Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-09-24
MISCELLANEOUS,
a TRUE STORY.

IN the evening of the day on which Alice
arrived at s.. great temperance
meeting was to be held in one of the churches.
Her friend who had become enthusiastic in
the cause, urged her to go to the meeting.
which Alice did, although with reluctance.
The house was crowded above and below
The prellminaries usually appertaining to such
meeting having been arranged, brief open.
ing address was made by one of the minis
ters. 4 reformed man then related his ex>
perlenee with great effect. After he had FIN.
ished there was pause of nearly minute.
At length a man who bad been seated far
back, with his face partly turned from the
audience, arose and moved to the front of
the stage.
A half expressed exclamation escaped AL
ice, as her eyes caught the well-known fea-
lures of her husband, while quick thrill ran
through her. Then her frame trembled in
accordance with her Huttering heart The
face of Mr. Delancey had greatly changed
since she had last looked upon it. It's calm,
d'gnited elevation had been restored, but
what difference.
''Mr. President" he began, "although I
had consented at your urgent solicitation to
address this large assemblsge here Tonight.
vet telt so strong a reluctance to do SO that
49,"
could drag myself forward. But had passed
my word and could not violate it.
''As to relating my experience that I do
not think | can venture upon. The past 1
dare not recall Would to Heaven that ten
years of my life were blotted out"
The speaker here paused moment, al
ready much affected. Then resuming in a
frmer voice, he said
'But something must be said of my own
case, or [ shall fail to make that impression
on your mind which wish to produce.
Pictures of real life touch the heart with
power, while abstract presentations of truth
glitter coldly in the intellectual regions of the
mind, and then fade from the perception like
figures in the diorama.
"1our speaker once stood among the first
members of the bar in neighboring State
Nay more than that, he represented his coun-
ty for three years in the Assembly of the
Commonwealth, and more than that still
occupied seat in Congress two congressional
periods"
AT this point the stiffness of death pervaded
the crowded assembly.
'And yet more than that" he continued.
his voice sinking in low thrilling tones. "he
had tenderly loved wife and two sweet chill
dren. But all those honors-all those bless.
ings have departed from him." he continued,
his voice growing louder and deeper in efforts
to control himself. "He was unworthy to
retain them.
''His constituents threw him off because
he had dehased himself and disgraced them
she who had loved him devotedly. who had
borne him two dear babes. was forced to aban-
don him and seek an asylum in her fathers
house.
in few years ? What power was there TO
and even the wife of my bosom turned heart.
stricken from me? Alas my friends, it was
demon! a Circe, changing the human
into the bestial. But for this, were an hons
orable, useful representative in Congress, pur-
suing after my couutry's good, and blest in
the home circle with wife and children. But
1 have not told you all.
CATER my wife separated from me sank
rapidly. A state of sobrie.y brought too ma
ny terrible thoughts therefore drank more
freely, and was rarely, if ever, from under
the bewiIdering effects of intoxication. / re-
mained in the same village for several years,
but never once saw her during that time
nor even glimpse of my children. at last
l became so abandoned in my life that nv
wife, urged on by her friends, filed an appli>
cation for divorce, and as cause could be
easily shown why it should be granted, a sep
aration was legally declared.
To complete my disgrace at the next Con.
gressional canvass l was left off the ticket, as
unfit to represent the district i left the
county and State where l had lived from nv
boyhood up.
Three years have passed since then. For
two years of the period abandoned myself
to the fearful appetite had acquired. Then
heard of the Temperance movement. a.