Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-01-09
[From the Richmond Compiler.
CONFESSION OF A GAMBLER.

CONFESSION OF A GAMBLER.
!, l was born in the county of Orange, in
The year 1893; my parents died when ]
was between l9 and 90 years ofage, and
on division OF the estate, after selling off
all that belonged to it, the portion which
fell to my share was SO ,275 80, which the
executor paid me in cash and bonds, in
the 22d year fmy aye. My first object
was to turn my bond into cash, and then
to get me wife, both of which | accom-
plished in the 23d year of my age, hav-
ing married the eldest daughter Of Mr..
=, of the county OF Spottsy lvania, who
n few weeks after gave me a check on
the Bank of Virginia, for $4,000, know
ing it was my intention to locate myself
in this place for the purpose of engaging
in merchandise. This added to what
remained Of my own legacy, made my
capital $40, 800, with which opened,
as | thought a splendid Grocery, and
soon commenced selling very rapidly;
but unfortunately for me, trusted too
much in the country, and neglected my
collections until | found myself getting
behind hand. This at first caused me
many restless nights, but | was soon re-
lieved by some good friends who advised
me to dro~n dull care in glass Of bran
dy, which | determined to try. then
commenced my daily, visits to an oyster
house, where l met many friends, (or
those that pretended to be such) by whom
| was very soon invited from thence to a
Faro Bank. The first night won S25,
which relieved my mind very much,
thinking that it would balance my brandy
account ! then determined that would
60 no more, bnt had got so fond Of
running to the oyster house every day,
that found it impossible to break off;
particularly as it afforded temporary
antidote to the Blue Devils.
So | continued my visits, until my
brandy account had got SO large that
:, determined to try my luck afterwards
gain. set out, and about two O'Clock
the next morning settled up and fount
mys self S o gamer, which did not pay the
brandy account; but had no doubt tha
a few nights more should balance
n, and have some to spare. In this way,
became irregular visitor to those hells al
most every night, leaving a sick wifi
!, home in bed, until had lost severa
thousand dollars, which knew must ri
in me unless | could win it back. Buoy
ed up with the hope Of doing so, / con
tinued my visits unt, found that all tn
goods had left would not pay my lu:
debts; so | determined to sell out. Ih
proceeds Of my sale, with all the deb
due, left me behind hand about SO ,5O'
and how to pay this knew not; but a
ter several days of painful reflection,
determined unknown to my wife, for tn
purpose of raising a stake, to 60 to Fal
ms again, to make conditional sale to a NJ
ms gro buyer, of a favorite house-maid gi'
en- by her father, and by this means g
the sum of $500 And eff went to +
nd ro again, and before the next mornir
had not one dollar; in consequence W
y compelled, the next day, to confirm Il
sale of the girl; and when she was TAX
from the house, the distress it occasio
ed my poor wife and children, wor
have almost brought tears from the ey
Of a savage.
determined then to end nv existen
by dose of laudanum, and bought
ounce for that purpose, but my heart ia
ed me, and | threw it away, dctermln
to try and reform, for the sake of my DE-
wife and children, whom had brou.
to beggary by my imprudence, and "
are now dependant on her father for tn
daily bread.
But with all my III fate, | have
,... consolation of rejecting that have Sc
' the error of my ways. During the Il
| was in the habit Of visiting the r
Bank, youth from the county Of q
cester was sent here by his father to
the only little negro boy he had; for
purpose of dlscharging an execution
gainst him. In trying to effect 81
he fell in with some OF the Black lie
who kindly offered to assist him in do
so. This offer he accepted, and a :
was soon made. He was then takeI
an oyster house and treated, and ii
thence to Faro Bank, where he
swindled out of every cent. lie 4
sold his horse, saddle and bride,
returned to the Faro Bank and the sy
died him out Of that. They then sta
him home on foot, and on reaching
fathers house he found the old ma
work. This was more than he C,
stand, and he deliberately took dow
rifle and shot a ball through his
head. The first knowledge the ia
had of his return, was the sight u