Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-17


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 ont what had happened.
They hadn't heard that there was a warrant
out for him, had never known Of his being
sick for day, and his absence from the old
haunts puzzled them. They were in the
llole-in-the-Wall saloon the other morning,
nearly dozen Of them, drinking smoking
and playing cards, when in walked Ugly
Sam.
there was deep silence for few mo-
ments as they looked at him. Sam had a
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
that it was Ugly Sam they uttered a shout
and leaped up.
Cave in that hat :" cried one.
"Yank that collar off !" shouted another.
Lets roll him on the floor ." screamed a
third
There was something in his look and bear
| ing which made them hesitate. The whis-
key-red had almost faded from his face, and
he looked sober and dignifed. His features
expressed disgust and contempt 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.
"Why, what ails We, Sam 2" inquired Tall
Chicago, as they all stood there.
ave come down 10 bid YOU good-by.
boys" he replied, removing his hat and
drawinga clean handkerchief from his pocket.
What lIey we turned preacher r. they
shouted in chorus
- Rove "a Lroxp / oaV Ntgt a.,t- tt,. q ~,
but haint on the fight any more, and I've
put down the last drop Of Whiskey which IS
ever to 60 into my mouth I've switched off.
| I've taken an oath. I'm going 10 be decent 90
| Sam, be you crazy 2" asked Port Huron
| Bill, coming nearer TO him.
Awe come down here to tell We all about
| it, answered sam. "Move the chars back
a little and give me room. We all know I've
been rough. and more too. I've been a
| drinker, fighter, q gambler, and loafer
| cant look back and remember when I've
earned an honest dollar The police hez
| chased me around like a wolf, and I've been
in jail and the workhouse, and the papers
has said that Ugly Sam was the terror of the
| Potomac. le all know this, boys, but We
didn't know had an old mother"
The faces Of the crowd expressed amaze
ment
never mentioned it to any Of We, for
was neglecting her" he went On. She was
a poor old woman, living up here in the al
ley, and if the neighbors hadn't helped her
to fuel and food, she'd have been found dead
long ago | never helped her to a cent
didn't see her for weeks and weeks, and !
used to feel mean about it. When fellow
goes back ON his old mother he's a-gittin'
purity low, and know it. Well, shes dead
buried 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 anything 2" asked one Of
the boys, as Sam hesitated.
That's what ails me now" he went on.
"When ! went in she reached out her hand
to me, and, says she Samuel I'm going
10 die, and know'd you'd want 10 see me
afore | passed away | sat down, feeling
| queer-like She didn't go on and say as how
! was loafer, and had neglected her, and
all that, but saws she; Samuel, you1l be
all alone when I'm gone. I've tried to be a
| good mother TO you, and have prayed for you
hundred O. nights, and cried about you until
my old heart was sore = Some of the neigh
bors had dropped in and the women were
crylGS and tell you felt weak !"
lie paused for moment, and then con
| tinued
"And the old woman said she'd like to
kiss me afore death came, and that broke me
right down. She kept hold of my hand, and
by-and-bye she whispered; Samuel you
are throwing your life away You've got it
in you to be a man, if you'll only make up
your mind. hate to die and feel that my
only son and the last Of our family may go
to the gallows. If had your promise that
you'd turn over new leaf, and try and be
good, it seems as if I'd die easier. Won't
you promise me, my son 2 Aud promised
her, boys, and that's what ails me She
died holding my hand, and promised TO
quit the low business, and to 60 to work.
came down to tell We, and now, you won't see
me on the Potomac again. I've bought an
ak, and am going up in Canada TO winter
There was dead silence for a moment,
and then he said
"Well, boys, I'll shake hands with We all
around afore | go. Good-by, Pete-good-by
Jack-Tom-Jim | hope We won't fling
any bricks at me- and shan't never fling at
any of ye. It's dying promise We see, and
III keep 1t If it takes a right armP'
The men looked refiectively at each other
after he had passed out, and it was long
time before any one spoke. Then Tall
Chicago flung his clay pipe into corner,
and said
IN lick the man who says Ugly Sans
head isn't level"
SOIL 1 I" repeated the others.-Detroit
Free Press.