The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-09-20
Thc Reformation OF Will
ggGgaa NA5s.t.
\ IRuE Incident IN HIS IIIsToR,

ihl INCIDENT IN HIS HISTORY.
he distinguished William Writ
withln six or seven months after his
marriage, became addicted to intcm-
ancc, the effect Of which operated
strongly on the mind and health of his
wife, and in :. few months more she
was numbered anon. the dead. Her
death led hin to leave the country in
which he resided, and he moved to
ltichn'"nd, where he soon Iosu 20 dis
tinctlon. But his habits hung abuu,
him, anI occasionally he was found
with Jolly and t'Iollc>ome spirits ia
Dacch"nalian revclry. His practice
began to fall off, aud many looked up
ON him as on the sure road to ruin
lie was advised to get married, with
view of correcting his habits. This
he consented to do it tho right person
offered. lie accordingly paid his ad.
dresses to Miss Gamble. After some
months attentions he asked her hand
in marriage. She replied
Mr.. Writ, | have been we'll aware
of your attcnsons some time back,
and should have given you t" under
stand that your visits and attentions
were not acceptable, had not recip-
rocatcd The affection which you evinccd
for me. But | cannot yield assent
until you make me Il pledge never to
touch, taste, or handle any in,oxica
ting drink
This reply, to Writ, was unexpected
as it was novel. His reply was, thai,
he regarded the proposition rs bar
to further consideration on the subject,
and he left her.
Her course toward him was the
sanc-his, resentment and neglect.
la the course of few weeks he
went again and solicited her hand.
He became indignant and regarded
the terms she proposed, rs an insult
to his honor, and vowed it should be
the last meeting they should ever have.
lie took to drinking worse and worse,
and seemed to run llcadlong to ruin.
One day, whi c lying in the city,
near little grog shop or grocery dead
drunk, ycung lady whom it is not
necessary to name, was passing that
way to her home, not far of, and be
held him with his face turned up to
the rays of the scorcllng sun. She
took her handkerchief, with her own
name marked upon it, and placed it
over his face. After he had remained
in that position for some hours, he
was awakened, and his thirst being SO
great, he Went into the grog shop or
grocery to get n drink, when he dis.
covered the handkerchief at which he
looked, and the name was on it. At
ter pausing few minutes, he exclaim
ed,
"Grcat God! who has left this with
me? Who placed this over my face?
No one knew Hc dropped the
glass exclaiming-
Enough enough !"
lie retired instantly from the store,
forgetting his thirst but not his de.
bauch, the handkerchief or the lady
vowing, it God gave him strength,
never to touch taste or handle int0xi
eating drinks.
To meet Miss Gamble was one of
the hardest efforts of his life. If he
met her in her carriage or OH foot, he
popped round the nearest corner. She
at last addressed him note under her
own hand, inviting him to her house,
which he finally gathered courage to
accept. lie told her if she still bore
affection for him he would agree to
| her own terms.
Her answer was
My conditions are now what they
ever navr been"