Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-05-07
ae1tiisfeManeuasA AMHks.

@yisfenaaenas AHitks.
An EXCITING SCENE. t.. y k-a
- A great experience meeting" some
years ago, was to be Held one evening II
church, where the speakers were, a
usual, to be reformed drunkards. An: es
timable woman, whom We will call Alice
was induced to attend. When the meeting
was somewhat advanced, q late member q
Congress, arose with apparent sadness ane
hes;fation , b. .&1aE ., .l1tsg't>' ,e.-.'.%Ia
ssThough Ihad consented, at your .ur
gent solicitation, to address this assembly
to night" he said, ssyet I have felt SO great
areluctance in doing so, that it has" beer
with the utmost difficulty that I conld drag
myself forward. As to relating my expe
rience, that I do not think I can venture
upon. The past LIDO not recall. could
wish that the memory of ten years Of my
life. were blotted out. he, paused . mo
ment, much affected, and then added in 9
final voice, 1tsomsthing must be said ;io1
my own case, or T fail to make the i'm
preston on your minds that ! wish to pro
duce. - - - - = -,
ssYour speaker once stood among ths
respected members of the bar. Nay, more
than that, he occupied seat in Congress
for two congressional periods. And more
than that" he continued, his voice sinking
into q tone expressive of deep emotion
he once had tenderly loved wife and two
sweet children. But all these blessings
have departed from him. He was oun'
worthy to retain them; his constituents
threw him off because he had debased him.
self and disgraced them. And more thar
all, she who had loved him ievotedly, the
mother of his babes, was forced to aban
don him and seek an asylum in, her faith
er's. house. And why? Could become
80 changed in SO few short years? l., What
power was there to so debsse me that my
fellow beings spurned, and even the wife
ofmy bosom turned away heart stricken
from me? Alas, my friends, it was 8 mad
indulgence in intoxicating drinks. But
for this, I4were an honorable and useful
representative in the halls Of legislation
and blessed with home and wife and chill.
dren.. -t is- s7'.,'Z f2,e':' :.2ist''.
"But have not told you all. After my
wife was separated from me, I sank rapid.
ly. A state of sobriety brought too many
dreadful thoughts; I drank more deeply
aud was rarely if ever free from the bewilder.
ing effects of partial intoxication. At last
I became 30 abandoned, that my wife,
urged by her friends, no doubt, filed an
application for divorce, as cause could
be readily shown why it should be grant
ed, q separation was legally declared and
to complete my disgrace, I was left off the
ticket as unfit to represent the district.
= "When I heard this new movement, the
great temperance cause, at first i isneered,
then wondered, listened at last, and at last
threw myself on the great wave that was
rolling onward, in hope Of, being carried
far out of the reach Of danger. did not
hope with vain hope. 1t did for; me all
and more than I could have desired. 1t sat
me once more on my feet, once more made
3 man of me-: A year of sobriety, earnest
to my profession. and feryent
prayer to Him, who alone gives strength in
every good resolution, restored me to much
that I have lost; ;Sbut not all, not the rich
est treasure that I have proved myself un-
worthy to retain-not my wife and chill
dren. Between myself and these the law
has laid its stern impossible interdictions.
have no longer children, though my heart
goes towards these loved ones with the
tenderest yearnings. Pictures of our early
days of welded love are ever lingering in
my Imagination. I dream of the sweet
freside circle, I see ever before me the
pale face of my Alice, as her eyes looked
into mine with intelligent confidence; the
music of her voice is ever sounding in my
ears"
Here the speakers emotion oyercame
him utterance became choked, and he stood
silent, with bowed head and trembling
limbs The dense mass Of people were
hushed into an oppressive stiffness, that
was broken here and there by half-stihed
sobs. .... .
At this moment there was movement
in the crowd. A single female figure, be,
fore whom every one appeared instructive:
ly to give way, was seen passing up the
aisle. This was not observed by. the speak.
er until she had come nearly in front Of
the platform on which he stood. Then
the movement caught his ear, his eyes that
instant fell on Alice, who by the kindness
of those near her, was conducted to his
side. The whole audience, thrilled with
the scene, were upon their feet, bending
forward, when the speaker extended his
arms, and Alice threw herself upon his bo.
som.
An aged minister then came forward and
gently separated them. ''No, no" said
the reformed Congressman, "you cannot
take her away from me"
"Heayen forbid that I should" said the
minister; shut by your own confession
she is not your wife, ''No, she is not,
returned the speaker, mournfully. "But is
ready to take her VOWS again" modestly
said Alice, in low tone, smiling through
her tears.
Before that large assembly, all standing,
and with few dry eyes, the marriage cere.
mony was again performed, that gave the
speaker and Alice to each other. AS the
minister, an aged man with thin white
locks, completed the marriage rite, he laid