The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-03-18

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> "Mr. Westland," said Arthur in a
solemn tone which harmonized with the
mournful elongation of his face, Ca severe
; task has been assigned to me, one which
) could wish myself more competent to
perform, and if I have appeared un-
usually gloomy tonight, you will, 1 trust,
pardon me, when I assure you that it is
my deep sympathy for the misfortune
which has befallen you, that"
Misfortune how you speak in rid
dies, Arthur-excuse my interruption, but
you know that hate suspense and mys-
terry, so out with it at once"
"To be brief, then, I am the bearer Of
letter from your son, containing news of
a very unpleasant character, but you shall
read and know for YOURSELF" and Arthur
handed him an open letter, which he read
aloud, and the contents of which were as
follows -
DEAR ARTHUR:
1t is with feelings of inexpressible
shame and anguish that now endeavor
to nerve myself to the task of confessing
to you what must be told, and soon will be
heralded abroad by the thousand gossiping
tongues that are ever ready to publish to
. the world, with new and multiplied addi-
tions, all the crimes or virtues of us errine
mortals.
My heart sickens and my hand falters az
I now essay with trembling fingers to reno
t away the mask of virtue which has too lone
e concealed from your friendly eye the
r hideous deformities in the character of one
, whom believe you love with the affection
and soon hope to call by the endearine
title, of brother-that mask must be re-
7 moved, and better will it be that I myself
should do it, than that to my other crimes
should be added that of concealment; but
Heaven grant that you may never feel the
pangs which pierce the bosom of one who
is thus obliged to expose bis guilt to a
friend who never suspected him of evil.
And now to the confession; you are aware
that my parents INDUCED me in playing
games of chance, particularly whist, and
my father (God forgive him as 1 do)
seemed proud of my proficiency, for in
whist I really excelled. Alas how little
did he think that he was learning his only
son to be a gambler He thought it was
no harm to play if money was not at stake,
the same opinion was instilled into my
youthful mind. I came to the city where
I was surrounded by every species of
temptation, though trained as l had been
in the ways of piety, l deemed myself in
vulnerable but alas the tempter came
in form which 1 was least capable, from
the effects of habit and early training, to
resist. I had new and gay friends, one of
whom gained great ascendency over me
from his suavity, manly address, polish
ed education and extensive knowledge of
the world He had graduated with honor
from one of the nobest colleges of our
land, had visited foreign countries, seen,
heard and read much, and withal possessed
an infinite fund of wit and merriment. l
have learned to my cost that he possessed
one other trait which was for awhile so
effectually concealed that several months
intimacy with him did not enable me to
discover it, viz, knavery. By him 1 was
led from one scene of fashionable dissipa-
ton to another, and a splendidly furnished
gambling saloon was often our resort. 1
took great pleasure in watching the players
although steadily refused to Join them,
until in an evil hour Raymond (that was
his name), prevailed on me to throw aside
my !" foolish notions" as he termed them,
and play for beautiful boquet of rare
exotics afterward it was easier to play for
oyster suppers, and finally l did not
hesitate to play for money. When had
thus fairly entered the pathway to ruin my
downward progress was exceedingly rapid.
I employed all my leisure moments in play,
sometimes winning, and sometimes losing