Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-06-26
An Angel in a Saloon.

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curiosity, followed her to SEQ what would
ensue. Stepping up to tho bar and I'D
dressing the proprietor, who happened te
be present, she said:
"Sir, can you assist me? I have nc
home, no friends, and am not able to work. y
lie glanced at her and then at the child
with mingled look of curiosity aud pity.
Evidently he was much surprised to sec q
woman in such place begging, but withou,
asking any questions, gave her some change
and turning to those present, said:
"Gentemen, here is lady in distress.
Cant some of you help her littlc?"
They all chccrfully ucccded to tho request
and put in her hand.
"Nladamo," said tho gentleman who
gave, her the money, "why do you come to
saIoonl 1t isn't proper place for a
lady, and why arc you driven to such q
step"
"Sir, [ know it isn't proper plaoo for
me to be in; and you ask why am driven
to suoh step. will tell you in one short
word," pointing to a bottle behind tho
counter labeled "whskcy;" "that is what
brought me whiskey"
81 was onco happy and surrounded by
all the luxuries that wealth could procure
with fond and indulgcnt husband. But
in Oh evil hour he was tempted, and not
possessing tho will to resist temptation, fell,
and in ono short year my dream of happi
ness was over, my home was forever desc
lated, and tho kind husband and the wealth
some called minc, lost, never to return, and
all by the acoursed wine cup.
"You sec before you only wreck of my
former self, homeless and friondless, and
with nothing left me in this world but this
little olild;' and weeping bitterly she af-
fectionatcly caresscd the golden curls that
shaded faco of exquisite loveliness. Rc-
gaining her composurc, aud turning to the
proprietor of the saloon, she continued:
"Sir, tho reason / occasionally enter q
plocc like this is to implore those who deal
in the deadly poison to dcsist, 10 stop
business that spreads desolation, ruin,
poverty and starvation. Think ono mos
mcnt of your own loved ones, and then
Imagine them in the situation 1 am iu
appeal to your better nature, I appeal to
your heart, for l know you possess kind
ono, to retire from business SO ruinous to
your patrons.
'Do you know that the money you
receive across this bar is the same as taking
bread from out of tho mouths OF famished
wives and children of your customers? that
il strips the clothes from their backs, dc.
prves them of all the comforts of life, and
throws unhappincss, misery, crime and
desolation into their once happy homes?
Oh, sir, implore, I bcsccch and pray you
to retire from business you blush to own
you are engaged in before your fellow men,
and enter ono that will not only be profta-
Bile to yourself, but to your fellow creatures
also. Yon will excuse me if have spoken
too plainly, but I could not hcp it when
thought Of tho misery and unhappincss it
has caused me-
"Madame, l am not offended" he an.
swercd, in a voice husky with emotion,
"but thank you from my very heart for
what you have said"
"Mamma," said the child, who, meantime
had been spoken to by some of the gentle
hand, "thesc gentlemen wish me to sing
Iittc Bessie for them. Shall I do so?"
eyes, darling, if you wish to-"
They all joined in the request, and plac-
ing her in chair, she sang in sweet,
childliko voice the following beautiful song:
"Out in tho gloomy night sadly roam,
l have no mother dear, no pleasant home;
No one cares for nc, no ono would cry,
Even if poor little Bessie should die.
Weary and tired, I've been wandering oil
Asking for work, but I'm too small they
On tho damp ground l must now lay my
Father is drunkard and mother is dead!
"Wc were SO happy till father drank rum,
Then all our sorrow and trouble begun;
Mother grow pale, and wcpt every day
Baby and l were too hungry to play;
Slowly they faded till one summer night
Found their doad faces all silent and white;
Then with big tears slowly dropping said,
Fathers drunkard and mother is dead!
ooh, if the temperance mon only could find
Poor wretchod father, and talk very kind;
If they would stop him from drinking then,
should be very happy again.
Is it too late, temperance men? Please try,
Or poor little Bessie must soon starve and
die;
All tho day long Two been begging for
bread,
Fathers drunkard and mother is doad''
Tho games of billiards were left unfinished,
and tho cards wcro thrown aside, and the
unemptiod glass remained on the counter;
all had pressed near, somo with curiosity;
somo with sadness, and somo wftR pity
beaming in their eyes, cntranced with the
musical voico and beauty Of the child who
seemed better fit to bo with angels above