The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-12-25
CHAPTER II.


ceding the date of the opening Of my
story, young Neville was called upon
to follow the remains of his most esti.
mable father to the tomb. That father
had, with confidence, looked upon his
son as the future protector of his
amiable wife and lovely young daugh.
ter, and with his last breath entrusted
them to his care; for Charles had given
bright hopes that The trust would not
be betrayed.
A wealthy merchant, Mr.. Neville
left his wife and daughter a compe-
tence, sufficient to enable them to
maintain the same style of living 10
which they had been accustomed. A
benevolent, wise man, he did not, by
extravagant public benefactions-al-
though he contributed with much liber-
ality-deprive his family of one CON-
fort they had enjoyed during life
Ample provision was also made for his
son to embark in business, when he
should have attained his majority. In
the mean time, it was Mr.. NevilIe's
desire. that his son should remain a
clerk in the large mercantile house in
which he himself had placed him.
Here Charles was rewarded with
liberal salary, enjoying the confidence
Of his employers, the devoted affection
of his mother and sister, ant the res.
pect of large circle of friends
Amiable in disposition, he was too
yielding to the will of those who hap
pened to gain an ascendency over him.
The strong mind of his father had
exerted a salutary nfuence-deprived
now of his counsel, and faithful reli-
gious guidance, poor Charles was like
d vessel, destitute of a heImsman Mr..
Neville had not been fully aware of
this weakness in his sons tempera-
ment; and therefore was it that he had
not provided restraining influence.
Philip Orridge, although his junior
in years, was his senior in knowledge
Of the world, and possessing a mind
strong and acute, won the friendly at
tachment of Charles, who was blind to
his true character. Their intimacy
commenced in boyhood, and change
in the principles and habits of Philip,
had been too gradual to be startliug.-
Idteness was undoubtedly the rock |
lpon which the bright promising hopes
,f Philips hoyhood had been wrecked. |
Lett an orphan at an early age, with |
ortune sufficient to preclude the neces-
'ity OF any exertion. and governed |
'nrlng his minority by weak. indut- |
rcnt guardian. the worlds hollow nlea. |
IRE, the tdiseis-termsti pleasure Of the
was his highest aim.
Mistaken young man! could'st thou
ave looked forward into the obscurity
the Future, and witnessed the an
uish of thy victims-the never-dving
angs of guilty conscience-and re-
lized the horror of that moment when
nv Maker should demand of thee an
ccount of thy worldly career, woald'st
lou not have paused in sin, and en-
loyed the gifts bestowed on thee, 10
lis glory, and thy salvatione
Alas! how many, very many Young
len in our large cities, of noble talents,
'ho, endowed with fortunes, neglect to
nprove their mental. or strengthen
leir moral gifts, vainly imagine that
ealth covers all deficiencies, and |
lerefore become plagne-spots instead
useful members of the social COM
unity. But we have moraized too
ng-let US go back TO the period when
Ie "CIub Of Twelve commenced |
leir unhallowed orgies.