Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-07-13


RrFosxAr1os or WLL.Ax Wmr-A
TRuE IEc1Dnsr n E1s HrsroRY.-Ths
distinguished William Writ, within siz
months after his first marriage, became
addicted to intemperance, the effect o.
which operated Strongly on the mind
and health Of his wife, and in q 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 distinction. But his habits hung
about him, and occasionally he was
found with jolly, froiicsorne spirits Of
baceahanalian revelry. His true friends
expostulated with him to convince him
of the injury he was doing to himself
But he still persisted. His practice be-
gan 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 habits. This he con-
sented to do, If the right person offered.
He accordingly paid his addresses to
Miss Gamble. After some months at
tention, he asked her hand in marriage.
She replied:
"Mr. Writ, l have been well aware oi
your intentions 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 towards me.
But l cannot yield my assent until you
make me pledge never to taste, touch
or handle any intoxicating drinks"
This reply to Wirt was as unexpected
as it was novel. His reply was, that he
regarded that proposition as bar TO all
further consideration of the subject.
and he left her. Her course towards
him was the same as ever-his, resent
ment and neglect.
In the course of few weeks, he went
again and solicited her hand. But her
reply was that her mind was made up.
He became 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 to drinking worse and worse, and
seemed to run -headlong to ruin.
One day, while lying in the outskirts
of the city. near little grocery or grog
shop, drunk, young lady. whom it is
not necessary to name, was passing that
way to her home not far of, and beheld
him with his face upturned TO the rays
of the scorching sun. 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 so great, he went into
the little grocery and grog shop to get
drink, when he discovered the handker-
chief, at which he looked, and the name
that was on it. After pausing, he ex-
claimed:
"Great God! who left this with me?
Who placed this on my face"
No one knew. He dropped the glass,
exclaiming:
Enough! EnoughF'
He retired instantly from the store,
forgetting his thirst, but pot his de-
bauch, the handkerchief, or the lady,
vowing, that if God gave him strength,
never to touch, taste or handle intoxi
eating 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 note
under her own hand, inviting him to
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
eyer have been"
Then" said Writ, 81 accept them"
They soon married, and from that
day he kept his word, and his affairs
frightened, while honers and glory
gathered thick upon his brow.
His name has been enrolled high in
the temples of fame; while patriotism
and renown live after him with iinper-
ishable lustre.