Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 1.djvu/176

 168 THE STORY OF SIMON.

On to the warfare till, purified, free, Homes should be blest, and their curse should not be. Thus plead the temperate Simon.

��" Abstinence total," quoth Simon. Some could not bear such conversion as this, Surely, too strong came such doctrine amiss ; So, in their half-and-half doubt and belief, Striving to compromise doom and relief, These, not a small class, put into their creed Ample provision for those who might need Spirit to take when they did not feel well; Only to such should the dram-dealers sell.

u Weak in the backbone," thought Simon.

Stubborn opponents met Simon. Some were inclined on this subject to think They had aright to drink or not drink, Just as they pleased, and no law should be made Binding the drinker, the dram or the trade. Every one would resist to the last Any such law against liberty passed. " License and Liberty, one and the same! " This was their cry, and to them many came. Such were the parties that soon were to strive, When the election should duly arrive, Each for its measures arid rule in the State, Strong in their numbers, aggressive, elate,

During such epoch lived Simon.

��Now to election goes Simon. Town-house with tremblings in all of its joints, Such as Old Time to old age now appoints; Boys with revivification of voice, Who in the day and its bounties rejoice; Men, young and old, rich and poor, strong and weak, Rich ones with brass, and poor ones with cheek, Seeking those "certain inalienable rights," Fought about, talked about, thought about nights — Such the assembly, upon a March morn, Seen in the town where my hero was born.

Into the town-house walks Simon.

��Quiet and thoughtful is Simon. One and another withdraw him aside, Warn him what will and what will not betide Should he not vote with their party — he must ! u Yes," answers Simon, " if you will adjust All that your party is voting for here So that it reads to me wise, true and clear, Then will I vote your straight ticket right through — Otherwise, that thing I never shall do,"

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