News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-10-18
Ugly Sam,

He had been missing from the Poto-
mac for several days, and Cleveland
Tom. Port Huron Bill, Tall Chicago and
the rest of the boys who we're won't to
get drunk with him couldn't make out
what had happened. They hadn't heard
that there was a warrant out for him,
had never known of his being sick for a
day, and his absence from the old
baunts puzzled them. They were in the
saloon the other morning, nearly doz-
en- of them, drinking, smoking and play
| ing cards, when in walked Ugly Sam.
"Cave in that hat p cried one.
"Yank that collar off y shouted an
other.
"Iet'sro him on the floor /" screamed
third.
There was something in his look and
/ bearing which made them hesitate The
whiskey.red had almost faded from his
| face, andshe looked sober a,d aignifed.
His features expressed d. aud con
tempt as he looked drouT~ the room,
and then revealed pity as his eyes fell
upon the red eyes and bloated faces of
the crowd before him.
"Why, what ails We, Sam2" inquired
Tall Chicago, as they all stood there.
GIVE come down to bid you good-by,
boys" he replied, removing his hat and
| drawing a clean handkerchief from his
! pocket.
"What Hev ye turned preacher? 2"
they shouted in chorus.
"Boys, ye know can lick any two of
We, but l amt on the fight any more,
and I've put down the last drop of whis-
key which is ever to go into my mouth.
have switched off. I am going to be
decent.
'tSam, be you crazy?" asked Port
Huron Bill, coming nearer to him.
'Ive come down here to tell ye all
about it," answered Sam. 'Move the
chairs back little and give me room.
Ye all know [ have been rough and more
too. l have been o drinker, fighter, a
gambler and loafer. 1 can't look back
and remember when [ have earned IN
honest dollar. The police hez chased
me around like a wolf, and I've been in
jail and the workhOuse, and the papers
have said that Ugly Sam was the terror
of the Potomac. Ye all know this, hoys,
but ye didn't know l had an old
mother"
The faces of the crowd here expressed
amazement.
81 never mentioned it to any of ye,
for l was neglecting her," he went on.
''She was q poor old woman, living up
here in the alley, and if the neighbors
hadn't helped her to fuel and food, she
would have been found dead long ago.
[ never helped her to cent-didn't see
her for weeks and weeks, and [ used to
feel mean about it. When fellow goes
back on his old mother he's a-gittin'
purity low, and I know it. Well, she's
dead-buried yesterday. I WAS up there
afore she died. She sent for me, and
when I got there [ seen it was all day
with her."
'Did she say anything 2" asked one of
the boys, as Sam hesitated.
"That is what ails me now" he went
on. tWhen [ went in she reached out
her handsto me, and says she: Samuel,
[ am going to die, and knew you would
want to see me before I passed away [
sat down, feeling queer-like, She didn't
go on and say as how [ was lOafer, and
bad neglected her, and all that, but SAYS
she: Samuel, youn be all alone when
am gone I've tried 40 be u go0d
mother to you, and have prayed for you
hundreds Of nights, 5sl.r2'' cried about you
till my Old heart was s@le. Some Of
the neighbors had dropped in, and the
women were crying, and l tell you, boys,
l felt weak.
He paused for moment and then
continued:
''And the old woman said she'd like
to kiss me afore death came, and that
broke me right down. She kept hold
of my hand, and by-and,by she whis-
pered: Samuel, you are throwing your
life away. You have got it in you to be
q man, if you will only make up your
mind. 1 hate to die and feel that my
only son and the last OF our family may
go to the ga!lows. Had your promise
that you would turn over a new leaf, and
try and be good, it seems as if [ could !
die easier. Will you not promise me,
my SON.
"And promised her, boys, and that |
is what ails me. She died holding my |
hand, and [ promised to quit the low |
business and go to work. You will not |
see me on the Potomac again.
There was dead silence fo1 n mo-
ment, and then he said:
"Well, boys, shake hands all round. |
Good-by, Pete-good- Jack-Tom-
Jim. \ dying promise, you see, and 1T |
shall be kept if it costs my right arm. |
The men regarded zach other reflect |
lively, after he had passed out, and it |
was long time before anyone said
word.
Then Tall Chicago flung his clay pipe |
into n corner, and said:
'Ill whip the man who says Ugly |
Sans head is not level"
And 50 said they L. IEaysjde Month