Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-09-10
Number AZ.
REFORMATION OF WILLIAM WRIT
4 TRUE INCIDENT IN HIS HISTO-

RY.
The distinguished william Writ,
within sir or seven months sfter his FIRST
marriage, became addicted to intempe7
rance, the effect Of which operated
strongly on the mind and health Of his
wife, and in q few months more she
vas numbered with the dead. Her
death led him 10 leave the country
where he resided. and he moved to
Richmond, where he soon rose to dis
tinction. But his habits hung about
him. and occasionally be was found
with jolly, frOlicsome spirits Of bac-
canadian reyelrJ. His tfre friends
eIposlulsted with him to convince him
Of the injury he was doing to himself.
But be still persisted. His practice be-
gan to fall of. and many looked on
him, as on the sure road to ruin. He
was advised 10 get married with a view
of correcting his habits. This be con-
sented to do. il the right person offered.
He accordingly paid his addresses to
Miss GAMBLE After some months at
tention he asked het hand in marriage.
She replied.
"Mr. Writ, have been well aware
Of your intentions for some time back;
and should have given you to under
stand that your visits and attentions
were not acceptable, had not recipro-
Gated the affection which you evinced
towards me. But | cannot Weld nv
assent until you make me a pledge new
er to taste, touch or handle any -intoxi-
eating drinks"
This reply to Writ was as 1nexpecI-
ed as il was novel. His reply
was, that he regarded that proposition.
as bar to all further consideration OF
the subject. and be left her. Her
course towards him was the same as
eyer his, resentment and neglect.
In the course of a few weeks, he went
again and solicited her hand. But her
reply was that her mind was made up;
He became indignant, and regarded
the terms she proposed as insulting to
his honor, and vowed 1t should be the
last meeting they should ever have
He took to drinking worse and worse;
and seemed to run headlong to ruin,
One day, while lying in the outskirts
OF the city, near little grocery or grog
shop, drunk, a young lady; whom it
is not necessary to name. was passing
that way to her home not far of, and
beheld him with his face upturned 10
the rays Of the scorching sun. She
took nef handkerchief, with her own
name marked upon it. and placed it
over his face. After be had remained
in that way for some hours be was
awakened, and his thirst being so great;
he went into the little grocery and grog
shop to get drink. when be discof-
cred the handkerchief. at which he
looked, or the name that was on it,
After pausing. he exclaimed.
q. "Great God! who left this with me?
Who placed this on my face?"
No one knew. He dropped the glass;
exclaiming. -
"Enoughl Enoughl"
He retired instantly from the stofe
forgetting his thirst. but not his de-
batch, the handkerchief, or the lady;
vowing, that if God gave him strengths
never to touch, taste or handle any in
toxicatihg drinks" -
To meet Miss Gamble was The hardest
effort Of his life. II he met her in hee
carriage or on foot, be popped around
the nearest corner.
She at last addressed him a note iihA
der her own hand. inviting him to her
house, which be finally gathered cout.
age enough to accept. He told hef,lf
she still bore affection 10 him he would
agree to her own terms. Her reply
was:
"My conditions are now what they
ever have been.',
"Then," said Writ, "f accept theth,''
They soon married, and from that
lay he kept his word, and his affairs
while honors and glory gath
,red thick upon his brow.
His name has been enrolled high In
he temples OF fame; while patfiotIstp
ind renown live after him with imper-
shable lustre.