Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-10-26
NO. 10.


but had fallen, through into1ication, to- beg
/ gary and dying condition. Bryan had mar
ricd in his better days the sister Of Moses Fel-
fton. a '- f ~
/ AT length all hopes were given up. Week
latter week wouldthe fallen man lie drunk on
the floor, and not a day Of real sobriety marked
This course. doubt if such another case was
known. He was too low for conyiviality, for
l those whom he would have associated with
would not drink with him.
+ All alone in his Office and chamber, ne stili
continued to drink, and even his very life SEEM
Led the offspring of jug.
In early spring Moses FELTON, had call to go
\ to Ohio Before he set out he visited his sister
lie offered to take her with him, but she would
not 60. lo9
i but why stay hereg urged the brother
| You are fading away, and disease is upon you.
IWhy should you live with such brute
Hush, Moses, speak not answered the wife,
keeping back her tears. Il viii not leave hun
Inow. but he will soon leave me. He cannot
live much longer
At that moment Daniel entered the apart
ment. He looked like a wanderer from the
tomb. He had his hat on and his jug in his
hand. .Ah, Moses, how are yer he gasped,
/ for he could not speak plainly.
The visitor looked at him few moments in
silence. Then, as his features assumed cold,
stern expression, he said in strongly cmpha-
lsivad fhua-s II 5E1f t-rf, ,Ittti
/ Daniel Bryan, Il have been your best friend
but one. My sister is ap angel, though match
ed with demon. .siI have lovel you, Daniel.
4 as I never loved man before: you were gener-
ous. noble and kind but hate you now, for
YOU are a perfect devil incarnate. Look at
that.woman. She is my sister--she might now
live with me in comfort, only that 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, i do sincerely hope that the first intel
lligence that reaches me from my native place
after shall have reached my new home may
be--THAT--YoU ARE DEAD!
: Stop, Moses i can reform yet
You cannot. 1t is beyond your power
You have had inducements enough to have re-
Horned half the sinners Of creation and you arc
. lower than ever before Go and die sir, as
Z soon as you can, for the moment that sees you
( thus win not find me among the mourners.'
n Dfyan's eyes flashed, and he drew himself
proudly UP. 60, he said, in the tone OF the
old sarcasm. asGo TO Ohio, and I'll send you
news. Go, SIR and watch the post. j will
vet make you take back your words
Never, Daniel Bryan, neverP
.YouIshalll swear it y
With these words Daniel Bryan hurled the
Jug into the Fireplace, and while yet thou
sand fragments were flying over the floor, no
strobe from the house.
Mary sank fainting on the floor. Moses boro
her to the bed, and then, having called in
neigbbor, he hurried away, for the stage was
waiting I id.r iG5
For a month Daniel moved over the brink
: of the grave, but he did not die.
'One gill Of brandy will save you, said tho
: doctor. who saw that the abrupt removal OF
stimulsnts from a system that for long years
: had almost subsisied on nothing else was near
: " sure to prove fatal You can surely take
: gill and not take any more
aye, gasped the poor man, take gill and
break my oath. Moses FELTON, shall never hear
y that brandy and rum killed mel II the want
Of it can kill me, then let Inc die; but won't
: die-TI live till Moses Felton, shall cat bis
words
I He did live. An iron will conquered the
J, messenger death sent--Daniel Bryan lived
I For one month he could not even walk without
: help. Mary helped him.
! + A year passed away, and Moses FELTON, re-
+ turned to Vermont. He entered the Court
0 house at Burlington, and Daniel Bryan WIS on
7 the floor pleading for young man who had
g been indicted for forgery. FELTON, started In
s1rprise. Never before had such torrents OF
eloquence 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,.
u They shook hands, but did not. speak
s When they reached spot where none others
. could hear them, Bryan stopped.
- Moses he said do you remember the words
2 you spoke to me year asoY
= Il do, Daniel
o will you now take them back--unsay now
'' and forever 2
= yes, with all my heart
. Then am in part repaid
rs And what must be the remainder OF pay
% ment 2 asked Moses.
4 must die an honest, unpajured man The
4 oath that has bound me thus far was made Tor
/ lifc.' g
y b. That evening Mary Bryan was among the