The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-08-22
A Sudden Conversion,

W
in contact. Business poured in upon him,
and he failed not to give the utmost satsfac-
ton.
At the age Of twentyscvcn, BRYAN took to
himself wife from among the most favored
ones of the country. Mary FELTON, expert
enced strange pride when she gave her hand
to the young lawyer and if one cnvied her.
many at least prayed that they might be
equally fortunate.
But ere long a cloud came over the scene.
Conviviality ran high among the members of
the bar, and Bryan possessed one of those pc
culiar tcmperamcnts which at length give the
whole body and soul up to the demon. For
three years he followed the social custom of
the times without ncgecting much ofhis bu>i
ness, but finally he sank into the lowest pit of
degradation. When at age of five and thirty
he had become a confirmed drunkard. He
now neglected his clients altogether, for he
could not remain sober long enough at any
time to carry any case through court. The
ONLY business he now had on his hands was
the collection of some debts.
On the evening Of his thirty-ffth birthday
he joined the Washingtonians.;nd once more
his bright genius Shonc out upon the world.
But it could not last long amid the examples
of those who were his constant companions: !:
he sank rapidly as he had risen. In one
short year from that time he was a miserable
degraded thing. People who had left notes
and accounts with him to collect called at
his house. and upon inquirinS of his wife
where he could be found. she would tell them
he was away. Poor woman, they could not
bear to dispute her. and they knew full we'll
that the remains of Daniel BRYAN were pros
trate upon his bedroom floor.
One day a Mr. Ninson went to see him
Ninson had left notes and accounts to the
amount of several thousand dollars with Bry-
an to collect. and he was anxious about them.
His poor wife answered him as u>ual-that
her husband had gone away.
MY dear madam. returned MIR. Nin>on.
Il know your misfortune. and appreciate
Your feelings. but must see Your husband.
If | can see him for one minute, can learn
all | wish to know
Mary BRYAN spoke not a word. but with a
fearful eve turned away. and Mr.. IinSon fol-
lowed her He found BRYAN i'll Il back room
stretched at full length upon the floor. with a
Jug of Mcdtord rum by his side With much
effort VinSon aroused the poor incbriatc to a
sense of sem-cOnSciouSne>> and asked HIM if
he had done ANYTHING about the notes and
accounts which he had left with him. "IcS.
answered the LAWYER, in a weak. hiccough;ng
voice. I've had the money for YOU over a
month I've deducted the per ccntagc. and
YOU will find the rest in that trunk. Mary 5
got the key
Mary BRYAN was called in, the KEY was
produced, ;tut! Mr.. Ninoou round hi mon,
-four thousand and some odd hundreds Of
dollars-all right and safe.
In his worst moments Bryan never used
for himself single penny held i'll trust. Hun
dretls there were who worked hare, to reclaim
the wandcrcr. but without effect Years went
bv. and he sank lower and lower. Vet his wife
left him not. Her brother a Young lawyer.
named Moses FELTON,. often urged her to for
sake her husband at the same time offering
her comfortable home beneath his own roof
but she would not listen.
At length all hope was given up. Week
after week would the fallen man be drunk on
the floor, and not day otrcal >obrctv mark
ed his course. doubt if such another case
was known. He was too low for conviviality.
Tor tnOSC Witn WHO'LL III Woul't i't\C dSSNtl't-
ted would not drink with him.
All alone in his office and chamber he still
continued to drink. and even his very life
seemed the offspring of his jug.
In early spring Moses FELTON, had a call to
90 to Ohio Before he set out he visited hi,
sister. lie offered to take her with him, but
she would not 90.
but why stay YOU hcrc?" urged the broth
cr. "You are all faded away, and disease is
upon YOU Why should YOU live with such a
brute -
"Hush. Moses speak not" answered the
wife, keeping back the tears. Il will not
leave him now, but he will soon leave me-
He can not live much longer
At that moment Daniel entered the apart
mcnt. He looked like wandcrcr from the
tomb. lie had his hat on, and his jug i'll his
hand.
"Ah-Moscs-ho are ye?" he gasped
for he could not speak plainly
The visitor looked at him for few mo-
mcnts in silence Then, as his features as
s,lmcd a cold, stern expression, he sad, IN
strongly emphasized tones
"Danicl Bryan. | have been your best
friend but one My sister is an angcl-but
mated with demon. have loved you. Dan
iel, as never loved man before you were
noble, generous, and kind, but hate YOU
now, for you are perfect devil incarnate.-
Look at that woman. She is my sister-sh(
now might live with me in comfort, only she
will not do it while you are alive vet when
YOU die she will come to me. Thus do pray
that God will soon give her joys to my keep
ing. Now, Daniel, do sincerely hope that
the first intelligence which reaches me from
nv native place after shall have reached
nv new home, NAV Observation-Disclosures
DEAD"
: Bryan gazcd upon the speaker some mo-
ments without speaking. "Moses,' he a
+ length said "you are not in earnest -
, ".\s true as heaven. Daniel. am. Whel
know that YOU are dead, shall be happy
, and not until thcn-so 90 on. Fill your jus
and"
"Stop, Moses, l can reform
: "You can not. 1t is beyond your power
You have had inducements enough to have
reformed half the sinners of creation, and We
! YOU are now lower than ever before. G'
, and die sir, as soon as you can, for the mo
ment that sees you thus shall find me anon!
the mOurnerS.
Bryans eyes flashed, and he drew himsel
proudly up. 60" he said with tone o
the old. powerful sarcasm that had often elec
trifed jury, "go to Ohio, and Ill send yo'
news. Go sir, and watch the post
With these words Daniel Bryan hurled hi
t. Jug into the fireplace and while yet thou
sand pieces were flying over the floor, h
strobe from the house Mary sank faintin!
: .L Aor NoSor horo hnr +o q he'd am