Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1871-02-11

Madam" " said the gentleman who gave
her the money, why do you come in ga
looms 1t isn't proper place for a ludy
and why are YOU driven to such a step ~
Turning her muurniul yet expressive
eyes upon the speaker with an expression 1
shall never forget, she replied -
''Sir, know it isn't a proper place for
me to be in, and you ask why am driven
to this step. | will tell you in short words,n
pointing to a bottle behind the bar labeled
"whiskey," that is what has driven me
to this-wnIsKEY. L was once happy and
surrounded by all the luXurics that wealth
could procure. with fond and indulgcnt
husband. But in an evil hour he was
tempted, and not possessing the will to re-
sist that temptation, fell, and in one short
year my dream of happiness was over, my
happy home forever broken and desolated,
and the kind husband and the wealth some
called mine, lost, lost, never to return, and
all by the acCursed Yine cup. You see
before you only wreck Of my foi mur self
homeless and irendlees, with nothing left
me in this world but this little child.n And
weeping bitterly, she aficctionately caressed
the golden curls that shaded face OF ex-
quiste loveliness. Regaining her compo-
sure, and turning to the proprietor Of ths
Saloon, she continued -
"Sir, the reason | occasionally enter .
place like this is to imp!ore those who deal
IN the deadly poison to desist, to stop
business that spreads desolation, ruin,
poverty and starvation. Think one mo
ment Of your own beloved ones and then
imagine them in the situation / am in. l
appeal 10 your nature, l appeal to your
heart. for | know you possess a kind one,
| to retire from business so ruinous 81 your
pairone. Did you know shat the money
you receive in exchange for the vile stuff
y0u sell across this bar, is the same as
taking the bread from the mouths Of the
iamishing wives and children of your Gus
TONER'S That it strips the clothes from
their backs, deprives them of all the COM
forts of life, and throws unhappiness,
misery, crime and desoation into their
once happy homes Oh, sir, ] implore,
| bescech and pray you to retire from busi-
! ness you blush to own you are engaged in
before your fellow men, ard enter busi-
ness that will not only be profitable to your
sell, hut your fellow creatures also, Please
excuse me if have spoken too plainly, but
l could not help it when l thought of The
misery and uuhappnes it hss caused
me.n
Madam, / am not offended" he an
swered, in voice tremulOus with emotion,
''but thank you from my heart for what you
have said"
Mamma, said the child taking her
mothers hand, heres q gentleman VINO
wants me to sing Little Bessie Tor hiis.
Shall do it :"
"Yes, darling, if they wish you to-"
They all joined in the request, and, p!ac-
ing her in n chair she sang q sweet childish
voice, the following beautiful song -
oo. ,,u,1
IT, - No ,nu sVO'y ;hor ia n.s Nv rlo.,r, -.
nobody curea for me. no one would crv'
Even If poor little Bessie should die.
Weary and tired PIE been wandering all day,
Askihg for work, but I'm too small they say
Sn ,ne ua'nP ereunu I'lusl no" i"S III. u'u1
VI ~"""'N' ""1 AA'0'u -
We were so happy till father drank run,
! Then all our sorrow and trouble begun
Mother grew pale and wept every day
Baby and were too hungry to play.
Ty T"w'y tmey iauva VI. Que smnrt'c, sum, h'Sm
Tbsn win hir ,.,ra .lo~Iy drnnnins I sad
Fathers a druukard, and mother is dead.
Sh, lne temperance men only "ond ma
ft,m ,IS ,"'ilfr @ ana IAN very kina
Ishoald be 40 very hnnpy again - 'A'-'
Is IL too late. trmperanct men pIes,etryf
Or poor little Bessie must soon sturve and die
fa'her'" drHhkard' and mother s dead
The scene T shall never s,rcct 10 my dv.
;pg dav and ,be sweet cadence oC hor mi,
steal voice still rings in my ears. and ever,
word of the song. n. it dropncd from hel
lips. sunk, deep into the hearts of those
gathered around her. With her colder
curls falling carclessly around her littl,
shoulders, her face of almost ETHEREAL beau
tv. and looking so trustincly and confident
ly upon the men around, her beautiful eve,
lighted up with n light that seemed not o
this earth, formed n picture worthy of tn,
pen of poet or painter, although a statu,
of purity and innocence. The unfinished
games OF billiards were laid by, the cardl
thrown aside, the uuemptied glass remain
ed upon the counter, and all passed near
some with curiosity, some with sadness
and some with uty beaming from thei
ewes, eutranced with the musical voice auC
beauty of a child, who seemed better fl 1
be with angels above than in such n place
Al the close of the song many were weep
!, ing-men who had not shed tear 10
wears, now wept like n child. One youul
man who had resisted with scorn the plead
ing of loving mother and dear friends t
head better life, to desist from u cour.
"A s.,;,,