The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-04-06

hay-loiis, under stoops, in sugar hogsheads
old barrels and boxes. His food was gath.
cred from swlll tubs, md scraps and half
picked bones found in the streets. lie final
~ became so worthless md debauchcd, that
the city authorities arrested him for W.
grnncy. He wns duly escorted before Es-
qnIre Brown, the charge was read to him,
and he was asked what he had To say for
himself There stood Harper, covered
with mud, filth and vcrmin. ragged md dis
gushing in the extreme. lie leaned arninst
post, arms folded a ln-modc Napoleon.
Ills conntcnancc frightened rs sudden
thought seemed to strike him. | saw, Es-
qulre, you called inc n wagrant--wLat il
wagrani! lean tell YOU Squire, one who
has no visible means Of support, ha, ha In
See this! pulling stale loaf Of bread from
beneath the greasy folds Of what was once
an Indian calico coat l. not this bread?
Is not this visible means of support? Could
! stnrve with bread in plenty? No, no.
Squire. am into YOU this time. lIar-
per's logical reasoning had the desired eff.
feet. This Squire discharged him. with
the strong caution that If he was again
caught without bread; he would be severe
~ dealt with. 4 few DAYS after, Harper
was again caught, and having no visible
means OF support, the Squire ordered him
to be sold tho next day. Tho next dav old
black George, mounted ON his old white
horse, paradcd tho streets 81 Chicago, ring.
'ng bell most furiously, shouting ut the
top Of his voice, . yes, . yes;n 1.-Two va.
grant 10 be sold in front Of the fremont
House, ut 10 o'clock, before dinner; gem
men will please walk up and examine the
property. large written handful was
ntiixcd To his Int announcing the sale. At
The appointed time and place. Harper mp
pcarcd in the custody Of the Sheriff, who
mounted the steps, and pronounced in the
following manner: To be sold 10 the high
est bidder as vngrant, creature, who
was once man, and occupied a bich md
exalted station IN society; is relates, 10 one
Of the frs, families in England, was himself
highly educated; lac is now to be sold MS
one degraded on the level with tho brute
creatures. How much shall have bid for
him! All afraid to bid well, he mus, be
sold. George, what will YOU give for him?
One shilling, massn! Have YOU all done
bldding--going, going, gone! George
White, tho creature is your pihpertv, he is
the firs, vngran, tina, ever lived in Chicago.
With promise OF glass Of red-eyc, George
marchedbim oif with the tune called rocue's
march, as his property purchased for one
shilling. ! soon changed my residence,
aud Tor years heard no more of Harper.
Il Fac, III. e.
low tavern in Baltimore were assembled
molly crew ofdrunken, debascd and miscr-
able wrctches. Step by step they had re-
cedetl in the scale oi society. From drink
ing in gin palaces, they had gradually been
brought down to the low and filthy tavern
situated in tho west part Of the city,
Nightly had they congrcgated there
Their bacchanalian shouts Of midnight dc.
hatchery Ind long been heard within the
precincts oil the miserable den. Ga this
particular night, the storm ragged furously
out Of doorr, while tho shouts and oaths
coming from tho threats Of these drunken
creatures, seem almost 10 drown the noise
OF the roaring elements. Suddenly there
was pausc--a bright and happy though,
seemed 10 enter the mind of one Of that
noisy group. lie suddenly started to his
feet-dashed the up-iil'ed iumLlcr ON the
floor and exclaimed with startling energy,
"From this hour, III drink no more. Twas
once sober, virtuous and happy man. /
Ind homc--a Mite--whom lovcd-thc
children who wero near and dear To me-a
father who prayed for me with heartfelt:
fervcncv, Cr the future happiness and pres
perity Of his then virtuous md happy son.
A mother who loved me with mothers
love md devotion. Where is nv home
und friends, and loved one now? Oh!
God! my heart 10 breaking. broke nv
poor old fathers heart-hc's dead. My
mother shc sleeps in the silent grave-my
brutal conduct broke her heart. NV below
ed wife and little ones have long since leii
me with broken hearts mud crushed spirits:
whcra they now arc know not and what
am |! Look at my rags and filth, my bloat-
ed countenance and b!ood-shot eyes! They
speak in language not to be misunderstood
II nm brute. But will lie 80 no long
er; from this hour I'll drink no more; I'll be
man." "And |. And J." WINS echoed
from the lips Of six Of those pale aud bag
gard creatures. A pledge was written and
six OF those trembling, pnisicd wretchcs,
bIoatsd, drunken creatures signed their
names to that glorious pledge. They then
arosc and left that wretched den; proud
was their step and their throbbinQ hensts
heat high with wild and strange emotions;
they felt they had done noble and . plo-
rious net, md we'll they might. Soon those
six WashinRtonians arose ia their giant
strength, and aroused the world from lie
long apathy and slumbcr ia tho temper
nnco cause. Success has crowned their