The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-06-11
DANIEL BRYAN'S OATH.


ing ones; but the following has a startling
vigor. Daniel Bryan, as appears from the
context, had been lawyer of eminence but
had fallen, through intoxication, to beggary
and dying condition. Bryan had married, in
his better days, the sister of Moses FELTON,.
At length all hopes were given up. Week
after week would the fallen man lie drunk on
the floor, and not day of real soLriety mark.
ed his course. doubt if another such case
was known. He was too low for conviviality,
for those with whom he would have associat-
cd would not drink with him.
All alone in his Office and chamber he con-
t;nued to drink, and even his life seemed the
offspring Of his jug.
II was early spfiug, Moses Fclton had a
call 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 2" urged the brother;
"you are faded away, and disease is upon you
Why should you live with such brute?"
"Hush, Moses, speak not" answered the
wife, keeping back her tears. 81 will not
leave him now, but he will soon leave me-
he cannot live much longer"
At that moment Daniel entered the apart
ment. He looked like n wonderer from the
tomb. He had his hat on and jug in his
hand.
"Ah, Moses, how are ye 2" he gasped, for
he could not speak plainly.
The visitor looked at him for few mo-
ments in silence. Then, as his features as.
sumed cold stern expression, he said with n
strong emphasized tone.
"Daniel Bryan, have been your best
friend but one. Ny sister is an angel, but
matched with demon. / have loved you
Daniel, as never loved man before; you
were noble, generous and kind; but | hate you
now, for you are perfect devil incarDate.-
Look at that woman. She is my sister; she
might now live with me in comfort, only she
will not do it while you are alive; yet when
you die she will come to me. Thus do | pray
that God will soon give her joys to my keep
ing. Now, Daniel do sincerely hope that
the first intelligence that reaches me from my
native place, after have reached my new
home, may that-you-Gre-dead" L"
"Stop, Moses, can REFORM"
"You cannot-it is beyond your power
You have had inducements enough to have
reformed half the sinners in creation, and yet
you are now lower than ever before. Go and
die, sir, as soon as you can, for the moment
that sees you thus shall not ind me among
the mourners"
Bryan's eyes flashed, ard he drew himself
proudly up. &C.," he said with n tone OF
the old powerful sarcasm, "go to Ohio, and
I'll send you news. Go, sir, and watch the
post. l will yet make you take back your
words"
"Never, Daniel Bryan, never!"
"You shall! swear il !"
With these words, Daniel Bryan hurled his
jug into the fire place; and while yet thou
sand pieces were flying over the floor he
strode from the house. Mary tainted on the
floor. Moses bore her to the bed, and then
having called in a neighbor, he hurried away,
for the stage was waiting.
For month Daniel moved over the brink
of the grave, but he did not die.
"One gill of brandy will save you" said the
doctor, who saw that the abrupt removal of
stimulants from the system that for long
years had subsisted on almost nothing else,
was nearly sure to prove fatal. "You can
surely take gill and not take any more"
"Aye," gasped the poor man, stake gill
and break my oath. Moses FELTON, shall
never hear that brandy or rum killed me II
the want of il killed me, then let me die =
But won't die; III live till Moses FELTON,
shall eat his words"
He did live! an iron will conquered the
messenger that death sent-Daniel Bryan
lived. For one month he could not walk
without help-joyful, prnyerfu help. Mary
was his help.
A year passed away, and Moses FELTON, re-
turned TO Vermont He entered the Court
l1OuSe NJ burlington, anu DnH'e' D'y"" WIG
on the floor pleading for young man who
had been indicted for forgery. FELTON, started
with surprise. Never before had such tor
rents of eloquence poured from his lips
The charge was given to The jury aud the
youth vas acquitted. The successful coun'
sci turned from the court room, and he met
Moses FELTON,.
They shook hands but did not speak
When they reached n spot where none Others
could hear them, Bryan stopped.
"SIoses," he said, ado you remember The
words you spoke to me year ngol"
: 81 do, Daniel"
"Will you take them back-unsay then
now and forever" ?"
d, ayes, with all my heart"
"Then am in part repaid"
sand what must be the remainder OF The
payment" asked Moses.
81 must die m honest, unperiured man =
The oath that has bound me thus FAR wni
made for life."
:, That evening Mary Bryan wns among The
i hnppiest of the happy. No nllusion wa
G mnde in words to that strange scene oil on'
wear before; but Moses could read In botl
a the countenances Of his sister and ho1 huS
4, -. Ia thav did nnt anaak