Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-06-19
An Incident in the West.


About a year since, a temperance man
moved with his family from South Carolina
TO the West. The sparseness of the popula-
lion, and the continual travel past his place,
rendered II necessary act OF humanity in
him, frequently 10 entertain travellers who
could get no farther. Owing 10 the irequen-
cy Of these calls, he resolved to enlarge his
house. snd put up the usual sign.
Soon afe er this, an election came on-the
triumphant party felt That it was a wonderful
victory, and some young bloo,Is " of the
majurny determined, in honor Of il, to have a
regular blow ou.'' Accordingly, mounted
on their fine prairie horses, they started on
long ride. Every tavern was visited on their
route, aud the variety thus drunk produced a
mixture which added greatly to the noise and
boislerOusness OF the party. ln this condi-
ton, they cane, about a dozen in number, TO
our quiet temperance Iavern.-The landlord
and lady were absent the eldest daughter,
fourteen years of age, aud tive younger chill
dren were alone in The house.
These gentlemen (ior they considered
themselves as such,) called for liquor
: We keep none, was the modest reply of
the young girl.
VIVA, do you keep tavern for. then ?
For the accommodation of travellers
Well, then, accommodate us wirh sonle-
thing 10 drink
You will see, sir, by the sign, that we
keep temperance iavern!'
"A temperance Tavern" " Q,ere the children
clustered around their sister.) Give me an
axe and I'll cut down the sign
You will fiud an axe ut The wood-piIe,
SIR
Here the party, each one with an oath,
made rush to the wood pile, rxciairning, g,
Down with the sign! down with the s,gn =
but the leader, in going out, discovered, in
an adjoining room, a splendid piano and It's
accompaniulenIs.
Who makes that thing squeak. asked he.
81 play sometimes said the glrl, in quiet,
modest manner.
You do give us a tune.
Certainly, >ir, aud taking The stool, while
the children formed circle close 10 her, she
sung aud PLAYED The Old Arm Chair.
Some Oi them had never seen piano before
Others had not heard one for years. The tu-
mutt was soon hu>l,ed the viii aud spur
gentlemen were drawn back from the wood
pile, and formed circle outside Of the chill
iren. The leader again spoke. Will you
he so kind as to favor Us with another song p
Another was pl, y-d, and the lillle ones be.
coming re-assuird, some Of them joined their
sweet voices with their sisters. Sung after
song was sung and played. One would touch
the symIalhis of the strangers; another
melt them in grlef one would arouse their
patriotism {; aoorher their chivulry and lie
nevolence, umiI. at ls"gfh, ashamed 10 ask
Tor more, they each made low how, thank +.
ell her, wished her good afternoon, aud left
as quietly as il they had been 10 funeral.
Months after this occurrence, the father,
in travelling, stopped at a village where n
gentleman accosed him are you Col. P
Of s.? am well sir, am the maa
who was spokesman to the party who SO
grossly insufed your children.-You have
jus, cause to be very proud OF your daughter,
sir; her noble bearing aud fearless courage
were remarkable IN one SO young aud unIro-
tected. Can You pardon me, sir ?-l feel
that can never forgive myself