Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-07-30
Affecting Incident.

l recollect one member Of Congress who was al
ways rallying me about our Congressional Temper
ance Society.
briggs" he used to say, Il am going to join
| your Temperance Society as soon as my demiiohn
is empty" But just before it became empty, he
always filed it. AT one time, toward the close of
the session. he said to me-
al am going to sign the pledge when get home.
| am in earnest" continued he; "my demiiohn is
nearly empty, and am not going to Gil it again.
He spoke with such an air OF seriousness as | had
not before observed, and it impressed me; and
asked him what he meant-what had changed his
| feelings.
"Why" said he Il had a short time since visit
| from my brother, who stated to me fact that
more deeply impressed and affected me than any
thing recollect to have heard upon the subject, in
any temperance speech have heard or read.
''In my neighborhood is gentleman OF nv ac-
quaintance, well educated, who once had some pro-
perty, but is now redueed-poorI He has a beau
tiful and lovely wife-a lady of cultivation and re-
fnement-and a most charming daughter
This gentleman had become decidedly intem-
perate in his habits, and had fully alarmed his
friends in regard to him. At one time, when a
number of his former associates together they
ly, one Of them 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 cues
tion. | am not able to bear the expense. Poor
girl. | wish | could"
"Well," said his friend "if you will sign the
temperance pledge, will be at all the expense of
her attending school for one year"
"What does this mean2" said he "Do you think
me in danger of becoming a drunkard?"
IN o matter, said his friend, 'about that now;
but will do as l said"
"And |, said another, twill pay the rent of your
farm yesr, if you will sign the pledge"
"Well, these offers are certainly liberal-but
what do they mean? Do you think me in danger
of becoming drunkard? What can it mean?-
But, gentlemen, in view of your liberality | will
make offer. | will sign ii you will"
This was proposition they had not considered
and were not very well prepared to meet; but for
his sake they wOnld and did sign, and he with
them.
And now for the first time the truth poured into
his mind, and he saw his condition, and sat down
bathed in tears.
"NOw," said he gentlemen, you must 90 and
communicate these facts to my wife-pOor woman!
know she will be glad to hear it, but cannot tell
her."
Two of them started for that purpose The lady
met them at the door, pale and trembling with emo
tion.
What" she inquired, sis the matter? What has
happened to my husband?'
They bid her dismiss her fears assuring her they
had come to bring her tidings of her husband-but
good tidings, such as she would be glad to hear
Your husband has signed the temperance pledge
yea, signed it in good faith"
The joyous news nearly overcame her-she trem-
bled with excitement-wept freely, and clasping
her hands devotonslly she looked up into heaven,
and thanked God for the happy change.
"Now," said she, Il have husband as he once
was, in the days of our early love-"
"But this was not what moved me" said the gen
tleman. There in the same vicinity another
gentleman-a generous, noble sOul-married young
married well--into a charming family and the
flower of it. His wine-drnking habits had aroused
the fears of his friends; and day, when several
of them were together, one said to another "Let
us sign the pledge Il will if you WILL I" said one
to another till all had agreed to it and the thing
was DONE
This gentleman thought it rather small busi-
and felt little sensitive about revealing to his
wife what he had DONE But ON returning home
ne said to her:
MARY, my dear, have done what fear will dis
p.ease you"
''Well, what is it,"
why. have signcd the temperance pledge"
"Have yOu?'
"Ges, have, certainly"
Watching his manner as he replied aud reading
in it sincerity, she entwined her arms around his
neck, laid her head upon his BOSOM and burst into
tears. Her husband was affected deeply by this
conduct of his wife, and said:
MARY, don't weep; did not know it woull af
hct you so, or | would not have dJne i'll will go
aud take my name off Immediately"
Take your name off, said she mo, no! let it
be there. i shall now have 10 more sOlicitude in
reference to your becoming drunkard. / shall
spend no more wakeful midnight hours. | shall no
more steep my pillow in tears
Now, for the first time the truth shone upon his
mind, and he folded to his bosom his Young and
beautiful wife, and wept with her. Now, can't
stand these facts and am going to sign the pledge
--lSpeech of Gov. Briggs.