Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1845-05-24
A Wife worth HAVING.

The distinguished William WHIT, within
SIX or eight months after his first marriage,
became addicted to intemperance, the ef-
feet of which operated strongly upon the
mind and health of his wife, and in few
months more she was numbered with the
dead. Her death lead him to leave the
country where he resided, and he NOV ed to
Richmond, where he sepn rose to distinc-
tion. But his habit hune about him, and
occasionally he was found with jolly and
frolicsome spirits, in Bacchanalian revelry
His true friends expostulated with him, "a
convince him Of the injluy he was doing
himself But he still persisted. His prac-
tice began TO fall off, and many looked up
on him as on the sure, road to ruin. He
was advisedto get married, with view Of
correcting his habits. This be consented
to do, if the right person offered. He ac-
cordingly paid his addresses to Miss Gam
bic. After some months attention, lie ask
ed her hand in marriage. She replied:
"Mr. Writ, have been well aware oi
your intentions for sometime back, and
should have given You to understand, that
your visits and attentions were not accept
able, had not reciprocated, the affection
which you evinced for. me. But l cannot
yield my assent until you make me a
pledge never to taste, touch, or handle any
Intoxicating drinks -
This reply 10 Mr.. Writ was as unex-
pected as it was novel. His reply was,
that he regarded the proposition as a bar to
all further consideration Of the subject, and
left her. Her course to him was the same
as ever-his, resentment and neglect. In
the course of few weeks, he went and
again solicited her hand. But her reply
was, her mind was made up. He became
indignant, and regarded the terms she pro-
posed as an insult to his honor, and avowed
it should be the last meeting they should
ever have. He took to drinking worse
and worse, and seemed 70 run headlong 10
ruin. One day, while lying in the out
skirts Of the city, near little grocery or
grog-shop, dead drunk, a young lady, who
it is not necessary to name, was passing
that way to her home, not far off, beheld
him, his face upturned to the rays Of a
scorching sun. She took her handker-
chief, with her own name marked upon it,
and placed it over his face. -Afterhe had
remained in that way for some hours. he
was awakened, and his thirst being Sc
great, he went into TIE little grocery OF
grog-shop to get drink, when he discov.
cred the handkerchief, which he looked at
and the name that was on it. After paus
ing few minutes, he exclaimed:
"Great God! who left this with me:
Who placed it on my face?'' No ono
knew. He dropped the glass exclaiming
Enough! enough!''
He retired instantly from 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 o,
handle Intoxicating drinks. fa#FAf
To meet Miss G. again was The hardest
effort Of his life. II he met her in her car.
riage or on foot, he would dodge the near.
est corner. 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
bore affection for him, he would agree tc
her own terms. Her reply was,
"My conditions are now what they ever
have been.'' s7a
s'Then, said the disenthralletl Writ, Il
accept Of them." m is
They were soon married, and from that
day he kept his word, and his affairs
frightened, while honors and glory gath
cred thick npon his brow. His name has
been enrolled high in the temple Of fame,
while his deeds, his patriotism and re-
nown, lives after him with imperishable
lustre. How many noble minds might the
young ladies save, if they would follow the
example of the heroine-hearted Miss G.,
the friend of humanity, Of her country,
and the relative Of lafayette Temp. I'd
The .1f0npy p0nic In C;nc;;nno5: Tbo