Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-05-12

Sdlu W hc tuc q"SSicoe thiuS tudt CNSt
happened to me in my life, was when l
put my name on the temperance pledge.
was q pretty hard case, my wife used
to be afraid of me, my children used TO
run when | came in the house away
with fear, it was but a word and blow,
aud then kick, and the minute put
my name on that temperance pledge
the thought came across my mind, [
wonder what my wife will say TO this.
Queer, wasn't it! The first thing
should think of was my wife. But /
went home and l made up my mind
that would tell her all about it. Then
/ thought if went in and told her all
of hurry it might make her faint or
something or another of that kind.
Queer, wasn't it, Another time would
have gone home aud knocked her down
and kicked her up again. Now was
going home thinking how could break
it to my wife and not hurt her So |
made up my mind l would break it TO
her easy, and l got to the door; she
didn't faint away; saw her leaning
over the embers OF the fire; she didn't
look up; suppose she expected a blow
or curse as usual, and said Mary.
She didn't turn; / said Mary. Well,
Dick, what is il, / said Mary. Well,
what is it' Cannot ysu guess, Nary
And she looked around at me, her face
was so white; l say, Mary. Well' |
have been to the meeting and pat my
name down OH the pledge and taken
my oath never will take another drop.
She was on her feet in a minute; shc
didn't faint away; poor soul, aud as
| held her | didn't know but she was
dead, and began to cry, and she was
not dead; she opened her eyes and got
her arms right round my neck and pull
ed me down on my knees, the first time
i remember ever going on my knees
since l was boy, and said, Oh, God
bless my poor husband, and said amen,
and she said help him TO keep that
pledge, and said amen, and she kept
on praying and | kept on holloing, and
you never heard Methodist haolla like
me, until could not speak a word 1
was so horse. 1t was tho first time we
ever knelt together, but il was not tho
last l could give You scores of just
such cases. spoke once 10 an audi
ence Of outsasts. II is an awful sight
to see. There were two persons came
up TO sign the pledge, you never saw
such couple, could not describe them,
indescribable; the woman's drcss--dress!
She had some ragged ribbons tied round
her waist with a bit ofa rope, and above
her waist nothing but an old shawl
that was twisted round like rope,
brought across her shoulder, fastened
like Scotch hat at her side, dirty,
brazenfaced. hair all down, her eye as
cold as piece of gray granite; her
husband looked as il the drink had
scorched up his intellect, aud he looked
moro like an idiot than anything else,
but they signed the pledge, at least they
made their mark, and the Secretary
was making out beautiful embossed
cards; the man said, III want to got one
of them certificates" She gave him a
nudge, "rhere is Sixpence TO pay for
them" Il want one OF them certificates
to show that I belong TO the society,""
There was every evidence of family jar
going on between them. A gentleman
came in and said, "good people, are you
going 10 sign tho temperance pledgei'
IL have signed it, sir mo and my mis-.
sus, and that Is my misses, we have sign
ed, and | want to Join the society and
get certificate" "Wby don't youi'
"1here is a sixpence TO pay" "Oh,
that shall make no difference, and turn
ing to the Secretary the gentleman said:
"Iiere IA shilling, make out the certiG-
Gates" The woman looked as hard rs
ever, the certificates were about to be
made OFT and the man was asked bis
name and gave it and got bis certificate,
and then they asked the woman her
name; she clenched her fists and looked
straight before her. "Madam your name,
we are waiting for you il you please;
we would like you TO have the number
next to your hasband's." Her husband
offered 10 give her name. "No, no, we
want it from the woman herself Mad
am, We arc waiting for you" and at last
she lifted up her clenched fists, ! thought
it was TO strike somebody but it Was 10
brush away tear, and then camo an
other, and another; and the tears ran
down the back Of her hands, and then
she suddenly looked around and unfast-
eniDg shawl sine shocked it ont aud
spread it over ner back aud held il with
both hands across hor bosom. Not
one word OF kindness bad stirred tho
white ashes that covered the last spark
Of woman, aud she stood crying Ike
child. / tell you when man or wo-
man takes turn TO 60 right the very
act of turning to go right soitens the
heart and opens it TO good impressions.
(Applause.)
"a gentleman liyesin Nashville, who
has had chills and fever every DIV for