The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-02-05

| bdhlNt i't y al Hdd uttu = laWVer of
eminence, but had fallen, through in
toNication to beggary and diving
condition. Bryan bad married in his
better days the sister of Moses
FELTON,.
At length all hopee were given up.
Week after week would the fallen
man be drunk on the floor, and not a
day of real sobriety marked his
course. ! doubt if such another was
known. lie was too low for real
conviviality, for those he would have
associated with would not drink
with him.
All alone in his office and chamber
he sttll continued 60 drink, aud even
his very life seemed the oflspl ing of
his Jug.
la early spring Moses FELTON, had
call to go to Ohio. Before he set
out he visited his sister. He offered
to take her with him, but she would
not go.
But why stay hereY' urged the
brother. you are fading away. and
disease is upon you. Why should
you live with such brute?'
Hush, Moses, speak not so,' an
swered the wife, keeping back her
tears. Il will not leave him now. but
he will soon leave me. lie cannot
last much longer
AT that moment Daniel entered
the apartment. lie looked like a
wanderer from the tomb. He had
his hat on, and his jug in his hand.
'Ah, Moses, how are yep he
gasped, for he could not speak plain
ly.
The visitor looked at him for a
few moments in silence. Then, as
his features assumed cold, stern ex-
preston, he said in . strongly en-
phaslzed tone,-
Daniel Bryan, | have been your
best friend but one. My sister is an
angel, though matched with n de-
mon. | have loved you, Daniel, as
j never loved man before you were
generous, noble and kind but / hate
you now, for you are a perfect devil
incarnate. Look at that woman
She is my sister-she now might live
in comfort, only that she will not do
it while you are alive; when you die
she will come TO me. Thus do /
pray that God will soon give her joys
to my keeping. Now, Daniel, do
sincerely hope that the first intelli-
genGe that reaches me from my ma
tive place, after shall have reached
my new home may be-that--you--
are deadr
stop, Moses, can reform yet
You cannot 1t is beyond your
power. Yo1 have had inducements
enough TO have reformed half the
sinners Of creation, and you are lower
than ever before. Go and die, sir, as
soon as you can, for the moment
that sees you thus will not find me
among the mourners.'
Bryan's eyes flashed, and he drew
himself proudly up.
CO. he said, IN the tone Of the old
sarcasm. 'Go to Ohio, and I'll send
news. Ohio, sir, and watch the post.
/ will yet make you take back your
words
Never, Daniel Bryan, never
'You shall, / swear it.
With these words Daniel Bryan
hurled the jug into the fire place, and
while yet thousand fragments were
flying over the floor, he strobe from
the house.
Mary shrauk fainting on the floor.
Moses bore her to bed, and then,
having called in neigbbor, ne hur-
ried away, for the stage was waiting.
For month Daniel lowered over
the brink of the grave, but he did not
die.
'One gill Of brandy will save YOU
said the doctor, who saw that the alb
rupt removal of stimulants from the
system, that had for long years had
almost subsisted on nothing else, was
nearly sure to prove fatai. you can
surely take gill and not take any
more.
'Ay,' grasped the poor man, take
a gill and break my oath. Moses
FELTON, shall not hear that brandy
and rum killed me. If the want of it
can kill me, then let me die-I'll not
die till Moses FELTON, shall eat his
words
He did live. An iron will conquer
ed the messenger death sent-Daniel
Bryan lived. For one month he
could not even walk without help
Mary helped him.
A year passed away, and Moses
FELTON, returned to Vermont. He
entered the Court House at Burling-
ton, and Daniel Bryan was on the
floor pleading for young man who
had been indicted for forgery Fell
ton started in surprise. Never before
mad such torrents Of eloquence pour
ed from his lips. The case was given
to the jury, and the youth was acquit-
ted. The successful counsel turned
from The court room and met Moses
FELTON,.
They shook hands but did rot
| speak. When they reached the spot
where none others could hear them,
Bryan stopped.
Moses, he said. do you remember
the words you spoke to me a year
ago?'
i do, Daniel
'Will you now take them back
unsay them now and forever p
Yes, with all my heart
Then / am in part repaid
And what must be the remainder
OF the payment?' asked Moses.
i must die an honest, unperiured
man. The oath that has bound me
thus far was made for life.'
That evening Mary Bryan was
among the happiest of the happy.
An iron tower, one thousand feet
high, is one of the substantial novel.
ties proposed for the Centennial Ex.
position at Philadelphia, in 1876. II
Is TO be built by the proprietors oi
the Phenixville Bridge Works, oi
Ph9nixville, Pa. The Scientific
i Anariaon 1auo4oo tho Erof y,ana ~ a