Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-11-19
WARNING TO YOUNG MEN.
ST. LOUIS CRIMINAL COURT.
c,TsA srHV - ftr mrs ~ IN ~ n {

The defendant in this case was probably
wenty- eight years Of age, but more the APP /
,earance ofthirtyfivc. He had evidently once
been 6ne-looking F; in stature he was some
hing over six feet, strongly-marked features
and prominent forhead gave evidence Of
more than ordinary intellect. But you could
clearly discover that he had become prey
to the monster, incompetence the mark Of
the beast was stamped upon his countenance,
which gave it vivid and unnatural grace.
He was placed in the box with others who
were to he arraigncd upon the indictments
preferred against them. All others had plead
not guilty, las is usal) and day was set for
their trial. The defendant was told to stand
up, and the clerk read 10 him the indictment,
which charged mm with having, on the 10Th
day of August passed to one Patrick Oneal
a counterfeit bill, purporting 10 be issued by
the I'd Municipality Of the City Of New Or
leans for the sum Of three dollars and upon
being asked the question, guilty or not guity7
he replied, guilty, guilty !" Then, turn
ing to the court, he remarked that, as this was
the last timc he ever expected to appear in
court, he would be glad If he could be allow
ed 10 make few remarks. The Judge told
him to proceed. After pause, in which he
was evidently endeavoring to calm his feel
ngs, he proceeded as follows:-
i May it please the Court-In the remarks
shall make, will not attempt to extnuate my
crime or ask at your hands any sympathy in
passing sentence upon me. know that have
!, violated the laws of my country, and Justly de-
, serve punishment ; nor would recall the past
: or dwell upon the bitter present, for my own
sake. A wish to do good for others is my only
, motive.
e shall with the indulgence ofthe court, give
brief narrative of my life,wth hope that those
!. young men around me may take warning by it
i and avoid the rock upon which have split.
T was born Of respectable parents, in the State
= of New Jersey, and during my childhood, recei.
we'd every attention that fond parents could be-
d stow upon an only son. 1t was early discov.
f. cred that had fondness for books, and my
!. father, although in limited circumstances, de.
,. termined to give me liberal education. l was
, sent to high scool in the neighborhood, and
l. such was my progress that at twelve years o.
a age, my preceptnr declared me qua fled for col.
" ege, and according y entered one o the old
est universities of the country. Here SO dis
n inguished myself that, at sixteen, ] graduated
= with the second honors of the institution, ant
?, re'erned home flushed with the brilliant prospe,
!" 10 Of success that lay before me. soon ate
e commenced the study ofaw, and when only il
my twentieth year obtained license to prac
IS tice.
J. Adtng upon the advice of friends, l determn
| p1 n p MI in tho 81 / arcpr1ipr
to y arranged my affairs for departure early in TIN
n fail OF 1888. | will not detain you with an &C
= count of my separation from those | held mos
N lear-sulice it to say, that received the bles
u sings Of my parents, and in return promise
i. faithfully and honestly to avoid all bad compa
n nv, as well as their vices. Had | kept M
I'd promise, should have been saved this shame
and been free from the lead of guilt that hang
rs around me continually, like the fiendish vulture
q threatening to drag me to justice, for crimes a
as yet unrevealed. Bu', 10 return, left my ca,
ly home, where all had been sunshine an
IN where my pathway had been strcwed wit
y, flowers, to try my fortune among strangers, an
~ to try my strength in buiittng the storm an
ed tempest Of the world. it'll a light heart
O. looked forward to the future and taking tn
- usual route soon reached Wheeling, where
" took passage on boat for Louisville. On III
>" boata game of cards was proposed for amusee
mcnt, and although had promised faithfully
ed avoid such things, still, argued to myself, Their
was no harm in PLAYING game for amusemen
n Accordingly, joined the party, and we keE
" I'D the amusement most of the way down. Al
4. ter we left Cincinnati, it was proposed to bet
1e bit agame, merely, as il was said to make il in
I'd terestinp. NV first impression was to leave tn
er table, but was told that it was only bit
,d that could not lose more than one or two de
4. lars. This argument prevailed, for | acke
moral COURAGE to do what was ripht. teare
ir nv companions would say that was stingy of
ne little money. Influenced by these feelings,
u, PLAYED, and as the fa,es would have it, | won.-
y Before we reached Louisville, we had twic
I'd doubled the stake, and found nv luck enable
me TO nav nv passage out of nv winnings.
Sc was The first time that had ever bet none,
n and nv success ruined me. AGAIN | playet
-, and was again successful. and. in short cor
$. tinued to play for amusement, until had ae
oured a thirst for GAMING. | settled in thri,
inp village in Tennessee. and commenced III
VS. nroctice If INV nro(ession under A,tteriuo ans
M d, pces and NV first appea rance in a criminal cou