Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-03-18
MORAL.
For the Lancaster Gazette.

portion of your paper will be open Tor stric-
lures upon the follies, vices, and depravities
of mankind, send you the following for in
sertion, if it should be deemed worthy
place.
AS was passing along in the street !
met man in middle life, bending apparently
under the weight of much more advanced
age. He was clad in the garb of penury
and want. His features wore the air of dis
content, mingled with hopelessness and dis
appointed expectations. His gait was that
of man of seventy, for he rather tottered
than walked. His whole appearance, man
ner, and conduct indicated the extreme Of
wretchedness and woe. His eyes no longer
beamed forth the vigour of manhood, but
seemed to bear strong evidence ola complete
prostration of physical and mental energy.
| turned from him and passed on, when |
met another person of whom inquired who
and what that man was whom | had just
passed. He accordingly gave ms the fol-
lowing affecting relation -
"That man." said he, "but fifteen years
ago was young man of as great promise as
any in the village where he resided. He
was active, Industrious, and prudent in all
his expenditures. He was also discreet in
his department, and sustained fair, moral
character. Unfortunately, however, about
ten years since, he entered into contest
with one of the most deadly enemies to hui
man happiness and human prosperity. The
enemy to whom / allude was combined of a
host OF er1 spirits, under the popular names
of Rum, Gin, and Brandy. They had many
other aids in their service, less powerful and
influential to be sure, who composed advance
guards and skirmishing parties. With these
adventurous spirits that man, very foolishly.
undertook to wage war. At first his strength
was so great that'the struggle wore the ap-
pearance of doubtful character; and al
though these enemies sometimes obtained a
victory over him, yet he so manfully defend
ed himself that there were great hopes that
he would finally have obtained decisive
victory over them.
Gin this state of the contest his enemies
received from the empire of gambling an
additional force, under the immediate COM
mand of the tyrant, Gambler himself This
artful tyrant Immediately laid siege to the
hero of my story; and so artfal and cunning
were his attacks that very soon he made him
his prisoner. Nosooner did his old enemies
discover the advantage that Gambler had
obtained over him than they again attacked
him with redoubled zeal and vigour. ltnow
became a most furious contest: in fact, a
war Of determination. Many pitched bat
tie has he fought with these determined foes,
and sometimes came off victorious; but nine
times out of ten he was Frustrated in the
dust by their superior strength and cunning.
These defeats often induced him to resolve
to keep out of their way, and thus avoid so
unequal contest. Whenever this was the
case Gambler and other emissaries were
dispatched to lure him from his safe retreat.
And so winning faces would these artfll
fellows put on, that they seldom failed of
success. AS soon, therefore, as he again
appeared within pistol shot o. his enemies
they piled him with SO continued and we'll
directed fire that he had not the least chance
lot escape. Thus he continued this fearful
combat till about six years since, when he
surrendered himself voluntary prisoner.
and has been in confinement ever since.
True, he is permitted sometimes to walk
abroad and attempt to do something in the
busy world; but so watchful are his enemies
over him that they very soon again have him
in chains and letters.
Thus, my friend, that man, who was
born to be an useful and ornamental member
OF society, is now reduced to the most abiect
poverty disgrace to himself, his family.
and human nature. So completely lost to
all sense of moral duty has he become that
no one respects, pities, or regards him. He
is barely living monument of the sparing
mercy of God, and the awful fate of all those
who become slaves to those monsters who
now rule over him. HIS fate is not SINGULAR
nor is it uncommon in these degenerate
days. Cast your eyes around you, and see
what vast multitude are MARCHING with
rapid strides the same fatal course! Would
to God could arrest their footsteps, and
turn them back into wisdom's ways, which
alone lead to peace and felicity" So say
ing, my informant left me, when involun-
tarlly exclaimed, "Oh, what misery and
wretchedness do men bring upon themselves
by intemperance! tits like sheet of livid
flre rolling over, scorching. and burnino