Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-07-19
Mliscellaneolts
CONFESSIONS OF A GAMBLER.
ny CHARLES P. ILLSLY.

Iremember The first game OF cards that evei
played. was sixteen years old, and my part
ners, some OF them, were aged men-men who !
were old epough to be my father, and who |
should have cuffed myears and sent me home. |
But no, they praised my dexterlty in handling |
the cards-fattered my judgment and taught |
me 10 glory in my skill Thus, while they
mode rich my vanity, they made wretchedIy |
poor my pockets. Greater men than myself, |
may, with equal truth, advance this same SEN
timent. II was true did not play for much,
we only staked small sum, just 10 make the
game interesting; we scorned to cast thought
on the loss and gain we played for amuse
ment, not for the purpose Of making money.
This was the language we used 10 ourselves.
Butshould an uninterested observer have look
ed over the table at which we were playing, and
watched the eagerneSs with which the stake
was seized when won, and the workings of
the countenance OF the losers, perhaps he
would have put different construction, than
mere amusement, on the deep end intense in
teIest each individual nanifesed. The truth
10, profit and loss are the ruling spirits at
game Of cards, or throw Of dice. know not
which of the two has the most influence 10
keep young man at the gaming table. II we
ere fortunate, the desire is awakened for more
and the hope encouraged that luck is on our
side perchance we pride ourSelf on our skill
IN the game, and so We resolve TO try again,
aud il we are unfortunate, we try again TO re-
pui. our loss, 'luck was against u.s." "may
be more fortunate the next iime," and thou
sand reasons the devotee Of play can make 10
himself for trying again.
was then clerk in store, and as my
funds failed me, had recourse TO my masters
drawer. Dollar after dollar Of his money went
that way without his knowledge. In short
time, could toss my glass OF spirits, and Whit
my Segar with as much grace as the most fin
ished gentleman; and was as perfect in an
oath. became an adept in play; and soon
played deeper games. Yet, with all my cum
ming and judgment, many midnight has seen
me hurrying home with heart terribly heavy,
In consequence Of pocket proportionably
light.
was the only son Of widowed mother |;
and on me her future earthly hopes rested.-
Often would my conscience bitterly reproach
me for my conduct, when, on entering the
house at late hour in the night, ] found my
aged and lone mother sitting up, patiently
waiting my coming; and when she expressed
'her fears, that should inju.e my health by
too close application 10 my business-for de-
ceiyed that fond and trusting parent, by telling
her that business OF the store kept me away
from homeland when she advised me to relax
little, awluily did my heart rise up against
me and reprove my wckedneSS; and again
and again did determine 10 forsake the "evi
ways" that had been treadng. But some
nights won; and then an intense thirst fol
more led me back TO the table; and Other
nights lost-and then would try again c
make ii up.
Soon, however, was that widowed heart tc
De shattered and bleeding; soon was it 10 be
overfowed with the gall of bitterness 'Fo
q week or more, was peculiarly unfortunate
losing every night more or less. 1t may bt
supposed that this continued ill-luck affected
me considerably, and that my masters drawe
had 10 suffer by it. This was not all. TT
the regret experienced OIL account Of my loss
es, l had recourse 10 frequen; and liberal pc
tatons. The more lost, the more | drank
i had often deceived my mother, who Gre
'quently detected the smell of spirit when en-
tered the room, by telling her had been work
1ng among liquors in the Store. For Will
this excuse answered. But when every nigh
on my entering the room, brought with TT
the scent OF spirituouS liquors, her suspicion
ibecame awakened. Neyer-nevers shall | for
get tthe'hour--the terrible hour, when moth
er's hopes were blasted, and Ter fond heal
III WI lluui bdiilH
table at q late hour long past midnight. Tha
might had been unusually unfortunate; i
consequence OF which drank freely and be
+came excited. To have seen me at the table
shouting, drinking, and singing, one woul
have thought me the happiest fellow in tn
'unlgerse. My purse was completely drained
and played on tick. But in my then fran
of mind, money was no object 10 me so
PLAYED and lost, played and lost-occasioaal
raising the stake, until became deeply il
"voved in debt. cared not. kept on n
aioious course Of shouting, swearing, and SIM
ing, until the company broke up.
My mother was anxlously waiting for me-
and "my dear son how glad am that yC
have come !! went to my heart like burnil
.nrTow. My excitement had not worn of, al
-she eyed me susplciously; so hurried off
bed as quick as possible. From the effects
ahe liquor had swallowed, was soon aslee
How long remained asleep know moi, wht
Il was awakened by something dropping on
face. ,Onioeking up | beheld my mother
the head o ( my bed, with her hands claSpe
and the big tears Of ogony rolling down
time woTn cheeks. In moment suspect,
.theix orsi, and bid my lace in the bed clolhs
She had been bending over me-and W
Awakened by mothers tear! | dared n