Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-12-28
nliGtellaueous.
THE CHARM OF GAMBLING.
HY J. II. GREEN.

nave omen heard persons speak of their
first game at Cards-how they were led from
that to a second, and third, and so on,
from game to game, till the vice of gamb-
ling became confirmed habit and almost
an essential passion of their existence.
Truly, there is a fascination and charm
in gaming which none but devotees of the
Cards may fully appreciate, and which but
few, with tongue or pen can adequately por-
tray.
Experienced as am, and have been, in
all the ramiiications Of gambling, it may
rightly be inferred that l am able to speak
advsedly concerning its soul-destroying in
fluence on mankind. Yes, | have seen ia
Their and son-nay, whole families-swept
to ruin and horror by the Demon vice, in
whose deadly grasp they had unhappily fall
len men of fine talents and virtues, even
moral and upright individuals in all other
respects-professor also, am sorry to af-
\ firm, of the religion Of Jesus, have gone
|Ndown to nfamy and destruction through
the entcements and destinations of the
Card-table.
MethinlSs | could whisper into the ears
of those who play cards solely for amuse-
ments sake, tales OF woe and terror that
would make the blood run cold and the
heart beat in widest pulsation, from their
mere recital. 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 inveterate gambler?
care not whether man plays for pas
\ time or profit; from the very first game
he is apt to become enveloped in the hold
of "a master more terrible than the hydra
-, al; - al
Topping off of any of its hideous heads that
serve to suare the hapless victim. No the
vice should and must be crushed in its in
ception, or there can be no salvation from
. death and damnation here and hereafter
- Fearful thought Would to God that all
might realize the truth of the evil effects a.
rising from cnrd-rlnying. in whatever aspect
presented, as source of pastime merely,
or when pursued for emolument. Fathers,
good worthy citizens, would be spared dis
grace and crime, and widows and children
might be saved from poverty and woe and
the scoffings of heartless world
knew happy aud worthy family, whose
subsequent misery aud sorrow arose from
the social card-table, as a source of enter.
tainment ana amusement Cor themselves and
friends. The family consisted of beside
VIC PhOhthi tN~ihJ AhSC Souo and 0auUn.
Ter, all of whom gave promise OF a life Of
kefulness and honor--the insidious vice n
sning crept into the beloved family circle
lnt brought sorrow and desoation in it.
lake.
The daughter had reached her thirteenth
year, and gave Developments of beauteou
womanly maturity anon, when she was seiz
ed with consumption, which painful disease
soon left its whitening power on her fragil
frame. Though rapidly sinking into tn
grave, she for sometime retained her sea
at the card table; at length, however, he
malady Increasing, she retired from the fas
Chatting amusement and sought prepare
tons for death and immortality She nov
requested that cards might no longer be tn
pastime of the evening beneath their ROOT
and her father, loving her tenderly, readil
complied with her request, and the card ia
BILE was accordingly set aside. 1t was no,
that parent realized the fascination of tn
game, and found that passion for gamt
ling had insensibly become rooted princ
pie of his breast.
He sought the gaming table abroad, an
spent his evenings in the fashionable gam
bling houses of the place. He continue