Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-06-01

The noisy revel, and the low debauch, and fierce
excitement Of play,
With drsary Interchange Of palling pleasures, filed
the dull round Of existence.
Memory was to him q foe; so he Aow for false So
lace to tho wine cup,
And stunnedhis enemy AZ even, but she rent him
asa giant IN the morning"
N p TUPPER.
II was night Comparative quiet reigned
in the city Of New Orleans after the hustle
Of the day. The armament was studded with
twinkling lights, while the softly beaming
moon was just passing from view. A pleas
ant breeze was waited from the river, tending
to refresh and soothe the tired watchmen. as
they sung out, "12 O'clock"
just then issued from a brilliant bar-room
two men, evidently under the influence ofK.
quor. The beauty of that ''stilly night had
no effect upon them. Unhallowed thoughts.
and base purposes are not prone to elevate
the soul, and they could not appreciate aupht
that was lovely or truly beautiful. One rea-
son they had to love the night, it was fitted
In its gloom for their dark designs. They
did not reflect, there was an Ali-seeing eve
which never slumberso or sleeps, and who ever
watches each Of his creatures.
Onward they go through street after
street till now they approach a dark, narrow
sly " "hhNh my VII NJctT StSpS. linen
they reach a low, gloomy looking building.
which they enter, and now are in n large
long room, brilliantly lighted, but so arranged
as to exclude almost entirely the rays from
the outer part Of the house. A number of
persons are present. Young men, sons of
fond and good parents, who, when children,
knelt by a mothers knee and lisped a child
moods prayer. Sons, who are looked up to
by mothers, some of HON are widowed. as
their strength and prop in old age. Brothers
TOO, upon whom sisters look with idolatry.
and who arc to those pure beings the ~realiza-
ton of perfection. Could they but see them
now, STEPPED with poisonous liquor, and bend
ing absorbed DER the gaming table. their
hearts would bleed with sorrow. and their
souls turn with disgust and horror from
those, who that morning pressed a brothers
kiss upon their stainless brows.
Others surrounded that table also. Old
men with hair all siIyered, but whose grew
locks are rather a disgrace and shame, than
a crown of glory" Time had not placed
themthere. Dissipation, low, base, grovelling
passions had touched them, and scared their
beauty, long before they reached their pres
ent age. Many had beon their victims. be-
guiled from the paths Of rectitude and honor
oy these odd men" How many will be
known when retrlbution will be given by a
just and frowning Providence?
Men in the prime of life-upon 70 lose
orows intellect is stamped, who once were
happy, generous, and moral, are there vast
ing away their lest years, their i"dovs &c
grace" For what? For that which Is q
curse upon any community, any country nm.
der the heavens. Obi why should such men
sinh to'this .AeVel crush loving hearts, arid
lose their own sunlsl
Many present arc under, the influence of
liquor, and greatly excited by play. Some
arc intoxicated to such n degree that they
are lying on sofas about the saloon, a revolt
ing and repulsive spectacle even to those de.
graded men there assembled.
"Hallo, Sawyer Billings, you are late,'
cried several voices. Come take a drink be-
fore you sit down, here is some rare old BRAN
dy. Where have you been all the evening ?
But We will not tie too inQuisitiNe, better late
than never. Hey, jim ~
Yes, (hic) certainly, (hic) play tonight,
(hic) Bill |"
How are you, Sawyer? So you've come
at last. I've been waiting some time 10 take
that game Of faro with you. Are you ready?'
Eyes, by jove, had no idea Jack, twas so
late, for you see | got rather har> pushed for
the one thing needful,' and parted with nv
watch. l INSIST though | assure YOU. and
hope TO redeem it tomorrow. But / am rea-
dy, and expect to win that hundred back
again tonight"
Success to you" said his companion, a
famous gameSter, and a man of bad reputc,
known by the name Of Jack Edwards"
They both played well, but Edwards the
better OF the two, though he had sometimes
-L~~b~si"Z iIHe mgIit previous to this Ed
wards had won a hundred dollars from him
Tonight. ne was resolved to regain i. and
played with all his might. But he was hea.
ted by liquor, and greatly excited Fifty
dollars were staked. Edwards won il. Finv
more, with the same result. Then Sawye,
grew desperate, and doubled the stake. He
again lost. All present shared the excite
ment, and had crowded around them. Wber
TINS game was finished, Edwards refused 70
play longer. Sawyer grew very angry, and
IN oltter tones cursed him, at the same time
yowing nc should play till he could win back
his money.
Then Sawyer, by jove, you shall retract
what you have spoken, or this hall nassoS
through your BRAIN said Edwards apor;Iv
Drunken fool you know not what Won az
saying. Take bach your words, sir p
Never !" cried Sawyer: and before onr
one could interfere, he drew forth a revolve,
and nred 1t at the breast of Edwards. II,
Tell, apparently dead, and Sawyer seeing b;s
danger, and coming to his senses, rusbef
u@dly from the saloon, through the streets
and down to the wharf, caring not what r,
did, and stopping not TO reflect. A yesse
lay in the harbor, which, from the prenara
tons on board, he saw would soon set sail
he was without money, but suddenly recol
lectlng a valuable ring he wore on his fnoor
ne hastened to the house of Jew, whom h
knew to be a pawner of iewelry, as of Al
things else, and rousing him from his bed
soon held IN his hand the money exchange
for the ring. He then returned 10 the yesse1
engaged passage, and ere the sun rose IN
next morning, was many miles on the broa
blue waters. ~
Then for the first time he bad leisure =
reflect. Who can realize his feelinos Of hi,
ter remorse, whom the thought came unr
him, and continually haunted him. ~ am
murderer y Before his minds eve ever ros
the picture Of Edwards weltering in his life,
blood, and he the murderer. Surely of =
crimes murder isthe worst. The remorso
such an act, envelopes the lifetime of The .,
tor-clouds has whole existence-and 70,
ders miserable earh.hour, each moment Oh
life. '''@t ~ sfa
Forest for we will no. longer call him (
his ASSUMED Dame--looked care.worn ar
prematurely old before, but the naxt NOR,