Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-01-23
ONCE"

evening in October. The girls cheek ]
crimsoned, as she anwered the interrog-
atory in the negative, and added;
MY mother has taught me from child
hood that it is wrong TO attend such pla-
ces."
" But your mother formed, perhaps, !
improper prejudices, from exaggerated
accounts given by Others; for have oft
en- heared her say she never attended
one in her life"
He spoke eloquently Of the drama,
comedy, and tragedy, and dwelt with pa
thos on the important lessons there to be
learned of human nature.
Go with me "oace," he said, "and
Judge for yourself"
Persuasion and curiosity triumphed
over maternal precepts and example, as
she hesitatingly replied:
"Fn go but once"
She went, and in that theater charm
came over her like that which the serpent
sent forth from his dovelike eye. She
went again and again, and from that
house Of mirih and laughter she was led
to one from the portals Of which she new
er returned.
Around a centre-table, where an astral
lamp she'd its mild light, sat three girls,
one holding in her hand a pack of card>.
At the back Of her chair stood young
man who for years had successfully re
sisted every effort made by his compan-
IONS to induce him TO learn the character
of cards.
Come" said she, "we want one TO
make out our game. Play with US once,
if you never play again"
Her eye, cheek, and lip conspired to
form an eloquent battery, which sent
forth its attack upon the fortress of good
resolutions in which he had long stood
secure, until it fell like the walls of an
ancient city when Jared by the fearful
hattering ram. He learned the cards
and played. A few weeks aferward
wss passing his door at a late hour, and
candle was shedding its dim light
through the window. Since. that time
have looked from my chamber nearly
every hour of the night, from the close of
day TO early morn, and seen The light
family struggling through the curtains
that screened the inmates of that room
from every eye, save His who seeth alike
in darkness and noon-day. Gaming
brought with it disease, and death came
just as he had numbered the half Of his
three->core years and ten. During his
last hours l was sitting by his bedside,
when he fixed on me a look / shall never
forget, and bade me listen 10 his dying
words.
q might have been a different man
from what am; but il is now too late.
/ am convinced that there is a state Of
being beyond the grave and when /
think Of the retributioE which awaits me
in another world, ! feel horror which
language is inadequate to describe. -
These were among the last words be
ever uttered.
The Junior class Of a Southern college
had assembled in students room 10
spend the night in rio, aud debauch.-
Amid the crowd was one who had never
recited bad lesson, since bis matricula-
ton. In his studies lie was head and
shoulders" above the class. That day
he had failed. A shade Of the deepest
gloom came over him, and he was mel
ancholy. Bot the wine and jest went
around, while he felt like Lucifer in
Eden, where all was joy and giadness
around him. Said classmaie--
Come, Bob, quaf this bumper, and
it will make you feel bright as hermits
lamp"
The tempier whispered in lis ear,
" Drink once, and forget The past" A
powerful struggle seemed to be going on
in his mind for a moment but al last be
silently shook bis head, aud retiring from
the room gave vent to food Of tears.
The boy never drank-not even once.
lie took the va!edictory, and Is nov pres
ident Of eollege.
Once p Oh, on this slender point
hath turned 10 veal OF woe the destiny
Of deaihless spirit. Caesar paused bui
once oh the banks Of the Rubieon; bni
il was a pause like that which nature
makes when gathering her elements for
tie dread tornado. Eve ate tue forbid
den fruit bot once, and her countless pos
territy have felt the fearful consequences
resulting from 50 rash an act. Reader
remember ogcE."
: G Applause Is the spur Of abls