Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-07-26
Just tIsis Once.

Just this once, and we'll 20 heme I
well, well, just once, and then straignt
home"
The speakers we're two youths Just verg.
ing into mandheod. The features of both
bore the Impress of intellectually, while
their dress and air denoted that they be-
longsd to what is called the upper class of
/ society. They were both remarkably fine
looking young men, but close scrutiny of
the features OF the first speaker would dis
cover traces OF fashionable dissipation, and
the flippancy Of his speech gave sufficient
evidence that he had already entered nnon
life fashionabIy denominated fast. " Tn
the features and manners of the other none
Of these traces could be found. There was
nothing indicative Of vice in any form. bur
upon his brow was stamped the holy impress
! Of untarnished virtue. -
They had been listening to scientific leo.
turo delivered by one Of our most learned
doctors, and were just returning home. Up-
on their way home Harry Rowland had sew.
eral times pressed his companion to stem
into some drinking saloon and take smile.
But Walter Worthington, whose parents
before their death, had strongly imbued his
mind with an adherence of ali things in
temperate, and Of the benefits and virtues
OF life OF sObriety and industry, had firmly
refused. But at length his good angel had
forseken him, and he succumbed to the per-
suasive sophistry of his friend, and con-
sonted to join him in glass just once.
The court room in which Judge p
presided was densely crowded by an anxious
and curiously excited thrOng. A horrible
murderer had recently been brought into
court to receive the sentence Of the law
The prisoner, in reply to the usual question
why the sentence Of law should not be pass
ed upon him, arose in the desk, and, ad
dressing the court and jury, said
Your honor and gentlemen Of the jury,
while have nothing to say in the exculpa-
tion of the great crime of which | am charg-
ed, and have been justly convicted, should
like to be permitted to say few words in
regard to my downward course of life in the
hope that it may retard others from tread
ing the same path, and reclaim these who
are not already too far advanced
''Elrly in life was bereft Of both arents
and thrown upon the world, without guido
or prop save the moral teachings of my par
ents. BY these | was guided and su tained
tor while, and from that hour until the
present my life has been downward course.
"One night about five years ago, in com
pany with triend-how hollow now sounds
the term-I was induced to take the first
step 10 my downward course. Strongly
urged, | took glass of wine Not being
accustomed TO the use of Intoxicating bev-
erages, was shortly overcome and easily
pursuaded to try something stronger Upon
quitting the place was beastly drunk. In
a short time my disgrace became known
amongst my friends. Those whose favor
and society formerly courtcd Stunned and
repealed me. My proud spirit dropped, and
my trmness deserted me. To drown the
sense OF shame of my first disgrace | enter
ed into deeper game, and had finally gone
SO far that to go back were as bad as to
wade Ger
On attaining my majority I was o, IS So
ed OF fle competency left me by my father,
but my habits We're such that in less than
live years | had run through it all, and am
now the poor, penniess, friendlsss wretch
you see before you. On the night of the
murder Of which am convicted, and for
which | shall sooD suffer the penalty of the
law, | approached the friend Tho had
placed my foot uron the first downward
course, and appealed for charity to sustain
ny wretchel ex i-enca. My appeal was re-
ceived with taunts and jsers. For a no.
ment my brain became frenzied, as saw
before me The cause of all my wretchedness
tauntlng me with my misery | raised my
knife, AMI with all the energy of frenzied
mind all brain plunged it to tie hilt in his
heart.
Your Honor, have nothing more 10
say | know that there are no extenuatiug
circumstances to screen me from the law Of
man, but in the short time that may be al
lotted to me shall endeavor to make such
attonement for my sins as will plead TO God
for mercy"
The prisoner ceased speaking, and the
Judge, in solemn manner, passed the en-
teuce Of death.
Just this once! What a volume of mis-
cry and woe is conveyed in those three
words. What heart-rendings and unutter.
able anguish have they produced. Just
this once and then-lost. .-EWaverly Maga-
vine.