The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-12-03
A SAD BUT TRUE STORY.

It was on my return from the late
State convention of G. T. WIS that the
scene Of this story was given, which
filed my heart with so much pity, and
desire to try more than ever to rid
our State of its curse of liquor.
AS I was entering the car door in
Columbia, making my last change for
my home, saw two men in the aisle,
one standing near the cooler. paid
very little attention to them, but
thought they were drinking, as I de-
tected the odor of whiskey.
Iwent in and took my seat with my
little girl, Halle. Presently I heard
boisterous talking just behind me. In
little while man of robust statue,
and showing by his face an Irish de-
scent, passed me and returning began
to ask me questions and to play with
Halle. Then it was I discovered he
was drinking, and was one OF the men
saw at the cooler. Some passenger
tried to keep him seated and entertain
ed, but he persisted in walking up and
down the car, talking and making
speeches. The conductor became in-
patient and demanded that he be seat
ed and have respect for the ladies.
Some FIVE or six seats in front of me sat
a little girl about ten years old, alone,
so he took seat by her. asked OF a
gentleman friend if that was his little
girl, and he said yes. Being restless
and nervous he soon began to walk the
aisle again, leaving the little one IN
tears and making his way into the
smoker. Seeing the child in tears l
went to her and said: Little one,
why are you in so much trouole:" She
replied: "My papa is drinking and
wants to drink more" In her custody
he had placed quart bottle OF liquor
bearing the palmetto. I said: Does
your papa drink all the time?" She
answered: "No, man." Where is your
home? II live at--." Knowing
there were some good women there at
work for temperance, NATURALLY asked:
Do you belong to Band of Hope? She
said, "Yes NAM" I tried to comfort
the distressed child, and finally her
tears we're dried for awhile. returned
to my seat and insisted that Halle car
ry her. some lunch, but she said, mo,
mamma, I'm afraid he might get me"
Then I started and she pulled me back,
crying mamma, he might get you,so for
her ease kept my seat. Scarcely had
| done so when in he came again, went
to the child, took the bottle and poured
out the liquor into the cup at the cooler
and drank in view OF all the passengers.
The conductor coming into the car
tried to appeal to him by pointing to
his little girl in tears, but it had no ef-
feet. His sense of feeling and love was
hidden away under the effect of liquor.
When his station was called the little
GIRL was the first to alight and the last
I saw of her she was running as fast as
she could, I suppose to prepare her
mother for what was coming, while her
father staggered home alone. Someone
made some jeering remark and the
conductor replied, am glad to get rid
of him at any price. Had there been
no dispensary in Columbia I feel sure
that man would have never been IN
that disgusting, pitiable condition, nor
his sweet little girls feelings so morti-
fed and heart so near broken, for she
said he never done that way before.
This State is responsible for the
temptation they place before our men.