Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-06-11
:. Thg "confdential envelope" was

other tales were read, and the award wa:
Immediately published. But where 20 fnd
, the author, 50 that the prize-money might
be paid? The publisher and arbtrators had
not to wait long. In the evening following
, the announcement, young man came to
the office to claim the prize. He was pale
and thin, even to ghastliness, and his whole
!. appearance bespoke dissipation, want, and
illness. A well worn coat, buttoned up to
he chin, concealed the want of a shirt, and
imperfect, wretched boots, discovered the
absence of stockings. But he looked gen.
tleman, epertheiess;for his face and hands.
though haggard ami attenuated, were clean
and spotless, his hair was well arranged, his
eye was bright with intelligence, and his
voice and bearing those of scholar. The
publisher and the arbitrators weIe interes-
ted extremely. They inquired into his h.
/ tory, and finally offered him employmenf9z 9z
the magazine for which the tale had been
written.
A little money judiciously applied soon
altered the appearance of the young man
and in a short time he took his post as Sec
ond editor of monthly magazine. with the
means and position OF a gentleman. <.
Now was an opportunity of retrieving his
lost character. Here were friends ready
not only to overlook the past, but to assist
in making his future calm and fee from
care. Here was public ready to listen to
his teachings. and patron ready to reward
his labors. For little while all went on
well, and those who knew him began to
congratulate themselves upon the happy
change. Those who before admired his
genius were beginning to respect his integ
rlty. He was happy and successful in his
new avocation. He married young and
beautiful girl, his cousin; he found for him
self cottage, which the care, economy ,and
gentle temper of his wife converted into a
HOME, and he was beginning to be happy
man. 1t would be well if our story could
end here; but, alas for human fralty! alas
| for good resolutions made without PRAYER to
God! alas for principles in which He assists
not! the young husband of that fair young
wife fell back again into the abyss and for
feited the respect of employers and the SYM
pathy of friends, through his devotion to the
accursed bottle.
1t were weary tale to :ell how often he
repented, and was forgiven; bow he passed
from the editorship of one magazine to that
of another;h how he went from state to state
and from city to city, a hand-working, as
piring, sanguine, talented man, bearing
about him the curse of irresolution, never
constant but 10 the seductive and danger.
GUS besetment" of strong drink;how friends
advised with him, and publishers remon.
sIrated; how at one time he had SO far con-
quered his propensity as to cali himself,in a
letter to friend, "a model of temperance
and other virtuss;" and how, at another, he
forfeited the occupation, which was the sole
dependence of his little family, by frequent
relapses into his old disgra ceful habits; how |
he committed, under The excitement OF in
toxication, faults and excesses to which no
gentleman would plead guilty; how he bor-
rowed money of his friends without the
means or intention of returning it; how he |
forfeited the esteem-even while his talents
commanded the admiration-of the public;
how he succeeded in bringing many literary
speculations into life which his vicious hab
its and inattention to business murdered in
their youth; how he became a confirmed
drunkard, with only now and then tilful
hour or so in which to throw off on paper,
the va carries of mind rich in learning and
imaginative fancies; how his young wife
died broken hearted, and how he became so
roJ,,oJ 70 ha oh1o lonn IN MAKO and
appearance among his friends; ;how his wife's
mother, constant to his falling fortunes, and
ever anxious to conceal his vices went with
his MSS. from Office to Office land from pub
Usher to publisher, in search of the means
to support him; how for little while he
shook off the lethargy of intoxication, and
again appeared in the polite circles of New
York; how he was caressed. and feted, and
congratulated; how the efforts of his pen
were sought by rival publishers; how he was
engaged to Se married a second time to q
beautiful young woman, and how the en-
gagement was finally broken off through
his return to his perncious habits. 1t were
weary tale indeed.
The melancholy ly story of this mans life
was soon to close-the golden thread to be
rudely snapped asunder-aud by his own
hand He had partly recovered from his
dangerous courses, and was engaged in de-
livering lectures in different towns. They
were well attended, and it was with some
thing like renewed confidence that the we'll
wishers Of the lecturer watched his conduct,
which was now distinguished by extreme
sobriety. He even appeared to have re-
newed his youth and strength; and it was
with pleasure that his friends again received
met with lady with whom he had been
formerly acquainted. Their friendship was
renewed, and they were engaged to be mar
ried. Everything seemed to promise we'll;
the dawn of better day appeared; and the
reformation SO long in coming, seemed to
have come at last. But it was not to be.
On a sunny afternoon in October, in the
year lS49. he set out for New-York, to full
fill literary engagement, and prepare for
his marriage. He arrived at baltimore,
where he gave his luggage to porter,with
directions for him to convey it to the rail-
way station. In an hour he would set out
for Philadelphia. But he would just take a
glass before he s:arted-for refreshments
sake, that was all Fatal hour! In the
tavern he met with some old acquaintances,
who invited him to join them. In mo-
nent all his good resolutions-home, duty,
bride, honor-were forgotton; and, ere the
night had well set in, he was in state of
filthy intoxication. Insanity ensued; he
was carried to public hospital; and, on the
night of Sunday. the 7th OF October,he died
raving:: ::madman. He was only thirty eight
years old when this last dreadful scene of
his l:fe's tragedy was enacted.
READER,-What you have read is no fic-
ton. Not single circumstance here rela-
ted, not solitary event here recorded, but