Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-11-15
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 were wont to
get drunk with him couldn't make out
what had happened. They hadn't heard
that there WAS warrant out for him,
had never known of his being sick for
day, and his absence from the old
haunts 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 - cried one.
"Yank that collar off - shouted an
other.
'Iet's roll him ON the floor I" screamed
third.
There was something in his look and
bearing which made them hesitate. The
whiskey-red had almost faded from his
face, and he looked sober and dignifed.
His features expressed disgust and con
tempt as he looked around the room,
and then revealed pity as his eyes fell
upon the red eyes and bloated faces Of
the crowd before him.
"Why, what ais we, Sam p inquired
Tall Chicago, as they all stood there.
'1'ye come down to bid you good-by,
boys" he replied, removing his hat and
drawing a clean handkerchief from his
pocket.
"What Hev We turned preacher ?"
they shouted in chorus.
"Boys, We know can lick any two Of
ye, but 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. 1 am going to be
decent"
"Sam, be you crazy9' asked Port
Huron Bill, coming nearer to him.
GIVE 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. / have been drinker, fighter,
gambler and loafer. I can't look back
and remember when / have earned an
honest dollar. The police hez chased
me around like 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, boys,
but we didn't know 1 had an old
mother"
The faces of the crowd here expressed
amazement.
II never mentioned it to any of We,
for was neglecting her." he went on.
'She was 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 know it. Well, 81 e's
dead-buried yesterday. was up til, re
afore she died. She sent for me, and
when l 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. "When went in she reached out
her hand to me, and says she: Samuel,
| am going to die, and knew you would
want to see me before passed away l
sat down, feeling queer-like. She didn't
go on and say as how was loafer, and
had neglected her, and all that, but says
she: Samuel, you'll be all alone when
am gone. I've tried to be a good
mother to you, and have prayed for you
hundreds of nights, and cried about you
| till my old heart was Sore Some of
the neighbors had dropped in, and the
women were crying, and tell you, boys,
l felt weak"
| He paused for a 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
a man, if you will only make up your
only son and the last of our family may
go to the gallows. Had 1 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 SOM,
Sand 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
SCENE on the Potomac again.
There was dead silence fol o mo-
ment, and then he said:
"Well, boys. shake hands all round.
Good-by, Pete-good-by, Jack-Tom-
Jim. 4 dying promise, you see, and it
shall be kept if it costs my right ARM"
The men regarded each other reflect
lively, after he had passed out, and it
was a long time before anyone said
word.
Then Tall Chicago flung his clay pipe
into corner, and said:
sI'll whip the man who says Ugly
Sans head is not level"
And so said they ali. = Wayside Month