And then the man, in a pleasant tone, reminded 'em,--

"That it wuzn't him that wus a doin' this. It wus the law: if they wanted
things changed, they must look further than him. He had a license. The
great Government of the United States had sold him, for a few dollars, the
right to do just what he was doing. The law, and all the respectability
that the laws of our great and glorious Republic can give, bore him out in
all his acts. The law was responsible for all the consequenses of his
acts: the men were responsible who voted for license--it was not him."

"But you _can_ do what we ask if you will, out of pity to Paul, pity
to us who love him so, and who are forced to stand by powerless, and see
him going to ruin--we who would die for him willingly if it would do any
good. You _can_ do this."

He was a little bit intoxicated, or he wouldn't have gid 'em the cruel
sneer he did at the last,--though he sneeren polite,--a holdin' his hat in
his hand.

"As I said, my dear madam, it is not I, it is the law; and I see no other
way for you ladies who feel so about it, only to vote, and change the
laws."

"Would to God I _could!_" said the old white-haired mother, with her
solemn eyes lifted to the heavens, in which was her only hope.

"Would to God I could!" repeated my sweet Cicely, with her eyes fastened
on the face of him who had promised to cherish her, and comfort her, and
protect her, layin' there at her feet, a mark for jeers and sneers, unable