Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-05-29
rau From the IT. Louis American.
a TRUE STORY s.ff1

meeIiliS was 10 De nelu IN QUE OF tAe CHuISh-I
es. Her friend who had become enihu-
siastic in the cause urged her TO go TO this
meeting, which Alice did. although with
feeling of reluctance. The house was
crowded above and below. The prelimi
naries usually appertaining to such NEE
,ings having been arranged, brief opening
address was made by one of the ministers.
A reformed man then related his expert
ence with great effect. After he had fin
lshed there was pause of nearly minute.
At length a man, who had been seated far
back with his face partly turned from the
audience, arose slowly and moved to the
front of the stage. .....--. .-.a
A half suppressed exclamation escaped
Alice, as her eyes caught the well known
features of him who had been her husband,
while quick thrill ran through her. Then
her frame trembled in accord with her fut-
tering heart. The face of Mr.. Delaney
had greatly changed since she had last
looked upon it. It's calm dignifed eleya-
ton had been restored. but with what diff
ference? What before was cheerful was
sad, very sad. MIR. President he began
in broken voice, although had consen-
ted at your urgent solicitation, to address
this large assembly to night, yet have
felt so strong a reluctance to doing so, that
it has been with the utmost difficulty l
could drag myself forward.-But l had
passed my word, could not violate il.
As TO relating my experience, that | do
not think can venture upon. The past
dare not recall. Would to heaven that
just ten years of my life were bloted out.
The speaker paused moment, already
much affected. Then resuming in irmer
voice, lie said:
But something must be said of my own
case, or | shall fail to make that impression
on your minds that I wish to produce.
Pictures of real life touch the heart with
power, while abstract presentations Of truth
glitter coldly in the Intellectual regions OF
the mind and then fade from the perception
like figures in diorama.
Your speaker once stood amongst the
first members ofthe bar in neighboring
State.-Nay, more than that-he repre-
scented his county for three years in the AS
sembly of the Commonwealth. And more
than that still-occupied a seat in Con-
gress for two Congressional periods.
At this announcement the stiffness oj
death prevailed the crowded assembly.
sand yet more than all that he contin.
ued, his voice sinking into low thrilling
tone-'he once had a tendery loved wife
and twosweet Children. But all these hon
ors-aIl these blessings have departed from
him. he continued, his voice growing
louder and deeper in his efforts to contro
himself He was unworthy to retail
R them! His constituents threw him off be
cause he had deceased himself and disgra
ced them. And worse than all-she VIII
had loved him devotedly-she who ha
lie borne him two dear babes, was forced t
lie abandon him, and seek an asylum in he
fathers house. And why? Could b.
D. come changed in a few short years
What power was there so TO abase me Il
ID my fellow being spurned, and even tn
- wife ofmy bosom turned away heart strict
c. en- from me? Alas my friends, it was
/ mad indulgence in mockery! Avery d.
mona Gree. changing the human in,
> the bestial. But for this l were now q
honorable and useful representative in Coz
! gress, pursuing after my couptry's goo
e and blessed in the home circle with wi
" and children. But have not told you a
ed Alter my wife separated from me. sar
rs rs rapidly.
c" A state of perfect sobriety brought Il
many terrible thoughts, | therefore drar
ri. more freely. and was rarely, if ever, fro
ed under the bewildering effects of partial i
as- toxication. I remained in the same v
lage for some years, but never once sd
her during that time-nor a Gimp
So, of nv children. AT last became so aba
e. Of doned in my life, that my wife, urged [
" by her friends no doubt. filed an apple
. ton for divorce, and as a cause could e
silv be shown why it should be granted,
o. o. separation was legally declared. 10 cor
,s' plete my disgrace. at the next Congre
ny sionaI canvass, was left of the ticket,
Oh Oh unfit to represent the district. left Il
o. country and State where | had lived fro
my boyhood up. = --,..-@.z .ss...
N, Three years have passed since them
Frs as For two years of the period 1 abandone
N. myself 10 the fearful impulse of the app
lite had acquired. Then l heard
- this new moyement-the great Tempe
. auce cause, At first sneered, then woI
ny Bered listened at last, and finally tire
he myself upon the great wave that W.
de sweaning onward, in The hope OF beir