The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-02-17
The First Lesson in Gambling


Wherever there are great collection.
of people, there are always bad and fool
iah people among them. 1t was 50 at
Bridgeport, where the State Fair was
held last week Outside the grounds, be-
hind or inside tents and booths, were
many who gambled, and led others to do
80. Now it is very simple thing to
gamble, 50 simple, and often it appears 50
iair, that many boy is led to take the
first step before he. knows it, =. ......
There was behind one of the oyster
stands circle Of men and boys on the
ground sat poor, degraded dissipated
man, poorly clothed and looking sick and
weak. He held in bis hand several rings,
and before him was board with large
nails driven in II, which stood uprig ght.
clear faced, bright eyed, handsome lit
tie fellow, we'll behaved, stepped up to
him Pe was just sueh a boy as Is
prompt at day school and such boy as
will always be favorits with his COM
panions for his good heart, his kindness
and usefulness. He showed all this, in
his face as he stepped up to the man and
said, What's that for p
"Give me cent and you may pitch
one of these rings, and if it catches over
a nail III give you six cents"
That seemed fair enough, 50 the boy
handed him cent and took ring. He
stepped back to g stake, and tossed the
ring, and it caught on one Of the nails.
"Will you take six ringsto to pitch again,
or six ceuts?" ....H 'L
six cents" was the answer, and two
three cent piece. we're put into bis hand,
and he stepped of well satisfied with What
he had done and probably not having an
idea that he had done wrong,
A gentleman standing near had watch
ed him, and now, before he had tims to
look about and rejoin his companions,
laid his hand on his shoulder. II
My lad, that is Jour frat lesson in
gambling G ,. 49,
Gambling, sir p
you staksd your pany ana won six
Did you not'" g.
Yes, I did" '
You did not earn them, and they were
rot given yor; ycu toon them Just as
CARRIERS acin ,coaey, You have taken
the frst step in the path; that man has
gone through it, and you can see the end.
Now l advise you to 60 and give him his
six cents back and ask him for your pen
ny. and then stand square with the.wOrld'
an honest boy again
He had hung his head down, but raised
it quickly, and his bright, open look al
he said, III do it, will not be forgot
ten. He ran back. and soon smergee
from the ring looking happier than ever
He touched his cap and bowed pleasant
as hs'ran away to join his comrades.
The boy was hores,-honsst to him
self, honest in his impulses, honest In hi
lnmost soul. He did not stop to think
that gentleman, does not know me, and
shall make a>bsttsT use Of the money tha
that poor gambling vsgabond; 50 III jus
say nothing about It, but keep what
have family Won, No, he was true to b
honest soul and he did right as if b
were used to doing right, and as if it wer
no hardship. This is true honor and hor
esty; not to think whether it is necsssar
or not, whether anybody viii know 1t
but to be honorable for honor's sak'
truthful and honest for the love OF i
Who does not love spch q boy2 VIII
, does not love transparent characters an.
where, everywhere, in girls CT boys,
old or young p Homestead.
ExcRLLEsT DRIED BEKB.--A hous