New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-05-08
A WIFE WORTH HAVING

~ The distinguished William Writ, within six or
eight months after his first marriage, became ad-
--drctrd intemPerance, the effect of which ope-
rated strongly upon the mind and health OF hls
wife, and in few months more she was nun bered
with the dead. Her death led him to leave the
country where he resided and he removed TO
Richmond, where he soon rose TO distinction. But
bis habits hung about him, and occasionally he
was found with Jolly and irocsome spirits, IN
Bacchanallan revelry. His true friends eXpostu-
lated 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
TO get married, with view of correcting his habits
This he consented 10 do, If the right person offered
He accordingly paid his addresses to Miss Gamble
After some mouths attentions, he asked her hand
inmarriage. She replied
" Mr.. Wit, have been well aware of your in
.entions fer sometime back, and should have
given you understand that your visits and aten.
tons not acceptable, had / not recimocated
the affection which you evinced for me. But
cannot yield my assent until you make me a
pledge never TO TASTE touch, or handle any lntoxl-
eating drinks"
This reply to MIR. Writ was as unexpected DIS il
was novel His reply was, that he regarded the
proposition as bar to all further consideration of
the subject, and left her. Her course TO him
the same, with his resentment and neglect in the
course OF a 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 proposed an insult 10 his honor, and vowed
II should be the last meeting they should ever have
He took TO drinking worse and worse, and seemed
TO run headlong to rum One day, while lying in
the outskirts of the city, near little grocery or
gros-shop, dead drunk, young lady, who II is not
necessary to name, was passing that way TO her
home, and not far Of beheld him, his face upturned
to the rays Of n scorching sun. She took her hand
kerchief, with her own name marked upon il, and
placed II 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 to get drgk. when he dis
covered The handkerchief, which he looked at, aud
the name that was on It. After pauslDg a few
minutes, he exclaimed:
"Great God! who left this with me? Who
placed IL on my face?" No one knew. He drop
ped the glass, excaiming, Enough enough"
He retired Instantly from the store, forgetting his
thirst, but not the debsucn, the handkerchief, or
the lady, vowins if God gave him strength, never
To meet Miss G. again WAS the hardest effort OF
his life. II he met her in her carriage foot,
he would dodge the nearest corner. She at last
addressed him note, under her own hand, IN
vitng him TO the house, which he finally gathered
courage enough TO accept He told her 1t she bore
affection for him, he would agree TO her own terms
Her reply was,
My conditions are now what they ever have
been"
Then" said the Disseminated Writ, +" | accept
of them"
They were soon married. and from that day he
kept bis word, and his affairs brlghtened, while
honors aud glory gathered thick upon his brow:
His name has been enrolled high in the temple OF
fame, while his deeds, his patriotism and renown,
live after him with impershabe lus,re. How
many noble minds might the young ladies' save, ii
they would follow the example of the heroine
hearted Miss g., the friend OF humanity, OF her
country, and the relative of Lafayette.
.a Temperance Adv.