Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-09
city Life--Intemperanco.
prisvrslpLr osrts, 1se.

v Local Editor or Reporter OF a city daily
hewspsper, is thrswn into all shades Of society,
III classes Of the community. Fashion aud pow
ertgs iptelligence and degradation, honesty and
corruplion, virtue and viany, ace the subjects
Of continual investigation with him~~made so
, BY the duties OF his vocation. From the des-
criplion Of a brilliant festival, (which he has
had ihe honor 10 attend" he descends into the
meanest hovel, TO gather the particulars of a.
"horrd occurrence" or "Tevoltng spectacle
There are no places in this city where re-
porters are more frequently thrown, in pursuit
Of ''itens," than coiiee-houses, those tempting
places of refreshment (p) where men do con-
gregate, to while away an idle hour in social
conversation, and to SIP stimulating fluids until
elssed with an unnatural flow Of spirits. In
those most frequented he is sure TO hear some
news, or to be put upon the track OF an item.
Aad, how often is it the case, that in these gild-
edsaalaces of pleasure, he commences a story
which ends in far different place. How often,
amid ..
"The sounds of revelry by night"
does he witness the poor inebriate, whose
only hope Of life is burning liquor, and whose
''s1dden death" he will be under the painful ne
cessity to record the next day? How often does
he see men there, full of life, glee and humor,
whose wives and children are starving over
their restless needless How often does he
tim is degraded beyond redemption, and yet be
compelled TO witness the rawlings of that victim,
confined in a cell of the watch-house? | have
traced many SAD story from the conee-house to
the grave, but none more sorrowful than the
following:
The patrons of the W Restaurant, on
Fifth Street, all knew John Smith, U give him
that nancy the pert little shoemaker, who was
always to be found there after dark unless
otherwise particularly engaged. lie had the
reputation Of being one of the cevorest men in
The world, and in truth he never hestated 10
.stTeat the party" when he had the funds to do
it,r-was always full of fun, ready 10 tell or play
Joke. He was commonly known as "Snob
john" and was great favorIte with the fire.
ouenters of W Restaurant. He was hard
working man,--that is he worked full ten hours
every day, until he made enough ahead for a
spree, and then his shop missed his presence
for many days after his funds run out. say
many days, for he was such clever fellow, so
full Of fun, that lis sprees were prolonged by
the purses of kindred spirits, who could never
be without him in a frolIc.
always supposed "Snob john" To be a Jolly
old bachelor who could sing with truth,
Icare for nobody,
Nobody cares for me-"
ard was determined to sail down the stream Of
life as merry possible, without infringing up
ON the happiness of others. | therefore
not little surprised when friend Of his in
formed me, that John was husband and Ia
Their, but, as the sold woman was sorier cross,
he didn't often go home" From that time
could not entertain so good an opinion OF HIM as
befere,---his mrth appeared devilish, and his
wit stale, fiat and Improbable.
Last Christmas eve the W restaurant
was crowded With frollckers, celebrating that
sacred anniversary with debauchery and bias
phemy. In one Of the upper rooms, party OF
ten or twelve persons were having jolly time
over the "luxuries of the season" and the best
Of the bar. Among them was "Snob ohm" in
fact, he was the prince Of the party, for his
humor made them lively, his jokes kept them
merry. They were all in the happiest mood
when little ragged boy about nine years OF age
obened the door Of the room, and with shivering
limbs, unobserved, approached "Snob John. -
Timdly laying his hands upon his arm, he wills
pered:
"Father, mother wants YOU"
The father unlike the rest of the party, wa
not in the least surprised by the appearance anc
conduct of the child But without change il
his countenance, he rose up, seized the little fel
low by the ear, led him to the door, gave him
kick, and bid him go home.
"Is that your boy?" asked one Of the party o
Snob, as he returned TO the table.
"My boy!" replied the shoemaker, with
forced smile "he knows who his mother is, bu
the ID couldn't father hIh."
81 thought he called you father?"
$50 the scamp did, but you'll all understand
when tell you, that he lives in Alley
and that his wench of mother, when she want
money, sends him and tells him to call m
dad"
40 no! then you've been down there lately.
enquired another, with a knowing nod of I'll
head.
"Why, yes" replied Jack; 81 couldn't bel
calling on hsr,--vidders, you know, are yer
tempting"
This called forth shout Of laughter, ar
Sneb John, having convinced his companion
that die child was not his son, went into a lor
AisquisitioE on love, particularly the love
nvidders," as be termed them.
ieAfter the door had been closed in the face
the little boy, he burst into flood of tears, al
remained oR the stairs weeping, until his CO
dtiet attracted the attention Of two genlem'
who were passing through The hall below.
their enquiries he stated that his mother, vi
was suffering had sent hun after his Father, b
his father who had not been home for nal
DAYS, had cruelty abused HIM. The genil'm
were affected at the chl,ds simple story; and
once concluded 10 conduct HIM home o lea
the truth of his statement. tie seemed mxlo
they should GO, but still was afraid his moth
would not like it. 1t was not uull alter I
gentlemen looked into the room and assured I
how, from what they saw his father would |
90 with him, that he consented. One ~ I