The Georgetown news., 1855-11-29
The Last Dollar.
A SLICE OF SAN FRANCISCO LIFE.
TCUT EXPRESSLY FOR THE TOWN TALK.1

(CUT EXPRESSLY FOR THE TOWN TALK.l
Twas cold, damp night in the winter
Of 50. A young, energetic man, whose
one long years life in the mines, stood at
the bedside of weak and helpless mother.
James Lander, though but boy, in the
spring of 40, sought his fortune here on the
Pacific, and in the course of a year he was
among those who were successful. Young,
ardent, healthy, and full of love for his new
home, he remitted to his mother, who with
one other son and a daughter, resided near
Philadel phia, portion of his labor. He
also intimated desire never to leave this
country, and almost implored his mother to
use his funds and join him. The mother,
however, preferred to exercise her own iudg-
ment in the matter 1t pleased her to place
her children at school, come alone to spend
a brief season with James, until fortune
frowned, and then accompany him to their
old homestead near Philadelphia.
She reached here in the summer of 80,
and at the request of her son, resided in San
Francisco until he could settle his business
in the mines If any are curious to know
to what extent luck will sometimes carry a
man, we will say that this young adventu-
rer had managed to heap together some
$4,000 in hard cash, and this amount he
had safely deposited in the winter referred
to at the opening Of our story. But the
mines refused to yield him as usual-the la
Dor became too great for his young limbs,
and like a sensible man he watched the first
opportunity to close up his business, fly to
his mother, and then leave for his old home.
But it appears that the pivot upon which
all his bright hopes and charming dreams
rested, was planted here in San Francisco.
and upon that, for the first time since his
residence in California, everything-even
his very life-seemed to turn. James Lam
der had drank before, but never to excess;
and among his companions in the mines he
was looked upon in this respect as a model
young man. He played cards with his
friends as pastime, but he was never known
to risk cent. He brought with him from
his bOyhoOd home a set of principles which
had won him not only handsome fortune,
but the love and respect Of all with whom
he came in contact.
W hlle making preparations here for his
departure, his mother was taken suddenly
sick, and remained for several weeks at a
most critical point. In the meantime James
had made number of new acquaintance,
and had been introduced in strange circles.
Among other places he had made frequent
visits to the gambling hells which at that
time lined our streets, and had on one or
two occasions, merel y to crafty some of his
new friends, ventured few dollars We
dout whether there is anything so fascina-
ting TO the young mind as gaming, and
when conducted beneath brilliant chande-
llers, amid the strains of music, and in the
presence OF smiling females, he is more than
hero who can resist the temptation to bet.
James Lander had done nobly, yet he was
but human; and when an unfortunate train
OF circumstances brought him to the test,
he displayed share OF human weakness.
10 his ldleness here and strange associations
may be attributed his sudden reckless in
dulgence IN strong drink. When intoxica-
ted' James was wild, and it was q know
ledge OF this fact, more than anything else
which induced his mother to Join him here
In the moment of his prosperity. How far
her presence succeeded in guiding him we
shall soon see,
The night before we saw him at the bed
side OF his sick mother, James Lander had
lost two thousand dollars The night in
question, as we remarked, was cold and
damp. He was with his mother but for a
few moments. He had during the day
drawn upon his fund to the amount of two
two thousand dollars more, and that night
intended to get eUen. Again and again he
lost. Day after day he drew his money, un-
til at the end of the week he had but five
thousand dollars in the world
In a brief sketch like this it is impossible
to comment on the scenes that open to our
view. They are matters Of fact, and afford