The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-07-30
about the notes and accounts he had left

with him.
"fes," returned the lawyer, in a weak,
husky, hiecoughing voice. "Tve had the
money for you over month. I've de-.
Quoted my percentage, and you'll find
the rest In that trunk. Mary's got the
key.I
Mrs. Bryan was called in, the kew was
produced, and Mr.. Vinson found his mon.
ey-four thousand and some odd hun.
dreds of doisrs-ail right and safe.
Iu mis- worst moments Bryan never
used for himself single penny he held
in trust Hundreds there were who la
bored hard to recover the wanderer, bu,
without effect. Year by year went by,
and he sank lower-yet his wife left him
not. Her brother a young lawyer named
Moses FELTON,, oftened urged her to for
sake her husband, at the same time offer.
ing her comfortable home beneath his
own roof, but she would rot listen.
At length all hope was given up
Week after week would the fallen man
lie dosn on the floor, and not a day of
real sobriety marked his course. | doubt
it such another case WAS ever KNOWN
lie was too low for conviviality, for those
with whom he would have associated
would not drink with him. All, all alone,
10 his oWa Office and chamber, he drank
the aecursed poison, and even bis very
life seemed the offspring of the Jug.
In early spring, Moses FsI,on had
call 20 60 to Texas. Before he set out
he visited his sister. He offered to take
her with him, but would no. 60.
"But why stay here :" urged the broth
er. "You are all faded away, and dis
ease is upon you. Why should you lire
with such brute I"
"Hush, Moses. Speak not So" an.
'wered the wife, keeping back the tears.
81 will not leave now. But he will soon
leave me; he cannot last much longer"
At that moment Daniel Bryan enter
ed the apartment Even Moses FELTON,
was startled by his appearance. Ie look
ed like wanderer from the tomb. He
had his hat on and his jug was in his
hand.
"Ah-Moses-how are ye 7" he gasp
ed, for he could not speak plainly. !
The visitor looked at him a few mo.
ments in silence. Then, as his features
assumed a cold stern expression. he said, =,
in calm, but strongly emphasized tone ::
"Daniel Bryan, have been your next
best friend but one. My sister is an an
gel-but mated with demon. have
loved you, Daniel, as l never loved man
before, for you were noble, generous and
KIND but hate you now, for you are
devil incarnate. Look at that woman.
She is my sste:-the only sister God ever
gave me. wish her 10 live with me.
but she will cot while you live; yet when
you die she will come t, me. Thus do |
pray that God will soon give her joys to
my keeping. Now, Daniel, | do sincere.
Iy pray that the first intelligence ,La,
reaches me from my native place after
reach my new homs-msy-be-that-
you-are-dead -
Bryan gazed upon the speaker some
moments without speaking.
"Moses," a! length he said, "you are
not in earnest"
"As true as heaven, Daniel, I am.-
When know that you are dead, Isball
be happy, and not until tben-so 90 on.
Fill your jug, and"
stop, stop, Moses. can REFORM"
"You cannot. 1t is beyond your pow
er. You have had inducements enough
enough to have reformed bali the sin.
ne's in creation-and yet you are now
lower than ever before. Go, and die, sir,
as soon as you like, for the moment i;ba,
sees you thus will set mourners Free"
Bryam's eyes flashed, and he drew him.
self proudly up
"Go," said he, with tipge of that old
powerful sarcasm that bad often electri
field jury, "go to Texas, and III send
you news. Go, air, and watch the post"
With these words, Daniel Bryan hurl.
ed tbe jug into the fireplace, and while
yet its thousand pieces were flying over
the foor-he s.rode from the house. Ma,
~ sank faipIng 70 Ae Aoor-Moses bore
her to the bed, and then hayng called in
= ne'ghbor he hurried away, for the stage
was waiting.
For many days Daniel Bryan hover.
ed over the blink Of the grave, but he
did not die.
zone gill Of Brandy will save you,"
aid the doctor Who Nm w. III a. ,I,a ,l-.