The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1854-05-25
Reformation of william Writ.


The distinguished William Writ, with
in six or seven months after his first
marriage, became addicted to intemper-
ance, effect of which operated storngly on
on the mind and health of his wife, and in
a few months more she was numbered with
the dead. Her death led him to leave the
country where he resided, and he moved
to Richmond, where he soon rose to dis
tinction But his habits hung about him
and occasionally he was found with folly
frolicsome 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 to the sure road to ruin. He
was advised to get married with view of
correcting his habits. This he consented
to do, if the right person offered. He ac-
cordingly paid his addresses to Miss Gam
BILE. After some months attention, he ask
ed her hand in marriage. She replied:
"Mr Writ, I have been well aware of
yourintentions some time back, and should
have given you to understand that your
visits and attentions were not acceptable,
had l not reciprocated the affection which
YOU evinced for me. But | cannot yield
my assentuntil you make me pledgeneve
to taste, touch or handle any intoxicating
drinks"
This reply to Writ was unexpected as 1t
was novel. His reply was, he regarded
that the proposition as bar to all futhel
consideration on the subject, and he left
Her course toward him was the same as
ever-his resentment and neglect.
In the course of few weeks, he went
again and solicited her hand. But her re-
ply was her mind was made up. He be-
came Indignant, and regarded the terms
she proposed as insulting to his honor, and
vowed it should be the last meeting they
should ever have. He took drinking worse
and worse, and seemed to run headlong
to ruin.
One day, while lying in the outskirts o
the city, near little grocery, or grog shoI
dead drunk, young lady whom it is no
necessary to name, was passing tha
way to her home not far off, and behelc
him with his face upturned to the ray of tht
scorching sun. She took her. handker
chief, with her own name marked upon i
and placed it over his face.
After he had remained in that way fo
some hours, he was awakened, and hi
thirst so great he went into the littl'
grocery and grog shop to get drink, whel
he discovered the handkerchief, at which
he looked, and the name was on it. Afte
pausing few minutes, he exclaimed:
"Great God! who left this with me?-
Who placed this on my face
No one knew. He dropped the glas
exclaiming.
Enough! enough!"
He retired instantly from the store, for
getting his thirst but not his debauch, th
handkerchief or the lady, vowlng, if Go'
give him strength, never to touch, taste o
handle intoxicating drinks"
To meet Miss Gamble was the hardes
effort of his life. If he met her in her car
riage or on foot he popped around tn
nearest corner.
She at last addressed him in note un
der her own hand, inviting him to he
house, which he finally gathered coarag
enough to accept. He told her if she sti
bore affection to him he would agree t
her own terms. Her reply was:
"My conditions are now what they eve
have been."
"Then," said Writ, ri accep them.'
,. They were soon married, and from ths
day he kept his word, and his affairs brlgf
tened, while honors gathered thick upo
his brow.
His name has been enrolled high in th
temples of fame; while patriotism an
renown live after him with imperishabl
lustre.