Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1872-02-17
AN ANGEL IN A BAR ROOM.
A TRUE INCIDENT.

lOHdDlc SdtOOIlS III INc oi'y Va
The writer happened to be passing at
the time, and, impelled by curiosity, fol
lowed her in to see what would ensue.
Stepping up to the bar, and addressing
the proprietor, who happened to be pre-
sent she said
Sir, can you assist me ? have no
home, no friends, and am not able 70
work"
He glanced at her, and then at the
child, with u mingled look of curiosity
and pity. Evidently he WAS much sur
prised to see q woman i'll such Il place
begging, but, without asking any ques
tons, gave her some change, and turn
ing to those present, he said
"Gentlemen, here is a lady in distress.
Can some of you help her little 2
They all cheertully acceded to the re-
quest, and soon a purse Of two dollars
was raised and put in her hand.
Madam, said the gentleman who
gave her the money, "why do YOU come
to q saloon! 1t isn't avery proper place
for lady, and why are YOU driven to
such a step
Sir | know ii isn't proper place
for me 10 be in, and you ask me why l
am driven to such step, | will tell you
in one short word, pointing to a bottle
behind the counter labeled ''whlskey, -
''that is what brought me here-Wms
| Ky =
Il was once happy and surrounded by
all the luxuries that wealth could pro
cure, with fond and indulgent huS
band. But in an evil hour he was temp
ted, and not possessing the vii! TO re-
sist the temptation he fell, and III one
short year my dream Of happiness was
over my home forever was desolated.
and the kind husband and 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 and triendless,
and with nothing left me in this world
but this little child, and weeping bitter
ly, she affcctionately caresscd the gold
! en- curls that shaded face of exquisite
loyelincss. Regaining her composure,
and turning to the proprietor OF the sa-
! loon, she continued
Sir, the reason | occasionally enter a
place like this is to inplore those who
deal in the deadly poison TO desist, TO
stop business that spreads dcsolation,
ruin, poverty and starvation. Think
one moment Of your own loved ones,
and then imagine them i'll the situation
| am in Iappeal to your better ma
turc, appeal to your heart, for | know
YOU possess kind one, to retire from a
| business so ruinous to your patrons
'Did you know that the money you
receive across this bar is the same as Ia
king bread from out OF the mouths OF
the furnished wives and children of your
customers That it strips the clothes
from their backs, deprives them OF oil
the comforts of life, and throws unhap-
pinesS, misery, crime, and dcsolation in
to their once happy homes Oh, SIR, l
implorc, besecch and pray you to retire
from business YOU blush to own You
are engaged in before your fellowmen,
and enter one that will not only be prof
table to yourself but to your fellow ere
atures also You will 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 an
swercd, in voice husky with emotion,
but thank you from my heart for what
you have said
Mamma" said the child-who mean
time had been spoken to by some OF the
gentlemen prescnt-taking hold OF her
mothers hand, these gentlemen wish
me to sing Little Bessie for them.
Shall I do so ?"
Yes, darling, if they wish you to"
They all joined i'll the request and
placing her in a chair, she sang i'll
sweet childish voice the following beau
tltul song
"Out in the gloomy night sadly roam,
have no mother dear, no pleasant home;
No one cares for me, no would cry,
Even if poor little Bessie should die.
Weary and tired I've been wandering all day,
Asking for work, bu; am too small, they say;
On the daGp ground must now lay nay head,
Fathers drunkard, and mother Is dead.
We were so happy I'LL i1Iher drank rum,
Then all our sorrow and trouble begun
Mother grew pale, and wept every day
Baby and were too hungry 10 play;
Slowly they faded till one summer night
Found their dead faces all silent and white
Then with big tears slowly dropping said,
Fathers drunkard, and mother Is dead.
Oh, if the temperance men only could find
Poor wretched father, and talk very kind
If they would stop him from drinking, then
| should be very happy again
Is II too late temperance men Please try,
Or, poor little Bessie must soon starVe ard de;
All the day long I've been begging for bread
Fathers drunkard, and mother i, dead :"
The games of Billiards were left un-
finished, the cards were thrown aside,
and the unemptied glass remained on
the counter; all had pressed near, some
with curiosity, some with sadness, and
some with pity beaming in their eyes,
entranced with the musical voice and
beauty of the child, who seemed better
fitted to be with angels above than in
such a place.