Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1858-11-13

crafty You tonight, some other time.D-
CThot neglect of duty, that some other
time, that has cost us all so much remorse. J
i am going to Miss C's, Lucy may teach
you, how to use your board, and men, that
papa brought you, the other day" Quietly
sadly, the disappointed little ones who had
entered their mothers room, but moment
before, flushed with hope and anticipation,
retreated in pursuit Of hireling, who was
to take the place Of that thoughtless moth.
er, in whose hands God had placed these
young immortal minds, to be trained for
usefulness here, aud fitted for eternity
Why 2 did not some good angel whisper to
that mother, as she was whirling through
the giddy dance that her children were
learning lessons, that wonld have an inAu-
ence upon their whole future. They were
becoming interested in things that would
yet prove a curse to both, parents and chill
dren. NimbIe little fingers soon learned to
use those painted pieces of wood, dexter
onsly- Those active enquiring minds, as
well as busy hands, must have something
to do, and eagerly they entered into their
new amusement furnished by father, and so
must be right. Oh that we possessed the
implicit faith Of childhood, in our heavenly
parent games of chance, in preference to
the true and beautiful tales of sacred his
tory, which their young minds longed to
hear explained. Who can tell if that moth.
er had but pra2ticed selfdenia, hut for one
evening, and gratifed their childish curiosi-
ty. but that she might have impressed upon
their elastic minds noble sentiments. that
would have guided them in a different path
through life, and saved her such dreary
night watchings, and days of almost hope
less suspense silva a Dad
There was no more pleading for stories,
and she who had the care of them, was
commended, because they were so quiet
and orderly, and didn't disturb mamma any
more " for something to do" That moth
er never dreaming, there would come
time, she would give all she possessed for
this precious opportunity of guiding their
young feet, and forming their habits Alright.
In that home, where habits of Industry
and usefulness should have been formed.
and their duty to themselves and others
learned, was implanted taste for those
exciting games, Gall innocent in themselves. J
the continued practiceof which, has brought
SO much desolation to many a happy fire.
side. My brain grows weary, and my pen
falters, thinking of the many bright hopes
crushed, and prospects blighted by this in
satiable love of "games of hazard"
Go with me again to that once happy
home. Look at those prematurely old pa
rents, they are bowed with grief, such as
parents only feel for wayward, erring chill
dren. Where are now those promising
young sons, who should be as stats and
comforters to those fond parents, in their
declining years? how they had doated upon
them, what plans they had formed for fu-
ture family aggrandizment. Left in youth
to seek amusement from home, THAT home
that should have been made bright, beau
tiful and attractive,) chasing their own
associates already adopts at play, they
soon became familiar with those older, and |
more hardened in sin, who induced them |
to go to these accarsed places of resort,
where vice is presented in its most alluring
form. The same oft told tale, playing for
then persuaded to risk just a
little, then little more, until all is staked |
and lost Madened, by repeated losses, they
drinks, for the tempter ever stands near
with the exciting glass, TO take advantage
of these poor deluded victims. Step by
step, they continued in their downward |
course, night after night, the wretched
father sought, and found them in the low
est dens of infamy, (for their means were
too limited now, to visit more fashionable |
places and took them back to that moth.
er, who waited in hopeless anguish. In
vain now, society sought to allure her, the |
mother was reused. and bitterly she repen- |
ted her past folly, and neglect of duty
Finally, the eldest, in u fit of desperation
wanting wherewith to crafty his passion
for play, joined with hoHse-breakers and |
thieves, bnt being novice he was caught,
while the older and more hardened villains
escaped, with the spoils Aud he now Ian
guishes in prison. All that wealth and in
flilence could do, was done, but justice
must take its course. The other is an out
cast-a wanderer, and will soon fill a drunk
ards grave. And the cry continually
goes up from those heartbroken parents,
=" oh my sons ! my sons would to God /
had died for thee"
Let us take warning, and endeayOr so
to instruct, aud guide the little ones, en-
trusted to our care, that when we shall be
called to come up hither, we can truly say
" Lord, here am |, aud the children tbou