Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-03-20
A STORY THAT TOUCHES THE
HEART.
Ugly Sam and Why He RefOImed-A
Promise TO Dying Mother.
IFrom the Detroit Free Press


He had been missing from the ''Po-
tomac" 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 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 puzzled them.
They were in the Hole-in- the Wall
saloon the other morning, nearly a
dozen of them, drinking, smoking,
and playing cards, when in walked
Ugly Sam.
There was deep silence for a mo-
ment as they looked at him. Sam had
4 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 ut
tered shout and leaped up.
Gave in that hat p cried one.
"Yank that collar off, shouted
another.
Lets roll him on the foofl" scream
ed third.
There was something in his look and
bearing which made them hesitate.
The whiskey-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 ais We, 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 We turned preacher?"
they shouted in chorus.
Boys, ye know [ can lick any two
OF We, but | hain't on the fight any
more, and I've put down the last drop
of whisky which is ever to go in my
mouth I've switched off. I've taken
an oath. In going to be decent"
Sam, be you crazy ?" asked Port HUI
ron Bill, coming nearer to him.
I've come down here to tell We all
about it, " answered Sam. Move the
chairs back a little and give me room.
He all know I've been rough, and more
too, I've been a drinker, fighter, a
gambler and a loafer. | can't look
back and remember when I've earned
an honest dollar. The police hez
chased me around like wolf, and I've
been in Jail and the workhouse, and
the papers has said that Ugly Sam was
the terror of the Potomac. Ye all
know this, boys, but We didn't know |
had an old mother"
The faces of the crowd expressed
amaZement.
Il never mentioned it to any of We,
for was neglecting her" he went on.
She was poor old woman, living up
here in the alley, 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 a
Teller goes back on his old mother he s
a gettin purity low, and | know it.
Well she's dead-buried yesterday
L 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?" 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 to die, and | know'd you d
want to see me afore | passed away?'
| sat down, feeling queerslike. She
didn t so on and say as how | was a
loafer, and had neglected her, and all
that, but says she: Samuel. you'll be
all alone when | am gone. I've tried
to be a good mother to you, and have
prayed for you hundreds O nights,
and cried about you till my old heart
was sore ! Some of the neighbOrs had
dropped in, and the women were cry
ing, and | tell you, boys, | felt weak -
lie paused for 4 moment, and then
continued:
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-by she whis-
pered: Samuel, you are throwing
your life away. You've gokit in you
to be a man if you'll only make up
Your mind. | hate to die and feel that
my on y son and the last of our family
may go to the gallows. If [ had your
promise that you'd turn over a new
leaf, and try and be good, it seems
that d die easier. Won't you prom
Use me, my son?' And | promised her,
boys, and that's what ails me. She
died holding my hand, and | promised
TO quit the low business, and go 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 a dead silence for n mo-
ment. and then he said:
We'll, boys, I'll shake hands with
ye all around afore | go. Good bye.
Pete-good- bye. Jack-Tom-Jim. |
hope We won't fling any bricks at me,
and | shan't fling at any of We. It's a
dying promise, we see, and I'll keep it
If it takes a right arm
The men look refectively at each
other after he had passed out, and it
was long time before any one spoke.
Then Tall Chicago flung away his clay
pipe into a corner, and said:
I'll lick the man who says Ugly
Sans head isn't level =
SOIL r. repeated the others.
Me- Merry Rardolnh Snottswood