The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-10-15
From the New York Illustrated Magazine.
Ruined and Reformed.
AN INCIDENT OF real LIFE IN NEW YORK.
By Laurence Labree.

by Laurence LdOfee.
Do you see that we'll dressed gentlema
crossing the street yonder? Well, we have
short story to relate of him, the truth OF whic.
we will vouch for. You may believe it, TO
it was related to us by a person well acqualnt
cd with the facts, and upon whose veracity tn
utmost reliance may be placed.
His name is Alfred Holmes. Some tel
years ago he was a member OF one OF ou-
most respectable downtown mercantile firms
and possessed of a large circle of friends who
entertained for him the highest personal es
teen. By strict business habits, close atten'
ton, and peculiar talents, he had acquired q
considerable fortune. His cheerful smile and
elastic step proclaimed him to be on good
terms with the world. He was also a bache-
lor of thirty-fve, with an erect form, lively
eye, and engaging manners, and OF course a
fair mark for the shafts of Cupid but though
skilful as he was, the young archer could hit
but once-and that once fairly.
Mr.. Holmes had won the affections of an
accomplished lady of this city, who, besides
many other charms, possessed in her own
right fortune of seventy thousand dollars
Many persons, perhaps, would consider this
last charm a sufficient inducement to " imme-
diate annexation !" but not SO our merchant
On the contrary, it induced him to postpone
that "consummation devoutly to be wished"
until his own fortune should nearer approx
mate that of his betrothed. This, to be sure,
was a very laudable ambition on his part; but
we fear the example may be lost to a majority
of persons similarly situated. But we are not
going to diverge much from the matter Of
fact before us for it will suffice that we give
the "plain, unvarnished tale" without orna-
ment or supertluity.
We have introduced Mr.. Holmes as an ac-
tive and prosperous merchant, However, a
short time after the date at which w COM
menced this narrative, he began an indulgence
that seldom fails to operate either upon the
health or the morals of the lovers Of strong
drink. At first his irregularities were but
little noticed, as he was always punctual at
his business and select in his companions
Drinking, however, is not apt to be a soil
tary vice; at any rate, it did not form an eX-
ception in the case of Mr.. Holmes. In the
course of a few months, inattention to business
was the consequence Of trespassing too far in
to the night with revealing companions. A
fondness for whist parties grew into a passion
for gambling; gambling led to heavy losses,
and repeated losses to heavy drafts upon the
firm. We have no exact means of ascertain
Ing NV tlC iIlollCJ wei IHC pOCN-
cts of Holmes-we only know that at the end
of six months from the time when he first be-
gan to risk " the hazard of the die" he re-
ceived an intimation from the firm that his
drafts already exceeded his interest, and that
his services amounted to nothing. This took
place when the delinquent partner was in a
cool condition to examine for himself, which
soon convinced him that he was a debtor to
the concern for a large amount, He had
sense enough and pride enough to perceive
his situation An unconditional surrender of
all his interest in the business was demanded
of him, which he at once acceded to-, and he
went forth into the world a worse than pen
niless man. Ills debt was generously forgiv-
en- him, and an offer made Of very handsome
sum of money. He could but tender his OBJ
legations for the former, but the latter he pc
remptorily refused to accept. He had manli-
ness enough to perceive that the proceedings
of his partners were not tincturcd with mean
ness or personal ill-will and though he went
into the world ~penniless and disgraced, he
could but acknowledge that the fault lay at
his own door.
The loss of business and reputation was not
the only calamity that was the consequence
of his dereliction from the stern path of duty.
From the time that his friends began to speak
Of his f%railties, he had %relinquished his pre-
tensions to the hand of her whom he had for
merly SO much loved. He had some spark of
that honor left which forbade him to entail
his misery upon one who deserved a higher
degree of happiness than it was in his power
to bestow. He ceased to visit her, and ex-
planned his motives in the following brief
note
MADAM:-Rumor may have told you a
thousand things concerning myself, and, if she
be not lacking in her wonted volubility, she
has probably informed you that l am totally
unworthy Of those pure sentiments of esteem
with which you have seen proper to regard
me. Believe her, however, for she can
scarcely defamc me more than | Deserve
-%compels me to ~relinquish all hope of, and
my business am q drunkard and a gam
bier! These are hard terms, but they are
no less true. l have lost the confidence of
my friends, and nv W respect for nv for
mer character. You certainly must have
perceived, for some time past, something sin
gularly unpleasant, if not ung~entlcmanly, in
may behavior towards yourself. l have gone
into your presence as no gentleman should APP
pear before a lady, which must have given
You serious doubts about trusting your hap
piness in a bark so frail-a marriage with a
man like myself. know of but one spot of
brightness left in my character-that is, not
to cumber you in the ruins of my own down.
fall. | respect you too much-I love you too
fondly, to cngulph you in the depths that
howl above my own head. Do not preach
reform to mel believe in destiny. That we
must never meet apnin. is certain that 7 shall
forget you is impossible. Do not put yourself
to the pain Of answering this-I should pre-
fer that you would not. You will soon forget
me-, and there are noble hearts enough left,
with some one of whom you will yet be hap
Ply.
must break off, however abruptly I may
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