The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-04-20
Affecting Incident.

who was always rallylng me about
our Congressional Temperance Society.
Briggs" he used to say, 81 am gong To
join your temperance society. as soon as
my demijohn is empty" but just before
it became empty. lie always filled it a.
gain. At one time towards the close of
the session, he said to me, al am going to
sign the pledge when get home. ! am
in earnest, Briggs; my demijohn is empty
and am not going to fill it again"
He spoke with such an air ofseriousuess
as had not before observed in him, aud
as impressed me; and asked him what
1t meant-what had changed his feelings.
why, said he. II had short time
since visit from my brother, who stated
to me fact that more deeply impressed
and effected me than anything | recol
lect to have heard upon the subject in any
temperance speech ever heard or read
In my neighbnrhood is a gentleman OF
my acquaintance, well educated, who
once had some property, but now re,
duced-poorl He has beautiful and
lovely wife, lady Of cultivation and re.
finement and most charming daugh-
ter. ...
This gentleman had become decidedly
intemperate in his habits, and had fully
alarmed his friends in regard to him. AT
one time, when number of his former
associates were together, they counselled
as to what should be done for him. FL
nally,o oflhem said to him, "why don't
you send your daughter away to GER
tain distinguished schooll" which he
named. "Oh, cannot, it is out Of the
question am not ableto bear the ex-
pense. Poor girl | wish could We'll,
said his friend, ,"ifyou wiIlsign the pledge
will be to all the expense of her attend
ing school Tor one year. "What does
this meant" said he. "Do you think me
in danger of becoming a drunkard!"
mo matter" said his friend, "about that
now, will do as said" "And |, )" said
another "will pay the rent your farm a
yearifyou will sign the Pile ge." well
these offers are certainly liberal-but
what do they meanl Do you think me
in danger of becoming a drunkard!
What can it meanl But, gentlemen, in
view of your Iiberality, | will make an
offer: will sign if you wil!' This was
proposition they had not considered,
and we're not very well prepared to meet;
but for his sake they said we will, and
did sign, and he with them.
Aud now for the first time the truth
poured into his mind, and he saw his con.
dition, and he sat down bathed in tears
Now" said he, gentlemen, you must
go aud communicate these facts to my
wife--poor woman, know she will be
glad to hear it, but cannot tell her.
Two st them started for that purpose
The lady met them at the door, pale and
tlemt ling with emotion What" she
inquired, lis the matterl What has hap.
!, pened to my husband? . D..
They bid her dismiss her fears, as.
suring her they had come to bring hei
tidings other husband-bul good tiding,
such as she would be glad to hear.
Your husband has signed the tenn
perance pledge--yea, signed in goot
faith" The joyous news nearly over
come her-she trembIed with excitement
-wept freely and, clasping her hands
devotionally, she looked up to heaven
T. and thanked God for the happy change
: Now" said she, Il have husband a
3 he once was, in the days Of our earl
I love-"
"But this was not what moved me,
y said the gentleman. There was in tn,
same vicinity another gentleman-a gen
= erous, nuble soul-married young-mar
i ried well-into charming family, ant
the flower of it. His wine drinking hab
its had aroused the fears Of his friends
and one day, when several of them wer
together, one said to another, "let u
sign the pledge" ii will if you will
said one to another, till all agreed to il
and the thing was done.
i This gentleman thought itrathera sma
q business and felt little sensitive abou
,f revealing to his wife what he had done
h But on returning home, he said to her
!. MARY, my dear, have done what fea
d will dsplease you" "Well what is itl
e "Why, have signed the temperate
IS pledge" "Have you?" "Yes, hav
T. certainly" Watching his manner as h
"a replied, and reading in it sincerity, sh
entwined her arms around his neck, ai
Q, her head upon his bosom, and burst int
If tears. Her husband was affected deepl
re- by this conduct of his wife, and saic
is Mary don't weep; | did not know
h would affiict you So, or would not hay
i. done it-l will go and take my name o
d Immediately" Take your name off
c. said she; no, no!-let it be there. sha
ar now have no more soIicitude in referenc
pf to your becoming drunkard. l sha
IS spend no more wakeful midnight hour
" shall no more steep my pillow in tears
= Now for the first time the truth shor
,e upon his mind, and he folded to h
us bosom his young and beautiful wife, an
Is wept with her. Now, can't stand the;
ds facts; and | am going to sign the pledg
IN Speech Of Coz. Briggs, at LOwe,
10 Massachusetts.
IA Sleep Of the Child.
q. A good habit, which it is important
IN make the child contract almost from
birth, Is to remain wide awake in its be