Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-09-23
PROGRESS OF ERROR.
.s.4roid a. nnnenrnncc nf Er,L 3

Great crimes spring from small beginnings rs great
trees ana great cities he heart grows hard and wick
cd by degrees, and probably the u'an That ever
hved can recocca lime when he shuddered and hcstat
ed at the idea of committing small offence This truth
should De often impressed on the young-say them,
avoId the appearance of evn for every time de-
nto the heart which will tend destroy the conscience
and break down the principles OF virtue you ought
cherish
The traveller who put up at the old sign of General
W ayne, III Aesbury, fifteen or eighteen years
ago. promise you did leave the house without sha-
KING hands with, and praislng somewhat, Montgomery
hosco, The nn-keeper's son, as fine little bov as ever
blessed parent with the full blooming of early prom
lses tie was so ohcdient TO his parents, attenveto
strangers SO kind and invariably polite every and
wItha, he learned smart al school, that every
admired iin.
Few youths lett school with airer prospects and
better character than did Montgomery, when the age
Oh hileeu he was sent To Philadelphia and put under
the care OF business doing merchant, that he might
get such knowledge of business as would Justify his
lather III setting him up in Aesbury, for this the
destiny he had marked out for his avore child His
history directly in point in establishing what said in
the beginning and toughew have passed through such
singular complication Of circumstances in their way,
am fully assured that his in all its main and general
features, 10 the history of thousands.
said he apprentced 10 a merchant it was Mr..
Nlarkley his master esteemed him highly and placed in
INN unlimited confidence. For alittle while he
oered the KIND amoniton of his faithful father, and be-
soWeu great care Oh The matter of selecting company;
was conscientious the discharge of every DUTY and
tired as wen as he able "avod the appearance of
evil" One day, however, he went to a neighborng
store moment 10 see Dung gentleman and
borrowed hook His friend very politely drew glass
OF VINE from of e casks and pressed him to drink
he did so and departed.
he next day the same person stepped in 10 see him
he happened 10 be aloncand the strong desire not TO
be behind hand with his new neighbor oyercame the
scrupleS OF conscience, and be treated in
glass OF VINE. In the hurry be did not stop the liquor
properly. His master came in saw The neglect and
loY bppp The tpins
cask! IL was an awful moment TO him; he durst
pause 10 think; he yielded to another temptations and
answered Tembingy, mo! sir, have not" The old
gentleman looked at him searchingv, then turned and
stopped the liquor tisht himself.
lie next morning tie young gentleman step
ped INTO the store and asked Mr. NJ 10 sell him cask
Oh such VINE as Montgomery had given him the even
ing before Mr.. M. looked at Montgomery again, as
TO say, tell the truth time. The exposure was
too humilatiug for the youth TO bear lie saw his
TREND and entreaed him to tell MIR. M. he drew the
WINE himself His friend laughed and told him lie would
for an oyster supper. The bargain was struck he ac
quilted Montgomery in Mr.. NIarkeys eyes, but the
poor boy was destitute of money. lie bad already ia
ken some few steps aside. lie took another and re-
sorted to hIs masters money drawer for the money to
meet the expense OF the supper he had promised.
While he sal 10 the cellar TO which they had repaired
gaming board was produced, and he asked to
play LOT a small sum. The thought struck him there
was chance To win the he had taken from his
master and return it. He played and lost. He PLAYED
again and aGain--but still he lost.
clloI was now Oh an alarming character he
came desperate; lie took further sums from the counter
which were necessary 10 pay what he borrowed and
LOST 1t was Tnised he himself liable to be disco
vered and ruined and resolved at single effort to re-
rleve his character By procuring the deficient and
depositIng IT somewhere where it might 10 have
been overlooked.
He rose, late al night entered the store, took two
hundred dollars, and went 10 gambling house, where
he was confident be could the money lie lost il eve
ny cent. The morning came; Mr.. NJ happened not 10
examine the drawer which contained the money him
self and at ten o'clock he told Montgomery to carry it
10 Bank.
Mr. Markey had large deposit in another bank and
the infatuated youth drew check on that bank for
SZOO signed his masters name to it, presented it, and
was detected He confessed the whole affair when it
was too late. He had intended to deposit the money
lost and depended upon chance to conceal his crime vet
little while.
Poor follow! saw him once afterwards and with .
tear IN his eye graspng my hand he said 81 am going
TO the state prison for six penDy glass of winen al
ludlng to the first he committed and which led 10
all the rest