American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-19
THE EVILS OF GAMBLING.
LETTER BY A LADY.

The following letter from young lady Of
about nineteen years of age is extremely touch
ing, as well as oyinciye of high talent. 1t is
sisters plea to q beloved brother against the
vice of gambling This vice has many vota-
ries, and there are unhnppiy many sisters
who, if they could plead as eloquently as this
one, have occasion for the employment of such
an appeal
The authorship of the letter is known to the
writer of this, and probably to not more than
three or four other persons in the wide world.
The letter has all the advantage of being written
in the fullness Of the heart and with true sis
terly affection. II would be entirely improper
to publish the names, or to give a clue to the
names by leaving in full certain passages.
Except the writer of this, none but the nearest
relatives of the young man to whom the letter
was addressed can know its origin. May many
q young man feel that such an appeal against
this destructive vice is that which many q
sister would make had she the powers Of Ian
guage and argument displayed by the sister
who penned this letter. And may many
brother take heed therefrom and reform.--EDs.
Am. TEL. ... v.9.. 7a Il n.
| r, ,u. .,- JANUARY, %, 1S--.
My DEAR BROTHER: What my sensations
were to-day, on reading o letter written by you
to father, IL is impossible for me to describe,
but it is my sincere wish that such may never
be yours. Oh, my dear brother, how could you
who know your father so well, infict pang on
his sensitive, feeling heart Pardon me this
one reproach--it is neither my wish nor inten-
tion to reproach--consciou that your own feel
n.
hear how your father was affected by your con-
duct. When the letters came in this morning,
he, after reading yours, threw 1t on the floor
beside me, saying, "There, Mary, you have lost
your brother" | looked mp, and never, no,
never shall forget the expression of his coun-
tenance at that moment; and without saying
another word he went into the adjoining room,
where he continued walking about for some
/ time. His words had left me without the power
of asking your fate, or reading the letter which
lay beside me, when ma, picking il up, and
seeing il came from you, said that you we're
not dead; then It was my full heart found re-
| lief in tears. Oh my dear brotheri could you
have been a witness of the scene that followed,
! it would have been lesson that would have
lasted you your lifetime. i saw your fathers
face bathed in tears-tears which flowed for the
follies of son he almost idolized "Mary,"
cried he, eff you or Joseph ever cause me TO
shed such tears il will break my heart" He
then bade me write to you and tell you, that If
you would return home he would give you an
equal share with the rest Of the children Of his
property; but that IL you would not, he would
never give you another cent as long as he
lived. Pause, my dear brother, and reflect on
your situation--in foreign land far from
relations and friends, unknown to single soul
who is in the least interested about you. Re-
turn, my dear brother, to the fostering arms Of
your parents and friends, who are willing and
anxious to serve you, if you win hereafter fol-
low their advice and never more engage in that
bane and scourge to society, gambling. What
will not be the pleasing consequences Of resist
ing this will ? The love and esteem Of all who
know you, and the pure and lasting pleasures
| of q well-informed mind, conscious Of having
done your duty. Your days win pass in peace.
full, happy tranquility; at night, your rest win
be sweet and undisturbed but by dreams Of
bliss, and you will rise in the morning with
heart as light as feather; for the money that
you would squander away at play in one night,
spent in benevolence, might procure you the
blessing and prayers Of many an unfortunate,
but worthy and deserving family. On the other
hand, what is not to be expected if you still In
dulge in that despicable yicet You win ruin
your fortune, lose your character, grieve your
friends, and, perhaps, 10 drive care away and