Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-09-27
An Angel In n Saloon.

iN0ANH hll W AlAN hAA AANl t0'iAk
the proprietor, who happened TO be present,
she said
Sir, can you assist me have no
home, no friends, and am unable TO work"
lie glanced at her, and then at the child,
with a mingled look Of curiosity and pity.
Evidently he was somewhat surprised 10 see
a woman in such a place begging but, with
out asking any questions, gave her some
change then turning to those present, he
said
Gentlemen, here is a lady in distress.
Can't some Of you assist her little 2" They
all cheerfully acceded 10 this request, and
soon purse OF two dollars was raised and
put into her hand.
Madam" said the gentleman who gave
her the money "Why do you come to a
saloon 2 II isn't a very proper place for
a lady and why are you driven to such a
step Z"
Sir know it isn't a proper place for me
TO be in, and you ask why am driven TO
such a step. | will tell you in one short
word" pointing 10 a bottle behind the bar
labelled "Whiskey,' " that is what has
driven rue 70 whiskey. | was once
happy and surrounded by all the luxuries
that wealth could procure, with fond and
indulgent husband. But in an evil hour be
was tempted, and not possessing the viii 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 return; and all by
the accursed wine-cup.
You see before you only a wreck Of my
former self, homeless and friendless, with
nothing left me in this world but this little
child" And weeping bitterly, she attec-
tonately caressed the golden curls that
shaded q face of exquisite loyeliness. Re
gaining her composure, and turning to the
proprietor, she continued
Sir the reason ! occasionally enter a
place ike this, is to impore those who deal
ia the deadly poison 10 desist, TO stopa busi-
ness that spreads desolation, ruin. poverty
and starvation. Think one moment of your
own loved ones and then imagine them in
the situation am in. | appeal TO your bet
ter nature; | appeal 20 your heart, for |
know you possess kind one, to retire from
business so ruinous TO your patrons.
Did you know that the money you re-
ceive across this bar is the same as taking
the bread from out Of the mouths Of the
famished wives and children Of your Gus
toners That it strips the clothes from
their backs, deprives them Of all the com
forts OF life, and throws unhappiness, misery,
crime and desolation into their once happy
homes Oh sir | implore, beseech, and
pray YOU to retire from business YOU blush
10 own you are engaged in before your fel-
low-men, aud enter one that will not only be
profitable to yourself, but TO your fellow
creatures also. You will excuse me if !
have spoken too plainly, but | could not
help it when ! thought Of the misery and
unhappiness it has caused me-"
Madam, am not offended, he answered
in voice trelnuous with emotion, "but
thank you from my heart for what you have
said"
Mamma" said the child-who in the
meantime had been spoken TO by some of the
gentlemen present-taking hold Of her
mothers hand, "these gentlemen wish me
30 sing Little Bessie for them. Shall
do so =
Yes, darling, if they wish you to-"
They all joined in the request, and plac-
ing her in a chair, she sang in sweet
childish voice, the following beautiful song
9p,in the so.9,@y pisai sadly ,l,,, roam,
SO one caras ior me, uo one would ciN
nibc lamp ground must lay my head
Fathers drunkaid, and mother Is dead
We we're 80 happy TN father drank rum.
Ihen al our sorrow Hnd trouble btgun,
Mother grew pale and wept every day-
Nabl aud were Too hungry to play
Slowly they faded. till one summer night
Found iheir dead faces all silent and vhuei
Then with Dig tears slowly dropping. said,
faihers druukaId, and mother is dead
oiifthe temperance men woad only aud
Poor vrrtcirl father, and taik very kindi
w they Nuulu stop him from NliUhuAt WY iNfN
should be- 40 very happy again
j. ti Too late, temperance mem Please try
Qgr pooT liis bessie @ must soon ssiye ~, I, aaa 97'
Fathers drunkard, and mother Is deadl
The games Of billiards were left unfinished
the cards were thrown aside upon the coun
ter; all had pressed near, some with curiosity
some with sadness and some with pity beam
ing from their eyes, entranced with the mu
steal voice and beauty of the child, who
seemed TO be better fitted to be with angel
above than in such place.
At the close Of the song, many were weep
| ing; men who had not shed tear for year
now wept like children. One young man
who had resisted with scorn the pleadlngs o
| a loving mother and the entreaties OF friend
/ 10 strive 10 lead better life, TO desist from
/ course that was wasting his fortune an'
running his health, now approached tn
1 child, and taking both her hands in his
while tears streamed down his pale cheeks
exclaimed with deep emotion
God bless you, my little angel io'
/ have saved me from ruin and disgrace, iron
poverty and a drunkards grave. If ther
ever were angels on earth, you are one. Go
bless you, God bless you " And putting
bill in the hand of the mother, said Pleas
accept this trifle as token OF my regard an
esteem, for your little girl has done me
kindness no wealth can ever repay. An
remember, whenever you are IN want yo
will find me a true friend at the SAM
time giving her his name and address.
Taking the child by the hand, she turne
to 90, but pausing at the door, said
@God bless you, gentlemen Accept tn
heartfelt thanks of poor, friendless woma
for the kindness and courtesy you hay
shown her." Before any could reply, sh
was gone.
silence of several minutes ensued whic
was at last broken by the proprietor VIII
exclaimed
"Gentlemen, that lady is right and
have sold my last glass OF whlskeyi II an
of you want more, you'll have to SO els
where"
g And | have drunk my last glass
! whlskey, sald young Hlah VINO ha" ion
been given up as utterly beyond the reach
those who had deep interest in his welfare
that he had sunk too low to reform.
"There is a temperance organization
this city, and at their next meeting ! sha
send up my name to be admitted. Who WI
90 with me 2" =,
"I-I-I-I and l" several exclaimed
chorus, and fifteen names were added TO III
True to his word, the owner of the saJoC
, where the strange scene was enacted dl
posed of his entire stock the next day, al
Is now engaged in an honorable business
, Would to heaven that lady and her ltt
one could have gone into every hamlet, tow
and city throughout our country and III
with like results
s "TnE sound of your hammer, says Fran
b lin, at five in the morning, or nine at nigl
heard by creditor, makes him easy 5
months longer; but if he sees you at
!, lard table, or hears your voice at tayeI
j when YOU should be at work, he sends I
& his money the next day"
An old Scythian philosopher used to 81
that "the best method of teaching a you
sobriety is to set before .his eyes drunk,