The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-03-23
AN ANGEL ma SALOON.
A TRrE INCIDENT.

saloons in the city of n The writer
happened to be passing at the time, and
impelled by curiosity, followed her in to
see what would ensue. Stepping HP 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 not able to work"
He glanced at her, and then at the child,
with a mingled look Of curiosity add pity.
Evidently he was much surprised to see a
woman in such place begging, but without
asking any questions, gave her some change
and turning to those present, said
Gentlemen, here is a lady in distress.
Can't some Of you help her a little 2
They cheerfully acceded to the request,
and, soon . purse Of two dollars was put
in her hands,
Madam said the gentleman who gave
her the money, why do you come to n sa-
loon. 1t isn't = proper place for lady,
and why are You driven to such a step"
''Sir, said the lady, Il know it isn't
proper place for me to be in, and you ask
me why am driven 10 such a step. l will
tell you in one short word pointing to a
bottle behind the counter labeled whisky
that is what brought me here-Whisky.
Il was once happy and surrounded With
all the luxuries that wealth could procure,
with fond and indulgent husband. But
i'll an evil hour he was tempted, and not
possessing the will To resist the temptation,
fell, and in one short year my dream Of
happiness was over, my home was forever
desolated and the kind husband and the
wealth that some called mine, lost, lost,
never to return, and all by the accursed
wine cup.
You see before you only the wreck of
my former self, homeless and friendless,
with nothing left me in this world but this
little child, and weeping bitterly, she af-
fectionately caressed the golden curls that
shaded a face of exquisite loveliness. Re-
gaining her cOmposure and turning to the
proprietor of the saloon, she continued
Sir, the reason | occasionally enter
place like this 10 implore those who deal in
the deadly poison to desist, to stop busi-
ness that spreads desolation, ruin. poverty
and starvation. Think one moment Of
your own loved ones, and them imagine
them in the situation l am in. appeal to
your better nature, appeal to your heart,
for ] know you possess kind one, to retire
from business So rsnnous to Your pa
irons.
Did you know that the money you take
across this bar is the same rs taking the
bread out Of the months of the famished
wives and children Of your customers
That it strips the clothes from their backs,
deprives them Of all the comforts of this
life, and throws unhappiness, misery, crime
and desolation into their once happy
homes Oh, sir, l implore, l beseech and
pray you to retire from business you blush
to own you are engaged in before your fel-
lowmen, and enter one that will not only
be profitable to you, but to your fellow
creatures also. You will excuse me if |
have spoken too plainly, but | could not
help it when l thought Of the misery, the
suffering, and the unhappiness it has caused
me-"
Madam, l ana not offended, he an
swered in a voice husky with emotion, but
thank you from the bottom Of my heart
for what you have said. :"
Mamma" said the little child-who
meantime, had been spoken to by some Of
the gentlemen present-taking hold Of her
mothers hand, these gentlemen wish me
to sing Little Bessie for them. Shall do
sOF
Yes, my darling, if they wish you to. "
They all joined in the request, and
placing her in chair, she sang in a sweet
childish voice the following beautiful song !:
'Out in the gloomy night sadly roam.
have no mother dear, no pleasant home
No one cares for me, no one would cry
Even poor little Bessie should die.
Weary and tired I've been wandering ali lAy.
Asking for work, but I'm too small they say;
On the damp ground must now hay my head
Fathers a drunkard and mother is dead.
I'VE were 30 happy till after father drank rum
Then all our sorrow and trouble begun.
Mother grew pale and wept every day
Baby and were too hungry 70 play
Slowly they faded, til one summer night
Found their dead iAees all silent and white.
Then with big teaFs slowly dropping said
Fathers drunkard and mother is dead.
''oh il the temperance men only could ind
Poor wretched father, and tam very kind
II they should stop him from drinking then
] should be 10 very happy again.
Isit too late, temperance men1 PlsAse Try,
OF poor little Bessie will soon starve and die;
An day long I've been begging for bread
Fathers a drunkard and mother Is dead.
The games of billiards were left unGn-
ished, the cards were thrown aside, and the
unemptied glass remained on the counter (;
all had pressed near, some with curiosity,
some with pity beaming in their eyes, en-
tranced by the musical voice and beauty OF
the child who seemed better fitted To be
with angels above than in such place.
The scene / shall never forget to my dy-
inc day. and the sweet cadence Of her mu-
sical voice still rings in my ears, and every
word Of the song a. il dropped from her
lips, sank into the hearts Of those who
gathered around her.
With her golden hair falling carelessly
around her little shoulder, her face Of al