Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-10-14

with peculiar force and drectness, end il
| is for their benefit that We repeat through
our columns the voice of warning which
il utters:
ST. LOUIS CRIMINAL COURT.
GRepoued for TIE Pennanf,l
Stotr, lndctment for pass
augustus Y. Jou-.. money.
The defendant in this case was, proha-
bly,, tweniy-cight years of age, but wore
the appearance Of Mt least thirty FIVE. -
He had evidently once been fine looking
man in stature he was something over
six feet, and his strongly marked features
and prominent forehead gave evidence OF
more than ordinary intellect. But you
could clearly discover that he had become
a prey to the monster lntempeTsnce-the
mark of the beast was stamped upon his
countcnance, which gave il hvid and
unnatural glare. He was placed in the
box, with others who were TO be arraigned
upon the indictments preferred against
them. All the others had plead not guilty,
as is usual) and day was set for their
up, and the clerk rcud to him the indict-
ment which charged him with having, on
the 10Th day Of August, passed 10 ore
Patrick Oneal, a counterfeit Bill purport
Jog 70 be issued by the Cd Municipality of
the city Of New Orleans, for the sum Of
three dollars; and upon being ask; the
question, guilty or not guilty he replied,
: guilty guiltyv Then, turning to the
court, he remarked that, as this was the
last time he ever expected to appear in
codrt, he would be glad if he could be al
lowed to make few remarks. The judge
told him 10 proceed. After pause, in
which he was evidently endea, uring to
calm his feelings, he proceeded as follows:
May il please the Court-ln the re.
marks | shall make, will not attempt to
extenunte 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 deserve
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.
shall, with the indulgence Of the court,
give brief narrative Of my life, with
hope that those young men around me
may take warning by it, and avoid the
rock upon which have split. was born
of respectable parents, in the State of New
Jersey, and during my childhood, recev.
every attention that fond parents could
bes,ow upon an only son. II was early
discovered thu, had iondncss for books,
and my father, although IN limited circum.
stances, determined TO give me a liberal
education. | was sent to high school
in the neighborhood, and such was my
progress. that at twelve years Of age, my
precep,or declared me qualified for col.
Iege, and accordingly entered one OF the
odes, universities Of the country. Here
so distinguished myself that, AT sixteen,
graduated with the second honors of the
institution, and returned home flushed with
the brilliant prospect Of success that lay
before me. | soon commenced the study
Of law, and when only in my twentieth
year, obtained license to practice.
Acting upon the advice of friends, de.
termined 10 try my fortunes in the west.
accordingly arranged my affairs for de-
par,urc enrly ia the fall Of 1888. will
not detain you with an account of my Sc.
paration from those held most dear
suffice 10 say, that received the blessings
of my parents, and in return, promised
faithfully and honestly TO avoid all bad
company, as well as their vices. Had !
kept my promise should have been saw
ed THIS shame, ard been free from the load
of guilt that hangs around me continually,
like fiendsh vuture, threatening 10 drag
inc 10 justice, for crimes as yet uureveal-
ed. But 10 return, left my early home,
where all had been sunshine and where my
pathway had been strewed with flowers, to
try my fortune among strangers, and to try
my strength in buff ting the storms and
tempest Of tho world. With light heart
| looked forward TO the future and TAX.
ing the usual route soon reached Wheel
ing, where took passage on a boat for
Louisville. On the boat game of cards
was proposed for amusement, and although
| | had promised faithfully to avoid such
things, still argued to myself, there was
no harm in playing game for amuse-
ment.
Accordingly, ] joined the party, and we
kept up the amusement most of the way
down. After we left Cincinnati, it was
proposed to bet bit game, merely, as
it was said, to make it interesting. My
| first impression was to leave the table, but
was told that il was only bit-that
tcould not lose more than one or two dol
lars. This argument prevailed, for
lacked moral courage to do what was
right. feared my companions would say
was s,ingy Of little money. lnfuenc-
ed by these feelings, | played and, as
the iates would have it, won. Before we
reached Louisville, we had twice doubled
the stake, and found my luck enabled
me to pay my passage out Of my winnings.
|, was the first time ever had bet money,
and my success ruined me. Again |
played, and was again successful and in
short, continued to play for amusement.
until had acquired thirst for gaming.
| settled in thriving village in Fennes-
see, and commenced the practice OF my
profession under fattering auspices, and
my first appearance in criminal court