Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-06-10
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estinrabls- woman, whom we will call
Alice, was induced to attend. When the
meeting was somewhat advanced, late
member of Congress, arose with apparent
sadness and hesitation.
"Though had consented, ct your ur-
gent solicitation, to address this assem-
bly, to night" he said, "yet have felt
so great reluctance. in doing so, that it
has been with the utmost difficulty that |
could drag myself forward. AS to rela-
ting my experience, that | do not think |
can venture upon. The past | do not re-
call. could wish that the memory Of
ten years of my life were blotted out" !"
He paused q moment, much affected, and
then added in final voice, something
must be said Of my own case, or | fail to
make the impression on your minds that
| wish to produce.
"Your speaker once stood among the
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 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 unworthy to retain them ;
his constituents threw him off because he
had debased himself and disgraced them.
And more than all, she who had loved
him devotedly, the mother of his 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 bosom
turned away heart stricken from me
Alas, my friends, it was mad indulgence
in intoxicating drinks. But for this, !
were an honorable and useful representa-.
tive in the halls of legislation and blessed
with home and wife and children.
But have not told you all. after
my wife was separated from me, | sank
rapidly. A state Of sobriety brought too
many dreadful thoughts; drank more
deeply and was rarely if ever free from
bewildering effects of partial intoxication.
At last | became so 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, separation was legally declared ;
and to complete my disgrace | 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 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 dan
ger. did net hope with a vain hope.
1t did for ME all and more than could
have desired. 1t sat me once more on
my feet, once more made man of me.
A year of sobriety, earnest to my pro.
fession and fervent prayer to Him, who
alone gives strength in every good reso-
luton, restored to me much that have
lost; but not all, not the richest treasure
that have proved myself unworthy to
retain-not my wife and children. Be.
tween myself and these the law has laid
its stern impossible interdic:ions. have
no longer children, though my heart goes
towards these loved ones with the ten
derest yearnings. Pictures Of our early
days of welded love are ever lingering
in my Imagination. dream of the sweet
fireside circle. see ever before me the
placid face of my Alice, as her eyes
looked into mine with intelligent conf
dence; the music of her voice is ever
sounding in my ears"
Here the speakers emotion overcame
him; utterance became choked, and he
stood silent, with bowed head and tremb-
ling limbs. The dense mass of people
were hushed into an oppressive stiffness,
that was broken here and there by half
stiAed sobs.
At this moment there was a'mopement
in the crowd. A single female figure,
before whom every one appeared instmc-
lively to give way, was seen passing up
the aisle. This was not observed by the
speaker 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 ex.
tended his arms, and Alice threw herself
upon his bosom.
An aged minister then came forward
and gently separated them. "No, no."
said the reformed Congressman, "you
cannot take her away from me-" Il
"Heaven forbid that shousd,' said
the minister; {" but by your own confes-
Sion 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 o low tone, smi-
ling through her tears.
Before that large assembly, all stand
ing, and with few dry eyes, the marriage
ceremony 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 his hands upon the heads of the two
he had joined in the holy bands, and
lifting up his streaming eyes, said in n
solemn voice, "What God has joined to-
gether, let not man put asunder."
"Amen!" was cried by the whole as
sembly, as with single voice.-Old
Oaken Bucket.