Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-04-10
An Exciting Scene.

evening ln---church Where the
speakers were, as usual, to be reform
ed 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 sad
ness and hesitation.
Though l had consented, at your
urgent solicitation, to address this
assembly tonight" he said, yet |
have felt so great a reluctance in do
ing so, that it has been with the ut
most difficulty that | could drag my
self forward. AS to relating my ex-
perience, that l do not think l can
venture upon. The past l do not re-
call. | could wish that the memory
OF ten years Of my life were blotted
out" He paused moment, much af-
fected, and then added in a final
voice, something must be said Of my
own case, or / fail to make the i'm
preston on your minds that l 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 peri
DDS. And more than that, he contin-
ued, his voice sinking into tone ex.
pressive of deep emotion, abe once
had tenderly loved wife and two
sweet children. But all these honors,
all these blessings have departed
from him. He was unworthy to re-
tain them; his constituents threw him
b off because he had debased himself
and disgraced them. And more than
all, she who loved him devotedly, the
mother of his two babes, was forced to
abandon him and seek an asylum in
her fathers house. And why? Could
| become so changed in so few short
years? What power was there to SO
debase me that my fellow beings
spurned, and even the wife of my bos-
ON turned away heart stricken from
me? Alas, my friends, it 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 children.
But have not told you all. After
my wife was separated from me, |
sank rapidly. A state of sobriety
brought too many thoughts; | drank
more deeply, and was rarely if ever
free from bewildering effects of par.
tial intoxication. At last l became
so abandoned, that my wife urged by
her friends no doubt, filed an appli
cation for divorce, and as cause could
be readily shown why it should be
granted, separation was legally de-
clared; and to complete my disgrace
at the congressional canvass | was
left off the ticket as unfit to represent
the district.
When | heard this new movement
the great temperance cause, at first
sneered, then wondered, listened al
last, and at last threw myself on the
great wave that was rolling onward
in hope of being carried far out of
reach of danger. did not hope witt
vain hope. 1t did for me all anC
more than | could have desired. |
set me once more on my feet, once
more made man of me. A year of
sobriety, earnest devotion to my pro
fession, and fervent prayer to Him
who alone gives strength in ever,
good resolution, restored me mucl
that have lost; but not all, not tn
richest treasure that | have provet
myself unworthy to retain-not M,
wife and children. Between myself
and these the law has laid its sterl
impossible interdictions. | have n
longer a wife, no longer childre
though my heart goes toward thes
loved ones with the tenderest YEAR,
ings. Pictures of our early days O.
welded love are ever lingering in m
imagination. | dream of the swee
freside circle, | see ever before m
the placid face Of my Alice, as he
eyes looked into mine with intelligeI
confidence; the music Of her voice
ever sounding in my ears"
Here the speakers emotion ovel
came him; his utterance becam
checked, and he stood silent, wit
bowed head and trembling limbs
The dense mass of people were husl
ed into an oppressive stillenss, the
was broken here and there by hal
stihed sobs.
At this moment there was NOV,
ment in the crowd. A single femal
figure, before whom every one appeal
ed instinctively to give way, wa
seen passing up the aisle. This wa
not observed by the speaker until sh
had come nearly in front of the pla
form on which he stood. Then th
movement caught his ear, his eyes thu
instant fell on Alice, who by the kinC
ness of those near her was conducte
to his side. The whole audience thrill
ed with the scene, were upon the
feet, bent forward, when the speakt
extended his arms, and Alice thre
herself upon his bosom.
An aged minister then came 70
ward and gently separated them.-
"No, no." said the reformed congress
man, "you cannot take her away fro
me-"
"Heaven forbid that | should" sa
the minister; " but by your own co
fession she is not your wife" an
she is not" returned the speak
mournfully. "But is ready to ia
IL.