Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1860-04-05

Peeping into book store, he watches
till the sober customers go olt; then
slips In. and he asks for cards. buys
them, and hastens out. The first game
is to pay for the cards. After the
relish Of playing for stake. no game
can satisfy them sOishost 2 stake. a
few nuts are staked; then bottle of
wine; an oyster supper. A, last they
venture a sixpence in actual paoney-
just for the amusement of it. need
go no farther-whoever wishes TO do
any thing with the lad, can do it now.
If properly piled. and gradually led,
he will go to any length and stop only
at the gallows. Do you doubt it? let
us trace him year or two farther on.
With his fathers blessing. and his
mothers tears, the young man departs
from home. He has received his pat.
rimony. and embarks for life and in
dependence. Upon his journey he
rests at 3 city; visits the school of
morals fingers in more suspicious
places; is seen by a sharper; and
makes his acquaintance. The knave
sits by him at dinner; gives him the
news of the place, and a word of ad-
vice; cantions him against sharpers;
inquiries if he has money, and charges
him to keep it secret; offers himself to
make with him the rounds of the
town, and secures him from imposi-
tion. AT length, that he may see all,
he is taken to q gaming house, but.
with apparent kindness. warned not
to play. He stands by to see the va
rlous fortitudes of the game; some.
forever losing; some. touch what num-
Der they will. gaining piles of gold.-
Looking in thirst where wine is free.
A glass is taken; another Of better
kind; next the best the landlord has,
and two glasses Of that A change
comes over the youth; his exhilara.
ton raises his courage, and lulls his
caution. Gambling seen seems a diff
ferent thing from gambling painted by
pious father! Just then his friend
remarks that one might easily doubled
his money by few ventures. but that
it were, perhaps. prudent not to risk
Only this was needed to fire his mind
What! only prudence between me
and gain? Then that shall not be
long! He stakes; he wins. Stakes
again; wins again. Glorious! l am
the lucky man that is to break the
bank! He stakes, and wins again
His pulse races; his face burns; his
blood is up, and fear gone. He
loses. loses again; loses all his win
nings; loses more. But fortune turns
again, he wins anew. He has now
lost all self-command. Gains excite
hin. and losses excite him more. He
doubles his stake; then thribles them
and allis swept. He rushes on, puts
mp his whole purse. and loses the
whole! Then he would borrow, nc
man will lend. He is desperate, hs
will fight at a word. He is led Il
the street, and thrust out. The COO
breeze which blows upon his fevercc
cheek, watts the slow and solemn
strokes of the clock, k,-one,-two,- :
three.-four; four Of the morningl-
Quick work of ruin. an innocent man
destroyed in night! He staggers t.
his hotel; remembers as he enters i
that he has not even enough to pay
his bill. 1t now flashes upon hin
that his friend, who never had lef
him for an hour before, had stayec
behind where his money is. and doubt
less is laughing over his spoils. Hi
blood boils with rage. But at length
comes up the remem brance of home
parents training and counsels fo
more than twenty years, destroyed il
one night Good Godl what a wretcl
| have been! / am not fit to live.
can not GO home. / am strange
here. Oh that | were dead! O. tha
| had died before l knew this guilt
and were lying where my sister lies
/ Oh, God! Oh, God! my head viii
4 burst with agony" He stalks hi
lonely room with an agony whicl
only the young heart knows in it
first awakening to remorse-when j
looks despare full in the face, an
| feels its hideous incarnations tempt
ing him to suicide. Subdued a
length by agony, cowed and weakene'
by distress. he is sought again b
those who plucked him. Cunning L
subvert in experience. to raise tn
evil passions, and to allay the good
they make him their plant tool.
Farewell, young man!I see thy step
turned to that haunt againl 1 see hop
lighting thy face; but it is luri
+ light. and never came from heaven. :
> Stop before that threshold! turn. an
bid farewell to homel-farewell I