The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1870-11-24
An Angel il q Saloon.
A TRUE INCIDENT.


One afternoon in the month of June, 1870,
lady in deep mourning, and followed by a
child, entered one of the fashionable saloons
in the city of N The writer happened
to be passing at the time, and impelled by Gu
riosity followed her in to see what would en-
sue. Stepping up to 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, and then at the child
with mingled look of curiosity and pity
Evidently he was somewhat surprised to see
woman in such place begging, but with
out asking any questions gave her some change
then turning to those present, he said:
"Gentlemen, here is lady In distress
Cant some of you assist her little ?'-
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, "why do you come into saloons
It isn't a very proper place for a lady; and
why are you driven to such a stepa?"
Turning her mournful yet expressive eyes
upon the speaker, with an expression [ shall
never forget, she replied:
''Sir, know it isn't proper place for a
lady to be in, and you ask why [ am driven
to this step will tell you in one short word, .
pointing to bottle behind the bar labeled
"whiskey," that is what has driven me to
this-wHIsKEY. was once happy and sur
rounded by all the Injuries that wealth could
procure, with fond and indulgent husband
Bnt in en- evil hour he was tempted, and not
possessing the will to resist that temptation
fell, and in one short year my dream of hap
piness was over, my happy home forever
broke and desolated, and the kind husband
and the wealth some called mine, lost, lost
never to return, and all by the accursed wine
cup. You see before you only wreck Of my
former self, homeless and frlendless, with
nothing left me in this world but this little
child" And weeping bitterly, she affection
ately caressed the golden curls that shaded 3
face of exquisite loveliness. Regaining he1
composule, and turning to the proprietor Of
the saloon she continued:
"Sir, the reason I occasionally enter place
like this is to implore those who deal in the
deadly poison to desist, to stop a business that
spreads desolation, ruin, poverty and starva
ton. Think one moment Of your own lovec
ones and then imagine them in the situation
am in Iappeal toyour better nature, l ap
peal to your heart, for [ know you possess 8
kind one, to retire from business so ruinou
to your patrons. Did you know that the mon
ey you receive in exchange for the vile stuff
YOU sell across this bar, is the same as is ia
ing the bread from the mouths of the famlsh
hing wives and children of your customers
Tnas it strips the clothes from their backs, de
priyes them Of all the comforts Of lite, ane
throws unhappiness, misery, crime and desc
lation into their once happy homes Oh, sir
I implore, heseech and pray you to retire from
business you blush to own you are engaged
in before your fellow men, and enter bust
ness that will not only be profitable to your
self. but your fellow creatures also. Pleas,
excuse me if [ have spoken too plainly "bu
could not help it when I thought of the mis-
ery and unhappiness it has caused me. .
"Madam, Il lam not offended" he answered
in voice tremulous with emotion; "but thanl
YOU from my heart for what you have said.
.sMamma," said the child, taking he
mothers hand, "here's gentleman VIII
wants me to sing Little Bessie" for him :
Shall ! d. it 7"