The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-19
Angel in a Saloon.

One afternoon in the month of June,
1850, lady in mourning, followed by
child, entered one of the fashionable
saloons in the city of N. The writer
happened to be passing at the time, and
impelled by curiosity, followed her in TO
see what would ensue. Stepping upto
the bar, and addressing the proprietor,
who happened to be present, she said;
"Sir, can you assist me? have no
home, no friends, and am not able to
work?''
He glanced at her ard then at the
child, with a mingled look of curiosity
and pity. Evidently he was much sur
prised to see a woman in such place
begging; but without asking any ques-
tions, gave her some change, and turning
to those present, he said;
Gentlemen, here is a lady in distress;
can any Of you help her little?"
They eheerfully aceeded to the request,
and soon a purse of two dollars was
made up and put into her hands.
Madam" said the gentleman who
gave her the money, why do you come
to a saloon? 1t isn't proper place for a
lady, and why are you driven to such
step?"
''Sir, know it is not a proper place
for me to be in, aud you ask me why l
am driven to such a place. will tell
YOU in one short word pointing to a
bottle behind the counter labelled
shat is what brought me here-whisky." "
Il was once happy and surrounded
with all the luxuries which wealth could
procure. and with fond and indulgent
| husband. But in an evil hour he was
tempted, and not possessing the will to
| resist the temptation, fell, and in one
short year my dream of happiness wa:
over. nv home forever desolated, and
/ the kind husband and wealth which
some called mine lost, never to return
and by the accursed wine cup.
ssYou see before you only a wreck oi
/ my former self, homeless and friendiess
aud nothing left me in this world bu
this little child Weeping bitterly sh'
affectionately caressed the golden curl
that shaded face of exquisite loveliness
Recaining her eOmposure and turning
to the proprietor of the saloon, she con
tinued:
@Sir. the reason / occasionally enter
place like this is 10 implOre those VIII
deal IN AuC NC4Nta FttcoA " ACctSt, =
stop business that spreads desolatior
ruin, poverty, and starvation. Thin
one moment of your loved ones, an
! then imagine them in the condition
am in. l appeal to your heart, for
! know YOU possess kind one, to retiT
from a business 50 ruinous to you
patrons.
Did YOU know tha. the money yo
take across he bar Is the same as takin
the bread ont Of the mouths of Ii
famishing wives and children of yOJ
customers? That it strips the cloth'
; from the backs, deprives them of a
! the comforts Of this life, and throS
+ unhappiness, misery, crime and desol
!. ton into their once happy homes 0 81
!. / impl0re, beseech, and pray you to +
\ tire from a business which viii mai
!. You hesitate to own you are engaged
|. before your fellow-men. and enter OF
: that will not only be profitable to yC
0 bat to your fellow creatures also. II
I will excuse me if / have spoken 4
!. plainlv. but assure you that l eou
= MOI help it, when thought Of 4
9 misery, suffering, and unhappiness il h
e caused me-
+ MADAM, / am not offended,
answered in voice husky with emotlo