The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-11-16


81 SHALL with the indulgence of the Court
give brief narrative ofmy life, with a hopC
that those young men around me may takC
warning by If, and avoid the rock upon which
have split. Twas born of respectable parent.
in the State of New Jersey, and during my
childhood received every attention that fonC
parents could bestOw upon an only son. 1t wa,
carly discovered that had 4 fondness forbooks
and my father, although in limited circumstan
ces, determined TO give me liberal education
| wassent TO high school in the neighborhood
and such was my progress that, at twelve years
Of age, my preceptor declared me qualified fol
college, and accordingly entered one of the
Oldest universities of the country. Here | SC
distinguished myself that, at the age Of SIX
teen, | graduated with the second honors OF
the institution, and returned home with the bril-
liant prospects of success that lay before me-
| soon after commenced The study Of law, and,
when only in my twentieth year, obtained
licence to practice.
"Acting upon the advice of friends, deter
mined to Try my fortcees in the West. l ac-
cordingly arranged my affairs for departure
carly in the fall or 1888. will not detain
you with an account my separation from
those held most dear; suffice to say that |
received the blessings of my parents, and in re-
turn promised faithfully and honestly to avoid
all bad company, as well as their vices. Had
kept my promise, should have been saved
this Shame, and been free from the load of
guilt that hangs around me continually, like
d hendish vulture, threatening 10 drag ME 10
justice for crimes Is vet unrevealcd. But, to
return: left my early home, where all had
been Sunshine, and whore my pathway had
been strcwn with flowers, TO Try my fortune
among strangers, and TO try my strength in
buffet lg the storms and tempests of the world.
"With light heart looked forward 10 the
future, and, taking the usual route, | soon
reached Wheeling, where | took passage on
boat for Louisville. On the boat game Of
cards was proposed for amusement, and, al
though had promised faithfully to avoid such
things, still, argued 10 myself, there was no
harm in playing game for amusement.
accordingly, joined the party, and VIC
kept up the amusement most OF the way down.
After we left Cincinnati it was proposed TO bet
4 Bit game, merely, as it was said, TO make
it interesting My first impression was 10 leave
the table, but was told il was only a bit, that
could not lose more than one OF two dollars.
This argument prevailed; for lacked moral
courage 10 do what was right. feared my
companions would say | was stingy Of a little
money. Influenced by these feelings, | played;
and, as the Gltcs would have it, won. Be
fore we had reached Louisville we had twice
doubled the stake, and found my luck ena-
bled me TO pay my passage out cfmy winnings.
Il was the first time ever had bet money. ard
my success ruined me. Again played, and
Vas again successful and, in short, conln-
ned 10 play for amusement until had acquired
4 thirst for gambling. Isottod in thriving
village in Tennessee, and commenced the
practice my profession under fattering au-
spices, and my FIRST appearance in criminal
court was highly complimentcd. and soon
became known throughout the circuit. Things
went on thus for more than a year,and beliey-
cd myself fairly on the read TO fame and for
tune. | occasionally played cards, but con-
soiod myself with the idea that only played
with gentlemen for amusement.
Gone night accompanied some young men
to a gambling shop, and, for the first time in
nv life. saw Il faro bank. Ny companions
commenced betting, and | was induced 10 Join
them. Although | did not understand the
game, again played with success; and, when
we left the house was more than two hundred
dollars winner. None Of my companions had
been fortunate, and it was insisted that was
the lucky man, and that | must treat. We
accordingly repaired 10 my room, where or
dered wine. and before we broke up We were
all deeply intoxicated. With me it was the
first time, and the next day resolved that |
would never play cards again. l adhered TO
the determination for nearly three months,
when | again Welded TO the entreaties of my
dist }ated associates.
II now played with varied success, and in
all cases found an excuse for resorting to the
wine bottle. If lost, l draak to drown sorrow
! if won, treated my good fortune. Thus
progressed upon my downward course, until
drinking and gambling became my chief EN-.
Payments. AL my friends who were worth
preserving abandoned me, until my only asso.
ciates were drunkards and gamblers when
almost reduced 10 want, (for | had left off bu-
! siness,) received letter, informing me Of the
death Of my father-that father who watched
over my early years, who loved me so tender
! ". And did | act as an affectionate child p
No. Vice had destroyed the human feeling:
of nv heart, and left only the animal passions
and appetites as the letter contained check
for $500. part of my poor fathers hard ear.
nings, drowned my grief that night in BAG
chanaian revel, and in few days | was again
pennylcss. will not dwell upon the every
day scenes of my life, which were such a:
may at all times be witnessed at any of the
two hundred dram shops of your city, where
wretched men squander the little pittance thai
justly belongs to their suffering wives and chill
dren.
'But to pass on. For nearly three years
have been drunken, wandering outcast. ST,
months ago received letter from my dea
mother, enclosing 800, and informing me
that she was fast sinking with disease, and en-