Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-12-28
The Charm Of Gambling.
ny J. II. GREEN

have often heard persons speak of their
first game at Cards-low they were led from
that TO second, and third, and SO on, from
game 10 game, till the vice Of gambling became
a confirmed habit, and almost an essential pas
sion Of their existence.
Truly, there is a fase2 Jki;.p apd,a charm in
gaming which none but 1&lelsaes OF the Cards
may fully appreciate, and which but few, with
tongue or pen can adequately portray.
Experienced as | am, and have been in all
the ramifcallons of gambling, it may rightly
be inferred that ] am able to speak advisedly
concerning its soul-destroying influence on
mankind. Yes, have seen father and son-
nay, whole iamllies-swept to ruin and horror
by the Demon vice, IN whose deadly grasp
they had unhappily fallen men OF fine talents
and virtues, even moral and upright indlyidu-
ais in all other respects-protessors also.
an, sorry to affirm. of the religion of Jesus,
have gone down to iniamy and destruction
through the entcements and iascnatlons of the
Card-tdJhe.
Methlnks could whisper il to the ears Of
those who play cards solely for amusement 5
sake, tales of woe aud terror that would make
the blood run cold and the heart beat IN Wild
est pusaton, from their mere Zee tai. How
much worse would the scene have been and
the heart strings torn by the Witnessing Of
many painful scene in the career Of the in
veterate gambler
| care not whether man plays for pastime
or profit; from the very first game he is apt to
become enyeoped in the hold of master more
terrible than the hydra and when so ensnar.
ed, in vain will be the looping off any Of its
hideous heads that serve TO snare the hapless
victim No! the vice should and must be
crushed in its inception, or there can be no
salvation from death and damnaiion here and
hereafter Fearful thought Would TO God
that all might realize the Truth Of the evil eff
fects arising from card-paying, in whatever as
pect presented, as source of pastline merely,
or when pursued for emolument Fathers,
good worthy citizens, would be spared disgrace
and crime, and widows and children might be
saved from poverty and woe and the scoiimgs
Of heartless world.
knew happy and worthy family, whose
subsequent misery aud sorrow arose from the
social card-tabe, as source of entertainment
and amusement for themselves and friends
The family consisted OF, beside the parental
twain, three sons aud daughter, all of whom
! gave promise Of liie of : s.fulness and honor
the nsidlous vice of gaming crrpt into the
beloved amily circle, and brought sorrow and
desUlation in its wake.
! The daughter had reached her 18th year,
and gave developments of beauteOus womanly
maturity anon, when she was seized with con-
sumption, which painful disease soon left It's
wilhering power on her fragile frame. Though
rapidly sinking into the grave, she FOR some
time retained her seat at the card-tabe at
length, however, her malady increasing, she
retired from the fascinating amusement and
sought preparations for death and Immortality
She now requested that cards might no longer
be the pastime sf the evening beneath their
roof and her father, loving her tenderly, readl-
ly complied with her request and the caId-tabe
was accordingly set aside. 1t was now that
parent realized the fascination Of the E7res,
and found that passion Tor gambling had IN
sensibly become rooted principle OF his
breast.
He sought the gaminr table abroad and
spent his evenings IN the fashionable gambling
houses of The place lie continued as usual tc
play for pastme, but becoming "A wlne-blbber,
one night, while merry in his cups, he was III
duced to hazard money in game oi Faro =
He lost his money not only on tins occasion bui
on almost every evening aitcrWard. Stlll he
persisted IN his reCklessncss and played deeper
and deeper in ruin, I'LL on one Friday evening
he came into room where several individuals
and myself were seated at game of cards.
lie offered To stake five dollars on game, and
being permitted, his money was won from HIM
He then bet ten dollars which he also lost
Becoming excited, he continued To bet, and as
matter of course where all were sharpers he
was well supplied with liquor, and cheated not
ONLY of what funds he had, but forced To give
check for money thus won from him. lie
became drunken aud remained with the gamb
lers during the night The following day the
check was cashed, aud portion OF the money
used in keeping him isteNlcated, so that ht
was kept away from his family several days
Great excitement prevailed on account OF In
absence in the community while his friends ant
family suffered paintuLan in regard to In
fate. was seated at . sable playing with hin
on Sunday evening. the third day since h
entered the gambler den, when his tamil
physician entered and enqulred Of the unlortu
nate and inebriated man, If he knew where Ia,
was, and if he would not return to his strlckeI
daughter and distressed family
/ "Yes, YES, Doctor, he II be there presently
90 and say that will soon be with them -
The physician left, but the poor man contin
ucd the game and speedily forgot his promise
About half an hour passed in this way, whcni
female rushed into the room, and threw he
arms around the neck Of the gambler S victln
it was his wife.
"Grea, God My husband what are yo,
doing here ~
Il beloved, my wife what Seek YOU an,
why come to this pacel' said the man bend
! ing his head aud recking with shame aud NOR
tlhcaiiOn.
"Oh my dear husband, come home instant
", our poor child is dying Her only praye
Tor two days has been for your welfare -
Come dear husband now Oar daughter mal
not live all our return"
The wife, husband and physician immediate
ly left the place.
A short time again elapsed when that dclu
ded man returned, and composedly rcsumc'
his seat at tn, gaming table. incidentally IN
quired oi him how he had left his daughter
IN =" Oh, God remind me not of that sir
/ She IA dead-shs is dead, and died while wa
seated here at cards could not remain th
tcmptor drove me back could not see he
dead! Oh. God could not stay ard see m
child a cold and hfclcss corpse
While be ra,cd aud wept his wife appearc
A .uI a.. 81 la