Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-05-20
A Wife Worth Having.
A TRUE STORY.

w.
six or eight months after his FIRST marriage.
became addicted to intemperance. the ef-
feet Of which operated strongly upon the
mind and health of his wife, an d in few
months more, she was numbered with the
dead. Her death led him to leave the
country where he resided, and move to
Richmond, where he soon rose to distinc-
ton. But his habits hung about him. and
occasionally he was found in Jolly and frol-
icsome spirits in bachanalian revelry. His
true friends expostulated with him, to con-
vince him Of the injury he was doing him.
self. But he still persisted. His practice
began to fail of, and many looked upon
him as on the sure road to ruin. He was
advised to- get married, with view Of cor
recting his habits. This he consented to
do, Il the right person offered. He accord
ngly paid his addresses to q Miss Gamble.
! After some months attentions, he asked
her hand in marriage She replied:
"Mr. Writ, / have been we'll aware Of
your intentions for some time back, and
should have given you to understand that
your visits were not acceptable, had l not
recprocated the affection which you cvinced
for me. But | cannot yield my assent un-
| til you make pledge never to taste, touch
or handle any intoxicating drinks
This reply to Mr.. Writ was as unexpcc-
ted as it was novel. His reply was, that
he regarded the proposition as bar to all
further considerations on the subject, and
left her. Her course to him was the same
as ever-his, resentment and neglect In
the course of a week, he went again and
solicited her hand. But her reply was, her
mind was made up. He became indignant
and regarded the terms proposed as insult
ing to his honor, and avowsd it should be
the last meeting they should ever have.
He took to drinking worse and seemed to
run headlong to ruin.
One day while lying in the outskirts Of
the city, near little grocery or grog shop,
dead drunk, young lady, who it is not
necessary to name, in passing that way to
her home, not far off, behold him with his
face upturned to the rays of the scorching
sun. She took her handkerchief with her
ovn name marked upon it, and placed it
over bis face. After he had remained in
that way for some hours, he was awakened,
aud his thirst being so great, he went into
the little grocery or grog shop to get
drink, when he discovered the handkerchief,
which ne looked at, aud the name that was
on it. After pausing few minutes. he ex-
claimed
Great God, who left this with me
Who placed it on my face % No one knew.
lie dropped his glass, exclaiming:
Enough! enough!"
He retired immediately from the grocery.
forgetting his thirst but not the debauch,
she handkerchief or the lady --vcving, if
God gave him strength, never to touch,
taste Or handle intoxicating drinks.
10 meet Miss G. was the hardest effort
Of his life. Ii be met her ia her carriage
or on foot, he would dodge the nearest cor
ner. She at last addressed him note in
her own hand. inviting him to the house,
which he finally gathered courage enough
to accept, He told her if she still bore az
lection for him, be would agree to her own
terms. Her reply yrs:
My conditions now are what they ever
| have been"
Then said the disenthralled Writ,
accept them"
They were soon married, and from that
day be kept his word, and his affairs briVht>
ened, while hon RS and glory gathered
thick upon his brow. His name has been
enrolled high in the temple of fame. while
his deeds. of patriotism and renown, live
after him with imperishable lustre. How
many noble minds might the young ladies'
save, if they would follow the example Of
the heroine hearted Miss G., the friend Of
humanity, Of her country. and the relative
of Lafayette.