Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-05-13
DANIEL BRYAN,s OATH.

Daniel Bryan, had been lawyer OF en-
inence, but had fallen, through intoxicatiOn,
to beggary and dying condition. Bry-
an had married, in his better days, the sis
ter 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 ofreal so
briefly marked his course. | doubt if such
another case was known. He was too low
for conyiviality; for those with whom he
would have associated would not drink
with him.
All alone in his office and chamber, he
still continued to drink, and even his very
life seemed the offspring of his JUG.
In early spring Moses FELTON, had a call
to 90 to Ohio. Before he set out he visit
ed his sister. He offered to take her with
him, but she would not 90.
''But why stay here y urged the broth
er. "You are fading away and disease is
upon you. Why should you live with such
a brute 2"
'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"
Atthat moment Daniel entered the apart
ment He looked like a wanderer from
the tomb. He had his hat on and his Jug
in his hand.
"Ah, Moses, how are yea" he gasped,
co. bn .o,,1J NOT ernolz ,1loiDlx-
The visitor looked at him for few mo-
ments in silence. Then, as his features as
sumed cold, stern expression, he said in
strongly emphasized tone:
"Daniel Bryan, | have been your best
friend but one. Ny sister is an angel, but
matched with demon. l have.loved you
Daniel, as | never loved man before; you
were generous, noble and kind but | hate
you now, for you are perfect devil incar-
nate. 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; when you die she will come to
me. Thus do l pray that God will soon
give her joys to my keeping. Now, Dan
Iiel, | do sincerely hope that the first intel
igence that reaches me from my native
place, after | shall have reached my new
home may observation-disclosures "
''Stop, Moses; can reform"
"You cannot. 1t is beyond your pow
en- You have had inducements enough
to have reformed half the sinners of crea-
ton, and you are lower now than ever be-
fore. Go and die, sir, as soon as you can,
for the moment that sees you thus shall not
find me among the mourners."
Bryan's eyes flashed, and he drew him
self proudly up. $50" he said, in tone
of the old powerful sarcasm, $50 to Ohio,
and I'll send you news. Gro, sir, and watch
the post. will yet make you take back
your words"
'HNever, Daniel Bryan, never"
''You shall. | swear it ~
With these words Daniel Bryan hurled
his Jug into the fire place, and while yet a
thousand fragments were flying over the
floor, he strobe from the house.
Mary sank fainting on the floor. Moses
bore her to bed, and then having called
in a neighbour he hurried away, for the
stage was waiting.
For a month Daniel moved over the
brink of the grave, but he did not die.
Zone gill of brandy will save you" said
the doctor, who saw that the abrupt reno
val of stimulants from a system that fol
long years had almost subsisted on moth
ing else, was nearly sure to prove fatal
"You can surely take gill and not take
more"
"Aye," gasped the poor man, 'take d
gill and break my oath. Moses FELTON,
shall never hear that brandy and rum kill
ed me. Ifthe want of it can kill me, then
let me die But won't die; I'll live till
Moses FELTON, shall eat his words"
He did live. An iron will conquered
the messenger Death sent-Daniel Bryan
lived. For one month he could not even
walk without help. But he had help
Joyful help. Mary helped him.
A year passed away and Moses FELTON,
returned to Vermont. He entered the
court house at Burlington, and Daniel Bry-
an was on the floor pleading for young
man who had been indicted for forgery
FELTON, started with surprise. Never before
had such torrents OF eloquence poured from
his lips. The case was given to the jury,
and the youth was acquitted. The success
Iful counsel turned from the court room anC
met Moses FELTON,.
They shook hands, but did not speak
When they reached spot where none 9th
ers could hear them, Bryan stopped.
''Moses," he said, ''do you remembe
the words you spoke to me year ago"
81 do, Daniel"
''Will you now take them back-unsay
them, now and forever"
eyes, with all my heart"
''Then I am in part repaid
''And what must be the remained of th'
Ipavment" asked Moses.
81 must die an honest, unperjured man
The oath that has bound me thus far wa
made for life"
That evening Mary Bryan was among
the happiest Of the happy.
The rebel envoy, Mason has turned anchor
Iite-shut himself up-refuses to see company
lis it is said inaccessible even to his own trends
lSlideIl is more philosophic Finding that Sc
! L n i