Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-01-29
The Sudden Conversion.

lived young man, Daniel Bryan, lawye
I;by profession. = No one possessed the conf
ldence or their friends more than he did, ana
no one was better calculated to secure the
isood will and fiiendship of all with whom hi
Icame in contact Business poured in upon
Ibim, aid he failed not to give the utmost
featisfactton. -.---.
Il At The age Of twenty. seven, Bryan took
TO himself wife from among the most ia
Isored ones in the country. Mary FELTON,
Experienced strange pride when she gave
her hand to the young lawyer, and if none
snvied her many at least prayed that they
might be equally fortunate. ...-- 's'
But ere long cloud came over the scene
Conviviality ran high among the members
e46f thss oar, !, and Bryan possessed one Of
ESA5se pecdiisf .emperaments which at length
gave the whole tody and soul up to the de-
mon. For three year he followed the social
custom Of the times without Heglecting
much of his business, but finally be sunk
into the lowest pit of degradation; when
at the age of FIVE and thirty, he had become
confirm drunkard. He now neglected his
Giants altogether, for he could not remain
sober long enough at any one time TO carry
a case through court. The only business
be now had on hand was the collecting of
some debts.
On the evening ofhis thirty-fifth birthday,
ne Joined the Washingtonians, and once
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 sunk as rapidly as he
had risen. I'm one short year from that
time. he was miserable degraded thirg.-
People who had left notes and accounts
" ith him to CO lect called at his house, and
on enquiring of his wife where he would
be fonnd, she would tell them he was away.
Poor woman, they could not bear to dispute
her, and they would 60 their way, through
they. knew ful, well that the mains of
Daniel Bryan were postrated upon his bed
room floor.
J, One day Mr.. .Vinson went to see him
Vinso on had left accounts and notes TO the
amount of several thousand dollars with
BRYAN and he was anxious to see him. His
pour wife ar Eswered him as usual-that her
husband had gone away.
"lly desr madame" returned Mr.. Vinson,
IL know your misfortune, and appreciate
your fee ings. but must see your husband.
Ii can see him for one minute can learn
ali | wish to know.
Mary Bryan spoke not word. but with a
fearful eye turned away, and Mr.. Vinson
followed her. He found Bryant in a back
room stretched a, full length upon the floor
with jug of Msdford rum by his side.-
With much effort Vinton arouse the poor
inebriate 10 a state Of semi-consciousness;
and asked him if he had done anything
about the notes and accounts which he had
left him. Eyes a iswerad the lawyer. in a
weak hiccoughing voice. "I've had the
s1eneSfor yousoSe n a moash.s Ave deduct- |
ed my percentage, and you will find the |
rest in that trunk. May's got the key"
Mrs. Bryan was called in, the KEY was
produced, and Mr.. Vinson found his money |
Jour thousand and some hundred dollars
all right and saf.. -Es aEr-
In his worst moments Bryan never used
single penny held in .rust.--
Hundreds there were who. worked hard TO
res lain The wanderer, but with without ef-
feet. Years went by, and he sank lower
and lower-yet his wife left him not. Her
brother, young lawer named Moses Eel
ton, often urged her to iorsake her husband,
Offering her at the same time, comfortable
home beueath4his own roof, but she would
not listen.
At length all hope was given up. Week
a ftsr week. would the fallen man be drunk
on the 6yor, and not day Of realzsobriety,
marked his course. doubt if such an other
case was known.s He was too: low for con-
70, those With whom he would
haze associated woud not drink with him.
Hi alone in his Office and chamber, he
still continued to drink, and even his very
lid see emed the offspring of his jug.
II early spring Moses FELTON, mad call
tde to .hio. Before he set out he visited
hid sister. He offered 10 take her with him,
bn, she would not 60. .l,.- a. .-
sBut why stay herep urged the brother.
" You are all faded away, and disease is upon
YOU. Why stay with such a brute"
Hush, Moses, speak not thus" answered
the vie, keeping back her tears, 81 will
not leave him now, he will soon leave me.
He cannot live much longer" .E
AT that moment Daniel entered the apart
ment. He looked like wanderer from the
tomb. He had his hat on, and his jug in his
hand. -
"Ah, Moses. how are yea" he gasped, Tor
he could not speak plainly.
Tne visitor looked at him few moments
in silence. Then as his features assumed
colo, Stern expression, he said. in strong,
tone: -- -
"Dau:el Bryan, 1 have been your best
friend but one. My sister is sn angel but
mated with demon. have loved you
Daniel, as never loved man befure; you
were noble, generous and kind, but | hate
Y ou now, for YOU are perfect devil incar-
nate Look at that woman. She is may
sister-shs IN ght now live in comfort, on ly
she will not do it while you are alive; vet.
hen YOU die she will come to me. Thus
d. | pray God will soun give aer JOYS &c my
keeping. Now, Dan iel, do sincerely hope
that the first intelligence viii. h reaches NE
from my Iatlve pace alter l shall have
reached my new home my be rHAT-YoU-ARE
DEAD"
Bryan gazed upon the speaker some mo-
ments, in silence. "Moses," lie at length
said, "you are not in earnesl!' @
"As true as heaven, Daniel, am. When
| k;ov that you are dead, shall be happy,
and rot until then--so go on. Fill your Jug
and" ...-... -.. 70. rsr
"Stop. Moses, can reform"
"You cannot. 1t is beyond your power.
You have inducements enough to have re-
formed hail the sinners oil creation, and yet
YOU are now lower than ever befre. Go
and die, sir, as soon as you can, io' tho mo-
ment that sees yon thus, shall not fnd me
among the mourners." t.-ai ..f
Br, ans eve flashed. and he drew himself
proudly up. "Go," he said, with a tone Of
~, o,i n,,.,artul ssrcnssn That had nlten