, 1864-12-09
Daniel Bryan's Oath.

! AT length all hopes were given up. Week aE
ter week the fallen man would lie drunk on the
floor, and not a day ofreal sobriety marked his
course. Idoubtif such another case was known.
He was too low for cOnvvalty; for none whom
he would have associated would drink with him.
All alone in his Office and chamber be still con-
tinued to drink, and even his very life seemed
the offspring Of his Jug. In early spring Moses
FELTON, had call to 60 to Ohio Before he set
out he called on his sister, Daniel Bryan's wife,
and offered to take her with him; but she would
not 60
"But why stay here ?'' the brother urged
'You are fading away and disease is upon you;
why should you live with such brute?"
"Hush, Moses, speak not so, said the wife,
keeping back her tears, 81 will not leave him
now, but he will soon leave me-he cannot live
much longer
At that moment Daniel entered the room.-
He looked like wanderer from the tomb He
had his hat on and his jug in his hand.
"Ah Moses, how are yeW he gasped, for he
could not speak plainly.
The visitor looked at him few moments in
silence Then as his features assumed cold, ,
stern expression, he said in strongly sympa-
thizing tone:
"Daniel Bryan, L have been your best friend
except one. My sister is an angel, but mated
with demon. | have loyed you as l never
loved man before; you were noble, yirtuous
and kind-but | hate You now, for you are a
perfect devil incarnate Look at that woman;
she is my sster-she might now live with me in
comfort, only she will not do it while you live
when you die she will come to me- Thus do
pray that God will soon give her joys into my
keeping. Now, Daniel do sincerely hope the
first intelligence that reaches me from my native
place, after | arrive at my new home will be that
you are DEADl"
"Stop Moses-I can reform"
Il 80 4
have had inducements enough to reform half the
sinners Of creation, and yet you are lower than
ever before. Go and die, sir, as soon as you can
for the moment that sees you thus shall not find
me among the mourners."
Bryans eyes flashed, as he drew himself
proudly up. &C., he said, ego to Ohio and
watch thepost-I will yet make you take back
your words W
''Never, Daniel Bryan, never !"
"You shall swear it I"
With these words, Daniel Bryan threw his jug
into the fireplace; and while yet a thousand
fragments were lying over the floor he strobe
from the house. Mary sank fanting on the
floor Moses bore her to a bed, and then having
called in neighbor, he hurried away for the
stage was waiting
For a month Daniel Bryan lowered over the
grave but did not die
Gone gill Of brandy will save you" said the
doctor, who saw the abrupt removal Of stimu-
lants from system that for long years had al
most subsisted upon nothing else was nearly
sure to prove fatal. "You can surely take one
gill and not take more"
"Aye, gasped the poor man; "take a gill
and break my oath Moses FELTON, shall never
hear that brandy and rum killed me If the
want of it can kill me, then let me die But l
won't die--Tll live till Moses Eelton shall eat
his wordsl"
He did Live; an iron will conquered the mes
sage of death. For month ne could not even
walk without help; Mary helped him. Shall l
not say that God helped him
A year passed away, and Moses FELTON, returned
to Vermont. He entered the Court House at
Burlington, and Daniel Bryan was on the floor
pleading for young man who had been indict-
ed for forgery. FELTON, started with surprise
Never before had he heard such words Of elo-
quence from his lips The case was given to
the jury and the youth was acquitted. The
successful counsel turned from the Courtroom
and met FELTON,. They shook hands but did not
speak. When they reached a spot where none
could hear them, Bryan stopped.
'Moses, he said, edo you remember the
wordsyou spoke to me year agof
81 do, Daniel"
"WiH you now take them back-unsay them
now and forever?'
"Yes-wth allmy heart"
"Then l am part repaid
"What must be the rest Of the payment
81 must die an honest, unperured man. The
oath that has bound me thus was made for
life"
And Daniel Bryan yet lives one Of the most
honored men Of Vermont. Five times has he
sat in the State Legislature, three in the Senate
and once in the National Congress.
-~-~~~-~ae----
PRoGREss OF REFINEMENT. The other day, on
looking over the marriages in Utica paper, we