Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-04-11
The Safe ResolYe-A True Story.

Of a kind but prudent mother, by the untime-
ly death of his father. His mother remained
on the farm and carried on its operations,
with the aid Of an oversecr. Young G.
at a proper age entered College and remained
for some time, without having made remark
able proficiency in learning, but fortunately
without having imbibed the very gross, vic
ious habits Of many of his associates. He
returned home too young to undertake the
management of his patrimony, but having re-
solved on becoming a farmer, he determined
to remain a year with his mother, giving such
attention to her affairs as inclination and a
sense of duty might prompt. Fortunately,
he was devotedly attached to his mother and
had great respect for her judgment and ad-
vice.
lie could but feel that he was a young
man of more than ordinary Importance. He
was wealthy had the command of any ne
cessary amount of money which he could
properly account for, and more than all, had
been to College. Besides, it was evident that
the young men of the neighborhood paid him
Difference, and the girls showed he was the
object OF some attraction. He was tall and
stately, which, added to these other surround
ings, gave him IN ostentatious bearing
But he was honest, and despised a mean act.
Thu term Of the Court of his County com
ing on,-he must need attend, to extend his
acquaintance, make his debut into society
and make his mark. He rode a fine charger,
flor in that day young men of wealth did
not sport a fine buggy and a span,) and early
made his appearance on the Court yard
Soon he was mingling with the elite of the
County, and was proud of the favorable i'm
preston he supposed he had made. 1t was
the habit then to take a glass of toddy at din
ner, another at evening, and a morning dram,
but not to be alrays drinking, as at this day.
Our hero had no scruples about taking the
fashionable glasses, but he carefully eschew-
such an indulgence as would lead to ~intoxica-
ton.
Towards evening he had become SO interes-
ted in his new companions and so pleased
with himself, that he was easily persuaded to
remain all night at the Court House. The
reader who is acquainted with the usual
nightly routine at the Court House of a coun-
ty seat, need not be advised that that was an
unsafe step for our young hero. After sup
per, he with his young friends retired to a
room, when it was soon proposed that the
dizziness of the evening should be relieved by
a game at cards. Our young friend was a
mere tyro at gaming. He knew the names
of the cards and perhaps their value, and had
attempted a few games for mere pastime, but
considered himself entirely ignorant of the
game. There were others, however, in that
room who were well posted, and who knew
withal that our hero had a well filled purse.
1t was not a difficult task to induce him
to enter the game-for he was with gentle
men,, and must be as smart as his fellows,
f and withal, what were a few dollars to him ?
At it they went-the night wore slowly on,
and every hour served but to increase the in.
terest of our young friend in the game. His
!, pile grew less and less, but so namored was
he that he still played on till the last dollar
r had passed from his purse. But what wa:
that to a'young man of his wealth He had
, credit, and on he went, still more and more
enchanted with the game. The grey streaks
2 of morning admonished the players it wa:
time to haul off and seek some repose. A
' this j~uncture our friend awaked from tn,
,delusions Of the ~enchantment to learn that h,
ha1.e not only drained his purse, but was mi
nus two hundred and fifty dollars besides
He was Il young mar of cool decision ant
capital sense. He looked thoughtful, bu
showed no signs of anger, uttered no up
: braidings towards his companions, but &C
knowledged the debt and coolly drew his not,
for the amount and handed it to the winner
When he arose to depart he said to himself
"this is any last gamer
On his way homeward, his i'll success anC
the results of his 6e6ut, haunted and mort
fed him. He determined that his mother
~eouldnot screw his courage up. But hh
| course was fixed. Finding that the farm
lacked an additional plowman, he gave order
? to have a plow fitted up for himself, and wen
: into the field as a regular laborer. This h
; steadily kept up until the crop was made
Several months had elapsed since he gavchi
: note, and he had studiously avoided the coun
: ty-seat, but now that his daily labor wa
; over, he determined to attend the next Cour
: and take it up. But in order to obtain thu
means, it would be necessary to inform hr
/, mother. He told her all, and his purpose il
!. future, and she readily gave him the amount
When Court arrived he attended and prompt
ly paid the note, but he carefully avoided III
:, gaming table.
He soon commenced farming for himself
and by great industry, attention and gooc
/ management he amassed a large fortune
maintaining through life a character 70
!. spromptness and honesty, seldom surpassed
In his old age he frequently adverted t
p that gambling scrape as the crisis in his his
tory, and the purpose formed as fixing hi
! destiny He had kept his pledge, and henc
! his success in life. How few young mel
have the nerve to take such a position AM