The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-01-21
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Y KEEloaMArIoN OF wsI. wIRr.

-. REF0HMArIoN OF wnI' WRIT,
The distinguished William Writ,
within six or seven months after his
first marriage, became addicted to in
temperance, the effect of which operat-
ed on the mind and health of his wife,
and in fSw months more she was
numbered with the dead. Her death
led him to leave the country where
he resided and remove to Richmond,
where he soon rose to distinction
But his habit hung about him, and oc-
casionally he was found with jolly,
froliosome spirits Of bacchanalian rev.
elry. His true friends eXpostulated
with him to convince him OF the injury
Tie was doing himself But he still
persisted. His practice began to fall
off, and many looked on him as on the
snre road TO ruin. He was advised to
get married with a view ofcorrectng
his habit. This he consented to do, il
the right person offered He accord
ingly paid his addresses to Miss Gam
bic. After some months attention,
he asked her 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
We're not acceptable, had | not ecipro-
Gated the affection which you ovinced
toward me But | cannot yield my
assent until you make me "a pledge
mover to taste, touch or handle any in
toxicating drinks"
This reply TO Writ was as uncxpcct-
ed as novel, His reply was: that he
regarded that proposition as IA bar to
all further consideration Of the subject,
aud he left her. lIcr course toward
him was the same as cycr--his, resent
ment and neglect
In the course OF q few weeks, he
went again and solicited her hand
But her reply was that her mind was
lnadeup. He became indignant, and
regarded the terms she proposed as in.
sulting TO his honor, and vowed it
should be the last meeting they should
ever have. He took 10 drinking worse
land worse, and seemed to run head,
long TO ruin.
One day, while lyingin the outskirts
of the city, near little grocery OF
grog shop, drunk, young lady whom
it is not necessary to maine, was pass
ing by that way to her homo not far
of, and bcheld him with his iaco up.
ward TO the rays Of tho scorching sun.
She took her handkerchief with her
own name marked upon it, and placed
vitover his face. After he had remain
ed in that way for some hours he was
awakened, and his thirst being so great
lie went into the littlc grocery and
grog shop to get drink, when he dis.
covered the handkerchief, at which he
looked for the name that was on it,
After pausing, he exclaimed:
"Great God! who left This with mci
VINO placed this on my face?'
-'H No one knew. lie dropped the glass
exclaming:
Enough Enough
He retired instantly from the store
forgetting his thirst, but not his de.
bauch, tho handkerchief, or the lady
.vowing that: "ifGod gavchim strength
never to touch, taste or handle any in.
toSicating drinks"
To moct Miss Gamble was the hard
est effort of his life. If he met her in
her carriage or on foot, he popped
around tho nearest corner.
q" She at last addressed him a note I'M
4 der her own hand, inviting him tt
her house, which ho finally gathered
courage enough to accept. lie tolC
her if she still bore affection TO him he
would agree to her own terms. Hel
reply was;
"My conditions are now what they
ever have been.
:, %lhep," said he, 81 accept them"
. They soon married, and from thai
day he kept his word, and his affair
brightoned, while honors and glory
gathered thick upon his brow