Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-04-09
A SUDDEN CONVERSION.
BY sYLvANrs copB, yr.

The simple story ] am about 70 relate, pos
scssGS much interest for those who were ever
acquainted with the parties concerned, and Il
others It's interest will not only be in its truth,
but also III the peculiar SNul.t0uch it develops.
In one Of the nurtI crn towns Of Vermont
lived young man whom | shall call Daniel
4 Byram lie was n lawyer by profession, and
onc Of the most intellectual men in that section
Of the country. No one Possessed the conf
dcnCc Of his friends more than did he, and no
one was better calculated to secure the good
will und friendship Of all with whom he calno in
contact. Business poured in upoa him, and lie
/ Eeilcd not 10 give the utmost satisfaction
/ At the age of twcnty.scvcn Byram took 10
himSelfG wife frOuI Among the most favored ones
of the country. Mary FELTON, experienced n
strange pride when she gave her hand to the
young lawyer and il none cnyicd her, many nj
least prayed that they Nigh. he rs fortunate.
/ But ere long cloud came over the scene.
! COnviviality rNn high among the members Of the
bar, and young lIyram possessed one Of those
peculiar tGmpcrlncnts which at length give the
whole body and soul up to the demons Of appc'
lite. For three Yeas he followed the social Gus
TOMS Of the times without ueglecting much Of
his business, but final y he sank into the lowest
pit Of degradation; when at tho age Of tive and
| thirty, lie had become II confirmed lrnnkari.
lie now neglected his clients altogether, for he
could not remain sober long enough ut any one
time to carry my case through court Inc onIy
business lie had now upon his hands was tut
collecting of some fcw small debts.
Tn the evening of his thirty.:iilll birthday
| he joined the Westinghouse, aud once more
! hiS kriylt pprnirs Shame uut mon the world
But it could not last long; amid the example Of
those who were his constant companions, he
went hack to his cups, and down he sunk rs
rapidly u" he had risen IN one short ycAr IrO"
that time he was a miserable, degraded thing
People Who had left notes aud accounts for him
To collect, callc'l Mt hi, house, aud upon ln1nl,
ring of his wife where he vas, she would tel
them he was away. Poor woman! they could
not bear to dispute her, and they would 80 Ihel'
way though they kne~ full well that the re-
'HHihS Of daniel Iyram were prostrate upon Ills
bUd'rOOm floor.
! One day Mr.. NinScn called To sec him. VIM
sen had left notes aud accounts to the amount u
several thousand dollars with l6yram tn collect
aud he was anxious about them. Ills poor wilt
answered him rs uSual-that her husband lIau
gone AWAY.
any dear madame" returned Mr.. Niusen
~ know your misfortune, and | appreciate youI
feelings, but must sec y"urhushand, II car
SEE him for even one minute, can learn all
wish to know"
Mary lIyram spoke not word, hut with q
fearful eye she turned away, and Mr.. Nins"l
followed her. lie found ByIam III n back room
stretched at full length upon the floor, with q
Jug Of Medturl rum nj his side With mucl
effort Wilson aroused the poor man to u state o
Seini.conciousncss, aud asked him il he had don,
anything about the notes aud accounts lie had
left with lin.
YES" returned the lawyer, in a weak, hnS
ky, kiccoughimg voice. Give Ind the money
for you over month. I've deducted my PEI
cuntage, and you'll lind the rest in that trunk