Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1874-04-16
An Angel in a Saloon.

: 1870, a lady III deep mourning, follow
Ell by little child, entered one of the
Ishioneble saloons Ill the city of N,
The writer h ppened 10 be passing al
the time, and prompted by curiosity,
followed her IN, TO see what would en-
sue. Stepping up to TIE bar, ana ad-
dressing the proprietor, who happened
to be present, she said:
'Sir, can you assist me? I have no
home, no friends, and am not able to
work
He glanced at her and then at the
child, with look of curisosity and pi-
ty. Evidently he was much surprised
to see a woman in such q place beg
ging, but without asking any ques-
tions, gave her some change. and furn-
ing to those present, he said:
'Gentlemen, here is a lady in distress.
Can't You help her little?'
They chcerfUlly 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? 1t isn't proper
place for lady, and why are you driv-
en- To such S.ep?'
Sir said the lady. Z know it isn't a
| proper place for a lazy to be in, and
you ask me why | an driven to such
step? will tell yon in one short word
! pointing to bottle behind the counter.
labelled whisky, that is what brought
me here-whisky!'
1 was Gnce happy, and snrround-
ed with all the luxuries that wealth
could procure, with a fond, indul-
gent husband. But in an evil hour
ne was ten pied, and not ,ss ssing the
VIII 10 resist the TEN mptalion, iell. and
in one short year my dream OF happi-
ness was over, my home was forever
desoiate, and the kind husband, and
the wealth that some called mine. lost:
lost never to return, and all by the ac-
cursed wine cup.
You see before you only the wreck
OF my former self, homeless and frierd-
less, Nth nothing left IGe in the world
but this little child aud weeping Bit
| terly, she afectionateiy eargsseti the
golden curls that shaded slre Gf ex.
quISite loveliDesS. Regaiaing her COM
posure, and turning to the proprietor of
the saloon, she continued:
/ Sir, the reason why | occasionally
enter plcaa like this is to implore
those who deal in the deadly poison to
eesist, TO stop "a business that spreads
desoiat!pn, ruin, poverty and etarva-
ton. Tnink one moment of your own
loved oaes, and tben imagine them in
the situation | aiG ip. | appeal 10
your batter nature. / appeal to your
heart, for know you possess g kind
one, to retire from business SO fuis-
oas to your patrons.
fLlH YOU know the money you take.
i,cr@sS tite oar is the same as taking
the bread or Of the mouths of the fam
ished wives anu children of your Gus
TONERS? That it strip, She clothing
from their backs, deprives them Of all
the comforts of this life, and throws un+
happiness, misery, crime and desola-
ton in their once happy homes? On.
sir, implore, beseech and pray you
to retire from Il business you blush to
own you are engaged in before your
fellow-iren, and enter one that will
not only be profitable to yourself but
your iellow-creatures also. You will
excuse me if l have spoken too plainly,
but could not help it when | thought
ofthe misery, the unhappinesS and the
suffering it has caused me-
'Madam, | am not offended he an
swered. iD Il 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 forH
them. Shall / do so?'
They all Joined in the request, and
placing her in a chair she sang in
sweet childish voice, the following
beautiful song:
Out in the gloomy night, sadly roam,
| have no mother dear, 10 pleasant home;
No one cares for me. no Ope would cry,
Even II poor little Bessie siiupld die.
Weary and tired I've been wandering all day.
Asking for work, but I'm too SMALL they say:
On the damp ground must now lay my head;
We were so happy till father drank rum,
Then all our sorrow and trouble pegun;
Mother grew pale, and wept every day
Baby and were too hungry to play;
Slowly they faded till one 81 mmer night
Foand their dead faces all silent and white;
Then with big tears slowly dropping said,
Fathers drunkard and mother is dead.
o. ifthe temperance m an ONLY could find
Poor. wretched father. and talk very kind;
II they would stop him from drinking then
should be so very happy again.
Is it too late, temperance men? Please try,
Or poor little Bessie must soon star, and die
All Lie day long I've been begging for bread,
Father 5 drunkard and motner is dead"
The game of billiards was left unfin-
ished, the cards thrown aside. and the
unemptied glass remained Oh the coun-
te-; all had pressed near, some with
pity-beaming eyes, entranced with the
musical voice and beauty of the child,
who seemed fitted to be with angels
above than in such d place.
The scene l never shall forget to my
dying day, and the sweet cadence of
her musical voice still rings in my
ears, and every word of the song as it
dropped from her lips sank deep into
the hearts of those gait cred around her.
With her golden hair falling care
lessly around her little shoulders and
looking SO trustingly and confidingly
upon The gentlemen around her, her
be utiIul eyes Illuminated with light
that seemed not OF this earth, she
formed IA picture of purity and inno-
cence worthy the genius of poet or
painter.
At the close of the song many were
weeping, men who had not shed tear
for years, now wept like children. One
young man who had resistei with
scorn the pleadings of IA loving mother,
aud the entreaties of friends to strive
20 Leaf Il better life, to dcsist from a
course that was wasting his fortune,
and running his health, now approach
ed the child, and taking both her hands
in his, while tears streamed down his
cheeks, exclaiming with deep emotion:
God bless you my little angel. You
have saved me from ruin and d sgrace,
from poverty and drunkard'S grave.
If There are angels on earth you are
one! God bless you! and putting bill
into the hands of the mother, said:
Please accept this trifle as token of
my regard and esteem, for Jour little
girl has done me kindness / can never