The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1875-01-20
DANIEL BRYAN,s OATH.

tion to beggary and dying condition.
Bryan had married In his better days the
sister Of Moses FELTON,.
AtleRgtb all hopes were given up.
Week efttt week would the fallen be
drunk on the floor, and not aday Of real
sobriety marked his course. ! doubt If
such another was known He was TOO
low for real conyiviality, for those he
would have associated with would not
drink with him. ~ a
All alone in his Office and chamber, he
still continued to drink, and even his very
life seemed the offspring OF his jug.
In early spring Moses FELTON, had call
to go to Ohio. Before he set out lie visi~
ted his sister. He offered to lake her with
him but she would not go.
Butwhy stop here ?urged the brother.
/" You are fading away and disease is upon
you. Why should you live with such a
brute?' ~,
!" Hush, Moses, speak lldt so,' answered
the wife, keeping back her tears. I will
not leave him now, but he viii soon leave
me. He cannot live much longer
At that moment Daniel entered the
apartment. He looked like wanderer
from the tomb. He had his hat OH, and
his jug i'm his hand.
."Ah, Moses. how are YEP he gasped,
for he could not speak plafRls.
The visitor looked at him for few mo-
ments In silence. Then US his fraturess :.
sumed cold, stern expression, be said
a strongly emphasized tone:
Daniel Bryan, have been your b,
friend but one. My sister u an ang
though matched with q demon. ha
loved you, Daniel, as I never loved ma
before you were generous, noble and
kind but hate you now. for you are a
perfect devil incarnate, Look at that wo-
man. She ismy sister-she now might
live in comfort, only that she will not do
IL whiK 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, dn.sincerely hope that the
first Intelligence that reaches me..from my
native place. after shall have reached
my new home be--that-you-are dead9
"Stop. Moses, eau reform yet
you cannot. Its Beyond your power
You have had inducements enough to
have reformed half the sinners Of creation,
aud you are lower than ever before. Go
die, sir as soon IS you can, for the moment
that sees you thus. will not find me among
the mourners.' a
Bryan's eyes flashed, and he drew him.
self proudly up. 81 ~
"Go, he said. in the tone ~ the old sar-
casm. "Goto Ohio, and I'LL send you
news, Ohio, sir, aud watch the post i
will fSs nnsl-e ye, take back your words
Never, Daniel Bryan, never'
" You shall, I swear it,
with these words Daniel Bryan hurried
the jug into the Fireplace, and while yet
the thousand fragments were flying over
the floor, he strobe FROM the house
Miry sank fainting on the floor. Moses
bore her to a bed, anil then having called
In neighbor, lie hurried away, for the
stage was waiting.
For mouth Daniel hovered over the
brink Of the grave, but did not die
zone gill Of brandy will save you said
the doctor, who saw that the abrupt re-
Inoyal vf slimulant from the system. that
for long years had. almost subsisted ON
nothing else, was nearly sure to prove IA
tai. You can surely take agill and not
take any more
'Ay.' gasped the poor man, take q gill
and break my oath. Moses FELTON, shall
not bear that brandy and run killed mo.
II tile want Of Il can kill me, then let me
die--fll not die till Moses FELTON, shall eat
his words'
lie did live. An iron win conquered
the messenger death sent-Dauiei ltryan
lived. For one month he could not even
walk without help. Mary helped him.
A year passed away, and Muses. FELTON,
returned 10 Vermont. He entered the
Court House at Burlington. and Daniel
Bryan was on the fioor pleading for q
young mau who had been indicted for q
forgery. Felton, started m surprise. Never
before had such torrents Of eloquence
poured from his lips. The case was given
10 the jury. aud the youth was acquitted.
The successful turned from the courtroom
aud met Moses FELTON,. -,
They shoOk hands, But did n"ifspeak.
When they reached spot where none
others could hear them, Bryan stopped.
"Moscs,' lie sdd, do you rrme,nter
the words you spoke 20 me q scar ago7'
"I do, saniel.'
"will you now take them back-unsay
them now aud forever
"Yes, with all my heart
"Then am In part repaid,
Aud what must be the remainder oi
the payment asked Moses.
II must die an hpuest unpedured man.
The oath thai las bound me thus Car. was
Emadr for life.'
That evening Mary bryan was among