Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-02-06
V.e First lesson in Gambling

Where there are great collections Of PEG
ple. there are always bad and foolish PEG
pie among them. 1t was so at Bridgeport
where the State Fair was held last week.
Outside the grounds, behind or within
tents and booths, were many who gam
bled, and led others to do so. Now 1t IS
a very simple thing to gamble, so simple,
and often appears so fair that many boy
is led to take his first step before he knows
it.
There was behind one oyster stand,a cir
Gle of men and boys; on the ground sat d
poor degraded, dissipated man,poorly clad,
and looking sick and weak. He held i'll
his hand several iron rings, and before him
was board with large nails driven in IT
which stood upright. A clear faced, bright
eyed, handsome little fellow, well dressed
and we'll behaved, stepped up to him
He was just such a boy as is prompt at
day-scbool, and always had bis lesson at
Sunday-sch oil; and just such boy as will
always be favorte with his companions,
for his good heart, his kindness and unset
fshness. He showed this all in his face as
he stepped up to the man and satd"W hats
that for?"
"Give lac cent and you may pitch one
of these rings, and if it catches over nail
III give you six cents"
That seemed fair enough, SO the boy
handed him cent, and took ring. he
stepped back TO the stake, tossed the ring,
and it caught one Of the nails.
"}Nill you take six lings to pitch again,
or six centsP
'sSx cents" was the answer; and two
three cent pieces were put into lis hand,
and he stepred off, we'll satisfied with what
he had done, ami probably not having am
idea that he had done wrong.
A gentleman standing near, had watch
ed him, and now, before he had time to
look about and rejoin bis companions, laid
his hand on his shoulder.
my lad that is your first lesson i'll
gambling"
''Gamhling, sir!'
''You stabed ycur penny, and won six
Did you notl'
"Yeu did not earn them, and they were
not given you; you wen them just as
ganblers win atoneg. You have taken
the first step in he path that man has
gone through it, aud you can see the end
Now | advise you to 90 and give him the
six cents back, and ask him for your PEN
ny, and then stand square with the world,
an enest boy again
He had hung his head down. but raised
it quickly, and his bright open look, as he
said, "Ill do it," will not be forgo;ten.-
He ran back and soon enc ged from the
ring booking happier than ever. He touch
ed his cap and bowed pleasantly as he ran
away to Join his comlads.
That boy was RoNEsT,-honest TO him
self, honest in bis impulses, honest in his
Utmost soul He did not stop to think
that gentleman does not know me, and
/ shall make better use of my money
than that poor gambling vagabond; SO I'll
Just say nothing about it, but keep what
I have SO fairly won. Nc, he was true to
his Utmost soui and he did right, as if he
was used to doing right, and as if it were
no hardship. That is arue honor and hon
esty not to think whether it is necessary
or not whether any body will know it; but
to be honorable for honor's sake, truthful
and honest for the love of it. Who does
not love Transparent character anywhere,
everywhere in boys or girls, in young Or
Old Homestead,