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

first sneered, then wondered. hesitated. and
fnally threw myself on the great wave which
was sweeping onward, in the hope of being
carried by it far ont of the reach of danger.
aud did not hope with vain hope. I. did
for me all and more than have deemed
possible. 1t set me at once upon my feet
once more made man of me.
A year of sobriety, earnest devotion n my
profession, and fervent prayer to Him who
alone gives us strength in every good resolu.
ton, has restored me to much that had been
lost; but not all-not the richest treasure that
proved myself unworthy to retain; not my
wife and children. Ah! between myselfand
these the law has laid Its stern, impossible in,
terdiction. have no longer aSwife, no chill
dren, though my heart goes out towards those
dearly beloved ones with the tenderest yearn.
ing. Pictures of our early days of wedded
life come floating back on memory's pinions,
lingering in my Imagination and reminding
me of the joy that was. dream of the dear
fre>side circle; | see ever before me the one
placid face of my Alice as her eve looked into
my own with confidence. feel her arms
twine around my neck, the music of her voice
is sounding ever in my ear: -
Here the speakers emotions overcamC~
His utterance became chok ed and r<
silent with bowed head aud trespbIlu 81
The dense mass Of people we're 6o], .. q
an impressive stiilnese, that uss brDkt
and there by half stif1ed sobs. AT this uio-3
ment there was IN excited move,nenr in tho
crowd. a SINGLE femsie fignre, before whorf:
every. one appeared ius,inctiveiy to give ws55
was seenipassing up the aisle. This was not Oh
served by. Delsncev until she had come nearly
in front OF the platform ON whi.h he ktood.
The movement caught his ear. and lifting his
eyes, they instantly fell on Alice for it was
she who pressed forward --he bent towards
her with uplifted aud eager eyes. aud stood
| like a statue until she had gained the stand
4 and advanced quietly BY; his:side For a mo-
meps they stood thus; the whole audience.
thrilled with the scene. were upon their feet
aud bending forward Then Delancey opened
his arms, and Alice threw herself upon his
bosom with auick and wild gesture. Thus
for the space of. q minute they stood every,
one, by single intuition, understood the
scene. One OF the ministers then came for-
ward and gently separated them. ~ ~
.'No, no" said Delaney, "you must not -
you can not take her away from me =, . e s.
"Heaven forbid that should dolthat res
piled the minister. by your confession she Is /
not your wife" &
mo, she is not" replied Delaney mourn
fully. y
"But she is ready to renew her vows agaiu,,' :, Z
Alice said, smiling through her tears that now,
rained oyer her face.
Before that assembly, all standing, and with
few dry eyes, was said, in a broken voice the
marriage ceremony that gave Delapcey and
Alice to each other. AS the. minister, an,
aged man, with thin white locke, finished the
rite, he laid his hand upon the heads Of the
two he joined in holy bonds, and lifting up
his aged eyes, that streamed with drops Of
sladaess, he said in solemn voice;:i Z ~
"What God has joined together, let not
RUM put asunder." q
"Amen p' was cried by the whole assembly,
as with a single voice. ~ f5i ~