Mississippi palladium. [volume] (Holly Springs, Miss.) 1851-1852, 1851-07-11
Refor nation Of William Writ.

six or eight months after his marriage be-
came addicted to intsmperance, the effect
of which operated strongly on the mind and
/ health of his wife, and In few months
more she was numhered with the dead.
Her death led him g leave the county
where she resided, and he moved to Rich
nond, where he soon rose to distinction.
But his habits hung about him, and occa-
sionally he was found n 1t Jolly and frolick-
some spirits in bacchsl alan reyelrv. His
true friends expostulst avith him, to con-
vince him of the in;s -sas doing him
Bit ne sud 0ffsstds H. ,s-ssss.ss
began to fall off, and many looked on him
as on the sure road to ruin. He was ad-
yised to get married, with view of correc-
ting his habits. This he consented to do,
if the right person offered. He accordingly
paid his addresses to Miss Gamble. After
some months attention he asked her hand
in marriage;-she replied-Mr. Writ, 1
have been well aware of your intentions for
some time back, and should have given you
to understand that your visits and attentions
were not acceptable, had not reciprocated
the affection which you evinced for me.
But l cannot yield my consent until you
give me pledge never to taste, touch or
handle any intoxicating drinks"
This reply to Mr.. Writ was as unexpec-
ted as it was novel. His reply was, that
he regarded the proposition as bar to all
further considerations of the subject, and
left her. Her course towards him wasthe
same as eyer-his, resentment and neglect.
In the course of a few weeks he went again,
and again solicited her hand. But her re-
ply was, her mind was made up He be-
came indignant, and regarded the terms she
proposed as insulting to his honor, and VOW
ed it should be the last meeting they should
ever have. He took to drinking worse and
worse, and seemed to run headlong to ruin.
One day while laying in the outskirts of the
city, near little grocery or grog-shop,
dead drunk, young lady, whom it is not
necessary to name, was passing that way
to her home, not far off, and beheld him
with his face upturned to the rays of
the schorehing sun. She took her
handkerchief, with her own name marked
upon it, and placed it over his face. After
he had remained in thatway for some hours,
he was awakened, and his thirst being SO
great, he went into the little grocery or
grog-shop to get drink when he discover
ed the handkerchief at which he looked,
and at the name that was on it. After
pausing few minutes he Northumberland
God, who left this with me! Who placed
this on my face! No one knew He drop
ped the glass, exclaiming Enough! E
noughH' He retired instantly from the
store, forgetting his thirst, but not the de-
bauch, the handkerchief, or the lady, VOW
ing, if God gave him strength, never to
touch, taste, or handle intoxicating drinks.
To meet Miss G. was the hardest effort
of his life. Ii he met her in her carriage,
or on foot, he would dodge round the near
est corner. She at last addressed him a
note under her own hand, inviting him to
her house, which he finally gathered cour-
age enough to accept. He told her If she
bore affection for him he would agree to
her owen terms. Her reply was: "My
conditions are now what they ever have
been" '.Then," said the disenthralled
Writ, Il accept them
They were soon married and from that
day he kept his word, and his affairs bright
ened, while honors and glories gathered
thick upon his brow. His name has been
enrolled high in the temple of fame, while
his patriotism and renown live after him
with imperishable lustre How many no
bic minds might the young ladies save ifthey
would follow the example of the heroine
hearted Miss G. the friend of humanity, of
her country, and the relation of La Fayette.