Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-12-11
TEMPERANCE.


June. 1870, a lady in deep mourning,
followed by little child, entered
! one OF The fashionable saloons in the
city of N. The writer happened
to be passing at the time. aud
prompted by curiosity, followed in
To see the issue Stepping mp TO the
bar ani addressing the proprietor,
she said, ISL, can you assist me ? |
have no home, no friends, and am
not able to work.
He glanced at her and then at the
child, with mingled look of cnrios
ity and pity Evidently be was
much surprised to see woman in
such a place begging but without
asking any questions he gave her
some change, and, turning TO those
present, SAID. Gentlemen, here is a
lady in distress Can't some of you
helm her little?'
They cheerfuily accede to the re
/ quest, and soon purse Of two dol
lars was made up and put in her
hands. Madam, said the gentleman
who gave her the money, 'Why do
you come to saloon? II is not a
proper place for lady; and Why
are you driven to such a step !?
Sir said the lady, 4 know it isn't
a proper place for lady to be in +;
and you ask me why l am driven to
such step / will tell you in one
short word Pointing to a bottle
behind the counter labelled 'whiskey'
ste continued, That is what brought
me here-whiskey. was once hap
ply, and surrounded with all the lux.
uries wealth could produce, with a
fond, indulgent husband. But in an
evil hour he was tempted, and, not
possessing the will to resist the temp
tation, fell and in one short year
my dream of happiness was over.
My home was forever desolate, and
The kind husband and the wealth
that some called mine were lost
lost never to return,-all by the &C.
cursed wine cup. You see before
you only the wreck of my former
self, homeless and friendless, with
nothing left me but this child And
weeping bitterly, she affectionately
caressed tho golden curls that shad-
ed face OF exquisite loneliness Re
gaming her composure and tn ing
to the proprietor of the saloon she
ontinued Sir, the reason Way |
occasion ally enter place like this is
to to implore those who deal in this
! deadly poison to desist, to stop a
business that spreads desolation, ruin,
poverty, and starvation. Think one
moment of your loved ones, and then
imagine them in the situation / am
in | appeal to your better heart
for know you possess kind one
to retire from business so ruinous
to you patrons Do you know the
money you take across the bar is the
same as taking the bread out of the
mouths OF the famishing p-that it
strips the clothing from their backs
ieprives them of all the comforts OF
this life, and throws unhappiuess,
misery, CRIME, and deso'at,o into
their once happy homes ? On, SIR.
implore, beseech, and pray you TO
retire 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
To your fellow creatures also. You
will excuse me il | have spoken too
plainly +; but | could not help it when
| thought of the misery, unhappiness,
and suff, ring it has caused me-
MADAM, | am not offended he
answered in voice husky with emo
ton but | thank you from the
bottom of nv heart for what You
have SAID Mamma, SAID the little
glrl,-who 10 the meantime had been
spoken to by some of the gentlemen
present, and taking hold of her moth
er's and,-these gentlemen want
me to sing Lutte Bessie for them
Shall do SO p They all joined in
the rebuest and, being placed in a
chair, sung in sweet, childish voice
the following beautiful song
| Ont Ia the gloomy night sadly roam
| l have mother dear, no pleasant home
| No one cares for me--na enc would cry
Even IL poor Bessie SHOULD die.
| Weary and tired have been wandering sit day
On the damp ground | must nov lay my hesd.
Fathers dru1ksrd and mother Is dead.
The game of billiards was left IN
finished, the cards were thrown
aside, and the unemptied glasses re-
manned on the counter. All had
pressed near, some with pity beam
ing eyes, entranced with the musical
voice and beauty of the child, who
seemed better fitted to be with angels
above than in such place. The
scene / shall never forget to my dy
ing day and the sweet cadence OF
her musical voice still rings in my
ears, and the words of her lips sunk
deep into the hearts of those gath
cred around her.
With her golden hair falling care.
lessly around her shoulders, and look
ing SO trustingly and confidently up
on the gentlemen around her. the
beautiful face illuminated with the
light that seemed not of this earth,
she formed picture of purity and
innocence worthy the genius OF a
poet or painter.
At the close of the song many
wire weeping. Men who had not
she'd tear for years wept like chill
ireo. One young man-who had
resisted with scorn the pleading of a
loving mother and entreatles oil
friends TO strive 10 lead better life,
aud to desIst from a course that was
wasting bis fortune and running It's
nealth,-approached the child, and
taking both her hands in his.
while tears stream. d down bis
cheeks, exclaimed in deep emotion
God bless you. my little angel You
have saved me from ruin and dis
grace, from poverty aud drunk
ards grave. II there are angels on
earth you are one = Aud putting a
note into her mothers hand, he said,
Please accept this trlfie as token
of my regard and esteem (; for your
little girl has done me a kindess
can never repay. And remember
when you are in want you will find
me true frieud'-at the same time
giving her his name and address.