Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-23
Iosr. FouNp avn REsIoaEp.
a sErrou rpox llrr.

| You have just returned, friend Manson, have
lyou not said Livingston, from your western
Ijourney9' Yes he replied, Il have; and there
was a circumstance attending il, which will make
il 10 me the most memorable event in my whole
life Indeed, what is that, my friend?' 'Ah,
il would take more time than either you or |
could now spare, said Manson, for me to relate,
and you TO listen TO the particulars ha,t I will
attempt very. brief,SketchSof the substance.
When ] went t1eeelloof in Connecticut, had q
dear friend and scloolmate, named John Nc
Lid. He was one Of the brightest and most
beloved pupils in the school. He grew up, paid
bis addresses TO beautiful and excellent young
lady, member Of the church. At length he
was married to his Mary, and they prepared
Immediately after that event, in pursuance of
previous plan, to emigraie TO Western State.
The evening before the day we were TO sepa-
rate, perhaps forever had a tender interview
with my bosom friend and his lovely wife il
was deeply affecting 10 all Of us.
| The next morning they departed, with the
lahectionate farewells of many old friends and
lneighbors in the town, where they were born
and reared, and with handsome provision made
by the parents Of both who were in competent
circumstances. Ten years elapsed, during
(which | was called 10 the Methodist ministry,
in distant places, as my lot happened to be cast.
Not a word concerning them reached my ears
in all that time. The course of duty called me
then TO the vicinity of the place where my friend
had settled, and resolved TO go out Of my way
considerably, 10 give John and Mary call. -
Arriving at the town and inquiring for their
residence, l was told they lived at some distance
from the centre Of the village. At length
found the place. At the first glance my mind
misgave. The sight Of the miserable cabin
do e;o oly nj off I
scarcely dared 10 enter. Knock, could not;
there was no door nothing but blanket
stretched across the passage. Removing this,
alasl what did behold! There was Mary sit
ting on a stool, with an infant on her lap, and
an other child in a corner, on the ground for
the cabin had no floor
Oh sight of woel How altered was the love-
| ly Mary Tn! DO you remember me- dear
Maryp 'Oh! Mr.. Manson, is il indeed YOU?
We are ruined; John is lost, and and the chill
dI en are star wing hcrc. we have nct had .
morsel to eat since yesterday morning" Great
heavensr said ], 'and where is John?' 'lIe IS
lat the store; he has not been here for several
Idoys.' 1 gust see him. | replied. Better
not, sir, hees savage rozy. aud will i'll treat you
III must and will see john | started rnmedi-
ately for the store, according to her direction
There was no time TO lose, for | was TO be at
the conference, whittier was bound, at GER
tain time appointed. readily found the store,
and entered. The first sight disclosed four men
playing cards at table. The next glance dis
covered man stretched out along a whisky
Ihogshead. The landlord was sitting by and
Instantly hoped up and ran behind the counter,
10 wait upon me, supposing was customer.
Says l, is John McL-d here?' They all
looked at me, hearing the question, as if had
been the old one, or Sheriff What is that TO
lyou?' he sullenly replied. 4 want 10 see him.
While was speaking, took another sweep Of
the room with my eye, and saw something look
ing like a man asleep in corner. is that
Jolmr None Of your business, answered the
snrly barkeeper. IF it is that unhappy man,
you will find it some of my business So |
went 10 him, recognized him, though in this
shocking, beastly plight, and began 10 try TO
awaken him. This was no easy jdA; and while
l was about it, the rumsellcr and his guests re-
monstrated, telling Inc 10 gssaway, threatening
chastisement, and making demonstrations of
violence. had in my hand loaded whip, and
am not inferi9r, you know, in point Of wiry,
muscular poyStss and though a man Of peace /
confess, that in The Whole of the lweniyTeven
" ears have been ll:the ministry;7k never felt
so strong dispositSI as at that momentSto give
four or five men s4dhrashing. They Ntnn in
timidated, and succeeded, at length, in getting
J ohm upon his legs, and trotting him of home
wards. My presence and the exercise sobereC
him. so that when he reached his hovel lie wa:
in his right mind.
forgot 10 mention, that when first went in
10 the house, the child started up aifrighted
running 10 her mother, crying, is he going e
carry us TO Jail, mother, where father WASP
land that p3ar mother sobbod upon my hand a
if her heart would -s5rcak. Well, / converse
with them an hour, talked Of old times in Con
Inecticut, the old village and schoo!-days. ii
, was softened, his heart was touched. Then
: urged the pledge; his wife put in her profound
l ly earnest almost frantic plea. She felt this {
be indeed the hour of destiny. DO you think
: can keep it?' said at length the miserable man
: once so promising, now so fallen. is il posi-
BILE for me 10 be saved?' 1T is, il is,' said
i with confidence and hope you can keep it.
: know you can. In the name Of humanity ant
c religion try it, dear John, and God will he'll
a lyou.' AT last he consented. We knet dowi
S on the earth-thcrc was no chair nor table il
d the house-I took out the pledge, which al
y ways carry in my pocket, placed il on the stool
c where Mary had been sitting, and handed hin
e my pencil. He wrote his name, thank God!-
/. Notwithstanding his condition, it was beautiful
: Ily written, | afterwards observed, Tor he wa
y AN excellent English scholar. We did not ris
5 It'll Ihsd relived myoverburdened heart in pray er
= and prayed with all my struggling soul, an
: his despairing wife joined me in the solemn in
+, vocation, that the Father Of meroies would re
t. eeiSe this returning prodigOi 10 his arms, an
that he might never go astray again. II wa
now quite time for me TO 60, and resume m
Il Journey; but could not leave the town befor
n called upon the class-leader, left some none
! for the family, and onjoined on him TO look ai
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