Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-08-08
ANGEL IN A SALOON.

same LlIlG, MlG hulNGAAIU Wy EUEAISAbFi
followed her in 10 zee what would en-
sue. Stepping up to the bar, and adj
dressing the proprietor, who happened
to be present, she said:
~Sir, can you assist me? l have no
friends, and am not able TO work."
he glanced at her and then at the
child, with a mingled look OF curiosity
and pity. Evidently he was much sur
prised TO see woman in such place
begging; but without asking any ques-
tiOns, gave her some change, and turn
ing to those present, he said:
AGentlemen, here is lady in dis
tress can any fyou help her hitler
They cheerfully acceded to the re-
quest, and soon 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 saloon? IL isn'ta proper place
for lady, and why are you driven TO
such step?"
Sir, L know it is not proper place
for me to be in, and you ask me why
/ am driven to such a place. will
tell you in one. short word"-pointing
to bottle behind the counter labelled
-@that is what brought me here
whisky"
Il was once happy and surrounded
with all the luxurles which wealth
could procure, and with fond and
indulgent husband. But in an evil
hour he was tempted, and not possess
ing the will to resist the temptation
TeSsand in one short year my dream
of happiness was over, my home forev-
er desolated, and the kind husband
and wealth which some called mine
lost never to return, and by the ac-
cursed winecup.
~YOu see before you only wreck OF
my former self, homeless and friend
less, and nothing left me in this world
but this little child" Weeping bitter
ly she affectionately caressed the gol-
den curls that shaded a face of exquis-
tie loveliness. Regaining her compos-
ure and turning to the proprietor OF
the saloon, she continued:
Sir, the reason [ occasionally enter
place like this Is to implore those
who deal in the deadly poison TO de.
sist, to stop a business that spreads
desolation, ruin poverty, and starvsl-
ton. Think one moment OF your
loved ones, and then imagine them in
the condition l am in. | appeal to
your heart for | know you possess a
kind one, to retire from a business so
ruinous To your patrons.
"Did you know that the money you
take across the bar is the same as TAX
ing the bread out of the mouths OF the
furnishing wives and children OF your
customers /? That it strips the clothes
from the backs, deprives them of all
the comforts of this life, and throws I'M
happiness, misery, crime and desola-
ton into their once happy homes o
sir, | implOre, beses CHI, and pray you
to retire from a business which will
make you hesitate to own you are en-
gagged in before your fellow-men, and
enter one that will not only be profit
able TO you but to your fellow-creat-
ures also. You will excuse me If ]
have spoken too plainly, but l assure
you that could not help 1t, when l
thought of the misery, suffering, and
unhappiness it has caused me"
Madam, am not offended" he an
swered in a voice husky with emotion,
shut thank you from the bottom of my
heart tor what you have said.
Mamma" said the little child-who
in the meantime had been spoken to
by some of the gentlemen present
taking hold of its mothers hand, "these
gentlemen wish me to sing Little Bes-
SIZE for them. Shall do so ?''
"Yes, my darling, if they wish you
to-"
They all joined in the request, and
placing her in chair, she in sweet,
childish voice sang the following beau
tiful song:
Out in the gloomy night sadly 1 roam,
1 have no mother dear, no pleasant home;
one cares I1T ms s mo one o %1II S cry
Weary and tired, I've been wandering all
day
On the damp ground must now lay my
Fathers a drunkard and mother is dead.
We were so happy till father drank rum,
Then ali the unhappy troubles begun.
Mother grew pale and wept every day;
Baby and were too hungry to play
Slowly they faded till one summer night
Found their dead faces all silent and white.
Then with big tears slowly dropping. said;
Fathers a drunkard, and mother is dead.
The game of billiards was left I'M
finished, the cards we're thrown aside,
and the unemptied glasses remained
on the counter; and pressed near, some
with curiosity, some with pity BEAM
ing from their eyes, entranced with
the musical voice of the child, who
seemed to be better suited to be with
angels above than in such place.
The scene | never shall forget to my
dying day, and the sweet cadence of
her musical voice still rings in my
ears, and every word of the song as it
dropped from her lips sank deep into
the hearts of those around her.
With her golden hair falling care
lessly around her shoulders, her face
almost OF ethereal beauty, and looking
so trustingly and contidingly upon
the gentlemen around her, her beauti-
full eyes Illuminated with light that
seemed not of this earth, she formed a
picture of purity and innocence worthy
the genius of poet or painter.
At the close of the song many were
weeping, men who had not shed tear
for years now wept like children. One
young man who had resisted with
scOrn the pleadings and entreaties of a
loving mother to strive to lead better
life, to desist from course that was
wasting his fortune and running his
health, now approaching the child and
taking both her little hands in his,
while tears streamed down his pale
cheeks, exclaimed with deep emotion:
God bless you, my little angel, you
have saved me from ruin and disgrace,
from poverty and drunkard's grave.
Ii there are angels on earth, you are
one; God bless you'll" and putting
bill into the hands of the mother, said
please accept this trife as a token
of regard and esteem, for your little
girl has done me kindness can new
er repay; and remember, whenever
You are in want, you will find in me
a true friend, at the same time hand
ing her his name and address.
Taking her child by the hand she
turned to go, but pausing at the door,
said:
God bless you gentlemen. Accept
the heartfelt thanks of poor, friend
less woman for the kindness and cour-
tesy you have shown" Before any
one could reply she was gone.
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