Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-09-26
A SUDDEN CONVERSION.
A STORY OF INTEREST.

In one of the northern towns of Vermont lived a
vonne man. Daniel Bryan lawyer by profession.
No one possessed the confidence Of his friends more
than he and no one was better calculated to secure
the good will aud friendship of all with whom he
came in contact. Business poured in upon him, and
he failed not to give the utmost satisfaction. -,
At the age Of twenty seven Bryan took to him.
the country. Mary FELTON, experienced strange
pride when she gave her hand to the young lawyer,
and if none envied her, many at least prayed that
they might be equally fortunate. = co..
q, But ere long cloud came over the scene. Con-
VITALITY ran high among the members of the bar,
ments which at length gave the whole body and
soul to, the demon. For three years he followed
the social custom of the times without neglecting
much of his business, but finally he sunk into the
lowest depths of degradation; when at the age of
thirty-fve he became q confirmed drunkard. He
now neglected his clients altogether-he could not
remain sober long enough at any time to carrya
case through court. The only business he now had
on hand was the collecting of some debts.
On the evening of his thirty fifth birthday, he
Joined the Washingtonians- more his bright
genius shone out upon the world. But it could not
last long amid the examples of those who were his
constant companions, and he sank as rapidly as ne
had risen. In one short year from that time he was
q miserable, degrading being People who had left
notes and accounts with him to collect called at his
house, and on enquiry where he could be tound his
wife would tell them that he was away. Poor wo-
man thew could not bear, to dispute with her, and
would 60 their way, though they knew full well that
the remains of Daniel Bryan were PROSTATE upon
his bedroom floor
One day Mr. Vinson went to see him. Mr. V. left
accounts to the amount of several thousand dollars
with Mr.. Bryan, and he was anxious to see him.
His poor wife answered him usual-that he was
away. "My dear madam" returned Mr.. Vinson,
81 know your misfortunes, and appreciate your
feelings; but must your husband. Ii can
but sec him for one minute, can learn all wish
to know"
Mary BRYAN spoke not q word but with fearful
eyes turned away, and Mr. Vinson followed her. He
found Bryan in back room stretched at full length
upon the floor with jug Of Medford rum at ms
side. With much effort Vinson aroused the poor
inebriate to semi-consciousness, and asked him
he had done anything with the notes and accounts
he had left to him. "Yes," answered the lawyer.
in weak, hiccupping voice, give deducted my per
centage, and you'll find the rest in that trunk. Ma
rvs got the key"
Mrs. Bryan was called in, the key produced and
Vinson found his money-four thousand and some
hundred dollars-all right and safe.
In his worst moments Bryan never used for him
self single penny held in trust. Hundreds there
were who worked hard to reclaim the wanderer, but
without effect. Years went by. and he sank lower
yet his wife left him not. Her brother, young
lawyer named Moses Felton, often urged her to for
Portable 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 of real sobriety marked his
course. / doubt if such another was known.
He was too low for convviality for those with whom
he would have associated, would not drink with
him.
All alone in his office and chamber, he continued
to drink, and even his very life seemed the offspring
of hisjug.
In early spring Moses FELTON, had call to 90 to
Ohio. Before he set out he visited his sister He
offered to take her with him but she would not go.
But why stay here ?" urged the brother. you
are all faded away, and disease is upon you. Why
stay with such brute ?"
Hush, Moses, speak not thus answered the
wife, keeping back her tears. 81 will not leave him
now, he will soon leave me. He cannot live much
longer"
At that moment Daniel entered the apartment.
He locked like a wanderer from the tomb. He had
his hat on and his jug in his hand.
"Ah Moses, how ye?" he gasped for he could
not speak plainly.
The visitor looked at him moment in silence
Then, as his features assumed cold stern express
sion, he said, in a strongly emphasized tone:
Daniel Bryan have been your best friend but
one. Ny sister is an angel but mated with de-
mon. l have loved you Daniel, as l have never
loved man before; you were noble, generous and
kind; but hate you now for you a devil incar-
nate. Look at that woman! She is my sister-she
might now live in comfort only she will not do it
while you are alive; yet when you die she will come
to me. do pray that God will soon give her Joys
to my keeping. Now, Daniel, do sincerely hope
that the first intelligence that reaches from my
native place after shall have reached my home
may be that you are dead"
Bryan gazed upon the speaker some moments in
silence. moses, he at length said, "you are not
in earnest?"
"As true as heaven, Daniel, am. When know
that you are dead, shall be happy, and not until
then-so 60 on. Fill your jug, and
Stop, Moses, can REFORM"
You cannot. 1t is beyond your power. You
have had inducements enough to have reformed, as
have the sinners of creation, and yet you are now
lower than before Go and die, sir, as soon as you
can, for the moment that finds you thus, shall not
find me among the mourners."
Bryan's eye flashed, and he drew himself proudly
up. go" he said, with tone of the old power
to Ohio, and I'll send you the news eco, SIR and
watch the post"
With these words Daniel Bryan hurled the lug
into the fire place, and while yet thousand pieces
were flying over the floor, he strobe from the house.
Moses bore his sister, who had tainted to bed. and
then having called in a neghbor, he hurried away,
TOR the stage was waiting.
For months Daniel moved over the brink of the
grave, but he did not die
"One gill of brandy will save you," said the doc
tor, who saw the abrupt removal of all stlnulants
from system which for long years had subsisted
on nothing else, was nearly sure to prove fatal.
"Yon can surely take gill and not take more"
AYE" gasped the poor man, take gill and
break my oath. Moses FELTON, shall never hear that
brandy or rum killed me. I'll live till Moses FELTON,
shall take back his words.'
he did live! An iron will conques ed the messen.
ger Death had sent, and Daniel Bryan lived For
one month he could not even walk without help
But ne had help joyful playful help Mary he ped
A year passed away, and Moses FELTON, returned
20 Vermont He entered the Court House at Bur.