Saturday morning visitor., 1848-06-17
A TRUE h STORY.

| In the evening of the day Alice arrv-
ed at $, great experience meeting
was TO be held in one of the churches. -
Her friend who had become enthusiastic
in the cause, urged her 10 goto this meet
lug, which Alice did, although with a
feeling Of reluctance. The house was
crowded above and below. The prelimi-
naries usually appertainingto SUCH meet
ings having beep arranged, a brief open
ing address was made by one of The min
listers. A reformed man then related his
experience with great effect. After he
had finished, there was a pause Of nearly
a minute. Atlengtb a man who had been
selted 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
AlIc :, az her eyes caught the well known
features Of him who had been her husband,
while quick thrill ran through her.
Then her frame trcmbled in accord with
her fuilering heart. ! lie face Of Mr.. De-
tincy had greatly changed since she had
last looked upon it. lis calm, dignitied
elevation had been restored, but with " hat
difference! What before was cheerful,
was sad, very sad.
"Mr. President" ," he began in a broken
voice, ''althnugh had consented, al your
urgent solicitation, 10 address this large
assembly Tonight, yet have !clt so stroug
a reluctance 10 doing SO, that 1t has been
with the utmost difficulty could drag my
sell forward But had passed my word;
| could not violate il. As to relating my
experience, that do not tiink can ven
lure upon. The past dare moi recall
Would to Heaven 'hat just ten years Of my
llle we're bloited out"
The speaker paused moment, already
mnGh affected. Then resulning in firm
er voice he said:
But something must be said Of my own
case, or shall fail 10 make that impress
Slon upon your minds tha, wish to pro-
! duce.
Pictures Of real life touch the heart
w;tl power, while abstract presentations
of truth glitter colllj in the intellectual
regions Of HE mind, and then fade from
tAe perception like figures in a diorama.
Your speaker once stood AIMING the
first members of the bar in a neighboring
Slote--nay, more than thal--he represen-
ted his county for three years in tie As
sembly Of the Commonwealth. And more
than that still occupied seat in Congress
Tor tWo congressional periods.
AT this announcement the stiffness Of
death perYaded the crowded assembly.
'And yet more than all that" he con-
timed, his voce sinking into low thrill,
ing tone--'he once lad tenderly loved
VIE and two sweet children. But all
these honors all these blessings have de-
parted from him." lie continued, his voice
growing louder and deeper in his efforts
TO control himself. "lle was unworthy
10 retain lhem His constituents threw
him of, because he had debased himself
and disgraced ii EN-. And worse than all
she who had loved HIM devuiedly - she
who had borne HIM two dear babes, was
forced 10 abandon him and seek an asylum
in her fathers house. And why I? Could
| have become So changed in few short
years2 What power was there TO abuse
me that my fellow beings spurned, and e.
ven the wife Of my bosom turned away
heart-strioken from me? Alas! my
friends, il was mad indulgence in meek
cry! A very demon--a Circe, changing
the human into the bestial. But inr this,
were now an honorable and useful rep
resentative in Congress, pursuing after
my country'S good, and blest in The house
circle with wife and children. But have
not told you all. Afier my wife separa-
ted from me, sank rapidly.
"A state of perfect sobriety brought too
many terrible thoughts therefore, drank
more freely, and was rarely, if ever, from
under the bewildering effects Of partial
intoxication. / remained in the same viii
lage for some years, but never once saw
her during that time--nor glimpse OF
my children. AT last / became so aban-
dOned in my life, that my wife, urged on
by her friends, doubtless, filed an applica-
ton Tor divorce, and as cause conld ea-
silly be shown why il 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 liv-
ed from my boyhood up.
"Three years have elapsed since then.
For two years Of the period | abandoned
myself TO the fearful impulses of the APP
petite had acquired. Then ] heard oi
this new movement-lhe great temper,
ance cause. AT first sneered, then on
dered, listened at last, and finally threw
myself upon the great wave that was
aweeping onward, in hopes of being car
ried by Il far out Of the reach Of danger
and did mol hOpa with vain hope, i