Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-03-02
Reformation of William Writ.
A TRUE rscipssr rS ms HISTORY.

Reformation of William Writ.
TRUE INCIDENT ~ MS HISTORY.
The distinguished W. Writ, within
six or seven monlhs after his first
marriage, became addicted to intern
perance, the effect of which operated
strongly on the mind and health of
his wife, and few months more she
was numbered with the dead. Her
death led him to leave the country
where he resided, and lie removed TO
Richmond. But his habits hung
about him, and occasionally he was
found with jolly, frolicsome spirits
in Bacchanahan rcvery. His true
friends expos,ulaiod with him TO
convince him Of the injury he was
doing himself Bot he still per-
sisted. His practice began to TALL
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
consented TO do, if the right person
offered. lie 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 attentions some time
back, and should have given you to
understand that your visits and
attentions were not acceptable, had
not reciprocated the affection which
you evinced towards me. But |
cannot yield my assent until you
make me pledge never TO taste,
touch or handle any Intoxicating
drinks"
This reply TO Writ was as unex-
pected as it was novel. His reply
was, that he regarded that proposition
as a bar TO all further considerations
of the subject, and he left her. Her
course towards him was the same as
ever-his, resentment and neglect.
Ia 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 ayowed
it should be the last meeting they
should ever have. He took TO
drinking worse and worse, and
seemed 10 run hcadong TO ruin.
One day, while lying in the out
skirts of the city, near little grocery
or grog-shop, drunk, young lady,
whom il is not necessary TO name,
was passing that way to her house,
not far off, and beheld him with his
face upwards to the rays Of the
scorchlng sun. She took her hand
kerchiei, 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 handkerchief, at which he looked,
and the name that was on it, After
paus'ng, lie exclaimed:
Great God who left this with
me ? Who placed this on my face :"
No one knew. He dropped the
glass, exclaiming
Enough 4! enough -
lie retired instantly from the store,
forgetting his thirst, but not his de-
baucb, the handkerchief, or the lady,
vowing, that if God gave him
strength, never to touch, taste or
handle any intoxicating drinks.
TO meet Miss Gamble was the
hardest effort of his life. If he me,
her in her carriage, or on foot, he
popped around the nearest corner.
She at last addressed him a 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 the same now
that they ever have been"
Them" said Writ, 81 accept
them"
They soon married from that day
he kept his word, and his affairs
frightened, while homer and glory
gathered thick upon his brow.
His name has been enrolled high
in the temples Of fame while palri
otism and renown live after him with
impershable luslre.