Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-08-16
From the American Messenger.
AN EXCITING SCENE.

ing in --- church where the speakers
were, as usual, to be reformed Grunkards
An estimable woman whom | will call
Alice, was induced to attend. When the
meeting was somewhat advanced, a late
member Of Congress arose, with apparent
sadness and hesitation-
"Though | had consented, at your ur-
gent solicitation, to address this assembly
Tonight" he said, "yet / have felt SO great
IA reluctance to dong so, that it has been
with the utmost difficulty could drag my
self forward. As to relating my expert
encc, that do not think | can venture
upon. The past | dare not recall.
could wish that the memory of ten years
of my life were blotted out" He paused
a moment, much affected, and then added
in a firmer voice, "Something must be
said Of my own case, or | shall fail to make
the impression on your minds that wish
10 produce.
"Iour speaker once stood among ihe re-
! spected members Of the bar. Nay, more
than that, he occupied a seat in Congress
for two congressional periods. And more
than that" he continued, his voice sinking
into tone expressive of deep emotion, she
once had tenderly-loved wife and two
sweet children. But all these honors, all
these blessings, have departed from him.
He was unworthy to retain them his con-
stituents threw him off because he had de-
based himself, and dsgraced them. And
more than all, she who had loved him de-
votedlv, the mother Of his two babes, was
forced to abandon him, and seek an asylum
in her fathers house. And why? Could
| become so changed in few short years
What power was there so to debase me
that my iplow-bengs spurned, and even
| the wife of my bosom turned away, heart
/ stricken, from me Alas, my friends, it
was a mad indulgence in Intoxicating
drinks. But for this, ] were an honorable
and useful representative in the halls of
| legislation, and blessed with home, and
with wife and children.
"But | have not told you all. After my
! wife separated from me, sank rapidly. "A
state of sobriety brought too many terrible
thoughts drank more deeply, and was
rarely, il ever, free from the brwidering
! effects of partial intoXication. At last, ]
became 80 abandoned that my wife, urged
| by hcr friends no doubt, filed an applica-
I ton for 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 CongreSsion-
/ al canvass was left off the ticket as unfit
! TO represent the district.
"When heard Of this new movement,
| the great temperance cause, at first ] snccr-
! ed, then wondered, listened at last, and
| finally threw myself upon the great wave
that was rolling onward, in hope of being
carried by ii far out Of the reach of dan
ger. did not hope with vain hope. it
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 devSion to my
profession, aud iervenI prayer 10 Him who
alone gives strength in every good resolu-
tion, has restored to me much that have
lost but no, all, not the richest treasure
that have proved mySelt unworthy TO re-
tain; not my wife and children. Between
myself and these the law has laid its stern,
impossible interdictipns. / have no lon
ger a wife, no longer children, though my
. ]
ones with the trndereSt yearnngs. Pic
lures Of our early days Of welded love are
ever lingering in my Imagination. ! dream
of the sweet frrside circle ! see ever be-
fore me the placid face Of my Alice, as hel
eyes looked into my own with intelligent
confidence, Tie Music Of her voice is evel
sounding in my ears"
Here the speakers emotion overcamt
him his uterance became choked, and he
stood silent, with bowed head and tremb'
ling limbs. The dense mass of people
were hushed into an oppressive stiffness
that was broken here and there by hal
stifed SObS.
AT this moment there was mOvemeL
in the crowd. A single female figure, be-
fore whom every one appeared instinct
lively TO give way, was seen passing up tht
aisle. This was not observed by the speak
er until she had come nearly in front o
the platform on which he stood. 1her
the movement caught his ear, and his eye
ihat instant fell on Alice, who, by tht
kindness of those near her, was conducted
TO his side. The whole audience, thrilled
with the scene, We're upon their feet anC
bending forward, when the speaker extend
ed his arms, and Alice threw herself uPol
his bosom
} An aged minister then came forwaTC
and gently separated them. "No, no,
r said the reformed Congressman, 'you can
not take her away from me-" "HeaveT
forbid that should" replied the minister
''but by your own confession she is no
your wife" "No, she is rot" returnc'
the speaker mousnluliy. "But is ready t'
take her vows again." modesIly said Alice
, in low tone, smiling through her teas
= Before that large assembly, all standing
and with few dry eyes, the marriage cere
mony was again performed, that gave th
speaker and Alice to each other. AS tn
minister, an aged man with thin whit
locks, completed the marriage rite, he lai
his hands upon the heads Of the two he ha
Joined in holy bonds, aud lifting mp hi
streaming eyes, said, in a solemn voice
: "What God has joiued together, let mo
Rum put asunder" UAmen lv was erie