The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-10-30

a pathetic Story has come into the pos
sss.soa q he Pest-Intelligencer. owing
TO the DESIRE Of dying woman 70 let her
benefactor know that she has kept her
word and become = Christian woman
The story begins IN old New England.
crosses the continent 70 Seattle and final
y closes in California
Three years ago last July . styiishly
dreesed woman alighted IN this city from
eNorthsrn Pacific train. and after success
tuIiy running the gnuntlst Of hotel rum
nefs and hack drivers. went to = WE'LL
known saloon. the name Of which n not
e1venv % II does not add anything to this
story Tho woman showed both by dress
ana manner that she had been well
raised, yet her face bore unmistakabis
signs OF dissipation A close reader Of
human nature would have read long
story In her face, and perhaps have
thought . plunge into the bay a. . Mt
ting end After seating herself at . small
table (back rooms Of saloons are usually
lifted with such q piece Of furniture) she
rang the bell and called for whisky"
One gulp. and this fiery liquid had done
It's little mite to help this fair woman
nearer the end. She was not satisfied and
called for another drink ut the same time
inviting the bartender TO Join her. George
Marlin. for that was the bartender's
name. refused. saying that he did not
drink.
well. then. take cigar" said the wo-
man. Il want to ask you some questions
about the town.
Marlin brought the drink to her. but
did not light hts cigar. She mentioned II,
and he replied that he did not care TO
smoke while she was talking.
Then she told him her story. how she
was born Ia New England of good parents
and was surrounded by all the advantages
. girl could desire. One wrong step. and
the course OF her life was changed. She
became addicted to drink. and went from
city to city. travelling At the pace that
kills She had been In nearly every city
on the Pacific coast, and had come to Sc
attic to zee what fortune II had In store for
her. The strain on her constitution was
already telling. however, and she felt
blue"
Her story finished. she waited for Mar
lin to speak. He had not said 3 word
while she was taking. but his mind passed
her life tar beyond where she had stopped.
In plain language he told her what ne
thought. As she said the other day to q
Post-Intelligencer reporter:
He started In and gave me such lee.
tssre ~ one stranger seldom gives an
other. He spoke kindly. but with more I'M
telligence and good sense than I had ever
heard before. in one hour. He then asked
me TO take 4 soft drink. While he was
and I saw where / would surely land.
took the glass from. his hand and. ~
raised II TO my lips. said:
This 10 the last drink will ever take.
and Win never do wrong act in my lie
again"
"Hc smiled incredulousiy. ~ II he had
heard the same declaration many times
AcP- auA ell 49, a
well as he expected II kept my word un-
I'll reached the next saloon. Hall Jok-
ingly. he added that II intended to reform
I could not begin too soon. Then he took
. card from his pocket. wrote on the back
Of II the address Of first-class hotel.
where. he said. only ladies' and gentlemen
were entertained. took the card from
his hand. thanking him for his kindness.
As he he'd the door open for me to pass
out he said:
Remember you have a mother living.
She brought you into the world: you have
no right 10 hurry her out of H. went
to the hotel. but could not sleep. Through
out the night his words OF my mother
rang In my ears. In the morning I took
the steamer for San Francisco"
From this point II win not be advisable
TO follow the woman's history too closely.
She had relatives In California who well
coined her to better life with out
stretched arms She kept her promise TO
George Marlin. and In the course of time
was married to noble man. They have
fine home. and there Is not a thing money
can buy that this woman cannot have for
the asking
But all the money in the world cannot
save her life she is dying from consump-
ton. Her end Is not far of. and. In her
own words IT could not die happy until
4 let my early benefacfor know. as well
as Others that II IL never too late TO re-
form. and when / die die Christian
woman with bright hopes for the future
The George Marlin mentioned by the
woman used to work At the Lily saloon
on Cherry street. He roomed at the Epler
block. but was not found there yesterday
The Post-Inteiiigencer has the address Of
the dying woman and will deliver II 10
George Marlin.