Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1860-01-28
SALLIE BONSALL.
AFFECTING
Spring Dale, Cedar Co., Iowa.

I ~recollect a member Of Congress who was al
ways rallying me about our Congressional Temper
aoce Society.
o.1' Briggs be used to shy. I'm going to join your
Temperance Society. as socn as my demijobn is
empty But just before it became empty. he al
ways 6lled it, At ono time, before the close Of tie
session, be suid to me.
j am going to sign the pledge when l get home.
1 am in earnest continued he my demijohn is
empty, and I am not going to fill it again lie
spoke with such an air Of seriousness as l had not
before observed, and it impressed me; and | asked
him what it meant-what had changed bis feel
ings. sa5a
Why said be, I had, a short time since, q visit
from my brother, who stated to me o fact that
more deeply impressed and affected me than any
thing recolieet to have heard or read.
III my neighborhood is a gentleman Of my nc-
qunintance, well educated, who once had some
property, but is now reduced-poor !! lie has q
beautifuland lovely wife "a lady of cultivation
and re6nement-and a most charming daughter.
This gentleman had become decidedly intem-
psrate in his habits, and had fully alarmed his
friends in regard to him. At one tia,e, when q
buuiLVt - IA iOtmSE eSOCldltS NcEe tDSelucT,
eounseled as TO what could be done for him. Fin
ally. one of them said to him, Why don't you
send your daughter away to q certain distinguish
ed school 2 which he named.
oh, I cannot said he it is out of the ques-
ton. / am not able to bear the expense. Poor
girl! | wish / could
Well eaid bis friend, it you will sign the tenn
perance pledge, | will be at all the expense Of her
attending school for one year.
What does this mean said he. DO you think
me in danger Of becoming a drunkard 2
No matter said his friend, about that now, bu,
] will do as I said"
And j. said another, will pay the rent of your
farm n year. if you will sign the pledge
Well, these offers are certainly liberal-but
what d. they mean ? Do you think me in danger
Of becoming a drunkard What, can it mean
But gentlemen, in view Of your li5erali'y, | will
sign If you will ?"
This was n proposition they bad no. considered
and were not very we'll prepared to meet ; but fu
his sake they Mould and did sign, and he will
them.
An now for the frst time the Truth poured int
bis mind, and he saw his CT ndi,ion, and sat dow
barhed in :ea.s.
Now said he, gentleman you must 20 az,
communicate these facts to my wife-2oor woman
know she will be glad to hear it, but I canno
tell her,
Two Of them started for that purpose. The la
dy met them at the door. pale and trembling will
emotion.
They babe her dismiss her fears, assuring be,
thsy had come to bring her tidings of her hus
band-but good tidings, such as she would be glac
10 hear.
Your husband has signed the temperate,
plsdge-yea signed it in good faith
The Joyous news nearly overcome her-she trem
bled with excitement, wept freely and ~clasping he
hands devoiionally. she looked up to heaven, III,
thanked God for the happy change.
Now said she. / have a husband rs he wa
In the lays Of cur ea,ly love-
But this was not what moved me- said the ger
item IN. There was in the same vicinity anothe
gepileman--a generous. noble soul--married youn
married well-into a charming family and tn
flower OF it. His wine-drinking had aroused th
fears Of his friends. and one day. when several Q
them were together. one said to another. Let u
sign the pledge 4 will if you will, said one t
smother. till oil had agreed to II, and the thin
was done.
This gentleman thought It rather a small busi
asss, and fels 4 little sensitive about revealing I