American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-11
From the ST. Louis American. D
A TRUE STORY.


In the evening of the day on which Alice ar
-Ived at S, great experience meeting was
10 be held in one of the churches Her friend
who had become enthusiastic in the cause, urg-
ed her TO go to this meeting, which Alice did,
although with feeling of reluctance. The
house was crowded above and below. The pre-
hminares usually appertaining to such meet
lngs having been arranged, brief opening ad
dress was made by one of the ministers. A
reformed man then related his experience with
great effect. After he had finished there was
pause of nearly a 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 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 frame trem-
bled in accord with her futtering heart. The
face of Mr.. Delaney had greatly changed since
she had last looked upon it. Its calm dignfed
elevation had been restored, but with what diff
ference? What before was cheerful, was sad,
very sad. "Mr. President" he began in bro
ken voice, "although had consented at your
urgent solicitation, to address this large assem-
bly, tonight, yet have felt SO strong reluct-
ance to doing so, that it has been with the ut
most 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 dare not
recall Would to heaven that just ten years OF
my life were blotted out'
The speaker paused a moment, already much
affected. Then resuming in firmer voice, he
said:
"But something must be said of my own case
j .I.n1I C,.1 al.
minds that wish to produce.
Pictures of real life touch the heart with
power, while abstract presentations of truth
glitter colGly in the intellectual regions of the
mind and then fade from the perception like f.
cures in diorama.
Your speaker once stood among the first
members of the bar in neighborng State
Nay, more than that-he represented his coun-
ty for three years in the Assembly of the Com.
monwealth. And more than that stll-occu-
Pied.a seat in Congress for two Congressional
periods.
At this announcement the stiffness of death
prevailed the crowded assembly.
Sand yet more than all thai" he continued
his,vo'ce sinking into low thrilling tone-"he
once had tendery loved wife and two sweet
children. But all these honors-all these bless
ings have departed from him." he continued
his voice growing louder and deeper in his Of:
forts to control himself 'He was unworthy
TO retain them! His constituents threw him of
becaused he had debased himself and dsgraced
them. And worse than all-she who had loved
him devotedly--she who had borne him two
dear babes, was forced to abandon him, ant
seek an asylum in her fathers house. Anc
Why? Could | become SO changed in few
short years? What power was there SO to abase
me that my fellow beings spurnod, and even the
wife my bosom turned away heart-stricker
from me' Alas! my friends, it was mad in
diligence in mockery! A very demon-a Gree
changing the human into the bestial. But fol
this, were now an honorable and useful re-
preventative in Congress, pursuing after my
oountry's good, and blessed in the home circle
with whe and children But have not tolC
you all Alter ray wife separated from ME,
sank rapidly.
A safe of perfect sobriety brought too many
terrible thoughts, therefore drank more free
ly, and was rarely, il ever, from under the be-
wlldering effects of partial Intoxca,ion. re-
manned in the same village for some years but
never once saw her during that tme-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 a divorce, and as cause could easily be
shown why it should be granted, separation
was legally declared. To complete my DIS
grace, at the next Congressional canvass, was
left off the ticket as unfit to represent the dis
trict | left the country and State where bad
lived from my boyhoOd up.