The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-11-24

was touched. Then urged the pledge
his wife put in her profoundly earnest, al
most frantic plea. She felt this TO be, in
deed, the hour Of destiny.
"Do you think can keep it?, at lengtl
asked the miserable man, once SO promis
ing, now SO fallen. "Is it possible for m,
to be saved?' n
i ut is," said |; "with confidence ant
hope, you can keep it. | know you can
In the name OF humanity and religion, try
it, dear John, and God will help you
i At last he consented. We knelt down
on the earth-there was no chair nor ia
BILE in the house--I took out the pledge
which | always carry in my pocket, plac
lng.it on the stool where Mary had been
sitting, and handed him my pencil. He
wrote his name, thank God! Notwith.
standing his condition, it was beautifully
written, as | afterwards observed, for he
was an excellent English scholar. We
did not rise till had relieved my over.
burdened heart in prayer, and prayed
with all my struggling soul, and his de.
spairing wife joined me in the solemn in
vocation that the Father of Mercies would
receive the returning prodigal TO his arms
and that he might never 60 astray again
cit was now quite time for me to 90, and
resume my journey; but could not leave
the town before called upon the class
leader, left him some money for the fam.
ly. and enjoined on him to look after them,
and throw around John the shield OF all
good influences to prevent his suffering
relapse. Whatever further charges he
should incur on their account, promised
to pay as soon as informed of them.
Another decade rolled by, during which
no tidings came to me at the east. from
this interesting couple. AT length | was
called again to visit those western regions
and TO pass near the residence of this un.
fortunate brother. On reaching the town,
my disappointment was extreme to learn
that he had removed to distant country
| anticipated misfortune; but as the place
designated was not far from my intended
route, | resolved 10 60 on and see him.
When entered the town Of, whore
John was said to live, | made inquiry for
his dwelling, and was told. it was the
second house on the left hand side of the
road. Being now so near, hastened on
ward eagerly, and presently nice frame
building, painted white appeared. Icould
not help putting up ejaculalory PRAYER
that my dear friend might be so happy as
to occupy any house half as respectable
as this. Expectation now became pain
fully intense. What in mercy was | sent
to see? A scene like that, or worse, which
ten years before. left such awful traces on
the memory, never to be ebliterated? II
could not tell. At sudden turn in the
road, | thought | discerned another white
house in the distance among the trees.
Yes, it is so, with green blinds, and as
went nearer, graveled walks were seen,
handsome paiing. ornamented trees and
Sure there is some mistake in
lhe direction; this cannot be Johns house
yet it is the second on the left.
Fastening my horse to hook, went
10 the door and knocked. A girl just on
The verge of womanhood opened it.
"Does Mr.. Mold live here!" ask.
I'd with trembling.
''He does, SIR"
sis he. or his wife at home?"
Smother is within, sir; but father is in
he field. Please walk in, sir!''
My eye glanced through the open parlor
loor. A fine carpet covered the floor.
There were handsome chairs, and other
urniture; | sawno more, for Mrs. McL--I
~ this time was informed of gentleman's
irrival. and loSt no time in making her
appearance. 'FGood God" was all re.
nembered to have heard from her, as she
'ushed forwHfd on seeing me, and clasped
ne by the/neck. She almost tainted, and
'hed ffad Of tears, and my own condi-
ion was not much more composed. Re.
,overipS ah'h.e she informed me that her
,usbSslu was al hope,0 but out upon the
arm, Too impatient to wait. | hurried
y~ay to see him. He met me as he was
coming home. As soon as he knew who
i was. he ran forward and graspsd me IN
his arms, saying as he strained me TO his
bosom, lsf h'E
s'Thank God! thank God! you are nv
layiour under heaven. This is all your
sSVk,' looking around. %. | am rejoiced
satSyou are here to see it."'
asyVben he had returned to the house
he len yy,ars history Of struggle, repent.
lnce, andN[elormaton, was recounted
Prosperity wins the consequence. The
lwelliig was hys, the farm and ali, His
vile WIS hapRy. The beautiful girl, al
most a soung lady now, was the dirty child
hat waa crawling on the ground at my h
irst visiA There were three more cbil. Il
lren now,y I,
"To crown the WHOLE" said he,. "alter1
had perseysred a year in abstinsdce.
.ccordNg TO that blessed pledge. taken on II
hat awiSl day, on the stool in The log hui. \,
which rlses to me sometimes with spectral
'orror--alA2r keeping il scarcely a yeaf,
commIireS' myself to the church, OF which