Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-10-14
the idea tina, only played with gentle.

Ouc Hfkat hSSuHlpaHitu SoHHc 9Ouhk
men to gaming shop, and, 70. the frs
time 10 my life, saw Faro Bank. Ny
companions commenced betting, and was
induced 10 join them. Although did no,
understand the game. Again played
with success and when We left the house
was more than two hundred dollars win.
ner. None of my companions had beer
fortunate, and il WINS insisted that WINS
The lucky man, and that must treat. VIZ
accordingly repaired to my room, where
ordered wiue, ant before we broke uI
we were all deeply intoxicated. Viii
me i, was the first time, and the next day
resolved that would never play card
again. adhered to the determination
for nearly three months, when | agair
yielded to The entreaties of my dissipatec
associates.
now played with varied success, ant
in all cases found an excuse for resortine
to the wine bottle. Ii i lost, drank tc
drown sorrow; and il won | treated my
good fortune. Thus progress d upon
my downward course, until drinking and
gambling became my chief employmrn,s
A |. my friends who were worth preserving
abandoned me, until my only associates
were drunkards and gamblers. When al.
most reduced to wont, flor ! had left of
busincss) received letter informing me
of the death Of my lather--lhe inther who
watched over my early years--who loved
me SO tenderly. And did act as an af.
fectonate child No. Vice had destroyed
the humane feelings Of my heart, and lett
only the animal passions AMI appet'.es, as
the letter contained check for $500, a
part OF my poor fn,her's hard earnings, |
drowned my grief that night in Baccha-
nalian revel, and in few days was
again penniless. | will not dwell upon
the every day scenes of my life, which
were such as may at all times be witness
ed at any OF the two hundred dram shops
OF your city, where wre,ched men squan-
der tho little pittance that justly belongs
10 their wives and children.
But, to pass on. For nearly three
years have been a drunken, wandering
outcast. Six months ago received a
letter from my dear mother, enclosing
500, and informing me that she was fast
sinking with disease, and entrca.ing with
all mothers feeling, TO come home and
see her before she died. For a time /
felt the appeal, and resolved to comply
with her request; and accordingly took
passage on a steamboat for that purpose.
For two days re(rained from liquor bu,
my thirst became insupportable,- lat length
my appetite overpowered my better feel
ings, and approached the bar and de-
manded the liquid fire. was soon intox-
icated, when madly sought the gaming
table and before the beat reached Lou
isville, was stripped of every cent
Thus, all hopes OF seeing my dying moth
er cut off, remained at Louisville for sew
eral weeks; IN which time ! learned that
my mother had died, and that her last
breath was spent in prayer for her wretch
ed child.
From Louisville shipped on board the
steamer Brazil, as a deck hand, and came
to this place, where was discharged for
drunkenness. Let every young man re-
fleet upon this picture. /, who had moved
in the first circles of society-had been the
guest Of distinguished public men. and q
favorte among the )terati Of our country
was now turned off as unfit for deck
hand on steam boat! YET iDtemperanco
had done this much.
loiiered about this city for several
weeks and was sometimes engaged IN
posting up the books of some dram shop,
for which was paid in the liquid fire,
kept for the accommodation Of customers.
One evening fell in company with a man
who has lately been lodged in Jail for pass
ing counterfeit money. We played cards,
and | won from him the three dollar bill
in question. The next day learned il
was n counterfeit, and did not offer &c
pass it. But at last got out Of all en-
ployment-I could meet no one who would
ask me to drink. My appetite was like
a raging fire within me. could not en-
dure it. ! sought dram shop--offsret
the bill--it was accepted; and when
found, a few hours after, by the officer;
Of Justice, was bea.tly drunk.
The evidence Of guilt was conclusive
and before my brain was clear Of the in
tOXIcatDb IuHleS, L Wuo iouRcu w JAN "
await my trial. am now done. have
not detained the Court with any hope OF
wish that clcmency would be extended tc
my case: But with hope that my exam
PIE may be q warning TO other young
men-that those who hear me may, wher
asked to play social game of cards o.
drink a social glass, think Of my fate ant
refrain. They may feel themselves Sc
cure-they may believe they can stoI
when they please; but let them remem'
Der that argued thus until was lost
I Here the defendant sank down and ap'
peared to be very much affected; and fol
a few moments silence reigned Throughout
the Court House.
A, length the Judge, who is as much
distinguished for the qualities Of his heail
as he is for learning as Judge, proceeu-
ed in brief but appropriate manner 70
pass sentence upon the defendant putting
his punishment in the Penileniiary Gown
TO the shortes, time allowed by law.
AN EyAsIvE ANSWER" Wen, Tat,
Ala Won present that bill for payment,