The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-01-20
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ISCELLANY
WHAT AILED q UGLY SAM

| lie had been missing from the "Potomac -
for several days, and Cleveland 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
hadn't heard that there was a warrant out for
him, had never known Of his being sick for a
day, and his absence from the old haunts
puzzled them. They were in the Hole-in-the
Wall saloon yesterday morning, nearly a
dozen of them, drinking, smoking, and play
ing cards, when in walked Ugly Sam.
There was deep silence for a moment as
they looked a, him. Sam had a new hat, had
been shaved clean, had on a clean collar and a
white shirt, and they didn't know him at
first Mhen ileu that. sss-.up..
:" Cave in that hat ;" cried one.
Yank that collar off - shouted another
Lets roll him ON the floor {" screamed
third.
There was something in his look and bear
ing which made them hesitate The whiskey-
red had almost faded from his face, aud he
looked sober and digniiied. His features ex-
pressed disgust and contempt as he looked
around the room, AMI then revealed pity as
his eyes fell upon the red eyes and boated
faces OF the crowd before him.
why, what ails yc, Sam?" inquired Tall
Chicago, as they all stood there.
..i've come down to bid you goodbye,
boys" he replied, removing his hat and draw
ing "a clean handkerchief from his pocket.
What have ye turned preachcr?" they
shouted in chorus
ssBoys, you know can lick any two of ye ;
but han't on the fight any more, and I've
put down the last drop Of whiskey which is
ever to go into my mouth +! I've switched off.
1 I've taken an oath I'm going to be decent
"Sam, be you crazy?" asked Port Huron
Bill, coming near to him.
"I've come down here to tell you all about
it, answered Sam. sAIove the chairs back
a little and give me room. Ye all know I've
been rough, and more too. I've been a
drinker, fighter, a gambler, and a loafer |
can't look back and remember when I've
earned an honest dollar. The police hez
chased me around like wolf, and I've been in
iail and the work honse, and the papers has
said that Ugly Sam was the terror OF the
Potomac. Ye all know this, boys, but We
didn't know that had All old mother"
The faces of the crowd expressed amaze
ment.
Il never mentioned it to any of ye, for
was neglectng her. he went on. "She was
poor old body living up here in the alley,
and. if the neighbors hadn't helped her tt
fuel ID food, she'd have 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 feel
goes back on his old mother, he's gettin purity
low. and know it. Well, she's dead, buriee
Yesterday. was up there afore she died
She sent for me by Pete, and when got there
seen it was all day with her.
did she say anythng?" asked one Of TIL,
boys, as Sam hesitated.
"Tbats What ails me now" he went on
:. When / went she reached out her band z
! me, and says she, Samuel, I'm going to die
and know d you'd want to see me afore
passed away!' | sat down, feeling quee
like. She didn't 60 on and say as how wa
5 loafer, and had neglected her, and all that
but says she, Samuel you II be all alone whel
! a,n gone. I've tried to be good mother Il
you, and have prayed for yon hundreds q
nights, an, cried about you till my old hear
was sore - Some o the neighbors had drop
! ped in, and the women were crying, and tel
you boys felt weak
. lie paused for a moment, and then contin.
ed
And the old woman said she'd like to kis
me afore death came. and that broke III
right down. She kept hold Of my hand, an
:: by and by she whispered Samuel, you "A
throwing your life away You've got it
I. you to be man il you'll only make up yot
mind hate TO die and feel that my only SC
and the last of our family may 60 to the ga