Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-07-02
s elect Tales.
A TRUE STORY.
FaystOn, June, 1916.


In the evening of the day on which Alice ar
rived at s., great experience meeting
was to be held in one of the churches Her
friend who hadbecome enthusiastic in the cause,
urged her to 60 to this meeting, which Alice did,
although with feeling of reluctance. The
house was crowded above and below The pre-
lminares usually appertaining to such meetings
having been arranged, brief opening address
was made by one Of the ministers. A reform
ed man then related his experience with great
effect. After he had finished, there was pause
Of nearly minute. At length man who had
Leen seated far back, with his face partly turn
ed from the audience, arose slowly, and moved
to the front of the stage.
A half suppressed exclamation escaped Alice,
as her eyes caught the we'll known features OF
him who had been her husband, while quick
thrill ran through her. Then her Fame trem-
bled in accord with her Autterng heart The
face of Mr.. Delaney had greatly changed since
she had last looked upon it, Its calm, dignihcd
elevation had been restored, but with that diff
ference--what before was cheerful was sad, very
sad.
Mr. President he began in a subdued voice,
although hau consented at your urgent soci-
tatlon to address this large assembly tonight,
yet have felt so strong reluctance to doing
so, that it has been with the utmost difficulty
could drag myself for yard But had passed
my word, could not violate it, 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 we're blot
ted out
The speaker paused moment, already much
affected. Then resuming frmer voice, he
said
But something must be said Of my own case,
or | shall fail to make that impression on your
minds that l wish to produce
Pictures of real life touch the heart with pow
er, while abstract presentations of ruth glitter
coldy in the intellectual regions of the mind,
and then fade from the perception like dssovng
figures in the diorama.
Your speaker one stood among the first
members of the bar in neighboring State
Nay, more than that-he represented his coun-
ty for three years in the Assembly of the Com
a seat in Congress for two Congressional pc
RODS
AT this announcement the stiffness of dealt
pervaded the crowded assembly
And yet more than all that, he continued
his voice sinking into low thrilling tone-'ht
once had tenderly loved wife and two swee
children But all these honors, all these bless
ings have departed from him, he continued. hi,
voice growing louder and deeper IN his effort tc
control himself He was unworthy to retain
them. His constituents threw him off becaus,
he had debased himself and disgraced them
And worse than all-she who had loved him de
votedy-she who had borne him two dear babes
was forced to abandon him, and seek an asylum
in her fathers house. And why? Could
become so changed in few short years. VIVA
power was there so to abase me that my feIlo,
beings spurned, and even the wife of my bosom
turned away, heart-striCken from mel Alas m
friends, it was mad indulgence in mockery-
A very demon-a Gree, changing the humal
into the bestiaI. But for this, | were now al
honorable and useful representative in Congress
pursuing after my country's good, and besse,
IN the home circle with wife and children Blu
have not told you ALL After my wife separa
ted from me, | sank rapidly. A state of perfec
sobrlety brought too many terrible thoughts
therefore drank more freely, and was rarely,
ever, from under the bewldering effects of par
tai lntoxication. | remained in the same vii