The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1875-02-17
WHAT ALLIED !. UGLY SAM"

fiau UeeH ulisSifiR ifi1i Tie i.OtOHiac
for several days, and Cleveland Tom, Port
Huron Bill, Tall Chicago, and the rest Of
the boys who We're won. to get drunk with
him, couldn't make out what had hap
pened. They hadn't heard that there was
warrant out for him, had never known
Of his being sick for day, and his alb
sence from the old haunts puzzled them.
They were In the Hole. in~the- Wall saloon
yesterday morning. nearly dozen Of them,
drinking smoking, and playing cards,
when in walked Ugly SAM.
There was deep silence for a moment as
they looked at him. Sam had new hat
had been shaved clean, lad on clean
collar and white shirt, and they didn't
know him at first. When they saw that
1t was Ugly sam, they uttered a shout and
leaped up.
Cave In that hat = cried one.
'Yank that collar Off = shouted another
Let's roll him ON the floor y screamed a
third. ..
There was something in his look and
bearing which made them hesitate. The
whisky.red had almost faded from his
face, and he looked sober aad dignified.
His features expressed disgust and con-
tempt as he looked around the room, aud
then revealed pity as his eyes fell upon
the red eyes and bloated faces OF the crowd
before him.
why, what ails ye, Sam p inquired
Tall Chicago, as they all stood there.
I've come down to bid you good-by,
boys Y he replied, removing his hat and
drawing clean handkerchief from his
pocket.
What Hev ye turned. preacher?' they
shouted In chorus.
Boys, We know I can lick any two ye;
but I hain't on the fight, any more, and
I've put down the last drop Of whisky
which Is ever TO go into my mouth I've
switched oil. I've taken an oath. Pn
going 10 he Decent y a5 .....-
Sam, be you crazy?' asked Port Bur-
on Bill. coming nearer 10 him.
I've come down here to tell ye all n
bout IT, answered Sam. Move the
chairs back little and give me room. Ne
all know I've been rough. and more too
I've been drinker, fighter, q gambler,
and loafer. I can't look back aud re.
member when I've earned an honest dol
lar. The police hez chased me around
like wolf, and I've been In Jail and the
work house, and the papers has said that
Ugly Sam was the terror ofthe Potomac.
Ye all know this, boys, but ye didn't
know had an old mother,
The faces Of the crowd expressed amaze
ment.
Il never mentioned It to any Of ye, for
was neglecting her he went on. She
was poor old body living up here In the
alley, and II the neighbours hadn't helped
her 10 fuel and food, she'd have been dead
long ago. never helped her to cent
didn't see her for weeks and weeks. and
used to feel mean about L. When feller
goes back on his old mother, he's gittin
purity low, and know it. Well, she's
dead-buried yesterday was up there
afuIe she died. she sent for me by Pete,
aud when got there I seen it was all day
with her.
Did she say anything ! asked one OF
the boys, and sam besitatcd.
That's what ails me now, he went on.
when went she reached our her hand
10 me, and says she, samuel, I'm going d
die, aud know'd you'd want TO see me
afore I pass away y I sat dawn. feeling
queer TX. She didn't go ON and say a:
how was loafer, aud neglected. her
and all that, but says she, Samuel you'll
be all alone when I'm gone. I've tried "a
be good mother 10 you, and have prayed
for you hundreds o. night and cried about
you I'LL my old heart was sore! Some o
the neighbors had dropped In, and th'
woven were crying, and ! tell you boys
felt weak
He paused for a moment, and then con-
tinued
And the old woman said she'd like !,
kIss me afore death came. and that brok,
me right Adown. She kept hold ofm
hand, and By and BY she whispered !:
Samuel. you.are throwing your life away
You've got II In you TO be = man isycu'l
only make up your mind. hate 70 di'
and feel that my only son and the last 0
our family may 20 to the gallows. H.
had your promise that you'd turn over |
new leaf aud Try and be good Il seems ~ J
I'D die easier. Won't you promise me, m,
son ? And promised her, boys, an,
that's what alls mol She died holding m y
hand, and promised 70 quit this low busi
ness aud 20 to work. I came down TO tel
We, and now you won't see me on the Po
tomac again. I'vebought an AK and an
going up In Canada 10 winter
There was dead silence for moment
and then he said.
Wei, boys-t'll shake hands with y,
allaround afoe Igo. Good-by, Pete
good-by, Jack-Tom-Jlm. hope -
vso,,t fiiuv anv bricks nj me- and sltnu'