Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-01-27
PROGRESS OF ERROR.


and probably the worst man that ever lived can
recollect the time when he shuddered, and he
STATED at the idea Of committing small offence
Truth should be often impressed on The young
-say TO them "avoid the appearance oil esli,
for every time you deliberately do wrong
thing you pour dose OF poison into the
heart, which will tend TO destroy conscience,
and break down the principles Of virtue, you
ough, TO cherish.
The traveller who put up al the old sign OF
Gen. Wayne, in Alesbury, some II or IL years
ago, | promise you, did no, leave that house
without shaking hands with, and praising some
what, Montgomery Rosco, the inkeeper's son,
as fine little boy as ever blessed parent with
the full bIossoning Of early promises. He was
so obedient to bis parents, SO attentive aud re-
spectful 10 strangers, so kind and invariably po-
lite 10 every one, and with all, he learned so
smart at school, that every enc loved and adj,
mired him.
Few Youths ever left home with fairer pros.
poets and with better character than did Mont
geometry, when al the aye Of Is, he was sent to
Philadelphia aud put under the care oil busi~
ness doing merchant, that he might get an IN
sight into the business, as would justify his
father in setting him up in store IN Alesburv,
for this was the destiny he had marked out Tor
his favorite child. His history i, directly In
point in establishing what said al the begin
ming; and though few may have passed through
as singular complication OF circumstances IN
their way, | am fully satisfied that his, In all
its main and general features, Is the hi''ory II
thousands.
sold he was apprentced 10 merchan II
was MIR Markley; his mas;er esteemed him
highly and placed in him unlimited confidence.
For little while he remembered the kind sG-
moni,ious Of his faithful father of selecting
company-was conscientious in the discharge
Of every duty-and tried, as well as he was
able, to avoid he appearance OF evil. One day,
however, he went 10 neighbouring store
moment 10 see young gentleman and return a
borrowed book His friend, very politely, drew
a glass of wine from one Of the casks. and
pressed him to drink-he did so and departed.
The mex; day the same person stepped to see
him, he happened 10 be alone; and the strong
desire not to be behind hand with his new neigh
Dor, overcame the scruples Of conscience; and
he treated him in turn 10 a glass OF wine. In
the hurry Of The moment, he did not stop the
liquor properly. His master came in-saw
the neglect, and inquired -"Montgomery, have
,ou hem AZ the wine cask?" Ii was an awful
moment 10 him, he dare no, pause TO thnk-he
Welded to another temptation and answered
,remblibgly, "no sir l have not" The old
gentleman looked at him most sesrchingy-
then turned and stopped the liquor light him
self.
The next morning the same young genlle-
man stepped into the store aud asked MIR. VI
TO seIl him a cask Of such wine as Mortgom' y
had given him the evening before. NJ. NJ.
looked at Montgomery again, a. If 10 tell the
truth next time. The exposure was too hur.i-
lialing for the high spirited youth TO hear He
saw his friend and enIrea,ed him to ;eii Mr.
M. that he drew the wine himself His friend
laughed aud told him he would for an oyster
supper. The bargain was strlck-he acquitted
Montgomery in Mr.. Markley's eyts; but the
poor boy was destitute Of money He had al
ready taken some long steps aside. He took
another, and resorted to his masters drawer
for money TO meet the expense Of the suppe:
he had promised.
While they sat in the cellar TO which they
had repaired, gaming board was produced;
and he was asked to play for small sum. The
thought struck him that there was a chance to
win the money he bad taken from his master,
and return il. He played and lost. He played
again and again. still he LOST.
His error was now Of an alarming character.
He became desperate--he took the further sums
from the counter, which were necessary to pay
what he borrowed and lost. 1t was missed
he saw himself liable TO be discovered and ruin
ed, ana reSOiNeQ at W
his character, bv procuring the sum deficient,
and depositing it somewhere where it might
seem to have been overlooked.
He rose, late at night-eu,ered the store,
took two hundred dollars and went 10 gam
bling house, where he was confident he could
win the money. He lost every cent. The morn
ing came-Mr. M. happened no: 10 examine
the drawer which had contained the money
himself; aud al ten o'clock told Montgomery
to carry it to the old bank, Mr.. Markiey had
4 large deposit in another bank, and the infat
uaied youth drew a check for 5000; signed his
masters name to il, presented it; and was de-
tecled. He confessed the whole affair when il
was too late: he had intended 10 deposiie the |
money he thus attempted to draw in lieu Of
the money lost, and depended on chance to COLI |
ceal the crime yet liiile longer.
Poor fellow, saw him once afterwards, and
with tear in bis eye, and graspiog my hand
he said-"I am going 10 The safe prison, for !
sixp glass; Of wire"-akuding 10 tn. FIRST
error n, had committed and which had led to
oil the rest.