The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1861-02-06
Confession of a Clerk.

the trials and temptations to which
young men in our large cities are ex-
posed. and the ruin which overtakes
multitudes Of those who, carefully
trained and prayerfully educated, are
led away by the gay and thoughtless
companions Of their city life, and for
getting the early restraints of home,
are lost to all that is good.
Still, although the warnings and
examples which are presented to young
men thus situated have done much to
assist them to escape the destruction
which principle alone will enable them
utterly to avoid, the evil remains and
if the brief account Of my early strug-
giles with sin and temptations should
strengthen one faint heart, or encour-
age one repentant soul to turn from
the error Of his way, let me not hest
tate. LII
At my fathers death, / was placed
in the large wholesale establishment of
my uncle, whose interest in me extern
ded only to my future in this world
and in training me to early business
habits, he considered that should
thus be amply provided for
In this school I was an apt scholar
I was active, and thoughtless of ia
tigue, enjoyed the full tide of mercan
tile business, and reveled in the ex-.
citement which my life afforded
was punctual to moment; was
diligent in business, thorough in my
allotted task, cheerful as the day, and
popular with my fellow clerks.
My uncle was fully satisfied, and my
friends prophesied successful future.
My gay manners and sociable eispo-
sition won me many friends, and from
these / chose five, with whom I formed
close intimacy, and to whose influence
| gradually yielded, walking apace in
the broad road. fa
was fond of any excitement, and
having no father to watch my actions,
or restraining principle of my own to
prevent, | grew soon to love that
which was evil, and knew no fear. :
| had a key made to our house,
whore my mother lived, and TINS spent
my nights abroad, amid scenes of dis
sipation and vice.
We .frequented the. theatres every
night and after leaving them at
late hour, made our way tie some saloon,
where with wine and cards, we reveled
until almost morning, when we would
creep back to our homes, and snatch
q few hours of sleep before the next
days work commenced, s
was gambler, and skilful one
| seldom lost. "a.
My companions swore | was a fine
fellow, and was expected, in return
to treat them on all occasions, and not
unfrequently bride them to silence.
Our families were highly respectable.
l
We visited in the best society !; thus a
suspicion Of my actual course of life
would have. prevented my welcome
among these friends, and to avoid such
1 possibility of suspicion, | spared no
pains. s.B
think was successful. Not even
my mother dreamed that her fayorite
son, her particular. pet, was any other
than the frank, noble hearted boy he
seemed,
Thank God she never knew was
saved before her heart, knew that pang
This was my. life from sixteen to
nineteen. 1t could not have lasted
thus much longer. Ny health was
failing my interest in business tagged,
and | became careless.
It was in the winter of 1880, that
God in his mercy saw fit to pluck me
as brand from the burning.
| One Thursday night Of this memoir
able winter, | had remained, as was
my habit, to close the counting
after the others had gone, and was
just locking the desk, when knock
at the door announced a little ragged
nrchin, who gave me note addressed
to myself, and FASTENED away,
was astonished at receiving note
at all, and still more that it bore the
delicate hand writing Of lady.
| opened it, and read
r have watched your whole course:
I know your present habits | foresee
your future. I would save you /
Meet me tonight, at nine o'clock,
at-----square lf NARY
81 was bewildered Had my friends
then discovered my dissolute habits ?
Even then, who was this |" Mary ~
1 had not a relative or intimate friend
in the whole city who bore the name.
+ Was it assumed to mislead me and
should Lffnd this IS Mary7no other
than my uncle2a aaa s elt
81 became alarmed in my perplexity,
land taking one of the Office chairs,
drew upto the fire, aud took council