Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1802-06-23
FoA rus y1HGAwA ARGUS
To the ,ADIEs who are ADm1RERs CT the
game OF Loo

SO arduous IS the task which ana a.
bout to undertake, that l despair OF sue
cess; bat being CONSCIOUS OF the puii-
~ OF my Intentions, and knowing that the
refined sensIoility and exquisite taste OF
ray iair readers Ysiil make an allowance for
my want of Abilities, ! advance to the task
with renovated spirits, While l beg per-
mission 10 draw their attention TO the fol-
loving narrative.
Know then, that | am the daughter OF
deceased father and mother, liz whom in
their youthful Gays, forsune smiled propi-
tiousiy that by their industry and econo-
nv they had procured a very handsome
fortune, and Tor many years lived in the
pIenitude OF happlness.--My mother was
2 woman vino possessed great stock OF
vivacity, and was extremely fond of com
pany she often invited large parties of
her old acquaintances to her house, and
always partook with the greatest pleasure
OF the animating conversation OF them.
Nv father was L sedate man of plain
education, * condescenGing manners, but
was not fond of company he often said,
that ne could spend the evening more a.
greeabiy with lutte jenny upon his knee.
tnan ne could with all the company that
frequented his house. In this manner
thew passed some time until the appetite
of nv mother grew SO rapaciouS, her thirst
for fame, and her wish to occupy pre-
eminent Station IN the estimation OF her
female visitants, caused herto make suchex-
travasant demands, thatmy fatherwas con-
strained TO reject them. To woman VINO
al,yavs before had herinclinaticns appeased.
this was insupportable. She appealed in
the most passionate manner for her wishes
IN he gratihed, which my father was unable
TO DENY aperson whom he loved as himself.
This made my father discontented,(to see
the fortune which ne had earned with the
sweat of his brow, squandered away IN the
most superluous aud eXtravagant man
nerA and even miserable to such degree,
that the Animated conversational my mo-
thep's visitants and all her apparent good
bunour, only served TO heighten has UNI
casinos for the peaceful shade OF domes-
tic happiness could not alleviate the dis
tress Of man VINO did not participate IN
its blessings. He endured his measiness
without divulging the cause of II 10 my
mother, untii his cons. 1,itton bcSanls SO
much impaired from MS excess OF trouble,
that he survived but very short tune.
Tlms from the indiscretiop and unparral-
Is1ed extravagancy of my mother, was
broueht 10 an untiinely end, the most al
ss6iona,e husband and indulgent parent.
NV mother was very much afflicted at
the cause Of his death but from her
s2rightly disposition soon conquered all
tbolSrhts Of him. She now became one
of the q sih toh .geStry" OF the town; she
was invited TO their places of recreation,
cnd scon became acquainted and enamour-
ed with their conference.-the alas long
shall I remember that fatal djversionw which
was the nears of bringing to an untimely
grave, It's unfortunate admirer. The a.
fi,usenent I mean is the game OF LOO;
ii was a practice so common with the la
dies, that they always went prepared (when
they visited each other) with as much mo-
ney as would make beggar as happy as
a prince. Whole nights did they spend
around the Loo Fable, seeking 10 deprive
each other OF their money for some time
my mother was fortunate but at last the
smiles of fortune banishcd from her, and
she always came of considerably the los
err; how often did | demonstrate with her
against t. but she was, Like all game
sters, impenetrable 20 the arrows of rea-
son-The female mind when it imbibes
any bad practice, is much harder to be driv-
en- from it, than that OF the male. BY the
craft and duplicity of these female sharp
ers, her fortune was entirely broken; she
was not afterwards noticed by any of them.
Through dissipation (Which IS the copart
ner of gaming) and distress, she soon be-
gan to decay in health; all her former
cheerfulness banished from her, and she
seemed to be the most miserable creature
on earth and she was soon compelled to
pay the awful debt Of nature, leaving be-
lind an helpless and forlorn orphan des-
,itute Of all subsistence but that beniii-
cent Creator who lulestthe destinies Of the
universe, provided for me benefaetor
whom shall always revere with the most
ardent attachment.
have been thus concise, my fairrcad-
ers, ~ the history Of my misiortunes, TO
guard all Of you against the cause Of them.
! have not been long an inhabitant ofyour
city, ard consequently, cannot be acquaint-
ed with your fashions and amusements /;
but have heard That this shameful folly,
is very much in vogue. Can you, after con
te1npIating the misery which itbrought on
my family, have any desire to resort to
TINS hereafter, as an amusement! Rea-
son answers no. Let me conIure you to
refrain from q practice which may involve
your oi-sD ny into the abyss Of distress,
by che cN-nple which YOU present them
Let the tefr, Of the unfortunate 3NNY
DYepsor, cansiEn Il 70 oblivion! ltis be-