The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-07-23
AN ANGEL IN A SALOON,
A TRUE INCIDENT.

One afternoon in the month of
June, 1860, lady in deep morning,
followed by child, entered one of
the fashionable 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 eusue. Stepping up to
the bar and addressing the proprie.
tor, who happened to be present,
she said
"Sir, can yol assist me? l have
no home, no friends, and am unable
to work"
He glanced at her, and then at
at the child with mingled look of
curiosity and pity. Evidently he
was much surprised to see woman
in such a place begging, but. with
out asking any questions, he gave
her some change, and turning to
those present, be ssid
"Gentleman, here is a lady in
distress. Can't some of you assist
her little P"
They all cheerfully acceded to the
request, and soon purse of two dol
lars was raised and put in her hand.
"Madam," said the gentleman
who gave her the money, ''why do
you come to saloon :? 1t isn't
very proper place for lady, and
why are you driven to such step? ?"
"Sir, know it is net a proper
place for me to be in, and you ask
why l am driven to such a step. 1
will tell you in one short word"
pointing to bottle behing the count
er labeled "whiskey," "that is what
brought me here-"aohiskey!"
81 was once happy and surround
ed by all the luxuries that wealth
could procure, with a fond and in
dulgent husband. But in an evil
hour he was tempted, and not pos.
sessing the will to resist that tempta-
ton, fell, and in one short year my
dream of happiness was over, my
home forever broken and desolate,
and the kind husband and wealth,
once called mine, lost, lost, never to
return. and all by the accursed cup.
"You zee before you only a wreck
of my former self, homeless and
friendless, and with nothing left me
but this little child ;" and weeping
bitterly, she affectionately caressed
the golden curls that shaded face
of exquisite loveliness. Regaining
her composure, and turning to the
proprietor of the saloon, she contin
ued +:
"Sir, the reason I sometimes enter
a saloon like this, is to implore those
who deal in the deadly poison to de-
sist, to stop business that spreads
desolatlon, ruin, poverty and starva-
ton. Think one moment of your
own loved ones, and then imagine
them in the situation that | am in.
appeal to your better nature, l ap.
peal to your heart, for / know you
possess kind one, to retire from a
business SO ruinous TO your patrons.
"Did you know that the money
you receive across this bar is the
same as taking the bread out of the
mouths of the famished wives and
children of your customers !? That
it strips the clio hes from their backs,
depriyes them of the comforts of
life, and throws unhappiness, misery,
crime and desolation into their once
happy homes. Oh, sir, 1 implore.
beseech and pray you to retire from
a business you blush to own you are
engaged in before your fellow men,
and enter one that will not only be
profitable to yourself, but to your
fellow creatures also. You will ex-
ouse me if | have spoken too plainly
to you, but | could not help it when
l thought of the misery and unhap-
piness it has caused me-"
"Madam, l am not offended he
answered in a voice husky with
emotion, "but thank you from my
heart for what you have said"
"Mamma," said the child-who
meantime had been spoken to by
some Of the gentlemen pres snt-ta-
king hold of her mothers hand,
"these gentleman wish me to sing
'Little Bessie" for them. Shall I
do so ?"
eyes, 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 We ud ary
Even IL poor little Bessie should die.
Weary and tired I've been wandering all day.
Asking for work, but I'm too small they saw
On the damp ground must now lie my head
Fathers drunkard and mother is dead ~
We were so happy till father drank rum,