Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-04
THE LAWYER REFORMED.
Frnm IA, Morning Siar.

From me Morning Star.
The town clock had already struck ten. The
wind moa ned dolefully rs II found ITS way through
the crevices Of the dapidated cottoge, and as the
rain battered on the window, II told how comiott'
less was all without. On that night many family
drew closer around their comfortable hresidcs, as
they listened to the elements raging around them
But there was one poor building TO which We have
alluded where there no comfortable hearth, but
every thing looked desolate and lonely. There was
but single room, and that contained furniture OF
the meanest uuaty. The wretched looking beds,
the broken chairs the naked walls, the handful of
coa.s almost expiring on the hearth told OF poverty
in It's most naked form. On one OF the beds lay a
female, whose countcnnncc, sallow and emaciated,
indicated the ravages OF grief rather than of disease
The close observer could still detect there the lin
gering traces of beauty. BY the expiring embers
sat young girl, perhaps OF seventeen, clothed with
n thin calico gown. Poverty and suffering had not
eaced the beauty of her countenance, but her eySs
were red with weeping and her cheeks, palld With
grief were still most lovely. Shverlng with cold,
she vas steadily pursuing her work, for that was
the sole dependence of the family for daily food.
julia said the mother, do lay aside your work
and go TO bed. You will perish with cold.'
But, nloher,' replied Julia, brushing away the
tear which was gathering, Il promised MIR -, the
tailor, that would have it done this evening, and
besides there is nothing left in the house TO in
the morning. So thatl must finish this before I
Sleep And again she piled her needle with renew
ed assidury.
Blu, where was the father, and the husband all
this time2 Dead7 No. Gone TO see7 No. An
unfortunate debtor immured IN prsonl No. But
he was Tipping ia Coffee House upon the fee he
had thu, day by accident secured, for trausaciing
little piece OF law business. And who was he
Once he was the most splendid lawyer in the city
Of -, but now was an outcast drunkard. The
fearful habit OF taking lifle, had wound a chain
around him which he Intellectually struggled to
break. One after another of his clients left him,
and after another OF his friends torsook him, I'M
Ill almost unawares to himself, he found himself
pennies, houseless, iriendess, and street drunk
ard. His companion sunk under the blow, and
became an invalid. HIS beautiful julia, raised in
luxury and tenderness, for a while gteved, but rs
want, absolute want, increased, she aroused herself
10 meet the eIigency. For year she had supplied
the scaniy living of the family, whilst her unnatu
raj parent was expendlns every cent he could get
for the maddening liquor. But II evident that
her strength was gradually sinking under the task.
Julia, my daughter again said the invalid
mother, in a voice feeble and choked with grief,
what is to become OF US, feel that cannot stand
IL mach longer, you will die from exposure
-, mother, don't say so,' replied Julia in tone
o. assumed eheerfulness, but which trembed with
emotion, for God has not forsaken US yet. DE will
sustain u.s.
Oh, who would have supposed that We could ever
have been reduced to this Dear George, they lay
al the blame on him, but it belongs 10 those ioho
made him drunkaTd.
lie was generous and noble once, and would have
scorned the idea OF seeing his wife and child suffer
want! But now he does not notice II, and we soon
shall be gone, feelit! And here the dsconsoIale
woman burst into tears, and Julia, Notwithstanding
al her efforts, wept aloud
But God had seen the suffering OF these two
lovely beings, and prepared deverance for them.
The father had found his way home amid the pet-
ings OF the storm. The window curtain was drawn
n little aside and through broken pane OF glass
he had seen and heard all that passed. His heart
was penetrated, remUrse fastened on his soul, and
he bowed down and soemn'y vowed, that, God
strengthening him, he would never again drink
other drop OF alcoholic drink. He from his
knees another being, and as he entered his dwelling,
still somewhat under the influence OF liquor, he ad-
dressed his wife and child IN tone OF affection which
had not salucd their ears for months. Both started
IT, as though some voice had addressed them from
heaven. But little was said. The morning came
and the frs. thing the father did TO search out
the Wa hingtonlan pledge and sign Il. Now be
felt that he rescued man, and the energies OF
mind as II relieved from bondage, again acted with
their former powers. He sought the court room,
and as ne entered Il, his former partner saw the
change and shaking him by the hani exclaimed,
You have reformed, hav'nt you, George7'
Yes, by Coos help have, and few moments
ago signed the PLEDGE
The lawyer amazed held up his hands and ex-
claimed, Gracious heavens, what cannot the
Westinghouse accomplish
His former associate and adm rers crowded
around him. to shake his hand, and in FIVE minutes
the street drunkard was reinst ted. The reformed
mans eve moistened as he feverentiy calculated,
God bless you my friends. for this.
But, come, George sa'd ms partner with all the
familiarity of former days, come, you must plead
the cause OF tins widow, whose property al stake
and here Is The fee and he placed in his hands
500 bill. III We gain the u will be ncreas-
e5 TO $500 The reformed ebria'e seemed stun
ned With astonishment, as prosperity thus poured
upon him, but IN a few minutes, With his former
vigor and acumen, he elictng the evidence in
the case. The room was thronged with people
who listened TO every question with the intersesi
interest AT last he rose 10 plead the case, and
his splendid mind under the excitement Of his
strange situation, and the desire -equire what he
h8c ost burst into strains Of surprising ecquence
deep murrnur Of pleasure was heard throughout
the room. The Jury after moments consultation
gave their verd ct IN favor Of his client and that
was pronounced by The foreman, the audience burst
in'o loud applause: IN one moment more the
" ow's agent had placed 10 his hand the stpulat
ed fee.
j. was near sunset, and julia, worn down with
lncessant labor, was looking despondingly into the
street, when suddenly carriage stopped before the
door. IN moment more, a servant bearing bum
die, knocked NJ the door,
is this The house Of lawyer -- p said he, adj
dressing Julia.
Yes she replied, lou, my father is no, ct home
j WIS told 10 cave this bundle with you and de
i''I N'e hpt' ana ne handed the articles 10 the
wondering gr The hand writing was her fa'h,r's
out what u could mean was more than she could
lm-g'he Bur Iei me give you a copy ofthe little
note as explanatory
Dear Juia-Use the articles OF clothing in the
bundle Tor yourse, and mother, and come immedi-
ne.y 90 me. The carriage will whit for you. Do
not delly, Tor wish TO sec you.
Your Fa,her, George
Bewildered, she rushed unto her mother, and rend
the note. Hope sptang up IN the soul OF the dis.
consulate wife, and invalid as she was, unasss,ed
nroso from her bed.
u see how II s,' said She God has saved nv dear
husband come let US 60 Immediately to hint
Both sobbed with Joy as the sunshine Of happier
DAYS dnwncd upon them. In lev moments
more, the happy wife and daughter were locked in
the passionat. embrace oi Ina reformed drunkard-
It's unnecessary To truce % farther, but suffice r To
say, that Lawyer -- Don n short time recovered
DIS property, his influence and hrs friends that In.
wife recovered, and that from that day forth the I'm
Their, mother and daughter ere among the happies
Of The happy.
MARRIED IN SPITE OF THEIR TEETH
CHOICE ANEoDoTE.
Oh Governor Silsionstall, Of Connecticut, VIII
noursbed some forty years since, Wnsa man offs