Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-03
DANIEL BRYAN's OATH.

been lawyer of eminence, but had fall
len, through intoxicatiou, to beggary and
dying condition. Bryan had married,
in his better days, the sister Of Moses
Fulton.
At length all hopes were given up
Week after week would the fallen mem
HE drunk on the floor, and not day of
real sobriety marked his course. ] doubt
if such another case was known. He was
too low for conviviality, for those with
whom be would have associated would not
driEk 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
call to go to Ohio. Before he set out he
visited his sister. He offered to take her
with him, but she would not go. s
But why stay here 7" urged the broth
er. You are all faded away, and dis
case is upon you. Why should you live
1 with such brute?;'
4 Hush, Moses, speak not" answered
the wife, keeping back thetears. 81 will
A not leave him now, but he will soon leave
n me- Hecannot live much longer"
AT that moment Daniel entered the
j apartment. He looked like wanderer
4 from the tomb. He had his hat on, and
j his jug in his hand.
II sAh, Moses, how are yer he gasped
Z for he could not speak plainly.
The visitor looked at him for few mo
ments in silence. Then, as his features
Fl assumed cold, stern expression, he said,
in strongly emphasized tone:
, Daniel Bryan, have been your best
, friend but one. My sister is an angel
I, but matched with demon. / have loved
I you, Daniel, as never loved man before;
: you were noble, generous, and kind: but
/ hate You now, for you are a perfect
devil incarnate. Look at that woman.--
! She is my sister-she might now live with
/ me in comfort only she will not do il
. while you are alive; yet when you die
/. she will come to me. Thus do pray
i. that God will soon give her joys to my
: keeping. Now, Daniel, do sincerll
hope that the tirstlntelligeEce that reach
n es me from my native place, after shall
e have reached my new home, may be-
q YoU-ARE-DEAD"
d Stop, Moses; | can reform"
d You cannot. 1t is beyond your pow
/, Ter. You have had inducements eaougI
! Ito have refol M ID half the sinners of til,
! creation, and yet you are now lower thai
e ever before. Go and die, sir, as soon a
MI YOU can, for the moment that sees yol
,fI thus. shall not find me among the mourn
e ers."
n Bryan's eyes flashed, and drew himsel
IF proudly up. Co." he said, with ton
Of the old powerful sarcasm go to Ohio
lie and I'll send you news. Go, sir, ant
Is watch the post. | will yet make yo
in take back your words"
r Never, Daniel Bryan, neyer!'
lie "You shall! | swear j y
d Width these words, Daniel Bryan hurI
lie edshis Jug into the fire place, and Will
me no5t ire onaieffeSS SIN ts n abYbiang owe
vi rys fainting on the floor. Moses bore Y hG g
J. to bed, and then having called in neigh
r Dor he hurried away. for the stage wa
is writ NJ.
il For month Daniel moved over thu
t. brink Of grave, but he did not die.
IS !" One gill Of brandy will save you
said the doctor, who saw that the a6rup
d removal of all stimulations from system
r that for long years had subsst ted on al
+ most nothing else, was nearly sure tc
g prove fatal. You can surely take a gill
S and not take more"
e Aye" grasped the poor man, stake
: a gill and break my OATH Moses FELTON,
e shall never hear that brandy or rum kill
mel If the want Of it can kill me, then
let me die! But won't die, I'll live till
Moses FELTON, shall eat his words"
He did live! an iron will conquered
the messenger death sent-Daniel Bryan
lived. For one month he could not even
walk without help. But he had help
: joyful, playful help. Mary helped him.
A year passed away, and Moses Felton,
returned to Vermont. He entered the
court house at Burlington, and Daniel
Bryan was on the floor pleading for a
young man who had been indicted for for
Igery. FELTON, started with surprise
| Never before had such torrents of elo
quence poured from his lips. The case
was given to the jury and the youth. was
acquitted, The successful counsel turned
| from the court room, and he met Moses
Felton,.
They shook hands, but did not speak. |
When they reached spot where none
others could hear them, Bryan stopped
" Noses he said, " do you remember the
words you spoke to me year ago?"
Il do, Daniel"
Z" Will you now take them back? Tn.
say them now and forever"
" Yes, with all my heart"
" Then | am in part repaid"
!" And what mnst be the remainder of
the payment" asked Moses.
must die an honest, unperjured mani
The oath that has bound me thus far was
made for ife.''
That evening Mary Bryan was among
the happiest Of the happy. No allusion
was made in words to that strange scene
Of one year before; but Moses couldread
in both the countenances of his sister and
her husband the deep gratitude they did
not speak.
And Daniel Bryan yet lives, one of the
most honored men of Vermont. Five
times has he sat in the State Legislature; q
thrice in the Senate and once in the Ma h
tonal Congress.
1P A merchant was the other day, re-
proving the keeper Of a low GROCERY for
MS disreputable mode Of getting living.
" get my living as respectable as you do,
said the rumseller. ..Don't Won 1.-Two hv