Litchfield enquirer., 1845-09-04

l the supposition. Not by any means, that they were ignorant of the fact, that Walter indulged freely in the juice of the grape but they did not stop to reflect upon the probable effects of such habits; and while overlooking this real source of his waywardness and their misfortune, they were busily engaged in searching for some imagi- nary cause, to which they might attribute the un- happy consequences that were continually flowing in upon them, through the misconduct of the run1- guided brain of Walter H.. HsE There were occasional intervals when the un- fortunate young man would seem to have thrown off hfs shackles when he was attentive to his bu- sness, kind to his wife. and cheerful amid the cir- cle of his friends and home; but these intervals were like the green spots in the Desert, few and tar between. Mingling with old associates around the festive board, would again renew hls appetite for stimulous; and sooner was his thirst grati. fled, than he again became wayward and reckless. These partial reforms in hls business habits and friendly associations, were looked upon by his friends as being the fruits of their kinesses, the natural effects of their good examples, combined with good advice-while the truth was far other. wise. Whenever Walter H.-4-- could summon up resolution sufficient to leave his cups, then and not till then would he exhibit evidences of change for the better and as soon as the accursed infu. ences of liquor we're removed from his system, and his blood and thoughts were left to flow in their natural channels-just so soon, he became a rational being, and it was not until he returned like the dog to his vomit,' that he was again found drifting at random upon the tempestpous sea of life. driven by the whirlwinds, and exposed to the fatal breakers of intemperance.
 Let it be known that stranger is lying upon a sick bed at the Village Hotel, rapidly sinking un. der the influences of fatal and uncommon dis. ease-and how quick will men turn away their footsteps from its lhreshold and leave the sick to cure the sick-the dead to bury their dead: but let it be known that pleasing, though dangerous game is being played at such a place, and how quick will the reckless and desperate of communi- ty rush into its chambers, and throw themselves, body and sou fortune and reputation, upon of chance. This mortifying, yet nevertheless, true rehection-and notwithstanding mankind arc so easily affrighted upon the single announcement of a contagious disease in their midst yet we find them maintaining degree of passive silence and apparent unconcern, when they are apprised of the existence of gambling apparatus in the same lo- calty, which is not only spreading disease among the bodies. but is also corruptng the minds. and perverting the ways of all who come within its l influence. So it proved with respect to Walter H.; who, in regular descent of downward steps, at length reached the gamblers level, where no restraining influence could be brought to bear upon him. and the result was, that he soon sank to a depth of moral degradation, from which he never has, and probably. never will arise.
 His friends were appraised of the fact. soon after his first entrance upon this fatal theatre of action but no one interfered to check his progress, and the naturally we'll disposed and liberal minded Walter H. was allowed to mingle with asso- ciate gamesters, until every generous and pleasing trait, of which he was once possessed, had become changed into moroseness and cruelty and short time only elapsed, before he was an abandoned, reckless, unprincipled. and unfeeling gambler.- Chance had become his chosen theatre of action and money, no matter koso obtained, was the grd he worshpped.
 Again, the curious inquiry arose in the mind of his indugent parents, to the cause of his unfor. tunate and downwnward course, and again were they perplexed with multitude of imaginary rea- sons none of which. however, proved entirely sat. isactory to them, nor afforded that relief for which they vainly sought in his behalf. They knew, or ! might have known, that their son frequently visit. ed the intoxicating bowl; but, inasmuch as he had seldom, if ever, fallen beneath its influence, and found lodgment in the gutter, they were led to suppose that he made no very imprudent use ol stimulants. and never yet imagined tis to be the cause of his ruinous and fatal career. Singular yet true it is, that mankind will stumble over real and visiDle objects, in searching for those of an 1 imaginary character Thus did the friends of Walter H--, and while they gave him frequent lectures touching his irregular business habits, with an occasional admonition to shun the tempt ing snare of the gamester-they were silent repect. ing his increasing intemperance, and were vainly attempting to prevent repetition of the effects, without making the least effort to extinguish the devouring. .desolating flame of intemperance, which in point of fact, was the veaI cause of the whole mischief. .- .-...- -.- .r. W. s-..e. yah r.
 The gaming table and the liquor bottle, twin sis ters of evil, at length so far won the attention o Walter H., as to disengage his thoughts from his business and his family. and many good op. portunity for accommodating wealth was allowed tc pass, merely that he might gratify his now nsatia. ble thirst for liquor and gain-l gotten and quick ly vanishing gamester gains. ..-. ..s..
 Rumor also whispered many other evil things