Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1845-04-25
A WIFE WORTH HAVING

The distinguished William Wirt, within
SIX or eight months after his flst 4naEiagN
became addicted to intemperSnce, the a.
iect OF which operoted strongly apOn tle
aiplh and health OF his wife, and in a few
nicnShs more she U&s nagatered wild, Tire
dead. Her death led him 10 leave She
county where he resided, aud movpt, co
Richmond, where he soon Fose to dis.tiur-
ton. But hishabits hung about him, and
occasionally he was found with Jolly and
frOlicsome fellows, in bacchanahaR reveiry.
His true friends expostulaaed with hisn, 10
convince him Of the injury he. was doing
himself. But he still persisted. His prac-
tice began to fall of, and ,aahy looked up-
on him as on The sure road TO ruin, lie
was advised TO get married with a view ot
correcting his habits, This he consented
to do if the right person offered He ac-
cerdingy paid his addresses to a Hiss
Gamble. After some months attentions,
he asked her hand in marriage. She re.
piled,
''Mr, Writ have been well aware of
your intentions for some tine back, and
Should havegiVen pOu to understand that
yeur visits and atteaatons we're not accep-
table, had net recipracated the affection
which you evinced for me. But cannot
yield my assent untilyOu make me pledge
never TO touch, testeer handle any intOxi-
eating drinks"
THIS reply to Mr.. Writ was asanexpec-
ted as it was novel. His reply was, that
he regarded the proposition as q bar TO all
further consideration of the aaIJject, and
left her, Hercourse to him was the same
as eVer--his, resentment and neglect. In
the coarse of few weeks, he went again,
and again solicited her hand. Bat her re.
ply was her mind was 4nade up. lie be-
came indignant and regarded the terms
she proposed as insulting to his honor, and
vowed itshoud be the aass meeting thew
should ever have. He took TO drinking
worse and worse, and seemed TO ran head
long torein. One day while laying in the
the city, neara lit.k groceryor
grog-shop, dead drunk, a young lady, who
1t is not necessary to name, was passing
that way to her home, not far oil, beheld
him with his face Hprlrned to the rays of a
scoFchng sun She cook lfertlandkerchief,
with her own naAfe marked upon it, aud
placed it-oVer his face. After he had re-
maneuin that way for some hours, he was
awakened and his thirst being so great, he
weRt5nto the little grocery or gtog-shop to
get drink when he discovered the hand
which he look ed al, ,and tile name
tlIat was emit. After patisirfgi "a few min
utes he exclaimed,
'''GreaL God, who LETT this with mel
Whe placed it Oh my facet" No one
knew. He dropped lhegass, exclaiming,
"enOugh!" "enough'"
He retired instantly fron the store, for.
getting his thirst, but not the debauch, The
handkerchief, or the lady, vowing, if God
gave him strength, never to touch, taste or
handle intoxicating drinks.
To meet Miss.G. again was the hardest
effort OF his life. If 'hemet herin her car
rlage or on foot, he would dodge the near.
estcorner, She at last addressed him a
note, under her own hand, inviting him to
the house, which he finally gathered cour-
age enough to accept. He told her if she
still bore affection for him, lle would agree
10 her own terms. Herreply was,
"My conditions arenow what they ever
nave been"
"Then," said the hedisinthralleH Writ, II
Them"
They were soon married, and from thHt
lay he kept his word land his.Rfars bright
ened, ,whiehonorsSnd glory gathered thick
lpon his brow. His name has been enroll
ID high in the'temple of fame, while his
leeds, his patriotism and renown live after
lim with iinperishable lustre. How many
noble minds niight-the youngIadies sEpe,f
hey would follow the exampleU of theherO-
ne-heatted Miss e., thelfriend Of humani-
y, of 'hercoUhry, and the relative of La
7ayette.--S. &c. Femperance.A6eOcats.