New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-05-28
THE TURNING POINT.

DO you remember the time when in almost
every fashionable drawing room, there stood
beautiful carved mahogany side board, on the
tops of which stood group of cut glass decant-
ers filled, or partially filed with choice liquors,
and hemmed in with clear, shining stem
glasses
Do you remember, too how when company
came in, the little stem glasses were turned up,
and the ladies and gentlemen drank compli-
ments and healths, and how we children were
allowed " taste" and the privileges of eating
the sugar left in the bottom of the glasses And
do you remember how very ungenteel and puri-
tancal lady was considered, who dared in the
face of universal custom, to have a party and
not decorate her tables with wines and brandy,
and her parlors with card-tables and all the
requisites of polite gaming
If you do not, thank God that you escaped
that day; but if you do not remember these
things as connected with your youth, you will
perhaps better appreciate my story.
Henryslrying was a native of Eastern Nir
ginia His only INHERITANCE warm heart,
medium intellect, sociable nature, hne per-
sonal appearance, and a liberal share of that
peculiar feeling generally conceded as expe-
rienced by none but descendants from the &c first
families " of the old domain
At the age of twenty four he left his native
state, and in the fall Of 1929, engaged as sales
man in the largest dry goods house il p,
fourishing town on the Ohio river. Having
acquired a liberal education, cultivated taste
and gentlemanly department, he soon became a
tayoIite i'll the social circle.
Although possessed Of some of the private and
social virtues OF human nature, Irving was not
free from its vices he loved the wine-eup and
the card table-vices not then as reprehensible
as now, Custom, the great sanetioner ofhuman
error, at that day recognized these as the bonds
ol fraternal brotherhood and public sentiment
has not yet elevated the standard Of social mo-
rality abOCt them consequently lryipg's fond
ness for the vicious pleasures instead of orerat-
ing against his popularity, served as an intro
duction to the highest circles,
His companions were Of that Wild, reckless
whole soulcd, pleasure seeking class Of young
men who throw care to the dogs, and with
mirth, wit and jellity, drift smoothly, yet rap
idly down that stream, whose source is crowned
with choicest flowers and perfumes Of sensual
| pleasures, and--with a dark and wailing surge
| plunges into eternity. His most Intimate ano
| confidential friend was John Hawkins, a young
| lawyer Of promising talent and pleasing address
but destitute of correct moral principles, wa
an ayowed infidel, and entertained what he con
sidcred a manly contempt for virtue and piety
was fond of whist, euchre and good brandy, an
was withal what the world considered n 50 cleye
fellow"
1t was about year, | think, after Irwin
came to P, that Emma Carson returne
from Philadelphia, where she had been sent
complete her education-one, toe, that had we
developed her natural strength of mind 81
now stood ready to make her debut with cred
alike to herself, her teachers and friend
With fine form, expressive features, a cultiya
ted mind, and most bewitching hazel eye, !
was not strange that Emma soon became tn
envy and admiration of society, nor that irving
before many months, paid frequent visits TO MI
Carson's
An intimacy was formed, which, on Irving
part, soon ripened into strong attaenmen
Emma was made conscious Of the fact by h