True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1846-06-17
my wife separated from me- / sank rapidly

A state of perfect sobriety brought loo ftany
terrible reflections, therefore drank more free
! ~, and was rarely, il ever from under the be-
wllderlng effects of partial intoxcation | re-
manned IN the same village for some years, but
never once saw her during that tiuie--hor a
glimpse OF my children. AT last became SO
abandoned in my life, that my wife. urged on
by her friends, no doubt, filled an application
for divorce, and as cause could easily be
shown why it should be granted, separation
was legally declared To complete my disgrace
at the next Congressional canvass, | was left off
the ticket, as unfit to represent the district.
left the county and State where had lived
from my boyhood up
Three years have passed since then. For
two years abandoned myself to the fearful i'm.
pulse ofthe appetite had acquired Then
heard Of this new movement-the great tenn
perance' cause At first sneered, then won.
dered, 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, and did not hope with vain
hope. 1t did for me all and more than could
have deemed. II set me once more upon my
feet--once more made a man of me- year
of sobriety, earnest devotion to my profession,
and fervent prayer TO Him who alone gives
strength in every good resolution, restored to
me much that have lost-but not all-not the
richest treasure that proved myself unworthy
to retain--not nv wife and children. Ahl be.
tween myself and these the law has laid its stern
and impossible Introduction. have no longer
a wife; no longer children; though my heart
goes out towards these dearly beloved ones with
the tenderest warnings. Pictures OF our early
days of welded love are ever lingering in my
i'm gination. dream of the sweet fre'sde
circle; see before me the once placid face of
my Alice, as her eyes looked into my own with
intelligent confidence. feel her arms twlned
about my neck; the music of her voice is ever
sounding in my ear"
Here the speakers emotion overcame him.
His uttcrance became choked, and he stood ST.
lent, with bowed head and trembling limbs.
The dense mass of people was hushed into an
oppressive slllncss that was broken here and
there by half stihed sobs Atthis moment there
was movement in the crowd. A single fe-
male figure before whom every one appeared
nstiuclivcly to give way, was seen passing up
the aisle This was not observed by Delaney,
until she had come nearly in front Of the plat
form on which he stood Then the movement
caught bis ear, and lifting his eyes, he beheld
Ace-lor It was she that was pressing Onward
he bent forward towards her with sudden up
lifted hands and eager eyes, and stood like
statue until she had gained the stand and adj
vancrd quietly 10 his side For moment the
two stood thus the audience thrilled with the
scene were upon their feet and bending forward
Then Delaney, opened his arms, aud Alice
threw herself upon his bosom with quick,
wild gesture Thus for the space Of minute
they stood--cvery one fully bya singular in
tuition. understanding the scene One OF the
ministers then came forward, and gently sepa-
rated them.
"No, no" said Delaney, "you must moi, 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"
"Bu she is ready to renew her vows again,
said lice, smiling through her tears, that now
rained over her face.
"Beforc that large assembly all sanding |
and with few dry eyes wass SAID in broken voice, !
the ceremony that gave Delaney and Alice to
each other. As the minister, 90 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 M his oged
eyes that stteamed with drops Of gladness, he |
said in a solemn voice,
"IVhat God hath Joined together let not RUN
put aSRHder"
AMEN" was cried by the whole assembly,
as with single voice.