finishes up the work the other has commenced.
The drunken pauper is better than the drunken aristocrat.
"My sympathies are with the poor men in this temperance
work, and I wish to reach as many of them as possible ; and
for this reason, as well as for others, I wish to carry on this
work not in connection with aristocratic churches, but in non-
sectarian, non-political, public halls. I represent no organiza-
tion, and am under the pay of none.
" At Gloucester the interest in the Reform Club last week
increased until this morning members of the Temperance Re-
form Club of that place, numbering three hundred and fifty
men, marched in procession to the depot with a band of music
to escort me.
" On my departure thousands assembled at the depot, and
many were the expressions of sympathy and friendship I re-
ceived. The wives of former drunkards were there, with
their little children in their arms, to bid me God-speed.
When the train moved off the band played 'Auld Lang
Syne,' and there was singing and cheering by the crowd.
Now, that don't vset me up. I want to create the same in-
terest here as at Gloucester, and hope to have the united
assistance of all who claim to be good people.
" If there are any drinking men here to-night, I want them
to commence now to dare to do right. It is easier to stop
drinking now than it will be three weeks from now. Sending
a drinking man to jail will not make him sober. When he
comes out the first thing he will do will be to take a drink, if
he can get it. But of those who take this pledge eighty-five
per cent, have thus far kept it."
Major Emery, of Lowell, came forward at the close of the
meeting, and indorsed the doctor's remarks, and the result
was a reform club of fifteen hundred members.
The movement in Lowell and Gloucester was so remarkable
that Dr. Reynolds was especially invited by the Boston Meth-
odist Episcopal Preachers' Meeting to appear before them, and
give some account of his work in the State. This very large
HENKY A. REYNOLDS. 827
and influential body welcomed him most cordially. The Rev.
Frank Wagner, pastor of the leading Methodist Episcopal
Church of Lowell, the Rev. Albert Gould, of Gloucester, and
others who had been co-workers with the doctor, gave testi-
mony of its great and wonderful power.
The Rev. Mr. Gould told of the movement in his own city,
Gloucester, in the following manner, at one of the reform
meetings in Lowell : " The liquor traffic in Gloucester was
fearful beyond description. The ministers of the city first
consulted together, and decided on a series of meetings.
After a few meetings had been held, Dr. Reynolds' success at
Salem induced me to secure his services. The work opened
there with smaller audiences than it had in Lowell ; but the
interest so increased that the City Hall was engaged for the
meetings, and it was crowded "with vast audiences for four
nights. The Reform Club first organized consisted of six-
teen ; it now numbers five hundred and twenty-nine, nearly
all reformed men, who five weeks ago were drunkards, some
of them gutter drunkards. The liquor traffic is almost stopped.
One dealer has hung crape on the door of his saloon. The
business men of the city stand behind the movement with
their money ; and the red ribbons, worn as the badge of the
club, are immensely popular. The best feature of the work is
its religious element. The pledge signed recognizes God as
a helper, and the reformed men believe that they need His
help. No man in Gloucester is so popular to-day as Dr.
Reynolds."
The Stoneham Club, which at the beginning had about
thirty-three members, sprang up to a membership of two
hundred and five in a limited period. " One of the pleasantest
peculiarities of this club," says a good authority ; " is its
liberal provision in money for the expense of the club and its
missionary work."
Early in the month of April, 1876, a club was organized at
Lawrence. Naturally the liquor interest had a very strong
hold here, it being one of the great manufacturing places of
828 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
the State. One of the ministers of the place told Dr. Reynolds
when he came here that " he was coming into the jaws of
hell." The brave doctor was ready to come. He said : "I
have declared my purpose t"b be to save men of whatever race,
color, sect or party. I have nothing to do with men's opinions
or prejudices. Lawrence is, doubtless, a cold place to begin,
but by proper work great good will be done here."
The simplicity and good common sense of the doctor's
methods gave him considerable favor here. The result of his
work was a Reform Club of fully three thousand members.
The following episode occurred at Lawrence, and produced
great good : "At one of the meetings a youth, scarcely fifteen
years of age, was introduced, who had been a drunkard. This
lad was too young to be a member of the Reform Club, but
the boys took hold of the work, and organized a Reform
Club of their own." No other proof of the earnestness and
interest in the movement manifested by the women of the city
is required than the following fact : "Nineteen hundred of
the leading ladies of the city signed a petition to the local
authorities against the granting of licenses to sell liquor."
A State convention of the Reform Clubs was called to meet
at Lurline Hall in Boston, on May 12, 1876. The object
of this meeting was to give greater unity and efficiency
to the work going on throughout the State. Dr. Reynolds re-
marked in his opening speech that :
" This meeting is to be called in the interest of no faction,
no party, and of no individual, but for the good of our un-
fortunate brothers. We have no ax to grind, but we meet to
talk of mutual interest. The season has arrived when it
will be necessary for us to put forth our united efforts to keep
up the interest in the movement for the next three months ;
after that the child will be able to stand alone."
Encouraging reports were handed in by the delegates from
all points, which clearly indicated a great and successful work
everywhere. No little talk was occasioned by the determin-
ation on the doctor's side to keep his clubs free of all political
HEJSTRY A. REYNOLDS. 829
questions ; and in this laudable effort he was seconded by the
very best people of Massachusetts.
Speaking of this the Springfield Republican, always a most
reliable and excellent authority on State topics, says :
" The decision of the Reform Clubs not to mix teetotalism
with politics is, probably, a settler for the prohibitory party in
this State, at least as far as this year's canvass is concerned.
These clubs are by far the most vital temperance associations
going at present. They have the dew of their youth yet on
them, believe in themselves and their work, and the prohibi-
tory party, with these clubs standing aloof, is the merest
shadow of a shade that ever flitted across politics. Some fifty
of them were represented at the Lurline Hall, in Boston, day
before yesterday. The number of delegates elected, including
self -elected ones, is variously stated at from two hundred
to four hundred. The meeting became turbulent, got beyond
the control of the chairman, and stayed there. There was a
minority element which had no sympathy with the purposes of
the gathering, and no notion of being suppressed. They vig-
orously contended that it was the duty of temperance men to
vote as they prayed, while Brothers Ford, of Boston, Knight,
of Cambridge, and Scott, of Lowell, were the principal spokes-
men in the steer-clear-of-politics party. Personalities were
exchanged in anything but a temperate manner, and a large
number of delegates left the hall in disgust ; but enough stayed
to pass the resolution declaring, ' That we emphatically con-
demn the introduction, discussion, or agitation of politics in our
meetings.'
" We make our compliments to the Reform Clubs on their
good sense."
A proposition was made to hold a State convention on the
eve of the presidential election, at Fitchburgh, where the red-
ribbon movement had met with considerable success, which
resulted in seventeen hundred names being signed to the
pledge, and the forming of a Reform Club of over a hundred
members. September 20 was set aside for the meeting of
830 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
this political convention ; Dr. Reynolds, however, having
been consulted upon it, wrote as follows : "Put me down
squarely against that Fitchburgh convention, or any other
method by which it is proposed to divert the Reform Clubs
from their legitimate purpose of saving men, or cause them to
become the tools of politicians. Reformed men have enough
to do to take care of their own business."
The convention was held, notwithstanding this decided
move against it on the doctor's part ; but few red-ribbon
clubs were there. The political brethren, wisely seeing what
trouble was in store for them, should they pursue their course,
and paying some attention to the perfect storm of indigna-
tion excited all over the State, followed a policy of silence, and
instead of a political gathering, held a very enjoyable temper-
ance meeting.
In Worcester the movement was greeted with a very warm
and friendly reception, and was successful. A course of liter-
ary and scientific lectures was given by the president of the
Reform Club, Mr. Blanchard. This very interesting and suc-
cessful departure was well received by the public, and Mr.
Blanchard is to be congratulated on his happy idea. A cor-
respondent graphically says, in describing the Reynolds move-
ment here :
" Probably never before has the heart of the old common-
wealth been so warm in the cause of temperance as it is at
this time. Our Reform Club has held meetings in all the
principal churches, Sunday evenings, all winter, and at each
and every meeting hundreds have turned away, not being able
to gain admittance. The club recognizes and develops the
moral side of the movement, and many members have become
professing Christians since their reformation. The club has
nearly eleven hundred enrolled men, all of whom have been
addicted to the use of alcoholics as a beverage, to a greater or
less extent, and their influence has reached as many more.
The club has grown at about the rate of a hundred a month,
HENEY A. REYNOLDS. 831
and at its last business meeting added nearly a hundred
members.
" The club was organized by Dr. Henry A. Reynolds, Janu-
ary 16, 1876, and the work has been carried on by the presi-
dent of the club, Mr. William II. Blanchard, who gives all his
time and talents to the cause. The club is practically and
emphatically red ribbon in all its movements and machinery.
" It has the idea of letting severely alone both politics and
religious dogmas, and working for the reformation of men. It
has been called the ' Banner Club ' of the State, not because
of its numbers, but because of the unanimity and practical
working of its members. They have just moved to elegant
rooms on Maine street, near the old South Church."
Stoneham was completely captured. The Boston Traveller,
in reporting the wort here, gives as follows the doctor's
remarks :
" Dr. Reynolds commenced by lamenting the absence of
clergymen at the meeting, which was held at the hour of the
usual Sunday evening service. He said the time of meeting
must be changed.
" Men have got to be saved ; and if thero is any place where
clergymen ought to be represented it is actively in the tem-
perance movement. Rum is an obstacle at entrance to the
church door. Our ministers, instead of preaching to the ves-
tries half full of people, should preach to full houses, and they
will do so if they can feel that the temperance work is only
the forerunner of something better and higher.
"It is this sort of practical work which is to be, and must be,
done. Drunkards would form the best class in the community,
were it not for the curse of rum. As a rule they have no pas-
sion except rum, and it is that which causes* them to commit
crime. Rid your community of intoxicating drinks, and you
will see how quickly crime will decrease among your people.
Now they receive scotis and kicks because they drink, when
really they are a great deal better men than some who never
drank a drop of liquor in their lives.
832
" You can't fail to see by ray talk that I am a friend of the
drunkard. The men who sit in this Reform Club to-night
would not be here if they had been ridiculed and abused as
scalawags. Take them as they are. not as they were once. I
would not turn a cold shoulder to a discharged convict if I
thought he had become a good citizen."
The faucet through which the last drop of liquor in Lock-
port had passed into the public street and gutter was then
exhibited by the doctor, who said in a very eloquent and
stirring manner that he would like to have such a faucet from
every town in the Union.
" Now," the doctor continued, " I want to inform the rum-
sellers that this movement means business, not for you, but
for us. I have driven my stake for sixty thousand men in
Massachusetts, and I am going to have them, too. We despise
your business ; but if you will only sign the pledge and try to
get out of it we will shake hands with you."
Dr. Reynolds opened his work at Springfield, in June, 1876.
The Republican of that city, reports the movement as follows:
"Dr. Reynolds regards the club as a very promising one
(it was only a club of thirty members), but still thinks Spring-
field rather fallow ground for temperance work ; which tallies
with the testimony of the liquor dealers and makers, that this
city has more numerous and more elegant bar-rooms, and
consumes more beer and liquor than any other city of its size
in the State. The club does not include any very prominent
citizens, but its members, of course, are in earnest, and hope to
increase its numbers rapidly."
Dr. Reynolds' work at Springfield was highly successful.
The club here at first had only thirty-seven members ; but in
a short while it increased to a membership of over four hun-
dred. Tne meetings held under its auspices sometimes filled
three large halls in' different parts of the city. Every Sunday
afternoon at three o'clock and also in the evening mass meet-
ings were held in the Protestant churches, all of which gave
the Reform Clubs and their members a most cordial welcome.
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 833
The following sterling counsel given by Dr. Reynolds to the
East Boston Reform Club will be read with much interest :
" You are to blame for not having a larger and more effective
club. You ought to be self-constituted missionaries. Out of
gratitude to God for your deliverance you ought to be the first
to go out into the byways and hedges, and compel others to
come in. I know what it is to have a pleasant home and a
lucrative practice ; but I have abandoned both that I may be
the means, under God, of saving others from the depth of
sorrow and suffering from which I have been extricated. I
could not rest. Don't leave a stone unturned to reform others.
Work for this, and you will succeed.
"It don't make any difference to God whether it is a boot-
black or a millionaire that you are instrumental in saving.
Members of the East Boston Reform Club, start out, every one
of you, as a committee of one, and you will revolutionize the
whole island. The Reform Club is a life-boat. It restores
men to a good name and happiness. It brings joy to the
whole household ; it makes men feel that they can be just
what they most desire. Let a man struggling to reform feel
that he has a friend.
"If there is a moderate drinker in the house, and I have no
doubt there are many, let me tell them that they are on the
road to destruction. Do not flatter yourselves that you are
stronger than others who now fill drunkards' graves.
" Men of the Reform Club, wear the red ribbon. I would
as soon go without my shirt as without my red ribbon. I
don't have to change my ribbon when I change my vest, for I
have one in every vest. I once was not ashamed to get drunk ;
why should I be ashamed to acknowledge that I don't drink,
and am consequently free from the curse ? I want to be known
as a man who dares to do right ; and if every man who
reforms wears a red ribbon, it won't be long before the
absence of the ribbon will be noticeable.
" It will keep men from drinking. A man with any decency
in his make-up would want to take off his ribbon if he was
834 THE LIFE AND WOKK OP
tempted to drink ; but while he was taking it off God would
be at work at his conscience to save him from falling.
" I thought two years ago that I had some sympathy for
my fellow-men, but I find now that I have ten times more love
for them than evei\ There is a necessity for it ; but don't
forget that its platform is non-political, non-sectarian and non-
legal."
During the Reynolds excitement in Massachusetts, the Rev.
Joseph Cook, on May 22, in his course of Monday lectures,
given in the Tremont Temple, Boston, offered the following
resolutions, which were very favorably received, and which
had a rising vote :
" Resolved, by the audience at the Monday lectures, embrac-
ing representative clergymen and laymen of all denomina-
tions :
" FIRST. That the churches ought to draw forward the tidal
wave of just reform, and never be dragged in its wake.
" SECOND. That the two leading principles of the Reynolds
Reform Clubs, in the recent New England temperance move-
ment, are known to us to be in practice really what they are
announced by a recent convention, in Lowell, to be in theory :
first, that reformed men should aid each other ; second, that
religion and temperance should go together.
" THIRD. That these principles deserve financial, social,
moral, and intellectual support, from the pulpits and congre-
gations of all denominations.
" FOURTH. That Providence has specially blessed the nation
in the New England temperance prayer-meetings, and other
distinctively church gatherings and discussions for the re-
claiming of intemperate men, and teaching the community
its duty in respect to the sale and use of intoxicating drinks.
" FIFTH. That the interests of every factory child, and all
the perishing and dangerous classes in cities, and especially of
the rich and fashionable, imperatively call on the churches to
follow with comely zeal this indication of Providence.
'' SIXTH. That the renting by church members of buildings
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 835
or property to be used for the liquor traffic is inconsistent
with the teachings of Him who purged the temple with a
whip of small cords."
Our subject's visit to Connecticut, at Bridgeport, Middle-
town, and New Haven, was simply a round of successes from
the outset to the conclusion. Everywhere he met with great
and permanent success, and he did not quit a place until he
had accomplished his purpose. In this State his name became
very popular, and the man himself was esteemed and beloved
for his large heart and grand qualities.
He went to Providence, R. I., and here he received the
usual rousing reception given him wherever he went. Here
his success was almost instantaneous ; and no such enthusiasm
over anything was known in this city before. The people
seemed to be absolutely carried away with temperance re-
form. The following interesting account of the doctor's
work at this point is so good that we lay it before the reader
with great pleasure : " The temperance movement in Provi-
dence is something remarkable. It is less than three months
since the Red Ribbon Reform Club was started by Dr.
Reynolds, and the signers of the pledge number over two
thousand.
" The effect is wonderful. The principles they advocate
take strong hold on the minds of men. The women workers
are engaged in the same cause, and the politicians and the press
are also beginning to turn in the direction of this great move-
ment. Provision has been made for entertainment outside of
the saloons, by having reading rooms for use in the day and
evening, and measures are taken for the permanent lifting up
of all who are down.
" The movement, from the first, is one of moral conviction.
It is the belief of its leader that men cannot keep their
pledges unless the mind, the heart, and the will, are engaged
in the. work.
" The Reform Club was started under unfavorable auspices,
and at least one of its officers was actually intoxicated when
836 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
he signed the pledge. Everybody but the doctor prophesied
his fall ; but, instead of falling, he has worked so successfully
for the cause that he has increased the membership of the
club sevenfold, and it now stands one of the most prosperous
in all New England, having a membership of eleven hundred,
who have been drinking men. There is also an auxiliary
society of over six thousand, which is a good working
organization in the temperance interest, and whose Sunday
evening meetings call out immense audiences."
One striking characteristic of Dr. Reynolds is the prominent
stress he puts upon the need of divine assistance in his
temperance work. This trait is to be highly commended.
Without the help of Almighty God the temperance re-
form, now spreading over this vast country, would be a fail-
ure in every respect this is an undoubted fact. God has
heard the prayers of the thousands upon thousands of people
desirious of living purer and better lives ; and under this most
merciful and loving protection the wave only grows larger
and more powerful with the rapid flight of time. He is with
it no wonder it is so grandly successful !
Dr. Reynolds is a strong and devoted advocate of prayer,
and believes it is essentially a part of .permanent reformation.
Earnest supplication at the seat of mercy certainly makes the
" will-power " stronger and firmer ; it certainly does refresh
and strengthen both the mind and heart ; and yet it is not
everything. Something besides prayer is necessary to lasting
conversion, and that something is work real, honest, steadfast
labor combined with prayer. As the doctor pointedly re-
marks : " I believe in prayer, but I believe in work, too. It is
useless to pray with a man or woman who is starving or per-
ishing with cold. The first thing to be done is to feed them
and clothe them. Thus they will be in a condition to listen to
your prayers and receive permanent benefit.
" The other day as I was down in the Eastern Railroad de-
pot, in Boston, I saw a finely dressed man, who came up and
asked if I knew him. When I told him I did not, he said, ' I
HENRY A. EEYNOLDS. 837
am the man who took your pledge in Barre, Mass., when I was
too drunk to stand alone. They held me up while I signed it.
I never used to go to church or care anything for religion, but,
by the help of God, I have kept my pledge. Now I have
good work and good pay, and I and my family are as happy
as n*e can be.' "
It must not be inferred for a single second that the work,
after the departure of Dr. Reynolds for other scenes, remains
quietly still, or lapses into a dormant condition. On the con-
trary it lives and flourishes like a young and hardy sapling
planted in the spring time. Greater work is accomplished
after the doctor quits the place than when he is there. The
intense enthusiasm created by the red-ribbon advocate, is sup-
posed by some unbelieving persons, to be surely transitory ;
but it is not so by any means. It is lasting, as is proven by
the good results handed in by the several Reform Clubs in
different parts of the Union from time to time. In referring
to this subject the Boston Gongregationalist very aptly re-
marks that : " The enthusiasm of its early stages has settled
down into solid purpose of regular work. Reform Clubs
spring up in every direction, and seem certain of accomplish-
ing great good. The politicians and professionals have no
hand in this work. It belongs to the people, and, belonging
to them, it will succeed. Was there ever a time when the
churches could labor in the cause so profitably as now ?"
The Massachusetts legislature was attracted to the doctor's
labor, and commended it. Mr. Fuller, of Boston, in his place
on the floor of the House, said, " the reform has done more
good than all the laws enacted during the last forty years."
Tliis remark, pregnant with much significance is made more
telling from the fact that he was the chairman of the House
Special Committee on the Liquor Law.
Such are some of the characteristic facts that marked the
Reform Club movement in the New England States. Of
course, what we have been able to collate by no means covers
all the different features of the Reynolds temperance wave at
838 THE LIFE AND WOKK OP
this time. But from it the reader will be able to get some
definite conception of its force and strength. Dr. Reynolds'
thirteen months' labor in Massachusetts and New England
swept into the temperance fold at least 60,000 people ; that is
to say, made them active " red-ribbon " workers. Probably
many more than this have been indirectly influenced, for good
seed, well planted, grows and yields a harvest that we cannot
well count.
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 839
CHAPTER X.
DR. REYNOLDS' SPEECH AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
IN PHILADELPHIA. HE COMMENCES THE GRAND MICHIGAN
WORK. PROGRESS AND SUCCESS OF A PHENOMENAL,
MOVEMENT. INCIDENTS, SPEECHES, AND STATISTICS.
WHILE the great International Exposition was being held
at Philadelphia, a great temperance conference, representing
different nations, occurred. A great many distinguished peo-
ple were present, and some of the finest orators in the country
spoke in tones of startling eloquence. Among the speakers
watf Dr. Reynolds.
He said, upon this most memorable occasion : "It does not
put one out in the least to follow such speakers as the Hon.
Mr. Raper, Rev. Dr. Miner, Gen. Neal Dow, Mrs. Mary
Livermore, Wendell Phillips, or any other orator, as I do not
make any profession to oratory myself. I claim to be one of
God's feeblest instrumentalities, raised up by His grace, and
trying to do something for Him, and for those who have
suffered, as I have suffered, through rum. I am one of those
unfortunate men, who have an inherited appetite for strong
drink. I love liquor to-night, as well as an infant loves milk.
The love for intoxicants is as much a part of my make-up as
my hand, and at the time I left off drinking, I had an experi-
ence of twenty years. I have'suffered from delirium tremens
as the result of drinking intoxicants. It has cost me three
thousand dollars for_what I know about drinking intoxicants ;
and I considered my life, previous to two years ago, ten thou-
sand times worse than thrown away. I have walked my
840 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
father's house night after night for seven nights and days, a
raving, crazy madman, as the result of intoxicating beverages.
At the time that I was suffering and upon the verge of delir-
ium tremcns, I was obliged to do something I had never done
before, in order to rid myself of this infernal curse. I had
drunk my last drink. I had broken my bottle. I had sworn
off before a justice of the peace. I had done everything men
ordinarily do to rid themselves of the habit of drinking, all to
no purpose. I had delirium tremens, and. it would almost
seem as though a man who suffered as I during those seven
days and nights, would never touch the infernal stuff again ;
but I did, and several times afterwards I was on the verge of
the delirium tremens, so near to them that I could almost look
over and see them, and hear them hiss and howl at me. I was,
obliged to do something different from what I had ever done
before, in order to rid myself of this infernal appetite. I
knew but very little about the Bible drinking men do not
read the Bible much but I knew God had promised to assist
those who asked him in faith, believing, and I threw myself
upon my knees in my office, by my lounge, and asked Almighty
God to save me, and promised him that if he would save me
from such sufferings as I had once been through, that, with his
assistance, I woiild be true to myself and to him, and do what
I could to make others happy. At that time a little band of
noble women, who had caught the inspiration from the West,
were praying in my native city in a public place. Some of
these women had been educated in churches where they did
not believe in women's praying or talking in public. Some of
them had suffered very much as the result of having drinking
husbands and sons. They had received no assistance from the
pulpit, law, or press, and were compelled to do something
different from what they had ever done before. So they
threw themselves upon their knees at the foot of the cross,
and asked God to give them relief from their long suffering.
And I stand here to-night believing myself to be a monument
of God's grace, saved through the prayers of the noble women
HENKY A. REYNOLDS. 841
of America, and feel myself to be a beacon-light erected upon
the breakers upon which I have been shipwrecked, to warn off
others from those shoals and breakers. Since I signed the
pledge I have been a happy man. I used to be an unhappy
man. I didn't want to live ; I dragged out a miserable exist-
tence. I would have cut my throat, or blown out my brains
but I didn't dare to. Now, I am one of the happiest men in
the world. Instead of going about the streets cursing and
swearing, I am going about from Dan to Beersheba doing
what I can to make other people happy, singing ' Nearer, my
God, to Thee,' < Rock of Ages,' 'All Hail the Power of Jesus'
Name,' and looking upon the world as my country, and
mankind as my countrymen
You have heard, doubtless, of the work which
has been going on in Massachusetts and Maine. I claim that
it is God's work, and at His feet I lay all the glory. Judging
from a human standpoint, it is a wonderful work, but judging
from a spiritual point of view, it is not wonderful, because
nothing God does is wonderful. A minister said to me the
other day, ' Dr. Reynolds, I have often heard of you, and am
glad to meet you. I have an offer to make you. I have fifty
dollars in my pocket, that I will give you if you will tell me
how you do this work.' I told him I did not do it, that God
did it. I told him that I looked upon myself as one of the
foolish things of this world that had been raised up to con-
found the wise. I have a sympathy for the drunkard, which
I cannot express or explain. I love him as I love my brother ;
and, as the result of going out, and taking God for my leader,
and acting what I believed to be a practical Christian life, I
have the honor and privilege and pleasure of standing here
to-night, and saying to you that during the past twenty-one
months, ending the tenth of this month, 51,000 men have been
reclaimed from drunkenness and planted upon the rock of total
abstinence looking to God for assistance to enable them to
keep their feet the^e. Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds
are full-souled Christians. They haven't been saved by cuffs
36
842 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
and curses and the cold shoulder, but by the hand of brotherly
love and sympathy ; not by standing up here and beckoning
them to come up, but by going down to them, as Christ did,
and giving them a hand through which an electrical thrill of
sympathy went, impregnating their whole organization, and
making them feel that they have one friend. And if there is
a man in God's world who is ready to accept the hand of
friendship and sympathy and brotherly love, it is the poor,
unfortunate drunkard. These men must be saved by practical
Christian work by treating them as men.
"Now, this reform movement is not very high-toned. It is
even found fault with because it is not high-toned enough.
The reason is because these high-toned people, so-called,
won't come down. They don't dare to do right. They don't
do right. If they did, the reform clubs, instead of being made
up of middle-class men, and humble men, would be made up
in part of those in higher circles of society, who would give
it a higher tone ; but something keeps them out. But this
reform work commenced, and has been carried on, as all other
reforms, among the humbler classes in society. It is so with
Christianity. Christ was the reputed son of a poor man, a
carpenter, and was in the highways and hedges most of his
time. He didn't stand up in high places and beckon for men
to come up ; he didn't judge men by their property or color
or nationality, or anything except the principle that was in
him. He mingled with the most debased and vile and unfor-
tunate and wretched, and led them along, and walked with
them, and saved them by kindness and sympathy and broth-
erly love."
In the summer of 1876, the International Temperance
Camp-meeting was held at Old Orchard Beach, in the State of
Maine. It was here that Dr. Reynolds was elected President
of the National .Temperance Association, with ex-Governor
Perham, of Maine, Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer, of Philadelphia,
and Francis Murphy as Vice-Presidents ; and it was here also
that he received a very cordial invitation to go West and con-
HENKY A. REYNOLDS. 843
duct a temperance movement, and organize Reform Clubs.
This invitation was extended to him by the State Vice-Presi-
dent of the National Christian Temperance Union of Mich-
igan, Mrs. Jane M. Geddes. This lady is the wife of the Hon.
Norman Geddes of Adrian, Michigan, and occupies both a
high social and public position in that State. Her name has
become a part of temperance reform, and she is well known
in the West as a philanthropist, and especially as an earnest
advocate of total abstinence.
She passed the summer of 1876 in travelling, but being
attracted by the camp-meeting at Old Orchard Beach, she
changed her route and went there. Here she. met Dr. Rey-
nolds and learned his mode of temperance reform.
The intense excitement in her State caused by the crusade
had died almost out ; and she felt something must be done to
again bring the people to a due sense of their peril. The
Woman's Christian Temperance Unions still lived, met and
held prayer-meetings, but did very little good in rousing the
masses. The people were surely drifting back into their old
state ; and it seemed impossible to stop it. The prohibitory
law had been repealed by parties opposed to temperance, and
liquor selling had increased to frightful dimensions. The
temperance advocates were scoffed at and ridiculed, and
were very despondent under the disheartening turn affairs had
taken. Mrs. Geddes felt Michigan was a ripe field for Dr.
Reynolds, and urged him to go there, which he agreed to do,
immediately after the expiration of his engagements in other
parts of the country. He could not for some time fix upon,
any certain date, and in consequence letter after letter came
to him from Michigan begging him to come to appoint the
time, so that the people might be duly informed of his advent.
He finally said he would be there some time in the month of
November.
No monetary arrangements were made. Dr. Reynolds and
his family were invited to make the home of Judge Geddes
theirs ; and Mrs. Geddes agreed to find engagements for him at
844 THE LIFE AJSTD WOEK OF
different points of the State. The expenses of the movement,
such as the renting of halls, printers' bills, travelling expenses
and the salary of the lecturer were entirely dependent upon
the liberality of the public. There were many disheartening
things in the doctor's way on his arrival at Adrian. The
family of Judge Geddes was afflicted with scarlet fever ; the
temperance people were discouraged and despondent ; and
there Avas the great excitement over the election of the presi-
dent. He felt like turning back, but he was determined to
commence the siege any way now that he was on the ground.
There was no other place open but Adrian, and he had to
begin at this point. His arrival had been somewhat sudden,
and there had been but a few days in which to announce pos-
itively that he would be there ; consequently there was no
chance of a general system of regular appointments.
The doctor had to rally out, and make his own arrangements
for holding a meeting as best he could. He engaged a hall,
and held a meeting which was slimly attended. The second
meeting was worse than the first. The state of affairs cer-
tainly did not seem very promising. However a change came
on Sunday afternoon. The men's meeting was conspicuous
for about three hundred persons, the majority of whom were
positive drinkers if not drunkards. Very stirring and inter-
esting addresses were delivered by the doctor and some of the
prominent clergymen of the place, which made considerable of
an impression. Twenty-eight drinking men came forward
that afteraoon, and affixed their signatures to the doctor's
pledge. The success of this meeting flashed over the toAvn,
and induced a large crowd of curiosity-seekers to attend the
mass-meeting at the Opera House in the evening. The num-
ber of pledge-signers was fifty-five ; on Monday it increased
to fully eighty. All of these pledge-takers were more
or less men who were addicted to intoxicants. The interest
and enthusiasm then grew, and in a very short while the Opera
House was so crowded that it was found necessary to hold
overflow meetings in the churches close by. The temperance
HE1STEY A. REYNOLDS. 845
advocates became themselves again, and worked away with
zeal and love. The prayer-meetings started by the crusaders
were now very largely attended, and wei'e soon the most in-
teresting phase of Adrian life. Instead of weekly, daily meet-
ings were held and crowds of eager people attended them
regularly. Women who had taken active parts in the crusade,
and who were zealous and effective temperance reformers, were
called in from different points to help carry on the great and
good work ; the anti-temperance people were alarmed and
scoffed no more, but held their peace ; and the liquor-dealers
looked on in mute fear and amazement. The doctor, the
" red-ribbon man," was received every time he appeared in
public in the warmest manner imaginable. He became a
household word in Adrian, and the neighboring towns of
Tecumseh, Hillsdale, Cold Water, and Monroe, were excited
at the reports that came from Adrian of the doctor's great
work and success. He was, therefore, cordially invited to visit
them also, and organize reform clubs in their region.
His method surprised and pleased every one. It was the first
instance of the inebriate rising up in favor of temperance in
Michigan, and consequently it was a. source of considerable
surprise and admiration. If the drunkard came forward of his
own will, and became a strong advocate to total abstinence,
every one should follow his good example.
Dr. Reynolds went to Jackson, and on the following Sabbath
held a meeting. The hall was literally packed, and he made a
most favorable impression. The people were intensely enthu-
siastic, and took the matter up in the right spirit. The work
here never flagged for even a day, but grew all the more
strong and more permanent with the flight of time. The
Reform Club was a strong power ; and the secretary of it was
a reclaimed man, notorious as one of the hardest drinkers in
the place. He more than acceptably filled his honorable posi-
tion. Jackson became known as " the temperance missionary
center" of the State, for having sent out a number of re-
formed men, who did excellent work in other fields.
846 THE LltfE AKD WOEK OP
Dr. Reynolds' advent in the Saginaw Valley was marked
with very flattering success. He carried everything before
him. East Saginaw had 600 signatures to his pledge, mostly
hard-drinking men ; and Saginaw City fully 290. His success
was so signal in this section alone that the entire State of
Michigan was aroused to an intense pitch of excitement, and
from that time the name of Henry A. Reynolds was upon
everyone's lips. Everybody caught the intensity of feeling,
the earnestness and enthusiasm that radiated from him ; and
the temperence movement was pushed onward with glorious
results. Michigan took him in, and accepted him in his true
light a hero, and one sent by God to rouse the fallen and
the drunken to a fitting sense of their awful position and to
save them for future lives of honor and usefulness.
The next point of the doctor's, labor was Detroit. The Rev.
Dr. Eddy of this city was instrumental in bringing the reformer
to this place. It was the reverend gentleman's fixed intention
that the red-ribbon movement should commence here, and
through Mrs. Geddes the arrangement was partially consum-
mated. The doctor offered his services for a movement in
Detroit ; but no one there appeared willing to accept them.
A meeting of ministers had been called ; but nothing definite
could be arrived at save that the movement would not be suc-
cessful in Detroit as it was in other places. The expense that
would necessarily attend it no one was ready to meet. The
Young Men's Christian Association was unwilling to take it in
hand. The only body in the city that stepped forward to help
Dr. Reynolds was the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
This band of earnest and devoted Christian women were, how-
ever, brave and zealous enough to inaugurate a dozen temper-
ance movements. Entirely through them was the doctor
enabled to labor in this city.
The Opera House was engaged by them, at seventy-five
dollars per diem. They extensively advertised the doctor's
coming and notified the public well of this new departure in
temperance reform.
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 84?
The first meeting was largely attended and the people were
enthusiastic. A large number signed the pledge. The
enthusiam grew more intense each day, and finally the whole
city was alive to the work going on under Dr. Reynolds'
direction. The Sunday afternoon meeting was an event in the
annals of Detroit. Long before the appointed time there was
an immense crowd waiting at the doors of the Opera House,
and when they were flung open, and the people settled in their
seats, the place was filled from pit to gallery. The applause
that greeted the doctor that day was something long to be
remembered. The excitement was great. Over five hundred
men took the pledge, men addicted to strong drink for years.
There were nine hundred signers in the evening, some of
whom were gentlemen of high social and political standing.
D. Bethune Duffield, a noted attorney-at-law, signed the pledge
on this occasion. He was afterwards elected first president
upon the organization of the Reform Club. The following
citation from a communication to Our Union, a woman's
temperance organ published in Brooklyn, N. Y., gives an in-
teresting report of the method of the Reynolds meetings as
illustrated in the Detroit work :
" The meetings were 'held in the Detroit Opera House, which
was crowded from the first. On the second afternoon a meet-
ing composed entirely of men- was held, and after telling his
own history in his usual touching manner, Dr. Reynolds read
the constitution of the ' Detroit Reform Club,' an organization
which he declared should be separate and distinct from every
other society or order in existence, composed only of men who
had passed the age of eighteen, and who at some time during
their lives had been more or less addicted to the use of
intoxicating liquors. He then appealed to the audience to
come forward and join the red-ribbon brigade, if not for
themselves, for the good which their example might do to
others. A most remarkable scene ensued. The vast audience
rose to its feet and joined in singing hymns, while the aisles
of the parquette were crowded with men pressing forward to
848 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
the orchestra circle, where the pledges were waiting for
signatures, young and old, rich and poor, among them many
who have heretofore been known as fast young men of the
town. In order to facilitate matters a number of pledge-rolls
were sent up into the galleries, and others were placed upon
the stage and signed by large numbers who passed across in
unbroken line from one wing to the other. Thus 547 names
were obtained.
" The first regular meeting of this club was held at Young
Men's hall, Mr. Beecher having generously placed the rooms
at the disposal of the knights of the red ribbon. Over a thou-
sand names were by that time enrolled, a boy's Reform Club
being also started.
"A ladies' meeting was also held in the First Congregational
Church, composed exclusively of ladies. The meeting was
opened with prayer by Mrs. Dr. Stewart, and the singing of a
hymn, after which addresses were made by Dr. Reynolds,
Mrs. Lathrop, of Jackson, Mrs. Geddes, of Adrian, and a
number of ladies belonging to the Women's Christiam Tem-
perance Alliance of this city. When Dr. Reynolds finally left
Detroit for Jackson, he was accompanied to the depot by a
body of over 1,000 red ribbons. It should be mentioned that
among those signing the pledge the last evening, was a saloon
keeper on the corner of Michigan avenue and Second street,
and those who go there this morning to get their daily drams,
will find the door locked and ornamented with a large red rib-
bon. Dr. Reynolds remarked, after the adjournment, that he
had never before accomplished so much for the cause of tem-
perance in four days' woi'k as he had during his brief stay in
Detroit."
The statement that " in the city of Detroit there were for-
merly a hundred arrests a month for drunkenness, and the num-
ber during the red-ribbon seige had diminished to nearly one-
half that number," proves beyond all dispute what great
results were brought about by Dr. Reynolds while there.
During the four days he was there no arrests were made for
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 849
drunkenness, and, according to the Free Press, nine days be-
fore his advent there were sixty arrests for drunkenness and
disturbing the peace, and for the nine days following it there
were only eleven.
A Red Ribbon Club was organized by the police force ; and
these guardians of the public's peace ai'e now to be seen going
about with their piece of red ribbon next to their official badge.
Up to date the Detroit Reform Club reports the goodly
membership of three thousand seven hundred. This is the
largest Reform Club in the country.
Dr. and Mrs. Reynolds, the latter of whom is also an ardent
worker in the temperance cause, held meetings for three clays
in Pontiac, and the result was a harvest of four hundred and
thirty-eight. It now has over seven hundred members in its
club.
At Lansing Dr. Reynolds achieved no little success. He
had here the assistance of Dr. Duffield, and Messrs. Crosby
and Pruden. The place was very excited over the movement;
and the work was interesting and almost inspired. Lansing
never had been moved before as Dr. Reynolds moved it. The
Reform Club had over a thousand drinking men enrolled as
members, among whom were the members of the Lansing
common council and a number of the members of the legis-
lature. In a very short time it increased to twelve hundred.
This fact is remarkable when we take into consideration that
Lansing has only eighteen hundred and fifty voting voices.
The Woman's Temperance Union here organized a " White
Ribbon Club ;" the membership of which was four hundred
and sixty-three. A knot of white ribbon is worn by the ladies
on the right shoulder.
The following speech, delivered by Dr. Reynolds at one of
the Lansing meetings, will be perused with interest, as he
clearly defines his position and work in the world :
" I stand before this audience a reformed drunkard. I was
born a drunkard, and I have suffered in every way that a man
could suffer by strong drink. At thirty-six years old I was a
36*
850 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
drunkard and a pauper. I bad earned thirty thousand dollars
by my profession, and the whole of it had gone in sprees. I
was the unhappiest man in the world : I wished for death,
but I had not the courage to take my own life. I have drawn
the charges from my pistol, burned my razors, and thrown
poisons from my window lest I should use them for my death
in some insane moment.
" When the Woman's Crusade rose in the West, I cursed it.
The great wave rolled to the East until it reached my native
State. Women who had prayed in private, and had besought
and agonized over a drunken husband, or son, or bi-other,
driven to desperation, united their prayers in public for the
lifting of the curse which was crushing them. Still I cursed
them. I felt indignant enough to kill my own sister if she
should join such a movement. But at last, as I was walking
my office one day, on the verge of delirium tremens, I be-
thought me in this last extremity to appeal to God. And then
this poor, ragged, trembling wreck of humanity fell on his
knees, and alone, in the presence of his Maker, poured out his
soul, and raised a last despairing cry for that relief which God
alone could give.
"I rose up another man. I pi'omised God that I would
publicly renounce the thralldom of alcohol, and a few days
afterward I went to the woman's meeting in my native 'city of
Bangor, and publicly signed the pledge of total abstinence.
Then I went to work among my friends. But before I knew
it I had kicked my practice overboard, and stood fully com-
mitted to this work the work of saving drunkards by the
power of love.
" The first red ribbon worn in Congress will go into the
House of Representatives on the coat of Edwin Willetts, of
Monroe, Mich.
"You want to, know why we have a red ribbon ? Well, I
will tell you. A few years ago a lot of good, big-hearted,
whole-souled fellows, who had been in the habit of drinking,
got together and resolved that they would rather wear a red
HE1STRY A. REYNOLDS. 851
ribbon than a red nose. And they acted accordingly. The
ribbon is tied in a hard knot, you see, for the reason that no
man would like to go into a saloon and ask for a drink with
that badge on ; and while he was stopping to untie it, the
Lord would come in, and cast the devil of appetite out of him,
and save him."
At the meeting when the above " talk, " as the doctor calls
his addresses was delivered, an interesting episode occurred.
A young lady whose escort was about to pass by on the other
side, told him quietly yet firmly that he must sign the pledge
or bid her good-night there and then. Seeing that she was
really in earnest, he said, " Well, I'm in for it, so here goes !"
and he signed the pledge. He was more than repaid for what
he had done by the smile she favored him with as he took her
arm through his and they went on together.
Good work was done, and flourishing Reform Clubs started
by the doctor at Ypsilanti, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor and
other points in the State. When much faith had been exer-
cised and " patience bad her perfect work, " light broke glori-
ously in an immense meeting held in Bay City on the evening
of January 21, 187*7. Westover's Opera House was filled with
a great throng and a Reform Club was organized, which enrolled
two hundred and fhirty-seven names at once. Dr. Rey-
nolds Vent, the last four weeks of his work in Michigan, to the
frontier settlements of the Upper Peninsula, and here met
with his usual success. In the Lower Frontier the civilized
Indians organized a club of their own at Indian Town, in
Autumn county. They signed the pledge ; and were able to
keep it, and were fully as enthusiastic as their white brothers.
In Three Rivers there are one thousand members of the red-
ribbon clubs, and three hundred of the white. At Albion
almost all the population were carried by storm, and within
two months four hundred and five signers have enrolled them-
selves. In two days the town of Muir responded to the
efforts of Dr. Reynolds by a club of eighty-five signers. Port
Huron and Grand Rapids yielded to its influence, and organ-
852 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
ized a club of several hundreds each. Grand Haven in four
days had four hundred and twenty-five signatures to the Rey-
nolds pledge the U. S. Senator Thomas W. Ferry being one
of the signers. The Village of Mount Clemens, with but six-
teen hundred inhabitants, at one meeting obtained over one
hundred members to its club. The most prominent liquor
dealer of the place was one of the first to sign the pledge. He
poured all his liquor on the ground. In a single week this small
place had two hundred and sixty-five names to the pledge.
Kalamazoo has a Reform Club of a membership of seven
hundred and seventy-eight. Flint sends in a report of over
two hundred. Muskegon has fourteen hundred members in
its Reform Club.
These reports go far to show what a good and great work
was done in Michigan by Dr. Reynolds : and they prove that
the people of this State are fully aware of the dangers and
pitfalls King Alcohol raises in their way, and are determined
to vanquish him, no matter how long or how hard the fight
may be.
It is a strange fact that many were doubtful of the doctor's
success in Michigan ; not doubtful of him as a worker in the
temperance cause, but as being able to induce the people to
become temperate. There had been such a complete lull after
the "crusade," that almost every one believed temperance
would never become popular again, and in consequence of this
feeling the doctor's reception in some cities was rather cold
than warm. This, however, was soon changed by him into
positive enthusiasm. Now, at Muskegon, the pastors of the
several churches there, having been written to by the man-
ager of the doctor's appointments offering him for a series of
meetings in that town, answered that they deemed it advis-
able for the doctor not to come to their city for awhile, as there
were religious revivals going on at the time. The following
correspondence later on took place :
" MUSKEGON, January 18, 1877.
" Mrs. J. M. Geddes Dear Madam : You remember I
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 853
wrote you that, on account of revival work in this city, I did
not know that arrangements had better be made to have Dr.
Reynolds come here. This revival still continues. But I am
inclined to think, judging by the favorable reports I hear,
that if Dr. Reynolds should come it would not only incline
many intemperate men to a better life, but also help in the
glorious work of saving souls. Our city is cursed terribly
with intemperance ; we have nearly ten thousand inhabitants,
and saloons by the score."
After the doctor had left this place, the same pastor wrote
as follows to Mrs. Geddes :
" MtiSKEGOisr, March 7, 1877.
" Dr. Reynolds has been the humble instrument in the hands
of God of a great deal of good in this city. The Christian
people here had carefully prepared the way by preliminary
work and earnest prayer. His first audience numbered nearly
one thousand ; the Saturday evening meeting was larger than
that of Friday evening. The meeting on Sunday afternoon
was for men only, and was attended by nearly one thousand.
Two hundred and fifty-five men joined the Reform Club that
afternoon. In the evening a very large public meeting was
held, and many more accessions were secured to the club.
" Monday afternoon a meeting for women was held in the
audience room of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Over
three hundred ladies joined the Woman's Christian Temper-
ance Union. On Monday evening another very large meeting,
for men, was held in Union Hall. It was attended with great
enthusiasm, the men sometimes being fairly wild with excite-
ment, and breaking out into deafening cheers. The clnb was
increased to more than five hundred and seventy.
" This morning the Reform Club, led by a fine brass band,
and attended by our city pastors, escorted Dr. Reynolds to
the depot, and he departed for Big Rapids. His departure
left, as results, a Reform Clnb, of six hundred and three men;
a Woman's Christian Temperance Union, of three hundred
854 THE UFE>AND WOEK OF
and sixty ladies : and one thousand signers to the total absti-
nence pledge.
" Yours truly, C. L. BAKNHABDT,
"Pastor M.K Church."
So the glorious wofk rolled through the State from town to
town with an enthusiasm that seemed infectious. The callous
and indifferent were awakened into a new and earnest life,
and the hard crust of what may be called hack-horse religion
was broken up. New power was poured into the veins and
arteries of all the social forces, which co-operate for good.
Much of the success of the Reynolds movement is to be
attributed to his natural, easy, informal manner as a speaker
and processes as a worker.
The methods of Dr. Reynolds were marked by the utmost
simplicity. This delightful phase in his movement surprised
and charmed everyone. He first organized a club of men who
had been more or less addicted to the use of intoxicating
drink, and who had attained the age of eighteen years ; he
then appealed to the Christian women of the locality to throw
about them the blessed shield of their love and sympathy, and
finished his work of preparation by impressing upon the citi-
zens at large the necessity of upholding the club with hearty
and substantial assistance.
" The meetings of the club are on a secular evening of each
week," a good authority informs us; "and on Sunday after-
noons or evenings the clubs, with the Woman's Christan
Temperance Unions, hold public meetings, which are always
crowded. The order of exercises at these public meetings con-
sists of prayer, reading of the scriptures, and brief addresses by
reformed men, interspersed with singing gospel songs. As the
clubs increase one by one, the leaders of the towns join the
ranks, until now in scores of towns of Massachusetts, and sev-
eral of the Western States, a public sentiment has been created
which ostracizes the drinking man from good society.
" The insignia of Dr. Reynolds is a piece of red ribbon, and
any man wearing it is received wherever he chooses to go in
a manner that clearly shows how the public regard it. It is a
HENKY A. EEYNOLDS. 855
signal to which all good Christian people respond with deep
interest and sympathy.
" The motto, ' Dare to do Right,' is most appropriate, and
has taken its place as a great favorite among the familiar sug-
gestive expressions of the times."
The pledge signed by each member, and the constitution
and by-laws adopted by reform clubs, as inaugurated by Dr.
Reynolds and his earnest co-workers, are as follows :
Whereas, Having seen and felt the evils of intemperance,
therefore,
JResolved, That we, the undersigned, for our own good .and
the good of the world in which we live, do hereby promise
and engage with the help of Almighty God, to abstain from
buying, selling or using alcoholic or malt beverages, wine and
cider included. And that we shall accomplish the greatest
possible amount of good, and work most effectually, we
hereby adopt for our government the following constitution
and by-laws :
ARTICLE I.
This organization shall be called and known as the
REFORM CLUB.
ARTICLE II.
It shall be the duty of each member of the Club to work in
the interests of the same by inducing all those who are ad-
dicted to the use of intoxicating drinks to sign our pledge and
become faithful members of the Club.
ARTICLE III.
All male persons of the age of eighteen years and upwards,
who have been in the habit of using intoxicating liquor to a
greater or less extent, are eligible to membership in this Club.
ARTICLE IV.
The officers of this Club shall consist of a President, three
Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, one
Steward, two Marshals, one Sergeant-at-Arms, Executive Com-
mittee of five, and Finance Committee of three.
856 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
The Executive and Finance Committees shall be appointed
by the President and approved by the Club.
ARTICLE v.
It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meet-
ings of the Club, to preserve order, enforce the constitution
and by-laws of the Club, see that the officers perform their
respective duties, sign all documents issued by the Club, call
special meetings when it is deemed expedient, or, upon the
written request of twelve or more of the members of the Club,
cause the Secretary to notify the members of such meetings,
and approve all bills.
ARTICLE VI.
In the absence of the President the senior Yice-President
shall preside, and while in the chair shall exercise all the
powers of the President.
ARTICLE VII.
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a correct record
of the proceedings of the Club, notify members of special
meetings, attest all bills approved by the President and Ex-
ecutive and Finance Committees, conduct the correspondence,
make a I'eport of the doings of the Club during his term of-
office, and at the end of the year hand over all books, papers,
and other property to his successor in office.
He will call the roll of officers at all business meetings, and
keep a record of absentees.
ARTICLE VIII.
It shall be the duty of the Financial Secretary to keep a just
and true account between himself and the Club, and between
the Club and its members ; to receive all moneys from the
hands of the brethren, and at the close of each meeting pay
the same to the Treasurer, taking his receipt therefor. He
shall, when called upon by the President, furnish a statement
of accounts and aiist of all members in arrears for dues.
ARTICLE IX.
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all moneys
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 857
from the hands of the Financial Secretary, keep a just and
true account of the same, and pay it out only on an order
authorized by a vote of the Club, signed by the President and
Secretary, and approved of by the Finance Committee. He
shall also, before taking office, give bonds that shall be satis-
factory to the President and Finance Committee, in a sum
that shall not be less than two hundred dollars, or such other
larger amount which shall be satisfactory to the President and
Finance Committee, prepare and present at the annual and
quarterly meetings (or oftener, if required) a true statement
of the financial condition of the Club, and of all moneys re-
ceived and disbursed by him, and at the expiration of his
term of office hand over all books, papers, and other property
in his possession to his successor in office.
ARTICLE' X.
It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to have a
general oversight of the affairs of the Club, examine and re-
port all violations of the pledge, investigate arid report quar-
terly the progress of the Club.
ARTICLE XI.
It shall be the duty of the Finance Committee to examine
and report on all bills brought before them, audit the accounts
of the Financial Secretary and Treasurer, and make a report
of the same to the Club at least once a quarter, or when other-
wise called upon to do so.
ARTICLE XII.
It shall be the duty of the Marshals to take charge of all
public prosecutions.
ARTICLE XIII. ,
It shall be the duty of the Steward to have charge of the
property of the Club not under the control of any of its
officers.
ARTICLE XIV.
It shall be the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms to take charge
of the door of the Club-room, and assist the President in pre-
serving order during all meetings of the Club.
&58 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
AETICLE XV.
Fifteen members in good standing shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business.
ARTICLE XVI.
Any person who is eligible to membership in this Order
shall, upon signing this constitution, become a member thereof;
but should an objection be raised in any case, the President
shall immediately, without discussion, order a ballot.
The affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the members pres-
ent shall be necessary to elect the candidate.
ARTICLE xvn.
All meetings of this Club shall be conducted free from all
political or sectarian discussions.
ARTICLE XVIII.
The officei-s of this Club shall be elected on the last Wednes-
day in December, by ballot, and installed the first Wednesday
in January in each year ; but should either of these days fall
upon a holiday, then the election and installation shall take
place on the Wednesday next following.
ARTICLE XIX.
Any member of this Club who shall violate his pledge
thereby forfeits his membership, but may again become a
member by acknowledging the same, and paying the sum of
twenty-five cents, as in the case of new members, and signing
the constitution anew.
ARTICLE XX.
It shall be the duty of the President, upon receiving
reliable information of a member having violated his pledge,
to report the same to the Executive Committee, who shall in-
vestigate the case, and report the same to the Club at the
next meeting.
ARTICLE XXI.
All reports of committees shall be made in writing, and
signed by such members as indorse the sentiments contained
therein.
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 859
ARTICLE XXII.
Any officer absenting himself from four regular meetings,
without good and sufficient reason, his seat shall be declared
vacant, and an election by ballot shall be held the same even-
ing to fill the vacancy.
" ARTICLE XXIII.
All official documents issued for the Club shall be signed by
the President and Secretary.
ARTICLE XXIV.
Members whose names have been stricken from the books
for non-payment of dues may again renew their membership
by paying all back dues during such time, and signing the
constitution anew.
ARTICLE XXV.
Any^officer wishing to resign h^s office shall give the Club
at least one week's notice before his resignation can be acted
upon.
ARTICLE XXVI.
Any member in good standing who may wish to withdraw
from the Club shall, upon a vote from the Club in the affirm-
ative, be entitled to an honorable discharge.
ARTICLE XXVII.
This constitution- may be altered or amended at any regular
or special meeting of the Club, provided such alteration or
amendment shall have been submitted in writing at the pre-
vious regular meeting.
ORDER OF BUSINESS.
1 . Opening.
2. Roll call of officers.
3. Reading of the minutes.
4. Applications for membership.
5. Communications.
6. Reports of committees.
7. Unfinished business.
8. New business.
860 THE LIFE A1STD WORK OP
9. Has any brother violated his pledge ?
10. Remarks for the good of the Club.
11. Receipts of the evening.
12. Adjournment.
BY-LAWS.
ARTICLE I.
The meetings of this Club shall be held every Wednesday
evening at seven and one-half o'clock, until otherwise ordered,
and the public meetings shall be held at such time and place
as the Club may decide.
ARTICLE II.
On the first Wednesday in .each month the regular meet-
ings of the Club will be held, at which members will pay their
monthly assessments, the Financial Secretary calling the roll,
and members paying as their names are called. This will
not prevent any member from paying at business meetings.
Each and every member shall pay the sum of twenty-five
cents monthly.
ARTICLE III.
Any member one month in arrears for dues will be notified
by the Financial Secretary, and if his dues remain unpaid for
four weeks after said notification, without good and sufficient
reason being given for the non-payment thereof, he shall,
upon the two-thirds vote of all members present, be suspended.
ARTICLE IV.
The following questions shall not be debatable : 1st. A mo-
tion to adjourn, when to adjourn simply. 2d. A motion to lay
on the table. 3d. A motion for the previous question. 4th.
A motion to take up a particular item of business.
ARTICLE V.
No member shall speak more than twice on one subject,
unless he be the mover or seconder, unless by permission of the
President.
ARTICLE VI.
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 861
toward another, and any member indulging in personal-
ities shall be deemed out of order, and if persisted in after
being called to order, shall be deprived of the privilege
of membership for that evening. Any member using insult-
ing or indecent language in connection with the officers and
members of this Club may, upon a two-thirds vote of the mem-
bers present at any meeting, be expelled from said Club.
ARTICLE VII.
Should it be deemed necessary to take up a collection to de-
fray expenses at any public meeting, it shall be done by a
committee appointed by the President, and they will hand the
amount over to the Financial Secretary, or, in his absence, to
the Secretary, who shall pay it over to the Treasurer, taking
his receipt for the same.
ARTICLE VIII.
These by-laws may be amended or suspended at any regu-
lar meeting by a two-thirds vote of all members present.
Before entering further into a history of the Reynolds tem-
perance movement, which, after it left Massachusetts and the
East, was to assume its most striking aspects as a matter of
public interest, in Illinois and Michigan, a few words will be
necessary to give a clue to the modus operandi of his work as
compared with that of the other great temperance wave, that
of Francis Murphy. The latter advocate of reform has pur-
sued his plans by the effect of magnetic sympathy and arator-
ical effect in groat % mass meetings; utilizing in connection
therewith the peculiar and intense dramatic appeal of speeches,
from the platform, of those who had been converted by the
influence of his addresses. This use of one of the powerful
factors in the discipline of the Methodist church organization,
an influence of its kind hardly less stringent than that of the
Romish Confessional in its force in swaying human motive
and action, has been alluded to before. It has emphasized
itself as one of the most marked features of the Murphy
movement, judged as a system of influences brought to bear
862 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
on the popular mind. On the other hand, while Dr. Rey-
nolds has not ignored this phase of effort, it has been an inci-
dental feature in the method of his work.
The Reynolds movement maybe summed up briefly as a
system of reform clubs, organized with special reference to
the results to be attained. The Murphy work has been done
in connection with vast assemblies, newspaper celebrity, and
that passionate ferment of all classes from the scholar, the
clergyman, the doctor, the lawyer in a word, the man of
social distinction down to the humble laborer, who toils with
his hands for his daily bread. The Reynolds work has been
pursued more quietly, and as a consequence, however stable
and powerful in its effects, has not attained the same popular
excitement. A marked characteristic of Dr. Reynolds' pecu-
liar labors is the direct outcome of the circumstances of his
own reform as an individual, and ho has since made it a most
telling agency in carrying out his grand work. We refer to
that great power in society, which for the good and evil has
moiilded the minds of men so organically from the earliest
days to the present time, the power of woman. Dr. Reynolds
was drifted by circumstance into connection with a woman's
temperance organization, when he first took the pledge. Both
gratitude and policy, we may assume, have caused him to
make the influence of woman a permanent and characteristic
element of his work. The woman's crusade was one of the
most extraordinary and significant facts in the history of
American temperance. It may in fact be cited as an unpar-
alleled outburst in the social phenomena of reform. Dr.
Reynolds' alliance with this agency has become so direct, that
we are impelled to enlarge somewhat on the phases of the
women's temperance work for several years back, though
we can only speak of it in general terms. Emphatically we
may assert that io- is utterly impossible to give even the
slightest conception of the work and the methods of Dr. Henry
A. Reynolds without describing the Women's Temperance
Unions), or, we should say, the immortal " Crusade," as the tAvo
HE1STEY A. EEYNOLDS. 863
great movements go together hand in hand, and are identified
with one another.
The flash of light that helped to arouse thousands to the fright-
ful evils of intemperance and the blessed results of total absti-
nence, rayed out from the town of Hillsboro, Ohio, in 1873.
Dr. Dio Lewis, in a lecture at this place, related in a most
effective manner how, forty years before, his pious mother,
the wife of a wretched drunkard, who was struggling to feed,
clothe and educate her young and helpless family, went with a
band of devoted women who had a similar sorrow, to the differ-
ent tavern-keepers, and kneeling down in each bar-room, prayed
with and for the proprietors, and besought them to abandon a
business that was cursing their neighbors and bringing want
and suffering into many once happy homes. These efforts
were crowned with success. After narrating this pathetic
story of his mother, the noted lecturer asked all the women
present, who were willing to follow her example, to rise, and
in response nearly the entire audience sprang to their feet.
From that evening was born the crusade. Meetings were
held, and the women, strengthened by long and earnest
prayer, commenced their work. They went to the druggists
where wine was sold to genteel customers, and to saloons, and
prayed and sang gospel songs out on the cold pavements, some-
times in blinding storms, for it was in the winter season.
To rescue their beloved husbands, fathers and sons, from
the maddening cup, these women, who knew the refinement
and luxury of elegant homes, and the culture of study and
travel, bravely faced the wrath of infuriated mobs. An ex-
cellent authority has truly and aptly remarked that "the
record of those days and months will never be fully read this
side eternity."
It was soon evident that the gigantic work they had under-
taken would consume the labor of years ; and that some other
plan, equally efficient, must be adopted.
In the spring of 1874, conventions were called in various
States by these brave vromen, the results of which were State
8G4 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
organizations for future work. A grand national convention
was held in Cleveland, Ohio, in November, 1874, for the pur-
pose of uniting and combining State bodies. From that time
the work steadily progressed, and was very successful. There
are up to date twenty-two States organized auxiliary to the
national body, and almost numberless local unions in every
State in the Union, except the extreme south, and the territo-
ries of the far west. An International Union was formed in
1876, our " centennial year," and now the women of Europe
are working away with the same will and power characteristic
of their American sisters.
The only sure safety for the seller and drinker of intoxicat-
ing drinks was faith in the Lord Jesus. The crusaders recog-
nized this most emphatic fact from the very outset, and acted
upon it accordingly. Gospel temperance meetings were in-
augurated in every part of this vast country, and the men and
women, to whom religion was long an unknown and ridiculous
spectacle, unworthy their slightest attention, flocked in im-
mense crowds to them like thirsty souls.
Twenty meetings were held weekly in Cleveland ; in Brook-
lyn the same number ; in Chicago fourteen ; in New York city
nine ; and in Newark eight. Every local union has a weekly
prayer-meeting, and many of them have public temperance
services on Sabbath afternoons, sometimes in churches, some-
times in public halls or beer gardens ; mothers' meetings,
where the poor come with their children, and have a simple
supper after the exercises ; meetings in prisons and in jail,
whither nine-tenths are brought through drink alone ; Bible
classes of reformed men ; cottage prayer-meetings, especially
in the houses of the dissipated ; among sailors, who are par-
ticularly subject to temptation ; in inebriate and Magdalen
asylums, hospitals and bethel homes. Our authority says,
" over two hundred such meetings are held by women in the
city of New York, in mission and charitable institutions. In
several cities, as in Chicago, Brooklyn, New York and Cleve-
land, a daily temperance prayer-meeting has been sustained
HENEY A. EEYNOLDS. 865
since the beginning of the crusade. All these meetings mean
time, labor and consecration. Who shall say that the work
has ceased ?"
One of the most successful agents employed to elevate and
educate the people is the work of petition. In this way while
influence had been brought to bear upon the legislature, tem-
perance conversations were held in tens of thousands of homes.
Indiana sent a petition with 23,000 signatures, praying for a
voice in the local-option election, and helped to circulate a
general petition which had the large number of 75,000 names.
The women of Rhode Island secnred the signatures of 10,000
women to a petition for the suppression of the traffic, and car-
ried it before the legislature. Their prayer was granted ;
but the law was repealed when the new officers were elected.
Massachusetts women sent a petition to Congress having
22,000 names, and one for the repeal of the new license law,
having 10,000. The women of Ohio kept the politicians con-
stantly agitated by their petitioning. A monster petition
with hundreds of thousands of names, from all the states, was
carried by a delegation of women to Congress, asking for a
commission of inquiry in regard to the liquor traffic.
The greater number of the men who attended the gospel
meetings had no homes, no cheery place to pass an evening
except in a saloon, or no where to board except where a bar
offered constant and usually successful temptation. Friendly
inns, consisting of a reading-room, dining-room and sleeping
apartments, were established in nearly all the leading cities.
Cleveland had live ; Rochester two ; Syracuse one ; where
over 600 men renounced their cups ; Buffalo one, where 200
signed the pledge in a very short time ; and scores more in
other towns. Massachusetts had twenty-six reading-rooms ;
Iowa twenty-two ; Ohio twelve ; Illinois eight ; Pennsylvania
five ; Wisconsin and Michigan a very large number, and
nearly all of the other States several in each.
The women strove to reach the next generation through
the children and their auxiliary juvenile societies in Manches-
866 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
ter, N. H., Syracuse, Pittsburgh, New York, Brooklyn, Massa-
chusetts, Minnesota, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In Ore-
gon and Tennessee, the women train the little children for the
good fight. It was deemed advisable that a temperance liter-
ature should be provided for the youthful mind ; and the idea
was formed and carried out with no little success. The chil-
dren were taught to sing temperance song's, and to recite from
wisely prepared catechisms.
The young women of the country brought their valuable
aid in taking charge of juvenile societies, holding day and
night schools, and sewing-schools for girls ; assisting inebriate
families, and so formed public opinion, as to make it unpopu-
lar and even disgraceful for young men to imbibe.
It was also attempted to form a society in all seminaries and
colleges for young women, because the latter, as they go out
from school, would become centers of influence.
This plan met with general favor. The cause and its earn-
est advocates had a day and sometimes a couple of days
given them at the great summer gathering, as Old Orchard
Beach, Chatauqua Lake, and other places. Medical bodies
were invited to give their views on the uses of alcohol. They
always sided with the temperance advocates. The laity came
forward en masse and took the cause by the hand, and worked
nobly for it from the very beginning.
The officers of the National Union gave up everything to
further the good work, travelling at any time and to any dis-
tance to hold and conduct temperance meetings and conven-
tions. But, of course, the great work was done by the almost
numberless local " Women's Temperance Unions," scattered
throughout the different States ; silently and unostentatiously
toiling like the coral insects under the surface of the foam-
ing sea, and building the deep foundations on which smiling
islands and continents are anchored fast.
Dr. Reynolds instantly puts himself into harness with the
" Women's Temperance Union," and the two co-operate with
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 867
the most surprising results, as the statistics we shall by-and-by
collate will suggest.
This bond of alliance is furthermore expressed by the badge
of the white ribbon, worn by women and children, otherwise
the same as the red-ribbon token born by the members of the
reform clubs, directly organized by Dr. Reynolds. The potency
of the social influence thus put into operation, can hardly be
measured by one who has not directly watched its workings.
These earnest, praying women give their dissipated husbands,
fathers, sons, sweet-hearts or friends, no peace till they consent
to go and hear one of Reynolds' talks, and submit themselves
to his influence.
So deeply stamped on the heart of the Michigan people has
been their recognition of the value of the Reynolds' work,
that it was publicly indorsed and approved by the legislature.
Representative R. B. Robbins, of Lenawee county, offered the
following concurrent resolution in the house of representatives,
by unanimous consent, which was adopted by both houses,
without a dissenting vote, handsomely engrossed, signed by
the presiding officers of both houses and the governor, the
State seal affixed, and the whole handsome and valuable testi-
monial presented to Dr. Reynolds :
Resolved (the Senate concurring), That, in the recent work
introduced into this State by Dr. Henry A. Reynolds, we
recognize a reform so beneficent in its aims, and so wise in its
measures, as to have won public confidence ip an unprecedented
degree, not only achieving marvellous results in its effects
upon individuals, families and communities, but promising to
be so far-reaching in its influence as of necessity to greatly
diminish poverty and crime, the expenses of almshouses, police
courts and prisons, as well as the demands upon private and
public charity ; and promising also to solve the much-vexed
problem of tramps, vagrants, paupers and convicts striking,
as it does, at the root of pauperism and crime.
Resolved, that to Dr. Henry A. Reynolds, the originator
868 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
and prosecutor of this reform, as developed in this State, we
tender grateful appreciation and thanks.
Approved May 3, 1877.
CHARLES M. CKOSWELL.
ALONZO SESSIONS,
[Seal.] President of the Senate.
JOHN T. RICH,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
A well known gentleman writing to a leading paper, in
speaking of Reynolds, says : " I feel safe in saying that in the
whole history of our State (Michigan) no one man ever did so
much for the moral, social (and I think I might add, material)
interests of the State." Who ever before heard of a legisla-
ture commending a temperance worker f
In local meetings, in camp-meetings and conventions, the
enthusiasm has grown and spread, and the contagion of the
influence has run like wild-fire. Even in the backwoods and
the wilds of the State the grand wave has rolled, and left its
marks. Some of the incidents that have occurred are very
well worth recording, and one of these we give. Towards the
close of the late camp-meeting at Petoskey, Michigan, a very
interesting episode took place. The evening was one of those
beautiful evenings that make one quiet and speechless with
their great beauty. Sailing through the clouds was the
harvest moon ; and the long rays of silver light glistened
through the thick trees, and lit up the inspired face of a lady,
who had given her entire time and talents to the temperance
work, and who, at this moment, was entreating all to come
forward and allow her to tie on the red ribbon. The very air
seemed tremulous with the prayers of the crowd assembled
there to worship, and the eye of God seemed to be regarding
the scene. While the lady was entreating the people to take the
pledge, an old Indian chief was led forward gently by two of
his tribe. With the well-known majesty of his race he ap-
proached, and said in the low, singing tones peculiar to his
people : " I am Petoskey, chief of the Indian people. I want
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 869
to take the pledge from the white lady, and let her fingers tie
the red ribbon on old Petoskey's coat." How the lady's lovely
face brightened and glowed at that ! She stepped down from
the platform and went to him. " My dear brother," she said,
in a voice very suggestive of joyful tears ; " far away from
the blue Atlantic I have come from my home, in the green
Emerald Isle, where all I love lies sleeping, to take you by the
hand and call you, chief of the Indian tribe, my brother. I
welcome you as you clasp hands with us, workers in this
sacred cause of temperance, a cause which means not alone
patriotism, nationality, but, blessed be God, it means religion.
I shall go on my way stronger as I remember up here in the
wilds of Northern Michigan our numbers are strengthened by
Petoskey's signature."
" I'll meet you beyond that sky there, and shall need no more
moon or sun, for He will be the light thereof." And with
that the dignified old chief retired as he came.
The following resolutions were passed by the State Con-
gregational Association, which closed its session at Ann Arbor,
on May 18, 1877. Rev. Ira C. Billman, chairman of the com-
mittee on temperance, offered the following report and
resolutions, which were adopted :
" WJiereas, The cause of temperance, one of the most
practical workings of Christianity, embracing many of the
dearest interests of humanity, social and religious, has received
a great and far-reaching impetus in our State within the last
few months, especially under the forms of what are popularly
known as the red-ribbon movement, the Woman's Temper-
ance Union, and the Children's Band.
" Resolved, That we have devout cause of thanksgiving to
God and encouragement for still more untiring devotion to
this arm of the Master's service, and that as ministers and
churches, we lend our influence to promote their utilization.
"Resolved, That especial mention be made of Dr. H. A.
Reynolds, who has been confessedly, under God, the efficient
instrument in this great work, and we recommend him, from
870 THE LIFE AND WORK OP
personal knowledge, to the confidence of all to whom this
may reach. We also express, in this connection, our apprecia-
tion of the services of Mrs. Norman Geddes, of Plymouth
Society, Adrian, through whose efforts he was secured at first,
and who has by continued inspiring assistance, planned and
encouraged the great campaign."
The following letter to the Rev. W. H. Daniels, A. M., will
be perused with general satisfaction as it graphically tells the
story of the first Juvenile Reform Club in Michigan :
"ADRIAN, December 18, 1877.
"Dear Sir: I belong to the Reform Club of Adrian, and I
thought that my little boy, nine years, might be benefited by
attending the meetings with me. When the pledge was read
he came to me, and asked if he couldn't sign. I told him no ;
he was not old enough yet ; that he must be eighteen years
old before he could become a member of the society. He
replied that nine years was along time to wait : and I thought
it was, with all the influences that tend to draw our boys from
virtue and from God. Nine years hence he might be any-
thing but a fit subject for a temperance society. It troubled
me, and I told him that I would write him out a pledge, and
he and his little sister and play-fellows could sign it, and have
a little society of their own, which pleased him very much.
" Thanksgiving morning I wrote this pledge :
" ' We promise that we will not use any cider, wine, beer, ale,
or other intoxicating liquor.
" ' We promise that we will neither smoke, chew, nor use
tobacco in any form.'
" He wrote his name, Charley T. Boyd, on the pledge, and
said he would have his play-fellows come and sign. Shortly
six or eight came in with hi inland, after reading the pledge
carefully to them, they put their names to it. I gave them a
red ribbon for not drinking, and a blue one for not smoking
or chewing, and tied the badges in their button-holes.
These few went out after more, and they kept me busy almost
the whole of Thanksgiving day, and at night I had on the roll
1 HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 871
about five hundred boys who wore the badge, and dared to do
right.
" The fathers and mothers became interested in the work,
and gave the boys a grand reception, in the Opera House,
where over five hundred boys marched, with drums and ban-
ners and flags, to such a table as they had never before seen.
The musicians gave the boys a short concert, we had a little
speaking and then supper.
" I have had the pledge always open for signers here in the
city, and have visited and helped to organize, in almost every
town in the county, clubs of both old and young persons, to
the number of over fourteen hundred boys and girls, and hun-
dreds of men and women. It is a good work to lift degraded
ones out of the ditch, and help them to be sober men and
women ; but I love to take these pure children, and lead them
up into manhood without the sufferings which the drunkard
undergoes for in the children is our country's hope.
" I remain, sir, respectfully yours,
"-R. W. BOYD."
Such was the grand work of the temperance reformer in
Michigan : a work which ranks for solid fruits with, perhaps,
any in the history of the movement. There were formed in the
State under the direction of Dr. Reynolds two hundred lodges,
with a membership of 100,000. .There were at least 200,000
all told, as nearly as we can judge by the statistics, who were
influenced to forsake the evil habit of drinking and put them-
selves on the side of right and true manhood. The influence
of Dr. Reynolds proved a sure, strong anchor, for it trans-
formed his converts into an army of workers, who not only
deepened and solidified their own reformation, but won over
others to the good cause both by the force of precept and ex-
ample. God's blessing rested on the efforts of the earnest mis-
sionary, and his harvest was such as delighted and encouraged
the hearts of all that loved God and humanity.
872 THE LIFE AND WOKK OF
CHAPTER XI.
THE TEMPERANCE WORK OF DR. REYNOLDS IS CONTINUED IN
ILLINOIS. HIS EFFORTS IN THAT STATE. THE CHICAGO
REVIVAL. FACTS, SPEECHES, AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
REYNOLDS MOVEMENT IN THE PRAIRIE CITY. CONCLUSION.
In the middle of July, 1877, Dr. Reynolds conducted a tem-
perance camp-meeting on the grounds of the Lake Bluff Asso-
ciation of Illinois, at which were gathered many of the most
prominent temperance laborers of both sexes from various
parts of the United States and Canada. Michigan sent in a
roll-call of 80,000, who had actually signed the pledge, as red-
ribbon men. And there were about 200,000 men, women and
children beside, who were stated to have become pledge-takers
under the influence of the earnest reformer.
At this gathering there were such prominent and well-known
people as Francis Murphy ; Rev. Dr. Foster of Fredericton,
New Brunswick ; John Warburton ; Miss Francis E. Wil-
lard ; Mrs. Lathrop of Jackson, Mich. ; Mrs. S. J. Rounds of
Chicago, secretary of the Temperance Union ; Mrs. Youmans
from Ontario ; Mrs. Jennie F. Willing ; and Mrs. McGowan,
the chaplain of the Cook county jail of Illinois, where she had
done a great work among the prisoners. -
At this camp-meeting Dr. Reynolds delivered his views on
the Maine Liquor Law with considerable effect. He was asked
by some one present if this law was enforced, and in a very
forcible manner the doctor rejoined :
"Yes, sir. A man who sells rum in any form is there
deemed as disreputable as a horse-thief, even if he does wear
HENKY A. REYNOLDS. 873
diamonds on his shirt-front, or drive around in a gilded car-
riage. Public opinion in favor of cold water has been so
strengthened that the election resulted in filling up the legis-
lature last winter with teetotalers, all except ten, and now wine
and cider have been added to the prohibited drinks. The law
is a grand success, and all statements to the contrary are worse
than nonsense. Still, this law business is not my best hold.
Till you can reform public opinion, and get men to hate rum,
it is of no use to try to get prohibitory laws passed. As long
as at the polls ballots are cast by men who enjoy their morn-
ing cocktails and their evening night-caps we can't have any
great temperance reform by law.
" When public feeling sends strong temperance men up to
the legislafive houses, then temperance laws will be enforced
to the letter."
The proposed " tapering off " of the appetite for strong
drink by the use of lager-beer, light wines, and other bever-
ages of a lighter character received on this occasion a sharp
blow from the clever physician which must have effectually
killed it. He said :
" It is with these drinks, in my opinion, that drunkenness
commences. Men do not begin with fiery, throat-burning
whisky, but with cider, ale, and beer. Beer is leading men to
the drunkard's gave. It takes longer for a man to get drunk
on beer than on rum, but it is a worse sort of drunk when it
does come. I know by experience. I have been drunk on
every kind of intoxicant that was ever mixed."
At this meeting it was arranged that Dr. Reynolds, after
completing his Michigan labors, should go to Illinois and com-
mence the red-ribbon- reform in that State. Pursuant to his
steady plan of laboring in connection with the Women's Tem-
perance Unions. Dr. Reynolds commenced his work at Cairo,
the extreme southern point of the State, his appointments hav-
ing been made for him by Mrs. S. M. J. Henry of Rockford, a
prominent and enthusiastic laborer in the reform cause. His
efforts in that thriving little city, were blessed with their usual
8?4 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
success, and Cairo was thrown into a ferment of the greatest
excitement. Rum-shops were closed up, liquor-sellers induced
to sign the pledge, arid a deep root of truth and good planted
in the heart of the community. Two red-ribbon clubs were
formed with a combined membership of nearly 800 members.
The churches, of course, took hold of the movement with their
usual earnestness, and every religious influence was brought to
bear to advance the labors of the devoted doctor. Cairo, from its
peculiar position as the junction point of two great rivers, and
its character as a rendezvous of the numei'ous boatmen, pro-
verbially a hard-drinking class, had been from its early settle-
ment an unusually dissipated and "hard" city. The effects
of the Reynolds movement there were such as to establish a
new order of things, and to furnish reasonable grounds that
the floating population of this important river city, would
henceforth be of a different character, and subjected to a more
pure and blessed atmosphere than of old. The wave extended
over the State northwards, carried by Reynolds and his fellow-
workers, recruited from the men and women who had recently
signed the pledge, and found its next great center in the city
of Rockford in the western part of the State.
Rockford again was a field of brilliant triumph, and after
Reynolds' labors were finished in the beautiful little capital of
the Fox river region, he proceeded to Chicago, where he
opened his labors under the most favorable auspices, churches
and the public at large welcoming him with the utmost warmth
and enthusiasm, for aside from sympathy with the objects of the
work, there was the most lively curiosity to see the man who
had wrought such marvellous things by such simple means.
The Halsted street Opera House was crowded to hear Dr.
Reynolds, the first time he stood before a Chicago audience.
His fame and his great work had gone before him, and an
immense concourse of, curious people filled the Opera House
to hear and see what manner of man he wa^.
The hall was decorated with evergreens and national flags.
Several gospel songs were rendered, and then Mrs. Camming
I HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 875
opened the more solid services with a touching and appropri-
ate prayer, after which the doctor was introduced. The aud-
ience gave him a very cordial greeting. He began by saying
he wished his audience to understand . that he did not come
among them as a temperance lecturer; that he did not come
before them to act the drunkard and to tell amusing anecdotes.
He came as a plain man to tell them a plain story. He would
tell them what his plan of work was in saving men from the
curse of the cup. He had to say of himself that he spoke of
what he knew. He had himself once been a victim. He had
tasted of the cup, not once, but often. His plan was one which
could take in all sinners, no matter what denomination they
might belong to. He did not believe, as did the minister who,
when walking past a Catholic graveyard, and while pointing to
the graves therein, said, " Every one of those graves represents
a soul suffering the torments of hell." He believed that the
members of all religions had a right to be saved from the
terrible curse of strong drink. That was the object of his plan
of reformation. He would include all persons in his system.
His plan was to induce " all " to sign a pledge by which they
should forswear the use, in any form, of alcoholic liquors,
wines, malt liquors, and cider cider in any form. He wished
to speak especially against the use of cider, either by the
young or grown person. Cider was the devil's kindling wood.
He, himself, had first been drunk by the use of cider, at the
age of eight years, and as drunk as he had ever been by drink-
ing whisky or wine. This evil of intemperance was not one
always learnt after a person became twenty-one or twenty-two
years old. It was often found in mere youth. It was often
commenced with the drinking of cider : from the use of cider
the youth went on to the use of home-made wines currant
wine, rhubarb wine, raspberry wine, etc., which contained
fifteen per cent of alcohol, and so the drinking habit grew with
his age. He wanted specially to caution all against the use of
the innocent cider even sweet cider. When he had got
drunk on cider he had ten times as big a head the next morn-
876 THE LIFE AKD WORK OF
ing as he used to have after getting on a big drunk on whisky
straight. He would next speak of lager beer. It was the
great evil of the West. Lager beer was the juggernaut of the
West. He would, himself, sooner drink poor whisky, poor
gin, poor rum, or poor brandy, than he would drink the best
lager beer that was ever made. He would drink poor whisky
rather than good lager beer because he would live longer by
drinking the former, than he would by drinking the latter.
He spoke from authority. He had graduated from Harvard
Medical College, and he knew of what he spoke when he made
this declaration. He said it from a medical point of view.
Again he would say of his plan, that it was meant to break
down the denominational lines in carrying on this work of re-
forming drunkards. He wanted no denominational divisions
in this great work, which should include all men of whatever
sect, and those without sect. All men needed saving from the
curse, and consequently all should be included in his move-
ment in hfe plan of reformation. As they did that they
would succeed ; as they did not do it they would not succeed.
He himself had come to the decision some time ago that he
would sooner have the red ribbon in hi6 button-hole than he
would have it in his nose. It was with this idea in view, then,
that they had chosen the plan of wearing the red ribbon in the
button-hole. It said of him who wore it that he was an op-
poser to the use of strong drink ; that he wore that red ribbon
as an evidence to the world that he was a sympathizer in the
" red-ribbon " movement, and sympathized with those who
wore that same red ribbon. The idea of the movement
was that all who sympathized with it should wear the
red ribbon as a sign that they sympathized with the move-
ment, sympathized with the work of saving men from the
curse of strong drink. The object was to have all wear
the red ribbon whethsr drinkers or not ; that all should
wear it, not necessarily as a sign that they themselves had
been reformed, but as an encouragement to others. All should
be willing to wear it who sympathized with the objects of the
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 877
order all brave enough to do it. Let not one pause from
wearing it because they were afraid it would make them too
conspicuous. He would suggest, in conclusion, to the young
ladies, that they should ask their young men, before they
offered to escort them home : " Have you signed the pledge ?
Show me your red ribbon !" and if they did not say that they
had signed the pledge, or saying they had, could not testify to
it by showing a red ribbon in their button-hole, tell them that
they could not go home with them until they signed the pledge
and donned the red ribbon. The speaker himself would say
to the young ladies that if there were not young men enough
left to escort them home he would do it himself , though he did
feel tired out.
Messrs. Barnes, Parsley and Monroe, all strong and devoted
advocates of total abstinence, delivered short but highly inter-
esting speeches. The first-mentioned gentleman stated that " Dr.
Reynolds with his red-ribbon movement had been the means
of reforming some two hundred and fifty thousand drunkards
in the United States since the beginning of .his movement."
Dr. Reynolds exhorted all present to step forward, sign the
pledge and put on themselves the sign of their sympathy with
the movement. He spoke especially to those who did not
drink. It was their duty, in order to show their sympathy
with the reformed ones, to uphold and encourage them in
their new life, to wear the red ribbon. He invited all to ap-
proach the pledge-tables, sign the pledge, and to attach to
their button-holes the red ribbon, which they all did, or nearly
so, unanimously. Those who did not start to the tables were
persuaded or compelled into so doing by the more enthusiastic.
Fully two hundi-ed men, and thirty women, signed the pledge
and assumed the Reynolds badge.
The second Reynolds meeting was held at the hall on the
corner of Halsted street and Blue Island avenue. The attend-
ance was very large and enthusiastic. Announcements of
future meetings were made, and the doctor announced that a
Reform Club would be organized.
878 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
He then began his address, which was interesting and stir-
ring, and said that he had told them on the previous evening
all about cider being the devil's kindling-wood ; the homely
imp of native wines ; the gorgeously-named beverages of the
gilded sample-room. He would now say of himself, that he
had been a drunkard for ten years. Four years ago he had
been in- the gutter ; he had suffered the torments of the
damned ; he had not had a shirt to his back ; he did not own
a coat ; he was a confirmed sot. During the time of his
drunkenness he had frequently had delirium tremens. It was
then that he had suffered so for hours that he would rather
die in preference to suffering such pains again. He had come
from New England. There he had been brought up among
the orthodox. He had been taught in the orthodox ways of
New England ; was pious, good, straightlaced. But he began
to drink. He soon after became a drunkard. But what did
the orthodox say to him when they saw him ? They did not
try to lead him away. They did not say encouraging words
to him. They would have let him go to the devil. They
turned the cold shoulder, and invited him simply either to quit
drinking or to go to the dogs, as he liked. A temperance
movement among the women commenced in Ohio; and here
he would say a word for women. It was a false notion to
think that women were only meant as things to wash dishes
and sew clothes. Their work was to save men. At last, the
movement, which had spread from Ohio, arrived at Bangor,
Me., where it was said they pried up the Sunday with a crow-
bar. Though he had been brought up as an orthodox Chris-
tian, he swore at the women and cursed them. He Avent on
from bad to worse, but still the women went on working as
hard as ever, and finally he was saved. He signed the pledge.
He went to the much-despised temperance meeting and signed
the pledge never to servjB King Alcohol. That was four years
ago, and he had kept his pledge. He had kept the first part
of his pledge, to abstain from strong drink. He had, secondly,
abstained from using as a social drink, for pleasure, alcoholic
HENKY A. KEYNOLDS. 879
liquors. In the third point, he had kept his pledge, to do what
he could, with the help of God, in the way of inducing other
men to abstain from the use of strong drink to be a man
among men. He wanted men to help others as well as them-
selves. He had not himself at first thought of doing as he
had done, but he finally thought that it was his duty to do as
he was doing. As to the red ribbon, it was a part of his
make-up. The red ribbon had piloted him into the hearts of
thousands of men. His red ribbon did not advertise him as a
reformed drunkard. If it did, he would rather be recognized
as a reformed drunkard than as a confirmed drunkard. As to
the character of drunkards, he would say that nearly all drunk-
ards were good men. He never knew of a drunkard who was
an absolutely mean man. The red ribbon was a badge of
honor. Its color was not a very bad color. It was emblem-
atic of that which would save them. He would ask to be
excused for speaking so long, but it was not late to hold a
meeting till 2 o'clock. He hoped it would get so hot in Chi-
cago before long that people would not venture to go to a
meeting without carrying a lunch along with them.
The doctor then explained that ladies should wear a white
ribbon upon the right shoulder, in front, in the form of a bow,
and gentlemen should wear a red ribbon tied in the top button-
hole on the left collar of the coat, and all should wear the
ribbon, not only then, but all the time.
Dr. Reynolds further remarked that his movement was a
democratic movement. " The workingmen were the bone and
sinew of the country, and they were the bone and sinew too,
of the saloons."
The Doxology was then sung, and the crowd gathered
around the pledge-table, and signed the pledges by the score,
about two hundred and twenty-four having signed the
pledge during the course of the evening.
The next meeting was held in the Rev. Mr. Yonker's Taber-
nacle. The services were very appropriately opened by the
singing of that poetic gospel song of "The Morning Light is
Breaking," after which the well known and ever-interesting
parable of the prodigal son was read by Dr. Reynolds, who
took the opportunity of the text to compare the condition of
the young man who ate the husks that the swine had left to
the young men of these modern times who are now eating the
husks of that nothingness which the red juice has produced;
who through whisky have lost all the means of leading a free
and honorable life food, clothing, friends, and best of all,
self-respect.
Mrs. Carse, th,e president of the Women's Christian Tem-
perance Union of Chicago, was introduced at this meeting and
received a warm welcome. She spoke of the life-saving sta-
tions which are scattered around our seaboard, and which do
such good service. She compared these life-saving stations
to the life-saving societies of the Women's Christian Temper-
ance Unions of America, which had established soul-saving
institutions the best of life-saving stations in every city in
the land.
At a grand union temperance meeting, held at the Union
Park Congregational Church, Dr. Reynolds said they had come
together for the purpose of doing something. They had not
come for enjoyment, but they had come to see if the hundreds
of people present would not testify their love for temperance
by wearing a little piece of ribbon red for the men and white
for the women, and red and white for the children. He said
he would tell them how he became a drunkard. First, he was
a drunkard by inheritance, and had his parents done their
duty, and kept from him all manner of drinks, he would never
have been a drunkard. The second step toward drunkenness
he had taken was when he first sipped that drink that he called
the ''devil's kindling wood." There are thousands of ladies
who will drink nothing stronger than cider, but they are not
aware of the evil that exists in this juice of the apple. Many
good people will not sign his ironclad pledge because he included
in it cider. They all say that there can be no harm in sweet
cider, and possibly there may be no harm in sweet cider ; but
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 881
cider is not made from good apples. The farmer brings to
the market all the sound apples, and then makes cider from
the decayed ones, and from these rotten apples is made the
liquor that fastidious ladies and gentlemen drink. Do they
for a moment think that this cider is made from rotten apples
and worms? He then spoke of currant wine, and claimed that
it produced in the little ones a desire for stronger drink. The
next step was the one that is the curse of the West. Lager
beer, he said, was causing more hearts to ache than perhaps
any other liquid. The doctor looks upon this German drink
as the most dangerous of all, for Che reason that thousands of
young men drink it because it is not considered dangerous.
It has a pleasant, bitter taste, and many would drink it who
would not dare to touch whisky or brandy. The next step in
the downward path, he maintained, is the gilded palaces of
sin. These places are made very attractive, and from them
came the hardest cases of drunkenness that he had ever seen.
The foundation of drunkenness is made long before a person
is 2 1 years old. The appetite is formed when the person is
yet a child. Drunkards are not the curse of a community.
It is your moderate man who causes all the evil that exists.
When a boy sees a .man reeling about the street in a beastly
state of intoxication he does not say, " I will be like that man,"
but when he sees the moderate drinker, who never appears to
be drunk, he says, " I will be like that man. If I wish a drink
I will take it, but I will never be a drunkard." Poor boy, he
little knows what he is saying. It will be only a few years
before he is a curse to himself and the cause of much misery
to those who love and cherish him. He then spoke of a man
who is dear to the heart of every son of Illinois. He said :
" Look at the life of Dick Yates, a man who should have been
at the head of the United States government, and would have
been had it not been for his unfortunate taste for liquor.
Look at this great man at Washington, a great senator. Look
at him at Jacksonville, kicked out of a saloon. Look at him
at St. Louis, where he died a raving maniac. Do you think
882 THE LIFE A1STD WORK OF
his life was a happy one ? He died a drunkard's death, and
he passed into a drunkard's eternity, and you all know what a
drunkard's eternity is. The Bible says a drunkard can never
enter into the kingdom of God, and I believe the Bible."
On another occasion at a red-ribbon meeting, held in St.
Paul's Methodist Church, Mr. John Monroe, the president of
the club, opened the meeting by saying that he supposed
nearly all present were temperance people, and that the object
of the meeting was to raise up missionaries who would go
into the field and work for the rescue of their fellow-men.
The evils of intemperance he attributed to three causes,
namely : The social circle, the church, and the government.
The social and family circles he reproved for the leniency in
regard to the use of cider and wines. The church, for toler-
ating within its walls members who do not adhere to the
principles of temperance, and preachers for not .more fre-
quently portraying intemperance as a great sin. The govern-
ment, he said, was also greatly in fault for licensing saloons ;
for licensing the manufacture of liquor and for issuing whisky
to soldiers, which he thought was certainly very injudicious,
as any one might see who would trace its results during and
after the rebellion. The cheap lunches offered in the saloons
are a great evil. Many go in, not so much for something to
drink, but to get something to eat. There are 2,000 men, he
said, in this city, who are out of employment. Something
must be done, and he thought that if saloon-keepers could
give men a glass of beer and a dish of soup for five cents,
there certainly could be places established where the latter
could be furnished for. the same sum. This, in any event, he
said, should be done at once, and if it could not be made self-
supporting he thought the people of Chicago would not hesi-
tate to make up the small deficiency.
The W abash Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church contained
a dense throng one evening to hear Dr. Reynolds. The
assemblage included .every variety of the red-ribbon advocate,
and many who were willing, from various causes, to wear the
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 883
symbolic cardinal emblem. There was a large number of men
present, rough in dress and addicted to strong drink, but who,
nevertheless, were awakened to the degrading position they
had been occupying. The meeting was opened with praying
and singing, after which Dr. Reynolds addressed the audience.
He chose for his subject the story of the Good- Samaritan, and
deducted therefrom an interesting temperance lesson. Dr.
Reynolds is not a lecturer, but rather, as he claims, " one of
the boys," only that now he is on the right side, when before
he was on the wrong side. The " falling of the man among
thieves," as in the story of the Good Samaritan, he v likened to
the man who fell among the rum-sellers. The rum-seller is the
worst kind of a thief, for he not only robs man of his money,
of the comfort of his home, but also takes from him the char-
acter and honor which every man has naturally in his system.
lie wanted his hearers to think only of his efforts as those of
a Good Samaritan who came before them only to show them
the way to recover from the influence and its accompanying
injuries, consequent upon their falling among the thieves of
manhood and the scourges of society, in which class the rum-
seller is the most dangerous. He begged his hearers, then, to
put on the red ribbon, and by their good example bring into
the band of temperance men many friends who would not
otherwise join.
He explained the manner of organizing reform clubs, and
read the pledge, stating that in the club only men Avere
allowed to sign the pledge. The reform was men's work, and
not boy's play. He then gave a history of the movement, of
which he had the honor to be the originator. Originally only
reformed drunkards were allowed to become members of the
clubs, but latterly he has found it much more just and equitable
to allow men of temperance principles to become members.
He then branched off into a history of that portion of his life
when he was dancing on the road to the devil. It was the
wrong way, but he had eventually struck the right path, and
he felt well pleased with his " right about face," as he called
884 THE LIFE AND WOEK OF
it. He did not think it necessary to tell any man that strong
drink was injurious ; the worst drunkard in the country will
admit it. The man that signs this pledge cannot become a
drunkard in the world, if the signer keeps it, while there are
many kinds of pledges which cannot prevent drunkenness, if
lived up to strictly. The details of organizing a reform club
were then explained. In explaining some of the rules regard-
ing members who have violated their pledges, the singular
benefits of reform clubs was shown by the statement that of
all the members of reform clubs in the Union, only 15 per cent,
of them ever violated their pledges. The reason saloon-
keepers are not generally drunkards is because their business
of fleecing men requires them to be cool-headed men, and no
cool-headed man with his own interest at heart will drink.
He asked his listeners to sign the pledge, and when they go,
take a pledge with space for twelve signers on it, and get their
friends whom they might meet on the street, in the counting-
room, or store, jand even seek them in their homes or resorts,
to become members. He spoke of a grand parade of red,
white and blue ribbonites at some time in the future, but with-
held the full particulars because of the presence of reporters.
He concluded by requesting every one who had not already
signed the pledge to come forward and do so.
Over thirty drinking men came forward and signed the pledge.
Mr. Barnes, one of the vice-presidents of the first Red-Rib-
bon Club, then addressed the meeting, and said that there
were fifty men who ought to sign. He called their attention
to the fact that, as Doc Woods expresses it, every bottle of
whisky yea, every drop contained myriads of little devils,
and once the man became possessed of them, he wanted to
fight and quarrel in fact raise a little hell to accommodate
them. He was not a reformed drunkard, because he had never
cared for it ; but he saw in the movement, by a general sup-
port of every man of temperance principles, an opportunity to
encourage the men who need some such reform' movement.
Mr. J. H. "Wood of the stock yards was then introduced.
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 885
John is well known on the South Side, and, as he admitted, his
acquaintance with South Side saloon-keepers was quite exten-
sive. He had tried drinking for twelve years, and he was not
the better for it in any way. He took the pledge the other
night, and some said he would have hard work to keep it, but
it was the reverse, because any man who takes the pledge
earnestly will never become dry.
A special meeting was held at Carpenter Hall to hear E. C.
Cremieux, the reformed drunkard, popularly known as " Bit-
ters," deliver a temperance address. In his address the
speaker pointed out and illustrated at some len-gth the fact
that men addicted to the use of strong drink were bowed down
in a slavery worse than were the colored people of the South
before the war.
At a meeting conducted by Mr. John Monroe, it was an-
nounced that since the advent of Dr. Reynolds twelve thou-
sand persons had taken the total abstinence pledge in the city
of Chicago, and there was ground of opinion that as many
more would join the red-ribbon cause before the Reynolds
series of meetings closed, and the doctor departed for new
fields of labor.
At a woman's meeting held in the Union Square Church
under the auspices of the Women's Christian Temperance
Union, Mrs. Carse, the president, read a report of the saloon-
keepers' meeting, as published in one of the morning papers.
She commented on the meaning of the meeting. There were
only thirty saloon-keepers present, but it represented 3,000
others backing them. She found consolation in the fact that
they were fighting the battle of the Lord, and were not dis-
mayed, even though every whisky-seller in Chicago, with all
their political influence and money, Avere to combine against
them. The war was commenced four years ago in Ohio by
the crusaders, and it would not cease till the great fiend of in-
temperance had been abolished and his reign forever closed.
She begged all her hearers to come out and fight for the cause
of the Lord, and put on the temperance ribbon.
886 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
After an earnest temperance prayer by Mrs. Hogan, an
address on temperance was made by the Rev. W. H. Thomp-
son. He had also read of the saloon-keepers' meeting, and he
was glad of it, for it told him that if the devil is not dead, it
is spared. He had also noted that there were more saloon-
keepers going into bankruptcy than in any other business ; and
that furthermore, they were reducing the price of their drinks.
It was a good omen, and showed that the temperance move-
ment was surely growing, and the time is not far off when
every one will be a temperance man, directly or indirectly,
except the saloon-keeper, and even he would come in when he
saw the great wrongs he had been doing. The saloon-keeping
interest was a most painful one, but there was a power over all
which is Almighty. The cause of temperance is the cause of
God, that Almighty power, and, though the saloon-keepers
resist, they must finally succumb.
At one of the meetings a gentleman in the audience with a
strong Swedish accent, got up and made a few forcible re-
marks.
He said he came from a country where drinking was a
common vice, and that he knew something of its evils. He
then told his brief experience with these evils. He impressed
upon the ladies present to marry only temperance men. He
was a married man himself, but he wanted to shut out all the
young men who drink by organizing a ladies' temperance
league, the principles of which would be to associate with no
gentlemen who drank spirituous liquors.
The Rev. W. F. Crafts said that he and a friend had been
many times taken for reformed drunkards because they wore
the red ribbon, which he enjoyed hugely. He said he was not
afraid to " do right," and he wanted his listeners to do like-
wise. "The red ribbon," he said, "was not the badge of a
reformed drunkard. It was the emblem which told the world
that the wearer was a ' total abstinence ' man ; nothing more
and nothing less than that !"
Mr. Hines acknowledged that he stood there before the au-
HE1STRY A. REYNOLDS. 887
dience a redeemed man. He had tried all sorts of plans to
reform, but if it had not been for Christ he would have been
a drunkard still.
Mr. Carpenter, a very young man, said he began to drink
when a mere school boy. He had been a hard drinker for
fully eleven years. He had been to the Washingtonian Home,
but broke out again. He attributed his conversion to prayer.
His trust was in Jesus.
W. II. Murray, a converted member of the Chicago Board
of Trade, said at one of the meetings, he had been a drinker
for twenty years. He was now redeemed ; but, as other
brothers had remarked before him, the only cure for drunken-
ness was the blood of Christ. He had tried all other means
and failed, and it was not until he went to the throne of God
and obtained the love of Jesus that he became firm. It was
his anchor and his hope. Without it no man could become
thoroughly reformed.
Mr. Braizer said it was no pleasant thing to get up and tell
the public he had been a drinking man, and indeed he would
not were it not for the fact that in so doing he might be of
benefit to others. He said he was converted through faith' in
the Lord Jesus Christ. He stood there that night buoyed up
and sustained by the Lord, and he owed his reform to God and
not to himself.
Mr. J. H. Wood, of the firm of Wood Brothers, of the stock
yards, brought all his brothers, their sons, and all their employ-
ees, thirty-nine in number, one evening to the meeting, who
signed the pledge in a body. In bringing his company into
the red-ribbon line, he made a characteristic speech, in which he
stated that he had been a drinker all his life, and he was glad
now to become a temperance man.
Mr. Fuller, a rescued man, was introduced at a meeting, and
related his experiences in a touching manner. It was for
about twenty-one years that he was addicted to the use of
intoxicating drinks. In 1857 he learnt to drink in Chicago.
Here he learned, and here he renounced his acquaintace with
888 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
intemperance. He took the pledge several weeks ago, but it
was one with himself. About three weeks ago he joined the
Reynolds movement, and was decorated with the red ribbon.
It was a terrible sti aggie to resist the appetite long catered to;
but, thanks to the help of God, whom he solicited in prayer, he
became successful, and can now maintain his integrity.
Colonel Dillon said at one of the meetings that he had been
a drinking man, and, now that he had stopped he was not
ashamed to own it. He had formerly represented our country
in a foreign land, and, notwithstanding all the honors heaped
upon him, he became a drunkard. He said he associated
continually with politicians, and gave as his belief that no man
could continually associate with politicians without becoming-
depraved. He said that prayer saved him from drunkenness.
Mr. Swallow said at a meeting that he had drank a good
deal of whisky for twenty years. When he started he
deluded himself into the belief that he could stop when he
wanted to resist the appetite, until a year ago he became posi-
tively alarmed. A friend asked him to come and take the red
ribbon, and a thought struck him that it was the right time,
and he signed the Reynolds pledge.
Thomas M. Conpropst on being introduced to the audience
urged, from sad experience, the necessity of total abstinence
on the part of any one whose appetite was in the least degree
perverted. As to happiness, he considered sobriety one of the
essential avenues that lead to its attainment. The advantages
of signing a pledge and of making a public confession, he
thought, were beneficial to the extent that by so doing one is
charged with personal self-respect, a very necessary quality,
and not infrequently the most efficient fulcrum against which
the lever of reform could be brought to bear.
Mrs. Helen M. Dunks, of Hudson, obtained a judgment for
$3,600 against William Friend, a wealthy liquor-seller. Her
husband, a well-to-do manufacturing chemist, well known in
the West, became a frequenter of Friend's saloon, and in au
HENKY A. EEYNOLDS. 889
incredibly short time was completely ruined in body, business,
and mind, from drink.
Mr. W. O. Lattimore, a lawyer, said his conversion took
place a year ago last Thanksgiving. He said it w*as a very
difficult task to become a temperate man by will-power, un-
aided by the assistance of the Lord. His own conversion was
largely brought about through the assistance of the Lord Jesus
Christ who was ready to receive all sinnei'S, and from the day
he had accepted Christ he had had no further difficulty in
struggling against his appetite for strong drink. He exhorted
the drinking men to repent and accept the gospel, and thereby
being joy and peace to many desolate homes. God did not
force any one to come. If they choose to come unto Him He
is ready to receive them.
The evening of February 1 saw an immense crowd in the
Methodist Church, corner of Langley avenue and Thirty-ninth
street. The edifice was crowded in every part, and the exer-
cises were of a very interesting character. After the singing
of several stirring hymns, and an earnest prayer by the Rev.
Mr. Glendenning, Dr. Reynolds informed the audience that he
had not come before them to relate f uriuy stories, or to make
exhibitions of the unfortunate drunkard. The subject, he
said, should be treated with a great degree of sympathy, and
every individual as a brother or sister. No one so much
appreciates sympathy as a drunkard. His own fall he attrib-
uted to hereditary causes, and gave an account of how he be-
came a drunkard by the use of what are called innocent
drinks, namely, cider and wines adding that few people are
aware of the" insidious influences attending their use, and said
that a cup of cider would have the same effect on a child that
the same quantity of whisky would have on an adult. He
then spoke of the suffering he had endured, and having squan-
dered $30,000 in a short time by means of the great destroyer.
One of the important clauses of the pledge he uses was that
which referred to man's inability to save himself ; another
was that which referred to the use of moderate drinks. High-
38
890 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
class saloons, he thought, were more injurious than those of a
lower order. The one was the beginning of a man's downfall,
the other ended his career. The prospects for a good temper-
ance wave in this city, he thought, were becoming quite ap-
parent. One reformed drunkard, he said, had already pro-
cured twenty-six names to the pledge. Several other speakers
then addressed the meeting, and expressed a determination to
continue the undertaking.
One of the most interesting meetings held by the doctor was
that in the Centenary Church, corner of Monroe and Morgan
streets. The building was crowded almost to suffocation, and
a great number of people were obliged to turn away from the
doors, disappointed at not being accommodated with seats, or
at least with standing room, both of which were entirely and
absolutely out of the question.
The Rev. Dr. Thomas introduced the advocate of the red
ribbon in a pithy and pleasing manner, and the immense audi-
ence greeted Dr. Reynolds in the most enthusiastic fashion
imaginable. He was obliged to stand before them some
seconds bowing his thanks for their kind welcome. He did
not deliver what could be properly called a lecture ; but he
spoke in a very felicitous vein.
He began by remarking that he never delivered a lecture in
his life, and the many who came there to hear him he must
disappoint in not delivering a lecture. His aim was to induce
men to leave the ways of drunkenness, and his work was to
reform men, not to interest them only with lectures. He
stated his intention to speak from experience, as for six years
he had been a confirmed drunkard. He knew what the drunk-
ards had to do to recover their manhood lost in drink, and,
judging from the lessons of his own life when a drunkard, he
certainly had experienced all the evils of intemperance. He
related them in his own characteristic manner, laying particu-
lar stress on the beginning of an intemperate life, for which
cider, he said^ was the favorite opening wedge. Cider is the
devil's kindling-wood, and from it is started the fire which
HENRY A. REYNOLDS. 891
afterward consumes the body. He showed in a plain, matter-
of-fact way that there was much of the element of danger,
alcohol, in cider, and consequently it was as much of an evil
as even stronger drink. After it came the American currant
wine, when the beginner found that cider was not potent
enough to satisfy the appetite started by the " devil's kindling-
wood." They drink it under the impression that it is a more
elegant drink than cider and not because it is the demand of the
appetite. He then referred to what he called the curse of the
West, meaning lager beer. He gave a few statistics regarding
beer, its alcoholic qualities, and its patrons, who number 200,-
000 drinkers, and imagine it is a healthy drink or do it because
they like it. The former reason is a false .one, for there was
not a doctor in the city or country but will say it is a stimu-
lant and not a health-giving drink. He then referred to the
gilded hells in the city and imitations in the little country
town. Pie informed his readers it was not neccessary to look
into " Hell's Half-acre," to find the evils of drink or to find
the intemperate guzzler. They can be found even in society,
and their resorts will be found occupying valuable space in
prominent business blocks, and in many cases in the center of
the best neighborhoods. They were finely furnished saloons,
or, as they call them, " parlors," and truly they were the par-
lors of the devil, where the mint julep, the " Tom and Jerry,"
brandy smashes, and other detestable concoctions were daily
and hourly, even every second, passed over the counter to the
foolish young men, and even old men. They did not drink
because they had a great liking for it, but rather because it
was a fashion. He then told how it came that he signed the
pledge and was saved from a drunkard's death. He was in
favor of nothing but total abstinence. There was no half-
way place in his doctrine. He then advocated the red-ribbon
movement in his own peculiar manner. The red ribbon was
not a sign of the reformed drunkard, it is an emblem which
all men who believed in total abstinence should wear, and
which proclaimed to the world the wearer's principles, and
892 THE LIFE AND WORK OF
announced that he is not afraid to tell the world that he cared
not for alcoholic drinks.
A gentleman asked the doctor this question : " Is there any
truth in the statement which has been made in some papers
that you do not preach saving grace and seek the regeneration
of men, but only to reform them after a sort of independent
reformative method, with the plan of salvation omitted ?"
He replied : " My work is not that of a preacher ; but
it is to induce men to sign the pledge. I consider that
the first step toward salvation in the case of some men
to sign the pledge, and we trust God to help them keep it.
I'm not a preacher .I'm a reformed drunkard, and I know that
some men have to be brought up to a certain point before they
can accept the idea of salvation by faith. I was probably
about as low as any man ever was, but I signed the pledge.
Isn't it better to have a man stop being a drunkard even
-though he isn't converted right away ? I signed the pledge,
and that was the first step ; then after a while I found how to
trust God to help me."
In their further conversation, the doctor stated that
the object of his work was to get men on to the right
track, so that they could lead at last out into the light.
He spoke of the evils of beer. " The hardest men we have
to deal with, are young fellows from fourteen to twenty-
two, who drink beer," said he. " Beer is the curse of the West.
Men persuade themselves that because they don't drink whisky
they're not drunkards, but it aint so. I've been as drunk on
beer as ever I was on rum. These young men like you, my
brother, who brink beer, ten years from now will be drunk-
ards. Alcohol is alcohol, and it don't matter how a man gets
it into his stomach, the effect is the same. Some day the
people will see it. This evil is going to be abolished. God '11
bless this work. It may not be in my day, but I know that
sometime I don't know how or when, but sometime this
will be realized. It's going to ruin the business of the saloons.
HENEY A. EEYNOLDS. 893
They've got to feel it, and I only wish to God it would cut off
their business altogether."
The doctor showed one of his pledges. It was as follows :
" We, the undersigned, for our own good and the good of the
world in which we live, do hereby promise and engage,' with
the help of Almighty God, to abstain from buying, selling
or usingalcoholic or malt beverages, wine and cider included."
" That is the pledge," said the doctor, " that we form our
Reform Clubs on. I claim that it's the hardest pledge pre-
sented, and I'd rather have a dozen men sign that and become
solid, firm, fixed, than to have 200 sign one of these easy-
going pledges."
" How many signers of the pledge have you had since you
began your work ?"
" Since three years ago, when we started on this system,
upward of 300,000 men have signed it."
"How many of those are now members of your Reform
Clubs?"
" Well, about 85 per cent, have remained in line and that,
we think, is an argument that God is in our work."
In regard to the general advantages of getting a man to
sign the pledge aside from his religious conversion, Dr. Rey-
nolds said: "You see there are narrow-minded people who can't
see the good of reforming a man without converting him; but
there are indirect advantages. If a man becomes steady and
sober and some of his children get to going to Sunday-school,
it seems to me there's some good in his signing the pledge,
even though he don't get converted himself."
Again the doctor said in the same conversation :
" I'll tell you. Here's John, for instance. His wife's sick
at home and hasn't any bread or medicine, because he spends
his money for rum. His children can't go out to-day on ac-
count of the snow, because they haven't any slices. Well,
John wishes it wasn't that way. He's been wishing so for
years, but he's kept on drinking. He signs our pledge. His
wife gets a doctor. They get a pane of glass in where there
894 HENRY A. REYNOLDS.
was an old hat. John has stopped drinking. His wife can
go out to church. He stays at home and curses and swears as
much as ever, maybe, but he don't drink any more, or maybe
he wanders around on the wharves to kill the time. He won't
go to church. He has a prejudice against church, which
liquor has produced, and of which we all have enough anyway
without liquor ; butby-and-by there's a rainy night^nd John
stands at the church door waiting to take Susan, his wife, you
know, home from prayer-meeting. He goes in just inside
the door ; that's all. He sees it isn't such a bad place. The
children have been bringing home tracts. He gets to thinking
about these things. Now, hasn't there some good come from
signing that pledge? I think so. If, when John gets to
thinking, he gets converted, so much the better ; but if he
don't isn't it better to have him a steady man than a dirty
drunkard ?"
Such men as Henry A. Reynolds are grand instruments of
redeeming grace, and a great element of their power is that
they recognize themselves as such, and invoke the help of
prayer. The motto "Dare to do right," which is imperishably
associated with his name, has become the shibboleth of hun-
dreds of thousands, and, under the favor and help of God, they
have dared to do right by emerging from the dark slough of
drunkenness, and consecrating themselves to earnest and self-
respecting lives.
The temperance wave under Murphy and Reynolds have
rolled like a Nile flood over the land, fertilizing the deeds of
good and truth, and we have not yet commenced to realize the
great harvest that remains to be reaped. An army of patient
and enthusiastic workers has been organized under the gen-
eralship of these two chiefs, and every week adds to their
triumphs, and is making fresh history of the progress of a
magnificent cause. The prayers of the good -and faithful
Christians throughout the country arc with them, and with
these prayers the fervent belief that the work inaugurated is
only in its beginnings, as grand as the results have been.
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