South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-09-26

myself with the reflection, that expert
ence must be paid for. | also made a
solemn resolve never to be guilty of such
foolish act again. kept this resolu
ton unbroken for the space of six months;
yet ''TRY AGAIN you MAY BE MORE FOR
rUrArE," whispered my evil genius. !
obeyed it. bought-drew-bought a.
! gain and was unsuccessful. Previous to
this time, was in good circumstances
and having every prospect of doing well
in this sublunary world, | solicited the
hand of a Miss Amanda Berton, young
lady who long had possessed the tender
| affections of my heart. She was one
- will not, cannot speak Of her as
she WAS. Enough will be said, when l
say she granted my petition. and soon we
had our vows made obligatory at the by
meneal alter. | was much elated with
| my success and my happiness seemed
consu,nmated. 1t was in this felicitous
state that spurned with contempt the
| repeated and almost extorting solicta-
tions to try ONCE MORE my fate in the
haphazard of a lottery ticket. But the
sweet smiles of my lovely Amanda-the
delightful pleasures of my domestic fire.
side-nor the warning voice of my past
| experience. could finally deter me from
again trying my fortune. One evening
left my home, with the intention ofvls-
ting friend, and of returning in about
an hour. My path to my friends house
was past q lottery office. twas brilliant
ly lighted up, and in the window were
tempnngly displayed schemes of chance
and Invitations to purchasers. As lpass-
ed by the office window. my eye caught
gures:-"SiO,o00 will be heard from
tonight. Tickets S." hesitated a
moment, then walked on. "Who knows
but | might get it T" internally said 1.
stopped, turned about and with trembling
limbs entered the office. There found
many efmy old associates. swiftly pass
ing around the full bowls. 1t was not
long before | was presented with tick
ct, paid the sum demanded, and was for
one time, out Of many, fortunate. l left
the office that evening one thousand dol.
lars better offthan when entered. But
where fori For home? MOTOR TA-
yERN ALI went for treat. At mid
night | returned home to my anxious
and seepless wife, in a state of iNTox-
IcATIoN. This was her first expert
enca. \
A week passed and Amanda began to
smile again. The excitement was in
that night, she admitted as an excuse for
my conduct. But she tenderly advised
me--nay. in her prayers, in the stiffness
of our chamber, she implored God to
have me in his keeping, to preserve me
from temptation. A guilty conscience
goaded nae, and once more resolved to
shun the lottery office. My wife was
herself again. Months passed away
charge was introduced to my keeping.
holy charge. was presented with
son. He took his fathers name. Thank
God he will not bear his sorrows--his
shame! 1t was then that l was happy
as man could needs be-. Business pros
pered enjoyed good health, and was
blessed with home where all was peace.
th sals was Mss a sscPst tar Mas @a N.
riches-for the filthy lucre of the world;
and vet was not avarlclous. nor was
parsimonious. But the desire had been
awakened the Unprecedented hope
had been encouraged, that by venturlng
little. much might be had and through
out my lottery gambling, burning tho't
of gain-of gain by lotteries--ag itated
my mind by day and by night. In the
day tine, when pursuing my occupation,
the thought that by venturng few dol
lars might render myself Independent
of labor to allow me to live at case was
first in my mind. strovo to Danish such
unholy desires. but they haunted me like
an evil spirit.
About eighteen months after taking
my oath grand scheme was advertise
ed to be drawn in my own village,
at a day not far distant. | felt a
strong propensity to try my luck a.
gain. | was importuned by friends to
buy tickets, the scheme was so grand,
the chance of success SO great; but |
thought of the oath | had taken, and
was firm and resolute in my denial
The day Of drawing drew nigh. The
vender who sold me the prize urged
me to take a few tickets; | was was
also impartuned by Others to buy, even
in the presence of my wife. But |
resisted. She was silent, she said not
a word; she knew my oath was
pledged she knew that remembered
it and she had confidence in my keep.
/ ing it sacred. She only gave glance
Of pleasure, it may be Of triumph. as
she heard me refuse my friends invita-
tons. That night | dreamed that a
certain number would be fortunate
one that purchased it, and that it
came out to be the high prizs. When
arose in the morning my firmnes was
a little shaken. It was the day OF
drawing. A friend came into my store