Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-10-12
A True Story.

friend who had become enthusiastic in The cause,
urged her to 90 to The meeting which Alice
did. although with reluctance The house was
crowded above and below. The preliminarieS
usually appertainng to such a meeting having
been arranged, brief opening address was
made by one of the ministers. A reformed
man then related his experience with great ef-
feet. After he had finished there was pause
of nearly minute.
A. length a man who had been seated far
back, with his face partly turned from the au-
dienco, arose and moved to the front Of The
stage.
4 half expressed exclamation escaped Alice,
as her eyes caught the well known features of
her husband, whilc quick thrill ran through
her. Then her frame tremblcd in accordance
with her futterins heart The face Of Mr..
Dulanccy had greatly changed since she had
looked upon it. its calm dignifed elevation
had been restored, but what 4 difference.
a. Mr. President" he began, although
had consented at Your urgent solicitation to ad-
dress this large assemblage here tonight, yet
felt SO strong a reluctance to do SO that it has
been with the utmost difficulty that could
drag myself forward But | had passed my
word and could not violate it.
As to relating my experience; that do not
think can venture upon. Tho past | dare
not recall Would to Heaven that ten years Of
my life were blotted out"
The speaker here paused moment, already
much affected. Then resuming in 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.
Your speaker once stood among the first
members Of the bar in a neighboring State
Nay more than that, he represented his coun-
ty for three years in the Assembly of the Com
monwealth, aud more than that still-occupied
a seat in Congress two congressional periods"
At this point the stiffness Of death pervaded
the crowded assembly. And yet more than
that" he continued, lis voice sinking in low
thrilling tones, he had tendcrly loved wife
and two sweet children. But oil those honors
all those blessings have departed from him" ,"
he continued, bis voice growing louder and
deeper in efforts TO control himself. Z" He was
unworthy to retain them.
His constituents threw them or because he
had debascd himself and disgraced them-she
who had loved him devotedly, who had borne
him two dear babes was forced 70 abandon
him and seek an asylum in her fathers house
"And why? Could become so changed
in few years? What power was there to
aJase me that my fellow beings spurned and
even the wife Of my bosom turned heart-strick
en- from me? Alas my friends it was a
demon Circe, changing the human into
the bostial. But for this, were an honorable,
useful representative in Congress, pursuing
after my countrys good, and blest in the home
circle with wifs aud children. But have not
told you all.
"Artor my wife separated from me | sank
rapidly. A state Of sobricty brought too many
terrible thoughts; ! therefore drank moro free
! ly, and was rarely, if ever from under the be-
wldcring effects Of ntoxication. remained
in the same village for several years, but never
once saw her during that time-nor even a
glimpse Of my children. At last became so
abandoned in my life that my wife urged on
by her friends filed an application for a divorce,
and as cause could be easily shown why it
should be granted, separation was legally de-
clared.
To complete my disgrace at the next Con-
gressona canvass was left of the ticket, as
unfit to represent the district. left the COM
ty and State where had lived from my boy
hood 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. At
first sneered, then wondered, hesitated, and
finally threw myself on the great wave which
was sweeping onward, in the hop, Of being
carried by it far out Of the reach of danger,
and did not hope with vain hope. It did
for me all aud more than have deemed posi-
bic. Itset me at once upon my feet-once
more made a man Of NE.
A year Of sobriety, earnest devotion to my
profession, and fervent prayer to Him who
elene gives Us strength in every good resolu-
ton, has restored me to much that had been
lost but not al-not the richest treasure that
proved myself unworthy to retain; not my
wife and children. Ali between myself and
these the law has laid its stern, impossible in
terdictior. l have no longer a wife, no chill
dren, though my heart goes out towards those
dearly beloved ones with the tenderest yearn-
ings. Pictures Of our carly days Of welded
life come foatiug back on memory's pinirns,
/ lingering in my Imagination ard reminding
me Of the joy that was. dream Of the dear
fre-side circle see ever before me the once
placid face Of my Alice as her eye locked into
my own with confidence. feel her arms