Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1864-02-06
Daniel Rryam's Oath.

Most Of the temperance stories Of the
day are weak and washy dilu,ions Of pre-.
ceding ones; but the following has a
startling strength and vigor. Daniel Bry
an, as appears by the context, had been a
lawyer of eminence, but had fallen, through
intoxication, to beggary and dying con
diton. Bryan had mgrried, in his better
days, the sister of Moses FELTON,.
At length all hopes were given up
Week after week would the fallen man lie
drunk on the floor, and rot a day of real
sobriety marked his course l doubt if
such another case was known He was
too low for convivality for those with
whom he would have associated would not
drink with him.
All alone 10 bis office and chamber, he
still continued to drink, and even his very
life seemed the offspring of bis jug.
In early spring Moses FELTON, had a call
to 60 to Ohio. Before he set out he Wis.
tied his sister. He offered to take her
with him, but she would not CO.
"Bu: why stay here?' urged the brother.
"You are faded away, and disease is upon
you. Why should you live with such a
brute?'
"Hush, Moses, speak not,' answered
the wife, keeping back her tears. Il will
not leave him now, but he will soon leave
me. He cannot live much longer
At that moment Daniel entered the
apartment. lie looked like wanderer
from the tomb. He had his hat on and
his jug in his hand.
"Ah, Moses, how are ye?' he gasped,
for he could not speak plainly.
The visitor looked at him for few mo,
ments in silence. Then, as his features
assumed = cold, stern expression, he said,
in strongly emphasized tone:
"Daniel Bryan, have been your best
friend bu: one Ny ss,er is an angel but
matched with demon have loved you,
Daniel, as never loved man before you
were noble, generous and kind; but
hate you now, for you are perfect devil
incarnate. Look at that woman. She is
my sister-she ght now live with me
in comfort, only she will not do it while
you are alive; yet when you die she will
come to me. Thus do ! pray that God
will soon give her joys to my keeping
Now, Daniel, do sincerely hope that the
FIRST intelligence that reach me from my
native place, after l shall have reached
my new home, may NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
-DEADv
"S,op, Moses can REFORM
"iou cannot. ltis beyond your power
You have had inducements enough to
have reformed half the sinners of crea-
ton, and yet you are now lower than ever
before. Go aud die, sir, as soon as you
can, for the moment that sees you thus,
shall not find mo among the mourhers"
Bryan's eyes flashed, and he drew him.
0sA PIouuly Wy. W. Hc Said, with
tone of the old, powerful sarcasm, ego
to Ohio, aud I'll send you news. Go sir,
and watch the post. l will yet make you
take back your words"
"Never, Daniel Bryan, ncverl'
"You shalll Iswear it!'
With these words, Daniel Bryan hurled
his jug into the fire place, and while yet
thausand fragments were flying over tho
iloor, he strobe from tho house. Mary
sank fan,ing on the floor. Moses bore
her to bed, and then having called in
neighbor, he hurried away, for the stage
was waiting.
For month Daniel moved over the
brink Of the grave, but he did not die.
lone gill Of brandy will save you,'
said the doctor, who saw that The abrupt