Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-03-10
TEMPERANCE DEPARTMENT
An ANGEL "a SALOON.
A TRUE INCIDENT.

Il Ne lOllOWlub AIlltlt HAS Dteu pup
lished and republished in very many
of the best papers I'm the country. We
gave extracts from it many months
ago:
"One afternoon in the month of
June, 1860, lady in deep mourning
and followed by a child, entered one
of the fashionable saloons in the city
OF n. The writer happened to be pas
sing at the time, and, impelled by Gu
riosity, followed her in to see what
would eusue. Stepping up 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 unable to
work. -
He glanced at her, and then at the
child, with "A mingled look of curiosi-
ty aud pity. Evidently he was some
what surprised to see woman in such
place begging, but without asking
any question, gave her some change
then turning to those present, he said
" Gentlemen, here is a lady in
distress. Can't some OF you assist
her little ." They all cheerfully
acceded to his request, and soon purse
Of two dollars was raised and put in
her band.
Madam" said the gentleman, who
gave her the money" why do you
come to q saloon? 1t isn't very
proper place for lady; and why are
YOU driven To such a step w
" Sir, | know it isn't "a proper place
for me to be in, and you ask why | am
driven to such n step. | will tell you
in one short word" pointing to bot
Tie behind the counter labeled whis-
ky, - " that is what has driven me to
this-wHIsKY l was once happy
aud surrounded by all the luXuries
that wealth could procure, with fond
and indulgent husband. But in an
evil hour he was tempted, and not pos
sessing the will to resist the tempta-
ton, fell, and in one short
year my dream of happi-
ness was over, my home for
ever broken and desolated, and the
wealth some called mine, lost, never
to return; and all by the accursed
wine cup.
You see before you only a wreck
of my former self, homeless and friend
less, with nothing left me in this world
but this little child" and weeping bit
terlv, she affectionately caressed the
kblltu NullH ltldl SllduGu lave vi CA
quisite loveliness. Regaining her COM
posture, and turning to the proprietor,
she continued
Sir, the reason occasionally enter
o place like this is to implore those
| to stop a business that spreads desOla-
/ ton, ruin, poverty and starvation.
| Think one moment of your own loved
/ anl INN nj thnnn n, lao
/ situation | am in. ! appeal to your
heart, for | know you possess a kind
one, to retire from a business so ruin
Gus to your patrons.
did you know that the money you
receive across this bar is the same as
taking the bread from out of the
mouths of the iamished wives and
children of your customers? that it
strips the clothing from their backs
deprives them of all the com
forts of life, and throws unhap-
piness, misery, crime and des'
olatiOn into their once happy homes
Oh, sin | implore, beseech and pray
you to retire from a business you
would blush to own you are engaged
in before your own fellowSmen, and
enter one that will not only be prof
. liable to yourself, but to your fellow
creature also. You will excuse me if
have spoken too plainly, but | coulC
not help it when | thought of the mis-
cry and unhappiness it has caused
me "n
Madam, | am not offended h.
, answered in a voice tremulous will
I emotion, but thank you from IN.
: heart for what you have said"
, Mamma" said the child-who il
: the meantime had been spoken to b.
3 some OF hegentlemen present-takini
= hold of her mothers hand, thes
. gentlemen wish me to sing Littl
= Bessie for them. Shall | do so?"
G Yes, darling, If they wish you TO.
] They all Joined in the request, an
{ placing her in a chair, she sang in
sweet childish voice the follOwiB
e beautiful song:
j Out in the loomy night sadly l roam,
= l have no mother dear, no pleasant home
!. No one cares for me, no one would cry,
!, Even if poor little Bessie would die.
u Weary and tired I've been wandering a
4 day,
Asking for work, but I'm too small the
say,
On the damp ground must lay my head
Father is a drunkard and mother is dead
n We we're so happy till father drank rum,
"A Then all our sorrow and trouble begun;
e Mother grew pale and wept every day
= Baby and | we're TOO hungry to play;
!, Slowly they faded till one summer night
=. Found their dead faces all silent al
= white
70 Then with big tears slowly dropping,
Is said,
10 Fathers q drunkard and mother is dead
sr OH if the temperance men would on
y lind
Poor wre,ched father and talk very kin
10 If they should stop him from drinkir
=. why then
" should be 50 very happy again!
=. l. it too late, temperance men? Plea
=, try
B., Or poor little Bessie must die;
~ All the day long I've been begging
~ bread
~ Fathers drunkard and mother is dead
ne The games of billiards were left u
ne finished, the cards were thrown ash
re upon the counter; all had pressed nee
some with sadness, and some wi
lrs