The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-09-27
CHAINED To A BALL.

was once passing the barrack yard, IN
the city of Quebec, and heard the sound as
of soldiers marching. climbed up the wall
and peeped over. There was company OF
soldiers, and, a short distance in advance Of
them, single private, with cannon ball
chained 10 his foot.
He had been guilty of some misdemean-
or, and was condemned 10 the ,ass of parad-
ing a certain number of hours each day,
with this irksome companion.
When see young man, just on the
threshold of life, lettering away his time in
Improbable amusemenls and unworthy as
eociations, which consume his precious seed
time, and burlheE him with evil influences
which will probably go with him, and form
thorny pillow when he lies in the silent
grave, / think that he is chsinng himself 10
ball. When young man cuts off the re-
strainl Of early impressions, aud enters the
bar-room, there to spend his evenings. and
perhaps his nights, in dissipation and com.
panionship with sinners, whose god is Bac-
chus, and whose oblations are profane jesls
aud goddess sneers and licentous songs,
turn aside and weep, that he will madly
fosge aut weld the links with which he is
chanius himself to ball,
When see young man elastic with
hope, whose path points 10 certain sue.
cess, or 10 undying fame, seeking relaxation
from the fatigues Of business or The applica-
iion Of Students life, at the gaming table,
or the theatre, or on the bosom OF unhallow-
cd delights, | do verify feel assured that is
claiming himself to ball which will roll
with it's victim into premature grave.
When see man suffering important en-
gagements to slip by without fuflmeni, from
a habit of carelessness or want of energy,
feel assured that ere lorg experience will
prove 10 him he has been claiming himself
TO a ball.
When young man runs into debt and is
negligent of paying his obligations when due,
CT lets his business take care OF itself while
he is attending 10 some trifing employment,
will find 10 his sorrow that he has been
chaining himselfto ball
When young man forms habit of ex-
travagance and of living beyond his means,
and thus squandefs the bounies put into his
hands for a virtuous and faithful stew.
ardship, he will find that he is wasting
the uncreated capital of future which is
not his and is, moreover, claiming himself 10
ball which will grow more rusty and bat-
densome every day.
When see a young woman, bright in all
the lovel:ness of virgin prime, spending het
time and consuming her intellect, in chasing
the ficiions OF the novel, OF the follie. of tie
romance, oh, how gladly would break The
chain which binds her to such ball |?
When lsee young omen neglecting The
duties Of freside, which should be a little
paradise of bliss, and threading the may
walks through The highway, "that she may
be seen of men," say to myself, "she is
chaiuing herself to BALI"
When that fair maiden looks into a mirror
and aimires the beauty pictured there, ard
sets her heart on lis outward adorHmenl,
think she is claiming herself 10 ball
When, in short, | see a young woman
spending her time in that which protileth
not, under teachings and alurements of vani-
~ or fashion, cannot avoid saying 10 myself,
''sbe is chainihg herself 10 ball.,n
Reader old or young, man or woman, lake
those chains off your limbs, and he free!