The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-05-31
An Angel in a Saloon.


happened to be passing at the time, i'm
PEELED by curiosity, followed her to see
what would ensue. 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 10
work.
He glanced at her, then at the child,
withNa mingled look of curiosity and
pity. Evidently he was somewhat sur
prised to see woman in such place
begging, but without asking any ques-
tions, gave her some change, then Turn
ing TO those present, lie said:
Gentlemen, here is n lady IN distress,
can't some of YOU assist her niue =
They all cheerfully acceded TO ms re-
quest, and a purse Of two dollars was
raised and placed in her hand.
Madam" said the gentleman VINO
gave her the money, "why do you come
in saloons? 1t isn't a proper place for a
lady; and why are you driven 10 such
step?'
Turning her mournful yet expressive
eyes upon the speaker, with an express
sion I shall never forget, she replied:
'Sir, know il isn't a proper place for
me to be in, and you ask why L am
driven to this step, will tell you in one
short word, - pointing to n bottle behind
the bar labelled whisky "th0f is what
has driven me TO this-wHISKY. l was
once happy and surrounded by all the
luxuries wealth could procure, with
fond and indulgent husband. But in an
evil hour he was tempted, and not pos
sessing the will to resist that tempta-
ton, fell. In one short year the dream
of happiness was over, my happy home
L.. ,n,sr 4 .
kind husband and the wealth some
called mine,sl lost, never to return,
and all by the accursed wine-cup. You
see before you only a wreck of my former
self homeless and friendless, with moth
ing left me in this world but this little
child.n And weeping, she affectionately
caressed the golden curls that shaded
face of exquisite lOveliness. Regaining
her eomposure and turning to the pro-
prietOr of the saloon, she continued:
''iSir, the reason | occasionally enter
place like this is to implore those who
deal in the deadly poison TO desist, to
stop business that spreads desolation,
ruin, poverty and starvation. Think
one moment Of your own loved ones,
then imagine them in the situation am
in. / appeal to your better nature, ]
appeal 10 your heart, for / know you
possess kind one, TO retire from a buEi-
ness so ruinOus to your patrons Did
you know that the money you receive in
exchange for the vile stuff you sell across
this bar, is the same as taking the bread
from the mouths Of the famishing wives
and children of your customers? That
il strips the clothes from their backs, de-
prives them of all the comforts of life,
and throws unhappiness, misery, and
crime and desolatiOn into their once
happy homes, Oh, sir, ] implore, be.
seech and pray you to retire from a bus
iness you blush to own you are engaged
in before your fellow-men, and enter {
business that will not only be prOfitabl,
to yourself but TO your fellow creatures
also. Please excuse me if have spOkeI
too plainly, but ! could not help il wheI
Thought of the misery and unhappines
il has caused me.n
MADAM, / am not offended he an
swered, in a voice tremulOus with emo
ton, ''but thank you from my heart fol
what you have said.n
Mamma" said the little child, TAX
ing her mothers hand, "here's a gentle
man wants me to sing Little Bessie fol
him. Shall do il ."
"Ges, darling, if they wish YOU tou
They all Joined in the request, and
placing her in a chair she sang in q
sweet, childish voice, the following
beautiful song:
out in the gloomy night, sadly I roam;
have no mother dear, no pleasant home;
Nobody cares for me, no one would cry,
Even II poor little Bessie would die.
Weary and tired I've been wandering all dav
fAskihs lof work. but am 50 small they say;
On the damp ground must now lay uy head
falhers drunkard and mother is dead.
" e were SO happy till father drank rum.
sat.H atlgt an our sorrowS and trouble begun:
Iso5I tSs,leL -, srTw paler and wept every day
Slowly They faded 'tilI one sunliner nfql,t
s,, I'u t i,ieiL .''tl laces all silent and white:
Ihen with big tears slowly dropping said.
Fathers drunlIiird and mother il dead.
The scene I shall never forgot to my
dying day, and the sweet cadence of heI
musical voice still rings in NV ears. and
every word Of the song, as il dropped
from her lips, sunk deep into the heart.
of those gathered around her. With hel
golden curls falling carelessly around
her little shoulders. her face of ethereal
beauty, and looking so trustingly anC
confidently upon the men around, hel
beautiful blue eyes lighted up with Q
light that seemed not of this earth
formed picture worthy of the pen Of q
poet or painter; although statue ol
purity and innocence. The unfinished
game of billiards were laid by, the cards
thrown aside, the unemptied glass
remained upon the counter, and all
pressed near, some with curiosity, some
with sadness, and some with pity BEAM
ing from their eyes, entranced with the
musical musical voice, and beauty OF the child,
VINO seemed better fit to be with angels
"ooNe than in such place.
~ the close of the song many were
SceplIls-men who had not shed a tear
IoI eaIs' now wept like a child. One
SouilS man who had resisted with scorn
Lhe Pleadings Of a loving mother and
H HeaI lIlellds TO lead better life 10 dasist
from course that was WASTING 6is fore
tune, anu running his health nov ~,
proacheu the child, and t9Line' ~
hanusi While tears streanoe5 d-,S ~ I':
pale cheek, exclaimed with dao,, ~ ms
ton: ueep emo
0od bless you, my little angel Won
nave saNed me from ruin and dispraco1N
from poverty and a adrunkard's @rs,,e ,.aoeU 7,
there were ever angels on earth To' oII ~
one; God bless you; God bless voi, ;; o,,'S
placing bill in the hands of tba ,,,oti'.. an.
said, please accept this trife ne toI.s,
Oh my regard and esteem, for vonr I'LL I;e,Il
gi1 mas done me kindness I CON ,,a,.a.. ,lS.as
repay And remember, wbano,.a. ~. ~
are IN want, you will ever find a ~ ~
friend, at the same time pivino - - ~ 'ie
name and address. Taking her LII, itis I1I'
the hand she turned to 90 but na,'ai''s, ,al,t ~
81 the door, said: i''''ius
God bless you, gentlemen, and please