The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-08-05
Written for the Abbevile Banner)
CHARLES BORDEN;
OR,
"H Is THE FIRST STEP THAT COSTS"
BY PETREL.

Der, the variety, or the seductive charac-
ter, of the temptations, presented to the
young in large cities; nor can they be
too grateful to Providence, for having
cast their lots amongst groves and
fields, where the first impressions made
upon the minds Of their offspring,
instead of being vitiated, false and cor
rupted, by an early contact with vice,
like the serpent, in Eden, clothed in
most beautiful colors, are pure, just,
and holy, and from an intimate acquain-
tance with nature, they instinctively
turn to Natures God. Amongst the
multitude Of snares thus set by Satan,
and their name is legion, none is more
dangerous or fascinating, TO the inexperi-
cnced, than the Theatre. Like all
other vices, its mischevious tendency is
greatly increased by using false colors
and appearances. To the world, it
would palm itself off, as the Temple of
the MUSES.; a school, to teach know
ledge of the world and mar kind nur-
sery yof talent, and of oratory; when in re-
ality, it is but the entrance, to the gin
palace, the gambling room, and the
brothel house. Countenanced too, as it
is, by many of the wealthy, and fashion
able, who give it the sanction of their
presence, it becomes more baneful in its
effects; for many we'll educated pious-
ly inclined youth, who would shrink
with horror, from the thought of seeking
the intoxicating draught, the gambler, or
the ccurtesan, will unhesltatingly enter
the theatre, and not until bitter expert
ence has compelled him to acknowledge
the truth of what I have written, and
when it is too late believe that (" 1t is the
first step that COSTS"
will give one instance, that came
within my own ience.-CHARLEs
BORDEN, was an orphan the only hope
and stay, of fond and devoted mother !;
whose every thought and aspiration,
was centered IN the welfare of her dar-
ling child, and well was that child by
nature calculated TO INSPIRE love, and re-
pay with interest, the fondness thus Ia
Wished upon him. His disposition was
gentle, and affectronate; his thoughts
pure, his passions well regulated and
all the energies of his mind, and body
were bent, and strained, to minister to
the wants of his widowed mother; for
they were poor. His highest ambition
was by his own exertion, to place her in
the afluence, from which the death Of
his father had reduced her. At the age
of thirteen, he had obtained situation
in one of the largest commercial houses
in the city, where by his unremi,ting
industry, and attention, he had gained
the complete confidence of his employer,
and by the suavity of his manners and
his obliging disposition, he had friend
in every customer of the house; thus
for three years, did he avoid every temp
tation and immorality-spending all his
leisure time at home, and the Sabbath
was always spent in the service of the
Most High. But the tempter was on
the watch, apd one cold winters eve
ming, as CHARLES was on his way home
from the counting room, accompanied by
two fell0w-clerks, youths about his own
age. but Of the full grown stature of men;
N depraS'ty, he was Compelled to pass
by the fashionable thea BE- :%unfortunate.
iy,it was as the tiamipl placards an.
noanced, a night of unusual attraction,
Mr. FoRREsT, the celebrated tragedian,
WAS to perform one of his original and