Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-05-23
From the Temperance Advocat
A Wife worth Having.

The distinguished William Writ, within
six or eight months after his first marriage,
became addicted to incompetence, the effect 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 move to Richmond, where he
soon rose to distinction. Bnthis habits hung
about him. and occasionally he was found in
Jolly and frolicsome spirits In bachanalan re-
very. His true friend expostulated with him,
to convince him Of the injury he was doing
himself. But he still persisted. His practice
began to fall of, and many looked upon him
as on the sure road to ruin. He was advised
to get married, with view of correcting his
habits. This he consented to DO, if the right
person offered. He accordingly paid his ad-
dresses to a Miss Gamble. After some months
attentions, he asked her hand in MARRIAGE
She replied:
"Mr. Writ, have been we'll aware Of your
intentions for some time back, and should have
given you TO understand that your visits were
not acceptable. had | not reciprocatpd the al
| fection which you evnced for ne. But can
( not yield my assent until you make pledge
never to taste, touch or handle any intoxica-
ting drinks"
This reply to Mr.. Writ was as unexpected
as it was novel. His reply was. that he re-
garded the proposition as bar TO all further
consideration on the subject, and feft her.-
| Her course to him was the same as tver-his,
resentment and neglect. In the course of a
few weeks, he went again, and again solicited
her hand. But her reply was her mind was
made up. He became indignant and regard
ed the terms proposed as insulting to his hon
or, and avowed it should be the last meeting
they should ever have. He took to drinking
worse and worse, and seemed to run headlonq
to ruin.
One day, while lying in the outskirts Of the
city, near little grocery or grog shop, dead
drunk. young lady, who it is not necessary
to name. in passing that way to her home
not far off, beheld him with his face upturned
to the rays of scorching sun. She took heI
handkerchief with her own name marked up
on it, and placed it over his face. After he
had remained in that way for some hours, he
was awakened, and his thirst being SO great
he went into the little grocery or grog-shop tc
Get drink, when he discovered the handker
chief, which he looked at, and the name that
.sas on it. After pausing few minutes, he
exclaimed -
''Great God who left this with me! Whc
: placed it on my FACET No Que knew. Hi
dropped his glass exclaimlng:
Enough! enough!
He retired instantly from the grocery, for
getting his thirst but not the debauch, tn
5 handkerchief of the lady--vowing, if Coz
I gave him strength, never to touch, taste 0
handle intoxicating drinks.
To meet Miss G. was the hardest effort 0
his life. If he met her in her carriage or O.
foot, he would dodge the nearest corner. Sh
f at last addressed him note in her own hand
! inviting him to the house, which he fnal
gathered courage enough to accept. He toll
her if she still bore affection for him, he woul
q agree to her own terms. Her reply was -
''My conditions now are what they eve
!, have BEEN"
t Then" said the disenthralled Writ, 81 az
:, cept them"
= They were soon married, and from that da
u he kept his word, and his affairs frightened
It while honors and glory gathered thick upo
It his brow. His name has been enrolled hig
i in the temple of fame, while his deeds, II
patriotism and renown, live after him with in
perishabIe lustre. How many noble minc
s might the young ladies save, if they wouI
S follow the example of the heroine-hearte
q Miss g., the friend of humanity, of her couI
try, and the relative of La Fayette.
"Many house is fluff; and the mind unfurnis
IL