The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-02-11
Selert Stogg.
A TOUCHING STORY.
V6LY sAM AND WHY HE REPoRMED-A
PROMISE TO A DYING MOTHER.


Tom, Port Huron Bill, Tall Chicago, and
The rest of the boys, who were wont to
get drunk with him. couldn't make out
what had happened. They hadntheard
that there was warrant out against him,
had never known of his being sick for
day in his life, and his absence from
the old haunts puzzled them. They were
in the Hole.in-the-W Wall saloon, the other
morning, nearly dozen Of them, drink
ing. smoking, and playing cards, when
in walked Ugly Sam.
There was a deep silence for few mo-
ments as they looked at him. Sam had
new hat, had been shaved clean, had
on a clean collar and white shirt and
they didn't know him at first. When
they saw it was Ugly Sam they uttered
shout aRd leaped up.
Gave in that hat" cried one.
PYank that collar off, shouted an
ether.
Lets roll him on the floor, " screamed
third.
There was something in his look and
bearing which made them hesitate. The
whiskey-red had almost faded from his
face, and he looked sober and dignihed.
His features expressed disgust and con-
tempt as he looked around the room, and
then revealed pity as his eyes fell upon
the red eyes and bloated faces OF the
crowd before him. re
l"Why, what ails ye, Sam r inquired
Tall Chicago as they all stood there.
1--WE come down to bid you good.by,
boys" he replied, removing his hat and
drawing clean handkerchief from his
pocket.
What Hev ye turned preacherF
they shouted in chorus.
Boys, ye know can lick any two Of
We, but hain't on the fight any more,
and I've put down the last drop ofwhis-
KEY which is ever to go into my mouth
I've switched off. I've taken an oath.
I'm going to be decent.
Sam, be you crazy2" asked Port Hu-
ron Bill, coming nearer to him. ( y,
i've come down to tell ye all about
it." answered Sam. Move the chairs
back a little and give me room. Ye all
know I've been rough, and more too.-
I've been drinker, gambler, fighter
and loafer. can't look back and re-
member when I've earned an honest
dollar. The police hez chased me around
IKE wolf and I've been in jail and the
work house, and the papers has said that
Ugly Sam was the terror Of the Potomac.
Ye all know this, boys, but ye didn't
know that had an old mother"
The faces of the crowd expressed
ama1em9nt.
Il never mentionedit to any Of ye, for
lvas neglecting her,"h went on "She
was poor old woman, living up here in
Ghe Alley, and if the neighbors hadn't
AelDed her to fuel and food, she'd have
been found dead long ago. lnever help
cd her 10 a sent-didn't see her for weeks
and weeks, and ] used to feel mean about
il. When fellow goes back on his old
mother he's a-glttin' purity low, and |
know i. Well, she's dead buried yes
serdayl Twas up there afore she died.
She sent for me by Pete, and when got
there ! seen it was all day with her" '0
did she say anything" asked one Of
the boys, as Sam hesitated. CK
That's what ail's me menow," he went
on. when went in she reached out
her hand to me, and says she: Samuel, !
am going to die, and l know'd you'dwant
to see me afore l passed away l sat
down, feeling queer-like. She didn'tgo
on and say as how l was loafer, and
had neglected her, and all that, but says
she: Samuel, you'll be all alone when
Pm gone. I've tried TO be good mother
70 YOU, and have prayed for you hun
Aeds Of nights, and cried about you till
nv old heart was sore, Some of the
neighbors had droppedin, andthe women
we're crying, and l tell you, boys, l felt
weak"
He paused for "a moment, and then
continued:
"And the old woman said she'd hketo
kiss me aiore death came, and that broke
me right down. She kept hold Of my
hand, and by y-and-by she whispered
Samuel, you are throwing your life away.
You've got II in you to be man, ifyou'll
only make up your mind. hate to die
and ieel that my only son andthe last of
COR family may die on the gallows. Ill
had your promise that you'd turn over
new leaf, and try and be good, it seems
as I'd Die easier. Won't yon promise
me, my son 2 And promised her, boys,
and that's what ails me. She died hold
ing my hand, and l promised to quit the
lOw business, and go to work, came
down 10 tell ye, and now you won't see
me on the Potomac again. I've bought
an AZ, and am going up in Canada to
winter"
There was dead silence for moment,
and then he said: 5.''- 9
o"Weil, BOYS. I'll shake hands with ye
al around afOre go. Good-by. Pete
roodlby lack -Tom-Jim. l hope you