The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-03-21
MISCELLANY.
The Clerks of New York.

The following interesting letter should
be read by all young men who have an
idea of going to the city TO live:
New YoRK, Jan. q, 1866.
To the Young Mems Christian ASSOCIATION of
NeV York-R r. McBumey, .Secre-
tmy:
"God moves in mysterious way his
wonders to perform" | feel that your
association, through the grace of God,
has been the means of saving another one
from course of life that leads not only
TO destruction in this world, but in the
world to come. In one of those "recruiting
offices Of he'll, where they enlist young
men in the service of the devil, as a cell
ebrated divine calls our fashionable bar
rooms, n neat card, hanging near some
theatrical bills attracted my attention.
On it was printed, "Young Mems Chris.
tian Association, free reading room and
library, strangers welcomed" &c.
thought what contrast that place
must be to a "gin.mill," and turning
round | said "IIarry, come, let's take
cocktail to the Young Mems Christian
Association before we go"
Course the Associations" says Harry
'give us two Bourbon cocktails, James"
The cocktails made the most impression
on both Of US a! that time. We had
been on ':jolly old lark" with some fell
low cerks-pretty tight, and did not part
until late at night, when our stamps gave
out. But your card was before me all
the time, in my sleep, and the next morn
ing ''lle who doeth all things well" direct
ed my steps to you. As soon as | was in
your elegant library, | made up my mind
to take the first step Of becoming a
Christian man-that is signing the pledge.
had not the courage that day, but the
following day | signed it for four years,
with feeling of deep accountability to
God for past misdceds.
am proud of that pledge. 1t is a
gran savings bank to me; for as | pass
my iavorlte sample rooms in Broadway.
| feell have safeguard in my pocket in
the form of solemn pledge, recorded in
the diary of your honorable secretary,
whose prayers in my behalf believe have
been answered, for my resolution grows
stronger every day.
From my past experience you can
learn what wide field is open here in
New York for all your Christian efforts.
Like hundreds OF other young men who
come TO New York to seek "a livelihood.
lound myself some ten years since clerk in
one of 1he largest mercantile houses III
this metropolis. We had an overdose OF
night work ut that time, entering good,
until past midnight for six or eight weeks
at "A time | noticed most all the young
men took an overdose Of rum to keep pace
with the hours. | was not long in doing
the same, and believe that three quar-
tiers of our salaries were spent in the
| theatres and barrooms. In duh seasons
there would be reaction, and we drank
to drive away the "blucs Three of my
fellow bookkcep,rs in that house now fill
drunkardS' graves. One of the party fell
off Of a steamer crossing Lake Ontario
one stormy night while on drunken
travelling spree. Another talented young
man, brought up in one OF the best book
houses in London, posted in all the cur
rent literature of the day, pregnant with
the most witty kes and songs, one who
could keep a room full of us in roars of
laughter till past the hour of midnight, so
full OF promise and advancement in the
house we were engaged in, died miser-
able drunkarl in the wOrkhouse in London
| Ia Il =, 1. 1
reduced TO poverty lie had wife and
child in London. We raised S75 for him
in the store, sent $50 to dis wife by
steamer, and put him on "A packet ship
bound for London, passage paid. and a
bag FILL of the best provisions and whiskcy.
shall not forget the parting on that
packet ship-all Of US three sheets in the
wind"
Another young man died of "delirium
tremens" IN the "Tank," so-callcd
boarding hHuse, where most OF the clerks
IN my department congregated. Had
been introduced into your association at
that time | might now be filling a position
OF high honor and trust
| was offered several hundred dollars TO
take the position Of assistant cashier in
another mercantile house. Then | was
under the tuition of one of the best book
keepers in this city-commanding a salary
OF So, 600. lie would take a week each
month for n good bender. l had his
whole duties then on my shoulders.
was inexperienced still, if whiskey had
not made me careless also, | could have
stepped into his position when he left
That same gentleman died the sad death
OF suicide, and letter left in his room,
where he did the awful deed, says: Bury
me decently in my lot in Greenwood. II
some kind friend had taken me by the
h n my end might have lon d fl frent.
should like to see large ''cotiee, tea
and smoking room" connected with your
fine library. Many, many young men
pass their time in the 'Iouvre" and
other low concert saloons only to kill time
in the evenings, who would gladly come
and smoke in the evenings, where they
could enjoy good reading "without money
and without price"
My next clerkship extended some three
years in distant city. Not having so
many temptations surrounding me, was
comparatively sober, Yet oftentimes
would that internal liquor get the master
OF me, and cause me 10 commit acts which