South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-11-11
An Angel in A Saloon.
A TRUE INCIDENT.

/ ed by child, entered one of the fashiona.
BILE saloons in the city Of N, The
writer happened to be passing at the time
and impelled by curiosity followed her ia
to sec what would ensue. Stepping up &c
the bar and addressing the proprietor, who
happened to be present, she said
Sir, can you assist me have no home
no friends, and am unable to work.
He glanced at'her, aud then at the child
with mingled look of curiosity aud pity
Evidently he was somewhat surprised t.
sec a woman in such place begging, but
without asking any questions gave her some
change, then turning to those present, he
said
Gentlemen, here is lday in Distress
Cant some of you assist her little p
They all cheerfully acceded to this request,
and soon purse of two dollars was raised
and placed in her hand.
Madam, said the gentleman who gave
her the money, 'wby do you come into sa-
looms? 1t isn't very proper place for la
dy; and why are you driven to such a
stepY
Turning her mournful, yet expressive
eyes upon the speaker, with an expression
l shall never forget, she replied:
Sir, know 1t isn't proper place for a
lady to be In, and you ask why | am drv-
EN- to this step. | will tell you in one short
word, pointing to bottle behind the bar
labeled wbiskey,' that is what has driven
me to this-wHTsKEY I was once happy
aud surrounded by all the Injuries that
wealth could procure, with fond and in
dulgent husband. But in an evil hour he
was tempted, aud not possessing the will
TO resist that temptation, fell, and 10 one
snort year my dream of happiness was O.
yer, my happy home forever broke and des-
oIlted, and the kind husband aud the wealth
some called mine, lost, lost, never to re-
turn, and all by the accursed wine cup
You see before you only wreck of my
former self, homeless aud friendless, with
nothing left me in this world but this lit
tie child And weeping bitterly, she af.
fectionately caressed the golden curls that
shaded face of exquisite loneliness. Re.
gaming Der posture, and turning to the
proprietor of the saloon she continued:
Sir, the reason L occasionally enter
place like this is to implore those who deal
IN the deadly poison to desist, to stop bust
ness that spreads desolation, ruin. power
ty and starvation. Think one moment of
your own loved ones aud then imagine them
10 the situation am in. l appeal to your
better nature, | appeal to your heart for
know you possess a kind one, to retire from
business so ruiDous to your patrons. Did
you know that the money you receive in ex
change for the vile stuff you sell across this
bar, IS the same as is taking the bread from
the mouths Of the furnishing wives aud chill
dren OF your customers? That it strips
the clothes from their backs, deprives them
OF ali the comforts of life, and throws ur-
happiness, misery, crime and desolation in
TO their once happy homes? Oh, sir, i'm
p'ore, oeseech and pray you to retire from
a business you blush to own you are en-
gagged IN before your fellow men, aud en-
ter business that will not only be profta-
Die to yourself, but your fellow creatures
also. Please excuse me if have spoken
too plainly but | could not help it when
thought of the misery and unhappiness it
has caused me-
Madam, | am not offended he answer.
ed, 10 voice tremulous with emotion, 'but
,hank you from nv heart for what Won
have said
Mamma, said the child, taking her
mothers hand, 'here's gentleman who
wants me to sing Little Bessie for him
shall do itY
-, - es, darling, if they wish you to-
iney all Joined in the request, aud plac
ing her ~ a chair she sang in sweet child
lsu voice, the following beautiful aud touch
ing song
Out DO the gloomy night sadly roam;
nave no mother dear. no pleasant home:
No'ody cares for me, no one would cry.
.,,t' % poor little Bessie should die
.'.F auu tired I've been wandering ail dav
Hsh."g Tor work, but In too small they say
In zoe damp ground must now lay my head, -
'N'''' 3 drunkard, aud mother is dead.
y. were So happy tiI father drank rum,
i"sh Hii our sorrow and trouble begun.
n''hef grew pale and wept every day
h"'y and ] were too hungry 20 play
.''"s lHeF faded till one summer night
'''Si I1.Ir dead faces att silent and white
inen with big tears slowly dropping said
"'Nei s drunkard and mother is dead.
O'' ihe temperance men only would end
'.i "it,cucd father, and talk very kind
.Neg would stop BIN from drinking why then,
2 should DE so very happy again
'' 700 laief temperance ucn please try
20 poor IiUe Bessie must soon stsrye and die
, 10 ine day long We been begging for bread
i',1e' druusard, and mother is dead.
The scene I shall never forget 90 my dy-
ing day, aud the sweet cadence Of her musi-
Ca. voice sill rings 10 my ears, and every
word yi tbs song, as 10 dropped from her
lips, sunk deep into toe bear's Of those
"a l.5od around Der. With her golden