The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-05-05
AFFECTING INCIDENTS.
recolect one member OF Congress who
J always LIKING me about our Congres-

:
,ionfi Temperance Society.
aBliggs,,' ho used to say, ..l'm going t,
Join your Temperance Society, as soon u
ms demiiuhn is empty" Bu jast before
became empty, he always filled it. A, on
time, toward the close Of the session, he sai'
10 me:
81 am going to sign the pledge when
get home. am in earnest" continued he
''my dcmijohn is nearly empty, and | ali
40, going to fill il again" lie spoke will
such m air Of seriousness as had not be
fore observed, and it impressed me; and
asked him what il meant-what had chang
ed his feelings.
"Whv," said he, 81 had short time since
a visit from my brother, who stated 10 me
a fact that more deeply impressed and af
tected me, than any thing recollect te
have heard upon the subject, in any tenn
perance speech ever heard or read. In
my neIghborhood there is a gentleman Of
my acquaintance, well educated, who once
h4d some property, but is now reduced
poor! He has beautiful and lovely wife
Ia lads Of cultivation and retinement--
and a most charming daughter.
This gentleman had become decided,
Incorporate III his hablls, aud had fully
alarmed his friends in regard 10 him. Al
one time, when number Of his former as
sociates were together, they counsei'ed a.
to what could be done for him. .'Wh,
don't you send your daughter away to a
certain distinguished school?' which be
named.
"Oh, cannoi,n said he; tit is out Of the
question. am not able to bear the ex
pense Poor girl! | wish | could
"WeII," said his friend, ''if YOU will sign
The temperance pledge, | will be at all the
expense Of her attending school for one
! ear.n
"What does this mean?' said he. "Da
YOU think me in danger OF becoming drunk.
ard?;'
mo matter" said his friend, "about thai
now, but will DO as said"
"And H. said another, evil pay the rent
of your farm year, if you will sign the
pledge"
well. these offers are certalnly liberal
but what do they mean? DO you think m
ia Danger Of becoming drunkard? What
can it mean? Bat, gentlemen, in view OF
your liberaity, will make an offer. will
sign If YOU wili!'
This was proposition they had not con
sdered, and were not very well prepared
to meet; but for his sake they would and
did sign, and he with them.
And now, Tor the first time, the truth
poured into his mind, and he saw his condi
,ion, and sat down baihed in tears.
..Now," said he, gentlemen, you must
90 and communicate these facts to my
wile-poor woman! know she will be
glad TO hear il. but | cannot tell her"
Two Of them started for that purp >se
The lady met them al the door, pale anc
trembling with emotion.
What" she inquired, IS the matter?
What has happened to my husband?"
They bid her dismiss her fears, assuring
her that they had como to bring her ,dings
of her husband--bnt good tidlngs such a.
she would be glad TO hear.
"Your husband has signed the temper
ance pledge; yea, signed it in god faith
The Joyous news nearly overcame her,
she lrembled with excitement; wept freely.
and cIaspng her hands dcvo,ona'lv, she
looked up to heaven, and tha mixed God toi
the happy change.
SHOW" said she, 81 have husband as
he once was, in The days OF our carly love-
"But this was not what moved me" said
the gentleman. "rhere was in the same
vicinity another gentleman a generous soul
married young, married well, into charm
ing family, and the flower Of ii. His wine
drinking habits had aroused the fears Of his
friends, and one day, when several ofthem
we're together, one said to another, "Let us
sign the pledge" 81 will il you WILL" said
one to another, i'll all had agreed TO il, and
the thing was done.
The gentleman though, it rather small
business, and felt little sensitive about re
vealing to his wife what he had done
But on returning home he said to her:
"Mary, my dear, have done what fear
will displease you"
swell, what is it"
"Wby, have signed the temperance
pledge"
"Have you?"
"Yes, | have certainly"
Watching his manner rs he replied, and
reading in it sincerity, she entwined her
arm around his neck, laid her hand upon his
bosom; and burst into tears. Her husband
was affected deeply by this conduct Of his
wife, and said:
"Marv, don't weep; | did not know il
would affect you so, or | would not have
done il; Il will 60 and take my name of i'm
media'eIy."
.Take your name off," said she; "no! no
let it be there shaI! now have no more
soliciude in reference to your becoming I
drnnkard shall spend no more wakeiu
midnight hours. shall no more steep my
pillow in tears"
Now, for the first time, truth shone upor
his mind, and he folded to his bosom hi
Young and beautiful wife, and wep, will
her. Now, | can't stand those facts, and
am going to sign the pledge.-Speech q
Gop. Briggs.
Grocer-Mr Editor, III thank you 4
say that keep the best groceries in tn