The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-30
Ceath of a Little Girl in a Bar
Room.

"a tnere sadder sight than that oi
seeing a little child leading a great
strong man along the sidewalk, directing
ms steps? / often saw little girl
pass my room leading a great strong
mamie must he blind I thought. Sc
one day | asked the little girl, rs your
father bEndT' The poor little thing
looked down and said, NO ma ID he is
not well.p The man then stumbled,
and such ugly words came from him,
| knew at once what was the matter.
| Can't you come and see my mother p
the little girl said. | asked who she
was, and @ how badly felt For once
they had good home and plenty, now
they are living in a crowded tenement-
honse;no comforts, nothing to make home
attractive, an6 the poor mother working
with her two little boys in the factory,
while the father, who should have been
the bread Garner, was drunk; and his
little girl, the pride of his household,
leading him home from his drunken
caroasals What a sight Do not the
angels weep over the sight of fallen
mani Is there anything so low as that?
From day to day ! still saw this
dear little girl on her mission of
love, watching over her brutal ia
ther. She would go late at night
into these low grog-shops, where he was
surrounded by his companions IN drink,
aud beg him TO come home. At last the
cold days came, and the miserable home
was worse than ever, for no FIRE burned
o make them comfortable. All they
had was what these little hands could
pick up, for the poor, heart-brSken
mother could not provide for her chill
drsn the food and clothing they needed.
Aud go often IL it that those who are
able and willing to help the poor, will
not because they fear the father will get
1t and the children will not be benefited,
and the result is great suffering. This
poor, degraded man had taken all
he could from the horne and sold it for
drink. At last sickness came, and the
poor mother was no longer able to work ;
1t was then kind ladies came to their
assistance and nursed her back to health,
and supplied the necessities of her chill
dren. All through that cold bitter
winter their want. we're supplied !;
though scantily, through the kindness
Of few ladies but the father was still
the same, his little daughter going
through sleet and rain to bring him
nome.
One night she stood begging him to
come home; but no, he would not go.
The men were all drunk, and some one
said something which another denied.
soon there was great row, such as
drunken men alone can get up. They
oegan to fight; the frightened child
cried to get her father away; failing in
this, she tried to hide from them. One
man threw large bottle; it struck the
poor little child on her head and she
iell as one dead. The police came in
and arrested the men. When one of
Uhen saw the little girl and took her in
MS arms, the sight of her blood-stained
ace and apparent lifeless form soon
obered her father. She was taken
home, and all was done for her that a
loving mother could do; but the angel
Of death had come and waited her spirit
10 its home of rest, where she would no
more feel the cold and hunger. The
bottle had struck her temple, and
her life-blood flowed slowly out while
she was trying to save her father.
His companion in sin, maddened by
drink, struck the blow that robbed him
Of his child that loved him so well, and
watched over him as guardian angel in
her innocence. Who can tell the pain
her mother felt-a heart already to burst
from a drunken husbands acts; and
now the child, the only comfort she had,
taken home to live with the pure in
heaven, while the father with his com
panions, are in prison to await their
trial before the courts for their wicked
ness
Who can look on and see all of this
and not take warningf 1t has been, and
will continue to be, till this death-deal-
ing traffic is driven from the land. How
much longer, 0 Father! how long will
we have to wait? The history of this
little girl is repeated every day; prisons
are filed with men like these, and still
men, calling themselves honorable, will
do all they can to keep this misery in the
land. The wall of the homeless, tears
of broken hearted woman, starving
children, all crying for protection, has
no effect Beware, we men in power, that
YOU do not live to curse the day when
YOU gave your vote against prohibition
temperance Adrocate, atlanta, GA.