Smyrna times., 1875-02-10
Ugly Sam and why he Reformed.

fer 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
day, and his absence from the old haunts puz
zled them. They were in the Hole-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 moments
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 shout and leaped up.
''Cave in that hat - cried one.
'Yank that collar off! shouted another
Lets roll him on the Aoor!'' screamed
third.
There was something in his look and bear
ing which made them hesitate. The whisky
red had almost faded from his face, and he
looked sober and dgnifed. His features ex-
pressed 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 hun.
why, what ails ye, Sam?" inquired Tall
Chicago, as they all stood there.
I've come down to bid you good by, boys -
he replied, removing his hat and drawing a
clean handkerchief from his pocket.
"What! Hev ye turned prsacher?' they
shouted in chorus.
Boys, ye know | can lick any two of ye, but
| hain't on the fight any more, aud I've put
down the last drop of whisky which is ever to
go into my mouth I've switched off I've
taken an oath. I'm gOin to be decent ~
Sam, be you crazy?' asked Port Huron
Bill, coming nearer to him.
Et ooma down hara N fall oil ahouk II -
answered Sam. Move the cha RS back little
and give me room. Ys all know I've been
rough, and more too. I've been a drnksr, a
fighter, gambler, aud lOaier. | cant look
back and remember when We earned an homes
dollar. The police hez chased me around like
a wolf, and [ We been in jail and the wOrkhouse
and the papers has said that Ugly Sam wa
the terror of the Potomac. Ye all know
this, BOYS, but ye didn't know | had an ole
mother"
The faces of the crowd expressed amaze
ment.
81 never mentioned it to any of ye, for
was neglecting her, he went oD. "She was
poor old woman, living up here in the alley
and if the neighbOrs hadn't helped her to fut
;; and food, she'd have been found dead on
ago | never helped her to a cent-didn't Sc
7 her for weeks aud weeks, aud | used to fec
mean about it. When fellow goes back o
; his old mother he gittin purity low, and
know it. Well, she $ dead-buried yesterday
: was up there afors she died. She sent fu
me by Pete, and when | got there l seen
5 was all day with her"
did she say anything?" asked one of tn
: boys, as Sam hesitated.
z That's what ails me row." be went OF
u "When | went in she reached out her hand t
t me, and, says she Samuel, I'm going to di,
y and | know'd you'd want to see me afore
u passed away! ! sat dowa, feeling queer-lik
She didn't go on and say as how was loafs
e and had neglected her, and all that, but say
II she: Samuel, you'll be all alone when Ii
r gone. I've tried to be good mother to yo1
Is and have prayed for you hundred o night
9 and cried about you until my old heart W;
% sore ! Some Of the neighbOr had dropped i
;, and the women were crying, and l tell you
e felt weak -
He paused for a moment, and then co
F; tinued:
10 And the old woman said she'd like to XII
20 me atOre death came, and that broke me rig
down. She kept hold of my hand, and by-ai
le bye she whispered Samuel, you are thrn
ct ing your life away. You've got it in you to
'e a man, if you III only make up your mind.
le hate to die aud feel that my only son and Il
~ last of our family may go to the gallows.
Ok l had your promise that you d turn over ne
le leaf, aud try aud be good, it seems as if I'd
easier Won't you promise me, nay son
1e And promised her, boys, aud that's what a
lie me She died holding my hand, and prol
er ised to quit the low business, and to 20
work. l came down to tell ye, and now, y
- won't see me on the Potomac again. L
Of bought an &x, and ann going up in Canada
~ winter"
~ There was dead silence for moment, a
- then he said
10 well, boys, I'll shake hands with ye
vs around atOre | go. ,Goodby, Pete-.good-
n Jaek--Tom--Jim. hope ys won't fling a
II II bricks at me, aud shan't never fling at a
~ - of ys. It's dying promise, ys see, and
hA h keep it if it takes right arm II
Nc Nc The men looked rsfectivaly at each otl
y. n after he had passed out, and it was long til
W before any one spoke. Then Tall Chica
an an flung his clay pipe into corner, and said:
4 ''I'll lick the man who says Ugly San
III haed ism levsll"
# Soil I' repeated the Othcrs.-Detr
-. - Free Press.
,ro A LOVE ADVENTURE.-A colored m
he living in Maeomb street having long ADMIRE,