South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-03-05
Al Eloquent Appeal.
Truth STRANGER THAN FICTION.

One afternoon in the month Of June,
1860, a lady in deep mourning, and fol-
lowed by chil5. entered one Of the
fashionable saloons in the city Of n.
The writer happened to be passing at
the time, and impelled by curiosity, fol-
loved Ter iii to see what would cn5uc.-
Stepping up 70 the bar and addressing
the proprietor, who happenedto be pres
cut, she said:
Sir, can you assist me- have no
home. no friends, and ain unable to
work"
lie glanced at her, and then at the
child, with q mingled look Of curiosity
and pity. Evidently he was somewhat
st1rprisc6ito see u -unlnani such 4 place
begging, but without asking any ques-
tions gave her some change, then turn
ing to those present, lie said:
"Gentlemen, here is q lady i'll distress.
Can't some you assist her q little?"-
They all cheerfully acceded to this re-
quest, and soon purse Of two dollars
was raised and put in hcr hand.
Madam" said the gentleman who
gave her the money, why do you come
into saloons? It isn't q proper place for
T. lady; and Why are you driven to such
step?"
Turning her mournful, yet expressive
eyes upon the speaker. with al EXPIRES
sion I shall never forget, she replied:
"Sir, know it isn't proper place for
inc to be in, and you ask me why l am
driven to this step. I will tell you in
one short word," pointing to 9 bottle be-
hind the bar, labeled "whislSey," that
is what has driven me TO this-Nms-
KEY"
Il was once happy. and surrounded
by all the luxurics that wealth could
procure. with fond and induigent hus-
band. But in an evil hour he was tempt
ed, and not possessing the will to resist
that temptation. fell, and in one short
year, my dream Of happiness was over,
my home forever broken and desolated
and the kind husband and the wealth
some called mine. lost, lost, never to re-
turn, and all by the accursed wine cup.
"You see before you only wreck Of
nv former self, homeless and fTiendless,
with nothing left me in this world but
this little child" and weeping bitterly,
she atfectionately caressed the golden
curls that shaded aface ofexquIsIte love
illness. Regaining her composurc, and
turning to the proprietor of the saloon.
she continued:
"Sir, the reasonI occasionally enter a
place like this is to inplorc these who
deal in the deadly poison, to desist; to
stop business that spreads de5olation,
ruin. poverty and starvation Think one
moment Of Your own loved ones and
then imagine them in the situation am
in. 1 appeal to yonT better nature, l
appealto your heart. for I know you pos
sess o kind one, to retire from q business
so ruinous to your patrons.
Did YOU know that the money you
receive across this bar IS the same as
taking the bread from out Of the mouths
of the famished wives and children Of
vour customers9 That it strips tie
Clothes from their backs, 9eDriycs them
of all the comforts Of life. and throws
unhappiness. misery, crime and desoia-
ton into their once happy home? Oh,
sir, / implo7e, beseech and pray you to
retire from 2 business You blush to o7n
you ere engaged in before Your fellow
men. and enter business that will not
only be profitable to yourself. but to your
felIow-creatures also. You will excuse
me if l have spoken too plainly, but !
could not help when l thought Of the mi
sery and unhappiness it has caused me-
MADAM. I am not offended" he an
swered, in voice tremulous with emo
ton. "but thank you from my heart fol
what you have said"
Mamma" said the child, taking hel
mothers hand, ''here's a gentleman who
wants me to sing Little Bessie for him
! Shall I do it?" .
| sYes, darling, if they wish you to- -
| They all joined in the request, and
placing her in a chair, she sang in