The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-04-05
A SUDDEN CONVERSION.

The simple story am about to relate pos
sesses much interest for those who were &C
auanted with the parties concerned, and to
others its interestss~al not only be in Its
truth, but also in the peculiar soul-touch it
develops.
In one of the northern towns of Vermont
lived young man whom | shall call Daniel
Bryan. He was lawyer by profession and
one of the most intellectual men in that sec
ton of the country. No one possessed the
confidence of his frien6 more than did he,
and no one was better calculated to secure the
good will and friendship of all with whom he
came in contact. Business poured in upon
him, and he failed not to give the utmost
satisfaction.
At the age Of tWeny seven, Bryan took
to himself wife from the most favored
ones of the country. Mary FELTON, experien
ced a strange pride when she gave her hand
to the young lawyer, and if none envied
her, many at least prayed that they might
be as fortunate.
But ere long cloud came over the scene.
Convivality ran high among the members
of the bar, and young Bryan possessed one
of those peculiar temperaments which at
length give the whole body and soul up to
the demon of appetite. For three years he
followed the social custom of the times
without neglecting much of his business,
but finally he sank into the lowest pit of
degradation. When at the age of thirty he
had become a confirmed drunkar1. He
now neglected his clients altogether, for he
could not remain sober enough at any one
| time tn carry any case through court. The
only business he had now upon his hands
was the collecting of some few small debts.
On the evening of his thirty fifth birth
| day he joined the Washingtonians, and
once more his bright genius shown out
upon the world. But it could not last long;
amid the examples of those who were his
constant companions he went back to his
cups, and down he sank as rapidly as he
had risen. In one short year from that
time he was miserable, degraded thing
People who had left notes and accounts with
him to be collected, called upon his wife,
and upon inq uiring of her where he was,
she would tell them he was away. Poor
woman! They could not bear to dispute
her, and they would go their way, though
they knew full well that the remains of
Daniel Bryan were PROSTATE upon the bed
room floor.
One day a Mr.. Vinson had called to see
him. Vlnson had left notes and accounts
to the amount Of several thousand dollars
with Bryan to collect, and he was anxious
about them. His poor wife answered him
as usual that her husband had gone away.
My dear madam returned Mr.. Vim
son, II know your misfortune and [ APP
preciate your feelings, but | must see your
minute, | can learn all | wish to know"
Mary Bryan spoke not word, but with
fearful eyes she turned away, and Mr.. Vim
son followed her. He found Mr.. Bryan in
back room, stretched at full length upon
the floor, with jug of Medford rum by his
side With much effort Mr. Vinson arous-
ed the poor man to state of semi-con-
seriousness, and asked him if he had done
anything about the notes and accounts he
had left with him.
Yes. returned the lawyer in weak,
husky, hiccoughing voice, I've deducted
my per centage, and you'll find the rest in
the trunk Mary's got the key"
Mrs. Bryan was called in, the key was
produced, and Mr.. Vinson found the mon
ey-four thousand and some odd hundred
dollars-all right and safe
| In his worst moments Bryan never used
for himself single penny he he'd in trust
Hundreds there were who labored hard to
reclaim the wandercr, but without effect -
Year after year went by, and he sunk lower
and lower-yet his wife left him not Her
brother, young lawyer, named Moses Eel
ton, often urged her to forsake her husband
at the same time offering her a comfortable
home beneath his own roof, but she would
not listen.
At length all hope was given up. Week
after week would the fallen man lie drunk
on the floor, and not a day of real sobriety
marked his course. doubtif surh another
case was ever known. He was now too low
for conviviality, for those with whom he
would have associated would not drink with
him. All alone, in his own office and
chamber, he drank the accursed poison, and
even his very life seemed the offspring of
the jug.
In early spring Moses FELTON, had call
to go to Ohio Before he set out, he visit
ed his sister. He offered TO take her with
him. but she would not 60.
But why stay here?' urged the brother
you are all faded away, and disease IS
upon you: Why should you live with such
brute?'
Hush, Moses. Speak not So" answer
ed the wife, keeping back the tears. II
will not leave him now. But he will soon
leave me. He cannot live much longer"
At that moment Daniel Bryan entered
the department. Even Moses FELTON, was
startled by his appearance. He looked
like a wanderer from the tomb. lie 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 a few mo-
ments in silence. Then as his features as
sumed cold, stern expression, he said in a
calm, but strongly emphasized tone:
Daniel Bryan, have been your next
best friend but one My sister is an angel
but mated to a demon. | have loved you
Daniel, as [ never loved before, for you
were noble, generous and kind, but l hate
you now, for you are perfect devil incar-
nate. Look at that woman She is my
sister-the only sister God ever gave me,
wish her to live with me, but she will not
while you live; but when you die she will
come to me. Thus do l pray that God will
soon give her to my joyful keeping. Now,
Daniel, l do sincerely pray that the first in
telllgence that reaches me from my native
place after | shall have reached my new
home, may be that you are dead p
Bryan gazed upon the speaker some mo-
ments without speaking.
| "MOseS - he at length said sIVou are