Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-03-10
AN INCIDENT OF THE WEST.

"Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast"
Some years since temperance man moved with
his family from New hampshire to the Vest
The sparseness of the population, and the continu
al travel past his place, renderedit necessary act
OF humanity In him frequently to entertain travel
lers who could 60 no farther. Owing 20 the ire
quency 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 a wonderful victory, and some young
bl00ds of the majority determined, in honor OF 1t,
to have regular blow out. Accordingly noun
ted ON their fine prairie horses they started on
long ride: Every tavern was visited on their
round, and the variety thus drank produced mix
ture which added greatly to the noise and bolster
BUSINESS OF the company. In this condition they
came, about dozen in number, to our quiet tenn
perance tavern. The landlord and lady were alb
sent-the eldest daughter fourteen years OF agel
and five younger children were alone IN the house.
These gentlemen, for they called themselves such,
called for liquor. we keep none, was the mod
est reply of the young girl. what do you keep
tavern for, then n 'For the accommodation of
travellers ''Well then accommodate US with
something to drink. You see, sir, by the sign,
that we keep a Temperance tavern Here the
children clustered around their sister, Give me
axe, and will cut down the sign. You'll
find an axe on the wood-pile, sir. Here the par
ty each one with an oath, made a rush for the
wood-ple, 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. Nv Who makes this
thing squeak 7" said he. I play sometimes
said she, in quiet, modest manner. You do
Give us a tune Certainly, sir, and taking
stool, while the children formed circle close
around her, she sung and played the "Old Arm
Chair. Some of them had never heard piano
before others had not heard one for years. The
tumut was soon hushed the whip and spur gen
temen 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 children, becoming, treasured, some of them
joined their sweet voices with their sister S. One
would touch the sympathies of the strangers, an
other melt them in grief one would arouse their
patriotism, anothertheir chivalry and benevolence
at length, ashamed to ask for more, they each
made low bow and thanked her-wished her
good afternoon, and left as quietly as if they had
been at funeral Months after this occurrence,
the father, in travelling, stopped at village,
where gentleman accosted him with Are you
Col. P, of S-2' Il am. = ssWell
sir, am spokesman of the party who SO grossly
insulted your innocent family, threatened to cut
down your sign, and spoke so rudely to your chill
dren. You have just cause to be proud of your
daughter sir her noble hearing and fearless cour-
age were remarkable in one so young and unpro-
tected. Can you pardon me, SIR | tell youthat
can never forgive myself,