The Whig standard., 1844-01-04
CONFESSIONS OF A. FIRST RATE
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1t is now about three years since left my ma
ton, and found employment at printing, which
had early selected as my profession. always had
the name Of being a clever fellow, and since
have been here I have had abundant evidence
that the name was not misapplied. gct'a good
situation, and might, by industry and prudence,
have laid by good sum for time Of need.s lssoon
became acquainted with young men who visited the
theatre, refreshnent rooms, and other places of
amusement, and soon gotinto the habit Of visiting
them myself In fact, it was not long before l
spent my money as fast as earned it. would
take two or three Of my acquaintances, and visit
the theatre and refreshment shops and pay the
bill. In the Office, too, / used frequently TO
supply them with whatever they wished to
have. Week after week did | 60 On without a
thought of the future or concern for consequences.
Frequently have ], in order to obtain money to
spend, neglected to pay my board, or even to- get
decent clothes to wear; and many time have |
pledged my watch to pay money borrowed for the
purpose Of having I" spree.v "
tried many and many time to break of the
habit Of spending money in such foolish v ays. /
knew that il did me no good that was wasting
the best part Of my life in earning money which
had better have been thrown away. Butin vain
would form resolutons-ma but to be broken
at the first temptation. Again and again did
most solemnly resolve to reform, but the habit
had taken too strong hold. In van tried to
break the fatal chain that was drawing it's fatal
coils closer and closer aroGnd me. Inlvain did
friends remonstrate; and parents plead. left my
parents poor they had given me the best eddca-
ton they could and hoped that I would afford
them some assistance in their old age. O heav-
ems what misery have caused! /! what pangs of
anguish have rent their hearts when they reteGt-
ed that their hopes Of happiness in seeing their
son loved and respected, were soon to witber and
die. How much good one half the money had
so foolishy sacrificed, might have done tham.
They struggled on in poverty, till even almost
hope itself had fed, thinking that soon should
reform that they would yet be happy in seeing
me respected and prosperous. ,,ss
And what did get in return for all my money
so lavishly bestowed upon my companions? q
would not call them friends, they deserve not the
name received the name Of being "a first
rate fellow" the 'cleverest" and most generous
fellow" they ever saw. was called upon 70 pay
for every amusement they wanted. When had
spent my money, they would lend me theirs, and
tell me to pay it when got ready. They praised
my learning, referred to my Judgment, and were
very careful not to attend me. And this was al.
Ii had had one friend that would whisper .
word Of kindly warning in my ear, at the moment
of temptation, who had the courage to tell me
was wrong, / might have listened and resisted.
But no; they were all too sslfsh. What cared
they, a. long AZ my purse was ready to ,answsr
any demands they might choose to make upon \ !
What was it to them that ! beggared mysefk d.