Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-08-12

lure me, nor Hell sufficient terrorS TO deter.
The will was enchained TO a tyraIt who
never said, enough Butin imprisonment,
the manacles which bound my body set
set my spirits free.
The unnatural cravings Of the stomach
gradually subsidized with Inc disuse of spir-
In the haunts of dissipation the mind
may be baniShed from himself; but in the
cell ola prison, who can avoid revolving in
his mind the variety ofcauses which con-
spircd TO rivet his letters! Who will not
nqure-At what period of life did com
mence the construction of this gloomy a
bode? When did ] lay the first iounda-
ton? On what anvil did forge the bolts
and bars! From what quarries did OBJ
tain materials for the wall? Through what
means did provide aud adapt the various
materials of the building, until, at length /
came forward with the last key stone to the
arch! Why am doomed like The OK, to
toll FOR another! Was | not "born free as
Cpsar2v Why then have "sold myself
for nought!"-Alas! while can trace the
source Of my present wretchedaess and ru-
m 10 the inlaluating effects of ardent spirits
| am constrained to add that il has blasted
the fauest hopes. | entered upon the active
scene of life, without friends patrimony, or
connexions, al the age Of sixteen; and tho
the four years Immediately preceding were
passed IN active labor, yet works OF liiera-
ture and philosophy were my companions
in the field; and at that period, ! anticipa-
ted Literary career--When parental pro-
lection was removed, ] exchanged the axe
for my pen. My first essays were publish
ed in an obscure village paper, aud ] had
the qualification of seeing them reprinted
in popular journals. At seventeen re.
moved to one of our Atlantic Cities, where
the editorial department of daily paper
was committed temporarily TO my charge,
during the sickness gifts proprietor There
although an entire stranger, and almost
without resources, / succeeded in acqulr-
ing the friendship of some literary men.
Perhaps they were willing TO accept my
homage to science, in the place ofproiound
knowledge. The friendship Of such men
was worth more than the patronage Of the
rich 1t opened wider sphere Of action,
and at twenty three, having visited Europe,
! found myself proprietor Of an ample for
inuc, exclusively the production of tie pen.
But before this period, the seeds OF destruc-
ton had been sown, and they now began
to take Shortly after entering the
city d, ATTACHED myselfto sever
al clubs Of wits, "frco and easy" associa-
tons; but soon found that a cornwall C.
vening drew heavily upon the morning
of the succeeding day. AT length the
morning bitter was called for, 10 chase A.
way the cnam arising from the midnight
dcbauch. This impaired the relish for
breakfast Coffee came insipid-appelte
Tor food diminished. The biters in the
morning required a reloInder at eleven, ~
surreioindcr at one. And It was not until
( | frequently found myself in a state Of IN
toxication and Somo of my friends began
TO whisper, this is the road TO rum" that
\ first suspected mysclfo Of being rcprehcn-
sibly Incorporate. had completely Gu
tered the camp Of the enemy, before dis
covered Inc presence of danger. Every
effort to rcirace my steps were IN VAN;
The only avenue OF escape was barred as
lby a giant-by burnings and cravings,
unsuitable as the grave. Every III Of ~
temperance operated upon my constitution
with more than ordinary force; il led TO dis
tracing frenzy, and extravaganza cycesses.
My friends could weep; and yet wanted
resolution TO dash the fatal poison from my
lips. Unwilling TO blast every prospect,
in city still dear to my recollection,
removed TO another under tho vaiH Hope
that a change of place might lead to a
change of habit.
! From that period until the commence.
menl ofmy present Imprisonment, 10 1871,
an interval Of eleven years, have floaicd
over the SUFFICE of the world, without any
settled purpose Of life, and there IS scarce
a section il two empires, IN which have
not temporarily resided. My sources were
soon exhausted, and | found the necessity
Of adopting some meaus for livelihood.
/ have been the preccptor of a school in ID
different villages and neighborhoods; have
conducted the editorial department OF eight
different newspapers, 10 three ofwhicI, my
name was attached; and have worked as a
mechanical printer in thirty or forty differ
ent Offices. But so completely had tie
desire of spurious liquor acquired The as
cendancy, than the earnings Of month
were not unfrequently squandercd 10 a
week; and it was never til my pockets
were enpiied, that | lett the tavern, or gro
Gerry, in quest Of employment. But an
empty purse was the least Of Oh lie owls