American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-06
FROM the Temperance Advocate.

n w L IA w ~ II D. IL IL ~ L N VI
The distinguished William Writ, within six
or eight months after his first marriage, became
addicted to intemperance, 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 led him
10 leave the country where he resided and
move to Richmond, where he soon rose to dis
tinction. But his habits hung about him, and
occasionally he was found in jolly and frolic-
some spirits in bachanalan revelry. 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 off, and
many looked upon him as on the sure road to
ruin. He was advised to get married, with a
view of correcting his habits. This he consent.
cd to do, if the right person offered. He accord
ngly paid his addresses to Miss Gamble
After some months attentions, he asked her
hand in marriage. She replied
"Mr. Writ, have been well aware of your
intentions for some time back, and should have
given you to understand that your visits and
attentions were not acceptable, had not reci-
procated the affection which you evinced for
me. But cannot yield my assent until you
make pledge never to taste, touch OF handle
any intoxicating drinks"
This reply to Mr.. Writ was as unexpected
as il was novel His reply was that he regard
ed the proposition as bar to all further con-
sideraton on the subject, and left her. Her
course to him was the same as ever-llis, re-
sentiment 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 regarded the
terms proposed as insulting to his honor, and
avowed it should be the last meeting they
should ever have. He took to drinking worse
and worse, and seemed to run headlong 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, III passing that way 70 her home, not far
off, beheld him with his face upturned to the
rays OF scorching sun, She took her hand
kerchief, with her own name marked upon it,
and placed it over his face. After he had re-
NAMED in that way for some hours, he was a.
Weakened, and his thirst being so great, he went
into the little grocery or greg-shop to get a
drink, when he discovered the handkerchief,
which he looked at, and the name that was on
It, After pausng few minutes, he exclaim-
ed:-
''Great God who left this with me? Who
placed it on my facet" No enc knew. He
dropped his glass, exclaiming:
'Enongh! enough"
lie retired Instantly from tie grocery, for
getting his thirst, but not the dehauch, the
handkerchief or the lady-vowing, if God gave
him strength never to touch, taste OF handle
intoxicating drinks.
TO meet Miss G. was the hardest effort of
his life If he met her in her carriage or on
foot, he would dodge the nearest corner. She
at last addressed him note under her own
hand, inviting him to the house, which he fl
nally gathered courage enough to accept. He
told her if she still bore affection for him, he
would agree to her own terms. Her reply
was:-
"My conditions now are what they ever have
BEEN"
'Ihen," said the disenthralled Writ, al ac-
cept them"
They were soon married, and from that day
he kept his word, and his affairs frightened,
while honors and glory gathered thick upon
his brow. His name has been enrolled high in
the temple of fame, while his deeds, the patri-
otsm and renown, live after him with impersh-
able lustre. How many noble minds might the
young ladies save, if they would follow the ex-
ample OF the heroine-heared Miss G the friend
of humanity, of her country, and the relative
of La Fayette