Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-06
MORNING LEADER
WEDNESDAY MORNING, APR 6, Is5z

Strange Career of a Young man---A Gam
bier Reciaimed---He Becomes n Prosper
Gus Merchant and HOuOrabIy Discharges
Long Contracted Debt.
Seven years ago, a bright, intelligent
young man, g mere boy, so to speak, who's,
name is suppressed for prudential reasous
found his way to Chicago from one Of the
eastern States. Like thousands Of others
he was ambitious to become wealthy. and
from the golden stories he had heard Of
the "Garden City," he supposed the only
thing necessary to insure success. was In
be ChicsgosD, presuming that it would
be an easy matter to step right into some
lucrative business His dreams were not
realized, and he soon found himself not
only friendless, but penniless. As a last
resort, after failing to obtain honorable
employment, he turned to gambling. at
which be soon became an adept Time
passed on, and through fraudulent preten-
oes he obtained some property, for which
he was subsequently, arrested and thrown
into prison. In his dilemma he applied to
Mr.. c. r. Jones, for legal advice. telling
him be was poor and friendless, but assur-
ed him that if he was successful in secur-
ing his discharge from dursnce vile be
would pay him "some day" Jones con-
sented, and succeeded in his undertaking.
Previous to his arrest the young man
had contracted debt Of $40 with a tobac.
CO firm on Water street (one Of the part
ners Of which has since gone to the Peni-
tentisry,) for which be was arrested as
soon as released from prison. On the rep
resentstion of Mr.. Jones to G P. Bradley,
Acting Superintendent Of Police, of the
boys determination TO become an honest
man in the future, Mr. Bradley assumed
and paid the debt Of forty dollars.
The young man at once left the city and
went to California, assuring Jones. on his
departure, that he intended 10 accumulate
few thousand dollars by gambling in the
then new Eldorado, and then forever absn-
don the nefarious vocation. And he kent
his word. During two years that he spent
IN California be succeeded in winning sew
erai thousand dollars, and then left for
Pixies Peak, where he tried his fortune in
other business, but did not succeed as we'll
as he desired. He aocor iiDgIy closed out
his busines and went to Minnesota. and
settled in one Of the river towns, wherehe
commenced business as s wholesale grocer.
There he prospered, but did not forget his
Chicago friends, Jones and Bradley. Last
week he returned 10 this city, not as on
his first visit, however, but the possessor
Of $4,000, all in "greenbacks." Before
attending to any other business, he sought
out the Office Of his first attorney, made
himself known, and, accompanied BY him,
they called on Mr.. Bradley, and invited
him to accompany them to the Briggs
House, on matter Of business. Presum-
ing that they had an important case which
they wanted him TO "work up" he at once
consented. Arriving there, he conducted
them TO his room, drew his money from his |
Office, and proceeded to liquidate his in |
debtedness to both parties, paying them in |
full, with compound interest.
Jones and Bradley had both forgotten |
the boy gambler and speculator, and had |
passed his Indebtedness over to the debtor |
side Of the profit and loss account But |
after the lapse Of six years he appeared on |
the tGpis again, an honorable, respected |
business man, the husband Of a fond wife |
and the father Of two interesting children.
Their kindness to him in his days Of trial |
saved him from irretrievable ruin, and
gave to the country one Of its most prom
Using business men.
lis lesson that should not be lost. A /
kind act or word costs but little, and, il
given in due time, is like seed scattered |
upon good ground, which takes root and |
springs up producing q manifold return
With his old debts fully paid off the mer-
chant proceeded to purchase q large stock
Of groceries and returned to his Minnesota
home, leaving with Messrs. Jones and |
Bradley the consOling reflection that they
had by good action saved a young man
from irretrievsble ruin, and his friends
from lasting disgrace Chicago Times