Year: 1875

One afternoon, in the month of June
1870, a lady in deep mourning, followed
by little child, entered one of the fash.
ionable saloons in the city of N. The
writer happened to be passing at the
time, and, prompted by curiosity, follow
ed her in, to see what would ensue. Step
ping up to the bar, and addressing the
proprietor, who happened to be present
she said


"Sir, can you assist me? I have nc
home, no friends, and am not able to
work"


He glanced at her, and then at the
child, with a mingled look of curiosity
and pity. Evidently he was much sur
prised to see a woman in such place
begging, but without asking any ques-
tions, gave her some change, and turning
to those pFesent,-he said:


Gentlemen, here is a lady in distress.
Can't some of you help her little?"


They cheerfully acceded to the request
and soon purse of two dollars was made
up, and put in her hand


Madam" said the gentleman, who
gave her the money, "why do you come
to a saloon?' 1t isn't proper place for
a lady, and why are you driven to such a
step?


'Sir," said the lady, II know it isn't q
proper place for lady to be in, and you
ask me why l am driven to such a step.
L will tell you in one short word, point
ing to bottle behind the counter labeled
whisky, that is what brought me here
whisky


II was once happy, and surrounded
with all the luxuries that wealth could
procure, with fond, indulgent husband.
But in an evil hour he was tempted, and,
net possessing the will to resist the
temptation, fell, and in one short year
my dream of happiness was over, my
home was forever desolate, and the kind
husband and the wealth that some called
mine, lost-lost, never to return, and all
by the accursed- wine-cup.


"You see before you only the wreck of
my former self, homeless, and friendless,
with nothing left me in this world but
this little child" and, weeping bitterly.
she affectionately caressed the golden
curls that shaded a face of exquisite
loveliness. Regaining her composure,
and turning to the proprietor of the sa-
loon, she continued:


Sir, the reason why l occasionally
enter place like this is to implore those
who deal in the deadly poison to desist,
to stop business that spreads desolation,
ruin, poverty, and starvation. Think
one moment of your own loved ones, and
then imagine them in the situation l am
in. l appeal to your heart for l know
you possess kind one, to retire from
business SO ruinous to your patrons.
Did you know the money you take across
the bar is the same as taking the bread
out of the mouths of the famished wives
and children of your customers? that it
strips the clothing from their backs, de.
prives them of all the comforts of this
life, and throws unhappiness, misery,
crime, and desolation in their once happy
homes? Oh, sir, implore, beseech, and
pray you to retire from business you
blush to own you are engaged in before
your fellow-men, and enter one that will
not only be profitable to yourself but
your fellow creatures also. You will ex-
cuse me if 1 have spoken too plainly;
but could not help it when thought
of the misery, the unhappiness, and the
suffering it has caused me"


Madam l am not offended, he an
swered in a voice husky with emotion,
' but l thank you from the bottom of
my heart for what you have said


Mamma said the little child, who, in
the mean time, had been spoken to by
some of the gentlemen present, taking
hold OF her mothers hand, "these gen
tlemen wish me to sing Little Bessie
for them. Shall l do so?''


They all joined in the request and pla-
cling her in chair, she sang in a sweet,
song:


"Out in the gloomy night, sadly roam,
l have no mother dear, no pleasant home;
No one cares for me, no one would cry
Even il poor little Bessie should die.
Weary and tired I've been wandering all day,
Asking work small. thpV
On the damp ground must now lay my head;
Fathers drunkard and mother is dead.
We were happy till father drank rum,
Then all our sorrow and trouble begun;
Mother grew pale, and wept every day,
Baby and were too hungry to play;
Slowly they faded till one Summer night
Found their dead faces all silent and white;
Then with big tears slowly dropping said,
Fathers drunkard and mother is dead.
o! if the temperance men only could find
Poor, wretched father, and talk very kind;
If they would stop him from drinking, then
1 should be so very happy again.
Is it too late, temperance men? Please try,
All the day long I've been begging for bread,
Fathers a drunkard and mother is dead"


The game of billiards was left anfn-
ished the cards thrown aside, and the
unemptisd glass remained on the coun-
ter; all had pressed near, some with
pity-beaming eyes, entranced with the
musical voice and beauty of the child,
who seemed better fitted to be with an
gels above than in such place.


The scene l shall never forget to my
dying day, and the sweet cadence of her
musical voice still rings in my ears, and
every word of the song as it dropped
from her lips sank deep into the hearts
of those gathered around her.


With her golden hair falling carelessly
around her little shoulders, and looking
so trustingly and confidingly upon the
gentlemen around her, her beautiful eyes
illuminated with light that seemed not
of this earth, she formed a picture OF pu-
rity and innocence worthy the genius of
q poet or painter