The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-04-23
WHAT ALLIED -tTGLY SAM

mac" for several days. and Cleveland Tom
Port Huron Bill. Tall Chicago, and the
rest of the boys who were wont to get
drunk with HIM, couldn't make ont what
had happened. They hadn't heard that
there was warrant out for him, had never
known of his being sick for a day, and his
absence from the old haunts puzzled them.
They were in the IIole-in-thc- Wall saloon
yesterday morning. nearly dozen of them,
drinking, smoking, and playing cards,
when in walked Ugly Sam.
There was deep silence for 4 moment
as they looked at him. Sam had new
hat, had been shaved clean, had on a clean
collar and white shirt, and they didn't
know him at first. When they saw it was
Ugly sam, they uttered a shout and lcaped
up.
Gave in that hiatt cried one
''Yanl, the collar OFF, shouted an
other.
Lets roll him on the hoor!'' screamed
a third
There was something in his look and
bearing which made them hesitate. The
whisly-rcd had almost faded from his face,
and he looked sober and dignificd. His
features expressed disgust and contempt as
he looked around the room, and then re-
vealed pity as his eyes fell upon the red
eyes and bloated faces Of the crowd before
him.
''Why, what ails ye, Sam?" inquired
Tall Chicago, as they all stood there.
1--WE come down to bid yc goodbye,
boys!'' he replied, removing his hat and
drawing clean handkerchief from his
pocket.
what Hev yc turned prcachcr9" they
shouted in chorus.
Boys, We know | can lick any two Of
ge; but | hain't on the fight amy more,
and Eve put down the last drop Of whisky
which is ever to 20 into my mouth Eve
switched off. I've taken an oath. I'm go
ing to be decent!
Sam, be you crazy - asked Port Huron
Bill, coming near to him.
ave come down here to tell yc all
about it., answered Sam, Move the
cha rs back little and give me room.
Ye all know Eve been rough and more too.
Eve been a drinkcr fighter, u gambler
and q loafcr ! can't look back and re-
mombcr when I've armed an honest dollar.
The police hez chased me around like a
wolf, and I've been in Jail and the work
house, and the papers has said that Ugly
Sam was the terror Of the Potomac. Ye
all know this, boys. hut We didn't know
that had an old mother
The faces Of the crowd expressed amaze
ment.
y never mentioned it to any of ye, for
WAS ncgleetng her, he went on. ''She
was poor old body living mp here in the
alley, and if the neighbors hadn't helped
her to fnel and food, she'd have been found
dead long ago | never helped her to a
eent-didn't see her for weeks and weeks,
and used to feel mean about it. When a
fellow goes back on his old mother, he's
a-gittin' purity low, and know it. Well,
she'd dead-hured yesterday was up
bitSiC dioic SiiC tit'i' A'IiS SUN l'l me- ~
Pete, and when | got there seen it was
all day with her
He ceased for a moment and then con-
tlnucd:
Did she say anything ," asked one of
the boys as SAN hesitated
That's what ails me now, he went on.
"When went she reached out her hand TO
ne, and says She Samuel, am going 10
die, and lSnow'd you'd want 10 see me
aforc passed away | sat down, feeling
rather queer like She didn't 90 on and
say as how was loalcr, and had neg
lected her. and all that, but says She
Samuel You'll be all alone when I'm gore.
Eve tried to be a good mother to yon, and
have prayed for you hundreds o nights
and cried about You till my old heart was
sore 7 Some o the neighborS had dropped
in. and the women were crying, aud tell
you, boys, felt weak
And the old woman said she'd like 20
kiss me afore death came, and that broke
me right down. She kept hold Of my
hand. and by-and-by She whispered:
Samuel, you are throwing your life away.
You We got it in yon to be man If you
will only make up your mind. hate to
die and feel that my only son and the last
of our family may go to the gallows. If |
had your promise that you'd turn over a
new leaf and try and be good, it seems as
if I'd die easier. Won't you promise me,
my son > And promised her boys, and
that's what ails me ! She died holding
my hand. and promised to quit this low
business and 60 30 work. came down to
tell yc and now you won't see me ON the
Potomac again. We bought an AK, and
am going up IN Canada to winter.
There was a dead silence for moment,
and then he said:
"Wen, boys, I'll shake hands with We all
around afore go Good-hy Pete-good-
by, Jael, Tom--Jim. I.hopc yon won't
fling any bricks at me, and shan't never
fling any at any of ye. It's dying prom
Use, We see, and III keep it if it takes a
right arm. y
The men looked rcllcetiyely AT each other
after he had passed ont, and it was long
time before anyone spoke. Then Tall