Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-06-22

find many imiiators among the Romish clergy
Accept, &c. O. DE F.
A PRODIGAL'S CAREER AND END.
Passing up the East River from the city OF
New York, Just before the traveller enters Long
Island Sound he may be tempted to inquire the
name OF the owner OF a fine house and spacious
grounds, that attract the eye ana by their elegance
and neatness appear TO be in the hands of a man
of taste and wealth. His name is not known to
me, bu, the spot, now the abode of Strangers, is
full Of deep and painful interest as the early home
oil one whose story am about relate
Charles l. was the son Of wealthy man
Of business in the city of New York His parents
were neither of them Christians but their associa-
TONS were chiefly among religious friends, and
their social and domestic relations were governed
by rigid regard to sound monls
Charles was an only son. Nursed on the lap
OF luxury, and IN infancy aud childhood freely in
dulged by the fondness Of tender mother and
father who doated on his boy.
There were some traits of his character that
endeared him TO his parents and friends. Grown
up to youth, full OF spirits and fond of pleasure
Charles was the life of the circle of young com
panons that gathered around him Generous to
a fault, and supplied too freely by his father with
spending money, he had both the disposition and
the means TO indulge himself and others in the
amusemen.s that lay the foundation for future vice.
and spread flowers in the pathway to eternal ruin
Long before he left college, he had distinguish
ed himself far more in the ball room than in his
class and he was far more ambitious 10 obtain
conquests in the halls of fashionable folly than in
the fields Of learning, or the world of fame Pas
sionately fond of dancing, be pursued it with en-
thusiasm at the risk of health and reputation, and
regardless of the kind advice which rejecting
friends wasted upon him.
While Charles was in college, his father pur-
chased the beautiful place the East River to
which have already referred for summer resi-
dence. His winters were passed in the city, and
when Charles came home, with no taste for the
drudgery of professional life. and no fitness for
business he was installed in his fathers counting
room as clerk, spending his days in the forms of
business, aid his evenings in the pursuit OF, and
enjoyment of pleasure
The theatre was his favorite resort Its glare
and glitter, its thrilling excitements and wild
amusements caught his heart, and night after night
he reveled IN ideal scenes OF passionate interest,
TIL he learned TO look with cold Indifference upon
the every-d day realities life about him.
He found his way to the gaming table and with
reckless impetuosly plunged into the vortex which
there opens for the souls Of the young. Not far
from the theatre and the billiard room was the
house of her whose steps take hold on hell. With
madness that deed all restraint, and shut out hope
of his recovery, he abandoned himself to sensual
indulgenccs without shame. and resisted as the
counses OF an enemy, the efforts of friends who, at
each step of his downward course had interiered
to save him from absolute and utter ruin
How often in these days OF dissipation had a mo-
ther wept over him, with tears that none but heart
broken mothers shed over ruined sons How Of
ten had a fond father sought him out in the dark
and hidden haunts OF vice 10 which he resorted
nightly, and mingllng parents love with the
strong authority OF an injured father led him home
and watched by his bedside ill the morning ligh
that with the first return Of consciousness he might
extor promise OF reform. Such influences,
stronger than any restraining power but the grace
of God, might have saved hun but for the grasp
Of the enemy, that was dragging him downward
to death and hell. Ii was scarcely possible tina,
he should have run his course thus far without
having drunk often and deeply ofthe intoxicating
cup. Iniemperance had marked him for his prey.
This was some years ago, in the morning Of the
great temperance reformation which has since 50
signally and glorously blessed our country and
the world. And when he was persuaded BY the
united entreaties Of his parents and friends TO pledge
himself to abstain from ardent spirits the smile
Of hope was seen on mothers faded cheek, and
a mountain weight was removed from his father.
heart
There ras change in Charles tina, all regard
cd with intense delgh, 1t lasted for months
Again he was the pride ofhis parents and the cen
tire OF thousand hopes.
| The cup Of happiness seemed to his parents tc
be full when Charles led 10 the altar, and brough
home to their house, a lovely bride, whom Of al
others they had chosen as one who wogld max,
/ him happy and throw around him the restraint
OF love, should he eyer be allured again into th,
paths Of vice.
! On the very evening Of his marriage it wa
painfully evident, thai he was not beyond Ii,
reach Of the destroyer have said that this peri
Cd was al the opening Of the present temperance
/ reformation and few had then thought Of DANCE
from she use OF wine Bu, ia the festivities Of III,
marriage day, IN the Inids OF company of which
young l. was the hic aud soul aud called OF
again and again to drink to has health and happi
ness (Oh the mockefy of such words over th,
wine cup) be Lost command Of his appetite, an,
before be suspected has danger he was overcome
Deadly mortified al this occurrence, be dsaermin
Cd 70 regain his selfrespeet BY rigid adherence
T. a.