The literary echo. (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1851, 1851-08-21


ton, and blessed with home and with
wife and children.
"But l have not told you all. After
my wife separated from me sank rapidly
A state of sobriety brought too many terri
BILE thoughts l drank more deeply, and
was rarely, if ever free from the bewilder-
ing effects of partial intoxication. At last,
[ became so abandoned that my wife,
urged by her friends, no doubt, filed an
application for a divorce, and as cause
could be readily shown why it should be
granted, a separation was legally declared !;
and to complete my disgrace, at the con-
gressional canvass I was left off the ticket,
as unfit to represent the district.
"When | heard of this new movement,
the great temperance cause, at first l
sneered, then wondered, listened at last,
and finally threw myself upon the great
wave that was rolling onward, in hope of
being carried by it far out of the reach Of
danger. did not hope with a vain hope.
1t did for me all and more than could
have desired 1t set me once more upon
my feet, once more made a man Of me. A
year of sobriety, earnest devotion to my
profession, and fcrvent prayer to Him who
alone gave strength in every good resolu-
ton, has restored to me much that | have
lost, but not all, rot the richest treasure
that / have proved myself unworthy tc
retain no my wife and children. Be.
tween myself and these the law has laio
its stern impossible interdictions. l have
no longer a wife, no longer children,
though my heart goes towards those dearly
beloved ones with the tenderaSt earnings,
Pictures Of our early days Of welded love
are ever lingering in my Imagination. |
dream o. tie sweet fresido circle l see
ever before me the sweet placid face Of
my Alice, as her eyes looked into my own
with intelligent confidence the music of
her voice is ever present to my care"
Here the speakers emotion overcame
him his utterance became choked, and he
stood silent, with bowed head, and trem-
bling limbs. The dense mass of people,
were hushed into an oppressive stiffness
that was broken here and there by halt
stihed sob.
At this moment there was movement
in the crowd A single female figure, be-
fore whom every one seemed instinctively
to give way, was seen passing up the aisle.
This was not observed by the speaker un-
til she had come nearly In front OF the
Platform on which he stood. Then the
movement caught his ear, and his eye that
instant fell on Alice, who by the kindness
of those near her, was conducted to his
side. The whole audience, thrilled with
the scene, We're upon their feet and bend
ing forward, when the speaker extended
his arms, and Alice threw herself upon his
bosom.
An aged minister then came forward
and gently separated them. No, no"
said the reformed congressman, "you can
not take her away from me-" Heaven
.f,rbil that 1 should" replied the minister,
" but by your own confession she is your
wife" " No, she is not" returned the
speaker mourn,uny. "But is ready to
tale her VOWS again. modeStly said Alice,
in a low tone, smiling thro' her tears.
Before the large assembly, all standing,
and with few dy eyes, the marriage GER
cmony was again performed that again
gave Alice and the speaker to each other
As the minister, an aged man with thin
white locks, completed the marriage rite,
he laid his hands upon the heads of the
two he had just jo' in holy bonds, and