Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-08-07
THE YOUN VICTIM.
A SAD Story OF GAMBLING.
$50 young and get so lost"


formed gambler, took passage on board a |
steamboat at Louisville, bound for New Or
leans. A short time after the boat pushed
of, it was discovered that there were no
less than twenty gamblers on board, and
much dissatisfaction was expressed. because
so many had chosen the same boat. 1t
was soon agreed that ten or fifteen should
return ashore at the first opportunity, and
wait for another boat. Shortly after, this
determination was carried into effect, and
il was while Mr.. Greene was standing on
the hurricane deck, noticing the landing of
PARTON of his old friends, that his atten-
ton was arrested by young man looking
anxousy upon the departing gamblers.
He was pale and agitated, and tear-drop
glistened in his eye. His whole appearance
was so remarkable, that even Greene be-
came excited and interested. He sought
the youth, and asked him whittier he was
going! He replied that he "knew not
where" and as if to shun further notice,
left the deck and descended into the cabin.
Greene still more curious, followed him, and
by the expression of sympathy, finally in
duced him to unbosom himself. He said
that his first reply was corroct--that he
really did not know whittier he was going
He was the son Of reputable parents in
Boston. and had left that city few weeks
before for the purpose Of visiting Louis
vile, switch place." he continued, "you
perceive, we have just passed" The rea-
sons for this course were sad ones. He had
sister at Louisville, who had married and
moved thther, while he was yet child
The death Of that sisters husband had in
duced her to write for her brother to come
on, TO protect her in her widowhood, and
assist in settling up the estate. His par
ents provided him with all the necessaries
for the journey, gave him permission to
tarry for few days at New York and
Philadelphia, should he think proper, and
also gave him about two hundred dollars in
money. All went smoothly and pleasantly
until he arrived in Philadelphia. Here he
took lodgings at the leading hotel, and soon
formed an acquaintance with two young
men of genteel exterior, plausible manners,
and captivating address. Accompanied by
them he, during the day. visited several of
the leading institutions, and at night &C.
ceptcd an invitation TO play a game of
whist, the only game of cards with which
he was familiar. Several days and even
ings were occupied in similar manner
He then determined to continue his Jour-
ney, which he did, by taking passage in
one of the lines for Pittsburg. On appear
delighted to find his two companions
They also had business west, and they re-
garded it as pleasure to have so agreeable
a companion. After exhausting the ordin-
airy topics of the day, the game of whist
was again thought of and renewed. They
first played for the cards, then for the
liquor, and finally, for small sums of money
The youth became excited and ere they
reached the iron city, he had lost every dol.
lar that belonged to him, with sum left
Just sufficient to pay his passage from Pitts
burg TO Louisville. But again the strangers
made their appearance on board the Ohio
river steamer, and in hope of receiving
what he had lost, the deluded young mar
played again, when his gold watch was the
sacrifice. On arriving at Cincinnati, he
was nearly mad. He then bethought him
self of package which his mother had
confded to him for his sister. He sough,
for it in his trunk, found and opened it,
1t contained necklace as love.gift, ano
an unsealed letter, in which was enclosed
bank note for 500. Still tempted by
the demon of gambling. and still anxious tc
regain what he had lost, he returned to hi
vile companions and whist. He played
hour after hour lost the money, then staket
and lost the necklace. At this point, tht
horror of his situation was indescribable
Louisville was at hand, but how could HI
meet his sister! How could he explain hi
folly, his infatuation and crime. He ha'
left home with good name, on a mission
of sacred duty. and he was now thief ant
robber. He had unemployed fund
given under halowed circumstances, ant
his condition was indeed desperate. Con
fused and perplexed, he at last determines
to rush from the boat, leave the rifled pack
age at the house of his sister, return AM
follow the fortunes of the gamblers, VIII
had tempted and betrayed him, in the hop
that they would not be so heartless as I
throw him off. But this hope was of shor
duration, for they were among the part
that left the boat as above described, i
consequence of being too many of tn
fraternity on board. 1t was while the
were returning that he was noticed b
Greene, and hence tear forced itself to hi
!. eye, when he realized the loneliness an
j. wretchedness of his condition. He wa
o an outcast and robber-had become so
h few days from having ventured upo
$ what he called an innocent game of viii.
# and thus he truly said in reply to the que
y ton that had been put TO him-that /
= knew not whittier he was going. Gree