The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-11-04
Daniel Bryan's Oath.

Daniel Bryan had been lawyer OF emf
nence, 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 fallen
man lie drunk on the floor, and not day of
real sobriety marked his course. | doubt
| if such another case was known. He was
too low for conviviality for those with whom
he would have associated would not drink
with him. All alone in his office and cham
Der, he still continued to drink, and even his
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 visited his
sister. He offered to take her with him, but
she would not go.
"But why stay here?'' urged the brother.
'You are fading 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. 81 will not
leave him now, but he will soon leave me-
He cannot live much longer
At that moment Daniel entered the apart
ment. He looked like wanderer from the
tomb. He had his hat on and his jug in his
hand. "Ah, Moses, how are ye?" he gasp
ed, 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 strongly
emphasized tone:
daniel Bryan | have been your best friend
but one. My sister is an angel, though
Daniel, as | never loved man before you
are generous, noble and kind but hate
you now, for you are a perfect devil incar.
nate. Look at that woman. She is my sis
ter-she might now live with me in comfort,
only 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 shall have
reached my new home, may be that you are
dead
''Stop, Moses, can reform yet"
''1ou cannot. 1t is beyond your power.
You have had inducements enough to have
reformed half the sinners of creation, and
you ar, now lower than ever before. Go
and die, sir, as soon as you can. for the mo-
ment that sees you thus, shall not find me
among the mourncrs.'
Rrynn'u n,,oc nnsbal and I 1,ou,
proudly up. ''Go." he said, in tone of
the old sarcasm, go TO Ohio, and l II send
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 hurled his
Jug into the fireplace, and while yet a thou
sand fragments were flying over the floor,
he strobe from the house.
Mary sank fainting on the floor. Moses
bore her to the bed, and having called in
neighbor, he hurried away, for the stage was
waiting.
For month Daniel lowered over the
brink Of the grave but he did not die.
Zone gill of brandy will save you" said
the doctor who saw that the abrupt removal
of stimulants from system that for long
years had almost subsisted on nothing else,
was nearly sure to prove fatal. 'You can
surely take gill and not take any more"
aye" gaspcd the poor man, take 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.
He did live. An Iron will conquered the
messenger death sent-Daniel Bryan lived.
For one month he could not walk without
help. But he had hclp-joyful help. Mary
helped him.
A year passed away. and Moses FELTON, re-
turned 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, start
ed with surprise. Never before had such
torrents Of eloquence flowed from his lips
The case was given to the jury, and the youth
WAS uClullbcu. ne SUCCESSFUL CpunSel luIu
ed from the court room and met Moses Eel
ton. They shook hands, but did not speak.
When they reached spot where none others
could hear them, Bryan stopped.
"Moses," he said, edo you remember
words you spoke to me year ago."
IL do, Daniel
"Will You now take them back
them now and forever?'
Yes" with all my heart"
'Then l am in part repaid"
"And what must be the remainder of the
| payment?' asked Moses.
81 must die an honest, unperjured man
The oath that has bound me thus far was
made for life
That evening Mary Bryan was among the
happiest of the happy.
A Short Romance caused by a