Smyrna times., 1854-08-02
aftistellaneous.

REFORMATION OF WIN. WIRT-TRuE INCIDENT
IN HIS HIsToRY.-The distinguished VIM. Writ
within Blk or seven months after his first mar
riage became addicted to intcmperance, the
effects OF which operated strongly on the mind
and health of his wife, and in a few month she
was numbered with the dead, Her death led
him to leave the country where he resided, and
he went to Richmond, where he soon rose to
distinction. But his habits hung about him,
and occasionally he was found with jolly, fro
licsome spirits of bacchanalian revelry.
His true friends expostulated with him to
convince him of the injury he was doing to
himself But he still persisted. His practice
began to fall off, and many looked on him as
on the sure road to ruin. He was advised to
get married with view of correcting his hab-
its. This he consented to do if the right per-
son offered. He accordingly paid his addresses
to Miss Gamble. After some months attention. he
asked her hand in marriage. She replied:
Mr.. Writ, / have been well aware of your
intentions some time past, and should have
given you to understand that your visits and
attentions were not acceptable, had | not re-
cprocated the affection which you evinced
towards me. But l cannot yield my assent
until you pledge me never to touch, taste or
handle any intoxicating drinks
This reply to Writ was as unexpected as it
was novel. His reply was, that he regarded
that proposition as bar to all further consider
alton of the subject, and he left her. Her course
towards him was the same as eyer-his, resent
ment 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 in
dgnant, and regarded the terms proposo@ a0
! insulting to his honor, and vowed it should 1e
the last meeting they should ever have ~ ~
took to drink worse and worse, and sed.II IS MI
run headlong to ruin. Il Ced
One day, while lying in the outskirts able L
city, near little grocery or grog shop, % 3k,
a young lady,whom 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 scorching sun. She took her hand
kerchief 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 Sc
great, he went into the little grocery or grog
shop 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 me a! who
placed this on my face?
No one knew. He dropped the glass, ex
/ claiming:
Enough! Enough!
He retired instantly from the store forgetting
his thirst, but not his debauch, the handker
chief, or the lady, vowing, that if God gave hin
strength, never to touch taste or handle intox
, icating drinks.
! To meet Miss Candle was the hardest effor
:, of his life. Ifhe met her in her carriage or oI
foot, he popped around the nearest corner
> She at last addressed him note under he
j own hand, inviting him to her house, whicl
t he finally gathered courage enough to accept
He told her if she still bore affection for hin
!, he would agree to her own terms. Her repl!
was:
:: "My conditions now are what they eve
n have BEEN"
;. "Then said WHIT, al accept them"
!. They soon married, and from that day he keI
his word, and his affairs frightened. while hoI
orr and glory gathered thick upon his brow.
lr His name has been enrolled high in the ten
n pies of fame; while patriotism and renown III
it after him with imperishable lustre.