The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-04-19

AN INCIDENT IN THE WEsT-some years
SINCE. temperance man moved with his fami-
| ly from South Carolina to the West The
| sparseness Of the population, and the contin.
| ued travel by his place, rendered it necessary
act Of humanity in him frequently to enter
ain travellers who could get no farther. Owing
to the frequency of these calls he resolved to
enlarge his house, and put up the usual sign
Soon after this an election came on. The
triumphant party felt that it was wonderful
victory, and some young bloods" Of the ma
jority determined in honor of it, to have
regular "bow out" Accordingly, mounted
on their fine prairie horses, they started on
long ride. Every tavern was visited on their
route, and the variety thus drank produced A
mixture which added greatly to the noise and
bosteronsness of the company In this con-
ditlon they came, about dozen in number, to
our quiet temp erance tavern. The landlord
and lady were absent; the eldest daughter
fourteen years Of age, and five younger child
rem, were alone in the house.
These gentlemen (for they considered them
selves such) called for liquor
"We keep none, was the modest reply Of the
young girl.
"What do you keep tavern for, them?
"For the accommodation of travellers
SWELL then, accommodate us with something
to drink
'You will see, sir, by the sign, that we keep
temperance tavern"
"a temperance tavernr' Here the child
rem clustered around their sister, "Giye me
an ak and I'll cut down the sign.'
you'll find an ak at the wood pile, sir
Here the party, each one with an oath, made
rush to the wood pile, exclsiming, "Down
with the sign! Down with the sign p
But the leader in going out, discovered in an
adjoining room splendid piano and its accom-
said he
81 play. sometimes" said the girl, in 3 quiet,
modest manner.
'You do? Give us a tune"
Certainly, SIR aud taking stool, while
the children formed circle close 10 her. she
sung and played 1.-The Old Arm Chair Some
oil them had never heard piaro before; others
mad not heard one for years The tumult was
soon hushed; the whip and the spur gentlemen
were drawn back from the wood pile, and form.
ed circle outside the children The leader
again spoke: "Will you be so kind as to favor
US with another song9"
Another was played, and the children becom.
ing treasured some of them Joined their
sweet voices with their sisters. Song after
song was sung and played One would touch
the sympathles OF the strangers, another melt
IN grief one would arouse their patriotism,
another their chivalry and beneyolence; until.
at length, ashamed to ask for more, they each
made q low bow, thanked her, wished her q
good afternoon, and left her as Quietly as II
they had been to funeral.
Months after this occurrence, the father in
travelling, stopped at village, where gentle.
man accosted him:
Are you Col. P of S-?"
clam"
well, sir, am spokesman of the party who
so grossly insulted your innocent family, threat
sned to cut down your sign, and spoke 80 rude.
" TO your children. You have just cause to
90 proud Of your daughter, sir; her noble bear
ing and fearless courage were remarkable for
one 80 young and unprotected. Can you par