Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-07-18


/ But for this | were an honorable and
useful representative in Congress, pur-
suing after my eountry's good. and blest
in the home circle with my wife aud
children But have not told you all.
"Aiter my wife separated from me, |
sank rapidly. a state of Sobtiety brot
too many terrible thoughts. | therefore
drank freely and was rarely il ever from
under the bewildciirg effects OF intoxiea-
| ton. remained il the same village for
some Years. but never saw her once dur
ing that lime. nor even a glimpse ol my
| childI en-. At lat ! became - abandon.
ed in my hle, that my wife, urged by her
friends. filed IN application Iora divorce.
and rs II cause could be easily shown why
il should he granted separation was
legally a. clared
so complete the disgrace. ut the next
Congressional canvass was left oil The
ticket rs unfit TO represent the district |
left the country and Stale where | had
lived from my boyhood up.
Three years have passed since then.
Fo: two Years OF that period abandoned
my sell To the fearful appetite | had ac-
quircd Then ! heard of the Temper
ancc cause. At first | sncercd, then
wondered, hcSilaicd. and finally threw
myself on the great wave that was sweep
ing onward, in the hope OF being carried
lay il lar out Of the reach of danger and
did not hope with Il vain hope. 1t did
lur me all and morc than could have
deemed possible. Ii set me at once up.
ON my ieet, and once more made man
of me
~ year of sobrictl. earnest devotion
to my profession, and fer, cnt prayer To
Him who alone give, Us strength in cv.
err good resolution. has irStorcd To me
much that has been lost; but not all
not the richest treasure that proved
myself unworthy Ia retain. not my nile
and children. All hctwccu my sell aud
these, the law has lain It's stern. impass;l-
blc Introduction. have no longer wife !;
uo longer children, though NY heart
goes out towards these dearly beloved
ot cs with The tcndcreSt warnings. -
Pictures of our early days OF welded
love are ever lingering in my imagna.
tinn; | dream of the dear trcside; see
ever before me The one placid face OF my
Alice, rs her eye looked into mine with
confidence feel her arms twine around
my neck. the music OF her voice is ever
sounding in my ear"
Here the speakers emotion overcamc
him. His utterance became choked, he
stood silent with trembling limbs The
dense mass OF people were hushcd inlo
An oppressive stiffness, that was broken
by halt stitcd sohs,
Al this moment there was movement
in the crowd. A single femsle figure,
before whom every one appeared in.
Stinctively tn give way, WITS seen passing
up the aisle rhis WAS not observed by
Delaney until :hc had arrived noarly in
front uf the platform on which he Slood.
Tho movement caught his ear, and lift
ing his eyes, they fell instantly on Alice;
for il was she who was passing forward.
He bent towards her with uplned hands
aud eager eyes. aud stood hko a statue
until she had gained The stand and adyanc-
ed quietly by his side. For moment
they stood thus; the whole audience,
thrilled by the scene, were upon their
leet and bending forward. Then De.
lancy opened his arms and Alice threw
herself upon his bosom with Il quick and
wild gesture. Thus Tor the space OF a
minute they stood; every one, rs ii ny
singular intuition, understanding The
scene, ! minister then came forward
and gently separated them.
mo, no." said Delaney. ''you cannot,
you must not take her away from me"
Heaven forbid that should do that"
replied tho minister. by your con
iession she is not your wife"
NO, she 5 not" replied Delaney,
mournfully.
"But she Is ready To ronew her VOWS
again, Alice said. smiling Ihro' her tears
that now rained over her lace.
Before the assembly, all standing, and
few dry eyes. was said in broken voice
the marriage ceremony that gave De
ancY and Alice 10 each other. As the
minister, an aged man, with thin, white
locks. finished the rite, he laid his hands
upon the heads Of The Two he joined in
holy bonds. anil lifting up his eyes, that
streamed with the dtops of gladness, he
said in II solemn voice:
"What God hath Joined together, ict
not Run put asundor."
"Amenm was cried by the whole as
sembly rs with single voice.
The !S0dd business.
Aotla waier l. simnlv nl.tin water hnovi