Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-12-28
SSclctt Stor:p,
DANIEL BRYAN'S OATH.

Daniel Bryan had been lawyer of emf
nencc, but had fallen, through intoxication,
to beggary and dying condition. Bryan
had married in his better days the sister of
Moses FELTON,. At length all hopes were
given up. Week after week would the fal-
len man lie drunk on the floor, and not day
of real sohricty marked his course. Idoubt
if such another case was known. He was
too low for conviviaty. for those with whom
he would have associated would not drink
with him. All done in office and chamber.
he still continued to drink, and even his
very life seemed the offspring of the Jug.
In early Spring Moses FELTON, had call
tn 90 to Ohio. Before he set out he visited
his sister. He offered to take her with him,
but she would not go.
But why stay here p urged the brother.
You are fading away and disease is upon
you. Why should you live with such
brutc?"
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 apart
mcnt He hooked Ikea wanderer from the
tomb. lie had his hat on and his jug in
his hand. "Ah, Moses, how are YEP he
gaspcd, for he sould not speak plainly.
The visitor looked at him for few mo-
mcnts in silence. Then as his features as
sumed cold stern expression, he said in Il
strongly emphasized tone:
"Daniel Bryan, have been your best
friend but one. My sister is an angel though
matched with demon. have loved you,
Daniel, as never loved man before; you are
generous, noble, and kind but hate you
now, for you are perfect devil inc ,rnate
Look at that woman. She is my sister
she might now live with me in comfort, on
ly she will not do it while you are alive: 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 reaches me
from my native place after | have reached
my new home, may be that you are dead. "
Stop Moses, | can reform yet
"Yo on cannot. 1t is beyond your power
You have had inducements enough to have
reformed half the sinners of creation, and
you are lower now than ever before. Go
and die, sir, as soon us you can, for the mo-
ment that sees you thus, shall not find me
among the mouners. "
Bryan's eyes flashed and he drew himself
proudly up. Co." he said in tone of
the old sarcasm. "Go to Ohio, and I'll
send you news. Go, sir, and watch the
post; will yet make you take back your
words.
"Ncver, Daniel Bryan, never"
"lou shall swear it !"
With these words Daniel Bryan hurled
the jug into the fire place. and while yet a
thousand fragments were flying over the
floor, he strobe from the house.
Mary sank fanting on the floor. Moses
bore her to Il bed, and having called in Il
neig hbor, hurried away, for the stage was
waiting.
For month Daniel hovercd over the
Brink of the grave, but he did not die.
'One gill of brandy will save you, said
the doctor, who saw that the abrupt removal
Of stimulants from a system that for long
wears had almost subsisted on nothing else,
was nearly sure to prove fatal. 'Iou can
surely take gill and not take any more, y
Aye" gasped the poor man, take a gill
and break my oath? Moses FELTON, shall
never hear that brandy and rum ever killed
me If the want of it can kill me, then let
me die But | won't die I'll live till Moses
FELTON, shall eat his words"
lie did live. An iron will conquered the
the messenger death sent Daniel Bryan
lived For one month he could not walk
without help. Mary helped him.
A year passed away, and Moses FELTON,
retNrned to Vermont. lie entered the
court house at Burlington, and Daniel Bryan
was on the floor, pleading for a young man
who had been indicted for perjury. FELTON,
started with surprise, Never before had
such torrents of eloqucncc poured from his
lips. The case was given to the jury, and
the youth was acquitted. The successful
counsel turned from the court room and met
Moses FELTON,. They shook hands, but did
not speak. When they reached a spot
where none others could hear them Bryan
stopped
Moses" he said, 'do you remember
the words you spoke to me year agoY
II do, Daniel, 4"
'Will you now take them back-unsay
them now and forever?"
YES, with all my heart"
Then | am in part repaid.
"And what must be the remainder of the
payment" asked Moses.
-, IL must die an honest, unperjured man
The oath that has bound me thus far was
made for life. F"
That evening Mary Bryan was among the
! MANIFEST of tho fan,;l,,