Holly Springs gazette., 1845-07-05
From the June Knickerbocker
Story of John johnson.

VI "a
4 town in Eng land, drew nv st breath
My fathsr gained some notoriety, and con
siderable money. at the bar of my nativ
place. He had the misfortune to be .
j younger brother. Ny mother was III
daughter of Scottish nobleman, and wa
rich only IN family pride. was educated
IN Scotland; and TO mistake made in N
school may De attributed much of my sub
; sequent mlsfortunes Ny first "deVelope
ment' was ImpetuosiIy aud was permit
led to De arrogant Bnd domineering. If
had been properly curbed. This evil nigh
have been avoided. was suffered, al the in
stance OF my to0 indulgent parents. TO visi
In certain families of the neighborhood A.
mOng them was shat of a clergyman. who
was a class mate ofmy fathers. In hIs
presence my gederal manner was so dis
guised that retained his esteem; and IL
seemed 'hat he was not The only one whose
rega1d had secured. Even when | sat 10
his presence. selfco0deuned, &c would
loa1 at me and say: How like you are 10
| your father when be was young, bAh in
| appearance and manners" Once he told
me an anecdote Of the bashfulness of my
father and himself: They had called up
on some ladies', and finding the room quite
full, neither could muster courage to knock
al the door. and by mutual codsent both re-
tired unnoliceil" His daughter, like him
self mixed IN society only to see It's bright
sidei she knew no guile, and thought none.
Finding that her father had so much conf
dence IN me, the daughter gave me hers,
and It was the only instance IN which dGd
not abuse it. Why il was, hnow not but
| could never bring my mind to do her
wrong. ]. IS hard matter 10 sustain two
char arteTs; and my real one was known to
every one else. The gradual and ever
slnAIng fascination Of moderate drinking
and frivolous and vicious company IN
shOH time. iured me to a degradation evi
dent 10 every body but myself IL has been
well said that the devil takes his own meth
Od TO destroy thUse whom ne has first led
asIray. Half iaebriaIiou removes all
quallns, and gives man a good opinion of
| himself; and socn began to reason favor
ably up0G my own misconduct. A: last
became so eloquent, that | determined 10
'Iry II on" others. posted off to the cler
gyman's. inquired for his daug hter and was
shown into the room.
rose as the door opened. expecting to
meet the daughter. but 10 my great dlscom-
future 1t was tue father. The good pastor
looked fxedly at me, and / became sadly
embarrassed as the idea Of my situation
flashed across my mind / endeavored 10
speak, but my elOqnence had all vanished
My tongue ''clove TO The roof Ofmy mouth"
and could not utter u word | was fully
prepared Tor severe reprosch, not only tor
my conduct but for nay presumption.
waited ter hum 10 begin. Observing thar
did not speak, he motoned me 10 De ea.eI
sat Gown mechanically, for | could eas.
er DO II than walk. He took a s-al neaFl,
opposite 10 m :, w;th his eyes fixed on the
fl or. took this for the g1th rIng of a
Storm; but when ne raised them cu1id
see The tears Standing in 1hem. AT length
he broke silence. John" he said. Il
could have followed you TO your grave with
| less regret than now speak 80 you What
must be the feelings of your parents, when
| they read a leucr which have just written
| them? While there was hope that youth
ful folly was your only sin, trusted that
reform would not be difficult; bur when
hnG drunkenness and CRIME associated IN a
boy OF your age. Cease to hope. Y on
have succeeded in deceiving me, who nev-
er thought that any thing dishonorable
could find place in your msgiaatiou.- -
Blu: full and complete history OF your
misconduct has reached my ear. L do not
wish to uPbraid you your own conscience
will do that Your true situation is not
better known to yoursellthau it is TO me
The very fact of your coming here. in your
present condition. must convince you ol
your lost sense of shame. Yet with all
this there Is life left yet. and with IL hope.
No restrain: can effect change unless il
be voluntary one; and only years. of the
most exemplary Lille, can do away the I'm
preston already made. or convince me thai
| you are worthy 10 enter my doors again
You have venIured to ask for my daughter.
| Did you think that would permit her 10
come into the presence of one who hast put
at defiance every law of society. of God
and of man. No John; you can never see
her again. unless in my presence, until am
entirely satisfied thar you are changed
man"
| The good pastors conversation had been
harsher than his manner and found my
sell instead OF being reused as expected to
| be selfcond-mned, and could say nothing
| At length i found words to say I ou
might have saved your advice; my friend:
will never see me more unit. can convince
them that have seen my error. l came
here TO say that was about TO leave ths
country. and TO thank you for havicg ever
acted toward me as a friend. II Is true,
tell desire to say good bye 10 your daugh
ter, and to tell her that If ever she saw oI
heard ofme again, il would be when l nal