Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-08-11
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A wife worth Having.

William Writ, many years ago attor-
ney general of the United States, and
one of the ablest aud most eloquent law
yers of the country, became, within
few months of his first marriage, addict
ed to intemperance, the effect of which
operated strongly upon the health and
mind of his wife, who in few months
more was numbered with the dead. Her
death led him to leave the country
where he resided, and move TO Richmond,
Va, where he soon rose to distinction.
But his habits hung about him, and oc'
casioually he was found with jolly and
frolicsome spirits, in bachanalian rev.
elry. His true friends expostulated with
him on the injury he was doing him
self. But he sill persisted. His prac-
tice began to fall off, and many looked
upon him as on the sure road to ruin.
He was advised to get married, with
view to correct his habits. This he con-
serted to do, if the right person offered
He accordingly paid his addresses to
Miss Gamble. After some months at
tentions, he asked her hand in marriage.
She replied:
"Mr. Writ, have been we'll aware of
your intentions for some time back, and
should have given you notice that your
visits and attentions were not accepta-
BILE, had l 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 ham
die any intoxicating drinks"
This reply to Mr.. Writ was as unex-
pected as it was novel. His reply
was that he regarded the position as a
bar to all further consideration Of the
subject, and left her. Her course to him
was the same as eyer-his, resentment
and neglect. In the course of a few weeks
he went, and again solicited her hand.
But her reply was, her mind was made
up. He became indignant and regarded
the terms she proposed as insulting to
his honor, and vowed it should be the
last meeting they should ever have. He
took to drinking worse and seemed to
run headlong to ruin.
One day while lying in the outskirts
of the city, near little grocery grog-
shop, dead drunk, young lady whom
it is unnecessary to name, was passing
that way to her home, not far off, and be-
held 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 he was awakened, and thirst
being so great, he went into the little
grocery or grogshop, to gera drink, when
he discovered the handkerchief, which
he looked at, and the name that was on
it. After pausing lew minutes he ex-
claimed:
"Great Godl who has left this with
me?-who placed it on my face% No
one knew. He hastily dropped the glass,
exclaiming, Enough, enough p
He retired instantly from the store,
forgetting his thirst; butnot the debauch,
the handkerchief or the lady, vowing il
God gave him strength, never to touch
taste or handle intoxicating drinks again
To meet Miss G. again was the hard.
est effort of his life. If he met her il
her carriage or on foot, he would dodg'
around the corner. She at last address
ed note to him, under her own hands
inviting him to the house, which he Fl
nally gathered courage to accept. HI
told her if she still bore any affection 70
him, she would agree to his terms, He
reply was:
My conditions are now, what they ev
err have BEEN
"Then," said the disenthralled Wir
IL accept them"
They were soon afterward married
and, from that day he kept his vorC
and his affairs frightened, while honor
and glory gathered thick upon his brow
HIS name has been enrolled high in th
temple of fame, while his deeds, his pi
triotism, and renown live after him, wit
an imperishable luster. How many N
BILE minds might the young ladies save,
they would follow the example of tt
heroine hearted MISS G., the friend
humanity, of her country, and the rel
tive of Lafayette.
KEEPING TO ONE THING.-We ca
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