Year: 1870

gent, industrious, upright, and cndued
with so much that was agreeble in
spirit, and with such courtesy Of man.
ners, that he was the object Of universal
confidence and esteem. Aud yet this
man who had so much tn him and
around him that was prAiseworthy and
interesting and promising of success in
life, had one terrible fault-he occasion
ally gave way to the temptation of in
toxicating liquors. When himself, he
was everything in worldly point Of
view, that could DO wishe.i--a good
citizen, a kind friend, an af1ectionate
son, and, Of course, his home was gene
rally happy one. But alas! at times
this pleasing scene Of domestic peace
and enjoyment became dark indeed-a
fearful night Of tempest would sweep
over II.


At intervals which, rs usual, became
shorter and shorter, would this highly
favored man taste the fatal cup, ard no
sooner had the demon of iutemperance
thus entered him, than the loving son,
and respected head Of y peaceful, pro-
sperous household, became savage
monster, and his house II hell, and his
aged mother and every member of the
family must flee for their lives.


When the drunken 1T passed off, his
nlother-whose love for Lin and whose
hope for his ultimate reformation never
deserted hcr-would return; aud every
thing that was reverent and afiectionatc
in son was shown to her. He seemed
deeply to feel that he ought to be doubly
dutiful aud kind, to make amends for
the distress he had occasioned her. His
house was thus alternately a house Of
harmony and gladness, and a den Of
terror and of woe.


Not many years passed over before, In
one Of his insane freaks Of drunkenness,
he not only drove out all his family,
but applied burning torch to his house,
and reduced 1t to ashes. This was a
crime which the laws Of the States
punished with confinement IN the
Peniteniary for life. He was arrested
and carried to Jail, and, after years
delay, he was brought to trial, convicted,
and sentenced.


During his first imprisonment his
conduct was exemplary-all that his
jailers could wish; and when transferred
to tho Penitentiary, his spirit and de-
pertinent were such AS won to him
universal favor. He was taken into the
Office as clerk, and made superinten-
dent over one Of the departments of the
ers highly respected him, and deeply
sympathized with him in what they
regarded as the sore calamity of an
otherwise noble man. But this was not
all.


After six years had rolled around
upon his seclusion, the people Of his
native township, cherishing the memo
ry Of his many virtues, and assured by
the uniform and high testimony to his
exemplary conduct by his keepers and
by the chaplain Of the Penitentiary, felt
confident that he had truly repented Of
his past course, and that IL restored to
society, he would prove himself USE
full and respected citizen. Accordingly,
at the usual town meeting for public
business, a resolution was brought for
ward in his favor, and, by request, 1t
was heartily sustained in a speech by
the pastor. The purpoYt Of the resolu-
ton was that "the people Of this town,
~F 4 at,e, |, r,c N
case, and especially Of the strong testi-
mony Of the officers and chaplain Of the
prison, We dc hereby respectfully and
urgently petition the Governor OF tue
Common wealth to pardon said prisoner,
and restore to him his rights as citi-
zen." This public request was prompt
ly granted, and John Wycherly return
ed to his home. It Is here worthy OF
remark that man present at the public
meeting, who himself was the keeper OF
groggery, was SO deeply impressed as
to utter his conviction that she must be
verv bad rnan who would hereafter
sell Intoxicating liquor to Wycherley
that he would not dare trust his throa
in the hands Of such an unprincipled
selfish wretchv'


The pastor Immediately called upor
| Mr. w . to express his qualification ~
his return to the community, and IL
view of the excellent reports concerning
him by those who had the care of him
and to offer him such friendly pruden


tial and religious counsels as seemed pro


per. The pastor was very kindly receiv


ed, and during his visit expressed tin


hope that Mr.W would become faith


full attendent upon the ministrations o


the sanctuary. He did not say that h


would; but this he declared in the mos


emphatic manner, that he had assured


the chaplain of the prison, before quit


ting it, that he would sooner cut off hi


right hand than taste another drop O


Intoxicating liquor


Mr.. w. appeared to have entirel!


reformed his home became again th
abode of peace, plenty and good order
His neighbors were delighted to see $
happy a change, and We'd with eacl
other in showing their respect an
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