The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1869-08-13
A Wife Worth Having.

The late William Writ, formerly
Attorney General of the United
States and one of the ablest and most
eloquent lawyers of the country, be-
came, within few months of his first
marriage, addicted to intemperance,
the effect of which operated strongly
upon the mind and health of his vile;
and in i few months more she was
numbered with the dead. Her death
led him to lsaye the county where he
resided, and he moved to Richmond,
Va, where he soon rose to distinc
ton. But his habits hung about
him, and occasionally he was found
with jolly and. frolicsOme spirits, in
bacchanaiian revelry. His true
friends expostulated with him TO con-
vince him of the injury he was doing
himself, but he still persisted. His
practice began to fall OFF, and many
looked upon him as on the sure road
to ruin. He was advised to get
married, with q view to correct his
habits. This he consented 10 do if
the right person offered. He accord
ingly paid his addresses to Miss
Gamble. After some months atten-
tions, he asked her hand in marriage.
She replied:
"Mr. Writ, have been well aware
of your intentions for some time
back, and should have given you to
understand that your visits and
attentions were not acceptable, had
not reciprocated the affection which
you have evinced for me. But /
cannot yield my assent until you
make me pledge never to taste,
touch or handle auy Intoxicating
drinlls.'' -... .-.-r
This reply TO Mr.. Writ Was as
unexpected as it was novel. His
reply Was that he regarded the prop
ositOn Us 4 bar TO all iurther cOnsid-
Grafton Of the subject, and left her
Her course to him was the same IS
ever--his, resentment and neglect. |
In the course of few weeks, he went
again, and again solicited her hand.
But her reply was, her mind was
made up. He became indignant, and !
regarded the Terms she proposed rs /
insulting to his honor, aud vowed il
should be thc last meeting they
should ever have. lie took to drink
ing worse and worse, and seemed to
run headlong TO ruin. One day,
while laying in the outskirts of the
city, near n little grocery or grog
shop, dead drunk, a young lady who, /.
it is not necessary To name, was
passing TO her home, not far OF, |
beheld him With his face upturned to
the rays of the scOrching sun. She
took her handkerchief, with her own
name marked upon it, and placed it
over his face. After lie had remain
ed in that way for some hours, he
was awakened and his thirst being
so great, he went into the little gro
Gerry or grog shop, to get drink,
when he discovered the handker-
chief, which be looked at, and the
name that was on it. After pausing
a few minutes he exclaimed
"Great God, who left this with
mel Who placed it on my face p
No one knew. He dropped the
glass, exclaiming, Enough
enough :" ...-s s., -Ff
He retired instantly from the
store, forgetting his thirst, but not
the debauch, the handkerchief or the !
lady, vowing if God gave him
strength, never to touch, taste or
handle Intoxicating drinks.
To meet Miss G. again was the
hardest effort of his life. If he met
her in her carriage or on foot, he
would dodge the nearest corner.-I
She at last addressed note to him
under her own hand, inviting him to
the house, which he finally gathered
courage enough to accept. He told
her if she bore any affection for him,
he would agree to her own terms
She replied:
"My conditions are now what they
ever have been.'
"Then," said the disenthralled|
Writ" | accept of them.
They were soon after married, and
from that day he kept his words, and
his affairs frightened, while honors
and glory gathered thick upon his
throw. His name has been enrolled
thigh in the temple Of fame, while