Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-11-02

coasting along shore, it was frequently touno
necessary to tow through the floating ice, which
was done BY skin boats, rowed by the native wo-
men, who were also very useful 10 providing ar,
ticles Of clothing for the crew. The winter had
set in very severely previous to the departure
Of the Maria Eliza.
Eva effects of Gaming.-A correspondent OF
the Richmond Compiler. furnishes that paper an
account of the ruin which he had brought upon
himself by yielding to this seductive vice, and
gives the history of two more cases of the same
sort We insert the account Of his own case (says
the Compiler.) and for the truth OF 1t the reader
will be content to take his own author'ty-and
brief statement Of the first Of the other two, for
the correctness Of which he refers TO Mr. Nm.
Howiet, at whose house the person boarded du-
ring his stay in that city.
was born in the country Of Orange, in the
wear 1898, my parents died when was between
10 and 90 years of age, and on division OF the
estate, after selling off all that belonged it, the
portion which tell to my share was S8275 S6,which
the Executor paid me in cash and bonds. in the
22nd year Of my age. My first object was to
turn my bonds into cash, and then to get me d
wife, both of which | accomplished in the 25d
year of my age, having married the eldest daugh-
ter Of Mr.. -, of the county Of Spot'sylvana,
~ho a few weeks after gave me check on the
Bank of Virginia for IS. ZOO, knowing it was my
intention to locate myself in this place Tor the
purpose Of engaging in merchandise. This ad.
ded, TO what remained Of nv oun legacy, made
me capital Of 81 $50, with which opened as
thought, splendid Grocery, and soon co'nmen-
ced selling very rapidly; but unfortunately Tor
me trusted too much out in the country, and
neglected my collections until found myself
getting behind hand. This at first caused me
many restless nights. but was soon relieved by
some good friends who advised me to drown dull
care in a glass Of brandy, which determined TO
try. | then commenced making my daily visits
to an Oyster House, where I met many friends
Cor those who pretended TO be SUCH by whom
was very soon invited from thence to Faro
Bank The first night won S25, which relie-
we'd my mind very much, thinking it wonld BAL
ance my brandy account then determined that
would go no more. but had got so fond Of run
ming to the Oyster House every day. that |
found it impossible to break off; particularly as
1t afforded temporary autidute to the Blue De-
wis.
So continued my visits, until my brandy &c.
count had got so large that determined to try
my luck afterwards again. [ set out, and about
2 O'Clock the next morning settled up and found
myself $40 gamer, which did not pay the bran
dy account; but had no donbt that few nights
more should balance it and have some to spare.
In this way | became regular visitor to those
hels, almost every night, leaving a sick wife at
home in bed, until l found | had lost several
thousand dollars, which | knew must ruin me
unless could win it back. Buoyed up with the
hope Of doing so. continued my visits until l
found that all the goods had left would not pay
my just debts; so determined to sell out
The proceeds of my sale, with all debts due,
left me behind hand abou' ea-----ral days OF
Bah aiht Hi tneeu6u. determined unknown to my
wife, for the purpose OF raising stake TO 60
to Faro again, To make a conditional sale to
a negro buyer. of a favorte house maid given
her nv her la,her. and by this means got the
sum of $500. And off went to Faro again,
and before the next morning had not one dollar;
in consequence | was compelled, the next day.
to confirm the sale Of the girl; and when she
was taken from the house, the distress it coca
stoned my poor wife and children would have al
most brought tears from the ewes OF a savage.
| determined then to end my existence by
dose Of laudanum, and bought an ounce tor that
purpose; but nv heart failed me, and threw It
away, determined to try and reform, tor the sake
of nv dear wife and children, whom l had
brought TO besgary by my imprudence, and who
are now dependent on her father for their daily
bread.
But with all my i'll fate, have the consolation
Of rejecting that | have seen the error OF my
ways During the time was in the habit Of vi.
sitting the Faro Bank, youth from the county OF
Gloucester was sent up here BY his father to sell
the only little negro boy he had, for the purpose
Of discharging an execution against him. 10 try.
ing to effect sale, he fell in with some Black
Legs, who kindly offered to assist him in doing
So. This offer he accepted, and sale vas soon
made. He was then taken to an OYSTER House
and treated, and from thence to Faro Bank,
where he was swided out Of every cent. He
then sold his horse. saddle and bride. and re.
turned to the Faro Bank, and they swindled him
out Of that. They then started him home foot,
and on reaching his fathers house, he found the
Old man IN the field at work. This was more
than he could stand, and he deliberately took
down a rifle and shot the ball through his own
head. The first know ledge the father had Of his
return, was the sight OF his ifeless body