Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-08-11
AN ANGEL IN A SALOON.

lodJ, iduy III uecp ihoui mug
ed by little child, entered one of the
fashionable 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 en-
sue. Stepping up to the bar, and ad-
dressing the proprietor, she said:
\..Sn, 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 mingled look of curiosity
and pity. Evidently he was much sur
prised to see woman in such a place.
begging, but, without asking any ques-
tions, gave her some change, and turn
ing to those present, he said:
"Gentlemen, here Is lady in dis
tress. Can't some of you help her lit
tie %
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 saloon It isn't proper place
for lady, and why are you driven to
such step %
ssSir,' said the lady, 81 know it isn't
a proper place for lady to be in, and
you ask me why am driven to such
step? I will tell you in one short
word, pointing to bottle behind the
counter labeled "whisky "-.'that is
what brought me here-wEisky. | was
once happy, and surrounded with all the
luxuries wealth could procure. with a
fond, indulgent husband. But in an
kevil hour he was tempted, and not pos
sessing the will to resist the temptation.
fell, and in one short year my dream of
happiness was over, my home was for
ever 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 friendless, with nothing
left me in this world but this little
child; = and, weeping bitterly, she af-
fectionately caressed the golden curls
that shaded face of exquisite loveli-
ness. Regaining her composure, and
turning to the proprietor OF une safoon,
she continued:
..Sir. the reason why | occasionally
enter a place like this is to implore
those who deal in the deadly poison to
desist, to stop business that spreads
desolation, ruin, poverty, and starva-
tion. Think one moment of your own
loved ones, and then imagine them in
the situation l am in. | appeal to your
better nature. l appeal to your heart
for l know you possess kind one, tx
, retire from a business so ruinous to YOU
patrons.
'Do you know the money you take
across the bar is the same thing as tn
bread cut of the mouths of the famishet
wives and children of your customers
That it strips the clothing from thei
backs, deprives them of all the comfort
: of this life, and throws unhappiness
misery, crime, and dcsolation into thei
Y once happy homes !? Oh! sir, | in
: plore, beseech, and pray you to retir
from business you blush to own 20
are engaged in before your fellow-mel
:, and enter one that will not only /
h profitable to yourself, but your fello
creatures also. You will excuse me if
e have spoken too plainly, but could nj
6 help it when l thought of the miser.
. the unhappiness, and the suffering
&c has caused me-.
= "Madam, [ am not offended" he a.
It swered, in voice husky with emotio
a "but | thank you from the bottom of n
heart for what you have said"
IN Mamma" said the little girl, wh
- meantime, had been spoken to by sol
it of the gentlemen present, taking hold
IS. her mothers hand, ''these gentlem
want me to sing Little Bessie for the
Shall do so ?''
ch They all joined in the request a
~ :, placing her in chair, she sang, in
4 A. sweet, childish voice, the following bes
NO tiful song:
..Out in the gloomy night, sadly roam,
have no mother dear, no pleasant home
lp- No one cares for me, no one would cry
2 Even ifpoor little Bessie should die.
u. Weary and tired I've been wandering all day.
'ra Asking for work but I'm too small, they say
- On the damp ground must now lay my head ];
IN Fathers drunkard and mother is dead.
He 1--WE were so happy till father drank rum,
t | Then all sorrow and trouble begun
Mother grew pale and wept every day
Baby and were too hungry to play
- Slowly they faded, till one summer night
ST. Found their dead faces all silent and white
he | Then, with big tears slowly dropping said,
:. Fathers drunkard and mother is dead
,ka | 80 ifthe temperance men only could find
~. ny Poor, wretched father, and talk very kind
not If they would stop him from drinking, then
l.r / should be so very happy again.
20 Is it too late Temperance men Please try
Or poor little Bessie must SOON starve and die.
All the day long I've been begging for bread
ms Fathers drunkard and mother is dead"
asi- The game of billiards was left un
.ai .:,, ished. the cards thrown aside, and
!, I unemptied glass renamed on the co,
7ere er; all had pressed near, some '
out pity -beaming eyes, entranced with
musical voice and beauty of the CT
'ook who seemed better fitted to be with
om gels above than in such place.
L r