New-York daily tribune., 1843-03-30
A CrimfnnI,s story. .

ru TIE Editor Of the Tribune: L.,
Having noticed the bold stand you nave 'aA0'-
in behalf of Temperance, send you the 'olle"ins'
hoping that it may serve warning 10 many no"
.houghtless young men
When was fifteen years of age, left my pa'
rents and horne TO earn my own livelihood l com
nenced as boy of all work in large commission
s,ore IN Newly ork, and from that station rose TO
,ha, of first salesman. At the age of twenty-five
wears was receiving one thousand dollars salary.
OF this sent four hundred dollars TO my parents.
At the age of twenty-seven years received OF the
same house fifteen hundred dollars, and at the end
of the year was naeb.ed to my employers three
hundred and fifty dollars. Ali this was occasioned
by drinking rum. At the age of twenty-feur years
l became acquainted with number OF young men
of this city whe are termed "the bloods OF the
city," and from that acquaintance date my rum
became, like them, dissoute, Wild and at last,
reckless. spent more than | received and be-
came involved, and now, while write this, am
awaiting sentence for forgeres.
My story is short and may not be uninterestlng.
When lett my home, no one was more temperate
and consequently more happy than myself But
soon became intimate with those of totally dlter-
en-, habits and soon learned the way TO ruin.
commenced by drinking champagne and other
wines with the ladies on New Years and some.loy
Gus occasions From this became the comPan-
ion of those who visited the fashionable Hotels and
Saloons, with which our city abounds;) next 1
began to go by myself and found pleasure In drink
ing even alone My next step was the gaming
house and the broshel. At these places lost my
reason 10 drink and then the loss of my money
soon followed When my employers found that
could not be reasoned WITH they told me that they
must discharge me. For time promised them
that would amend and leave the companions who
were dragging me on to destruction. But an, vain
promises No sooner was free from the store
no sooner ou, of sight of my employers, than
forgot all had said, and was again in my Old
haunts of dissipation and vice. AT last was dis
charged and then knew of no way of obtaining
living. / dared not go home. j could find nothing
20 do hero. saw poverty and disgrace before
sne, and was often tempted to take my own life,
but the fear Of an hereafter deferred me. After
one of my visits to gaming. house, at which had
borrowed money of my best friend, end lostas fast
as borrowed, I became desperate. knew sulj
well that I could initiate the handwriting of the
cashier of the house had left and determined to
make the attempt. After several checks had been
signed and DESTROYED, found had succeeded
sent a young man for the money and obtained 1t,
sor it was remarkably well done. For time
had escaped suspicion, but was not satisfied with
what had, and made second attempt. But in
ahis failed, for was not sober when did it.
was found out, tried, and now await the sentence
of the law.
How imperceptible are the steps by which haze
been led on from one degree Of vice to another,
forgetful of all early instruction and against all
advice from those most dear to me. Had heard
shc voice of the Westinghouse might have been
a respectable member of society, and happy man.
should not have had the horrible heart-rendlug
seelings that now harass me in my waking and
sleeping hours
To all young men I would say, beware of drink
ing companions, beware of the Intoxicating bowl.
There is nc safety If you partake of it. This is
the warning voice of one, who in his cell, damp
and cold, would give worlds, were they in his pos
session, to be in your situation. K. T. b.