The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-04-04
UNEQUALLED AND THRILLING TEN
pERANCE TALE-A TRUE STORY.

become enthusiastic in the cause, urged her to go
to this meeting, which Alice did, although with a
feeling Of reluctance. The house was crowded
above and below. The preliminaries usually APP
pertaining to such meetings having been arranged,
brief opening address was made by one Of the
ministers. A reformed man then related his eSpe
renee, with great effect After he had finished,
there was pause Of nearly minute. At length
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 half expressed 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 whole frame trembled in
accord with her fluttering heart The face OF Mr..
Delaney was greatly changed since she had last
looked upon it. Its calm, dgnifed elevation had
been restored, but with what difference-w be-
fore was cheerful was sad, very sad.
/" Mr.. President" he began in a subdued voice,
although had consented at your urgent solicl-
tation, to address this large assembly tonight, yet
Ihave feltso strong reluctance to doing so, that
il has been with the utmost difficulty could drag
myself forward. But had passed my word,
could not violate it, As to relating my experience,
that do not think can venture upon. The past
Idare not recall. Would to heaven that the men,
ory of just ten years Of my life were botted out"
The speaker paused moment, already much
affected. He, resuming in firmer voice said,
" But something must be said of my own case,
or shall fail to make hatimpression on your minds
that wish to produce"
Pictures Of real life touch the heart with power,
while abstract presentations of truth glitter codly
in the intellectual regions of the mind and then
fade from the perception like dissolving figures in
the diorama.
Your speaker once stood among the first men,
bers ofthe bar, In aneighboring State Nay, more
than that-he represented his county for three years
in the Assembly Of the Commonwealth. And
more than that still-occupied a seat in Congress
for two Congressional periods
AT this announcement, the stiffness Of death per-
vaded the crowded assembly.
And yet more than all that, he continued, his
voice sinking into low thrilling tone" he once
had a tenderly loved wife and two sweet children.
But all these honors, all these blessings have de-
parted from him, he continued, his voice growing
louder and deeper in his effort to control himself
" He was unworthy to retain them! His constit-
uents threw him off because he had debased him.
selt and dsgraced them. And worse than all
she, who had loved him devotedly-sbe who had
borne him two dear babes, was forced to abandon
him, and seek an asylum in her fathers house.
And why?-Could become changed in a few
short years. What power was there so to abase
me that my fellow beings spurned, and even the
wife of my bosom turned away, heart stricken from
me, Alas my friends-t was mad indulgence
in mockery? A very demon-a Gree, changing
the, human into the bestlal. But for this, and
were now an honorable and useful representative
in Congress pursuing after my country's good, and
blessed in the home circle with wife and children.
But have not told you ALL After my wife sepa-
rated from me, sank rapidly A state of perfect
sobrety brought too many terrible thoughts, there
fore drank more freely, and was rarely, if ever,
from under the bewidering effects of partial ntox
ication ] remained in the same village for some
years, but never once saw her during that time nor
a glimpse of my children. At last became so
abandoned in my life, that my wife, urged on by
her friends, no doubt, filed an application for d.
vorce, and as cause could readily be shown why it
should be granted, a separation was legally decar-
ed. To complete my disgrace, at the next Con-
gressiona canvass, was left off the ticket as unfit
to represent the district. then left the country
and State, where had lived from my boyhood up
"Three years has passed since then. For two
years of that period abandoned myself to the fear
full impulse of the appetite had acquired. Then
] heard of this new movement; the great temper
ance cause. AT first sneered, then wondered
listened at last, and finally threw myself upon the
great wave that was sweeping onward, in the hope
of being carried by it far out of the reach OF danger
] did not hope with vain hope. 1t did for me all
and more than could have deemed. 1t set me
once more upon my feet; once more made man
my profession, and fervent prayer to Him who
alone gives strength in every good resolution, has
restored to mo much thatl have lost; but not all :;
not the richest treasure that proved myself un-
worthy to retain; not my wife and children. All!
between myself and these the law has laid its stern
impossible interdction. have no longer wife /;
no longer children; though my heart goes out to-
wards those dearly beloved ones with the tenderest
yearnings. Pictures of our early days of welded
love are ever lingering in my Imagination. dream
of the sweet iire-side circle; see ever before me
the once placid face of Alice, as her eyes looked
into my own with intelligent confidence. feel
her arms twine about my neck; the music of her
voice is ever sounding in my ears"
Here the speakers emotion overcome him. His
utterance became choked, and he stood silent with
bowed head and trembling limbs The dense mass
ot people were hushed into an oppressive Stiffness
that broken here and there by half stlfled sebs
Atthis moment there was a movement in the crowd
A single female figure, before whom every one ap-
peared instinctively to give way, was passing
up the isle. This was not observed by Delaney,
until she had come nearly in front Of the platform
on which he stood. Then the movement caught
his ear and lifting his eyes, that instantly fell on
Alice for it was she that was pressing onward; he
bentforward towards her with suddenly lifted hands
and eager eyes, and stood like a statue, until she
had gained the stand and advanced quickly to his
side. Fora moment the two stood thus, the whole
audience thrilled with the scene, were upon their
feet and bending forward, Then Delaney opened
his arms, and Alice threw herself upon his bosom
with quick wild gesture Thus, for the full space
of minute, they stood; every one fully, as by
singular intuition, understanding the scene. One
Of the ministers then came forward, and gently
separated them
No, no." said Delaney, "youmust not, you
cannot take her away from me-"
" Heaven forbid that should do that" replied
the minister "By your own confession, she is not
your wife"
No, she isnot," returned Delaney ,mournfully.
g But is ready to take up her vows again" Alice
said, smiling through tears that now rained over
her face.
Before that large assemblage, all standing, and
with few dry eyes, said in broken voice, the
marriage ceremony that gave Delaney and Alice |
to each other. AS the minister, an aged man, with
thin white locks finished the rite he laid his hands
upon the heads of the two he had joined in holy
bonds and lifting up his aged eyes, that streamed