The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-01-06
Reformation of VIM. Writ.
A TRUE INCIDENT IN uIsronY.

The distinguished VIM. Writ, within
SIX or eight months after his first mar.
riagc, became addicted to intemperance,
The effect Of which operated strongly
on the mind aud health of his wife,
and in few months more she was nun
bered with the dead Her death led
him to leave the country where he re-
sided, aud he moved to Richmond,
where he soon rose to distinction. But
his habits hung about him, aud oeca.
sionally he was found with jolly and
frolicsome spiritin baechanaliau reyelry.
His true friends e1postulated with him,
to convince him Of the injury he was
doing himself. But he persisted. His
practice began to fall of, aud many
looked on him as on the sure road to
ruin. He was advised to get married,
with view Of correcting his habits.
This he consented to do If the right
person offered. He accordingly paid
his addresses TO Miss Gamble. After
some months attention he asked her
hand in marriage; she replied" Mr..
Writ, l have been well aware Of your
intentions for some time back, and
should have given you TO understand
that your visits aud attentions we're not
acceptable, had / not reciprocated the
affection which you eyinced for me
But cannot yield my assent until you
make pledge never to taste, touch, or
hanlle any Intoxicating drinks" This
reply to Writ vas as unexpected as il
was novel. His reply was that he con.
sidered the proposition as bar to all
further consideration Of the subject, and
he left her. Her course towards him
was the same as eyer-his, resentment
aud neglect. lnthe course ola few weeks
he went again and solicited her hand
But her reply was, her mind was made
up. He became indignant, aud regard
ed the terms she proposed as insulting
to his honor aud vowed it should be
the last meeting they should ever have.
lie took to drinking worse and worse,
and seemed to run headlong to ruin.
One day, while lying in the outskirts
OF the city, near little grocery, or grog
shop, dead drunk, a young lady, whom
It Is not necessary to name, was passing
that way TO her home, not far of, aud
beheld him with his face turned up to
the rays of the searching sun. She
took her handkerchief with her own
name marked upon it, and placed it over
his face. After he had remained in
that way some hours, he was awakened,
and his thirst being so great, went into
the little grocery aud grog shop to get
a drink, when he discovered the hand
kerehief, at which he looked, and the
name was on it. After pausing few
minutes, he exclaimed-"Great God
who left this with me Who placed
this on my face 2" No one knew. He
dropped the glass exclaimiug-"euoughl
enoughP lie retired instantly from
the store, forgetting his thirst, but not
his debauch, the handkerchief, or the
lady, vowing if God gave him strength,
never to touch, taste, or handle intoxi.
eating driaks.
To meet Miss G. was the hardest eff.
fort of his life. If he met her in her
carriage, or on foot, he popped round
the nearest corner. She at last nd
dressed him note under her hand, in.
yiting him TO her house, which he
finally had courage enough to accept.
he told her if she still bore affection
for him, he would agree to her own
terms. Hcr reply was: "My condi.
tons are now what they ever have been"
"Then," said Writ, II accept them"
They we're soon married, and from
that day he kept his word, and his af.
fairs frightened, while honors aud glory
gathered thick upon his brow. His
name has been enrolled high in the
temple of fame, while his deeds, his
patriotism and renown live after him
with imperishablc lustre. How many
noble minds might the young ladies
save, if they would follow the example
of the heroine hearted Miss g., the
friend of humanity, aud Of her country.