Page:Women's War with Whisky.djvu/24

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The Women's War with Whisky:

that, as men with some sentiments of reverence for religion, and regard for womanhood, they disliked to assume the responsibility of making of prayer and singing a misdemeanor: and this was what they must have known Mr. Moffett was trying to do. Neither would they interfere in this plainly concerted scheme of his until there should be need of their services. They preferred, so long as no serious assault was committed, to let Mr. Moffett conduct this riot in his own fashion. And perhaps they were right.


THE SECOND ARREST AND TRIAL.

On the morning following this scene at the "Web-Foot," the Crusaders resuming their work upon the street, appeared once more in front of Moffett's. Previous to this, Mrs. Moffett had conversed with some of the ladies, and had urged them to desist, lest her husband should do some violent act through which he should be brought into trouble. But the ladies were still hopeful, saying that nothing like the love of gain alone could make a man of Mr. Moffett's intelligence behave as he had done. It must be, they thought, that his conscience tormented him, and that he took these violent means to rid himself of his sensitiveness. With this hopeful view of his case, nothing could turn them from the purpose of continuing their efforts for his redemption. Could one such man as this be persuaded to turn into the right path, they might reasonably expect to find many following his example. If they gave him up, others would claim the same exemption. Such reasoning, with their views of what was their duty to God, left them no alternative but to keep right on as they had begun. Accordingly, after solemn and heartfelt prayers at the church on Friday morning, they returned to the charge. Immediately a crowd was at tracted to the spot in expectation that the scenes of the day before would be repeated. But they were disappointed. Mrs. Moffett was there with one of her children, and no disturbance was raised. She again appealed to the ladies to leave her husband to his own ways; but was met by the eloquent counter-appeal of one of the band whose father had peished by drink, and whose son, though carefully reared, was on the road to ruin from the same cause.

The usual exercises continued some time uninterrupted by the remarks of spectators. It was whispered to the ladies by professed friends that a warrant was being prepared for their arrest; yet they were not deterred by any apprehensions of what might follow.

At half-past eleven, Chief of Police, Lappeus, appeared bearing a warrant, which upon being shown to the ladies, they obeyed by accompanying him to jail. An immense crowd followed to the very entrance of the building, to which the Crusaders gave no heed, but entered singing "All hail the power of Jesus' name," a hymn too familiar

At the jail they found friends and lawyers awaiting them; and while they were preparing for business, sought strength for the coming trial in to need quoting.

prayer and song to God. The following is