The weekly Placer herald., 1853-09-24
Affecting Incident.

Affecting Incident.
| recollect one member Of Congress,
said Gov. Briggs, in one of his speeches,
who was always rallying me about our
Congressional Temperance Society.
"Briggs," he used to say, 81 am going
to join your Temperance Society, as soon
AS my demijohn is empty" But just be-
fore it became empty he always filled it
again. And one time towards the close
of the session, he said to me: 81 am going
to sign the pledge when get home. am
in earnest,'' continued he, ''my demijohn
is nearly empty, and | am not going to
fl it again" He spoke with such an air
of seriousness as had not before observ-
ed, and it impressed me; and asked what
it meant-what had changed his feelings!
"Why," said he, 81 had a short time
since q visit from my brother, who stated
to me fact that more deeply impressed
and affected me than anything | recollect
to have heard upon the subjecr, in any
temperance speech ever heard or read.
In my neighborhood is IA gentleman OF
my acquaintance, well educated, who
once had some property, but is now re-
duced-poor! He has a beautiful and
lovely wife-a lady of cultivation and re-
finrnent- and most charming daughter
This gentleman had become decidedly
Incorporate in his habits, and had fully
alarmed his friends in regard to him. At
one time, when number of his former
associates were together, they consulted
as to what could he done for him. Finally
one of item said to him, "Why don't
you send your daughter away to certain
distinguished school?" which he named.
"Oh, cannot,'' said he, "t is out of
the question. am not able to bear the
expense Poor girl wish | could"
"WeIl," said his friend, "if you will
sign the temperance rledge, | will be at
all the expense of her attending school for
one year.. :"
What does this mean?" said he. edo
you think me in danger of becoming a
drunkard 20
"No NATTER" said his friend, "about
that now, hut will do as said"
"And l,'' said another, "will pay the
rent of your farm year, if you sign the
pledge"
"WelI, these offers are certainly libe-
raj, but what do you mean? Do you
think me in danger of becoming drunk
ard? What can it mean? But gentle
men, in view of your Iberality, | will
make an offer. will sign you will?"
This was a proposition they had not
considered, and were not very well pre-
pared to meet; but for his sake they
would, and did sign, and he with them.
| And now for the first time the truth
poured into his mind, and he saw his con-
diton, and he sat down hathed in tears.
"Now, gentlemen, you must 60 and
communicate these facts to my wfe-poor
woman? know she will be glad to hear
it, but cannot tell her."
Two of them started tor that purpose.
The lady met them at the door, pale and
trembling with emotion.
| "What," she inquired, "is the matter!
What has happened to my husband?"
They bade her dismiss her fears, as
suring her that they had come to bring
her tidings Of her husband-but good It'd
ings such as she would be glad to hear.
! Your husband has signed the pledge,
signed in good faith"
| The joyous news nearly overcome her;
she trempled with excitement, wept freely,
and casping her hands devotionally, she
looked up to Heaven and thanked God
for the change.
| Snow / have a husband as he once
was, in the happy days of our early love /"
But this was not what moved me, said
the gentleman. There was in the same
vicinity another man, generous, noble
soul, married young, married well, into a
charming family, and the flower of it
His wine drinking habits had aroused the
fears of his friends, and one day when
severalwere together, one said to another,
'slet US sign the pledge" "l will if you
WILL" said one to another, till all had
agreed to it, and the thing was done.
| This gentleman thought it rather a
small business, and felt a little sensitive
about revealing to his wife what he had
done, but on returning home he said to
her