The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-04-15
Grlcftc0.
The Moderate Glass.

William Markley was born in Blooms
burgh, in the western part of Pennsylva-
MIA. His father was one of the early
settlers, a man to whom the inhabitants
of Bloomsburgh looked for relief in moro
ways than one Being a skillful ply
sician and surgeon he repaired theil
physical injuries; and so much was he
respected that he was chosen arbiter O
all tn ir differences. No lawyer carec
to settle in his neighborhood.
/ He died when William was yet child
and, unfortunately for William, left be.
hind him considerable estate, the pro-
duct of honest industry. His son was
left to the guardianship of Richard New
land, his maternal uncle. This mar
was one of those inhabitants of a new
country who have no stated occupation
and yet thrive. He speculated in land
kept store," made contracts, and in
short, let no opportunity of advantage es-
cape. twill be supposed that he had
not much time to bestow on the educa-
tion of his ward.
William Markley grew up, like some
rank weed, unheeded He was sent to
school, indeed, but no one took account
of his progress or enforced bis atten-
dence. But he was possessed of talents
that enabled him to outstrip his school
fellows. He performed the tasks of a
week in day, and spent the remainder
of his time in hunting, at horse-races
and shooting matches AT such places
he was always welcome, for he had
money, and was not backward in spend
ing 1t. There are always gamblers and
Other dissolute characters about the
frontier, and into such company did this
neglected boy often fall. He was a
mine to them: as he approached man
hood his uncle allowed him his whole
income of his fathers property, and gave
small heed to the use of it. In his
twentieth year, then, he was tall,
handsome, reckless youth, whom thos
who best know, looked on as in the high
road to ruin. He had indeed made
some steps towards acquiring profess
ion, that of his father-but when his
name was the theme of discourse, the
notables of Bloomsburgh shook their
heads, and hoped he would do we'll
He might have dono well-for there
were many redeeming traits in his char
acter-he had not acquired habit that
has ruined thousands; that of moderate
drinking. A moderate glass;" said
his soi-disam friend, Tom Huntley, "can
never hurt any body; so Bill, toss off
your glass, and let Doctor Colgro preach
about temperance as much as he pleas
es." And Bill did toss off his moderate
glass, and then another.
Huntly was man ten years older
than our hero. He had sqandered
good estate, and now lived-every one
knew how. He haunted race grounds,
and was a welcome guest at taverns.
Fathers warned their sons to beYare of
him. William Markley liked no one so
well. True, he swore--but there are
worse sins than the vice of swearing.
He drank-but no one ever saw him the
worse for liquor. lie gamed-but 20
one could accuse him of foul play. AL !
together, he was the most dangerous |
companion possible, for his good humor |
was invincible-hc was, or at least ap-
peared to be, frank, brave and gener-
ous-and he was admitted into good s
Markley often said it was
pity that he was obliged to live by his {
wits. 1t never occurred to him, that !
after one of his moderate glasses Hunt {
ley always proposed bet to him, or |
game at cards or Billiards. Though he a
always lost at first, the veteran game S
,ter seldom came off second best, in the J
End. Q
Mr.. Newland, at last, saw his neph- :
,w's danger-and warned him-but it n
vas too late. The young man received U
lis counsels with an i'll grace, and dcsir- b