Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1852-03-11

years, but never once saw her during
that time-nor glimpse of my chill
dren. At last, became so abandoned
in my life, that my wife, urged on b.
her friends, doubtless, filed an appli
cation for divorce, and as caus
could easily be shown W by it shoul(
be granted, separation was legally
declared.
/ 'sTo complete my disgrace, at thu
ne xt Congressional canvass, l was lef'
off the ticket, as unfit to represen
the district. l left the county anc
State where l had lived from my
boyhood up.
s.Three years have elapsed since
then. For two years Of the period
! abandoned myself to the fearful
impulse of the appetite | had ac-
quired. Then | heard Of this new
movement-the great temperance
cause. At first | sneered, then Won
dered, lista ned at last, and finally
threw myself upon the great wave
that WAS sweeping onward, IN hopes
of being carried by it far out Of the
reach of danger, and | d;d not hope
With vain hope. 1t did for me all
and more than could have deemed.
1t set me once more upon my feet
once more made man Of me.
"a year Of sobriety, earnest deTo-
ton to my profession, and ftrvent
prayer to Hin who alone gives
strength to every go od resolution,
has restored to me much that | had
lost-but not lll-not the richest
treasure that proved myself unwor-
thy to retain-not my wife and chill
dren- All! betIeen myself and these
the law has laid It's stern impossible
inter,liction. | have no longer wife
NO longer children; though my
heart goes cut towards these dearly
Beloved ones with the tenderest yearn-
ings. Pictures Of our early days Of
welded love are ever lingering in my
imagination. Idream Of the sweet
fireside circIe;1 see ever before me
the once placid face Of MY Alice, as
Her eyes looked into my own with in
telligent confidence. ! feel her arms
twine around my neck; the music Of
her voice is ever sounding in my ear.
Here the speakers emotions over
came him. His utterance became
choked, and he stood silent, with
bowed head and trembling limbs
The dense mass ofpeople we're husled
into an oppressive stiffness, that was
broken here and there by half stilled
sobs.
Al this moment there was a move
ment in the crowd. A single female
figure, before whom every one ap-
peared instinctively to give way was
seen passing up the aisle. This was
not observed by Delaney, until she
had come nearly in front Of the plat
form on which he stood. Then the
movement caught his ear, and lifting
his eyes they instantly fell on Alice
for it was she that was passing on
ward--he bent forward towards hel
with suddenly uplifted hands and ea-
ger eyes, and stood like a statue unit
She had gainedthes stand andadvancec
quietly to his side. For moment
the two stood thus; the whole audi
ence, thrilled with the scene, were
upon their feet, and bending forward
Then Delaney opened his arms, anl(
Alice threw herself upon his bosom
with / quick, wild gesture. Thus
for the space of a minute they stoo(
EVERY one fully, by Singular ih
tuition, understanding the scene.
/ One of the ministers then came fdr
ward, and gently separated them.
1'No, no, said Delaney, ''you mus s
not, you cannot take her away from
me-"
l. h