The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1847-09-18

embarked on board the steamboat Medi-
terranean, whore he was solicited to play
cards. lie played, first the parlor game
called whist, became excited by being
beaten, and was induced to play another
game, which, | believe, they call brag-
a game he knew nothing about. lie lost
and continued to lose, until the five thou
sand dollars were gone. | received a
letter from his father, abont ten days al
ter his departure, inquiring why | had
not answered his letter, and stating that
he had not heard from home since he left.
Great God, what a shock it was | i'm
mediateIy took my youngest boy, and
left for Helena. When we arrived, |
learned that my son had not been heard
from. We remained few DAYS. The
Mediterranean returned on her way to
Louisville, gave us the horrible intelli-
gence that our son mad been ruined by a
class Of men known as gamblers, and that
few days before she left he had been
on board without dollar: that one of the
gamblers had given him two hundred and
fifty dollars to defray his expense home,
and that had been Won from him in the
same manner, by one ofthe same class,
who led him to hope that he might re-
pair his losses. His father, without any
delay, took the first boat to New Orleans
i returned home to wait in anxiety
the return of my husband Weeks and
months passed before received any in
telligencc from father or son. AT last |
received a letter from friend of my hus-
band and son, stating that he had not
heard from our lost boy, and with the hor
rible intelligence that, in despair, he had
resorted to the use Of Spirituous liquors.
| was mad with grief, and left my home
in pursuit Of my husband. l arrived at
New Orleans in the night. The next
morning saw this friend, who gave me
the heart-rending heWs.hat my husband
had left, but he knew not whittier he had
gone. The next morning | started for
my home, but found on my arrival, that
nothing had been heard from either my hus-
band or son. After two years my husband did
come. but oh! how changed! His frame worn
his cheek pale-very paIe-his eyes wild
and ievcrcd, his lips parched and stepped in
mebriety, his hopes crushed, his very life only
the motion of excitement and of passion, his
very soul shattered, so that ifthc music ofaiiec-
ton still fingered there, it quivercd uncertain
and discordant upon its strings. His property
he encountered, and thus poverty was added to
wretchedness He remained but a short time
at home before he left in pursuit of his lost boy
He found one of the three men who had obtJ in
ed my sons money, and asked him for ntorma-
ton concerning his boy, but received none of
importance. lie returned horne heart-broken.
Ny daughter during his absence the last time
taken sick and lost her reason, and we pla-
ced her in an asylum. thu t her mind, ifpossble,
might be restored. But she still remains in the
horrrd state al arrangement. My boy, too has
been impaired IN mind for four years. His fa-
Their died in the year 1910, with the derum II c.
mems since which time my boy has sat, for
hours, writing him and brother and sister letters:
perfectly unconscious that they are doomed to
an unhappy home; but alas! am bereft of all
earthly happiness Nothing have to cheer me-
FIAT home the constant mnrmuIing Of my lu-
nalc son is rushing through my ear, when a.
broad the shricks Of my maniac pirl pierce my
Utmost soul, and when asleep, my SAUNDERS are
disturbed by dreadful dreams Of my husband
and chiIdrcn's lnSiorlunes, and of gambling
scenes III which see them rulned. Now sir,
have not right to dislike gaming in every
lorm:'
told her she had, arose. and went into the
statG-room with feelings indisCrbablc, and how
evcr.great might have been my curiosity to hear
that hcart-brokcn m Jlhcr's tale Of sorrow, when
she seated herself to give mo her history, |
would give mere money than | ever possessed,
had not learned from her lips Mat | was one
ofthose three gamblers that had effected the ru-
in of her sen; and thereby destroyed the peace
and enjoyment of that once happy family. But
| have not riches or powe. to restore to reason
and prosperity.
The most | can do is to warn others of the a.
hyss; and hop" al! who may read this truthful
narrative will consider this destructive habit in
lis true light and Danish it from The land by
training their children forever t. avoid it.