Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-12-17
NJ MISC E LII A N Y.
AN INCIDENT OF THE WEST.

About year since, temperance man
moved with his family from South Carroll
ma to the West. The scarceness OF the pop
ulation and the continual travel past his
place rendered 1t necessary''act ofhumanty
in him frequently to entertain travellers
who could get no further. Owing to the
frequency of these calls, he resolved to en-
large his house and put up the usual sign.
Soon after this an election came on, the
triumphant party felt that it was wonder
ful victory, and some young bloods'' Of the
majority determined, in honor of it to have
a regular elbow out" Accordingly, mount
ed on their fine prairie horses, they started
on long ride. Every tavern vas visited
on their route, and the variety thus drank
produced mixture which added greatly to
the noise and bolsterouSness of the compa-
ny. In this condition they came, about a
dozen in number, to our quiet temperance
tavern. The landlord and lady were absent;
the eldest daughter fourteen years of age,
and five younger children, were alone in
the house.
These gentlemen (for they considered them
selves as such) called for liquor.
"We keep none;" was the modest reply
of the young girl.
"What do you keep tavern for then :"
"For the accommodation of travellers"
"Well accommodate US with something
to drink"
"You will see by the sign that we keep
temperance tavern"
ga temperance tavernl"-- here the chill
dren clustered around their sister) "Give
me an axe and I'll cut down the 81 en-"
"You will find an axe at the wood-plle,
sir"
Here the party each one with an oath,
made rush for the wood-pile, exclaiming,
"down with the sign! down with the sign"
but the leader, in going out discovered IN
an adjoining room, splendid piano and its
accompaniments.
"Who makes that thing speak," said he.
81 play sometimes" said she in a quiet
modest manner.
"You do? Give us tune"
"Certainly sir" and taking the stool,
while the children formed circle close to
her, she sung and played "The Old Arm
chair" Some of them had not heard pi-
ano before, others had not heard one for
years. The tumult was soon hushed; the
whip-and-spur gentlemen were drawn back
from the wood pile, and formed circle
outside the children. The leader again
spoke: "Will you be so kind as to favor us
with another song" Another was played,
and the little ones becoming reassured some
OF them joined their voices with their sis
ter's. Song after song was sung and play
! ed. One would touch the sympathies of
the strangers, another melt them in grief
one would arouse their patriotism, another
their chivalry and beuevolence; until at
length, ashamed TO ask for more, they each
made low bow, thanked her, wished her
good afternoon and departed as quietly as
II they had been at funeral.
Months after this occurrence the father
IN travelling, stopped at village, where
gentleman accosted HIM:
care you Colonel P, of So?
81 am"
''Well, sir, am spokesman of the party
who so grossly insulted your innocent fam
lly, threatened to cut down your sign, and
spoke SO rudely to your children. You
nave Just cause to be proud of your daugh-
ter, sir; her noble bearing and fearless
courage were remarkable in one so Young
and unprotected. Can you pardon me sir?
| feel that | can never forgive myself"
&5- The price of fuel at Washington. has
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