The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-03-11
A POLlCEMAN'S STORY.
Tho Terrible Effects of Drink on Fashiu
able Women.

The Terrible Effects of Drink on Fashion,
able Women.
The corridors of the station-house
were lined with benches, on which sat
few burly policemen in their blue and
gilt uniform. In the inner rooms were
congregated old bloated drunkards,
hardened women charged with crime,
terrified young girl and one or two
children. A small man, with keen,
steady eye, also in uniform, answered
the inquiries of visitors.
Eyes, we see strange things here" he
said. "But one gets hardened. looking
constantly at the black side of human
nature. I've seen sights here, though,
that would wiring any mans heart.
There was a woman one night sat on
that bench yonder that was brought in
for petty larceny. She was pretty,
gay little body, who had tried to keep
her place in fashionable life with little
money, but when she was pushed hard,
stole velvet dress. She wouldn't give
her name, and cried pitifully, begging
to be let go. But when one of the off,
GERS brought in her old father, she grew
still as death. Il will never disgrace
you again. she said, and turned her
face to the wall.
"When they went to take her out to
the prison van, she was dead. The
action Of her heart was weak, the doc
tors said, and shame and misery bore
on it too hard. There was no use pros
ecuting a dead woman. Her father
took her away, and the matter was kept
out of the papers.
"But thing happened one night that
seemed to me more terrible than that.
"About midnight two or three car.
riages drove up, and party of ladies
and gentlemen came in, wrapped in
their furs and opera cloaks. They had
been at the theater, and had come down
out Of curiosity, because one of theil
; companions had promised them "a
glimpse Of real tragedy, more dramatic
than any thing they would find on the
stagei So in their gay dresses and
diamonds, some laughing, some ready
to cry, but all pleased with the new ex
element, they peered in at the poo
w.etches.
Among the prisoners was an ole
bag, who was near to death with long
: fithfulness to vice and drink. She helt
, out her filthy hand, begging. One O.
the ladies came up close, and looked a
long and curiously. l heard heI name
and knew it. She belonged to a goot
: family in the city, and was famous fol
, her beauty and recklessness. She hat
been married but year and was al
ready divorced. But there was about
her an odd, affectionate sincerit,
which, people said, endeared her ever
to those who blamed her.
''She stood still, looking at thi'
bleared old woman, her face growing
white Then she dropped gold coli
in the outstretched hand. i wonder,
she said, who will give me gold-piec'
when sit where you do now!
"Her friends dragged her away laugh
ing. l smelled champagne on he
breath, as she passed me. But it was
terrible thing, for knew she had fore
: seen what would happen to her. I
: would have been better if she hat
looked on her own dead body. Onl,
we policemen know how many fast
champagne-drinking fashionable won
4 en- end here at last" -
The policeman's story was true il
every detail. We tell it to show HOY
> short and steep is the road downward
= for the woman who whether thought
3 lessly or deliberately, enters upon il
: To conceal such dangers from youn
: girls is as false kindness Us to send in
+ nocent children to walk over the hot
Q thin crust of crater without warnin,
: them that death lies below.-Youth'
+ Companion.