The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1853-04-01
AFFECTING INCIDENT.


recollect one member of Congress
who was always ralIying me about ou
Congressional Temperance Society.
"Briggs," he used to say II am goin:
to join your Temperance Society, as 500,
as my demijohn is emp,y." But just be
fore it became empty, he always filed il
AT one time toward the close 9th ses-
sion, he said to me:
slam going to sign the pledge when
ge, home. am in earnest" continued
he, "my denijoin IS nearly empty, aud
am rot going 10 fill i again." He spoke
with such an airof seriousness as bad
not before observed, and it impressed me-
and | asked him what il meant-wial had
changed his feelings.
"Why," said he, 81 had a short Ime
since visit, from my'bro'her, who stated
10 me fact that more deeply Impressed
and affected me, than any temperance
sprech ever heard or read" "
sin my neishborhood is gentleman
of my acquaintance, we'll educated, who
once bad some property, but is now re-
4uced-poor! He has a beautiful and
lovely wife--a lady Of cultivation aud
refinemen;-aud most charming daugh.
ter. "t
"This gentleman had become decided
ly intemperaie IN his habits, aud had full
ly alarmed bis friends in regard to him
Al one time, when number of his form
er associates we're together, they coun-
selled as to wha could be done 70, him
Finally, one Of them said to him. "Why
don't you send your daughter away w
a certain distinguished school? which he
named. 'Lf-'." 3
"Oh, Tcannoi," said be; tits out of'he
question. am not able 10 bear the ex
pens". Poor girl! wish ! could"
"Well," said his friend, "If you will
sign the temperance pledge, will be al
all The expense Of her attending school
for me year" ..
"Wlai does this meant" said he. Dr.
you think me in danger Of becoming a
drunkard"
"No matter" said his friend, "abou
tha, now, bu, I will do as | said"
"And l." said another, twill pay the
ren, OF your farm a year, If YOU will sigr
the pledge.
"Well, these offers are certainly libel-
sl--but what do they mean? DO you
think ME in danger Of becoming a drunk
srd2 Wha, can i, mean! Blu: genile-
men, in view Of your liberalily,I will
make you an offer. will sign il you
will!"
This wds proposition they had nol
considered. and were no, very well pre-
pared 10 meet; Ju' for his sake they
would and did sign, and he with them.
Aud now, Tor the frs, time, the truth
poured into his mind, and he suw his con-
dtion, and sa, down bathed in tears. 40
"Now," said he's" gentlemen, you
must go and communicate these facts to
my wife-poor woman! l know she
will be glad 10 hear il, but cannot tell
her" s. g.
Two OF them started for that purpose.
The lady me, them at the door, pale and
'hrembIing with emotion.
"What," she inquired, sis the matterf
What has happened TO my husbands"
They bid her dismiss her fears, assur
ing her they had come TO bring her tidlnes
of her husband-bu. good tidings. ucb
as she would BE- glad TO heRr.
"Your husband has signed 10 temper
ance pledge, yea, signed j. in good
faith"
The joyous news nearly overcome her,
she ,rembled With excitement; wept free
ly, snd clasping her hands dev"tionally,
she looked to iieavt'n, and thanked God
for the happy change. ~ 9 :
"Now," said she, have husband as