The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-01-28
Ugly Sam and Why He Reformed.

for several days, and Cleveland Tom. Po
Huron Bill, Tall Chicago, and the rest ,
the boys who were wont to get drunk wit
him couldn't make cut what had happened
They hadn't heard that there was a warrar
out for him, had never known of his bein
sick for day, and his absence from the oil
haunts puzzled them. They were in tn
llole-in-the-Wall saloon the other morning
nearly a dozen of them, drinking, smokin
and playing cards, when in walked Ugl
: Sam
There was a deep silence for moment a
they looked at him. Sam had new hat
had been shaved clean, and had on a cleai
collar and white shirt, and they didn'
know him at first. When they saw that i
was Ugly Sam they uttered shout an,
leaped up.
"Caye in that hat !" cried one.
"Gank that collar off," shouted another.
Lets roll him on the floor screamed {
third.
There was something in his look ant
bearing which made them hesitate. The
whlskey-red had almost faded from his face
and he looked sober and dignifcd. His
features expressed disgust and contempt as
he looked around the room, and then reveal
ed pity as bis eyes fell upon the red eyes
and bloated faces of the crowd before him.
"Why, what ails yc, samY, inquired
laIl Chicago, as they all stood there.
L.
boy" -" he replied, removing his hat and
drawing clean handkerchief from his pock-
ct.
what Hey you turned preacher ?" they
shouted in chorus.
Boys, ye know l can lick any two of We,
but hant ON the fight any more, and Pye
put down the last drop of whskcy which is
ever to so into my mouth have switched
OIL I've taken an oath. l am going to be
decent I"
sam, be you crazy? ?" asked Port Huron
Bill, coming nearer to him.
I've come down here to tell YOU all
about it," answered sam. "Moye the chairs
back little and give me room. Ye all
know I've been rough and more two. I've
been drinker, a fighter, a gambler and a
loater. can't look back and remember
when I've earned an honest dollar. The
polize hez chased me around like wolf,
and I've been in Jail and the workhouse,
and the papers has said THAI Ugly Sam was
the terror of the Potomac. Ye all know
this, boys, but ye didn't know had an old
mother"
The faces of the crowd expressed amaze
ment.
81 never mentioned it to any of ye, for 1
was neglecting her." he went on. "She was
poor old women, 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 I
used to feel mean about it. When fellow
goes back on his old mother, he's gettin
purity low, and know it. Well, she's dead
buried yesterday. | was up there afore
she died. She sent for me by Pete"
Did she say anything ?" asked one of the
boys us sam hesitated.
THAT. what ails me now" he went on
when | went in she reached out her hand
to me, and says she; samuel. Pm going
to die, and | kDOwed you d want to see me
atore passedaway. sat down queer like.
She didn't go on and say as how / was a
Ioater, and had neglected her, and all that,
but says she, Samuel, you'll be alone when
am gone. I've tried to be n good mother
to YOU, and have prayed for you hundreds
OF nights, and cried about you till my old
heart was Sore Some OF the neighbors had
dropped in, and the women were crying, and
| tell you, boys, l felt weak
lie paused for q moment, and then con-
tinued:
"And mother said she'd like to kiss me
aiorc death came, and that broke me right
down. Sine kept hold otm my hand, aud by
and by She whispered: Samuel, you are
throwing your life away. You've got it into
you to be 4 man, if you'll only make up
your mind. l hate to die and feel that my
only son, and the last Of our family, may 90
to the gallows. If had your promise that
you'd turn over new lea', and try to be
good it seems as if could then die in peace.
Won't you promise me, my son?
81 promised her, boys, and that's what
ails mel She died holding my hand, and
l made promise 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 Il moment,
and then he said
"We!I boys, I'll shake hands with ye all
around alore go, Good by Pete good by,
Jack-Tom-Jim, | hope you won't fling
any bricks at me, and | shan't never fling
any at any ofyc. Its a dying promise, ye
see, and I'll kccpit, iii takes 4 right arm :"
The men looked rcilectiyoly ut each other
after ne had passed out, and it WAS long
time before any one spoke. Then Tall Chi
cago flung his clay pipe into the corner and
said;
"lll lick any man who says Ugly Sans
head isn't level ~
SOL |, - repeated each of the Others.
The CmNAMAN's NoAH.-It is believed
that Fohi, the first King of China, is identi.
cal with Noah, The Chinese themselves