Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-05-15

Il recollect one member OF congress VINO
was always ralIying me about our Congress-
ional Temperance Society.
Briggs he used to say, "rm going to
Join your Temperance Society, as soon as my
demijon is empty" But Just before it be-
came empty, he always filed it. Az one
time, toward the close of the session, he said
10 me:
II am going to sign the pledge when /
get home. ain in earnest" continued he !;
"my demiJon is nearly empty, and am not
going to fill it again" He spoke with such
an air Of seriousness as l had not before OBJ
served, and it impressed me; and asked
him what it meant---what had changed his
feelings.
"Why," said he, al had short time since
a visit from my brother, who stated to me
fact that more deeply impressed and affected
me moro than anything | recollect to have
heard or read.
ain my neighborhood is a gentleman of
my acquaintance, well educated who once
had some property, but is now reduced
poorl He has beautiful and lovely wife
"A lady of cultivation and refnement-and
a most charming daughter.
"This gentleman had become decidedly
Incorporate in his habits, and had fully
alarmed his friends in regard to him. At
one time, when a number of his former as
sociates were together, they counseIsl as to
what could be dono for him. Finally, one
of them said to him, "Why don't yon send
your daughter away to certain distin-
guished school 7" which he named.
"Oh, cannot" said he; "it is out of the
question. l am not ablo to bear the ex-
pense. Poor girl! l wish could"
"Well," said his friend, "if you will sign
the temperance pledge, Twill be at all the
expense Of her attending school for one
year."
"What does this mcani" said he. "Do
you think me in danger of becoming a
drunkardl"
"No matter" said his friend, "about that
: now, but will do as l said"
"And l." said another, "wilI pay the rent
of your farm year, if you will sign the
PLEDGE
"Well, these offers are certainly liberal
but what do they mean? Do you think
mo in danger of becoming drunkard p
What can it mean? But, gentlemen, in
view Of your libcrality, will make an offer,
will sign if you willa'
This was proposition they had not con-
sidered, and were not very well prepared to
meet; but for his sake they would and did
sign, and he with them.
And now for the first time the truth
poured into his mind, and he saw his con-
dtion, and sat down bathed in tears.
"Now," said he, gentlemen, you must 60
and communicate these facts to my wife
poor woman! l know she will be glad to
hear il, but l cannot tell her."
Two Of them started for that purpose
> The lady met them at the door, pale and
trembling with emotion.
They bade her dismiss her fears, assur
ing her they had como to bring her tiding>
of her husband-but good tidings, such as
she would be glad to hear.
"Your husband has signed the temper.
ance pledge-yea, signed it in good faith. u
The joyous news nearly overcame her
! she trembled with excitement, wept freely,
F.. and claspiug her hands devotionally, she
! looked up to heaven, and thanked God fol
the happy change.
l "Now," said she, ~ have husband a:
he onco was, in the days of our early love-
5 But this was not what moved me. There
was in the samo vicinity another gentleman
"a generous, noble soul-married young
married well--into charming family, and
} the flower of it. His wine-drnking had
aroused the fears of his friends, and one day
when several of them were together, one
, said to another, "Let US sign the pledge
81 will if you will" said one to another til
, all had agreed to it, and the thing was done
This gentleman thought it was rather
small business, and felt little sensitive
: about revealing to his wife what he hat
done. But on returning home he said t.
D her:
"Mary, my dear, have done what fea
will 1isplease you"
If "Well, what is itl"
l. "Why, have signed tho tempcranc
o pledgel'
!; "Have you'll"
l. ayes, have"
IS Watching bis manner as he replied, an
Z reading its sincerity, she entwined her arm
G around his neck, laid her head on his bos
$, ON, and burst into tears. Her husban,
n was affected deeply by this conduct of hi
l. wife and said:
Mary, don't weep; l did not know
( would aff1ict you so, or / would not hav
+ done it-I will go and tako my namo o.
G Immediately"
, "Take your name off" said she, "no, no
let it be there. 1 shall now have no NOR,
solicitude in reference to your becoming ,
, drunkard. l shall no moro steep my pillow
: in tears" ~
Now, for the first time, the truth shon
; upon his mind, and he folded to his bosor
9 his young and beautiful wife, and wept wit
g : her. Now, can't stand these facts, and
< am going to sign the plcdge.-Speech Q
. Governor Briggs.
% &c n,,itn a,no,,,Io. fooI t1,oA ITo.aoo