The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-05-27
Daniel Bryan's Oath.


married In bis better days, tho sister Of Mo.
sos FELTON, ]
Al Iong,b all hopos were givou up. Week
after week would tho fallen man lio drunk
on tho floor, and no, day of real sobricty
marked bis course. doDLt ifsuch another
case was known. Ho was too low for con.
VITALITY; for those With whom no would
havo associated would not drink with him.
All alono 10 his ofico and chamber, he
slill continued to drink, and even bis vory
lIio soomed tho offspring of his jug
In oarly spring Moses FELTON, had o call 10
90 to Ohio. Before no set ou, ho visited bis
sister. He offerod to tako her with him,
but sho would not go.
"But why stay horo p urgod the brother.
"You are fading away, and disease Is upon
you. Why should you live with such o
brute =
"Hush, Moses. speak not" answered the
wife, keeping back hor tcars. 1 will no,
loave him now, but he will soon leave mo.
I1e cannot live much longer"
At that moment Daniel entered tho apart
ment. Ho looked like wanderor from tho
tomb. lilo had his hat on and his jug iu his
hand.
"Ah, Moses, how are 20 - he gnspcd, for
ho could not speak plainly.
Tho visitor looked at him for few mo.
ments in silence. Then, as his features as
sumed cold, storm expression, ho said In
strongly emphasized tone:
"Daniel Bryan, have boon your best
friend but one. My sister Is an nngel, though
matched With q domon. have loved you
Daniel, as I novor loved man before YOU
wero generous, noble and kind; but l hate
you now, for you are perfect devil incar.
na,o. Look at that woman. Sho IL nv
slstor-sho might now live with me In com.
fort, only sho will not do it while YOU are
a'ivo ; when yop die she will come TO me-.
Thus do l pray that God will soon give her
joys to my koeping. Now, Daniel, DO sin.
coreiy hope that the frs, Intelligence that
reaches me from my native place, after l
shall have reached my new homo, may be-
THAr-YoU-ARE-DEAD -
"Stop, Moses l can reform"
"You cannot. Iii beyond your power.
You have had Inducements enough to havo
reformed half the sinners of creation, and
you nre lower now than cvor before. Go
and dio, sir. as soop as you can. for the mo-
mont that secs you thus shall not Hnd me
among tho mournors." =
Bryan's oyes flashed, and he drow himself
proudly up. "Go," he said. In q tone of
tho old sarcasm, ego to Ohio. and Ill scnd
you news. Go, sir, and watch the post.
will yet mako you take back your words.
"Never, Daniel Bryan, noverr
"You shall Iswear IL I"
With these words Daniel Bryan buried bis
jug into tho fireplace, and while yot o
thousand fragments wore flying over the
floor. ho strodo from the house.
Mary sank fainting on tho floor. Moses
bore hor to bed, and thon, having called
in neighbor, ho hurried away, for the stage
was waiting.
For month Daniel moved over the brink
Of the grave, but ho did not die.
"Ono gill of brandy will save YOU" said
tho doct or. who saw that the abrupt 70.
moval Of stimulants from system that for
long years had almost subsisted on nothing
else, was nearly sure to provo fatal. "You
can surely take q gill and not take more"
"Aye," gasped tho poor man, "tako gill
and break my oath. Moses FELTON, shall
nevor hoar that brandy and rum over killed.
me! Iftho want of 1t can kill mo, then lot
mo die ! But won't die; I'll live till Mo-
Sos FELTON, shall cat his words.
He did live. An iron will conquered the
messenger Death sent-Daniel Bryan lived.
For one month ho could not even walk with
out holp. But he had help-joyfuI help.
Mary 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 indicted for forgery. FELTON,
started with surprise. Nevor before had
such torrents of eloquence poured from his
lips. The case was given to the Jury, and
the youth was acquitted. Tho successful
counsel turned from the court room, and
met Moses FELTON,.
They shook hands, but did not speak,
When thoy reached spot where none 9th.
ers could hoar thom, Bryan stopped.
"Mosos," he said "do you remember the
words you spoke to me year ago y
81 do, Daniel"
"Will you now tako them back--unsay
them, now and forever 7"
"Yes, with oil my heart"
"Then am in part repaid."'
Sand what must be the remainder of the
z" asked Moses.
II must die an honest, unperjured man
The oath tina, has bound me thus far was
made for life."
That evening Mary Bryan was among the
happiest of the happy.
The celebrated Dean Swift, in preaching
an assze sermon, was severe upon lawyers
for pleading against their conscience. After
dInnar n vouno iawvar aaid anna ,avo.o