Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1871-03-22
An Augel in a Saloon.

An Augel in Saloon.
One afternoon in the month oS June, 1870,
la 1y in deep mourning, and followed by
child, entered one of the fashionable saloons
in the city of N. The writer happened
to be passing at the time, and impelIei by
curiosity followed her in to see what would
cnsue. Stepping up to the bar and addres
sing the proprietor, who happened 10 be
present, she said
''Sir, can you assist me? I have no home,
no friends, and am unable to work.
He glanced at her, and then at the chill,
with mingled look of curiosity and pity.
Evidently he was somewhet surprised to see
a woman irf such place begging, but with
out asking any questions gave her some
change, then turning to those present, he
said
Gentlemen, here is a lady in distress,
can't some of you assist her a 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, why do you come in sa-
looms? 1t isn't a proper place for a lady
and why are you driven to such a step? p
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 me
to be in and you ask why | am driven to
this step. will tell you in short words. y
Pointing TO a bottle behind the bar labeled
"wIi5kv,,' she said, ''fhGt is what has driv
en- me to this-wHIsKY. was once happy
and surrounded by all the luzuries that
wealth could procure. with a fond and indul-
gent husband But in an evil hour he was
tempted, and not possessing the will to resist
that temptation, fe)l, and in one short year
my dream of happiness was over, my nap
ny home forever broken and desolated, and
the Kind husband and the wealth some call
ed mine, lost, lost, never to return, and all
by the accurscd wine cup. You see before
you only a wreck of my former self, home,
less and friendless, with nothing left me in
this world but this little child" And weep
ing bitterly she atfectionatc!y caressed the
golden curls that shaded face Of exquisite
Iovelinesz. Regaining her composure, and
turning to the proprietor Of tie saloon she
continued:
Sir, the reason occasionally onter
place Ike this is so implore those who deal in
the deadly poison to desist to stop a bust
ness that spreads drsoIation, ruin, poverty
and starvation. Think one moment of your
own beloved ones, and then imagine them in
the situation [ am in. Iappeal to your
better nature, | appeal TO your heart, for |
know you possess kind one, TO retire from
business so ruin0us 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 taking the bread from
the mouths of the famishing wives and chill
dron OF your customers? That it strips the
clothes from heir backs dcprives them Of
all the comforts of life, and throws unhap-
piness. misery. crime and desoation into
their once happy homes? Oh, sir, i'm
plore, boseech and pray you to retire from
business you blush to own you are engaged
in before your fellow men, and enter busi-
ness that will rot only be profitable TO your
self, but your fellow creatures also. Please
excuse me if have spoken too plainly, but
I could not help it when | thought of the
misery and unhappiness it has caused me.
Madam, am not offended he answer
ed, in voice tremulous with emotion, but
thank you from my heart for what you have
said.
Mamma, said the child taking her mo-
TIERS hand, ''here a gentleman who wants
me to sing Little Bessie for him. Shall |
% it ?"
"Yes, darling, if they wish you to- -
They all joined in the request, and placing
her in chair she sang, in sweet childish
voice, the following beautiful song
"Out in the gloomy night sadly roam;
[ have no mother dear, no pleasant home;
Nobody cares for me, no one would cry
Even if poor Little Bessie should die.
Weary and tired I've been wand ring all day
Asking for work, but m too small they say;
On the damp ground must now lay my head,
Fathers a drunkard, and mother is dead,
eve were SO happy till Father drank rum,
Then all our sorrow and trouble begun:
Mother grew male and Tept every day-
Baby and [ were too hungry TO play.
Slowly they faded till one summer night
Found their dead faces all silent and white:
I Then with big tears slowly dropping | said
Fathers a drunksrd and mother is dead.
! sOh if the tenn D erance men only would find
/ Poor. wretched father and talk very kind
/ II they would stop him from drinking, why then
l should be 20 very happy again