The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-03-26
HOW AUNT MARTHA" PRAYED
SIhi OUT.
A TouchinS Scene in a Detroit Saloon
-Whic fAay Have Happened and
F."ru the Detroit Free Pres.

NutGg WI 1873 2 49, " ~-hfg w.
Fl"sll The Detroit Free Press
You've met her if you've Hved long ia
Detroit. A withered up old woman,
bow backed, gray-haired, having IA cane
il, one hand and carrying a basket Of
notions in the other. All who know her
know her as AUNT Martha, and she has
Travelled up and down and been at The
depot 50 often that her death would be
the general remark
The old woman found ID new saloon on
franklin street the other day-a place
Just OPENED 10y wicked Bob Smith, whose
red face and bIoodshot eyes have more
than once been set in frame Of prison
bars. Aunt Martha went in, looping
TO make "A small sale Bob was wiping
his glasses, and half a dozen men sat
around the stove holding glasses or
smoking cigars.
Get out" growIed Bob as the old
woman entered. She did not hear him,
and leaning over the counter she asked Z:
Would We have paper of pins-a
cake Of soap-a comb, or something"
"Get out. you old beggar!" shouted
Bob, raising his arm as if he would
strike.
"I'm no beggar, and don't you dare to
strike me, - replied "Aunt Martha, nev-
e. moving an inch.
why, what's to keep me from wiring
ing your old neck if | want Z" inquired
Bob.
The Lord, sir" she answered.
''Ho! no! hor' laughed Bob. "There,
take that!'
And he deluged her with rinsiDgs. The
filthy liquid struck her in the face and
ran down over her faded black shawl
and oftwashed calico dress, but she did
not move Looking ut him across the
counter she whispered:
You need praying for, and I'm going
to do it now and here!"
mo you don't!' he shouted, as she
moved toward a chair; ''get out of here
or I'll smash your head with this bottle!''
She never minded him, and he raised
the bottle for throw, when a sailor
rough, dissipated, but having some man
hood left-leaped up and cried out:
Bob Smith, if you throw that bottle
at her I'll stave in your bulwarks in a
precious minute."
'You will, will you!" whoOped Bob,
as he danced ont.
eyes, he will" erie / the rest, all rising
up.
They were too many for Bob, and he
had to stand there while Aunt Martha
knelt at a chair and prayed for him.
She was still praying when he dashed
out to kick her, but Foxy Bill, )" who
came out of the state prison only montl
ago, grappled him by the throat, forced
him into a chair, and hissed:
bob Smith, if ye harm hair of thai
old woman's head I'll make a funera
herein
"Aunt Martha" knelt again, folded hel
hands aud said:
''These young men were children moi
long ago, and they had praying mother:
and God-fearing fathers. They are walk
ing in wicked paths, and their hearts
know no good. l pray that their eyes
may be opened to their wickedness, and
that their feet may be turned into Othel
and better paths."
shes right called out steamboa
man as the old woman paused.
"Shoot me if she hain't!'' cried another
Go ahead, mother!' shouted a third
''I'll be --- if she doesl" yelled tn,
infuriated Bob. and he reached over anC
gave her heavy kick before any on'
could Interfere.
She screamed with pain as she ros,
up, and then there came a terrib lie 81
lence. Bob stood with his arm raised tC
strike.
"Aunt Martha" leaned on the chair
| tears rolling down her wrinkled cheeks
and the half dozen men were spell-bounC
with Indignation. Foxy Bill' broli,
the silence by saying:
''Step out doors, mother, and look on
for splinters,"
She obeyed, and Bob Smith was chokeC
and pounded until his senses left him
and everything that could be handled
was thrown out of doors. They WORKED
swiftly, fearing the police, and in flv'
minutes the saloon was a wreck, and it
proprietor, unconscious, was lying be
hind the counter Their work finished
the men disappeared like shadows, am
"Aurt Martha" hobbled away, whisper
ing:
IL prayed too hard, but it was in III
to pray"