The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-01-26

venture DC lldl uighl ecllpsed himself.
Il was near noon the following day
before be aWoks from bis disturbed and
ieverish sleep. A loathing sense ofguiltI
seemed weighing upon his soul. but his
good purposes were gone beyond re-
call. q
Two years from the time Of which |
have been writing, John called at the
store where Frank was yet a clerk, 10
bid him farewell before be took bis de-
parture lor the south to seek lis fortune.
These years had peen apparently une-
venlful years il their lives, and yet il
will be seen that their Influence had
been Of vital importance ia the for
nation Of their characters. Each bad
become fixed and strengthened 10 the
different courses they had determined
70 pursue John now departed Cor the
South with a good trade, (the iounda.
ton Of fortune to any yonng man Of
industrious habils) and a mind better
stored with knowledge than thousands
Of young men who have lrihed away
their five or six years at College. His
wealth consisted Of a small kit Of tools
and lule trunk which contained that
scanty library by means OF Shich the
humble apprentice had been enabled,
in his liule attic, to hold The most inli-
mate converse with some ofthe noblesi
minds that ever lived, and to feed his
mind with thsir richest thoughts.
A few days after Johns departure,
Frank was called to a private interview
with bis employer and questioned re-
speeding various embezzlements from
the drawer, which had evidently been
continued and increased for several
months. His answers rather increasing
than allaying The suspicious Of the wor-
thy merchant, Frank was dismissed
from his employ though out of regard
for his friends and in hope of reform,
he forbors 10 expose his crime. The
unhappy young man, however, never
dared 10 Meet his friends-his consci-
Gus guilt made him a moral coward
he fed, and the efforts made by bis
unhappy parents to seek out and re-
claim him were unavailing.
I must now ask my readers to pass
over period OF seven years, and will
again observe the change which they
have wrought in the relative situations
Of the two friends to whom you were
introduced in the commencement Of
my narrative.
One chill afternoon in December, a
miserable inebriate, noticeable even
among the crowd Of vagabonds that
infest our cities: for his appearance Of
unmitigated wretchedness' Stood lean
ing against a lamp-post 10 the principal
sr3et Of our great commercial metrop-
oils; his breath was leted and deadly,
his countenance bloated and flushed
with the hue Of the pit, and his limbs
ire nbled. partly from the cold butmore
from premature old age, brought on
BY vice and inlemperaDce. Bot look
what has caught his ear and so fixed
bis attention! Can il be!-yes! Il is
the news boy crying "The speech Of
! the Hon. JOHN HENDERsoN, on the
bill, IN the Senate Of the u. States"
But what is there in that that should
cause this miserable creature TO betray
such ag.tation' Reader, you would
cease TO wonder could YOU recognize
in the bloated countenance Of this mis-
cradle wretch the once noble and adj
mired Frank Gregor-and know more
over that something whispers to the in-
ebriate's ear that Mississipprs honoFed
Senator is the once humble apprentice
whom the enticements Of pleasure
could not seduce from the pursuit Of
wisdom. What visions Of the past now
haunt bis mind-what goadings of con
science for ruined talents now visit
him | leave you kind readerto imagine
but stop, wonder goes we'll known
apostle Of the Washingtonian Refor-
nation. and look ! a noble purpose is
stirred ia the drunkard's soul--he fol-
lows-he has gone to be cheered by
words Of Kindness and encouraged by
benevolence, 10 toll bis way back, by
patient selfdeoial, to the dignity Of
manhood-to see by the light Of his
own bitter reflections the wisdom Of
depressing the impulses Of The moment
and living for the future. May be 50
learn the lesson as 10 look beyond all
the Joys Of time and labor in patience
and in hope FOR the enduring rewards
that virtue awards beyond the tomb.
lean sOOreely leave you kind reader
without pointing you TO that glorious
! fruit Of our free institutions, shown 10
the fortunes Of the apPrO'ioe ooy' LID
ery acknowledges no chartered rights
10 honors, but IS apparently the mos
willing TO bes,ow bsr highest distinc'
lions upon those noble minds who
following the impulse Of their souls