Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-02-21
WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA, FEBRUARY 21, 1867.

|
and periodicals.. The literary designation
of their club was mere feint to blind pa
rents and curiously prJing friends and re-
latives. fh 3
Our. young friend saw, on the evening of
his introduction to the club, that it was a
false pretence, and its associations demon
alizing. But the young men were so gen
ial, so fresh and witty, the wine SO exhiler
ating and the cards as absorbing that he
soon fund himself within the sphere of a
common enjoyment, and partaking with a
zest.
! He was not used to much wine his Sc
cond glass confused his senses for little
while, and the third gave him a strangely
bouyant feeling that annoyed him. A
sense Of fear and shame accompanied his
feelings, and he resolved to drink no more
that evening So he passed the bottle
when it next came round but his neighbor
filled his glass for him saying:
Don't be afraid of this wine it's no
stronger than water"
He was lifting his glass when his hand
stopped midway. Then he sat down and
did not touch the VINE again.
"This is dull work." exclaimed one Of
the company, as he took the pack of cards
and began to shuttle them at the close of a
game.
Lets have a shilling stake just for the
excitement of the thing Even boys don't
play marbles for fun, nor shoot at pennies,
nor pick eggs without the hope of win
ming. And what are we but boys Of a
larger growth %
Portmonnaies were instantly in hand all
around the table Yielding to the common
assent of this proposition, our young friends
hand went down into his pocket, but ere
he drew it forth his hand was arrested al
most as abruptly as if external force had
been applied Then rising from the table,
he left the room without saying a word,
and never entered it again.
Knowing glances passed around the
circle
What's up % asked one.
Enlightened p said one
ooh, you must excuse him; he S just
from the country" said third
And the game went on.
Said fellow student in the law Office to
Alfred the next day:
Il wish I had left with you last night,
but [ handn't the courage to break away"
Then drawing out his purse, he held it
up adding:
Every dollar gone, you see,'
"What do you mean ?" ask Alfred, lift
ing his brow with surprise.
I'm a plucked pigeon.
"And you knew it was wrong to gam
bic p
"Ofcourse [ dill, and wished myself well
out of it when stake was proposed, bnt
hadn't your manly courage. How in the
world did you muster up strength Of mind
to brave that whole company? couldn't
have done it. D
Because" was the answer, II saw
things more to be dreaded than their scorn
or displcasure.
The days and weeks moved on. Our
young friend attracted strongly he was
favorite with every circle in which he gain
ed admission. Gradually some of the fin
er perceptions which he brought with him
into the city lost their delicate edge. He
was not so quick to perceive danger was
less on bis guard Many currents passed
against him, bearing him often away from
the safe channels.
His head grew less strong against wine;.
his ear less sensitive to unseemly speech
eyes became tempters Forbidden fruit
was not looked upon with desire, but some
times plucAed and eaten, leaving upon the
taste its after bitterness and disgust And
yet, among his companions, he was noted
for large degree Of self-control for the
ability TO stop at the point Of danger, and
go resolutely back, no matter who might
( take offense and sneer.
| s'He bears charmed life," said many
weak one, signing over their own debase-
ment. If I could only plant my feet as
he does and say, ''not one step further in
the wrong direction"
But Of himself Alfred was not so strong.
| 1t was not the strong will that saved him,
but rather the charmed life
A year of city life wrought many changes
in our young friend. He had grown man
her IN appearance, and moved with firm
er step alH more confident air.
The experience Of that first year-the
dangers and escapes-the new aspect CT
life it had revealed to our young friend,
were lessons not to be UNDECIDED.
One day, during the irst month Of his
second year IN the city. our young friend
was sitting alone in his proprietor's Office,
late Ill the afternoon, when an acquaintance
came IN. He was about Alfred's age, a
youth Of superior talents, and like him,
had spent his earlier years in the country.
The city's alurements had been too strong
for him. He had fallen into many vices.
and they had woven, like busy spiders,
their half invisible cords about him, until
he was held an almost powerless captive.
lie was pale, his eyes were .congested from
recent dissipation his hand was hot aud