Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-06-11
TO THE EDITOR OF THE VIRGINIA
ARGUc


TO THE EDITOR OF THE VIRGINIA
ARGUS.
Inyour paper Of the 25th May, observ-
cd a Piece on Gambling. from the Norfolk
Herald. And although it is given merely as
fcti2a, yet so strongly, in some instances,
does it remind me of a reality which hap
pencd to me in your City, during the last
winter, that perused it with more than
common interest And as relation of this
circumstance may not be without benefit to
other young adventurers in the world, like
myself, (and which has been 10 me one of
the best lessons of my life,) shall submit it
TO your discretion, either 20 giveit a place in
your columns, or suffer it forest in oblivion.
In order to i regular introduction of the
subject, | must first inform the reader, that
am the only son of a respectable widow in
the County of %@##%~**s.- Having arriv-
ed at an age capable of business and my
mother having considerable sum of money
due her III your City and its vicinity, it was
fixed on, that should come down andreceive
it-more especially, as l had never seen
Richmond: and, being very much of a
home body, she observed, that cit would
net only be an agreeable trip TO me, but an
Improvement" Nevertheless, liked not
the idea Of leaving home, particularly on
such mission---for it more than once enter
ed my mind, that some highway man might
get wind If my business; and, in order 10
possess himse'to OF my supposed treasure, rob
and even murder me on the road. And this
rejection afforded me M inconSiderable I'M
easiness. However, my mother was deter
mined and the day at length arrived when
/ was to begin nay journey.
Accordingly, sat off; and, after encodn-
terng some fatigue, and little perplexity
of mind, as to the manner of eXpedting my
business, reached my journeys end -
and immediately after set about the accom-
plishment oft: and in less than two days,
had every thing completed TO my satisfac-
ton. But, in the mean time, i had formed AN
intimacy with (toappcarance) Il very gentle
manly man, who frequented the Tavern at
which / put up. He was in every respect
calculated to please and attract the attenti-
on of the juvenile mind in conversation,
he was free and unrestrained; and all his
actions, as | conceived, Stamhhed him
the gentleman But, alas ! how egregious-
ly was deceived, the sequel must disco
yer!
Ibecame hourly more and more attached
to his company and pleased with his CONVEX
-sation-and had the vanity to think, that he
was not wholly Invested of partiality for
mine.-In the course of conversation, on the
evening # the day finished my business,
he asked me, in a famliarmanner, what had
brought me here 81 readily told him-at
the same time incautously observing, that
it was now at an end (; and that l intended 10
leave town the day following, as l did not
conceive myself altogether safe IN Carrying
as much money as / then had about me,
which was to the amount of several hundred
dollars. He bid me be under no apprehen-
.uin ont haf fr-.tI l,ah
unfrequently carried several Thousand with
him. thought it great sum; and hence
concluded, that he mad not only the appear
ance Of, but Ito use vulgar phrase) zvhere-
FVithal to support the gentleman.
The evening passed off and night APP
preached, while we still continued in the
company of each other. At length, the sup
per bell rang, and he proposed that should
go with him--saying, it should cost me no.
thing. thanked him for his generosity ;
and observed, that my acquaintance should
not prove an expense to him. Where is
there ayouth who would not have been pleas
ed with such man as this appeared 20 be
Bat too much dependence should not be pla
Ocd on ahheaGnces--for one may " smile
and smile, and be villain"
After supper was over, he proposed to
sake walk, in order, as he said, TO prevent
which assen,ed We walked for consi-
derable time in differen, streets of the CITY,
until at length we came to part Of one ON
which a GamGEng- House was kept and he
proposed that we should step IN a moment
merely to see who was there and, in case
we thouhgt fit, give them a bet or two and 6c
Of. / was about To make some objection
when taking me by the arm, he SAID
come along, who knows but that you may
this night make your fortune'' and thu,
was led OF, to my sorrow, BY this vcrrcs,
Of villains, like an OK 10 the slaughter
innocent OF his design, and unconscious OF tlit
fate that awaited mel!
no sooner did he enter the apartment
than he wasaccosted with the greatest iami.
Garity by several Of the Company, who. as
afterwards discovered, were OF the nizh
order, and actually concerned with him.
He had not been present long, before ht
commenced betting and pressed me to d,
the same-teliing me To follow his advice
and [ could not fail OF success: did SD
and in less than two hours, found that
had lost upwards Of an hundred dollars
lie, in the mean time, continued to encou
Eighteen years olS