Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-07-25
A TRUE INCIDENT.
BY P. P. BoLrwIcK.

and followed by small child, entered
one of the fashionable saloons of the
city of N. The writer happened to
be passing at the time, and impelled 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:
ssSir, can you assist me? have no
friends, and am unable to get 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 a
place begging, but without asking any
questions, he gave her some change,
and turning to those present, said:
'sGentlemen, here is lady in dis
tress; can't some of you help her, a
little"
They all acceded to this request, and
soon purse of two dollars was placed
in her hand.
Madam" said the gentleman who
gave her the money, "why do you
come into saloons?. It is not a proper
place for a lady, and why are you
driven to such a step ?"
Turning her mournful yet expressive
eyes upon the expressive speaker with
an expression shall never forget she
replied:
s'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 a,bot
tie behind the door labeled whisky, y
'sthat is what has driven me to this
whisky I was once happy and sur
rounded by all the luxuries that wealth
could procure. But in an evil hour be
was tempted, and not possessing the
the will to resist the temptation, fell
and in one short year my dream of hap
piness was over, my happy home for
ever desolated, and kind husband ant
the wealth some called mine, lost, lost
never to return, and by the accurseC
wine cup. You see before you only {
wreck of my former self, homeless anC
friendless, with nothing left me in thi
world but this little child, and weep
ing bitterly, she afectionately caresses
the golden curls that shaded face @
exquisite loveliness. Regarding he
composure, and turning to the propri
etor of the saloon, she continued:
''Sir, the reason / occasionally ente
aplace Like this to implore those VIII
deal in the deadly poison to desist-t
stop business that spreads desolation
ruin, poverty and starvation. Thinl
one moment of your own loved ones
and then imagine them in the situatio
1 am in. appeal to. your better ns
ture. I appeal to your heart, for
know you possess kind one, to retir
from business SO ruinous to your ps
irons. Did you know the money yo
receive in exchange for the vile stu
you sell across this bar, is the same &
taking the bread from the famishin
wives and children of your customers
That it strips the clothes from of the
backs, deprivcs them Of all the con
forts of life, throws unhappiness, mi
cry, crime and desolation into the
once happy homes |? Oh, sir, impIor
beseech and pray you to retire from
business you blush to own you ale el
gagged in before you're fellow men, an
enter business that viii not only
profitable to yourself but your fello
creatures also. Please excuse me if
have spoken too plainly, bat 1 cou
not help it when think of the misel
and unhappiness it has caused me-"
MADAM, am not offended he a
/ swered, in a voice tremulous with EN-
tion, "but thank you with my hea
/ for what you have said"
Mamma" said the child; taking b
mothers hand, s'here is a gentlem,
who wants me to sing Little Bess
{ for him. Shall ] do it?u
eyes, darling if they wish you to
! They all joined in the request, a
{ placing her in a chair she sang in
sweet childish voice following bes
1 tiful song:
Out in the gloomy night sadly roam,
have no mother, dear. no pleasant home,
Nobody cares for me, no one would cry,
Even were poor little Bessie 70 die.
Weary and tired I've been wandering all
Asking for work, but I'm too small they sa,
n On the damp ground must now lay my be
We were so happy tai father drank rum.
z Then all our sorrow and trouble begun:
Mother grew pale and wept every day.
Baby and were too hungry topIay.
Slowly they faded till one SIMMER niett.
Found their dead faces sll silent and white.
Then with big tears, slowly dropping, 1 said
Fathers a drunkard, and mother is dead.
!, Oh. If the Temperance men only would Nm,
Poor wretched father and talk very kind
II they could stop him from drinking,
then,
should be so very. very happy again,
Is 1t too latef Men OF Temperance please Il
Or poor little Bessie must soon starye and
All the day long I've been begging for brea
Fathers drunkard, and mother is dead n
That scene shall never forget to
dying day. The sweet cadence of
musical voice stiIl rings in my G
and every word Of the song as it d
ped from her lips, sunk deep into
hearts of those gathered around
With her golden curls falling caFele
around her little shoulders, her FAC
almost ETHEREAL beauty, and lookin
trustingly and confidently upon
men around her, her beautiful
eyes lighted up with light that Sc
ed not of this earth, formed. pic