Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-08-06
Reformation of William Writ.


The distinguished William Writ, within six or
seven months after his first marriage became ad-
dicted to intemperance, the effect of which opera
ted strongly on the mind and health Of his wife.
and in a few months more she vas numbered a.
mong the dead. Her death led him to leave the
county where he resided, and he moved to Rich
mond, where he soon rose to distinction. But his
habits hung about him, and occasionally he was
sound with jolly frolicksome spirits of bacchana-
Ian revelry. His true friends expOstulated with
him on the injury asgas doing to HIMSELF but he
still persisted. Tffs practice began to fail of, aud
many looked on him as on the sure road to ruin
He was advised to get married, with view of cor
recting his habits He consented to do so, il the
right person offered. He accordingly paid his ad-
dresses to Miss Gamble. After some months at
tentiOn, he asked her hand in marriage.
She replied: "Mr. Writ, i have been well aware
of your attentions for some time back, and should
have given you to understand that your visits and
attentions were not acceptable, had | not recipro-
Gated the affection you have evinced towards me.
But can not yield my assent until you make me
pledge never to taste, touch. or handle any in
t0xicating drinks"
This reply to Writ was as unexpected as it was
uove. His reply was, that he regarded that prop
ostion as bar TO all further consideration of the
subject, and he left her. Her course towards him
was the same as ever: his-resentment and neglect
In the course of a few weeks he went again and
solicited her hand. But her reply was, that her
mind was made up. He became indignant, and re-
garded the terms she proposed as insulting to his
honor, and vowed that it should be the last meet
ing they should ever have. lie took to drinking
worse and worse and seemed to run TO ruin.
One day while lying in the outskirts of the city,
near little grocery or grOgshOp, drunk, young
lady, who it is not necessary TO name, was passing
that way TO her home, not far off and beheld him
with his face upturned to the rays of the scOrchng
SUM- She took her handkerchief, with her own
name marked upon it, and placed it over his face.
After he had remained in that way for some hours,
he was awakened and his thirst being great, he
went into the little grocery or grogshOP to get
drink, when he discovered the handkerchief, at
which he looked and the name that was on it.
After pausing he exclaimed: "Great God Who
left this with me2 Who placed this on my face?'
No one knew. lie dropped the glass exclaim-
ing: Enough enough
He retired instantly from the store, forgetting
kis thirst but not his debauch the handkerchief or
the lady, vOwng, if God gave him strength, "ney-
er to touch, taste, or handle intoxicating drinks"
TO meet Miss Gamble was the hardest effort OF
his life If he met her in her carriage or on foot,
he popped around the nearest corner. She at last
addressed him in a note under her own hand invi-
ting him 10 her house, which he finally gathered
courage enough to accept He told her if she still
bore affection to him, he would agree to her own
terms.
Her reply was: "My conditions are now what
they ever have been
:Theu." said Writ, II accept them"
They soon married, and from that day be kept
his word and his affairs frightened, while honOrs
and glory gathered thick upon his brow. His name
has been enrolled high in the temple of fame, while
patriotism and renown live after him with imper-
iShahla luStrp