Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-04-04
THE SUDDEN CONVERSION.
A THRILLING STORY.

In one OF the noIthern towns OF FeE-
mont lived young man, Daniel Bryan,
lawyer by profession. No one possessed
The confidence Of their friends more than
he did, and no one was better calculated
10 secure the good will and friendship OF
all with whom he came in contact. BusI-
ness poured in upon him and he tailed
not to give the almost satisfaction.
AT The age of twen.y-seven Bryan took
to himself a wife from among the most
favored ones in the country. Mary Eel
ton experienced strange PRIDE when she
gave her hand 10 the young lawyer, and #
none envied her, many al least prayed
that they might be- equally fortunate.
But ere long a cloud came over the
scene. ConyiviaIty ran high among the
members Of the bar, and Bryan possessed
one of those peculiar temperaments which
al length gave the whole body and soul 10
the demon. For three yeas he followed
tie social customs Of the times without
negIecling much of his business, but tlnaI-
Iy he sunk into tie lowest PIT of degrada'
tion; when at the age of thirty he
had become a confirmed drunkard. lie
now neglected his %aents altogether-he
could not remain sober long enough at
any one lime to carry ease through
court. The only business lie now had on
hand was the collecting of some debts.
On the evening of his thl'ty-hfth birth
day, he Joined lhe Washinglonians, and
once more his bright genius shone out
upon the world. But il could not last
long amid the examples Of those who
were his constant companions, and he
sank as rapidly as he had risen. In one
short year from that time, he was ms
erabIe degraded thing. People who had
left notes and accounts with him ta col
Icc,, called a! his house and on inquiry
of his wife where he could he found, shf
would tell them he was away. Poor
woman, they could not bear TO dispute
with her, and they would 60 their way,
though they knew full well that the re-
mains of Daniel Bryan were PROSTATE
upon his bed room floor.
One day Mr.. Vinson went to see him.
Vinson had left accounts 10 amount OF
several thousand dollars with Bryan, and
he was anxious to see him. His poor
wife answered him as usuai-that her
husband was away. "My dear madam,
returned Mr.. Vnson, Il know your mis-
fortune and appreciate your feelings;
but must see your husband. If | can
see him for one minute | can learn all
wish to know.
Mary Bryan spoke no! a word, but
with fearful eye turned away, and Mr.,
Vlnson followed her. He found Bryan
IN back room stretched at full length
upon the floor, with jug of Mediord
rum at his side. With much effort Vim
ton aroused the poor nebriale to a state Of
semiconsciousness, and asked him if he
had done anything with the notes and ac-
counts he had left with him. "Yes,
answered the lawyer. in a weak, hiccup-
ing voice 1--we had the money for you
over a month. I've deducted my per
cenlage and you will find The rest in that
trunk. Mary's got the key"
Mrs. Bryan was called in, the key pro-
duced and Vlnson found his money-four
thousand and some hundred dollars-alI
right and safe.
In his worst moments Bryan never
used for himself single penny held in
trust. Hundreds there were who worked
hard to reclaim the YandeTer, but without
effect. Years went by and he sank low
er-yel his wife left him not. Her broth.
er, young lawyer named Moses FELTON,,
often urged her 10 forsake her husband,
offering her al the same time, a com(orla-
BILE 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 foor,a not day of real sobrety
marked his course. | doub, if such anoth-
er case was known. lie was too low for
conviviality, for those with whom he
would have associated would not drink
with him.
All alone in his office and chamber, he
still continued 10 drink, and even his very
life seemed .he offspring Of his jug.
In early spring Moses FELTON, had a
call to 60 TO Ohio. Before he set out he
visited his sister. He offered to take her
with hin, but she would not go.
But why stay here 2 urged the brolh-
er. You are all faded away. and disease
is upon you. Why stay with such a
brute 2
Hush. Moses, speak not thus, answer
ed the wife, keeping back her tears. Il
will not leave him now, he will soon
leave me. He cannot live much longer
AT that moment Daniel entered the
apartment He looked like wanderer
from the tomb. He had his hal on and
his jug in his hand.
'Ah, Moses. how are ye ? he gssped,