Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1875-01-23
WHAT AILED.UGLYsAM.'
A Touching Story.

| Port Huron Bill, Tall Chicago, and the
rest of the boys who were won't toget
drunk with him, couldn't make ou
what had happened. They hadn't hearc
that there was warrant for him, hae
never know OIL his being sick for day
and his absence from the old haunts puz.
xled them. They were in the Hole in
the Wall saloon yesterday morning
nearly dozen of them, drinking ,smok.
ins and playing cards, when in walked
u y Sam.
4 ere was deep silence for mo.
ment rs they looked at him. Sam had
anew 4, had been shaved clean, had
on Gle i collar and white shirt, and
they didn know him at first. When
they saw il was Ugly Sam they uttered
a shout and leaped up.
"Cave in that hat r cried in one.
"Yank that collar off |" shouted an
other. ~
LETS roll him on the floor !" scream-
ed third.
There was something in his look and
bearing which made them hesitate. The
whiskey-red had almost faded from his
face. aDd he looked sober and dignifed.
His features expressed disgust and con-
tempta as he looked around the room,
and then rocoied as his eyes fell upon
the red eyes and blosted faces of the
crowd before him.
"Why, what ails ye,Sam % inquired
Tall Chicago, as they all stood there.
"l've come down to bid you good-by
boys l. he replied, removing his hat and
drawing a clean handkerchief from uis
pocket.
"What I! Hav ye turned preacher p
they shouted in chorus.
"Boys, ye know I can lick any two
Of ye, but ] hain't on the fight anymore
and I've put down the last drop of
whiskey which is ever to 60 into my
mouth I've switched off Two taken
an oath I'm going to be decent"
Sam, be you crazy ~ asked Port
Huron Bill, coming nearer to him.
"I've come down here to tell you all
about it, answered Sam. "Move the
chars back little and give me room.
Ye all know I've been rough, and more
too. I've been drinkist, fighter, a
gambler and loafer | can't look back
and remember when I've earned an hon
est dollar. The police has chased me
around like a WOLF and the papers have
said hat Ugly Sam was the terror Of
the Potomac Ye all know this boys,
but ye didn't know had an old moth
err"
The faces of the crowd expressed
amazement.
81 never mentioned it to any of ye,
for / was neglecting her," he went on.
"Sbe was poor old body, living mp
here in the alley, and if the neighbors
hadn't helped her to fuel and food shed
been found dead long ago. never
helped her to cent--didn't see her for
weeks and weeks, and used to feel
mean about it, When fellow is going
back on his mother he's Citing purity
low, and | know it. Well, she's dead
buried yesterday. She sent for me
by Pete. and when got there l seen it
was all day with her,"
"Did she say anything ?" asked one
of boys, as Sam hesitated.
That's what ails me now" he went
on. "When went in she reached out
her hand to me, aud says she Samuel
I'm going to die, aud know'd you'd
want to see me afore | passed away ! ]
sat down, feeling queer-like. She didn't
60 on and ray as how / was loafer and
had neglected her, and all that, but says
she : Samuel, you'll be all alone when
I'm gone. I've tried to be good moth
err to you, and have prayed for you
hundred o. nights, and cried till my old
heart was sore 7 Some Of the neighbor
had dropped in, and the women were
crying, and / tell you boys felt kinder
week |"
He paused for moment, and then
continued
"And the old woman said she'd like
to kiss me afore death came, and that
broke me right down. She kept hold of
my hand and by-and-by she whispered:
Samuel, you are throwing your life
away. You've got it in you to be man
if you'll only make up your mind. |
hate to die and feel that my only son
and the last of our family may 60 20 the
galows. III had your promise that
you'd turn over new leaf, and try and
be good, ii seems as if I'd die easier
Won't you promise me, my son? And.
promises her, boys, and that's what
ais me ! She died holding my hand and
| promised to quit this low business and
60 to work. came down to tell ye,and
now you won't see me on the Potomac
again, I've bought an ak, and am going
mp in Canada to winter"
There was dead silence for a momen
and then he said
"Vell, boys, shake hands with ye
o~nt,rI n f1ca r1 H11I tNxra DAfn--