The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1856-04-03
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A SKETCH FROM LIFE.

have you not, said Livingston, from your
Western journey 2 s- ~ e. "a g.
.ies,' he replied Il have, and there was
circumstance attending it which will make
It themost memorable event in my whole
! life.'
.Indeed, what is that, my friend Z"
'Ab, would take more time than either
you or could now spare,' said Manson, for
me to relate and you to listen to the parti-
GUITARS but Twill attempt very brief sketch
Of the substance:
| When went to school in Connecticut,
had very dear friend and schoolmate, nam
ed John McL---d. He was one of the
brightest. and most beloved pupils in the
school. He grew up, and paid his addresses
to beautiful and excellent young lady, a
member of the church. AT length he was
married to his Mary and they prepared i'm
inediately after thai event, in pursuance of a
previous plan, to emigrate to Western
State. The evening before the day we were
to separate, perhaps forever, had tender
interview with my bosom friend and his love-
ly wife it was deeply affecting to us all.
The next morning they departed, with the
affectionate farewells of many old friends and
neighbors in the town where they were born
|
by the parents Of both, who were in compe-
tent circumstances. Ten years elapsed, dur.
ing which ! was in the Methodist ministry
in distant places, as my lot happened to be
cast. Not aword concerning them reached
my ears in all that time. The course of du-
" called mo TO the vicinity of the place
where my friend had settled and resolved
to GO out of my way considerably to give
John and Mary call. Arriving at the
town, and inquiring for their residence, was
told that they lived some distance from the
centre village, At length found the place
At the first glance my mind misgave me-
The sight Of the miserable cabin made me
sick and after hitching my horse scarcely
dared to enter. Knock could not; there
was no door-notiiing but blanket stretch
ed across the passage. Removing this, alas
what did behold There was Mary sitting
on stool with an infant in her lap, and an.
other child in the corner on the ground
for the cabin had no Aoor.
Oh, sight Of woe How altered was the
lovely Mary Tn!
DO you remember me, dear Mary q
said,
%, Mr.. Manson, it is indeed YOU? We
are ruined, John is lost, and and the child
rem are starving here. We have not had q
morsel to eat since yesterday morning.
Great heavensr = said l, 'and where i:
John y
lie is at the store; he has not been here
for several days
i must see him. I replied.
: Better not, sir, he is a savage now, ant
will ill'treat you
Il must and will see john Isreplied, anc
started Immediately for the store, according
to her direction. There was no time to lose
for was to be at the conference, whittier
was bound, at q certain time. appointed.
readily found the store and entered. Th,
first sight disclosed four men playing card
at table. The next glance discovered I
man stretched out alongside whisky hogs
head. The landlord was sitting by, but in
stantly hoped up and ran behind the coun
ter to wait upon me, supposing was a Gus
toner. Says I. is John Mod here
They alH looked at me on hearing tn,
question, as if had bean the old one or ,
Sheriff.
what is that to you, he sulenly replied
Il want to see him. answered.
Il While was speaking, ! took anothe
sweep Of the room wish my eye, and saw
something like a man asleep in the corner.
/ SIS that john" asked.
1 None of your business answered the sur
ly ,bar-keeper. s.5s
Ifit is that unhappy man, you will fnt
some Of my business, Ireplied% So ] wen
to him, recognized him, though in thi'
shocking, heastly plight and began to wake
him. This was no easy job, and while
was about it, the rumsellor and his guest.
demonstrated, telling me to go away. threat
ening chastiselnent and showing violence.
. had in my hand loaded whip, am not in
ferior, you know, in point Of wiry, musculal
power; and though q man Of peace, | con
/ fess that in the twenty-seyen years / have
been in the ministry, never fslt so strong q
! disoosition as at that moment TO give four
, or five men thrashing. They we're intim-
, idated, aud I succeeded at length in getting
John upon his legs, and trotting him of
:. homeward. My presence and the exercise
i sobered him, so that whom he reached his
!; hovel he was IN his right mind.
! forgot to mention that when first went
, into the house, the child npon the ground
starting up affrighted, running 20 her moth
er, crying, is he going to carry us 70 Jail,
! mother, where father vast" And that poor