Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-03-13

before You only thowrc Of my form
er self, homeless and friendless, with
nothing left mo in this world but this
little child y and weeping bitterly, she
atlectionately caressed the golden curl'
that shaded face of cxquisit lowell
ness. Regaining her rcposure, and
turning TO the proprietor of the saloon
she continued = taU
"Sir, the reason Why occasionally
enter place like this is to implore
those who deal in this deadly poison
to dcsist, to stopa business that spreads
desolation, ruin, poverty and starva.
ton. Think one moment of your owr
loved ones, and then imagine them in
the situation | am in lappeal TO youi
better nature, / appeal 10 your heart
for.l know you pos ess a kind one, tc
retire from busi - 70 ruinous "a
yonr patrons. T'f r
"Do You know the money yoa take
across the bar is the same as taking
the bread out of the mouth Of the fam,
ishingi Thatitstrips the clothing from
their backs, deprives them all Of the
comforts of this lie, and throws unhap-
piness, misery, crime and desolation
into their once happy homesg o sir
implore, .beseech and pray you to re,
tire from business You blush TO own
you are engaged in before your fellow
men, and enter one that will not only
be profitable to yourself, but 10 your
fellow-creatures also. You viii excuse
me il have spoken too plainly, but
could not help il when thought Of the
misery, theunhappiness and suffering II
has caused me- tl
l"Madam, am not offended" no an
swered, in voice husky with emotion
"but | thank you from the bottom OF
my heart for what you have said.'
Mamma said the little girl who
mean time, had been spoken to by some
Of the gentlemen present--taking hold
Of her mothers hand, these gentlemen
want me to sing Little Bessie ioi
them. Shall do so?r
They oil joined in the request, and
placing her in the chair, she sung, in
a sweet, childish voice, the following
beautiful song
Ont in the gloomy nigh, sadly roam
/ have 10 mother dear, no pleasant home
No one cares for me. no one would cry
Even II poor little Bessie should die.
Wears On tired I've been wandering all day
Asking ior work, but I'm too small. they ray
On tho damp groud must nov lay my head
Fathers drunkard, and mother u dead.
We we're 50 happy ill father drank rum,
Then all our sorrow and trouble begun
Mother grew pale, and wept every day
liaby and were too hungry 10 play.
hhsly they faded, III one summer night
Found their dead iacea all silent and white
Then with big tears slowly drupping, said.
"Faihers dIunhard and mVtacr ir dead"
Oh II the temperance men could only lnd
Poor, wreiehcd iaihsr, and talk very kind
Ifthey would stop him from drinking then
should be very happy again.
IL II too late, temperance men! Please try,
Or poor iittle Bessie must soon starye and die
an the day long I've been begging for bread
Fathers drunkard, and mother Is dead
The game Of billiards. was left unfin
ished, the cards thrown aside, and the
uncmptied glass remained on the coun
ter; all bad pressed near, some will
piiy-beaming eyes, entranced with the
. musical voice and beauty Of tho child
who seemed better fitted TO be with
angels above than in such n place.
The sceno | shall never forget to my
dying day, and the sweet cadence o
her musical voice still rings in my ears
and from her lips sunk deep into thu
hearts Of those gathered around her.
With her golden hair falling care
lessly around her shoulders, and look
ing so trustipgly and confdingly upoi
the gontclmcn around her, the beauti
ful eyes illuminated with - light tha
seemed not Of this earth, sho formed {
picture Of purityand innocence worthy
the genius Of poet or painter.
AT the cloae Of tho song many Were
weeping men who had not shed |
tear for years wept like children. On,
young man who had resisted Will
scorn the pleadmgs OF loving mother
and entreaties of friends TO strive ans
lead better life, to desist from n courT'
that was wasting his fortune and rnin
ing his health, aow approached th'
child, and taking both hands in his
while tears strcamcd down his cheeks
exclaimed, in deep emotion ~
"God bless you, my little angel. Yol
have saved me from ruin and disgrace
from poverty and o drunkard's grave
lf there are angels on earth, you arr
one God bless you'll God bless you 7
and putting q note into the hand ofth'
mother, said r.
please accept this triic as tokcr
Of my regard aud esteem, for your lit
Tic girl has done me kindness ! cal
never repay and remember, whenevo
you are in want, you will find mo
true friend = at the same tlmc giyinl
her bis name and address
Taking her child by the hand eh
turned 70 20, but, pausing at the door
said :--H W
"God bicss you, gentlcmenl Acccp
the heartfelt thanks of n poor, friend
less woman for the kindness and cour
tcsy you have shown her" Bcfor
any one could reply she was gone.
A silence Of several minutes ensued
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