Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-02-12
An ENcLrING sCENE.

A great "cNperience meeting some years
ago was to be held one evening in --- church
where the speakers were, as usual, to be reformed
drunkards. An estimable woman, whom We will
call Alice, was induced to attend. When the
meeting was somewhat advanced a late member
Of Congress arose with APPARENT sadness and hes
itatiun
Though had consented, at your urgent so
lcitaGon, 20 address this assembly tonight he
said " yet / have felt so great arelucance in do
ing so. that it has been with tbe utmost difficulty
that ! could drag myself forward As to relating
my experience, that ! do not think | can venture
upon. The past | do not recall could wish
that the memory of ten year, of my life were blot
tel ont lie paused moment, much Affected
and then added IN final voice, something must
be said Of my own case or fail to make the I'M
preston on your minds that ! wish to produce.
" Your speaker once stood among the respected
members OF the bar Nay more than that, he
occupied a seat in Congress for two congressional
periods. And more than that be continued his
voice sinking into tone expressive OF deep emo
tion, he once had a tend hy loved wife and two
sweet children But all these honors, all these
blessings have departed from him. He was un-
worthy 10 retain them; his constituents threw him
off because he had debased himself aud disgraced
them. Aud more than all, She who bad loved him
deyotedlv the mother Of his two babes, forced
70 abandon him and seek an asylum in her fathers
house And why? Could become so changed
I
50 dehase ms that my fellow beings spurned, and
even the wife Of my bosom turned away heart
stricken from me Ala, my friends, il was mad
indulgence in Intoxicating drinks But for this,
! were an honorable and useful representative in
the halls Of legislation, and blessed with home and
wife and children.
But have not told you all After my wife
wa, separated from me, | SINK rapidly. \ state
of sobdety brought too many dreadful thoughts
J drank more deeply and was rarely if ever free
from bewildering effects of partial in'oNication-
At last | became so abandoned, that my wife,
urged by her friends no doubt, filed an application
for a divorce, aud cause could be readily shown
why it should be granted. a separation was legally
declared; and TO complete my disgrace. at the
congressional canvass | was left of the ticket as
unfit 10 represent the district.
when heard this new movement, the great
Temperance cause, at FIRST sneered, then won
dered listened at last and at last threw myself on
che great wave that rolling onward, IN hope oi
being carried far out Of the reach OF danger.
did not hope with vain hope. 1t did for me all
aud more than could have desired. 1t set me
once more on my feet, once more made man OF
me. year OF sObriety earnest devotion to my
profession and lervent prayer to Him, who alone
gives strength IN every good resolution, restored
me TO much that | have lost but not all, not the
richest treasure that have proved myself unwor-
thy 10 retln--not my wife and children Between
myself aud these the law has laid its stern im-
passible iutordictions | have no longer wife,
no longer children though my heart goes toward
these loved ones with the tenderest yearnlngs -
Pictures of cur early days of welded love are
ever lingering in my Imagination. ! dream Of
the sweet iresde circle, see ever before me the
placid face Of my Alice, as her eyes looked into
mine with intelligent confidence the music of her
voice is eyer sounding in my ears"
Here the speakers emotion oyercame hlmi his
uiterance became choked, aud he stood silent with
bowed head and trembling limbs. The dense
mass OF people were hushed into oppressive
stiffness, that was broken here and there by hall-
sihed sobs
Al this moment there movement in tho
crowd a single female figure, before whom ev-
ery one appeared insfinctiycly to give way vas
seen passing up the aisle This was no obser, ed
by the speaker until she had come nearly ia front
OF the platform on which he stood Then The
movement caught bis ear and his eyes that instant
hll on Alice, who by the kindness OF those neat
her was conducted 20 bis side The whole audi
cncr thrilled with the scene were upon their feet,
bending forward, when the speaker oNteuded HE
arms aud Alice threw herself upon hls bosom
An aged minister then came forward AMI gently
separated them No, no,' said the reflrmr,
congressman, lyon cannot take her away lion
me-
"leayen forbid ibat should" said the mini'
I ter; bar by your owu confession She Is MOI yoa
. wife, 40, She is not. returned the speaker
, moumfuUy. But is ready Goo take her VOW
again modest, said Alice. IN q low tone smiling
, through her tears.
Before thAt large assembly All standing, an,
with lew dry eyes. the marriage ceremony wa
asain performed that ghyr the speaker and Aiie
e. each other As The minister, an agednin viii
thin white locks completed tha marriage rite, u,
laid his hauds upon the heads ot the two be ha'
joined Ia the holy bonds, aud h'tiul up his etrelm
ug eyes, said in solemn voice. What God h,u
ioinci together, let not rum put auuder"
" Amen was cried 10y the Whole assembly, a
with q single voice Od O1kea Bucket
CURE FoR SMALL PoX ANp ScARLEr FEVER =
The following reported iniallble cure for the smal
! pos or scarlet fever, extracted from the LondoI
Seilpe may be useful to persons who eanno
procure the service OF frsi-class physician;
! Sulphate Of zme one grain; ioxgoye, one
$ grain half tesspooniuI Of sugar, with two tea
spoonfus of water. Take teaspoonfu ever
hour. For a child similar doses, aecoring I,
I age The Scapel states that il the physician
: would only use this medicine, there would be ne
. more need OF pest-houses.
c NEURALGIA The following is said to be Al
almost certain cure for neuralgiI ;-llalfa drachn
@ OF sal ammonia in ounce Of camphor water, L
+, 10 be taken teaspoonfu at dose, and the dos
repeated several times at intervals Of five minutes
) If the main be not relieved al once.