The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1847-01-28
A TRUE STORY


cause, urged her 10 90 TO this meeting, which
Alice did, although with feeling of relnc-
lance. The House was crowded above and
below. The preliminares usually apper-
teaining to such meetings having been ar
ranged, a brief opening address was made by
one of the ministers. A reformed man then
related his experience with great effect. Al
ter he had finished there was pause ofnear-
ly minute. At length man, who had
been seated far back, with his face partly
turned to the audience, arose slowly, and
moved towards the front of The stage.
A half suppressed exclamation e:c'ped
Alice, as her eye caught tie we'll known
features Of him who had been her husband,
while quick thrill ran through her. Then her
frame trembled in accord with her f1utteTing
heart. The face OF MIR. Delaney had greatly
changed since she had last looked upon it.
lis calm, dignfed elevation had been restor-
ed but with what difference what before
was cheerful was sad, very sad. "Mr. Pres
dent,' he began in broken voice, "although
had consented at you urgent solicitation,
to address this large assembly 10 night, yet
have felt so strong reluctance 10 doing so,
that it has been with the utmost difficulty Il
could drag myself forward. But | had pas
sed my word-I could not violate it. AS TO
relating my experience, that do moi think |
can venture upon. The past do not recall.
Would 10 Heavent that just ten years OF my
life were blotted out.
The speaker paused moment, already
much affected. Resuming ina 6rmer voice,
| he said.
"But something must be said of my own
case, or shall fail to make that impression
on your minds that wish 10 produce.
''Pictures of real life touch the heart with
power while abstract presentations Of truth
glitter coldy in the intellectual regions Of
the mind and then fade from the perception
like figures in diorama.
"You speaker once stood among the first
members of the bar in neghboring Stale.
Nay, more than that-he represented his
county three years in the Assembly of the
Commonwealth. And more than that still,
occupied a seat in Congress for two Con-
gressonl periods.
At this announcement the stiffness Of death
pervaded the crowded assembly.
"And yet more than all that" he continued
his voice sinking into low thrilling tone
she once had tenderly loved wife and two
children. But all these honors--alI these
blessings have depated from him,''-he con-
tnued, his voice growing louder and deep
er in his efforts 10 control himself. SHE was
unworthy to retain themi HIS constituents
threw him off because he had debased him
self and disgraced them. And worse than
, aIl-she who had loved him devotedly, she
Ill LID krha tr
: abandon him, and seek an asylum at hel
fathers house. And why? Could become
so changed il a few short years? What pow
er was there so TO abase me that my fellow
beings spurned and even the wife Of my DO
som turned away heart-stricken from me?-
Alas my friends it was a mad indulgence
: in mockery! A very demon-a Gree, chang
ing the human into beastal. But for this,
: were an honorable and useful member o.
Congress, pursuing after my couniy's good
: and blest in the home circle with wife anC
children. But have not told you all. AT
Ter my wife separated from me, sank rapid
: ly. A state of perfect sobriety brought toc
0 many terrible thoughts, therefore drsnl
more freely, and was rarely, if ever from I'm
i der The bewildered effects of partial intoxi
= cation | remained in the same village 70
: some years, but never saw her during tina
Rime-nor a glimpse of my children. A
II length | became so abandoned in nv life
S that my wife urged on by her friends nj
l. doubt, filed an application for a divorce, ant
as cause could be easily shown why it shoult
II be granted, separation was legally declar
;, ;. ed. To complete my disgrace, at the mex
! Congressional canvass, | was left off the tick
@ ct, as unfit 10 represent the district. lei
IT The country and State where had lived fror
II my boyhood up.
d Three years have passed since then. Fo
e two of The period, abandoned myself TO tn
s fearful appetite had acquired. Then hear
u of The new movement-the great temperate
Ii cause. Al first | sneered: then wondered
e listened at las, land finally threw myself upo
t the great wave that was sweeping onward
10 the hope of being carried by it far Out c
3 the reach of danger, and did not hope with
~ vain hope. 1t did for me all and more tina
!, could have deemed. II set me once NOR
!. upon my feet-once more made man @
70 me. A year or sobriety, earnest devotion
If my profession, and fervent prayer TO Hir
r alone who gives strength in every good re:
I'll olution, has restored to me much that hav
- lost-but not all--tbe richest treasure that
have proved myself unworthy to retain--nc
\. my wife and children, All! between myse
=, and these the law has laid its stern and in
q. passble interdicton. | have no longer
n. wife; no longer children; though my hea
ii goes out towards these dearly believe
or ones with the tenderest yearnings. Picture
er of our early days of welded love are eve
10 lingering IN my imagination. dream of til
n sweet Preside circle; | see ever before m
,r,ln. A