, 1841-12-11
MISCELLANEOUS.
Young men, beware Of Gambling and
Intemperance.

men of our country. Will they reflect upon
them, and sin the days Of their youth" en-
due themselves with virtues noble and strong
enough to resist all vicious temptations?-
Recently at St. Louis. AugustuaNkages, a
young man Of high hopes and et,ainnents
was arraigned before the Criminal Court OF
that city for passing counterfeit money
He plead "guiIty," and after obtaining per-
mission of the court, made the following ap-
peal to the young men who composed a part
OF the crowded and listening auditory
"May it please the Court. in the remarks
| shall make. / will not attempt to ~extenuate
my crime or ask at your hands any sympa-
thy in passing sentence upon me. | know
that have violated the laws of my country.
and Justly deserve punishment; nor would !
recall the past. or dwell upon the bitter pre-
sent for my w sake. A wish to do good for
others is my only motive.
shall. with the indulgence of the Court.
give a brief narrative Of my life. with a hope
that those young men around me may take
warning by it, and avoid the rock upon
which | have split. | was born of respec-
table parents. in the State of New Jersey.
and during my childhood. received every al
~tentinn that fond parents could bestow upon
an only son. 1t was early discovered that |
had a fnndness for books. and my father. al
though in limited circumstances, determined
10 give me q liberal education. | was sent
to n high school in the neighhorhood, and
such was my progress, that at twelve years
Of age. my preceptor declared me qualified
for College. ard ! accordingly entered one
OF the oldest universities Of the country
Here | So distinguished mvseli that, at six
teen. ! graduated with the second honors Of
the institution. and returned home. flushed
with the brilliant prospect Of success that lay
before me. soon after commenced the stu
dy of law, and when in my twentieth year,
| obtained license 10 Practice.
Acting upon the advice Of friends, | de-
termined TO try my fortune in the vest
] accordingly arranged my affairs for depar-
ture early in the fall Of 1888. will not de-
tain you with an account of my separation
from those | held most dear-suflice TO saw,
that | received the blessings Of my parents,
and in return. prom sed faithfully ami honest
IN TO avoid all bud company as well as their
vice. Had | kept my promises ] should
have been saved this shame and been free
from the load of guilt that hangs around me
continually. like a fend;sh ~vulture. threaten
ing 10 drag me 10 justice. for crimes as yet
unrevealed. But. to return ] left my on
w home. where all had been sunshine and
where my pathway had been strewed with
flowers. TO try my fortune among strangers.
and 10 try my strength in buffetirg the storms
and tempcsts of the world. With light heart
| looked forward TO the future; and taking
the usual TOUT, | soon reached Wheeling.
where | took passage on a boat for Louis
vile. On the boat n game Of cardsras pro-
posed for amusement, and although | had
promised faithfully to avoid all such things.
still. | argued 10 myself. there was NJ harm
in PLAYING a game for amusement.
Accordingly, | joined the party, and we
kept up the amusement most OF the way
down. After we left Cincinnati, it was pro-
posed 10 bet a bit a game. merely. as it was
said to make the game interesting. My first
IMPRESSION was to leave the table. but ! was
told thai it was only n bit-ihat conld not
lose more than one or two dollars. This ar
cument prevailed, for lacked moral cour-
age to do what was right. ! feared my con-
panions would say that ! was stingy Of a
little money. Influenced by these feelings.
| PLAYED; and, as the iates would have it, |
won. Before we reached Louisville, we had
tu ice doubled the stake, and | found my luck
enabled me to pay my passage out of my
winnings. 1t was the first time ever | had
bet money, and my success ruined me-
Again | played, and was again successful,
and in a short, continued TO play for amuse-
ment, until | had acquired a thirst for gam
ing. settled in a thriving village in Ten
nessee. and commenced the practice Of my