The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-07-25
AN ANGEL IN A SALOON.

One afternoon in the month of June,
1870, a lady in deep mourning, followed
by little child, entered one of the fash
ionable saloons in the City of N.
The writer happened to be passing at
the time, and prompted by curiosity,
followed her in to see what would ensue.
Stepping up to the bar, and addressing
the proprietor, she said
Sir, you can 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
and pity. Evidently he was much sur
prised to see woman in such 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 dis
tress. Can't some of you help her a
little"
They cheerfully acceded to the re-
quest, and soon purse of two dollars
was made up and put in her hand.
" Madam" said the gentleman who
gave her the money, "why do you come
to a saloon? 1t isn't proper place for
lady, and why are you driven to such
a step %
sir" said the lady, CT know it isn't
proper place for a lady to be in, and
you ask me why l am driven to such a
step? | will tell you in one short word, u
pointing 70 bottle behind the coun-
ter Tabled whisky" that is what
brought me here-whisky. / was once
happy, and surrounded with all the lux
uries wealth could procure, with a fond,
indulgent husband. But III 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 desolate,
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 friend
less, with nothing left me in this world
but this little child" and, weeping bit.
terly, she affectionately caressed the
golden curls that shaded face of ex-
quisite loneliness. Regaining her com.
posture, and turning to the proprietor OF
the saloon, she continued
"Sir, the reason why L occasionally
enter place like this is to implore those
who deal in the deadly poison to desist,
to stop business that spreads desola.
ton, ruin, poverty, and starvation.
Think one moment of your own loved
ones, and then imagine them in the stu.
alton am in. / appeal to your better
nature, 1 appeal to your heart, for
know you possess kind one, to retire
from a business so ruinous to youi
patrons.
"Do you know the money you take
across the bar is the same thing as the
bread out of the mouths of the famished
wives and children of your customers
That it strips the clothing 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,
beseech, and pray you to retire from a
business you blush to own you are Ell
gagged in before your fellow-men, and
enter one that will not only be profitable
to yourself, but your fellow creatures
also. You will excuse me if l have
spoken too plainly, but / could not help
1t when / thought of the misery, the
unhappiness, and the suffering it has
caused me"
Madam, am 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 girl. who.
meantime, had been spoken to by some
OF the gentlemen present, taking hold of
her mothers hand, "these gentlemen
want me to sing Little Bessie for them.
Shall / do so p
They all joined in the reouest and
placing her in a chair, she sang in q
sweet, childish voice, the FOLLOWING
beautiful song: Q
Out IN the gloomy night. sadly roam
No one cares for me, no one would crv
Even If poor little Bessie should die.