Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-01-30

AFFECTING lNclDENT. - | recollect one
member OF Congress who was always rail-
lying me about our Congressional Temper
ance Suciety
Briggs, he used to say, I'm going to
Join YOUR Temperance Society as soon as my
dcmiiohn is empty But Just before it be
came empty he always filled it. One time,
toward the close of the session, he said to
mo -
am going to sign the pledge when |
get home. am in earnest, continued he
my dcmijohn is nearly empty, and am
not going to fill it again lie spoke with
such an air Of seriousness as had not be-
fore observed, and it mprcsscd me and |
asked him what it meant - what had changed
his feelings.
Why said he, HAD short time since
a visit from my brother, who stated to mcn
fact that more deeply impressed and affect
ed me, than anything | rccollcct to have
heard or read.
In my neighborhood is gentleman Of
my acquaintance, well educated, who once
had some property, hut is now reduced
poor llo'has a beautiful and lovely vile
a lady of cultivation and refinement
and most charming daughter
This gentleman had become decidedly in
temperate in its habits, ard had fully alarms
ed ms friends in regard to him. At time
when a number of his former associates were
together they counsclcd az to wha. could be
done for him. Finally one of them said to
him, Why don't you send your daughter
away to certain distinguished school ,
which he named
Oh, cannot, said he it is out of the
question am not able to ear the ex-
pensc. foor girl | wish could
Well, said his friend, if you will sign
the temperance pledge, will be at all the
expense Of her attending school for one
year
What does this mean Z said he. Do
you think me in danger Of becoming u
drunkardr
No matter, said his FRIEND about that
now, but | will do as said
And L. said another, will pay the
rent Of your farm year, If you will sign
TIE pledge
We'll, these offers are certainly liberal
but what do they meant Do you think me
in danger of becoming drunkard What
can 1t mean But, gentlemen. in view of
your liberality, will make an offer. will
sign if you will .
This was proposition they rad not con-
sidcred, and were not very well pi Gpared to
meet, but for his sake they would Gnd did
sign and he with them
And now, for the first time. the truth pour
ed into his mind. and he saw his condition,
and SAT down bathed in tears
Now slid he, gentlemen. YOU must 90
and communicate these facts to my wife;
poor woman ! know she will be glad to
hear it, but cannot tell her.
Two of them started for that purpose. The
lady met them mt the door, pale and trem-
bling with emotion.
They bade her dismiss her fears. assuring
her they had come to bring her tidngs of her
hushand-hut good tidings, such us she
would he glad to hear.
Your husband has signed the temperance
pledge-yes, signed it in good faith
The joyous news nearly overcame her
she trembcd with excitement, wcpt freely,
and casping her hands devotionallv, she
looked up to heaven, and thanked God for
the happy change.
Now, said she, Il have a husband as he
once was, in the days of our early love-
But this was not what moved me- said
the gentleman. There was in the same
vicinity another gentleman--a generous.
noble s1ul--married young-marricd well
INTO a charming family, and the flower
Of il. His wine drinking had aroused the
fears OF his friends, and one day, when
several of them We're together. one said to
the other. let us sign the pledge Il will
you will said'ono to the other, till all had
! agreed to it, and the thing was done.
This gentleman thought it rather Il small
business, aud felt little sensitive about re-
vcaling to his wife what he had done. But
ON returning home he said to her;
Mary, my dear, have done what fear
will disIlease you
We'll, what is it ,
'Whv, | have signed the tcmpcrence