Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-03-22
San allusion to the Cholera.
A Sad Narrative

LESSON TO YOUNG PoLITIciANs.-The
following narrative from the New Orleans
Delta, is good lesson for the times
Now that people are getting sobered, it
may have some weight with the young
men about town. The Delta says 1t is lit
orally true;
Happening in Recorder Baldwin's court
few days ego, just as his honor was get
ting through his usual list of Migrants,
peace-breakefs, and petty larceners, our
notice was attracted by the piteous en-
treaty Of an elderly individual, who stood
in the dock, and earnestly begged his hon
or to let him off this time, promising that
the "old man would never trouble him
again"
"And who are you, pray ?" inquired
his honor, with his customary phlegm.
Judging by the looks Of the prisoner, it
was not an impairment inquiry. His aP--
pearance was quite that Of Fan cold sinner"
His face, though not devoid ofintelIigence
and certain expression of gentility, was
bloated and seasoned with all the marks
of long course ofdissipation and destitu-
ton. His eye did not, altogether, lack the
lustre that betokened the spirit Of a man,
and he still possessed the ease of manner,
Hinged with maudlinism, and the bearing Of
a broken down gentleman. An old seedy
blue cloth coat, covered shirtless pair Of
black pants that had seen better days,
scaIcely protected his neither limbs from
the r;tiless peltings Of the storm.
"ivhc am l, honey 20 responded this
forlorn Individual; "don't you know the
old man, or are you ashamed to recognize
him in his presert plight? I've been a
greater man in my day than your honor
ever will be in yours. Twas IN the leg
islature of North Carolina when Nat Ma
con was member Of it, ant. have been
President OF the Senate Of that old State ;
and reckon If I had ever tried ! could
have been Governor or Congressman. !
used 10 drive my carriage, had my race
horses, and never went to Court without
my man Bob riding behind me with gold
band around his hat
ssAnd what has brought you down SO
low ?" inquired his honor.
"Politics, sir. Some people say it was
whisky but whisky was only one Of the
effects, not the cause Of my DOWNFALL
When entered upon the estate my father
left me, which was quite snug property,
/ was a moral and industrious young man !;
but unfortunately, had long suit that
carried me frequently to court and there
met some jolly fellows, who invited me
to drink with them, and there too | got to
talking politics and hearing speeches, and
finally the boys persuaded me had gift
for speaking, and made me mount the
stump. And so when I once got on the
political track, you couldn't any more stop
me, than you could stop locomotive with
your big toe. / became very popular
that cost me all my fortune ! became a
provincial legisla,or--that cost me all my
morality and good habits; and, finally,
from great politician | became gam
bler--a drunkard-a now ! am here,
vagrant, in the dock with the
very vilest OF this great wicked city,"
at is all true alas too true, . remark
ed lawyer in court. 81 knew Col.
B when he still occupied high po-
sition in North Carolina he was one of
the most prominent men Of his time
"You can CO." remarked the Recorder;
and the old man hobbled out Of the dock
and went off, not knowing, as he said,
whittier 10 direct his lettering steps--a
example Of the dangers which
beset the path Of those who abandon the
peaceful pursuits Of private, TO engage in
The corrupting scenes OF political life.