Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-02-13

You would shrink hack, appalled, at
the vision. And yet, gentlemen, as
innocent as LIES young morning has
been, how many a wretched creature
whose years are embittered ~ the
demon Of drink, whose form attenu-
ated and feeble, and clad in power
ty's worn and tattered garb, shrinks
from the cruel blows of hes drunken
masterl Did the young maiden
dseam, when he whispered loves
sweet dream in her ear, that his voice
would one day be raised to curse her?
Did the bride, in her white array,
think the VAIN, clasping hand Of
the bridegroom, would, some day, be
lifted in infuriated frenzy, to bruise
her tender flesh? No, gentlemen, no!
And yet, you know, and ne know,
and, oh sad heart! she knows that
the heaven ofthe happiest home,
is ruthlessly destroyed by the mad
fend-alcohol. All, there are too
many broken hearts, already! Too
many crushed lives to be traced to
the blood-hued and blood-stained
cup Of death and degradation. But,
gentlemen, the name of 'drunkard's
wife shall rever be ours to wear; for
here in the presence Of earth and
angels, we solemnly vow that never
shall one who imbibes the int5xica.
..-., :. aRsp,els, now and for ever!
It is 'Murphys or mittens,' gentle
men, she said, thereafter for one
and all"
A glance of fire shot from her eyes,
as she ceased speaking, and stood
like a marble goddess, sceptered and
crowned.
There was one long. drawn breath
like a sigh. through the congregated
hundreds, and then that stunned au-
dience was farther stunned by the
sight Of a tall, distinguished person
rising in their midst, and pressing
resolutely and swiftly forward.
1t leaped upon the platform; it
clasped Marcla's waist as though by
royal right. 1t was Roger Earle, and
uttered in clarion tones these words,
thrilled us through and through:
This noble girl, friends, is to be
my dear and precious wife. In my
rride and my vanity, l have nightly
been in your midst and withheld
my mans from the list Of liberty;
the liberty to be pure; the liberty to
be holy; the liberty to be a little
lower than the angels, and only a
little, if l walk in the true rectitude
of manhood; the liberty to b. the
tenderest husband to the dearest
woman God ever made, for, Marcia"
and he bent toward her bowed and
hidden face, Marcia, you will not
turn from me now, as in the past,
when / record this vow--Please God,
my wife shall never be a drunkard's
wife"
"Amen," said the weeping, white
haired minister, who from her child
hood had known the sobbing girl SO
closely pressed to Rogers heart.
Amen" said the Judge, God
bless my son and daughter;;" and
great tears rolled down his face, and
sparkled like diamonds Oh his
snowy beard
,'Amen," Numbered the great au-
dance, and cheer alter cheer went
UP, and shook and re-shook the mas
sive walls. And then there was a
grand rush to the front, and not a
man, woman or child, but tearfully
and proudly claimed a Murphy.
Marcia and Roger are married now.
A noble. God-fearing pair, the world
is better for their living.
Judge Earle is very fond of term
ing his daughter-in-law, ''our little
temperance reformer." little being a
pet adjective Of affection solely.
Herald and Presbyter.