Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-11-04

for gaming. settled in a thriving village in
Tennessee, and commenced the practice OF
my profession under nattering auspices, and
my first appearance in a criminal court was
highly complimented, and soon became
known throughout the circuit. Things went
on thus Tor more than year, and believed
myself fairly on the road to fame and fortune
| occasionally played cards; but | consoled
myself with the idea that only played with
gentlemen for amusement
One night accompanied some young men
to gaming shop, and for the first time in my
lille, saw Faro Bank. My companions
commenced betting, and was induced to Join
them-although did not understand the
game. Again Iplayed with success and
when we LETT the house was more than two
hundred dollars winner None of my COM
panions had been fortunate, and it was insist
ed that was the lucky man, and that must
treat We accordingly repaired to my room,
where l ordered wine, and before we broke
up we were all deeply intoxicated. With me
1t was the first time, and the next day resolv-
ed that would never play cards again.
adhered to the determination for nearly three
months, when ] again yielded to the entrea-
ties of my dissipated associates
lnow played with varied success, and i'm
all cases found an excuse for resorting to the
wine bottle. If | lost, drank to drown sor-
row; if | won ! treated my good fortune.-
Thus progressed upon my downward course,
until drinking and gambling became my chief
employments. All my friends who were
worth preserving abandoned me, until my on
ly associates were drunkards and gamblers,
when almost reduced to want, (for had left
OIL buslness) | received letter informing me
of the death of my father-that father who
watched over my early years-who loved me
so tenderly. And did act as an allectonate
child? No. Vice had destroyed the human
feelings ofmy heart, and left only the animal
passions and appetltes, as the letter contained
check for 5000, part of my poor fathers
hard earnings, drowned my grief that night
in Bacchanalan revel, and in few days
was again penniless. | will not dwell upon
the every day scenes of my life, which were
such rs may at all times be witnessed at any
OF the two hundred dram shops of your city,
where wretched men squander the little pit
lance that justly belongs to their suffering
wives and children.
But, to pass on. For nearly three years |
have been drunken wandering outcast Six
months ago | received letter from my dear
mother, enclosing 500, and informing me
| that she was fast sinking with disease, and en-
| treating me with all mothers feeling to
come home and see her Jelore she died; for a
time felt the appeal, and resolved to comply
with her request; and accordingly took pass
age on steam boat for that purpose. For
| two days rcfrained from liquor; but my
thirst became insupportable-at length my
appetite overpowered my better feelings, and
! approached the bar and demanded the liquid
fire. was soon intoxicated, when | madly
sought the gaming table; and before the boat
reached Louisville, was stripped of every
cent Thus, all hopes Of seeing my dying
mother cut OF, remained at Louisville sever
al weeks; in which time | learned that my
mother had died, and that her last breath was
spent in praying for her wretched child
From Louisville shipped on board the
steamer Brazil, as deck hand, and came to
place, where | was discharged for drunken
ness. Let every young man reflect upon this
picture. /, who had moved in the first circles
OF society-had been the guest of distinguish
ed public men, and Il favorite among the lite
rati of the country-was now turned off as
unfit for deck hand on a steam boat! YET
intemperance had done this much.
loitered about this city for several weeks
and was sometimes engaged in posting up thu
books of some dram shop, for which | was
paid III the liquid fire, keptfor the accommo
dation of customers. One evening fell IL
company with man who had lately beer
lodged in jail for passing counterfeit money
We played cards, and won from him tn
three dollar bill in question. The next Gay
learned ii was counterfeit, and did not ofle
: to pass it 70 some days. But at lastI got OF
of all employment. | had no other money
could meet with no one who would ask IN
to drink. My appetite was like raging fiji
within me. | could not endure it. | sougi
a dram shop--oilered the bill--it was accep
d ed; and when found, a few hours after, by tt
: officers of justice, ! was beastly drunk.
y The evidence of guilt was conclusive; al
n before my brain was clear of the rntoxicati
d fumes, as lodged i'll jail to await my tr
. am now done. have not detained 4
e Court with any hope or wish that clemens
!, would be extended TO my case But with
u hope that my example may he a warning
u other young men-that those who hear
&c may, when asked to play q social game
u :, cords or drink SociaI glass, think of my f
and refrain. They may feel themselves
i cure--they may believe they can stop WI
i they please; but let them remember that
az q gued thus until was lost. Here the def
70 dant sunk down and appeared to be very IN,
affected; and for few moments silence rel
- ed throughout the Court House,
III AT length the Judge, who is as much
tlnguished for the qualities of his heart as
We is for learning as a Judge, proceedcdin b
ny but appropriate manner to- pass sentence
O. on the defendant, putting his punishment
a. D..