Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-05-12

ing State. Nay, more than that, he rep
resented his county three years in the
Assembly of the commonwealth land more
than that still, occupied a seat In Con-
gross for two Congressional periods.
At this period, the stiffness of death
/ pervaded the room.
| And vet more than all that, he contin.
ued, his voice sinking into a low thrilling
tone, he had tender wife and two sweet
children. But all those honors, all those
blessings have departed from him, he con-
tinued, his voice growing louder and deep
er IN his efforts to control himself. He
was unworthy to retain them.
His costituents threw him off because
he had debased himself and disgraced
them. And worse than all-she who
loved him devotedy- she who had borne
him two babes-was forced to abandon
him, and seek an asylum In her fathers
house.
And why? Could be SO changed in
a few short years What power was there
so to abuse me that my fellowbeings
spurned, and even the wife of my bosom
turned away heart-strlcken from me =
y
in mockery A very demon "a curse
changing the humane into the bestial.-
But for this. were an honorable and use
ful representative in Congress, pursuing
after my country's good and blessed in
the home circle with wife and children
But have not told YOU all. After my
wife left me, | sank rapidly.
\ state of perfect sobriety brought too
many terrible thoughts (; | therefore drank
more freely. and was rarely, if ever, free
! from the bewildering effects of intoxica-
/ ton. | remained in the same village for
several years, but never once saw her du
ring that time-nor caught glimpse of
my children. At last | became SO aban-
doned In my life, that my vile, urged on
by my friends, fled an application for a
divorce, and as a cause could easily be
shown why Il should be granted, a sepa-
ration was legally declared. To com
plete my disgrace, at the next Congress
>lonal canvass | was left off the ticket, as
unfit to represent the district. | left the
country and State where | had lived from
my boyhood up.
Three years nave passed since that time.
For two years Of the period, | abandoned
myself to the fearless impulse of the APP
petite had acquired. Then | heard of
this movement the great Temperance
cause. At first sneered, then wonder
ed, heSitated, and finally threw myself
upon the great wave that was swelling
onward, IN the hope of being carried by
II far out OF the reach of danger. and did
not hope with a vain hope. 1t did for me
all and more than | could have demanded
Ii set me once more upon my feet-once
moro made a man of me. A year Of So
briefly, earnest devotion TO my profession.
and icrvent prayer TO Hun who alone
gives strength IN every good resolution,
mas restored me much that has been lost:
but not ali--not the richest treasure
that | proved myself unworthy to retain,
not ny wife and children. An! between
myself and these, the law has, laid Its
stern ImpasSable introduction. [ have no
longer a wife ; no longer children. though
my neart goes out toward those dearly
/ beloved ones with the tenderes warnings.
Pictures OF our early days of welded love
are ever lingering IN my Imagination. !
dream o. the sweet freside circle see
ever before me- the once placid face of my
Alice, a her eve looked into my own
with intelligent confidence. | feel her
arms twine around my neck-the music
OF her voice Is ever sounding In nv ear.
Here the speakers emotion overcame
him. HIS utterancc chohed him, and he
stood silent with bowed head and trem-
broken here and there by half stided Sobs
II tins moment there was Il movement
IN the crowd. \ single female figure,
uetore WHOM every one appeared insunc
lively 10 give way, WAS passing the aisle.
TINS vas not observed by Delany until
she mad come nearly IN front of the plat
form uu which he stood. The movement
caught ms ear, and lifting his eyes, they
instantly tell on Alice for II was she that
was pressing torward-he bent toward her
wI,a sudden upIltted hands and eager eyes
and stood Ike Il statue until she had gain
Ell the stand ana advanced quietly by has
side. For moment, they stood thus
the waC!eaudIence. thrilled wlthlhe scene.
were upon their feet and bending for
ward. Then Deianv opened his arms.
and Alice threw herself INTO his bosom
with quick and wtId gesture. Thus
Tor the space ola minute they stood ; ey-
cry one by singular intuition, under
standing the scene. Olc of the minis
tiers then came forward and gently sepa-
rated them.
No, no" said Dciany, "you must
no,-you cJnnot-take Her away from
ms"
Heaven forbid that I should do that, =
replied the minister. BY your confts-
SION she Is not Your wife