The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-12-30
Itseems a long and weary patti
For the Jeffersonian Democrat.
Reformation VS.. Gambling.

For the Jeffersonian Democrat
Reformation VS.. Gambling.
A few weeks since, tho gray mists of morn
ing rose from off tho city of Cleveland, their
faint shadows fast following tho deeper
darkness Of night as it fled away before the
searching sunbeams, revealing at u certain
point on one of the principal streets of the
city, single feature of scene, at the
thought Of which shuddcr.
Upon the cold storo of tho pavement,
gathered poo, of blood-blood. tha. little
more than an hour before, throbbcd high in
! the temples Of q man that had fallen there,
and whose body, now lying in the room
above, was cold in death. In that room, for
hours that night, had he been giving up his
manhood, throwing away his nobility, sell
ing his soul, to tho demons around him,
who, in their madness, had touched to his
! lips that terrible cup, tho over burning fires
of which scorch the soul, even OH it's passage
across this earth, oil tho way down to tho
regions of tho damned. Hour after hour,
they played and drauk, until finally, when
all else was iost-whether or not they know
il, it matters nct--they asked him to stake
his lifc, and again dealing out tho cards,
they signed L. F. Stei ling's death warrant
0uiug Out In inc darkness, as he dying foil,
his blood went up to Heaven, CRYING for
vengeance.
Oh, that blood Its fearful cry ought to
sound out until il reaches every family in
tho laud. As I examined the stair.hghts
and stood with tho anxious crowd around
the spot whcrc tho clottod blood was gath.
ored on tho pavement, could but wish,
that somo sw!ft-winged messenger might,
with this lifcs blood, mark n Thousand
in hn Ian hat hn IA mi line
that gather around them. might read in the
finger. drawn stain tho history of this fallen
victim, and feel that it is but the result Of
card-playing and drinking.
Reader. hero is q terrible effect. Ponder
well, as you seek tho cause-then como
with no.
On tho bosom of tho mighty rivor that
cuts its way from the far North through the
valley of tho wide West, finding its outlet
in the Gulf of Mexico, rides FLOATING pal.
acc." The shadows of the high cliffs that
rise in tho moonlight, fall across her decks,
as, freighted with boxes and bales, loaded
with passengers seeking their homes and
friends in the high North, she pushes against
the stormy current, on her way to tho city
of st. Paul 'Tis lato in tho evening. Most
of the passengers have found state rooms,
though some are lying along tho floor of the
cabin. Near tho entrance Of the Ladies
Saloon" stands table. On it rests tho clear
glasses, filled with sparkling wine. Around
it, are four mon. One is young, seemingly
not long skilled in the active plays of this
busy world. We need only to look, to
know that tho others are mon who know
their business. Cards arc dealt, turned and
: held to tho lght-wino is slipped. money
staked tho young man plays well, aud is
wonderfully successful. A. last, in the
heat of excitement, he stakes the money
with which no was to buy farm-thon
como tho quick glances of tho plotting men
"a slipping card is turned-tho game is
lost-and he, penniless, will leave the
steamer at the next landing, bcggar-
Friends, in his far-off home, wish him sue.
cess, but little dream that tho profestiona!
!. leaders Of q fast. obtaining fashion carry in
their pockets, the means ho was 10 invest
in western homo.
Causes, ho,Cerer slow, WiR produce effects
Again We stand upon the shores of the
"Golden State" Through every street oI
her seaport city, rings tho cink Of the gam
II blor's coin. lie cries through tho oper
street door, "Who takes that bet I" Il &c
: fve to your tlUo" We step insdc, and are
}, in the midst of mammoth hail. Splendid
chandeliers arc suspended above tho heads
of the crowd, while lesser lights sit close
upon tho tables. On one side is "Bar,
n overbung with gold and tinsel, and full o
8 flashing doca nters. Along tho middle o
g. tho hall stand tables, around which moi
arc gathered-mcn whose strong muscles
= ought to earn for them an honest liyell
hood.
Here is "Faro Bank" there is bi!iar'
table-yonder they arc al "Monte. an'
Just beside thom revolves "ROulott
Wheel" How eagerly is watched the lttl
whirIing ball, that perchanco it may fal
upon tho winnig number. How CAREFUL
does each gamester, watch the cards. Wha
rafting OF "Dce," what sharp spoken words
what angry oaths, oil through that hail.
Suddenly thcre comos q flash, then a report
We look-yonder light at tho far end OF tn
hall, is snuffed out by the whizzing ball, tha
clipping it, now rest in the wall beyond
Tho defiant Shot" with revolver loyeled O
" his opponent, says s.ernly-"Beware, you
/. life Is of less value than yonder lamp wick
ID Once again they doal the cards-thousand
at single turn, are lost and won. Tabl
after table holds the weight of shining dus
of which the unwary have been "heeced
; Families, in tho far-off States, strugglin
A' through sickness and want, wait the comm
of tho toil-earned gold their husbands an
J. fathers havo gathered in the mines. Blu
- they wait in vain, for these gambling legion
- of Satan have stolen it from them. A com
pany stand at the bar. They are about t
drink. As one raises the glass to bis lips;
dark form appears through the open door