Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-09-26
a separation was legally declared ;

a separation was legslly declared;
| To complete my disgrace at the mex
Congressional canvass l Was left Gff the
ticket. as unit to represent the district.
left the county and State where I had
lived from my boyhood up.
Three years have passed since then
For two years Of the period abandoned
myself to the fearful appetite I had &C
quired. Then I heard Of the Temperance
movment. At first I sneered. then won
dered, hesitated, and finally threw myself
on the great wave which was sweeping
onward, in the hope of being carried BY
it far out Of the reach Of danger, and ]
did not hope with vain hope. Il set me
at once more upon my feet-once more
made man Of me-.
A year of sobricty earnest devotion to
ny profession, and fervent prayer to
Him who alone gives us btrength in every
good resolution, has restored me to much
that had been lost /; but not all-not the
richest treasure that I proved myself un:
worthy to retain !; not my wife and chill
dren. All! between myself and these the
law has laid its stern, impossible inter-
diction. ! have no longer wife. no
children. though my heart goes out to-
ward those dearly beloved ones with the
teudereet yearn,ng.. Pictures Of our ear.
ly days of welded life come floating back
on memory's p;nions, lingering 10 my
imagination and reminding me Of the joy
that was. l dream of the dear fre-side
circle; see ever before me the one placid
face Of my Alice as her eye looked into
my own with confidence. feel her arms
twine about my ndei, and the music of
her voice is sounding ever in my. ear.
Here. the speakers emotions oyercame
him. His utterance became choked and
he stood silent with bowed head and
trembling limbs. The dense mass OF
people we're hushed into an impressive
Stiffness, that was broken here and there
by half staed sobs. At this movement
there was an excited movement in the
crowd. A single female figure. before
whom every one appeared iDstisctively
to give way was ssen passing the aisle
This was not observed by Delaney until
ahe had come nearly IN front of The plat
form on which be stood. The movement
caught his ear, and lifting his eyes. they
instantly fell on Alice, for it was she who
pressed forward-he bent toward her with
uplifted and eager eyes, and stood like a
statue until she had gained the stand and
advance d quietly by his side. For mo
ment they stood thus; The whole audience
thrilled with the scene. we're upon their
feet and bendisg forward Then Dei.n.
cy opened his arms. and Alice threw hor-
self upon his bosom with quick and
! Wild gesture. Thus for the space of 9
minute they stood; every one. by single
intuition understood the scene. One o.
the ministers then came forward and gen
tly separated them.
mo. no." said Delaney, "you mus
not-Tou can not take her away from
1ae!'
Heaven forbid that should do that,
! replied the minister. By your confession
she is not your wife"
"No she is re-, replied Delan-
cy, mournfuly.
"But she is ready t. renew her vow
again, Alice said smiling through be-
tears that now rained over her face.
Before that assembly ,.all standing ant
With few dry eyes, was said, in q broken
voice the marriage ceremony that gave
Delaney and Alice to each other. Al
she minister. and aged mai. With this
white locks, finished the rite, be laid hi
hand upon the heads of the two he ha'
joined in holy bonds, and lifting up hi
agel eyes, that streamed with drops 0
gladness. be said in solemn voice:
What God BIAS joined together, lie
not Run put asunder."
"Amen p was cried by the whole Is.
sembly, as with single voice.