Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-01-07
MISCELLANEOUS.
Es.SSEl,r. RsseNAN'S OATns.

Most of :he Temperance stories of the
day are weak and washy dilutons of pre-
ceding ones but the following has a start
ling strength and vigor. Daniel Bryan, as
appears by the context had been II lawyer
OF emincnce, but had fallen, through intoXi-
cation, to Ocggary and dying condition.
Bryan had married, in better days, the sister
of Moses FELTON,.
At length all hopes were given up. Week
after week the fallen man would lie drunk
on the floor. and not IL day OF real sobriety
marked his course | doubt il such another
case was known. He was tco low for CON
vivaiitv; tor those with whom he would
have associated would not drink with him.
All alone in his Office and chamber. he
still continued to drink, and even lis very
, life seemed the offspring of his jug.
In early spring Moses FELTON, had a call
to go to Ohio. Before he set out he visit,
ed his sstcr. He offered to take her with
! him. but she would not go.
But why stay here! q urged the brother.
"You are fast fading away and disease is
upon you. Why should you hive with such
brute = "ilush. Moses. speak not"
answered the wife, keeping back he: tears.
II will not leave him now, but he will soon
leave me. lie cannot live much longer"
| At that moment Daniel entered the apart
ment. Iic looked like wandcrer from the
tomb. lie had his hat on and his jug in
his hand
"Ah, Moses, how are you!" he gasped,
| for he could not speak plainly.
The visitor looked at him few moments
in silence. Then, as his features assumed a
cold stern expression, he said in a strongly
emphatic tone:
"Dnuiei Bryan l have been your best
friend bat one. My sister is an angel, but
matched with demon. ] have loved man
before YOU were noble, generous and kind /;
but hate you now, for you are devil in
carnate Look ut that woman. She is my
sister-she might live with me in comfort
only She will not do it while you are alive
vet when YOU die she can come to me. Thus
do pray that God will soon give her JOY:
to my keeping. Now, Daniel, do sincere
ly hope that the first intelligence thai
reaches me from my native place after
shall have reached my new home may be
THAT-YoU-ARE-DEAD
"Stop, Moses, can reform"
"You cannot 1t is beyond your power
You have had inducements enough to have
reformed half the sinners of creation, ano
vet you are lower than ever before. &c
and die, sir, as soon as you can, for the mo
ment that sees you thus shall not find IN,
among the mourners.h
Bryan's eyes flashed, as he drew proudly
up. go" he said, with tone of the ole
powerful sarcasm, go to Ohio, and III senC
you news. Go sir, and watch the post.
will yet make you take back your words"
"Never, Daniel Bryan, never"
"You shall. swear it ~
With these words, Daniel Bryan hurleC
his jug into the fireplace, and while yet
thousand fragments were flying over tn
floor, he strobe from the house.
Mary sank tainting on the floor. Nose
bore her.to bed, and then having calle(
in neighhor, he hurried away, for tn
stage was waiting.
For month Daniel moved over the brinl
of the grave, but did not die.
I "One gill of brandy will save YOU" sal
the doctor, who saw that the abrupt remoy
al of stimulants from system that for lon
years had almost subsisted on nothing els,
/, was nearly sure to prove fatal. "You en-
surely tGSea gill and not take more"
AYE" gasped the poor man, ''take gil
d and break my oath. Hoses FELTON, sha
never hear that brandy No rsm killed me
Ii the want of it can kipSme, then let m
die But won't diy1lN live till Nose
FELTON, 'Aall cat ai..sS .rTds,"