his day
henceforth, no more intoxicating drink shall be sold within the limits
of the corporation.

"Resolved, further, That all the liquors in the 'Sickle and Sheaf' be
forthwith destroyed, and that a fund be raised to pay the creditors of
Simon Slade therefor, should they demand compensation.

"Resolved, That in closing up all other places where liquor is sold,
regard shall be had to the right of property which the law secures to
every man.

"Resolved, That with the consent of the legal authorities, all the
liquor for sale in Cedarville be destroyed, provided the owners thereof
be paid its full value out of a fund specially raised for that purpose."

But for the calm yet resolute opposition of one or two men, these
resolutions would have passed by acclamation. A little sober argument
showed the excited company that no good end is ever secured by the
adoption of wrong means.

There were, in Cedarville, regularly constituted authorities, which
alone had the power to determine public measures, or to say what
business might or might not be pursued by individuals. And through
these authorities they must act in an orderly way.

There was some little chafing at this view of the case. But good sense
and reason prevailed. Somewhat modified, the resolutions passed, and
the more ultra-inclined contented themselves with carrying out the
second resolution, to destroy forthwith all the liquor to be found on
the premises; which was immediately done. After which the people
dispersed to their homes, each with a lighter heart, and better hopes
for the future of their village.

On the next day, as I entered the stage that was to bear me from
Cedarville, I saw a man strike his sharp axe into the worn, faded, and
leaning post that had, for so many years, borne aloft the "Sickle and
Sheaf"; and, just as the driver gave word to his horses, the false
emblem which had invited so many to enter the way of destruction, fell
crashing to the earth.

THE END.

End of Project Gutenberg's Ten Nights in a Bar Room, by T. S. Arthur

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